Saturday, February 16, 2013

Interview with Bestselling Author and Soldier Casey Sean Harmon

Give us a quick introduction on yourself and your book. I am an Amazon.com bestselling author and an active duty Soldier in the U.S. Army. I have studied with the Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writer's Guild, and hold a degree through American Military University. My goal is to promote family-friendly reading by writing stories that teach values while remaining exciting and adventurous. I live with my wife and son wherever the military sends us.

What inspired you to write your first book? My father was and still is an avid reader of science fiction. He introduced me to the works of H.G. Wells and Stephen Baxter, my two favorite sci-fi authors. My father would tell us about the books that he would read with such passion and enthusiasm that my siblings and I often felt like we were going on an adventure. One day I thought to myself, "Why don't I create my own adventures that other people can go on?" That was how it started.

Do you have a specific writing style? Reader's Favorite described my writing style as "simple, concise, and organized." I like to keep things to-the-point, leaving plenty to the imagination.

What books have most influenced your life most? H.G. Well's The Time Machine, because it speaks truth about the world in which we live, and Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island, because it is great fun!
If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor? Stephen Baxter, because he taught me how to mix subtle humor into even the most complex of situations.

What book are you reading now? Beyonders by Brandon Mull. Awesome book, legendary author. If you haven't read his books, you should!

Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest? Matt Mikalatos. Check out his book The Sword of Six Worlds.

What are your current projects? I'm currently working on the second book in The Everafter Chronicles.

Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members. God. Wouldn't be here without Him.

Do you see writing as a career? Yes I do. Right now it is second to my military career, however when I retire I plan to write full-time.

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book? Not a thing. I'm so excited about my newest book!

Can you share a little of your current work with us? Sure! The title is Reign of the Night Creatures, and it is the first book of The Everafter Chronicles. Here's a quick description: The lives of James, Charlotte, young Susan and their dog Clovensport are about to change forever. After investigating a mysterious sun dog that appears in their living room, they are inexplicably transported to the mystical land of Everafter. A host of mythological creatures makes their days long and their nights dangerous as they are enlisted to discover why the moon has stopped shining. Little do they know that their purpose in Everafter is much grander than they realize.
A few reviews: "Adventure reigns in this debut novel. What a fun ride."
-Obert Skye, National Bestselling author (Leven Thumps series, Pillage Trilogy)
" Inspired, imaginative and very exciting, it's a great adventure for young readers."
-Brian Falkner, Bestselling author (The Tomorrow Code, Brain Jack)
Brief excerpt: Charlotte and Susan, fearful of what had become of their brother, found it impossible to sleep. They, along with Dehmar, had been welcomed into the house of one of the village humans. Old Mr. Tuttle, a bachelor with a spare bedroom, had filled their stomachs with stew and crackers and was sitting up with the girls in hopes of providing moral support. Mr. Tuttle had no
idea what he was getting himself into.
" I'm worried that Apollo just wasn't fast enough to escape the phoenix," Charlotte cried. She blew her nose into a handkerchief. "They should have
been back hours ago."
Little Susan was crying so hard that she couldn't talk. First it was Clovensport, and now her brother. She wished that she had never thought of the idea to ask the glowing circle what it wanted. Perhaps they would all still be trapped inside their house, but at least they would be trapped together.
Mr. Tuttle tried his best to lift the girls' spirits. He suggested a board game but was told right away by the domovol that times were too sad to be playing
games.
" Okay, then, what do you suggest?" Mr. Tuttle asked.
" How about reading a story?" Dehmar replied. "Every kid likes a good story."
The Everafter Chronicles: Reign of the Night Creatures will be available by Tate Publishing this May!

Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)? No, however I often incorporate the things that I encounter during my travels into my writing.

Who designed the cover to your new book? Allen Jomoc of Tate Publishing. Did a good job, didn't he?

What was the hardest part of writing your new book? Having to map everything out beforehand. I usually don't map everything out; I prefer to shoot from the hip, as they say. But since this is part of a series, I thought it best to go ahead and lay everything out. I'm glad I did.

Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it? I learned not to get too attached to the characters until after the editing stage. I ended up changing the personality of one of my characters, and completely erasing another. The story is much better now because of it.

Do you have any advice for other writers? Read a lot, and write even more. Discover your forte and improve on it. Oh, and don't be afraid to ask other writers for advice. Everyone had to start somewhere.

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers? Sometimes I have to pinch myself to make sure I'm not dreaming. I am constantly blown away by the support of my family, friends and fans. I mean it from the bottom of my heart when I say thank you.