Author Interview:
Bobby Nash
BN: I was a teenager when the urge to write hit me, but it took time for me to notice. I had a dream of being a comic book artist so I started writing stories so I would have something to draw. Eventually, with the help of a friend, I realized that my writing seemed to get more attention than my art. I decided to stop splitting my focus between both and really dove headlong into writing.
What inspired you to write your first book?
BN: I really just wanted to see if I could do it. I looked on it as a challenge. I had a story I wanted to tell and so I sat down and told it. It was hard, but I finished it. That then led to a desire to do another then another, and so on…
What have you written?
BN: I’ve written over 100 stories, most of which are published or are in the que to be published, from various publishers. I write novels, comic books, short stories, graphic novels, and have also dabbled in screenplays. A few notables include Evil ways, Deadly Games!, Domino Lady: Money Shot, Alexandra Holzer’s Ghost Gal: The Wild Hunt, Lance Star: Sky Ranger, Zombies Vs. Robots, Green Hornet, The Spider, Edgar Rice Burroughs’ At The Earth’s Core adaptation, and more. You can find a full list at my website-- www.bobbynash.com
BN: Sometimes. My first goal when writing a story is to tell a good, entertaining story. Sometimes, there are messages that work, but they are not usually the main focus of anything I write. I try not to beat my readers over the head when there is a message in the story.
Is there anything in your book and/or books based on real life experiences?
BN: Oh, I absolutely pull from real life as often as I can. Sometimes in substantial ways like giving Harold and Franklin Palmer, the two main protagonists in EVIL WAYS the personalities of myself and my brother, which helped me find their groove in terms of how they communicate with one another in that brother shorthand. Other times it can be something minor like a character mentioning that he worked for a pressure gauge manufacturer, which I did for a number of years. It gives me a real-life basis to build my fiction on top of and gives it that extra spark of realism.
I have also had experiences that have inspired the beginning of stories as well. Places I’ve visited also creep into my stories. For example, I set the action in SNOW FALLS inside a hotel in Atlanta. I mentioned that this hotel hosted a huge pop culture convention every year on Labor Day. For those familiar with Dragon Con, you’ll immediately get a sense of the hotel and surrounding area. If not, you still get the descriptions in the novel. It’s just a nice bonus for those who recognize the hotel.
Who is your favorite character from one of your stories?
BN: This is one of those answers that will no doubt change each time I’m asked, but Archer Snow from SNOW FALLS and the upcoming SNOW STORM has quickly become a favorite character that I created. He’s just too much fun.
Of characters that I didn’t create, I’ve developed great affection for the character of DOMINO LADY, which is one of the reasons I keep returning to the character in comics and prose. Speaking of which, there are new comic and prose stories coming from me in the near future featuring DOMINO LADY so stay tuned.
BN: I don’t think about that a lot because I don’t want to become married to the idea of a certain actor as the character, at least not in the characters I created. With DOMINO LADY, the cover to the RETURN OF THE MONSTERS: DOMINO LADY VS. WEREWOLF one-shot comic painted by Dan Brereton made me think that Jeri Ryan would be great as the character.
What books and/or writers have influenced you the most?
BN: Influences are all around. I don’t know if I have one book that influenced me the most, but I take away something from every book I read and every writer I meet. I really like to see how authors handle a series and have learned a lot form the way others have handled their books and careers.
That kind of feels like a cop out answer so I pulled some examples of books that influenced me. As a kid, Encyclopedia Brown influenced my interest in mysteries. I love solving them and writing them. There was a novel called Snow-bound Six about people stuck on a mountain and trying to survive and reach safety. That book, which I read in one of my Mom’s Reader’s Digest’s made me want to get out and tell stories set in the wilderness. Readers of my work will definitely notice this.
What is your favorite book?
BN: I don’t really know that I have a favorite book, but there are some that I go back to and re-read multiple times.
How do you conquer writer’s block?
BN: I don’t really believe in writer’s block. It’s not being able to write or not knowing the story that gets in my way, it’s all the distractions and interruptions from the outside world that get in the way. It’s an ongoing battle.
What has been your greatest challenge when writing?
BN: Making the time to sit down and get started is probably my biggest challenge these days. Once I’m in the groove, I’m generally okay, but sometimes getting started is rough.
How do you rejuvenate after a writing session?
BN: Sleep. Yeah. Sleep is good.
BN: Nothing springs immediately to mind, but there have been those occasions, when on a deadline and the lack of sleep makes everything seem funny. That’s happened.
What are you working on right now?
BN: I’m currently bouncing between two things. I’m writing scripts for the DOMINO LADY Threesome comic book, which will be a team-up pulp action thriller comic book series coming from Moonstone Books. I’m also working on EVIL INTENT, a new Harold Palmer Thriller. Also, planning some celebratory events as EVIL WAYS celebrates 10 years since it first saw print.
What have you learned and do you have any advice for other authors?
BN: I’ve had to learn skills and techniques I hadn’t planned to learn as a writer. First and foremost has been marketing. A published author once told me that no one was going to care as much about my book as I would so why should I expect they would market it more passionately than I? It made sense. I’ve learned how to do websites, panels, Q&A sessions, conventions, podcasts, things like that. All part of the writing job.
What famous person would you like to meet? Why?
BN: Kurt Russell. I imagine he’s just the coolest guy to hang out with.
If you could go anywhere in the world? Where?
BN: Somewhere with nice, white sandy beaches.
What is your favorite book quote?
BN: Oh, that’s a tough one. I’ll have to get back to you on that one.
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About the Author
An award-winning author, Bobby Nash writes novels, comic books, and short prose tales for a number of publishers and clients.
Bobby’s most recent offerings include the
Bobby is a member of the International Association of Media Tie-in Writers and International Thriller Writers.
Author Links:
About A.E. Albert
Thanks for the great interview, A.E. Somehow I missed this one when it came out. Will spread the word today.
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