Interview with
Blaine Sims
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
After experiencing a series of life-changing events, I decided to write a story. Although it is written as fiction, eighty percent is true.
How long does it take you to write a book?
It took about a year and a half.
What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
The marketing and advertising hurdles for self-published authors with little financial sources.
Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
I keep in touch with several. They all enjoy my books and look forward to reading new ones.
Does writing energize or exhaust you?
It depends. Both in a way at times.
What is your writing Kryptonite?
When I not only get an idea, but the words actually come to me as if sent by a higher power.
Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?
I try to be original.
What authors did you dislike at first but grew into?
None.
At what point do you think someone should call themselves a writer?
When they sit down and start the writing process.
What do the words “writer’s block” mean to you?
I know it well.
Are there therapeutic benefits to modeling a character after someone you know?
Yes, I definitely think so.
What comes first for you — the plot or the characters — and why?
Usually the characters. With my first book, Something About Sammy, I had the story and characters at the beginning.
How would you describe your book’s ideal reader?
A person who has an open mind, enjoys reading, and likes suspense, thrills, and a twisting plot.
How much research did you need to do for your book?
Not very much.
Tell us more about your book/s?
Something About Sammy is my first book. It is based on a true story that happened to me. The subsequent books are part of a series, The Dark Trilogy - Out of Dark Comes Light.