Author Interview: Bobby Nash

We are super proud to feature Bobby Nash in today’s interview. Bobby Nash is an award-winning author. He writes novels (Snow, Evil Ways, Deadly Games!, Nightveil: Crisis at the Crossroads of Infinity), comic books (Edgar Rice Burroughs’ At The Earth’s Core, Domino Lady, Operation: Silver Moon), short fiction (Mama Tried, Domino Lady, Yours Truly Johnny Dollar, The Avenger), and the odd short screenplay (Starship Farragut “Conspiracy of Innocence, Hospital Ship Marie Curie “Under Fire”). Bobby is a member of the International Association of Media Tie-in Writers and International Thriller Writers. He occasionally appears in movies and TV shows, usually standing behind your favorite actor and sometimes they let him act. Recently, he was seen in Creepshow, Joe Stryker, Doom Patrol, The Outsider, Ozark, Lodge 49, Slutty Teenage Bounty Hunters, and more. He also draws from time to time.

He was named Best Author in the 2013 Pulp Ark Awards. Rick Ruby, a character co-created by Bobby & Sean Taylor also snagged Best New Pulp Character of 2013. Bobby has been nominated for the 2014 New Pulp Awards and Pulp Factory Awards for his work. Bobby's novel, Alexandra Holzer's Ghost Gal: The Wild Hunt won a Paranormal Literary Award in the 2015 Paranormal Awards. The Bobby Nash penned episode of Starship Farragut "Conspiracy of Innocence" won the Silver Award in the 2015 DC Film Festival. Bobby's novel, Snow Drive was nominated for Best Novel in the 2018 Pulp Factory Awards. Bobby's story in The Ruby Files Vol. 2 "Takedown" won the 2018 Pulp Factory Award for Best Short Story.

For more information on Bobby Nash please visit him at www.bobbynash.com, www.ben-books.com, and across social media.

Where do you live and how does it influence your writing?

I live in Bethlehem, Georgia, which is roughly 50 miles east of Atlanta. I’ve lived in the area all of my life so the place does influence me. I set several of my stories here, though not all. My crime thrillers pretty much live in the same world so sometimes they end up in similar locations to other characters. It’s a fun little easter egg for readers, I think.

When did you first become passionate about writing what attracted you to it?

I started really pouring myself into writing after graduating high school. I dabbled during high school, but after I was out in the world, I really started to focus on writing. I love creating character and then seeing them deal with situations. That act of creation is what attracted me, I think. I still love dreaming up new characters, although I don’t always have time to write them.

What inspires you to write?

I have to write the stories down to get them out of my head. Oh, and deadlines. Deadlines always inspire a sense of desperation and panic. Ha!

How do you market your books?

I enjoy promoting my work. I send out newsletters (you can sign up at http://www.subscribepage.com/NashNews if interested). I write and distribute press releases. I reach out to newspapers, blogs, podcasts, radio stations, TV, websites, and more to see if they are interested in an interview or a press release and make sure they get it. I post to social media, of course. I love going to conventions, conferences, bookstores, and doing book signings. I give presentations at libraries, book clubs, and writer’s groups. It’s all about getting the word out. I don’t get a yes for every time I ask, but I do get some and that helps me to reach a new reader or two, hopefully.

What is your favorite Genre and why?

I love thrillers. There is usually a thriller component to everything I write. Crime thrillers, action thrillers, etc. There’s so much room for emotion in thrillers, as well as mystery and scares. I get lost in trying to solve the problem along with the protagonist.

Can you tell us a little about your writing process? How do you come up with stories and how do you edit your books them?

I wish I was more disciplined than I am. I try to write a little each day, taking a day off here and there. Once I’m working, it’s simple. Just start writing. I don’t do detailed outlines. I have bullet points ;laid out so I know the main beats I need to hit in the story, but I let the characters lead me from one point to the next. This allows the characters a chance to take me on a side trip or teach me something about them that I might not have known if I hadn’t allowed them to lead the way.

Do you support yourself through writing financially, or do you have a day job and what is it?

At the moment, I am a full-time writer in search of a day job. The money I make from writing does not sustain me at this time. I am working on trying to make that dream a reality, but as an indie author, it’s tough. I feel like I am still selling each book one at a time, which is part of the reason I focus on promotion as much as I can.

My last day job was billing specialist for an apartment rental website. It paid the bills, put money in my pocket. After that, I spent three years as a full-time caretaker for my parents, both of whom were ill. My mother passed away, but my dad improved. Today, I am a part-time caretaker.

How many hours a day do you spend writing and what helps you to get into the writing mood?

I don’t have a dedicated time frame where I work. When I sit down and start writing, I generally go for hours. When I need a break, I take one. It still boils down to 6 hours or more.

And what’s the best moment you’ve had with your writing career so far?

Ohh. Tough one. Okay, here’s one. When my first novel, Evil Ways debuted in 2005, I worked in an office. Several of my friends from work were kind enough to buy copies of the novel, for which I was grateful. One morning, my phone rings not long after I sit down. It is one of the customer service reps from upstairs. I say, “Good morning.” She says to me, “You son of a bitch. I stayed up all night reading your damn book and I am so tired this morning.” It made me laugh.

Oh, a second one. I used to co-host the Earth Station One podcast. Through the podcast, I got to know one of our listeners, who became a friend, from the UK. He and his wife travel to the US on vacation every other year and they planned one of them around a convention where we would all be. We had a great time hanging out, laughing, talking, and enjoying each other’s company. One of the days, I’m at my table with books for sale when he walked up with a stack of books he had brought all the way from the UK for me to sign. Those were some well-traveled books. I got a little choked up by that. It’s still a precious memory.

I have met some truly incredible people thanks to writing. I travel also, which I love. I have also received some kind words from people who have read my work, which is always humbling and appreciated. Oh, and I’ve won a few awards, which is a nice cherry on top.

How do you respond to writer’s block or not knowing what to write?

I really don’t believe in writer’s block. There are days I don’t feel like working. I still know what needs to be done, but just don’t feel like doing it. I think all jobs have days like that. If I ever get stuck on a plot point, which many people think of as writers block, I step away for a bit and occupy my mind with other things like doing the dishes or laundry, cutting the grass, taking a walk or drive. While your brain is focused on these tasks, your subconscious starts working the plot problem.

What are you working on next?

I always have multiple projects going at any given time. I’m currently working on the 5th book in my Snow series for BEN Books (Books 1 – 4 are available now), the 2nd book in the Hunter Houston: Horror Hunter series for Falstaff Books (Book 1 has not yet been released), and a short story for a horror anthology for Savannah Quill Press. All are nearing completion and there are other projects on deck when I complete these.

Where would you like to see yourself in three years time?

I would like to see myself back on track. I fell behind the past few years. I would like to be on a better schedule and making a decent living off my writing would be nice. Hopefully, I am still writing and getting stories out to readers.

What is your strategy you to grow your audience?

I don’t have a single strategy. I do a lot of personal appearances where I can talk directly to readers about the books. That seems to work really well. I also try to promote via blogs, interviews, podcasts, and the like. That reaches a fairly large audience as well.

What advice would you give young writers just starting out?

Decide what success means for you and plan accordingly. If you want to write as a career, then you have to treat it like one. That means long nights, writing when you don’t feel like it, things like that. It’s a job. If you want to write as a hobby or a side hustle, that’s cool too. Then, you have freedom to write when the mood hits you or whatever. Know what you want to get out of writing and aim for that goal. I learned this lesson a little later on after I had already gone off track.