Interview with Cliff Ball

Cliff Ball

Interview Date: 3/30/2012

Biography

I currently live in Lewisville, TX, and was born in Arizona. I'm a Christian and my worldview tends to inhabit my novels, so there's a Christian or Conservative theme in my novels. I have a BA in English from Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, and currently thinking of pursuing an MA in Technical Communications, but I'm currently in the process of getting a Technical Writing certificate from the University of North Texas. I've been writing since I was 10 years old, but have only seriously thought about doing anything with it, as far as being published is concerned, in the last 10 years. Had a short story win a contest through Creative Writing while in high school, which was called Role Reversal. Graduated from Mountain View High School in Mesa, AZ.
Published Out of Time in 2008, Don't Mess With Earth in 2009, The Usurper, published 7-11-2010, Shattered Earth published Oct 2010, New Frontier, published December 2011, and Times of Trouble, published February, 2012. I have also published a couple of short stories, which can be found on the "Short Stories" link above. Check out my blog, which can be found on the links page.


When did you start writing, and was there a significant event that prompted you to do so?

I started writing when I was about 10, and I don't think it was anything or anyone who prompted me, I just found that I enjoyed writing.


Do you have a favorite superhero from novels, comics, or movies?

That's a tough one to answer. I'll say Batman.


Where do you get your inspiration for writing? What motivates you?

I'm inspired by the world around me. I tend to pay attention more than most people seem to about stuff that goes on, and sometimes I incorporate that into my novels.


Do you pre-plan your stories, or are you a by-the-seat-of-the-pants style writer?

I used to a seat-of-the-pants kind of writer, but the older I get, the more I have to plan it out, otherwise, I'd forget what I wanted to write about.

Kev's response: Oh, my god, this is awesome. I've found a kindred (senile) spirit! I have to put notes on spreadsheet tabs to keep track at times.


Do you write only when inspired, or do you have a set schedule where you sit down to write?

I write when I'm inspired. Sometimes that's every day, once a week, and sometimes it'll be two or three months between writing another few thousand words.


Do you have a favorite genre to write in? To read?

I don't have a favorite genre to write in, since I'm still experimenting with what genres work for me. As for reading, I enjoy science fiction, but not the hard SF.


What do you enjoy the most about writing?

I enjoy finding out that I have more stories to tell than I originally thought.

Kev's response: I agree - I recall many years ago thinking about writing "my novel." Now, the concept of only having written one seems foreign to me.


Is there any part of writing that you don't enjoy?

I don't enjoy the complete exhaustion that comes with finishing writing a novel. I feel drained and then I don't want to write again for a while.


Do you write one story at a time, or do you have several novels in the works at one time?

I write one story at a time, but I sometimes have the other novel idea that I want to write rattling in my head.

Kev's response: I'm generally the same way. I might get ideas and make occasional notes about a forthcoming novel, but I focus on the one at hand.


Where do you see the future as far as paper books versus digital e-books?

I remember as a kid when they said we'll be a paper-less society in 15 years. That was over 20 years ago, but now I am beginning to see that digital e-books will probably replace paper books eventually. My novel sales tend to reflect that, because I sell more ebooks than paperbacks by a very wide margin.


What are your current projects?

I'm currently working on a parallel novel to my last novel, Times of Trouble. This new novel will follow a family in Arizona as they try to live through government tyranny to the End Times.


Do you have any advice for others about self-publishing?

Self-publishing takes a lot of work, energy, and time. So be patient, because sometimes it takes years before you're noticed.

Kev's


Do you have any online sites where readers can find out more about you (and your books)?

My website is www.cliffball.net, with links to all of my novels and where they can be bought.


Kev's response: Thank you for the interview, Cliff. I wish you the best on your novels.



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