Today we are going to talk with Indie Author – Brandon Epps, one of the authors of Refractor Volume 1: Evoke. This badass army veteran is also a fellow member of Indie Author Central and an absolute rockstar!
Writing Related:
1. When did you know writing was what you wanted to do?
I’ve loved writing since I was a kid and have been novel writing for the past ten years. However, I didn’t get serious about it until about two years ago.
2. Tell us a little bit about your next project (or current project).
I’m currently working on three projects. The first is book one in a sci-fi trilogy about a girl who must enter a digital afterlife to locate her sister’s missing soul.
The second is book two of my Refractors series. The last is a “secret” project I’ve recently started that is outside my normal fantasy/ sci-fi genre.
3. Where do you get your inspiration for your books?
Music plays a major role in the creative process for me. I’ve come up with concepts for entire novels based on a playlist.
4. What is your writing Kryptonite?
I have an exceptionally short attention span so I have to sequester myself to get any writing done.
5. If your favorite character came into our world, who would it be and where would you take them to dinner?
I don’t have a favorite character but I love Arya Stark from a Song of Ice and Fire. I’d take here one of those dine in the dark restaurants since she had to temporarily live without her sight and I feel like it would poss help me to empathizes a bit.
6. If you had to do something differently as a child or teenager to become a better writer as an adult, what would you do?
I would have embraced my desire to write earlier and focused on it more. I would have also read more to learn from the great writers earlier.
7. What would the main character in your book have to say about you?
Sullyn from my sci-fi WIP would say “He seems like a pretty nice guy… which is why I suspect ulterior motivates.”
6. What was the best money you ever spent as a writer?
Hiring an editor. It not only provided the feedback I needed to improve my book but it also served as confirmation that the book was actually good.
7. If you could have been the author of any book ever written, which book would you choose?
Red Rising by Pierce Brown.
8. How do you think being a writer has helped you as a person?
It’s forced me to examine my life more critically and make connections between seemingly unrelated elements. I’ve also become more outgoing as this profession does require engagement with other writers and readers.
Non-Writing Related:
1. Are you more of a hunter or a gatherer?
Hunter. I go after what I want
2. You’re a new addition to the crayon box. What color would you be and why?
Absolute Zero Blue because I’m about as cool as it gets. Is that dad joke worthy?
3. What do you think about when you’re alone in your car?
Mostly story ideas or refinements to what I’m currently working on.
4. What’s your favorite ’90s jam?
Heavy Gauge by Glay. I was really into J-Rock as a teen.
5. You’ve been given an elephant. You can’t give it away or sell it. What would you do with the elephant?
I’d probably find different fruits for it to step on. It would be interesting to see it squished.
6. Who would win a fight between Spiderman and Batman?
Probably Spidey, but in his older years. Batman is normally able to outsmart his enemies but Peter Parker is pretty intelligent himself. That would be a cool fight and an even cooler team up.
7. On average, how many times a week do you hurt yourself trying to dance in the shower?
Zero. I hurt myself far too many times before and took the hint. I also can’t dance, which should have already been an indicator.
8. Would you rather fight one horse-sized duck, or 100 duck-sized horses?
Duck-sized horses for sure. I can see myself punting them over a fence or something. The idea of a horse-sized duck is just plain terrifying.
9. If you could only choose one song to play every time you walked into a room for the rest of your life, what would it be?
This is probably super cliche but there’s nothing like The Imperial March (Darth Vader’s Theme).
10. If you had to be shipwrecked on a deserted island, but all your human needs—such as food and water—were taken care of, what two items would you want to have with you?
A solar powered, satellite connected laptop.
About the Author:
Brandon Epps is a writer of Young Adult Fantasy and Science Fiction and an avid philosopher. When he’s not questioning the nature of reality, he enjoys reading, writing, photography, playing video games, learning, traveling and spending time with his wife and two daughters. A U.S. Army veteran of 13 years, his travels have taken him from the icy mountaintops of Afghanistan to the sunny beaches of Hawaii (where he failed miserably at surfing). He’s been described as both amiable and cynical, and his experiences in the military have shaped how he approaches storytelling and life. He is a huge fan of fantasy and sci-fi, and his influences include Veronica Roth, Pierce Brown, Brandon Sanderson, George R.R. Martin, Neal Shusterman, Hajime Isayama, and Hideo Kojima. Brandon is an introvert who really likes people and loves connecting with other authors and readers.
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