Interview With Author Steven Moore | K.C. Sivils - USA Today Bestselling Author of The Thomas Sullivan Chronicles and Other Stories

I had the good fortune to be asked to participate in a multi-author project with seventeen other authors to produce a box set titled Dead Silent. One of the best selling authors working on the project is an ex-pat Brit by the name of Steven Moore who travels the world while calling Mexico his base of operations for himself and his wife, who is also an author.

I’m pleased to share this short interview with Steven here.

What motivated you to take the plunge and become a published author?

When I met my now wife Leslie almost 10 years ago she told me she was a writer. I wanted to impress her so I said I was a writer too (I’d dabbled a little with travel writing but nothing of note). She said, ‘Oh yeah, what have you written?’ I had to admit it was more or less nothing. She challenged me to write a novel for NaNoWriMo, so I did. That became my debut, and I have now written 15 books.

Why did you choose to write crime fiction/thrillers?

I like many genres, but I have always loved reading books by guys such as Clive Cussler, John Grisham, Patricia Cornwell and Wilbur Smith, and latterly Dan Brown. Even as a kid I read adventures by Enid Blyton. It just seemed the natural path to tread.

Where did the inspiration for your protagonist come from?

Honestly, myself. Well, me and Indiana Jones. My character is the guy I would have loved to become, mixed with a bit of Indy, and we share many traits, not least finding ourselves in some pretty awful situations. I have a lifelong love of archaeology and anthropology, and I studied those at university. I also have a degree in art history. My nomad life hasn’t been dull, so I like to put my experiences and my studies into my stories.

Where did the inspiration for your antagonist come from?

So many to choose, but usually I scan the news from the region I want to set a story and find someone to base them on. I set one of my first books in Japan, and at that time there was a famous mafia don retiring to become a Buddhist priest. Perfect, thank you. Lo and behold…

How do you arrive at the vision needed to create your stories?

I’ve been fortunate enough to have traveled a lot… 60+ countries over 5 continents. I have also lived in many of those countries and so far I have only set my Hiram Kane stories in places I have either lived or in which I have spent a lot of time. I find a local legend (or create one) and set a story around that, adding in current affairs or natural disasters.

Every author has other authors they draw inspiration from. Which authors have inspired you in your writing and storytelling career?

As an old school friend of Mark Dawson I can’t look any further than him really. He’s been generous with his time and encouragement, and although from afar, I’ve watched his brilliant rise to the top with great respect and admiration. Also, Nick Thacker & David Berens have been great allies on my journey so far.

Some authors find inspiration from specific films or music. If this is the case for you, please share which films have inspired you? Which songs or musicians?

As previously mentioned, I love the Indiana Jones movies. So much fun, and yet great action, brilliant dialogue (in my humble, totally biased opinion) and amazing settings. The Shawshank Redemption and Gladiator never get old. John Lennon is a hero, and for my sins I still listen to Guns N’ Roses and Metallica on a daily basis.

What aspects of storytelling do you find the most challenging?

To be honest, every aspect is as hard or as easy as the next. Dialogue is probably a weakness. I still feel great pride when finishing a book, and although the readers are the ultimate judges, I feel as if I’m doing most parts of it right. It’s when the book is finished that I have the most trouble.

What do you find to be the most enjoyable or satisfying aspect of being an author?

When a reader reaches out and tells me they enjoyed one of my stories, it doesn’t get any better than that. Sales are nice of course, but knowing I made someone happy makes me happy too.

What advice would you offer to any would be authors working up the courage to publish their first book or story?

Simply, my answer is to just go for it. It’s scary, and the book or story won’t be perfect. But, it never will. My debut is coming up on its 6^th anniversary. I read it recently, and although I am still proud of it, it contains so many story and structure issues and requires a complete edit. I definitely tried too hard and it is seriously over-written. But that’s okay. I am a much better writer than I was when I started and that is the key. Know that you will get better with every book, if not every chapter.

* Please pick a series or standalone book you would like for me to promote and use it as the basis to answer these questions. If you wish to cover one than more book or series, that’s great – simply indicate which you are referring to in your response.

Interested in checking out some of Steven Moore’s work?

For just .99 cents you can pre-order a copy of Dead Silent, an 18 author box set of thrillers, crime stories, and mysteries.