Learn the tricks of the trade and 'tried and true' methods of writing success from seasoned writers!
Sister Site to Writer Gazette and EbooksCafe
Today's Date:

Writers Manual welcomes you!
Learn how to create a successful writing career!

An Interview With Stephen Templin

Tell us a bit about yourself. What would you like us to know about you?

I was born in Los Angeles and lived in Arizona, Idaho, and North Carolina before joining the Navy. Although I didn't become a SEAL, I completed Hell Week, qualified as a pistol and rifle expert, and blew up things during Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training. After the Navy, I became a missionary then student.

What are you doing now? (Career? Married? Single? Children? Pets?)

Now I’m an associate professor at Meio University in Japan.

My kids complain that I eat their candy. When my wife has something important to tell me, I fall asleep. And, although I'm a writer, an editor told me that I should have a native English speaker check my werk.

Recently, Aspen Mountain Press published my new book: The Secret Service Agent.

What is your favourite food?

pizza & sushi

What is your favourite colour?

red

What is your favourite sound?

kiss

Who is your favourite person?

my wife

What is your favourite place?

Houston, Texas & Hong Kong

What is your favourite memory?

marrying my wife

What is your favourite article of clothing?

Wiley-X sunglasses

What is your favourite word?

love

What is your favourite writers' quote and why?

"The horror, the horror..." From Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad. Because it sticks with me.

What is your most favourite quality about yourself?

Friendly

What is the least favourite quality about yourself?

Unfriendly

If you could go anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?

Hawaii, because it's a great place to visit.

What inspires you to write and why?

I have no idea what inspires me to write--I was born with this urge.

What is your favourite book and why?

The Three Musketeers, by Alexander Dumas. I like the comradery and adventure.

What is your favourite genre and why?

Action-adventure--I was born addicted to this world.

List your three favourite authors (any genre) and why?

Alexander Dumas
William Shakespeare
Edgar Allan Poe

These are the three I find myself reading over and over again. They have a timeless quality to their works.

What do you think makes a writer successful?

Finding a groove between artistic expression, communicating with an audience, and finding acceptance.

Whta is it that makes you successful as a writer?

I don't know yet, but when I become successful, you can ask me again.

What are your goals as a writer?

Bestseller!

What is the best tip you can give to fellow writers?

Just do it

What do you hope to provide your readers with through your writing?

Adventure outside their daily lives. And maybe a little insight.

List your three favourite online writer-resource sites and why (include URLS).

(1)www.barryeisler.com/
-Barry is my favorite modern author, and I've learned a lot from him. I find myself visiting his site often.

(2)en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page
-Wikipedia really helps me speed up my research.

(3)www.youtube.com/
-Recently, I find myself visiting here for a variety of inspiration.

If you have published a book, tell us about your publishing success (title, publishing date and company, where it is available to purcahse).

The Secret Service Agent, published by Aspen Mountain Press is available as a Kindle e-book on Amazon.com and e-book for PC download at Aspen Mountain Press. You can find more info at my website: stephentemplin.com/

How long did it take you to write your book(s)?

This one has taken me several years since the first idea came to me.

What would you do differently if you could repeat the same publishing experience?

Learn faster

What have you learned about the publishing world?

I've known that believing strongly in getting published will increase my chances of getting published--it's no guarantee, but it increases the chances.

This is your chance to 'Talk Back' to your readers. What would you like to say to them?

Hi, thank you for taking the time to read this.

What's the one thing that you want them to know about your writing?

You won't need a seatbelt because at the speed we're going, you won't survive a wreck, anyway.

Use of this web site is an indication of your agreement with our Terms of Service. Copyright 2001, 2002 Writers Manual and Topzone Systems Inc. All contents and graphics copyrighted - Do not copy! Contact us at: editor@writersmanual.com Web Design by Krista Barrett.