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INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHOR
What initially got you interested in writing?
BN: I grew up wanting to be a comic book artist. I started writing comic scripts so I would have something to draw. Eventually, that led to writing scripts for other writers as well. From there I focused on writing and started getting work from publishers. Then one day I decided to try my hand at writing a novel. I failed. A couple years later, I decided to try again. This time, I finished it and had a great desire to do it again. I love telling stories.
What genres do you write in?
BN: I dabble in multiple genres. I write crime, thrillers, and mystery, pulp, adventure, sci fi, space opera, fantasy, young adult, horror, and have even a western. I count myself fortunate that I haven’t gotten pigeon-holed into only 1 genre. I can stretch my creative wings.
What drew you to writing these specific genres?
BN: I work in genres I enjoy. Granted, some I enjoy more than others, but I have worked on projects that weren’t as interesting to me and the end result was a less than satisfying experience. These days, I’m not averse to saying no to a project if I don’t think I’m a good fit for it or vice versa. Sometimes I will try a new genre because it sounds like fun or gives me an opportunity to test out that genre. That’s how I wrote a western short story.
How did you break into the field?
BN: I did some small, indie work that never really went anywhere and did a comic strip for a local kids/family magazine that ran for 12 years, but my first professional comic book work came in 2000 when I was hired to script Demonslayer, a series that had just moved from Image to for Avatar Press. The scripter that was on the book was leaving and I came aboard as the new scripter, working from the artist/owner’s plots/art. That led to other work. From there you take that project and try to find more work.
I am often asked at conventions, “What do you do after you break into comics?” Answer: “You break in again.” Just because you sell one book does not mean the next one will be easy. It might be easier because you’ll have a published book to show, but it’s a struggle and a lot of work.
What do you want readers to take away from reading your works?
BN: First and foremost, I hope that readers of my work are entertained. That’s my main focus whenever I write a story, whether it be a novel, short story, comic script, or screenplay, my primary goal is to entertain.
What do you find most rewarding about writing?
BN: There is a great sense of accomplishment when I finish a novel and it goes off to a publisher, but the most rewarding experience in writing for me has been when someone has read one of my books and tells me that they enjoyed it. That’s a fantastic feeling. I wish it happened more often, but I savor the moments when it does.
What do you find most challenging about writing?
BN: My biggest challenge is getting started. Once I get in the chair and start writing, I’m usually okay, but getting started is always tough for me. Too many things try to keep me away from the writing desk. In the actual writing part of writing, the middle of a story is tough. Knowing when the middle act ends and the final act begins can be tricky at times.
What advice would you give to people wanting to enter the field?
BN: Set goals for yourself. Define what success means to you and set goals to get you there. Also, if you want to write as a career, then you have to treat it like a job. That sometimes means long, sleepless nights to hit deadlines, missing TV or trips out with friends, but you have to make those deadlines. If you treat writing like a hobby, that’s all it will ever be. Not that there is anything wrong with that. Many people write as a hobby and are perfectly happy doing so. That’s why I suggest setting goals for what you want to do because not all writers want the same destination.
What type of books do you enjoy reading?
BN: I love reading thrillers, a good crime caper. I also still enjoy comic books and graphic novels.
Is there anything else besides writing you think people would find interesting about you?
BN: I occasionally do background work in movies and TV. I was also an actor in a couple of projects, including being killed in a horror movie. Fun stuff.
What are the best ways to connect with you, or find out more about your work?
BN: I am all over social media and I have a site of my own as well. I am quite personable and will respond to any messages sent to me. I also do a lot of conventions and conferences so if you see me at one, please stop by and say hello.
Here are a few handy links:
www.facebook.com/AuthorBobbyNash
www.google.com/+BobbyNashAuthor
http://amazon.com/author/bobbynash
http://instagram.com/bobbynash14
www.authorgraph.com/authors/bobbynash
www.linkedin.com/myprofile?trk=hb_side_pro
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
An award-winning author, Bobby Nash writes novels, comic books, short stories, novellas, graphic novels, and the occasional screenplay for a number of publishers and production companies including IDW Publishing, Sequential Pulp Comics, Dark Horse Comics, Moonstone Books, Airship 27 Productions, Pro Se Productions, Raven’s Head Press, Stark Raving Press, Farragut Films, Dark Oak Press, Avatar Press, Fight Card Books, Radio Archives, BEN Books, and more. A comprehensive list of Bobby’s published titles and upcoming releases can be found at www.bobbynash.com.
Bobby is a member in good standing of the International Association of Media Tie-in Writers and International Thriller Writers.
He was named Best Author in the 2013 Pulp Ark Awards. Rick Ruby, a character co-created by Bobby and author Sean Taylor also snagged a Pulp Ark Award for Best New Pulp Character of 2013. Bobby has also been nominated for the 2014 New Pulp Awards and Pulp Factory Awards for his work. In 2015, Bobby’s novel, Alexandra Holzer’s Ghost Gal: The Wild Hunt won a Paranormal Literary Award in the 2015 Paranormal Awards.
For more information on Bobby Nash please visit him at www.bobbynash.com and across social media. If you see him walking around a con, please say hi and make sure he’s not lost.
