Author Interview: Karl M. Dreyer Jr.

I'm pleased to welcome indie author Karl M. Dreyer Jr. to the blog today who's sharing a little about
​his writing journey so far! 

Here we go... 
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To find out more about Karl visit his website! 

​It's been over one hundred years since the 'Year of Storms'. A time when natural disasters decimated three-quarters of the world's population. The hurricanes, tornadoes, and other catastrophes were the result of centuries of environmental abuse and the unchecked reaping of Earth's natural resources.
 
Now, we live in a time where the difference between rich and poor is a matter of life and death. The World Council is slowly gaining ground in its battle to rebuild this world. In addition to global rationing, they've established the off-world outposts. The outposts provide the resources needed to rebuild Earth’s cities and return them from the brink of devastation, and for those who chose to migrate to the outposts, they provide a means to make a better life.
 
Unfortunately, the greed of the rich and powerful is threatening to take it all away.

Buy Karl's book here! 
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THE INTERVIEW...

Who are you and what do you write?

I just turned fifty on the 3rd of March, and released my debut novel on the 7th of March. It’s a Dystopian saga about a family struggling to survive and bring hope and light to a dark world one hundred years after mankind was nearly wiped from existence.


Where and when and how did the writing life begin for you?

I began my writing journey in December of 2017. I was doing a lot of reading; specifically I was reading Clash of Kings (book 2 in A Song of Ice and Fire) by GRRM… I’m a huge GoT fan lol  As I was reading, it suddenly hit me. Call it a rush of inspiration; it suddenly hit me… I could do this. Now, don’t get me wrong. I certainly wasn’t reading GRRM’s work and thinking, Ah, this looks easy, I can do this. No, not at all. I would more accurately describe it as; it inspired me to finally let loose the stories and images swirling around in my head. 
 
I sat on the idea for a few days before I said anything to my wife. I wanted to sleep on it for a bit before I said it out loud. I think I was just testing my resolve and conviction before I committed to such a huge undertaking. After a week had passed, I finally said something. She loved the idea; she supported me through the entire process and it’s been moving full speed since then.

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How has the journey to this point been?
 
So far, the journey has been a positive. I’ve done as much research as I can to make sure I manage my expectations, but also remain confident. It took me a year to write the first draft; almost to the day. I began drafting Liberation in Dec. of 2017 and finished it in Dec. of 2018. I spent all of 2018 editing, revising, and working with beta readers. Then more revision. I employed the help of a small publisher to provide me with editing services. Long story short, I had a final draft ready by late Nov. of 2019. 


Would you go back and change anything?
 
I don’t think I would have changed anything about this journey. I’m trying to look at it as a learning experience. I’m trying to absorb as much knowledge as I can so that I can strive to improve my writing and my understanding of the industry as a whole.


What's been the hardest part of your writing/publishing experience so far?
 
For me, the hardest part of this whole process has been to open up and allow others to read my work. An entirely new experience for me and certainly the most nerve racking.


What are you plans for the future? 
 
I’ve been a software engineer for the past 25 years or so, and by all accounts, I’ve had a successful career, but truthfully, I’m ready for a change. My plans/hopes/dreams, is to be a full time novelist by the end of the decade. That is a goal I have set for myself and am working hard to make that happen.


What's one piece of advice you'd give to new writers just starting out?
 
My advice for someone starting out would be: do your research and then… JUST START WRITING! Don’t wait for the perfect conditions. Don’t wait for permission. Just chase your dreams and protect them with your very existence.


And most importantly... 

Ketchup or Mayo? - Totally Mayo
Night or Day? - Day
Inside or Outside? - I love both for different reasons.
Dogs or Cats? - I have 3 of each so I have to cheat and say both lol
Twitter or Facebook? - I prefer Twitter
Ebook or Paperback? - Totally Paperback. I have to hold the book in my hands.
Sun or Rain? - Sun
Keyboard or Pencil & Notebook? - I write on my computer, but I take notes in a notebook all of the times
Comedy or Drama? - Drama
Chips or Chocolate? - Chips all the way