It is with great pleasure I welcome the author of the Displaced series, Stephen Drake. I’ve recently had the pleasure of reading the pre-release version of Civilization, it was so brilliant I’ve since purchased book one. If you love vivid characters, brilliant dialect and an engrossing plot you’ll love this author.

About the author

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

High School, Tech School, Military.

I’ve worked all kinds of jobs before.

I’m a retired computer programmer of 20+ years.

What are your hobbies?

Harley-Davidson Motorcycles, Bow hunting, Karate and Knitting

Which writers inspire you?

Heinlein, Asimov, Herbert (Frank & Brian), John Scalzi, Karen Gray, K.J. Simmill, Kelly Michele Baker, Alex Grove

For your own reading, do you prefer e-books or paper/hard back books?

I have very few paperback books. I prefer hard bound or e-book.

What are you reading at present?

Darrienia by K.J. Simmill

What is your favourite book and why?

Tough question. I’d have to say the entire Dune series. They are well-written and can entertain long after the third reading. I’ve read each at least 8 times.

What is your favourite film/ series and why?

“Wild Hogs” because it makes me laugh and I know people like that.

“Shrek” (all of them) because  of the silliness and additions of pop culture to old fairytales.

“Star Trek” (all of the movies and tv series) because they let me think the future is brighter.

“Babylon 5” because I like the sweeping epics.

“Space Above and Beyond” because of the range of emotions it elicits.

“Superman” (1950’s), “Lois and Clark”, “Smallville” because they all deal with telling a legend.

 

What do you feel is your greatest accomplishment?

I don’t know that I’ve accomplished anything. If something I write makes someone think, are entertained, and run a gambit of emotions then I’m happy.

How do you relax?

 Knit.

I watch “Arrow”, “The Flash”, “Ray Donovan”, “Gotham” and anything else that looks interesting.

I watch “NCIS” and see if I can figure out who did what within the first 5 minutes.

What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

Read a lot and pay attention to what you’re reading; how it’s written and what it elicits from you. You have to read some books that are badly written; as an example of what not to do. Keep at it!

If your friends could use one word to describe you what would it be?

Nerd

 

About writing

What made you realise your calling as an author?

Writing as a calling? I don’t look at it as a calling. It’s just something I do. I guess I have this love/hate relationship with it.

Where do your ideas come from, what inspires you?

Anywhere and everywhere. News articles, tv, the Greek Classic Myths, anywhere.

How long on average does it take you to write a book?

My first book took me a while. From 1974 to 2016. The second one took considerably less time. How long it takes is reflective on how much I want to write and the time involved. Usually, though, from concept to finish it can take a couple of years.

Do you work to an outline or plot or do you prefer just see where an idea takes you?

All of the above, and once the characters get involved buckle your seatbelt because it can go anywhere.

What is the hardest thing about writing?

You know how you picture something in your head. The hard part is to get others to see it by the words you use.

What is the easiest thing about writing?

The first draft, usually, because you are the only one to see it. It’s what you write for you.

Do you ever get writer’s Block and if so, how do you deal with it?

All the time. I usually look at notes and re-read what I’ve written to get “back into the groove” of the story. If that doesn’t work then a good stiff drink (single malt Scotch or Jim Beam) should help to loosen up the synapses.

How many books have you written, which is your favourite?

Counting all the ones I see going somewhere and works-in-progress, five. They’re all my favorite.

What are you working on at the moment?

Currently, I’m working on “Blackwing”, “Cyborg” (working title), and the third book in my “Displaced” series.

About the books

What genre are your books?

I’m a cross-genre writer. Mostly fantasy and sci-fi.

What book titles have you released so far?

“Displaced” (book one of the series)

Give us an insight into your main character(s). What does he/she do that is so special?

Usually they utilize common sense.

Who is your favourite character and why?

They’re all like kids; none are your favorite. They are all individuals.

Tell us a little bit about the book(s)/ series.

The synopsis tells all you need to determine if you want to read them.

Where can we buy it/them?

Amazon

In what formats is your book available?

Soft-cover and e-book

When is your next book due for release?

It’s due when I’m ready to publish it. Currently, I’m shooting for November 2016, but it could be sooner.

Book titles and synopsis:

“Displaced”

When Kevin Murdock, martial artist and outdoors-man extraordinaire, is revived from suspended animation aboard a transport pod, he and his nineteen fellow occupants have no idea what to expect. Murdock argues for caution in the others after seeing a few of the animals that inhabit their new environment, all of which are larger than their Earthly counterparts. Conflicts rage between Murdock and James Whittier, a politician with a lust for power and control, over Whittier’s perception of Murdock’s seeking the leadership. Murdock promotes common sense and self-reliance and some see the wisdom in this, but feel they are powerless against Whittier and his minions. Once Murdock is ostracized, he finds other entities that are more dangerous to the humans and are more powerful than any of the humans realize.

 

“Civilization” (coming soon)

He’s Ba-a-ck!

In the second book of the series, Kevin Murdock, martial artist and outdoorsman extraordinaire, has survived his first five years on the planet of the ‘Oomah’. A new transport pod, holding 200 more people, has landed and none of the new arrivals know what to expect.

He finds that the pod holds an unexpected surprise for him personally; Rose’s brother, who has brought his own issues.

Conflicts rage between Murdock and Phylicia Cunningham, a distaff cousin to James Whittier, with her own lust for power and has a need for vengeance against the person she is certain had killed her cousin.

Murdock counsels common sense and self-reliance. He trains some in survival and expects them to train the rest.

Murdock’s knowledge of the Oomah, and their ways, is expanded and further questions about his history are raised.

 

Connect with the author:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StephenDrakeAuthor

Twitter: @sldrakemt