Christopher Payne interview & Giveaway!

My first interview! I reviewed The Gargoyle Prophecies, Part One, The Savior Rises here, it is a great funky read! Christopher Payne was kind enough to answer some questions and provide something special for one of you lucky readers...


1. Tell me about your book. How did you come up with that story?

CP: I wanted to write a genre book that was different. I don't do mainstream but I like jumping around the peripheral somewhat. The story just kind of evolved as I began writing.

2. How did you get interested in writing about gargoyles?

CP: I have always been fascinated with Gargoyles, but during a recent trip to London the idea of writing about them came to me. I was in a Cathedral gift shop and they had a couple of little gargoyle statues, I bought them and thought, why not write about gargoyles.

3. What kind of research did you do for this book?

CP: There is actually a lot on-line about gargoyles which is easy to find. I realized the original intent was for drainage way back when but what I hadn't realized is how they were also assumed to ward off evil spirits. Interestingly enough gargoyles are also supposed to be a little mischievous and even devious. Now that I can believe.

4. What's a typical working day like for you? When and where do you write?

CP: When I get in the mood to write, I either do so lying in bed or sitting in my leather recliner. All of my writing is done in one of these two places, and in most instances with a glass of scotch sitting beside me for inspiration. Once I get going on a story it is hard for me to stop. My fiance tells me I am obsessive.

5. What is the hardest part of writing for you?

CP: The reviews. I can write like crazy, but I am obsessed with reviews. Take the gargoyle book for example. I just received a review on librarything.com from a lady who not only admitted to not liking the book before she received it, she only read two chapters and commenced telling me how bad it was. I think some critical reviews are actually very helpful, but some people are just idiots. She gave me the lowest ranking 1/2 a star, and she hated the book from the second she requested it. I wonder if she is related to my ex-wife?

6. What's the best thing about being an author?

CP: I love reading, and when I write it is like creating this entire world of fantasy where anything can happen. I love typing as fast as I possibly can in some cases just to figure out what will happen next. For me writing is almost like reading a good book, I just keep typing in order to see how the story progresses.

7. What are you working on now, anything you can share?

CP: Duncan's Diary II, The Maturation. It is a horror story about a serial killer. Very violent and not for everyone. Duncan is a typical man who goes off the deep end and finds out he enjoys torturing and killing people. It is a little graphic, even for me, and I am writing the series.

8. What advice would you give aspiring writers?

CP: Don't listen to all the mumbo jumbo people tell you about how to write. Just sit down and start typing. Anyone can correct grammar and POV, sorry I had to throw that in there because some people love keying on POV shifts in my books, but it takes creativity to imagine a story. If you just sit down and start typing your mind can take you to some pretty funky places. Write it down and see what comes out. You can always go back and polish it later.

9. Do you have any favorite authors or favorite books?

CP: I just bought a leather bound book of Edgar Allen Poe from a used book store. I can't wait to start reading it. I love old books. If I ever get any money I think my hobby would be collecting them.

10. If you were writing a book about your life, what would the title be?

CP: When bad things happen to good people!

11. Describe your book in 5 words.

CP: Quirky action with a twist.

A big thanks to Christopher for the interview and the *signed* copy of his book one of you will win! To enter you must be a follower through GFC and fill out this form:

Gargoyle Prophecies, Part One, The Savior Rises

Extra entries for:

• +2 Following @JournalStone 
• +2 Following @nizmart
• +1 Tweeting about it

Giveaway ends December 31st, good luck to all!