Author Interview – Steven O’Connor

What does love mean to you? Love is something that is important to include in one’s writing, I believe. I had a creative writing tutor once, long ago, who said there was no point in writing about love. There was nothing new anyone could say. I was appalled by her statement. That very night I wrote a scene that expressed one of my character’s feelings about being in love. I still feel proud of that scene.

Do you find the time to read? This is frustrating because I don’t. Even less, now that I have gone indie, as I am now also writing more stuff as a part f my promotional activities (which can be fun, but is mighty time consuming too).

What is your favorite quote, by whom, and why? This is off the top of my head, from Albert Einstein: ‘Every step appears to be the unavoidable consequence of the proceeding one, and in the end it beckons more and more clearly, total annihilation.’

I guess Einstein was talking about the nuclear bomb. Pretty amazing, when you think about the scary times in which he must have said it. And here we are, many years later, and still here after all.

What are you most proud of accomplishing so far in your life? My years as a HIV/AIDS social worker do stand out as very important for me. I look back with great sadness, but there also many moving, powerful moments, and I feel proud to have been a part of that, and contributed what I could.

How long have you been writing? Since 1968. You should see all of the stuff I have. I’m drowning in it. Heaven knows what anyone would think of it all. I’m careful about what I publish. Perhaps some might say I should be even more careful.

When did you first know you could be a writer? Could be a writer? I’m not sure. But I will never stop trying to grow as a writer. So in a sense, it will always be could. I think all writers are like that. Other artists too. Always growing. I hope that makes sense!

What genre are you most comfortable writing? I really don’t think in terms of genre, but I have to go with sci-fi and fantasy because everybody else does. I just like to write about interesting, surreal, post-modern, wacky things within a plot structure.

Book 1 of the young adult sci-fi fantasy series.

The future. It’s all about friendship, love … and dangerous video games.

Launched at the Melbourne Writers’ Festival by the Australian of the Year, 2010.

(This is the kindle ebook edition of the previously trade-published paperback EleMental.)

Winner of the Young Adult Fiction for manuscript development at Varuna Writers’ House (Australia’s only national writers’ center).

Bookseller+Publisher review:
‘… a fantastic and exciting debut novel by Steven O’Connor … entertaining mix of futuristic sci-fi, horror, action and angst … this reads like Philip K Dick for teenagers. With the narrative sneakily shifting between the real and virtual worlds, O’Connor explores some fairly complex and sophisticated issues in a thrilling and accessible way.’Bookseller+Publisher, June 2010.

The story:

Willis, a loner not by choice, is gradually drawn into friendship with Zeb – cool and reckless – and into love with Arizona – bold and untouchable.

Set in 2050, the three teenagers encounter a deadly new virtual reality game called EleMental. Deliberately designed to be highly addictive, to control rebellious asteroid miners, EleMental has a byproduct no one was ready for: gameblur. One moment, you’re at your desk, the next, you’re battling something half-dinosaur, half-tank.

What Amazon reviewers are saying:

• 5.0 out of 5 stars. ’Clever, fast-paced and brilliant. A masterpiece from a genius in this genre. I highly recommend this book.’ (G. Bachelard)
• 5.0 out of 5 stars. ’I bought EleMental for my 11-year-old son and he loved it. Intrigued, I read it myself. Highly recommended.’ (Euan Mitchell)
• 4.0 out of 5 stars ‘I got this when it was in paperback. I really liked it. Now I see it’s on Amazon as an ebook … I’m getting it again.’ (Angry customer)

If you enjoy fast-paced action, strong characters, and a fun writing style, then EleMental: A First-person Shooter is for you! Download a sample or buy the book today.

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre – Young Adult / Science Fiction

Rating –PG

More details about the author

Connect with Steven O’Connor on Facebook & Twitter

Website http://stevenoconnorwriting.com/