SoCNoC mini-interview: Lee Pletzers

Born in Avondale, Auckland Lee Pletzers moved to Japan last November for good, having previously lived there for 10 years.

His web page is:http://kobefiction.we.bs/ and his two main blogs are:http://kobefiction.we.bs/site/(main blog) and http://reviewer-sffh.blogspot.com/(The Reviewer). He reviews mainly ePub books and is a major supporter of the eBook in general.

He’s written three novels: The Last Church (2009) (originally published by BBS Books and Lee re-released it at Smashwords and on the Amazon Kindle), The Game (2010) for only 0.99c (Smashwords and Kindle), and The Armageddon Shadow (2011 Smashwords/Panic Press). He has over 50 short stories published online and in print.

Lee also started a new community for writers a few weeks ago at http://escapereality.mixxt.org/

Links: Lee’s Amazon Page:http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B002FBJLWK
Novel: The Game:http://enterthegame.co.nz/
Novel: The Armageddon Shadow:http://thearmageddonshadow.weebly.com/
Facebook:http://en-gb.facebook.com/people/Lee-Pletzers/100001090958071
Smashwords Page:http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/writer113

 

1. Can you talk to us about when you knew you wanted to become a writer?

I have always written stories and my first few attempts at novels failed between 15 and 17 years of age. And then one day I decided to write a horror novel with werewolves. It took three years to write. Another three years of rewriting and in 2000 I became very serious about writing when an indy (before they were called indy) publisher showed interest in my novel. One month of hardcore rewriting and it was accepted for publication. It was released in 2001 and I got my first taste of publication. I sold my first short story the same year (for exposure). The publisher went out of business a few years later and I re-released it on Amazon and Smashwords for 1.99. eBooks should not be expensive.

I think I was 15 when I told my Aunt that I wanted to be a writer like Stephen King. She wasn't very supportive (lol). sadly she passed on two years before I got published.

 

2. What is your writing schedule, your daily goals, your productivity?

I don't have a schedule except to sit my butt on the chair and start writing. I usually have no idea what I am going to write until I look at the screen.
Sometimes I will have an idea at work and when that happens lunch goes out the window and I am emailing myself via my iPhone.

3. Do you have any funny habits or quirks (write in your underwear, at a kitchen table with kids screaming around you? write while in bed? Read and write at the same time? Need to be near a window? Eat while writing/don't eat while writing? etc...)

It used to be that I couldn't write a single word without thrash metal blearing in my ears. These days (I must be getting old) I like absolute silence. I need a cup of hot coffee before I start as I will drink that while re-reading my previous entry. I have no concept of time when I start writing. This can be troublesome when I have work the next morning (lol); luckily my wife will usually remind me of the time (if she's not asleep).

4. What are your indispensable writing tools?

In 2007 I bought Power Writer and it is excellent. The wrote The Armageddon Shadow (V1) on it. It was fantastic. But when I upgraded my computer, it didn't play well with Vista. So I switched to yWriter 3, 4, 5. A few years back I purchased MyNovel It was fantastic and reminded me of Power writer. I recently bought New novelist (based on the reviews) and it is okay. And my iPhone is a great notepad and voice memo tool.

5. Do you do any writing challenges like SoCNoC or Nanowrimo (a novel in a month)? If not, then why not? If you do, how do you use it and how does it help you? Feel free to discuss other writing challenges or how you challenge yourself in your writing.

I have not done SoCNoC, though I should. I enjoyed Nanowrimo but stopped last year as I always pass the 50,000 mark. When I knuckle down, I knuckle down. There didn't seem a point for me after 10 years of participation. It is good to push yourself as a writer and these events are great if you feel you need a kick in the pants. And sometimes you do. Admit it.

I have a new direction in my writing and a new format for writing. I have moved away from the horror novel (apart from two looking for a home) and have moved into the Thriller Market. This is an experiment. Will it pay off or not--I don't know but there is a thriller story inside me wanting out. I will see what happens. I also (now) finish a chapter and edit it before moving onto the next one. It's not what over writers tell you to do but if you try it you might be amazed at the ideas and twists you can incorporate, including lead ins.