Author Interview with G. Allen Wilbanks

3/15/2019

Who are you?

I have been trying to answer that question for years. Currently, I am a retired police officer who has finally found the free time to pursue a passion I have had my whole life: To Write!

Where do you live?

I live in northern California on a five-acre piece of property with my wife and a hyperactive German Shepherd.

via GIPHY

What’s your home life like?

A little too quiet since my two daughters moved away to go to college. An empty house is ideal for finding time to write, but it can be a bit boring at times.

What genre(s) to you like to write? To read?

I enjoy horror, fantasy, and science fiction, in that order. Most of what I write falls into the horror/fantasy realm. As far as reading, though, I am open to pretty much anything as long it is well written and has at least a modicum of bloodshed.

Why did you start writing?

I've always loved telling a good story. At the age of fifteen, I entered and won a national short story contest for writers 17 and under, and I've been writing in one way or another ever since.

What do you do when you’re not writing?

via GIPHY

Mostly yard work. Five acres is a lot of territory to take care of. But, when my wife and I have a few days of down-time, we like to hook up the trailer and head out camping. It's nice to be out in the middle of nowhere with no responsibilities other than keeping the campfire lit.

Where do you like to go when looking for a new book to read?

I love audiobooks. I can listen to a good book while I'm outside working in the yard or taking a walk, so most of my book browsing happens on Audible. There are a few established authors I like to read, but I also enjoy checking out some of the lesser known Indie authors. I have found a few true gems that way.

At what point do you call it quits when reading a new book?

There are very few books that I haven't been able to finish once I started them. The ones I walked away from just didn't hold my interest. Either the characters were completely unbelievable, or I just stopped caring what happened to them.

Are you independently or traditionally published?

I have published short stories in several magazines and on line publications, but my books have all been independently published.

How many books/stories have you published so far?

I have published two short story collections (Not for Bedtime Stories, and Thirteen Rooms), and my first novel, When Darkness Comes, was released in 2017. I have also published over 50 short stories in various magazines and websites.

What book/story are you currently promoting or working on?

I'm working on the first novel of a new horror/science fiction series. The working title is Testing Grounds. The first draft is done and the story is currently in its first rewrite.

What’s the elevator pitch?

Earth has been discovered by The Apex, an ancient and mysterious alien race. Unfortunately for us, they do not like competition.

To determine if the inhabitants of Earth might be a useful addition to their collective or a potential threat that must be eliminated before it can be realized, The Apex have decided to abduct random humans and see what they are capable of.

Seven people, along with three aliens collected from an equally unfortunate planet in another solar system, are dropped into a maze that will test their every survival instinct and skill. If they want to survive they must rise to this challenge, but even survival comes with its risks.

How long have you been working on it?

I came up with the idea about a year ago, but did not actually put pen to paper until last October. The first draft was complete in a little more than six weeks. Next it went into a drawer to sit. I don't like to start rewrites until I've had a little time to distance myself from the story.

When will it be available to buy? Where?

I'm hoping to have a finished novel available by the end of this year or early in 2020. It will be available through Amazon along with my other books.

For anyone interested in a preview, a draft of the first chapter is available to read on my website.

How can readers find you?

Deep Dark Thought Blog

What inspires you to keep writing?

“If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it.”
Toni Morrison

Anything you’d like to add?

I'd just like to say thank you for reaching out to me and offering the chance to participate in this interview.

My thanks to Allen for participating in the Laughably Inane Blog. I'd like to personally thank him for his years of service in law enforcement, and I wish him all the best in his writing endeavors.

Welcome to My Laughably Inane Blog!