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NICHOLAS P. ADAMS
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Welcome to the Laughably Inane Blog!

Who doesn't love getting someone else's opinion?
Here's where I review the books I've read, interview the authors, and post random stuff here and there.
As everyone knows: If you want to thank an author, write a review!
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Author Interview with Nicholas Johnson

9/27/2019

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Who are you?

My name is Nicholas Johnson. My friends call me Nick! I write, and do art under the moniker Bob Van Starr. I took the first name from Bob ross, my middle name from Vincent Van Goh, and the last part of the name came from Ringo Starr. I chose to write/publish under a pen name for a few reasons. One of the reasons was to keep my personal professional identity partially concealed. The other big reason is there had to have been tons of other Nicholas Johnson writer/ authors out there, but there’s only one Bob Van Starr.
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Where do you live?

I live in beautiful Down East, Maine! I specifically live in a small town called Calais that is on the border to Canada. I grew up in Calais and moved back after I completed my studies.
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What’s your home life like?

I would consider my home life to be pretty typical. I work a nine to five teaching English at the high school level. I spend my evenings mostly illustrating, writing or painting. I have a Pug named Coach, and I spend the rest of my free time hanging out with my friends and family.

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

This question is tricky! I spend most of my time these day’s writing comic books. The comic books I write I would describe as dark-ish comedy. I do really enjoy writing comedy quite a bit. I enjoy writing comics so much I haven’t done much traditional writing recently. When I do write traditionally I’m mostly interested in Science Fiction/ Fantasy. 

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As far as reading goes I read a ton of comic books. I’ll read any genre of comic I’m not picky in that regard a few of my favorite comic authors would of include Stan Lee (of course,) Steve Gerber (Howard The Duck, and Man-Thing,) Allan Grant (Lobo, and The Demon), and Gilbert Shelton (The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers) . As far as traditional books go again I really enjoy Science Fiction and Fantasy. I would say my favorite author is Robert E. Howard. My second favorite author would probably be Isaac Asimov! I also really enjoy Lovecraft and Tolkien!

Why did you start writing?

I started writing because I wanted to create something. I was tired of the same old get home from work play a few hours of video games or watch T.V. then go to bed routine. I figured there had to be a better way to spend my time. ​

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What do you do when you’re not writing?

I work as a high-school English teacher, and that’s how I spend the vast majority of my time. I also spend a lot of time with my dogs, my friends, and my family. In addition I’m a huge movie buff, and have been known to dabble with some specific video games.

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

Often times when I’m ready to read something new I take recommendations from friends or reviews. Other than that, there are a few small book shops in Maine where I live. Sometimes I just poke my head in the door to see what I can find. 

P.s. I'm not below searching someones library while they sleep, if I think they have good taste. ;-)

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

I stop reading new books about five minutes after they completely loose my attention.

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Are you independently or traditionally published?

I am Independently Published. I publish all my works through Amazon KDP. Amazon does all of the printing, mailing, and finances. So, in my opinion they do a lot of the work people associate with publishing.
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How many books/stories have you published so far?

My seventh comic book was published at the end of August. I attempt to put out a new thirty to forty-page comic book every two months.

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

’m currently promoting The Litter Critter #1. The Litter Critter is the comic book I finished in August. 

I am working on Callow Corvus #6, which is my main comic book series. I am also working on a children’s book called “Kid learns about Recycling.” In addition to those two pressing projects I have work started on the next several issues of Callow Corvus. With a tentative release schedule of:
Callow Corvus #6: October 30 2019.
Litter Critter #2: December 20th 2019.
Callow Corvus #7: February 20th 2019
Captain Roach #1: April 30th 2019
Callow Corvus #8: June 30th 2019
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What’s the elevator pitch?

Callow Corvus is a dark-ish comedy featuring an anthropomorphic Crow named Carl. Carl has a difficult time navigating the world and often finds himself in heap tons of trouble. Carl’s adventure starts after getting fined for smoking Lung Candy in a public park, and for littering from throwing away the first ticket for smoking. Carl who is unable to pay his fine has to try and find a way to become” inna-net” rich so he can pay for his fine. 


The Litter Critter features a creature made from trash. The Litter Critter started out as a video game addicted bunny. After advancing to far in his favorite video game the Queen Bee turned the bunny into a walking, talking pile of trash. The Litter Critter awakens in a new society were plastic bags aren’t accepted, and thus he is on a mission to find out where he belongs.

The Kid Learns is a series about a curios Kid (goat). In the first issue kid learns about recycling. Kid aims to learn more about recycling, because he is extremely frustrated by the numerous chores associated with keeping the planet clean. ​

How long have you been working on it?

I’ve been drawing comics fairly consistently since my childhood. I started more seriously getting into drawing/writing in 2016, and I’ve been specifically working on Callow Corvus since March of 2018. ​

When will it be available to buy? Where?

Several issues of my comic series are available to buy! You can get them all on Amazon. Just search for either Bob Van Starr, or Callow Corvus specifically all of my titles should appear! Hopefully more of my issues (of which I have plenty ;-)will be available in the coming months.

How can readers find you?

I have several free issues of Callow Corvus available on the website, and any new information will be posted there. Readers can also look out for any news from me on my twitter account.
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What inspires you to keep writing?

The inspirational quote that keeps me going was written by the famous Cuban revolutionary.
“Hastalla Victoria Siempre.” 
​Che Guevara

A rough translation of this quote is “Until Victory Always.” 

I find this quote specifically inspirational, because it means you should never give up, no matter what you intend to accomplish. You may not always be a winner, and things may not always work out for you. If you keep striving for victory, and work as hard as you can to get there anything is possible.

Anything you’d like to add?

Mr. Adams! Thank you very much for the opportunity! 

Yours,

Nicholas C. Johnson


My thanks to my fellow Nicholas for participating in My Laughably Inane Blog. I wish him all the best with his comics and personal endeavors.
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Sincerely,

Nicholas P. Adams

Just a small-town boy with an overactive imagination.

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  • Home
  • About Me
  • Written Works
    • Published Works >
      • THOTFT >
        • THOTFT Book Launch
    • Indie Published Works >
      • The Angels' Secret
      • IMPRINT
      • Half-Z's
    • Published Anthologies >
      • When Glints Collide
      • Cresting the Sun
  • My Laughably Inane Blog
  • Store
    • The Angels' Secret (Signed)
    • Imprint: A Novella (Signed)
    • Cresting the Sun (Signed)
  • Contact
  • Publicity
  • Freebies
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