Thursday TAG! - Alex J Cavanaugh

O.M.G. You have NO IDEA how excited I am about today's TAG! I'm giddy, yes, giddy. Because he's one of the most awesomest of awesome people I know. Yes, that's right, my TAG! today is...

The AWESOME ALEX J CAVANAUGH! (WOOT!) Now, for those who don't know this awesome man, Ninja Captain, blogger, and author...YOU MUST! Follow him on his blog, Twitter, Google+, and Goodreads. Read his books: CassaStar and CassaFire. (CassaStorm will be book three). He's the most awesome blogger buddy, friend, author, and person! His awesomeness can't be defined, it's nearly impossible to match, it's just...AWESOME! I could go on and on, but I won't. Let's just get into the interview.


1. When did you start writing?

Wrote some as a teenager and picked it up again a few years ago.

2. What made you want to write?

There were adventures I wanted to experience that I hadn’t read or seen in a movie yet.

3. When did you decide you wanted to write to be published? (As opposed to writing just to write)

After I re-wrote CassaStar, I decided to submit it and see what happened.

4. What genre(s) do you write?

Science fiction – space opera/adventure

5. Why that(those) genre(s)?

Because it’s the one I enjoy the most. And I’m not sure I’m ready to tackle fantasy yet.

6. Do you have any particular ritual when you write? (A specific way things are done during the process)

Only that I prefer to play music in the background.

7. Do you use an outline, or do you just start writing?

I have to outline! Otherwise my story would wander off and get lost.

8. Is there something you MUST have when you're writing? (Aside from the typical writer tools-computer, pen, paper, etc)

Music, water, and Hot Tamales!

9. Do you write out your story on paper and then transfer to a computer, or straight to the computer?

I’ve done both. I neither write nor type fast, but after my experience with NaNo 2010, I do better typing. (I’m currently participating in BuNo this month and typing as fast as I can.)

10. How many books/short stories have you written? (Published or not, even those you wrote and then thought-what the hell?)

I wrote some short stories when I was younger and one incomplete novel. I eventually rewrote that novel and it became my first published book, CassaStar. The sequel, CassaFire, came out this past February.

11. Is there, or has there been, anyone in your life (real or online) who thought you being a writer is/was just another hobby? Or that you are/were wasting your time as a writer?

No one beside myself - I’m my own worst enemy.

12. Do you do Social Media sites? If so, which ones? If not, why don't you?

I’m on Twitter, Google+, Goodreads, and I blog. That’s more than enough!

13. Any advice for writers that makes you cringe every time you hear it? (I know there is some cringe-worthy advice still worth following, so only advice you don't follow.)

I don’t think I follow any that are cringe-worthy. They always say don’t use italics to designate thought, but I use it to signify a character’s thoughts when he is speaking telepathically.

14. Where did your inspiration for CassaStar come from?

From watching a lot of science fiction movies and shows like Battlestar Galalctica, Star Wars, Buck Rogers, and Star Trek

15. Have you always been a Sci-Fi lover?

For as long as I can remember!

16. What was the first video game that you bought with your own money? (Earned money from doing chores or money that was given to you as a gift)

Atari’s Adventure. (Yeah, remember that one?)

17. When did you first become interested in learning how to play the guitar? How long after that did you become a fairly good player?

I’ve played other instruments and picked up the guitar a few years ago. How long before I became a good player? Hmm, maybe next week!

18. How are you able to have your normal life, your writer life, your blogging life, and still be such an AWESOME Ninja Captain and person?

Ninja skills! That and I blog from work. I try to be awesome all the time though.

19. What do you do when you aren't writing?

Playing my guitar, watching movies, reading, and spending time with my wife.

20. Any words of wisdom for anyone who is thinking of becoming a writer, or just something you think all writers should know?

Just be a genuine, caring person – and be open to all possibilities!

( Alex J. Cavanaugh has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and works in web design and graphics. He is experienced in technical editing and worked with an adult literacy program for several years. A fan of all things science fiction, his interests range from books and movies to music and games. Known online as the Ninja Captain, he’s the founder of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. He lives in the Carolinas with his wife. )

Check out his books: