Thursday, June 21, 2012

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:



40 comments:

Karen Baldwin said...

So nice to see you here and learn more about you. I like your line "There were adventures I wanted to experience..." That's truly writing from the heart.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Thank you, Em!

And thank you Kela for the opportunity and the wonderful introduction.

VikLit said...

Nice to learn more about you Alex!I have to outline too. I have many a story lost out there in the wilderness from before I learned that!

Heather M. Gardner said...

Nice interview! It's always good to know more about the Ninja!
Heather

mooderino said...

Great interview with the Ninja Captain.

mood
Moody Writing
@mooderino
The Funnily Enough

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

Great interview, Alex has been so kind to me over the few years we've been blogging friends, He is one in a million.

Yvonne.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Vik, they get lost, they never come back...

Thanks everyone!

DL Hammons said...

Hot Tamales???

Loved getting to know him better. I can never get enough! Great interview Kela! :)

SC Author said...

Awesome! Great interview! I agree about the outlining too; it's such a relief knowing that I know what will happen next. Of course, I allow for a LOTT of freedom, but the outline is a lifesaver :)

Karen Jones Gowen said...

I followed the link here from Alex's blog. Love this place! And great interview, Alex.

New follower :)

KarenG

Jemi Fraser said...

Great interview! I wish I could outline, but it just doesn't work for me - somehow takes all the fun out of it and my creativity dries up! :)

Annalisa Crawford said...

Well done, Kela, for pinning Alex down!

It's great to get to know a bit more about what makes him tick!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Good interview. I always outline, too.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

SC, I've already deviated from my current outline.

Thanks guys!

A Daft Scots Lass said...

Ninja Alex is AWESOME. Love his blog.

Maurice Mitchell said...

Great job hosting the ever elusive Ninja Alex Kela and great questions.

Ella said...

You did a great job getting our favorite Captain, to reveal even more. Other instruments...?! Do tell...lol I have always wanted to play the piano. A ninja on the piano would so rock! ;D

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Thanks everyone!

And Ella, I used to be really good at trumpet.

Allison said...

Awesome stuff, Alex!

Allison (Geek Banter)

Carrie Butler said...

It was great getting to know the man behind the ninja mask! :)

Julie Dao said...

So nice to meet you :) I came over from Alex's blog! This guy really does have ninja captain skills. I wish I had some, too, but I'm happy just to be part of the ninja army. Thanks both for this great interview... he is no longer the man and the mystery. He's the man and a little less mystery.

Kela McClelland said...

Alex- Thank you again for doing this and you're welcome as well. :)

Yvonne- He is definitely one in a million. :)

KarenG- Thank you (for stopping by, loving this place, and following). :)

Maurice- Thank you. :)

Julie- Nice meeting you as well. :)

Thank you everyone for coming by. I hope you all have an awesome weekend. :D

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Julie, thanks so much! You rock!

Nick Wilford said...

Good stuff. I do outline but I've gone way off it on my WIP! I'm sort of always outlining in my head now.

Kendra503 said...

I THINK I followed his blog... YAY FOR ANOTHER OUTLINER! Alex knows where it is!! :D

Heather Murphy said...

Great interview! I love Hot Tamales too.
Alex, why no Facebook? Which part of NC?

Golden Eagle said...

I love your final advice!

Great interview.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Kendra, outlining is the only way to go.

Heather, no Facebook! And very near the center of NC.

Golden, thank you.

Unknown said...

Great interview! Blogging from work, I wish I could do that more. Always wonderful to learn a little bit more about the Ninja Captain. :)

Anonymous said...

I'm glad I stopped by. I learned more about Alex. I also like classic sci-fi movies and shows; I don't remember if I had that Atari game or not.

Rek Sesh said...

Great interview.
I use italics for internal thoughts and I have learned to outline a lot more than before.
Which you had asked him about the other instruments, drums?

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Michael, blogging from work helps!

Rek, no drums. Percussive maintainance - sometimes.

PK HREZO said...

I have chocolate, Alex has hot tamales. lol To each his own!
Nice to meet you Kela! :)You're right, ALex rocks!

klahanie said...

Hey Kela,
You can relax, for I have, as promised, come over to your blog from that incredibly famous writing celebrity, the one, the only, Alex J. Cavanaugh!
A captivating and enlightening interview you had with Alex. The man has the endearing qualities of being sharing and caring. I like that.
And now Kela, to make you smile even more, I have decided to link into your site and learn a bit more about your good self. I'm famous, but it's a well kept secret:)
Happy, fulfilling writing to you.
In kindness, Gary :)

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Thank you so much, Gary!

SpacerGuy said...

Alex is simply terrific!

LynNerdKelley said...

Hi Kela! Just hopped over from Alex's site. Love this interview! Nice job!

Empty Nest Insider said...

I also came over from Alex's place, and I really enjoyed the interview! You asked great questions, and I especially liked Alex's response about his guitar playing! Julie

Karen Lange said...

Hopped over from Alex's place. I agree, he is awesome! Thanks for a wonderful interview!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Thanks, everyone. And big thank you, Kela!