A Perfect 10 with Aidan Reid

Today, I have the distinct pleasure of featuring author Aidan Reid on this edition of A Perfect 10.

Please enjoy this special installment of A Perfect 10

If you want to check out past interviews, you can find them in the following links:

A.C. Flory, Steve Boseley, Kayla Matt, Mae Clair, Jill Sammut, Deanna Kahler, Dawn Reno Langley, John Howell, Elaine Cougler, Jan Sikes, Nancy Bell, Nick Davis, Kathleen Lopez, Susan Thatcher, Charles Yallowitz, Armand Rosamilia, Tracey Pagana, Anna Dobritt, Karen Oberlaender, Deby Fredericks, Teri Polen, Darlene Foster, Robert Rayner, C.C. Naughton, Sherry Rentshler, Linda Bradley, Luna St. Clair, Joan Hall, Staci Troilo, Allan Hudson, Robert Eggleton, Paul Scott Bates, P.C. Zick, Joy Lennick, Patrick Roland, Mary Carlomagno, Kathleen Jowitt, Michele Jones, J. Bliss, Maline Carroll, Alethea Kehas, Angelique Conger, Colin Guest, Rebekkah Ford, Andrew Joyce, Win Charles, Ritu Bhathal, Deborah Jay, Robin Leigh Morgan, Marjorie Mallon, Marina Costa, Lynda Filler, Lorinda Taylor

Does writing energize or exhaust you?

Somewhere in the middle. Some days, it can flow very easily. Hours go past and before I know it, I’ve forgotten dinner and it’s almost time for bed! Other days, it can be like pulling teeth. Nothing clicks. Sometimes you don’t really know until you sit down and open a vein on the page.

Do you ever write under a pseudonym? If not have you considered it? Why or why not?

I don’t currently. I would consider trying it to test myself in another genre. I believe you need to have an interest in what you’re writing about though. Ultimately, it will be reflected in the finished product. The reader will know if your heart is in it or not. For example, would I write a rom-com novella? No way. I like mystery/thriller/sci-fi. However, lines blue between genres. I’d give anything a whirl if motivated.

Does a big ego help or hurt writers? Why or why not?

You certainly need a thick skin and positive attitude to last the course if choosing the path of a writer. But you also need a degree or realism. Many authors have unrealistic expectations. They think they’ll write the next 50 Shades, or Harry Potter. For 99.9%, it won’t replace the salary of the day job.

What was the best money you ever spent as a writer?

Hiring an editor. It was a big expense. I didn’t think I would need it at the time. I was naïve. It was my first book, Pathfinders. Reviews from friends and family enjoyed the pre-edited version. I decided to seek external evaluation and as a result, it helped bring my game up a few notches and provided focus areas that I could work on for future novels.

What does writing success look like to you? Have you achieved it?

If you can create something from thin air, package it in a way that is unique, compelling and of a high quality and THEN people are willing to pay, read and complement you on it…. then, that for me is success. By that definition, I’ve achieved it.

However, it’s a whole new challenge spreading that message to a wider audience. Now, writers need to have more tools in their toolbox to get noticed.

What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book? What sources do you use?

I tend to write about things that I already know about. I don’t sit down in anticipation of writing a college text book. I’m telling a story. It’s a work of fiction. There are, of course, certain areas where I would need to swot up on. Locations, customs, etc. I leave those details blank and color them in at a later date. Worst thing you can do is stop your momentum, fact check and before you know it, your enthusiasm has left. Once you find the wave, you gotta surf it. You don’t know when the next one will come along.

How do you select the names of your characters? Have you ever regretted choosing a particular name? Why?

I don’t have any difficulty coming up with names. They seem to step forward in my mind when I sit down at the laptop!

What is the hardest type of scene to write?

Love scenes. Probably one of the reasons why those scenes don’t feature much in my books. I prefer the ‘less is more’ approach. Don’t need the details. Unless it’s erotica. That’s as far removed from my books as you can get though.

If you could have dinner with four people, living or dead, who would they be and what would you want to ask them?

My father – he died ten years ago in November 2007. Apart from the obvious (how are you, etc), I’d pick his brain for some ideas from the other side!

Richard Matheson – he’s my favorite author of all time. I’d love to talk about what inspired him to write certain stories. He was a magician with words.

David Icke – an incredible mind and researcher. Some of the topics he explores, I like to delve into in my books. We’d have an interesting chat.
Gordon Ramsey – He’d be the one cooking the dinner. For obvious reasons.

What platform has brought you the most success in marketing your books?

I’ve been slow to build my email list. This year I’ve used Instafreebie and Bookfunnel to build a list of almost 3,000 engaged subscribers. all from giving away a couple of my free short stories.

Aidan’s Book:

Pathfinders –

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Pathfinders-Aidan-J-Reid/dp/1523245727

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pathfinders-Aidan-J-Reid/dp/1523245727
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/pathfinders-aidan-j-reid/1123423210?ean=9781523245727

Pathfinders is an action-packed, exciting rescue mission that explores our deepest fears, and what lies hidden in our subconscious.

A comatose man is trapped inside his nightmare. There, a dangerous enemy stalks him. His only hope of rescue is from his best friend Victor. Working with a mysterious librarian, Victor finds a way to enter the dream state and soon realizes the horror that lives there. A place where nightmares are born.

Connect with Aidan:

www.aidanjreid.com

www.Facebook.com/aidanjreidauthor

www.twitter.com/aidanjreid