#AtoZChallenge A is for Alex J Cavanaugh

Established Author Name: Alex J. Cavanaugh

1- You regularly publish books, read great books, comment on many blogs, and watch excellent entertainment. Could you share some time management tips?

Tell your boss, screw it, I’m working on blogs and my manuscript today!

Okay, that probably won’t work.

I just know that I need to spread my work out. Blogging gets a good portion of time each day. Reading and watching movies – that’s easy! The writing is the toughest part. I have to force myself to write. But it’s all about setting time to do that, no matter what.

2- In what category/genre do you write? Why?

I write science fiction – space opera. It’s a genre that fits many popular series. Star Wars, Starship Troopers, even Star Trek. I enjoy it and hope my readers do as well.

3- What part of one of your stories was the most fun to write? The most challenging?


In CassaStorm, I enjoyed the banter and friendship growing between Byron’s son, Bassan, and the Rogue, Piten. Originally Piten was to play a small role, but it grew beyond what I’d envisioned. He was a bit unpredictable but likeable, so he became a key element for the ending.

I can think of a challenge in almost every book. In CassaStar, it was the grand finale – how could I get Byron in position to make it happen? In CassaFire, what would stop the probe? In CassaStorm, how would they know the code had downloaded into Bassan? In Dragon of the Stars, when the big twist comes, how could I make it believable? And with CassaDark, just how was I going to convince Bassan he needed to go to that prisoner planet?

4- Would you please, in 160 characters or less, give a #WriteTip ?

Write what you enjoy reading. If you don’t, neither you nor the reader will enjoy it.

5- Where did you get the idea for the IWSG, and what most motivates you to keep it going?

An email exchange with another writer who was really down on himself prompted me to say that he needed an insecure writer’s support group – and it was a lightbulb moment! September 2011 I launched the monthly posting. A year later, with the help of a team of amazing writers, we launched the website. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, a newsletter, #IWSGPit, and anthology contests followed. The monthly posting keeps me excited because I see other writers connecting and supporting one another.

6- What do you love and hate most about being a published author?

I love that I’ve connected with so many readers. After several best sellers (five books total), several short stories, audio books, and anthologies, it’s way beyond what I could’ve ever imagined.

I can’t say there is anything I hate. I guess since author wasn’t my career choice and I never planned more than one book, the pressure to write more gets to me sometimes. I never have a ton of ideas in my head.

7- Do you publish traditional, self, hybrid, other? Why?

I am traditionally published. I wouldn’t know the first thing about self-publishing so it was the wisest choice for me.

8- What question are you dying to answer?

Do I really watch a ton of movies and shows?
Yes! I am a big movie buff. We still collect a lot of DVDs and we must have well over a thousand, plus those on digital. And despite multiple big screens in our house, I still believe in going to the theater to see films. How I have time for so many movies when I work full time, play guitar in a band, write, spend time with friends, hobbies, listening to music, and taking care of the house and my wife, I have no idea…

9- Would you please ask our audience an intriguing question to answer in the comments?

What’s your favorite movie? Mine is Aliens.

10- Which book would you suggest readers start with?

If you like stand alone stories, begin with Dragon of the Stars. If you like series, start with CassaStar.

Alex J. Cavanaugh works in web design and graphics. A fan of all things science fiction, his interests range from books and movies to music and games. Online he is known as Ninja Captain Alex and is the founder of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. His Cassa books are Amazon Best Sellers and winners of the Pinnacle Book Achievement Award.

www.alexjcavanaugh.com
www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com


Please check out the April Blogging from A to Z Challenge
#AtoZChallenge 2023
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