Saturday, April 1, 2023

#AtoZChallenge A is for Alex J Cavanaugh

Operation Awesome 2023 #AtoZChallenge theme is interviews of established authors

#AtoZChallenge 2023 badge A


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?

#AtoZChallenge A is for Alex J Cavanaugh

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.
ISWG
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.
#AtoZChallenge A is for Alex J Cavanaugh
#AtoZChallenge A is for Alex J Cavanaugh

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

#AtoZChallenge 2023
Please check out the April Blogging from A to Z Challenge
#AtoZChallenge 2023
a-to-zchallenge.com

35 comments:

J Lenni Dorner said...

Great to have you here, Alex!
I don't know that I could pick just one favorite movie. But Die Hard is certainly at the top of the list.

Ronel Janse van Vuuren said...

Hi Alex. My favourite movie, if I really have to choose just one, is Titanic :-) See you Wednesday for IWSG!

Ronel visiting for A:
My Languishing TBR: A
Accomplished Athena

Natalie Aguirre said...

Awesome that you're starting out by featuring Alex. I didn't know how he started the IWSG. I'm so glad he did because it's such a great resource for writers.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Thanks for featuring me today!!

Thanks, Natalie.

Jemima Pett said...

Ah, now I'm REALLY looking forward to CassaStorm because I've already met Bassan! I don't think I can read it before Tuesday though :(

Love that Alex and I have very similar answers to the like and hate, and then the next question we are entirely opposites!

And my favourite movie? Um... pick from Local Hero, Apollo 13, and Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines.

Jemima

Yolanda Renée said...

Great interview! My favorite movie is Jurrasic Park. :)

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Alex - great fun to read this ... and to see you once again supporting so many of us. Books or movies ... so many 'rock my boat' - cheers Hilary

Birgit said...

Great interview Alex! Glad you had a spotlight and you deserve it. You know...mine is "It's A Wonderful Life."

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Jemima, you have! And still my best book.

Yolanda, Jurassic Park is a great choice.

Shady Del Knight said...

Hi, Alex!

Time management is the biggie for everyone I know. With all the irons you have in the fire, and all the followers, I don't know how you do it, but I take my hat off to you.

Have a happy and productive April, good buddy Alex!

Deborah Weber said...

Interesting interview and a great start to the challenge. I'd never be able to choose one favorite movie, but I really do enjoy MirrorMask.

PT Dilloway said...

My sentimental favorite movie is The Empire Strikes Back. Good tips on writing and blogging.

Sand Castles and Snow Forts said...

Happy A to Z! My favorite movie is Goonies!

Zulu Delta said...

Hello,

Great start for the A-Z Blog! So you having so many movies at home, could you tell me; do I really "own" all those movies and TV shows I bought online to stream? Hahahahahaha!

Zulu Delta

kaykuala said...

Hi Alex,
Thanks for dropping by, faithfully all these while. Salute you for helping out other newbies!

Hank

Elizabeth Seckman said...

I'll tell my boss to screw it and get back with you on how that works. LOL

Donna K. Weaver said...

Nice, Alex! Yeah, writing time can be a precious thing. Something I'm really short of right now.

Sue McPeak said...

Very clever way to being 2023 AtoZ. Having been a participant since 2012, I know your Letter A Alex is an AtoZ Super Hero among AtoZers'. This interview well scripted with engaging questions and answers. Always fun to be asked to participate...favorite movie/book...Gone With The Wind.
CollectInTexasGal

J.Q. Rose said...

I enjoyed the interview. It's always fun to learn about my favorite people. Going back in time, way way back, my favorite movie is one of the first ones my husband, then boyfriend, and I attended--The Sound of Music.

Gracelynne said...

Lovely to see you at day 1. Though I may be delayed (day job), I do plan on visiting as many wonderful blog as I can. So many great themes! https://www.denisedekker.com/

doreen mcgettigan said...

What a great interview! I've been enjoying the ISWG since 2011, thank you Alex!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Shady, I do my best!

PT, that one is a classic and my favorite Star Wars film.

Elizabeth, you do that!

Sue, thanks!

Doreen, you've been with us for a long time - thanks!

TWW said...

well done on your first post.

Narayana Rao K.V.S.S. said...

Interesting. "I love that I’ve connected with so many readers."

I also feel very happy that probably 10 million persons from all countries of the world read by blog posts. Keep doing it to the extent possible.

#AtoZChallenge - Second Post. Books on Industrial Engineering - A Collection.
https://nraoiekc.blogspot.com/2023/04/books-on-industrial-engineering.html


#AtoZChallenge 2023 Theme: A to Z of Industrial Engineering
https://nraoiekc.blogspot.com/2018/06/a-to-z-of-industrial-engineering.html

Rishie said...

This was interesting. I've never heard of the IWSG but it sounds cool. My favourite movie is "the sound of music".

Christine Rains said...

A great interview to start off the month! Wow, you own more DVDs than us. I thought we were pretty bad. I think for movies Aliens (and Alien!) is a great pick. I also love Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark.

H. R. Sinclair said...

I don't have just one movie that's my favorite. How does one choose? đŸ˜²

Jacqui Murray--Writer-Teacher said...

Great interview. I regularly check out Alex's movie recommendations.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Rishie, if you are a writer, please join us.

Christine, great picks!

Thanks, Jacqui.

cleemckenzie said...

Great to see Alex here on the AtoZ 2023! Loved the interview.

Joanne said...

excellent interview. Your love of writing, people, movies - it all shines through. And you truly lead the way as a writer with your discipline. Congrats to you. And thanks for truly helping writers with your encouragement.

Sandra Cox said...

This was a fascinating post. Glad to learn more about you, Alex, and how IWSG was born.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Thanks, everyone!

Nilanjana Bose said...

Great tip on writing - thank you. I could never choose a single favourite of anything - films, books, colour...

Truedessa said...

You are a force of inspiration in the universe! May your light always shine!