The Writing Life with Horror/Sci-Fi Author G.A. Minton
A
native of Texas, G.A. Minton received his B.A. from the University of Texas at
Austin and his M.D. from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, where he
completed both his General Surgery Residency and Head and Neck Surgery
Residency. An ardent fan of horror and science fiction his entire life, Minton
developed a passion for writing amid highly unusual circumstances. Several
years ago, Minton was rear-ended by a drunk driver and suffered a traumatic
closed-head injury. Following numerous
visits to the neurologist, a slew of neurological testing and taking Aricept, a
medication used to help patients with Alzheimer’s, G.A. slowly regained his
mental capabilities. But something was
very different: he now had an
overwhelming passion to write a tale of horror.
Trisomy XXI is the
result. G.A. Minton lives in Texas.
What’s inside
the mind of a horror/science fiction author?
That’s
a hard question to answer, considering that my writing career only began a few
years ago, after I was rear-ended by a drunk driver, resulting in a closed-head
injury that temporarily left me with memory loss and the inability to
communicate normally with others. In my case though, as my brain slowly healed
itself, one could surmise that the damaged neurons in my frontal cortex rearranged
themselves into a different configuration, thereby enhancing the creative
elements in my brain. Who knows? Stranger things have happened! I do confess to
having a vivid imagination, especially when it comes to conceptualizing
anything that has to do with the dark side. As far back as I can remember, I
have always been an ardent fan of horror and science fiction.
What is so great
about being an author?
Just
being able to put your thoughts down on paper, creating an entertaining story
that can both be shared and enjoyed by others, will give you an adrenaline rush
that no amusement park ride can even come close to. To me, that is what’s great
about being an author!
When do you hate
it?
Fortunately
for me, I love creative writing and could never imagine myself hating it. If
that did ever happen to me (God forbid), then I would probably stop composing.
What is a
regular writing day like for you?
I
write whenever I can. Since I do have a day job, I usually write in the
evenings during the week, and in the mornings and nights on the weekend. I have
never suffered from “writer’s block,” so fortunately, I am able to write
whenever I want. A pen and piece of paper always lie receptively on my bedside
tabletop, ready and willing to transmit any epiphanies that awaken me during
the night!
Do you think
authors have big egos? Do you?
I’m
sure that some authors, just like other people, possess delusions of grandeur.
Narcissism is a personality disorder, and you might be surprised at the number
of people who suffer from this behavior deficit. As both an author and
physician/surgeon with an IQ of 161, I am always humbled by my fellow humans and
the amazing things that they have accomplished in life. I am far from perfect,
so I do my best to follow two important Golden Rules from the Bible; “Do unto
others as you would have them do unto you,” and “Judge not lest ye be judged.”
How do you
handle negative reviews?
Even
though I may not like negative reviews, I try to learn from them, especially if
they’re in the form of constructive criticism. If a negative review helps me to
become a better writer, then I would welcome it. As an author, you can’t wear
your feelings on your shoulders—everyone is entitled to their opinion, even if
it differs from yours.
How do you
handle positive reviews?
I
focus on what the reviewer liked, so that I can be sure to incorporate the
“positives” into my other writings.
What is the
usual response when you tell a new acquaintance that you’re an author?
Most
people are impressed that you were able to write an entire novel, and wish to
know what genre(s) you write in, and if your work is fiction or nonfiction.
What do
you do on those days you don’t feel like writing? Do you force it or take a
break?
If
I don’t feel like writing, which is rare and usually because I am sick, then I
take a break and do something else.
Any writing
quirks?
Since
I am a perfectionist, and a little obsessive-compulsive to boot (as most
physicians are), after I complete a chapter in my novel, I go back completely through
it and make any needed revisions before continuing on to write the next chapter.
What would you
do if people around you didn’t take your writing seriously or see it as a
hobby?
That
would not bother me in the least. I consider myself an author, with a passion
for writing that is taken very seriously. I learned a long time ago that you
can’t please all of the people all of the time!
Some authors
seem to have a love-hate relationship to writing. Can you relate?
I
do understand the love-hate relationship thing, but I haven’t experienced it. I
love to write, and fortunately for me, it comes quite easily. I am able to pen
my novels freestyle, almost in a stream of consciousness, relying on no
outlines, formats, diagrams, or templates for assistance—the narrative is able
to flow freely from my imagination, ending up with a storyline that contains an
ordered sequence of events. To me, it’s a creative art form, much like
painting—each stroke of the brush is analogous to writing a sentence. When the
artist has delivered enough brushstrokes to the canvas, a beautiful painting is
created, similar to an author penning a given number of sentences together to produce
a thrilling novel.
Do you think
success as an author must be linked to money?
Absolutely
not! Authors, like all artists, should perform their craft because they have a
passion for it, and not just for the money. Edgar Allan Poe wasn’t recognized
as a great poet and horror author until after his death. Unfortunately, he died
homeless and destitute, the exact cause of his death still unknown to this day.
What has writing
taught you?
Writing
has allowed me to connect with others through my stories, hopefully stirring up
those emotions that will bring excitement and entertainment to all of my readers.
Writing also gives me peace of mind, a sense of accomplishment, and teaches me patience—a
necessity for any author who wishes to write well. An author must always
remember that “The pen is mightier than the sword!”
Leave us with
some words of wisdom.
Quotes
by G.A. Minton:
“Words
give you power, so use them wisely.”
“Fear
of the unknown is a horror writer’s best friend.”
“Try
to live your life in the present and not in the past.”
/////////////////////////////////////
Title:
TRISOMY XXI
Genre:
Horror/Sci-fi/Mystery
Author:
G.A. Minton
Publisher:
World Castle Publishing
Purchase
links:
http://amzn.com/B01D3OSZ38 for eBook at
Amazon
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/trisomy-xxi-g-a-minton/1123520769?ean=9781629894447
for eBook and Paperback at Barnes & Noble
https://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=Trisomy+XXI
for eBook at Smashwords
http://www.worldcastlepublishing.com/author_g_a_minton.html
for Paperback and eBook at World Castle Publishing website
https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/trisomy-xxi
for 5-Star Reviews at Readers’ Favorite
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29546925-trisomy-xxi?from_search=true&search_version=service
for 5-Star review of TRISOMY XXI at Goodreads website
About
the Book:
Sixteen-year-old
Joshua Allen was born with an extra chromosome—a genetic aberration known as
Trisomy XXI, or Down Syndrome. A serious
accident leaves the mentally-challenged adolescent in a coma at the hospital,
where he receives a mysterious injection that endows him with supernatural
powers.
The
transformed teen is linked to a string of bizarre, unexplained deaths in town
that have both the sheriff and the coroner baffled. A ghastly creature from
another planet lands on Earth and begins its hunt for the teenager—viciously
slaughtering anyone in its path in order to complete its deadly mission.
The
salvation of an entire race of aliens is in the balance, as Joshua and his
friends are thrown into a horrific life-and-death struggle with the seemingly
indestructible extraterrestrial being.
TRISOMY
XXI provides an epicurean feast of horror, science fiction, and mystery—all
seasoned with a pinch of humor that will satiate the appetite of even the most
gourmet of readers. If the likes of Stephen King, Clive Barker, and Michael
Crichton were ever to have collectively penned a spine-tingling tale of horror,
this would be it!
Delivering
a roller-coaster ride full of thrills for its unsuspecting audience, TRISOMY
XXI will intrigue every intelligent reader with its alluring array of
unforeseen twists and turns. Packed with tension and excitement, this chimeric
version of Alien meets The Thing is a powerful story that is guaranteed to
capture your immediate attention. You won’t be able to put this book down!
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