Authorpalooza2010 Featuring Guest Author: Claude Bouchard

I want to send a warm welcome to one of the nicest person I've met on twitter. I want also to thank you, Claude for letting me interview you and that you signed up for my Authorpalooza.

How long have you been writing?

I started writing in 1995, when I wrote Vigilante. I then followed up with The Consultant in 1996 and Mind Games in 1997. Creative writing then took the back-burner as I concentrated on completing my undergraduate studies and an increasingly demanding career path in human resources management. My creative outlet during that time was my painting. I went back to writing with my fourth novel, The Homeless Killer, in the spring of 2009.

How thrilled were you when you heard your first book was going to be published?

I should specify that my four novels are currently self-published so the thrill was not equal to that of learning that I was being offered a book deal. Nonetheless, I was definitely thrilled on the days that I completed the self-pub process for each of my books and then again each time I saw each one actually in print. Since, the satisfaction comes from noting that additional sales have been made and from praise from my readers. My ultimate thrill to date has been being offered agency representation by Tribe Literary.

What's one day in the life of Claude Bouchard like?

Boring. Seriously, it all depends on the day. I currently cannot survive on book revenues so some days include job searching, submitting resumes, etc. I’ve been doing some consulting work for a couple of firms so that works into my schedule at times. A good deal of time is spent on promoting myself and my books and building an audience via social media. Throw in some cooking, some writing, a little guitar and the occasional TV show or movie and it’s time to go the bed.

Do you have a current project you’re working on or something you plan to begin soon?

I’m currently working on Asylum, my fifth novel, which is not part of the Barry/McCall crime series as the previous four were. I can’t give details of what the book is about but can say that it is unlike anything I’ve written in the past. If I can pull it off, it will make for a very good read.

In your opinion, what is the most difficult part of being a published author?

I’ll take this question to include self-published as well and will answer in that context. The toughest part is being on one’s own. Unless one is willing to contract out promotion, advertising and the likes, getting yourself and your work known is a time-consuming, daunting task. I can just imagine what results would be like if I put in the same time and effort with the additional support of the sales and marketing teams of a traditional publisher.

What’s the most rewarding?

Once again, as a self-published author, the most rewarding parts are seeing that people are actually buying my books, however little that may be, and having those readers come back and tell me how much they enjoyed my work. Both are quite a rush.

If you could co-author a book with any of your fellow authors or anyone from anywhere, who would you choose and why?

In recent months, I’ve had the pleasure of becoming acquainted with John Locke and have since read all three of his Donovan Creed novels. John’s writing style is extraordinary and his characters are superb. I could definitely see a melding of John’s Donovan Creed with my Chris Barry as both characters are brilliant, witty and willing to do what it takes to get the job done.

Describe your writing process.

I generally know where my story will start and where it will end. For example, with my current novel, Asylum, I have only written a little over 10,000 words at the time of this interview but the final chapter is already complete. I rarely have any idea of what happens between the beginning and the end ahead of time. It just comes from somewhere as I move along. I may occasionally map out what is to take place in the short-term as ideas come to mind but I have yet to plan a whole book before writing it. I couldn’t do that because I don’t really know the story until I actually write it.

What is the most interesting place you’ve ever visited?

That’s a tough one because I enjoy traveling and have found most places that I’ve visited interesting. I love L.A. and truly enjoyed Phuket, Oahu, Punta Cana and Sint-Maarten for various reasons besides the sun and sand. If I had to narrow it down to two places, one would be Panmunjom, a village in the DMZ on the border of North and South Korea, where you enter a one-room building on the south side and can cross into communist country simply by walking to the north end. The other would be Hong Kong where the ultra-rich and extreme-poor co-exist literally side-by-side.

What can we expect to see from you in the near future?

In terms of new work, Asylum will be the next you see as I tackle my projects one at a time rather than work multiple projects simultaneously. Hopefully, you will also see my four novels, starting with Vigilante, in a bookstore near you followed by small or large screen adaptations.

Thanks again, Claude for joining us on Authopalooza! Readers be sure to stop by and comment to win a prize from Claude.

Open to residents of Canada and the U.S.

To enter to win a prize from Claude .. you must be a blog minion, tweet about this giveaway/interview with tag #Authorpalooza2010 and include link to post.

You can also share on other places like facebook, myspace or blog.

Follow Claude on twitter @Ceebee308 Plus tweet hi to Claude and say V sent ya!

Answer me this....


What book(s) have you read who's story you wished would continue on with new sequels?