Nick Cole is a former soldier and working actor living in Southern California. When he is not auditioning for commercials, going out for sitcoms or being shot, kicked, stabbed or beaten by the students of various film schools for their projects, he can be found writing books. Nick’s Book The Old Man and the Wasteland was an Amazon Bestseller and #1 in Science Fiction. In 2016 Nick’s book CTRL ALT Revolt won the Dragon Award for Best Apocalyptic novel. Currently he is writing the bestselling Science Fiction series Galaxy’s Edge with co-author Jason Anspach.
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When did you first start writing fiction?
Honestly… when I was really young and all through my teenage years and then in the military. I started taking it seriously and finished a book which seemed to be a key for me. Once I knew I could do it, it became easier to do.
What kind of books do you enjoy reading? Paper or eBook?
Paper.
What’s your favorite under-appreciated novel?
Shadow of the Wind
Of your books, which is your personal favorite? Why?
The Old Man and the Wasteland. It was my departure from trying to be an absurdist into actual science fiction. I love that story and the characters. And, it was my first sucess.
You can make one LitRPG book (not your own) a movie. Which is it and why?
Quag Keep! Because it was really the first. And she was such an awesome author!
Do you believe in writer’s block?
Yes. But it’s easily overcome. Just write something, good or bad. Most writers get hung up on trying to be great. Amazon is a content pump. It doesn’t really reward greatness. It rewards constant entertainment.
Are you an outliner or pantser?
Seat of my pants. I know the beginning and the end and I like to discover everything in between as I go.
What is your writing process like?
- Philosophical work in the morning.
- Exercise.
- Write until 5:00
- Game
- A show
- Read a book
- Go to sleep thinking out what I’m going to write tomorrow. Or, what I want to write next.
How many hours a day do you write?
4-6
Share a photo of your workspace and tell us about it?
That’s a tough one. I work mobile. My wife is an opera singer. So I follow her around. Sometimes I write in theaters, cafes, or in a car by the side of the road.
Who are some of your favorite authors of all time?
Vonnegut, Heller, Hemingway, Keillor, and Cormac McCarthy. Also John LeCarré and David Mitchel plus Arturo Perez Reverté and Paco Ignacio Taibo and let’s not forget Andrea Camallieri.
Where do you get your ideas?
Everywhere and everything. “You will use everything g you ever learned to entertain people for one minute longer.” -Johnny Carson
What are your thoughts on how VR will affect the future of humanity?
Not a big fan. I don’t think it’s perfected enough. They went to market too early on it.
What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?
None. And, always. I’m constantly learning things that I know I’ll use. I listen to people’s stories a lot.
First video game memory?
Pong at a rich person’s house.
What can fans expect from you next?
My next LitRPG is Pop Kult Warlord. Also the Galaxy’s Edge series I write with Jason Anspach is a lot of fun!
Anything else you would like to add
I have a little YouTube channel where I talk about writing and the things that have worked, and not worked, for me. You can ask me questions over there.