Alfred R. Taylor moved to Florida from Sioux City, Iowa in 1970, and he earned his Master’s degree in English creative writing in 1999. He Married in 2004 and has two wonderful children: Jason and Athena. His work has appeared in magazines such as Dragon, Highlights for Children, Black Petals, Dark Wisdom, Romantic Hearts, and True Love. His story “300 Oranges” won author of the month from Highlights for Children magazine January of 1990. His first book, Druid Dreams and Other Stories was published in 2011. Druid Dreams and Other Stories is a collection of short fiction, and many of the stories take place in Florida. His first novel, Full Circle: Electronic Afterlife is the first novel in the Mark Aaron series. He is presently working on his next novel Full Circle: Freedom’s Firewall.
Do you plan everything or just let the story flow?
My novel, Full Circle: Electronic Afterlife is a character driven story that spans five hundred years. The characters are what dictates the story’s flow.
Do your characters ever want to take over the story?
The characters in my novel react to their circumstances. Sometimes it may seem that characters are in control, but history and circumstance usually shape their actions.
What is your favourite food?
Bacon
Are you a morning person or a night owl?
I write at night, usually after waking up from a nightmare. Writing helps to clear my mind and let me get back to sleep.
Where do you dream of travelling to and why?
I would like to visit Springfield, Illinois. I’ve studied the city’s history for two years, but I have yet to visit. I would love to see the Lincoln library.
Do distant places feature in your books?
Yes, I feature the outer solar system in some of my books.
Do you listen to music while writing?
I like listening to Vanessa Mae when my three-year-old is making too much noise for me to concentrate. Classical music is relaxing and easy to concentrate with.
Could you tell us a bit about your latest release?
It is a science/historical fiction novel that demonstrates the positive changes our society has made in the past 150 years.
What have you learned about writing and publishing since you first started?
I’ve learned that no matter how much I think I know about writing, I still can learn more. A good copy editor is worth her weight in gold. (Don’t tell her that, I can’t afford to pay that much.)
I would have hired a copy editor much sooner.
Who, or what, if anything has influenced your writing?
I wrote the novel in response to the reading list used in public schools. Most of the books on the list are really boring, so I wanted to write a novel that accurately portrayed science and history, but do it in a fun way.
Anything you would say to those just starting out in the craft?
Master the basics of composition and short story before attempting a novel.
What are three words that describe you?
Inquisitive, literate, and parent
What's your favourite book or who is your favourite writer?
I was influenced by Alan Dean Foster, David Eddings, and H.G. Wells.
Mark Aaron, a historical researcher for Nora Corporation, is summoned to the office of the president and C.E.O. Instead of taking the offered promotion, he leaves for a vacation with his wife. Instead, a plane crash begins a five-hundred-year odyssey through time, space, and history. To save his wife, his unborn child, and humanity itself, Mark and his companion Jane, a Gamma class android, must travel to the year 1842 to prevent the premature assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Along the way, they become enmeshed in the politics of Springfield, Illinois; encounter Abraham Lincoln, Mary Todd, and James Shields; and create controversy themselves by applying 21st century ethics to 19th century problems.
List of previous books if any
I wrote Druid Dreams and Other Stories
https://www.createspace.com/3740035
Any websites/places readers can find you on the web.
https://www.createspace.com/3901450
Thank you, Alfred and good luck with your books :)
Kindle versions are available too.
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