EP 269 - Dreaming a Writer's Reality Straight on Until Morning with Gama Ray Martinez

Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing

Mark interviews Gama Ray Martinez about his recent novel GOD OF NEVERLAND, his writing life, and more.

Prior to the main segment, Mark shares an extremely brief personal update, and a word about this episode's sponsor.

You can learn more about how you can get your work distributed to retailers and library systems around the world at starkreflections.ca/Findaway.

During their conversation Mark and Gama talk about:

• How Mark and Gama normally only see one another once per year at Superstars Writing Seminars in Colorado in Feb each year
• Gama always wanting to be a writer, and in school turning in stories instead of descriptive essays
• The first story that Gama sold, which won 2nd place in a David Farland anthology
• Taking several of David Farland's workshops
• Writing a "purple unicorn" story involving a potato based on a parody cover James A. Owen had crafted
• The background of the "purple unicorn" story
• Value that can come, both professionally and personally, from attending in person conferences like Superstars Writing Seminars
• The inspiration for writing God of Neverland which came from the epilogue of the original story of Peter Pan
• Embracing both traditional publishing and indie publishing
• Having support from both family and close friends
• The audiobook version, which took home an audio award
• The forthcoming sequel, Queens of Wonderland, which ties in to the classic Lewis Carroll book
• The GamaVerse of this series and how it will connect even more classic texts
• Writing with something on the TV in the background, but it having to be something that he has seen countless times
• Advice Gama would offer to other writers and beginning writers
• How Gama shoots for one plot point per 1000 words when greating a rough outline for a writing project
• Gama's goal to do a half-marathon in every state, and the Disney marathons he has participated in
• The feeling of walking into a bookstore such as Barnes and Noble and seeing your books on display
• And more...

After the interview Mark reflects on the years of hard work and investment Gama put into his writing to get to where he is today and the important of getting that first draft DONE.

Links of Interest:

• Gama Ray Martinez Website
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
• Buy Mark a Coffee
• Patreon for Stark Reflections
• Best Book Ever Podcast
• Lovers Moon Podcast
• The Relaxed Author
  • Buy eBook Direct
  • Buy Audiobook Direct
• Publishing Pitfalls for Authors
• An Author's Guide to Working with Libraries & Bookstores
• Wide for the Win
• Mark's Canadian Werewolf Books
  • This Time Around (Short Story)
  • A Canadian Werewolf in New York
  • Stowe Away (Novella)
  • Fear and Longing in Los Angeles
  • Fright Nights, Big City
  • Lover's Moon
  • Hex and the City
• The Canadian Mounted: A Trivia Guide to Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Gama Ray Martinez lives near Salt Lake City, Utah, with his wife and kids. He moved there solely because he likes mountains. He collects weapons in case he ever needs to supply a medieval battalion, and he greatly resents when work or other real-life things get in the way of writing. He secretly hopes to one day slay a dragon in single combat and doesn’t believe in letting pesky little things like reality stand in the way of dreams.

The introductory, end, and bumper music for this podcast (“Laser Groove”) was composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com and is Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0