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Come on and join author Melissa Bradley as she sets off on her latest adventure...

WARNING

If you are not 18, please exit stage left. While there is normally nothing naughty here, I do write and review erotica so there are links to spicy stuff and the occasional heated excerpt.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Captain Ninja Alex: The Interview

I am so excited Imaginarians, today I am kicking off my 2 day birthday festivities and I have the coolest ninja ever, the captain himself, Alex J. Cavanaugh. (Cue the Kermit the Frog yays)He agreed to be interviewed by yours truly and I could not have been more pleased. Though he is our captain and friend, here's a little about Alex you may or may not know and of course I tried to dig out what I could in the interview.

Alex has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and works in web design and graphics. He is experienced in technical editing and worked with an adult literacy program for several years. (yay for literacy!)A fan of all things science fiction, his interests range from books and movies to music and games. Currently he lives in the Carolinas with his wife. And now, the Interview.

When did you know that you wanted to be a writer? Who are some of your major influences?

I wrote some as a teen, although it was never my goal to be an author. I’ve always enjoyed Terry Brooks, Preston & Child, and Timothy Zahn. When I found the original version of CassaStar a few years ago, I realized that while the storyline sucked the characters were strong. I decided to go for it and rewrote the entire story.

Cassastar and its soon-to-be-released sequel, Cassafire, are space opera adventures. What was the inspiration behind them? Any plans to make them into a trilogy?

They were inspired by hours of TV and movie watching! I dug Star Wars and Battlestar Galactica, and I envisioned my own space adventures. Everyone expects a trilogy, but I’m not sure it will happen. I never planned more than one book anyway!

Have you ever thought about writing more hard science based fiction?

My job involves a lot of technical work, and I write to escape. So I doubt I’ll ever dump a lot of hard tech or science into my writing.

What has surprised you most about the business side of writing?

The promotional aspect was more than I expected. And I guess I never really thought about the multitude of strangers who’d read my book. (Yes, when CassaStar shot onto Amazon’s Best Seller chart I rather freaked!)

I know you play guitar and are a film buff, what are some of your other passions and pursuits? Any that might surprise your Ninja Army?

Despite all of my geekness, I’m also a big sports fan. Football, hockey, basketball - I enjoy watching and attending sports games.


If you could take any character from Cassastar or Cassafire out to show off our little rock here, who would it be? Where would you go, what would you do?

No question I’d select Athee! (After all, she looks like Kate Beckinsale.) She has a fascination with fighter planes, so I imagine I’d be showing off some of our best military jets. Actually, Athee is really feisty and tends to get her way, so I’d probably take her wherever she wanted to go. (Did I mention she looks like Kate Beckinsale?)

Music or silence when you’re at your computer, steeped in the world of your creation?

Music! I write while rocking out to the likes of In Flames, Dream Theater, Rush, Shadows Fall, etc. Music sets the mood for me.

What was the best piece of writing advice you have ever received?

Don’t overthink it - just write!

Thanks so much, Melissa - you’re awesome!

Aww... thanks Alex. :) Now for more about Alex and his fantastic stories, you can go to his blog or follow him on Twitter.

CassaStar by Alex J. Cavanaugh
6x9 Trade paperback, 246 pages, Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C.
Science fiction - space opera/adventure
Print ISBN 978-0-9816210-6-7 $15.95
EBook ISBN 978-0-9827139-3-8 $2.99

CassaFire by Alex J. Cavanaugh
Available February 28, 2012
6x9 Trade paperback, 240 pages, Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C.
Science fiction - space opera/adventure
Print ISBN 978-0-9827139-4-5 $15.95
EBook ISBN 978-0-9827139-6-9 $4.99

And for a treat, here is the book trailer for CassaFire, dropping February 28, 2012 from Dancing Lemur Press. I can't wait!

67 comments:

  1. Wow, this is the first time I've seen the CassaFire trailer. Excellent.

    Awesome interview Melissa. You dug up some interesting facts on Alex.

    Thanks for sharing more of yourself Alex. Always a pleasure to read your interviews.

    .......dhole

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  2. Thank you, Donna!

    And thanks again, Melissa! Appreciate the opportunity. And the Kermit the Frog welcome!

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  3. @Donna Thank you! The captain was a tough nut to crack, but I managed. ;) Glad you enjoyed the interview.

    Isn't that trailer the coolest? I watched it a couple times after I posted.

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  4. @Alex You are most welcome! Kermit's intros were always so enthusiastic, I had to do it. :) Thank you for the terrific interview and helping me kick off my b-day festivities. :)

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  5. trailer looks awesome... loving your q and a, especially the rock out music. i think that makes or breaks the mood... alex we need to discuss which rush songs are the best for cassafire. mb... you rock to any song.

    Jeremy [Retro-Zombie]
    Visit The Madness:
    IZOMBIE

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  6. @iZombie Aww thanks, Jeremy! Glad you liked the q & a, Rush is indeed awesome soundtrack music.

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  7. Another, way cool interview Melissa. Alex, me too. Have to have the tunes. :)
    Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow

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  8. Glad that Captain won't be moving in the hard tech direction.

    Great interview. You're both stars.
    xoRobyn

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  9. 'When I found the original version of CassaStar a few years ago, I realized that while the storyline sucked the characters were strong. I decided to go for it and rewrote the entire story.'

    Found this cool and interesting.

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  10. "Don't overthink it -- just write."

    I need to take that advice.

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  11. Happy Birthday, Melissa! I hope that all of your birthday wishes come true. Great interview!

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  12. Great interview, thank you Melissa and Happy Birthday. Bachelor of Fine Arts, wow! Cool! I always thought those were the creative geniuses at school.

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  13. Jeremy, let me check my collection and I'll get back to you...

    Robyn, I won't, promise!

    Suze, that's how it happened.

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  14. I love the promotional side of the business. I love meeting new people and receiving emails from strangers around the world. This is a pretty cool world we live in where we can communicate world-wide in real time!

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  15. Alex, I love that you didn't expect strangers to read your book. I feel the same way! Wait, who is that reading now? How can you read it when I don't even know you!!

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  16. Fabulous interview, Melissa, and great advice, Alex :)

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  17. You know I'm excited about your book. I 'liked' your trailer on You Tube.

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  18. Happy early birthday, Melissa :) I voted for you at 411.

    Looking forward to Cassafire's release, Alex.

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  19. Wonderful interview, guys! I love that you reworked an old story, Alex. I've seen the trailer before, but watched it again because it's awesome. :)
    Happy birthday, Melissa!

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  20. Enjoyed the interview and watching the trailer again! Congratulations, Alex, and thanks, Melissa, for the great interview!

    Monti
    Mary Montague Sikes

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  21. Stephen it is!

    Johanna, exactly!

    Ciara, thank you.

    Thanks, Mary!

    Cate, it needed a lot of reworking...

    Thank you, everyone!

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  22. I just wanna stop by and say Woohoo! ;)

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  23. Great writing advice.

    Enjoyed reading this interview!

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  24. Melissa and Alex make a great team!
    I really enjoyed the interview. Happy Almost Birthday Melissa!

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  25. I love that trailer. I like music to write by too. Can't wait until Cassafire.

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  26. Yay Captain Ninja! Fantastic interview Melissa.

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  27. Great interview! After the holidays pass and things calm, I'll be picking me up some CassaStar! Cheers!

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  28. Excellent and highly interesting review!

    oh btw, HAPPY BIRTHDAY MELISSA!!!!!

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  29. @Jules Thanks! I love the tunes myself.

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  30. @Robyn Aww...thank you! Space Opera rules. :)

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  31. @Suze, I liked that part, too. :)

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  32. @L.G. I need to heed that advice myself. :)

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  33. @Little Pickle Thank you so much!! Your kind thoughts mean a lot. :)

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  34. @Marta Thank you so much. Glad you enjoyed the interview. :)

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  35. @Stephen I agree. We live in an amazing world. I love all the people I've met through blogging, etc.

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  36. @Johanna I loved that part of Alex's response too. I still find it hard to believe people I don't know are reading my stuff.

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  37. @Lynda Thank you so much. Alex definitely passed along some wise words.

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  38. @Ciara I just loved this trailer. I had to go re-watch the CassaStar one, too.

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  39. @MPax Thank you so much!! Your support is very much appreciated. You rock!

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  40. @Cate Thank you so much! I'm so glad you liked the interview. :)

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  41. @Monti Thank you very much! Happy you enjoyed the interview. :)

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  42. @Caledonia Thank you so much! It is always a pleasure to hear from you. :)

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  43. @Golden Eagle I'm happy you enjoyed the interview. Alex was a great subject.

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  44. @Empty Nest Thank you!! Alex was definitely an awesome interview subject.

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  45. @Susan I can't wait for CassaFire, either. It's going to be epic. And I love writing to music as well.

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  46. @msmariah Thank you! Ales is a terrific interviewee, I must say. ;)

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  47. @Craig Thanks! I think you will enjoy CassaStar very much and CassaFire will be just as awesome.

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  48. @Maynard Thank you so much!! I'm happy you thought so highly of the interview as you have some incredible interview skills yourself. And I love the b-day wishes, my friend. Thanks. :)

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  49. Thanks, Julie!

    Susan, thanks!

    Craig, that would be awesome!

    Thank you, Maynard.

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  50. *claps in awesome Kermit fashion* Super interview. That trailer is, well, awesome just does not do it justice. Fantastical, excellent, wonderful, awesomely done, maybe. Loved it. Trailers are tough little buggers. I should know. *sigh*

    CassaStar is an all time favorite of mine now. I cannot wait for CassaFire.

    BTW, that piece of advice is the best thing you could have said. Too many over think and over analyze their writing to the point where they aren't having fun. Thanks for the interview, Melissa. *waving*

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  51. Thank you, Robyn! I am truly honored. I hope CassaFire doesn't let you down.

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  52. That trailer was so cool! And I loved this interview. I learned some new things about the Captain!

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  53. Great interview! Athee sounds like my kinda girl! :)

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  54. Ali, after all this time, glad I could surprise you!

    JC, she is really tough and feisty!

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  55. @Robyn I'm so happy you enjoyed the interview. I agree with you about Alex's advice. Too much thinking and it ruins the fun.

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  56. @Ali Glad you liked the interview. Alex was certainly a very interesting subject and a great interviewee.

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  57. @J.C. Thanks! I know Athee is a kick butt woman I know I'm going to love.

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  58. GREAT interview, Melissa, and thank you for including the trailer! Still loving that cover - and the trailer just as much!

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  59. Great interview you two! I loved we learned a bit more about the Captain!
    I knew Melissa would get you to talk :D

    Happy Birthday Melissa, I hope it was as fabulous, as you are~
    @>----

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  60. Jennie, thanks!

    Ella, I cracked under pressure...

    Thanks again, Melissa.

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  61. @Jennie Thank you so much! I am blown away by the trailer myself. It looks completely amazing and definitely would have me wanting to buy the book if I knew nothing about it.

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  62. @Ella Aww... Thank you! Captain Alex was an awesome interviewee.

    And thank you also for the wonderful birthday wishes. :)

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