A Visit with Alex J. Cavanaugh

Need writing inspiration? Look no further. Prolific author and blogger Alex J. Cavanuagh is here, sharing valuable insight and news about his latest book, CassaDawn, the prequel to the Cassa series. It's a privilege to host the "Ninja Captain", as his followers call him, because he always has wise and encouraging words for writers.

Welcome back, Alex! It's always good to have you visit. Do you think blogging is important for writers/authors? If so,why?

Thanks, Karen! I think blogging is still important. It’s a platform that provides both friends and readers a way to connect. They don’t have to be a blogger or part of any social site to read what we write. Plus a good blog post can generate thousands of new visitors, exposing us to even more potential readers. The best part is still the connection of writers and authors within the blogging community.

Blogging is a good way to connect with readers and writers. It has so many benefits. :) Now that you have several books to your credit, what would you have appreciated knowing before you completed your first one?

A few grammar rules come to mind…I’d say knowing how much this journey was going to change my life. But then again, the only way to appreciate that is to go through it.

True words. Do you believe that fiction techniques can apply to non fiction writing? How so?

Fiction means enticing readers and drawing them in. That translates well to non-fiction, because then you can spice up a potentially bland subject. Those elements of intrigue, suspense, and humor help non-fiction as well.

Drawing readers in is a good thing! If you could offer one piece of writing advice, what would it be?

Stay true to yourself. Don’t bend the way you write or your values just to sell.

Wise words to live by, that's for sure. What's next for you - any more books in the works?

My short story, CassaDawn, just came out on December 6. And there’s still one more of my books coming out on audio this month – Dragon of the Stars. Otherwise, I have another story outline I’m kicking around. Focusing on the Insecure Writers' Support Group and my music takes a lot of time though. I never planned past my first book, so anything else I produce is just bonus at this point!

Congrats on CassaDawn and the audiobook as well! Thanks for visiting with us again. Wishing you much success!

Thanks, Karen! 

Find Alex

Blog

Insecure Writers Support Group

What Are the Kargrandes 
Twitter

About Alex

Alex J. Cavanaugh has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and works in web design, graphics, and technical editing. A fan of all things science fiction, his interests range from books and movies to music and games. Online he is the Ninja Captain and founder of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. He’s the author of Amazon Best-Sellers CassaStar, CassaFire, CassaStorm, and Dragon of the Stars. The author lives in the Carolinas with his wife.

CassaDawn

By Alex J. Cavanaugh
eBook ISBN 9781939844354 2.99
Science Fiction-Space Opera/Adventure/Military

Release date: December 6, 2016

The prequel to the Amazon best-selling Cassa series!

A pilot in training...

Fighting the odds, Byron is determined to complete Cosbolt training. Poised at the top of his class, only one situation holds him back–his inability to work with anyone in the cockpit. Byron’s excellent piloting skills won’t be enough without a good navigator…

CassaDawn Links:

iTunes

Amazon 

B&N 

Kobo

Amazon UK 

Goodreads

What are you working on as 2016 comes to a close? Do you have any questions for Alex? Have any special plans this week?

I’m taking a break, and will return on January 9, 2017. May you enjoy abundant blessings this holiday season and in the new year. Enjoy your time with family and friends! :)

Sending love and blessings,

Karen

 

How Do You Handle Writer Insecurity?

Author Alex J. Cavanaugh shared a guest post earlier this year.

(I can't remember where, or I would share the link). 

He offered great suggestions on how to handle writer insecurities. 

In my comment, I joked that Alex should create a sign for us to display in our writing spaces. 

Soon after, I got an email from him that included this: 

What a nice surprise! Thank you, Alex.

 This dose of practicality and perspective is no surprise since Alex 

and several of his talented friends created the Insecure Writers Support Group.

For more encouragement and helpful resources, check out the IWSG site.

What do you think of Alex's graphic? 

How do you handle insecurities, writing or otherwise?

Happy writing,

Karen

Graphic courtesy of Alex J. Cavanaugh

Avoid a Messy First Draft by Alex J. Cavanaugh

Please join me in welcoming Alex J. Cavanaugh! It's always a treat when Alex stops by and shares his insight and experience. Known to his blog followers as the Ninja Captain, Alex is the author of several books, including his newest release, Dragon of the Stars.  

 

Outlining – How to Avoid a Messy First Draft

By Alex J. Cavanuagh

Some people can sit down and just start writing. Some need an outline and a plan. (I’m definitely the latter.) If you’re not one to outline and would like to learn or maybe you struggle with outlines, then I hope you benefit from my steps from idea to a published book.

I’m going to use my latest, Dragon of the Stars, as an example.

The idea came to me from a song. Ayreon’s Dragon on the Sea tells the tale of Queen Elizabeth I sending Sir Francis Drake to face the Spanish Armada. I envisioned a Dragon spaceship, and mulled the idea over for many years.

Endings always come to me first, and the sight of the Dragon ship battling invaders stuck in my head. That would be my ending. From that point, I brainstormed what made this ship unique and how did it come into being. I worked back from the ending until I had a solid premise.

This is where an outline is really beneficial. I wrote down the highlights from beginning to end. I kept the character arc in mind and added layers to that as I continued to expand my outline. Characters are crucial to me, and I wanted to ensure that the main character underwent a transformation. (Otherwise he’d be weak and anemic and need a transfusion instead.)

Then I noted where I needed research. I focused on world building–what was the main character’s home world like? What was the climate, the industry, the politics? What about the Dragon itself? What fueled the ship? I spent some time looking up details and facts so I could give the story a solid foundation.

Once I felt the outline was full and ready, I ran it by a critique partner. Not everyone does this, but I wanted to be sure there was enough for a quality story. He gave me some suggestions, which led to new ideas of my own.

By this time, the outline was several pages long and I had numerous pages of research. I read over it many times, looking for the proper beats and any holes in the story. I fleshed it out even more. Once I realized I was adding a lot of details, I knew it was time to simply start writing the story.

That might sound like a lot of work. And it was! From the time I began working on the outline to its completion was several months. But here is where all that planning pays off–once I completed that first draft, it wasn’t a big mess. After a month of revisions, I was ready to send it to test readers. After that was another month of revisions and then it went to my critique partners.

Outlines aren’t for everyone. But if you are frustrated with a messy first draft and hate the revision process, it might be worth a try. I may loathe that first draft, but editing afterwards is a lot more enjoyable!

 

Dragon of the Stars                                                                            

By Alex J. Cavanaugh

Science Fiction – Space Opera/Adventure/Military

Print ISBN 9781939844064 EBook ISBN 9781939844057

Dancing Lemur Press, LLC http://www.dancinglemurpress.com/

What Are the Kargrandes? http://whatarethekargrandes.com/

The ship of legends…

The future is set for Lt. Commander Aden Pendar, son of a Hyrathian Duke. Poised to secure his own command and marriage to the queen’s daughter, he’ll stop at nothing to achieve his goals.

But when the Alliance denies Hyrath’s claim on the planet of Kavil and declares war on their world, Aden finds his plans in disarray. Entrenched in battle and told he won’t make captain, Aden’s world begins to collapse. How will he salvage his career and future during Hyrath’s darkest hour?

One chance remains–the Dragon. Lost many years prior, the legendary ship’s unique weapon is Hyrath’s only hope. Can Aden find the Dragon, save his people, and prove he’s capable of commanding his own ship?

Purchase Dragon of the Stars

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

ITunes 

Kobo

Amazon UK

Amazon print 

Overdrive 

Goodreads

Alex J. Cavanaugh has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and works in web design, graphics, and technical editing. A fan of all things science fiction, his interests range from books and movies to music and games. Online he is the Ninja Captain and founder of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. He’s the author of Amazon Best-Sellers CassaStar, CassaFire, and CassaStorm. 

Visit Alex

Blog   

Insecure Writer's Support Group
Twitter 

I dislike outlining, so I think I'll give Alex's advice a try. How about you, do you like to outline? What helps with your first draft? 
 
Happy writing,

Karen