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Tom Scott Author Interview | Author Q & A

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Could you describe the mundane details of writing: How many hours a day to you devote to writing? Do you write a draft on paper or at a keyboard (typewriter or computer)?

We did/do everything from an online outline and used shared file space (Drive) to compose and contain the entire book. We are not in the “production” phase now, but when we were, it was 8-14 hours per day. What is a typewriter?? 😉

What does your family think of your writing?

I think we surprised them—even momsie said it didn’t seem like I wrote this book.

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

tutoring, modeling, acting, handyman work, personal training…..and sometimes relaxing.

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What do you think makes a good story?

That’s a tough question. I actually avoid fiction.


What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating/writing your books?

For a book of this caliber anyway, it took 3-5 times the amount of work we initially projected.


What authors do you like to read? What book or books have had a strong influence on you or your writing?

Ironically, I actually hate to read and write. My coauthor, however, likes biographical and other nonfiction. The strongest influence for writing is to fix problems. That’s a byproduct of being a recovering engineer.

Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?

So far, what little feedback we’ve gotten has been overwhelmingly positive. A few readers have mentioned they have never thought of the information we have put forth.

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Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?

We get information from multiple sources: news outlets, governmental agencies, research entities. A good analyst will never base conclusions on a single data point. Having many reputable sources yields optimal results.

Do you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer? If so, what are they

Writing literature and software have a lot in common, believe it or not. They share what I call the five “R”s:
1 – write
2 – revisit
3 – revise
4 – repeat
5 – release

Write everything in the first brain dump for the particular chapter/section on which you are working (write). Then put it on simmer for a while and come back to it after several days/weeks (revisit). After some down time, you may see things that you missed on first glance, so now you make changes that improve your work (revise). Again, put your work on the back burner and come back to it again. Do this AT LEAST 3-5 times (repeat). Finally, after many iterations, publish your work (release).

Do you meet your readers at book signings, conventions, or similar events?

Yes, but for our work, we also give presentations to audiences due to the nature of our content.

Tell us about your most resent book?

Well, our most recent book is our only book. It should be read by all everyday Americans aged eighteen and older. It is meant primarily as a protective guide against our wildly corrupt legal system. Its secondary purpose would be as a remedial guide for a current legal quagmire.

How do books get published?

We publish with Smart Play Publishing.

Do you write every single day?

No

Ballpoint, uniball or fountain pen?

Keyboard

Any writing rituals?

No

What’s the worst job you’ve had?

Working as a teen at a place that hosted weddings, parties, etc.

Tell us some more about your book/s.

It is written so that both a novice to the system or a well seasoned veteran, such as an attorney, can learn. This was one of its two main challenges. The other was jamming as much information into as few pages as possible.

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Any last thoughts for our readers? Will you be prepared, not if, but when the legal system strikes?