My wife and I have lived in small town, rural Missouri for 12 years and have 4 entertaining and wonderful children. I never expected to be living on a farm with chickens, cows, kittens and a dog. The kids love ‘em. My life revolves around spending time with my family. Being a father and a husband are the most important things I can concentrate my time on and I enjoy it. I published my first novel, DEFENSIVE TACTICS, in August 2010. My second novel, Crater Lake: Battle for Wizard Island is under contract with Cedar Fort Publishing and should be released in the Spring of 2012.
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Interview
If you were stranded on a desert island what 3 things would you want with you?
Easy- I’d want my family, a year supply of food and a yacht.
If you were a superhero what would your name be?
In high school my friends and I all had a challenge to write a song in which our name appears. My song was called Super Steve. It’s really more of an anthem and its fantastic! You’ll just have to trust me on that.
Skittles or M&Ms?
Yes, please. Candy is my favorite food group and I've inserted it into the nutritional pyramid where vegetables were foolishly placed by mistake.
Please tell us in one sentence only, why we should read your book.
Gold Clash is brimming with fun, danger, intrigue and loads of excitement wrapped into an adventure that includes my favorite things; history, gold, organized crime and camping.
Any other books in the works? Goals for future projects?
My next ten months will be quite busy. Gold Clash, which is the sequel to my first book, Defensive Tactics is released December 2012. Return of the Mystic Gray, the sequel to Crater Lake: Battle for Wizard Island will be released in April 2013, and I will begin a new YA series in September 2013 called, A Nothing Named Silas.
When I started writing in 2009 I set a goal to have 5 books published before I’m 40. I’m excited that I have contracts on books to meet that goal by the time I’m 39 so I've got a year to spare to try to pad my results.
What inspired you to want to become a writer?
I’m a connoisseur of films and I often dream as though I’m watching a movie. I woke up one morning with an idea in my head but for some reason I thought of it as a book, not a movie. I told my wife about my crazy idea to try writing (I’d never done it before) and she encouraged me to give it a shot so I secretly began writing my first novel, Defensive Tactics.
Tell us your most rewarding experience since being published.
My cousin sent me a message that his family was having a big party but their teenage daughter was blowing it off which is unlike her. When they asked what was wrong she told them that everything was fine but she was reading a book and didn't want to put it down. They asked which book so she held up my first novel, Defensive Tactics. My cousin laughed and asked her if she knew who the author was but she didn’t know so he explained how we’re related. I thought that was pretty fun.
A close second was when my family read the book and said, “Wow, that was like a real book.” Thanks, guys.
What was your favorite book when you were a child/teen?
I NEVER read as a teen unless I was assigned for a class and then I usually snuck the Clifts Notes version. I’m a really slow reader so I’ve never enjoyed it. I’m just too slow. I still don’t read, but I love to write. Since I don’t have much experience with books I write as though I’m watching the scenes play out on the TV screen.
What's one piece of advice you would give aspiring authors?
Get involved in a writing community. Writers love to help each other. Find a group that can be a support and a learning tool for you and then give back as much as you can.
When you were little, what did you want to be when you "grew up"?
I’ll have to get back to you on that one.
If a movie was made about your life, who would you want to play the lead role and why?
Hugh Jackman. Sure he’s a little old and not in the kind of shape I am, but I’m confident in his acting skill. He could pull it off.
Can you see yourself in any of your characters?
I can see myself in ALL of my characters, even the evil, creepy ones. The uncomfortable thing is that my family can see it too. They may recognize the way my antagonist mocks his victim or the clumsy advances my protagonist makes on the cute girl. As a writer I draw from my own experience and what I know. Sometimes it’s not all pretty.
How do you react to a bad review?
Bad reviews really don’t bother me. At least someone read the book. I may think the reviewer is a moron, especially if he says something like, “There’s too much action,” and it’s an FBI thriller. But that’s okay. Even if a review is critical, if it offers real insight into what worked or didn’t work for the reader, it helps me to grow. Some of my best learning as an author comes from reading my bad reviews. If they bother you, don’t read them, but otherwise, learn from them.
Facebook or Twitter?
I really like facebook. I may have a problem.
Favorite quote from a movie?
From Billy Madison after Billy gives an answer during the academic decathlon, the judge says: “That is the most insanely idiotic thing I’ve ever heard. At no point during your rambling, incoherent response did you even come close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. We are all dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.”
What is something people would be surprised to know about you?
When I watch any movie or TV show I can tell you within 5 seconds of the killer appearing on screen, even if he’s hanging in the background, that he’s the guy. In most cases I can tell you how and why within the following 10 seconds. It’s a gift but I speak slowly.
Gold Clash by Steve Westover
When Jimmy agreed to lead a youth activity through the historic Missouri countryside, he had no idea what he was getting into. Now he and his friends Paul and Emily must race to recover a long-lost treasure and rescue two teenage hostages before the conflict tears an entire town apart. This action-packed thrill ride of a book doesn't disappoint!
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Giveaway Details
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Ends 12/25/12
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