Today we have Brock D. Eastman with us. Brock lives in Colorado with his wife, four kids, two cats, and leopard gecko. Brock is the author of The Quest for Truth series, the Sages of Darkness series, Showdown with the Shepherd in the Imagination Station series, and the novella Wasted Wood. He writes articles for FamilyFiction digital magazine and Clubhouse magazine. You may have seen him on the official Adventures in Odyssey podcast and on its Social Shout-Out. He was the first producer of and launched the Odyssey Adventure Club. Brock currently works for Compassion International, whose mission is to release kids from poverty worldwide.
Welcome Brock!
1) Everyone seems to have a “how I got published” story. What is yours?
Well there’s a long and a short version. The short version is God’s got an amazing plan and He opens every door.
2) When did you realize you wanted to become a writer?
After I raced my wife (at the time girlfriend) through the Harry Potter series.
3) Tell us a little about your books
The Quest for Truth is meant to be a seeker series, it’s a series for kids full of action and adventure, strong characters that are relatable but also good at heart. The story is clean, meant to be low on violence, death, and elements that are really in my opinion unnecessary for children’s entertainment to be successful.
4) How do you write? What’s a normal writing day like for you?
Normal, I wish. I’ve got a full time job and a wonderful family, so writing for me is squeezed in in the few available moments here and there, but somehow it all gets done.
5) What was your favorite book as a teen?
Jurassic Park and the Harry Potter series.
6) What is the one author, living or dead, who you would like to co-write a book with someday, and why?
Well I wish I could have written a story with Michael Crichton, he was always right on the cutting edge of technology and made stories so real you’d have to pause to wonder if what he was writing about wasn’t happening right then. I’d also say Donita Paul, she’s an amazing fantasy writer and we’ve developed a good friendship. I think it’d be fun to dig in and work on a story with her, plus I think I could LEARN SO MUCH!
7) Describe your feelings when you opened the box and saw the first published copies of your very first book?
Overjoyed, it was exciting to see the story I’d spent so much time writing finally come in book form.
8) What are your hopes for your future as an author?
I’d like to continue to write stories that inspire people, especially kids. I want to have a wide range of genres and age groups I write for as well.
9) What inspired you to write?
Actually this is a long story, but the short version is I read Harry Potter and realized that though Harry Potter is portrayed as the hero, he does a lot of things along the way that wouldn’t be heroic traits in my opinion. And so I wanted to write a book about characters who, though flawed, would get to the end by doing what’s right. And if they did something wrong, they had to learn a lesson from it.
10) What were some of the challenges for you writing your book?
I’ve got a full time job and a wonderful family, so squeezing time into write is very tough. And I also did not go to school for writing, I went for marketing, so I’ve had a lot to learn and still do.
11) What do you want readers to take away from your book?
I want them to be inspired and challenged to live their lives seeking the Truth.
12) What can you tell us about any future releases you have planned?
I’ve got one more book in The Quest for Truth planned, and then a Spiritual Warfare trilogy to finish so I’ll be busy for the foreseeable future.
13) Star Wars or Star Trek?
Both, since I am writing about futuristic sci-fi, both really provide unique elements of inspiration within their worlds.
14) Favorite place to vacation?
Hawaii hands down, I’m looking to get to all of the islands. 3 down.
15) Favorite season?
Autumn in the Midwest during harvest season.
16) Do you have a favorite Bible verse?
Ephesians 4:32 “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
17) What is one thing you’ve read that you wish you had written, and why?
Jurassic Park, because I love dinosaurs and it’s such an amazing concept. I’ve got a couple of ideas that will get me close, but are original enough.
18) What is your favorite thing you have ever written?
The Quest for Truth, because I was able to create a whole new world and explore tons of places. Plus I fell in love with my characters and they’re like friends when I write them.
19) Who would you most like to thank for their involvement in your writing career?
My wonderful wife for all her patience and allowing me to take the time to write. Then also Larry Weeden who really encouraged me and gave me that first good dose of information about publishing.
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Thank you, Brock! Here is where you can find him online:
Website: brockeastman.com
Twitter: @bdeastman
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/eastmanbrock
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/FictionforAll/videos
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/brockeastman/
