Q1. Could you please start by introducing yourself to our readers?
A1. Hi, my name is Alan R Warren and i have had 39 books published from three different publishers and some self-published. I write in non-fiction including True crime, Cults, and History. I have also hosted the ‘House of Mystery’ heard on several radio stations including KCAA 106.5 F.M. Los Angeles which we interview authors, producers, and film makers of all genres.
Q2. In your view, what distinguishes a writer from an author?
A2. I personally never think about them as being much different. Technically they both write anything from article to books. Only i believe the official difference is authors have published their writing, put it out to the public to read.
Q3. Which part of your book “Peace Love & Murder” proved to be the most challenging to write, and why?
A3. Well with any non-fiction book, it’s always hardest trying to find the truth. Not just what people think or that have heard, but the facts. When you have several witnesses to a crime such as what happened with Manson, who is telling the truth? Especially when several of the witnesses are those that were accused of the crimes. So, they all tend to make themselves be in a good light, or in the position where they had to go along with what was happening because they felt threatened or scared by the others they were with during the crimes.
Q4. How do you typically celebrate once you’ve completed a book?
A4. I really don’t. I mean there’s always different feelings about each book upon completion. There are times when you feel insecure or not sure about your book. While other times you feel completely satisfied and confident that it was a good book. There’s also a lag time from completing the book and having it published, especially by a publisher. So, by the time the book is actually going to be released, you have already been deeply involved in a new project probably about a year.
Q5. How do you leverage social media to connect with your audience as an author?
A5. I usually post things daily and about writing or radio shows. Keeping followers up to date in what’s going on in my professional life. It’s also a great place to tell readers about book shows or signing events that you are going to be at, so that you can come out and meet them.
Q6. On average, how many hours a day do you dedicate to writing?
A6. I really don’t dedicate or line up certain hours per day to writing. It happens more spur of the moment. A lot of my initial work is finding information. Going out and meeting witnesses, victims and the police who were involved. Then there’s also trying to set up meeting the criminal in the prison. There’s also several hours of going through the newspapers and learning about the setting where the crime took place. This all helps the story take shape. When i have most of the information and i am ready to write the story i still don’t plan dates and times to do it. I must be in the right mood. The feeling has to come over me, then i write.
Q7. What kinds of books did you enjoy reading during your childhood?
A7. Actually, i usually listened to crime or detective shows on radio most nights or read comic books usually in the ghost, strange stories, or detective categories.
Q8. Is there an author within your genre whom you particularly admire?
A8. There are quite a few great writers out there in the true crime field. I think it changes over time with me. I also find that each writer usually has something special that they give to their books, and often they are different from other writers and even myself. So, i really don’t ever choose one when interviewers ask me.
Q9. How has the experience of writing and publishing a book “Peace Love & Murder” influenced your perception of yourself?
A9. I don’t know that it has? At least not yet. Maybe over the next few years it will? That’s not to say that each book that i write doesn’t make some change in me, because they all do. Sometimes it’s not always the change that i wanted, but it’s there. So far, with Peace, Love & Murder, the main thing which i have noticed is that it’s the first book that i have written that i feel good about in a way that i don’t care who else likes it. Ido, and that’s enough.
Q10. If you had to describe yourself using just three words, which would you choose?
A10. Structured, Supportive, Satire
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