My next author interview is with Eric Johnson, the author of Red Eyes.
What book or books have most influenced you as a writer?
Eric Johnson: David Drake’s Hammers Slammer’s series has influenced me a lot. It brought a military veteran’s experience into writing and how it could be used to bring up issues that concern me as a military veteran myself. His work set the tone for my books and writing style, which I emulate due to fascination of making current military issues into readable fiction
What are some tropes of fiction in your genre that you love/hate? Why?
Eric Johnson: I love the military tone that my genre entails. As a military veteran it helps to have the normal trope of crazy military vets and also a focused unit and the ethos it brings up.
Who is your favorite character in your book? What do you like about them? (or, which character do you hate most and why)
Eric Johnson: Major Veerkamp as she’s nuts and doesn’t care much about who she offends or deals with. She’s a definite fav to write as she is crazy yes, but she does it in a way that shows that she does it for a reason (that means much to her) and is aware that she’s got issues but somehow appeals to me as a character I’ve started to use more and more.
Cover of Eric Johnson’s Red Eyes
What are you doing to de-stress during the pandemic? Is there any coping mechanism you’d recommend (or NOT recommend)?
Eric Johnson: Well the pandemic hasn’t affected me as most people so I can recommend that getting through this is important and want to stress that while you’re restricted (or not) that life still has to go on and that things will be alright.
What do you like to do other than read or write? Do you have any interesting hobbies?
Eric Johnson: Video gaming is one of my hobbies. But I have artistic talent and usually create something for my stories or something that I need to visualize for my stories, if needed.
What TV shows/Movies do you like to watch or stream?
Eric Johnson: I watch a variety of movies, mainly military or some other form of movie. I do like Marvel Cinematic Universe movies a lot and watched most of them up till now
What’s your favorite animal?
Eric Johnson: Cats are my favorite animal. I own a cat and love him dearly and couldn’t ask for a better animal to take care of.
Do you like playing video games? What’s your favorite game right now? Has a video game ever influenced you as a writer?
Eric Johnson: I currently play The Division 2 and it influences me into writing a story where a pandemic happens. My characters will get involved somehow and there’s the story I guess. I haven’t worked out the details yet (I have other WIPs to worry about right now) but that’s a future story that features a pandemic (which is influenced by the current one now).
Do you like playing board games or role playing games like D&D? If so, which games do you like best?
Eric Johnson: I like D&D and have played it in the past. Unfortunately I don’t know anybody nearby that plays the game or I’d probably join a group and play.
What advice do you have for other writers or people just getting started in writing?
Eric Johnson: That it’s a long hard path for some and that to stick with it even though it may take a long time. It takes me sometimes a long time to write even a short story but I just say stick with it until you get published, whether it being self- or traditional publishing
How do you choose what books you want to read?
Eric Johnson: Mainly based on interest and whatever appeals to me at the time. Some books I buy are to learn a subject (sometimes non-fiction) and other related stories to help form ideas based on my own desires in what I want to write in the future.
If you write sci-fi, what technology or innovations or scientific discoveries have inspired your work?
Eric Johnson: So far the railgun has influenced my work a lot. A lot of weapons in my stories is based on that technology. However, I somewhat keep aware of future theories or ideas based on current theory and practice. Sometimes though I incorporate those ideas into writing if it sounds good enough or is plausible enough to use.
More About Eric Johnson
Books: Red Eyes, Operation Arrow, and 5th Kommando
Website: http://flanker56.com/index.htm