Inside The Indie Author: A Conversation with Mark McCraw

Have you ever considered writing under a pseudonym, and why or why not?

I prefer to use my name rather than a pseudonym. I want to make it easy for the reader to associate me as a children’s book author while making it easy for the reader to locate me.

What is your “go-to” method for working through or around writer’s block?

My preference is to put the manuscript down and think on it before picking it back up.

From your perspective, what are the most important elements of good writing? The most important element of good writing is to ensure that each manuscript is well polished with good editing and revising the story as needed.

What comes first – the location, the plot, or the characters – and why?

For me, the plot comes first because I wrap it around a good title. Then, the characters come into play with how I want the plot to be.

What are your least favorite and most favorite things about publishing a book?

My least favorite thing about publishing a book is the formatting of files while dealing with errors that come into play while uploading books to publish. My most favorite thing about publishing a book is collaborating with the illustrator.

What is a significant way your book changed from the first to the final draft?

One time, I did not realize I had changed my point of view back and forth from 1st to 2nd to 3rd person throughout a story. Once a reader looked it over before final draft, the person brought that to my attention. I then asked my editor to help me fix this issue. It was a learning process.

What was the inspiration for your most recent book?

My grandson’s shenanigans is the reason I wrote, “Eli’s Shenanigans” about a three-year-old who caused havoc in his house. The story is told from his older brother’s perspective.

Where are your most productive writing spaces, and what elements are important about that space to keep you focused on writing?

I have an office that I do spend time in but typically I just write anywhere I can. Then, I just get these ideas that come into my head. Next, I write them down right away for a new book idea. I just carry my laptop or notebook with me to write ideas down. Sometimes, I even text myself. I have had poetry come out this way through texting myself which eventually ended up in an anthology.

If you were to give one of your side characters a novella of their own, who would it be, and why do you think they need their own story?

I have a character in a book that I am making called Maxine who will be in her own book about herself. She will be included in a compilation book with other characters in another book too.

What risks have you taken with your writing that made the book better?

I have left a character’s whole name out of a book so as not to discredit that person in the book about bullying.

What is the best monetary investment you have ever made with regard to your writing practice?

I think investing in editing services is the best monetary investment. I am open to researching other writing programs.

When you first began writing, what was a common procrastination trap you encountered, and how did you overcome it?

A common procrastination trap I encountered is not writing as much as I should for a possible book while needing to set a time to write daily. I have had to lengthen stories and at times shorten others since I can keep writing too much in a manuscript. However, I typically write as the thoughts come into my head.

What is your writing software of choice, and what is its best feature?

At this time, I do not really have writing software but am constantly looking for one that might fit for me. I would also like to buy a tablet for word processing just for writing only to take with me everywhere I go.

Do characters’ names come immediately to you? Do you add them in a final draft? Where do you find names, and how do you make a final decision about the names you will use?

Characters names come immediately to me. I do not really have a method to my madness so to speak. I just choose names right away that are different from other books.

Tell us the title of one of your favorite novels, and why this book is a favorite.

I typically do not read a lot of novels just mostly other children’s books that authors write about military dependents like I Move A lot and That’s Okay by Shermaine Perry Knights.

In my collection, I have quite a few novels, but I am behind on reading them. However, I do like to listen to Audibles like Diary of Anne Frank and Titanic.

Think of the title of a hugely popular novel. What is one major thing you would change about the book?

Since I am a reader that likes lots of pictures, I have a challenging time with just all text. If I could sit still long enough, I think I could get more reading done on novels on which I am behind. Being a children’s book author keeps me busy.

What are you reading right now?

Bus Stop Buddies by Preston Walls and Adam Angel which is a book about bullying.

If you could take on the identity of a character in one of your favorite books for twenty-four hours and retain the memory of that experience, which character would you choose? Tell us the title, author, character name, and why you would want to be that character.

Julius Greenfield, who is a fifth grader in the book called Bus Stop Buddies by Preston Walls and Adam Angel. He is new kid in fifth grade who moved to a school in Oklahoma. He originally came from Seattle, Washington. The reason I can relate to this character is I moved from one state to another in fifth grade. I was also bullied like Julius Greenfield while being the new kid on the block in school.

If you could save five books from being destroyed in the apocalypse, what books would you choose, and why?

Holy Bible- King James ;
Man’s Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl (2006) – Victor Frankl’s story at Auschwitz;
Retrieving the Ancients: An Introduction to Greek Philosophy by David Roochnik (2024);
Famous American Statesman and Orators, Past and Present with Biographical Sketches and their Famous Orations by Alexander McClure and Byron Andrews (2010); and finally
50 Leaders Who Changed History by Charles Phillips (2015).

Tell us a little something about your current WIP. When do you expect it to be released?

I am working on several books right now. One is a 5th grade level book about adventure and the other is a 2nd grade book about elementary school life. These books are projected to be finished by the summer. In the fall, I will have a military dependent book being worked on. My goal is to publish three children’s books with a possibility if time permits a fourth book.

What are the titles and genres of each book you have written?
Did You Come Home for Lunch? - Children’s Fiction
Rules, Rules, Rules ! - Children’s Fiction
I Was Just About… - Children’s Fiction
The Toilet Paper Caper of 2020- Children’s Fiction
Babbling Betty-Children’s Fiction
The Problem Is… -Children’s Fiction
Living on a Military Base- Children’s Fiction
Brains Over Brawn- Children’s Fiction
Eli’s Shenanigans- Children’s Fiction
Nicoli Picoli- Children’s Fiction
It Happens! – Children’s Fiction
Tales from the Fish Tank- in Anthology “The Quire” (Pages Promotions)
Night Light ! Night Light! in Anthology, “Flights of Fantasy”- Bedtime Stories (Pages Promotions)
Poor Pluto- in Anthology, “Visions” (Pages Promotions)