Author Interview: Sebastian Schug

About the author:
Sebastian Robert Schug/Nicolas M. Parker (born February 25th, 1998) is an independent American author, illustrator, publisher, and novelist currently residing in suburban Burbank, California. Beginning his illustrative career at the early age of fourteen jumpstarted by author Rene Ghazarian's The Adventures of Daniel, he has since gone on to become the main author, illustrator, and publisher of numerous works, series, as well as further collaborations with other individuals. Currently, he attends California State University, Northridge, studying Political Science, as well as Art and Law. He is the founder, and current webmaster of the internet forum Itsonthehousekid.

What inspires you to write romantic fiction?
Admittedly, there has been no such big-name, top-billed writer that I have looked up to for inspiration regarding satire, fiction, or any such genre in between that which I have tackled since my starting year of 2015. This is not to say that I don’t find certain stories by certain authors entertaining, engaging, or informative; far from it, actually. But to state one’s proverbial beginnings stem from that of a more widely recognized xenith of artistry is to more or less call a spade a spade. Simply put, I understand one’s own ambitions to create more or less stem from a much more popular entity. People create in a way that both imitates and flatters another, that’s the sole definition of inspiration. But in my circumstance, that isn’t the case. Friends, family, and associated peers with unavoidable life experiences have provided me with more than enough groundwork in order to develop my story-arcs, characters, and plot devices to an absolute tee, however bland that explanation may be to another’s own artistic perspective. There simply is no limit to the amount of humanity existing within most if not all of my own original characters and subsequent plotlines, allowing a very much alive and mendable undertone to all aspects of the developmental process.

Tell us about how you write.
Loving to be a writer, cliche aside enables me to be just that. I believe one can surface a plethora of reasons why he/she enjoys a particular hobby ranging from a means of expression to straightforward profitability, and it’s refreshing to acknowledge anyone’s primary goal in taking on a hobby, craft, etc. For writing, however, it’s more than a form of expression on a primary level. It exists on a secondary or even third level; it allows for specific thoughts and feelings not otherwise stated in one’s day to day life to be put onto paper or a single word document, and to thereby be processed accordingly. To love being a writer is to love writing in a diary, journal, or whichever private entity an individual finds solace in.

Do you listen to or talk to to your characters?
In regards to relating and/or personifying myself within a given literary character, not particularly, though in the aspect of developing one's fictional personality, "listening/talking" to my characters has proven to be insightful.

What advice would you give other romance writers?
Generally speaking, get started. I see numerous “would-be” authors and artists with amazing potential for both storytelling and visualization alike without either the proper know-how or motivation to simply put pen to paper. It’s understandable if one happens to feel self-doubt about his/her own personal project and/or whether or not people will believe it’s any good, but if there’s another piece of advice I can tack on, it’s to not write for other people. You’re not writing for your friends, peers, or even your most cherished loved ones, deep down, so don’t try to. Art within a published medium shouldn’t be held to the standard at which you arbitrarily give it from outside opinion.

How did you decide how to publish your books?
At first, through online distribution services, as well as reaching out to literary agents for representation.

What do you think about the future of book publishing?
The future of book publishing is certainly a murky field, and in the discussion of whether or not digital or paperback will reign supreme over the other is another topic entirely. Though in the hopes of continuing the theme of allowing both independent authors and artists alike to share in the spotlight of new stories breaking into the market, it has certainly seen more positive reception than negative.

Which romance sub-genere(s) fit your stories best?
action, adventure, satire, humor, dark comedy

My books are available in the following formats:
eBook, Print