Author Interview & Ebook Giveaway: Time Slice by Kerry Downing

Welcome to Author Kerry Downing

Kerry Downing set out to become a meteorologist, but was hooked by the world of computers instead, becoming a systems analyst and programmer. Astronomy and science fiction are his passions. He’s been gazing at the stars at all hours of the night since the age of 10, when he received his first telescope. As for science fiction, Arthur C. Clarke and his brand of “it really seems as if it could happen” has always been his favorite. In the 90s, Kerry found the third love of his life: his wife, Lucy. They live in St. Louis, Missouri, with their five children. Time Slice is Kerry’s second science-fiction novel. His self-published, debut work is The Collective.

LINKS:
Website:
http://www.kerrydowning.com
Blog:
http://kgdwrites.blogspot.com
Twitter:
https://www.twitter.com/KGDWrites
Tribute Books Blog Tours Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tribute-Books-Blog-Tours/242431245775186
Time Slice blog tour site:
http://timesliceblogtour.blogspot.com

INTERVIEW
If you were stranded on a desert island what 3 things would you want with you?
1) My Kindle (I’m sure I’d have a lot of free time to read!)
2) A knife (Pretty sure I’d get hungry and need some way to get food…a knife could help out there)
3) Matches (I’ve tried to create fire by rubbing 2 sticks together and, if it can be done, I’m NOT capable of doing it! And, I hate raw food…especially that which I killed myself with my trusty knife from item 2) above.

If you could have any superpower what would you choose?
I’ve thought about this one quite a bit over the years, and it always comes down to a choice between flying and being invisible.
When I was young, being invisible would have won out. I always wanted to be able to get away from my older brother and sister and invisibility would have helped out a lot!
Now that I’m older (not old, mind you, just older), I would choose flight. Soaring through the sky would be awesome! Not to mention the time I’d save by not being stuck in traffic on the way to work.

What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?
This is an easy one: chocolate, hands down. Although vanilla with some kind of caramel striped through it is pretty darn tasty, too.

Night owl, or early bird?
Left to my own devices, I’d be a night owl. I always was growing up and would still be to this day if I didn’t have to be bothered by mundane tasks such as making a living.
So, for now, I get up at 5:30 am…something I never thought I’d do when I was a kid. But don’t confuse this with me now being an early bird. Oh no, far from it. I’d say that currently, I’m neither a night owl nor an early bird. I hit my peak around 11 am and, unfortunately, it only lasts for 15 minutes or so. So if you need anything from me, ask between 11 and 11:15 in the morning, okay?

Pet Peeves?
At the risk of sounding like an old curmudgeon (and one with road-rage at that), my single biggest pet peeve is people who can see the traffic signs saying that a lane is closed ahead, but think they are more important than everyone else and continue on in the soon-to-close lane, knowing good and well that they’ll be able to force their way into the rest of the traffic at the last minute.
I can’t continue on with this particular rant because I can feel my blood pressure rising.

Skittles or M&Ms?
Skittles = candy for children
M & Ms = little pieces of heaven for the discriminating palate

Please tell us in one sentence only, why we should read your book.
TIME SLICE is science-fiction with heart.

What inspired you to want to become a writer?
I’ve enjoyed writing for as long as I can remember, but never thought seriously about tackling the writing of an entire novel.
That changed when I read Stephen King’s book ON WRITING. I bought it as a gift for my wife who thought that she might want to try her hand at writing a book. ON WRITING made me believe that I could do it. If you’ve ever thought that you have a novel in you screaming to get out, I’d suggest that you pick up a copy of this book. It’s very inspirational and helpful.

Tell us your most rewarding experience since being published.
A book signing where two young people came up and wanted their picture taken with me because I was “the coolest person in the book store.” How can you top that?

What is your favorite Quote?
“It takes more courage to be happy than it does to be sad.”
I don’t remember where I first read this, but it’s so true. Most people don’t know how to be happy, and I count myself among them at times. Why is it that being sad, depressed, and upset comes so naturally to most of us, and when we do feel happy we almost immediately feel guilty about it? I’d say it was my Catholic upbringing, but I’m not Catholic, so it must be something else.
I’m open to any theories you all may have on this…seriously…

When you were little, what did you want to be when you "grew up"?
First thing I wanted to be was, get this, the top bunk in a bunk bed. I remember wanting it very much, although I don’t remember why.
Next, I wanted to be (and still kind of do) an over-the-road truck driver. In fact, my brother and I used to visit the local businesses when trucks were making deliveries to get the truck driver’s autographs. Most of them thought we were kidding, but they finally came around and signed something for us.
After that (from about 3rd grade through college), I wanted to be a meteorologist. I graduated in 1982 with a degree in meteorology and haven’t used it in any type of career since then. But, it’s always a great conversation piece. I mean, how many meteorologists do you know?

If a movie was made about your life, who would you want to play the lead role and why?
Who: Tom Hanks. Why? He always plays such great roles, and he seems to have a real interest in the word around him. Kind of like me. Plus, I’d probably get to meet him which would be a real kick.

Who are your favorite authors of all time?
This is an easy one. My favorite author of all time is Arthur C. Clarke. He’s why I wanted to write science-fiction. I wish I could write even a little bit as believably as he did.
Second would be Stephen King. Although I don’t really like blood and gore, many of his books are just such great stories that I can overlook small things like decapitations and the living dead. They just become minor nuisances.

What do you do in your free time?
In my free time, I like to hike. My wife and I recently bought a book called “60 Hikes within 60 Miles of St. Louis.” We’re slowly but surely working our way through the book.

What's your favorite season/weather?
Spring would be my favorite season. I’ve always enjoyed the wild weather that comes around during the spring, not to mention that the temperature finally gets above freezing and there’s still daylight left after I get home from work.

Favorite places to travel?
My favorite place to travel is the San Francisco Bay area. Specifically, north of San Fran in the Point Reyes National Seashore. Lots of great hiking there as well as magnificent scenery. If it didn’t cost a small fortune to live there, I would.

Time Slice

Ordinary People. Extraordinary Adventures. Science Fiction with Heart.

Newly retired workaholic Roy Washburn is not ready for a life of leisure. On a trip to the mall with his wife, he finds a small metal cylinder with odd markings. One nudge of the cylinder's triangle-shaped pointer and Roy finds himself embarking on an exciting new adventure in the Time Stream.

There he meets The Traveler, a tall, gangly being who shows Roy how to use the cylinder to visit other civilizations that co-exist on "his" Earth, each occupying a different, thin Time Slice. The Traveler solicits Roy's help in recovering an object invented by his murdered father and beyond his own reach. Roy is his last hope.

At first it seems that the Traveler's wish might be easily granted. But after Roy's wife Emily becomes ill and his daughter's long-held resentments rise to the surface, he can no longer "travel" at a moment's notice. He also discovers the very real physical and mental risks involved in roaming the Time Stream.

Despite the dangers, Roy is determined to help the Traveler. But he can't do it alone. Fortunately he has a loving wife and a core group of loyal friends. But first he must convince them--and his daughter--that he isn't crazy ...

Giveaway Details
1 ebook copy of Time Slice
Open Internationally
Ends 2/28/12

Winner:
Barbara Butler