Introducing: Kirk Outerbridge!

Tell us a little about yourself:

Firstly, I’m a Bermudian, which means I’m blessed to live on a beautiful island located 650 miles east of North Carolina that’s only 21 square miles in size. I’m also blessed to be married to my wonderful wife Ria and blessed even further by our 2 year old son Miles.

In 2002, I dedicated my life to Christ and shifted gears. I could no longer write the stuff I used to write and thus stagnated for a bit. But after some soul searching and prayer I realized I couldn’t be like that one talent man and decided to use my gift for writing and storytelling for God’s purpose.

Why did you start writing?

I developed a passion for storytelling at an early age. As a kid I read lots of Fantasy and Science Fiction novels and comics. I played table top role playing games and watched endless hours Japanese anime. Through all that I think I developed a keen sense for what made stories enjoyable and more importantly—what didn’t. From there I always had this passion to recreate the things that entertained me and thus I turned to writing as my outlet.

How did you start writing?

I always enjoyed writing and dabbled with short stories and such, but in college, around 1996, I decided to get serious and write my first novel. The result was 350,000 word monstrosity that took five years to compose. While I know now it will never be published, it was not wasted time. It helped me hone my craft as a writer and is an experience I would never trade for anything.

How did you select your genre?

I am fan first, I believe. The things I like the most, like cyberpunk and Sci-fi is also what I like to write. Of course I like to add a spiritual twist to my own work J

What is your writing day like?

I don’t think I have such a thing. I have a pretty demanding day job and then on top of that I’m a husband, father and Christian so any time for writing fall in the leisure time cracks. Mostly I find myself writing after I put my son to sleep and all the chore are done. So maybe I can squeeze a couple hours in a day. But it is very difficult to stay focused. In fact, this is probably my biggest challenge as a writer, to stay on schedule. It takes me roughly 3 years to produce a novel I’ve found. Which is pretty slow for a professional full time writer, but as someone doing it part-time juggling a family and demanding career I think its not so bad. J

How do you organize your writing? (outlines/note cards/post-its)

Once I get the basic plot decided on, usually in a rough 1 to 2 page synopsis, I use a program called storymind to turn it into an outline. There are many programs like it, but it basically breaks the story into components and asks you the questions to fill in the gaps on character, theme, plot etc. It’s a very good tool. After that, I have a rough chapter by chapter, scene by scene outline of what must take place. I never however fill in exactly “how” things takes place so thus the writing is still exciting and fluid, or else I’d get uninspired and would not be able to write.

What’s the most surprising thing a character has “told you”?

Hmm, I’ve heard writers use this expression before but honestly, my character don’t speak to me. It might be because of my particular genre which is actually mystery/suspense at its heart, so I always have things set up way ahead of time so I never have scenes where I’m just writing and wondering which way the characters are going to take it.

Do you have a list of characters that you’re saving for future use? What kind of information do you keep on these characters?

Characters are actually very crucial to me as the series I’m writing is based on a main character and his adventures. I don’t keep character bios, but I do have a bunch of character archtypes that I’ve developed over my many years of running role playing games. If anyone has ever tried table top gaming they’ll know what I’m talking about, but basically there are character who exist to the detail of living people still running around in my mind from my gaming days. So a lot of my characters I base off of those.

What does your work space/office look like?

A mess? Oops. Actually my work space is the home computer set up in our spare bedroom. I’ve dubbed it my “Man cave” for now, but that all will probably change in October when our second child is due and my “Man Cave” becomes “the Baby’s” room. Ah, the sacrifices of parenthood J

What is your go-to snack when writing?

I usually don’t snack while wirting. Although sometimes I reward myself with a snack if I make some good progress J

If you could only recommend one NOVEL, what would it be? Why?

I’ll have to give a plug to one of my fellow Marcher Lord Press Author’s, Stuart Vaughan Stockton, and his novel “Starfire”. It’s an amazingly well written book that is about, believe it or not, talking dinosaurs. Now before you run for the hills, just give it a chance. Stuart’s writing will pull you into his world and not let you go. I was initially skeptical about this book but after the first chapter I became a true believer. Totally weird stuff but amazingly accessible and tangible.

If you could only recommend one CRAFT book (writing, no crocheting), what would it be? Why?

The Art & Craft of Writing Christian Fiction by Jeff Gerke. A truly must for anyone venturing into publishing Christian fiction. Not only is it an exceptional book on the craft of writing, it has that extra side that other craft books do not have, and that’s how to write for the Christian market and more importantly, how to write for God. Very good book.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Yes, please look out for the second book in my Rick Macey Cyberthriller series titled “The Tenth Crusader” due out this October by Marcher Lord Press.

Please keep supporting Christian Speculative fiction. There are lots of great writers and stories out there, but to make it all happen we need to support of readers who are willing to take a chance on the unusual.

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Kirk, thank you so much for taking a break from your busy schedule (on a holiday weekend!) to stop by. Congratulations on Baby #2 and Book #2!

Please feel free to leave Kirk any comments or questions you might have – ESPECIALLY if you’d like a chance to win a FREE copy of his debut novel, “Eternity Falls”. (Make sure to leave your email address so I can contact you if you win!)