Author, Mark Carnelley has written both action/adventure and crime fiction books. They include The Omega Chronicles and The Time Detective – Discovery (Book 1). Mark is semi-retired and lives in Berwick, Melbourne Australia.

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What motivates you to write and how did you get started?

I have always known that I had a book somewhere inside me. I’ve been an avid reader since the early 60’s and loved writing poetry from about the age of 10.

I “retired” at the end of 2014 and this gave me the opportunity to write. My two books were both written in 2015/2016.

What’s most rewarding about writing?

Reading allowed me to immerse myself into a story and leave the “real” world behind. With writing, I didn’t know what was going to happen next until it was actually written down in front of me. It added that extra dimension of escaping into the book. As a sufferer of severe depression, since my dad’s illness and eventual death from dementia related issues, writing allowed me to compartmentalize that pain and push forward.

What’s your favorite genre and why?

I grew up reading sci-fi, especially the works of Asimov, where the only limits were that of imagination. Your mind was able to step outside the constraints of the world in which we lived and bring to life new worlds and new life forms.

My all-time favourite movie was “The Omega Man”, a post-apocalyptic of one man against what was left of the world. That, I think, was my inspiration for my first book, “The Omega Chronicles”.

Where do your characters come from?

I’d like to think that all my main characters are parts of myself, or at least how I’d like to be. They’re mainly strong characters, fighting for what they believe in with strong morals and a healthy dose of good old-fashioned justice.

Who is an author who inspires you and why?

So many. Stephen King, Patricia Cornwell, Clive Cussler, Alastair MacLean, Dean Koontz, JRR Tolkien and many many more. Authors of different genres but all with the ability to capture the readers’ imagination and transport them into their books.

What do you look for in other people’s books?
I look for a storyline that will grab my attention. A main character, male or female doesn’t matter, who have their own flaws but are still able to get the job done. A book that lets me sink into its pages and walk alongside the characters, seeing the world through different eyes.

What are you writing now?

Three main works.
1/ Book 2 of the “The Time Detective” series, entitled “Between Two Worlds”.
2/ Children’s book series (6 out of 26 so far, based on the letters of the alphabet). “I Want to be……”
3/ Children’s book series, “The Adventures of Buggle Foo and Fuggle Nutz”. Two stick insects lost in the Australian bush.

I also have rough drafts for a third book in my Time Detective series, loosely titled “Different Time, Different Place”

What kind of book would you like to be known for?

I just want a reader of my book(s) to be able to lose themselves in the story as I was when reading other authors.

What has writing taught you about yourself?

Wow, hard question.
I have always thought I could write and now that I have actually produced these two, it has given so much confidence that was, at times, lacking. As well as an escape from issues affecting my life, writing has been a calming and cathartic avenue for my mind.

How has your life experience influenced your writing?

I have had a fairly broad expanse of life-experiences. Started my working career in IT in the 70’s. Stints as a truck driver, labourer, cable tv and telephone installer and finally in the security industry.
I’ve driven cars, trucks, motor bikes. Sailed, driven speed boats and flown solo.

I have always followed maths and the sciences throughout school and thus my “logical” mind is forefront, though this does not inhibit my imagination.

What encouraging advice can you offer new writers?

Don’t be scared of putting your feelings and heart & soul into your writing. Your words are an expression of who you are.
Never “force” yourself to write because then your words are not your true self.

Never be discouraged by negative comments, everybody is entitled to their decision. Learn from them and always look forward.

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