With this interview Stan is giving away _one copy of “The Lapis Lazuli Throne.” To win check out the rafflecopter to the right of this interview.
Ok Let find out about _Stan_.
First how about you tell us here at Julies Book Review about a little about yourself?
I am a full-blood Choctaw from the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, a 58-year old divorced grandfather to 13 grandchildren, and I serve in the Army National Guard. I also deployed in 2006-2007 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Otherwise, I am an unemployed college student studying photography (I have 25+ years experience, but no degree), though my real goal is to someday work in underwater archaeology. Along with my program of study, I am also working on an anthropology research study regarding Global War On Terrorism veterans and PTSD. For a portion of the study I have to go to South Dakota in November. I live in Las Vegas, Nevada (I call it Ground Zero of the Great Recession), and I live in Veterans Administration sponsored transitional housing for homeless veterans.
What genres do you write?
I write in the genres of horror, science fiction, fantasy (including sword & sorcery), erotica, military fiction, and contemporary fiction.
Can you tell us a little about your newest book?
My newest publication from Musa Publishing is titled “Second Saturday.” It is a story that takes place in Las Vegas, Nevada. Sharon, a young university student, is taking part in an “art walk” with other art students. For one evening they will open their apartments to the public to show their art, and hopefully make sales. Sharon is expecting Patricia, someone she knows who visits the donut shop she works at, to visit. She is also hoping to seduce Patricia if she shows—Patricia arrives but she has her own ideas about Sharon. The seducer has become the “seducee.” There is one more thing—Patricia has an ancient secret that Sharon must accept, if they are to have a future together.
Did you have any other authors that have helped you or have inspired your work?
Well, not really. I mean, for example, Robert E. Howard (Conan the Barbarian) sparked my interest in sword & sorcery, or fantasy, and “world building” of a fictional world. H.P. Lovecraft (Cthulhu Mythos) introduced the concept of mankind being little more than a nuisance to ancient creatures hidden around the world, or lurking just outside of our own space/time continuum. Their writings have influenced some of my work, but not extremely so.
Do you recall what got you into writing?
Not really. I do remember that I have always wanted to tell stories. Photography has always been a passion of mine, and I am sure that photography, combined with writing, led to my interest in photojournalism. Perhaps that combination of interests is what also fueled my interest in fiction writing.
Ok how about some fun stuff
Okay.
Dogs, cats, or fish?
I have to say cats. I assume you mean which I prefer. I like cats because they are not needy, they are pretty independent, and aloof. It is like you are a visitor in their world only because they tolerate you. I admire that sort of independence, and even aloofness. Plus, having had several cats, each had their own personality. We had one named Cuddles IV (most of our cats were named Cuddles) who loved to roam the neighborhood, raping and pillaging, and terrorizing small dogs. We had another who really was a housecat; he didn’t care much for the outside. Regarding him, I learned real fast to guard the French bread when it was on the dinner table—I once saw the French bread sliding backwards to the edge of the table. When I looked, that Cuddles stared back at me. No shame, no remorse, just a steady “What?” stare. He was crouching down on the chair and had the claws of one paw sunk into the end of the French bread. He lost the tug of war for the loaf, but got his piece of bread that his claws were sunk into.
Sci-fi, fantasy, or paranormal, Romance?
(writing and reading)
Sci-fi, fantasy, or paranormal, a resounding YES! Romance? Ah, well, not really. Sort of. I’m not sure why because, next to money, romance makes the world go round. Maybe. Or maybe it is because I have not had much romance in my life, therefore I can not really relate to romance in my writing.
Favorite Book of all time? Why?
I am not sure how to answer this. A favorite book of all time? That’s an extremely difficult question. To be honest, I cannot name one. There are several that I return to, fiction and non-fiction, but there is a different reason for each.
Favorite Author of all time? Why?
I can not really answer this question either. In fiction, there is Ray Bradbury, Arthur C. Clarke, H.P. Lovecraft, and Robert E. Howard. Each brings a different perspective to their stories. Each introduces a different world, whether it is the world of Conan the Barbarian, or the Cthulhu Mythos. There is also Frederick Forsyth, an English journalist turned novelist, whose books I have always enjoyed. I like the way his books (The Day of the Jackal, The Odessa File, and The Dogs of War) resemble imaginative journalism. The details of his research resemble factual journalism woven into a fiction story—his novels have an undertone of a journalist rather than pure fiction storyteller. I find this blend very pleasing. That is about the only way to describe it. Of non-fiction writers, those who blend the story of humanity within a factual book are Cornelius Ryan (The Longest Day, The Last Battle, and A Bridge Too Far); he was Irish, and was also a journalist. He died of cancer in 1974. Finally, there’s Bernard B. Fall (Street Without Joy, Hell in a Very Small Place), French, who was a war correspondent and historian. Fall died in South Vietnam in 1967 when he stepped on a land mine while on an operation with US Marines.
Where can we find your books? What sites can we find your work on? (any social media, blogs etc.)
There is Musa Publishing <www.musapublishing.com>.
Specifically, my page can be found at <http://musapublishing.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=50>.
Except for Musa’s Penumbra magazine in which I have two stories (February and July 2012), my Musa stories “The Lapis Lazuli Throne,” “An Incident on MSR Tampa,” “Dancing in Moonlight,” “The Sentinels,” and “Second Saturday” can be found there. I also publish with Melange Books, and MuseItUp Publishing, and I have had stories published in anthologies from Dark Opus Press, Edge Science Fiction & Fantasy, and Ravenous Romance. I do not have a blog, only my Facebook page (S Hampton Sr). My website is still under construction.
www.musapublishing.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=9&products_id=314
It has been a pleasure meeting you Stan. Readers don’t forget to check out the rafflecopter to the right. 5 E-books and 3 Gift Cards are up for grabs, take advantanage of the great giveaway! Thanks again!
Julie Ramsey
Juliesbookreview.blogspot.com
Talk about finding unique voices - good job!
ReplyDeleteAquablogger,
ReplyDeleteFor me, the variety of voices is what makes reading fun.
Thanks for visiting.
Stan
(SS Hampton, Sr.)
Great interview. Stan, you are one busy man. Writing, photograph, studies - I'm tired just reading about it. :D
ReplyDeleteEleni, hi. Yes, I'm tired too. But it' also fun, especially when I don't have flippin' writer's block. But that seems to be fading, hopefully. Thanks for stopping by, and Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteStan