Steven Darrell Bates Sr. is originally from Cincinnati, Ohio where he graduated from the University of Cincinnati. While in college, he developed a deep fascination for the understanding of the church, GOD, and the concept of spirituality.

His artistic talents surfaced later on in life, inspiring him to become a writer. He writes to admit to himself that he can create a story where the church and the secular society can come together.

Steven now resides in Atlanta, Georgia with his true love, his wife, and kids. He is currently working on his third book.
 

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What made you decide to sit down and actually start writing a book?

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I’ve always enjoyed writing because it gave me a stage to share my thoughts and ideas.  I decided to write a book because it gave me the opportunity to fulfill a dream.  I remember my teachers in middle and high school saying that I had an active imagination.  I never really understood what that meant until I took creative writing in college. The feeling was so surreal, because creative writing was so easy for me. I put all that on the back burner for “real life issues” but I’ve been blessed to find a wife who encouraged me to believe in myself.               

 

 

What is your writing process like? Do you just sit down and start writing or do you do an outline?

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My writing style is like putting a puzzle together. I grab the box and the throw all the pieces on the floor, and then start organizing.  I love to just start writing about all the stuff that is in my head, and see where it takes me. Once I start organizing, I focus on a particular topic and build from that.  It can be painstaking but I always love the end result.

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What are some things people will be surprised about you, or what motivates you?

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When I was younger, I never, EVER wanted to get married or have kids. I was selfish and obsessed with having my own privacy and space. Now that I have a family, it’s the greatest thing that ever happened to me and they are my motivation.