Ask the Author: J.B. Drake
Answered Questions (11)
J.B. Drake
Hey there! I am planning on writing more, yes, and I'm currently editing the next instalment, The Beggar Betrayed. There are actually going to be 6 books in total in the series, so a few more to come. Apologies for the delay, 2021 was a bit of a rough year, but definitely planning on catching up and getting more books out this year.
I absolutely love Anieszirel as well, and yes, I am planning on writing a separate story about her and her past. Not quite decided yet on whether it'll be a standalone volume or a mini-series, but to be honest, I had planned on going way back in her past, focusing on her earlier life, so hadn't thought about writing about how she ended up where she was at the start of Unbroken Bond. Your idea is a wonderful one, though, and I'll certainly work that into her story. Thanks for that!
I absolutely love Anieszirel as well, and yes, I am planning on writing a separate story about her and her past. Not quite decided yet on whether it'll be a standalone volume or a mini-series, but to be honest, I had planned on going way back in her past, focusing on her earlier life, so hadn't thought about writing about how she ended up where she was at the start of Unbroken Bond. Your idea is a wonderful one, though, and I'll certainly work that into her story. Thanks for that!
J.B. Drake
Well, I sometimes get lucid dreams, the king where I remember all that happened for days. A plot could be those lucid dreams are actually my reality, and what I call reality is actually one long recurring dream
J.B. Drake
Given how well received the Good Omens, I'm looking to re-read the book, actually, so will have to mention that.
And I've also realised I've never actually read Neverwhere and The Ocean at the End of the Lane, both by Neil Gaiman, so looking to rectify that oversight shortly.
And I've also realised I've never actually read Neverwhere and The Ocean at the End of the Lane, both by Neil Gaiman, so looking to rectify that oversight shortly.
J.B. Drake
Tough one...here goes.
Young psychic keeps seeing visions of brutal murders committed by the same person night after night, and no matter how hard he tries nobody takes him seriously, so he decides to hunt this killer down himself, only for those close to him to start dying, the visions of their deaths visceral, detailing the victims running and trying so hard to stay alive and failing miserably, and each death more graphic and disturbing than the last, until, driven nearly insane by the visions, he finds the killer. The killer is him, the visions aren't visions, but him committing the brutal murders, and when he realises this, his mind snaps and he happily continues butchering any and everyone who crosses his path.
How'd I do?
Young psychic keeps seeing visions of brutal murders committed by the same person night after night, and no matter how hard he tries nobody takes him seriously, so he decides to hunt this killer down himself, only for those close to him to start dying, the visions of their deaths visceral, detailing the victims running and trying so hard to stay alive and failing miserably, and each death more graphic and disturbing than the last, until, driven nearly insane by the visions, he finds the killer. The killer is him, the visions aren't visions, but him committing the brutal murders, and when he realises this, his mind snaps and he happily continues butchering any and everyone who crosses his path.
How'd I do?
J.B. Drake
This would have to be Middle Earth, but just after Sauron was gone. I'd love to just go there and see the wonders of the world. I'd imagine it would be joyous place to be.
J.B. Drake
While working on another series, believe it or not. The other series is a fantasy epic, and Tip, one of the main characters in The Unbroken Bond was meant to be a passing reference to an event that happened far in the past.
As time went by though, Tip's story grew on me, and so I decided to park that fantasy epic and pen this series as this one would almost definitely be shorter than the epic to write.
As time went by though, Tip's story grew on me, and so I decided to park that fantasy epic and pen this series as this one would almost definitely be shorter than the epic to write.
J.B. Drake
I was a bit of a day-dreamer as a child, one who would happily while way the time sat in a corner dreaming up these wonderful escapades and people, and that never truly left me.
One day though, for reasons I'm struggling to call out right now, I decided to pen one of those daydreams. A friend read it, found it entertaining, and that was it.
One day though, for reasons I'm struggling to call out right now, I decided to pen one of those daydreams. A friend read it, found it entertaining, and that was it.
J.B. Drake
Working on the next book in the Unbroken Bond series.
J.B. Drake
I'm still learning the ropes, so I'll give the best advice I've gotten thus far.
First is simply to write. Your craft will improve the more you write.
Second, there will be days where you will feel like chucking it all in. Don't. Only ever truly stop if you feel the love affair is over.
Third, be honest with yourself, always. Granted, it won't always be easy working out when a book is good enough, but if the story isn't working, or if it's fast becoming a stinker, deep down you will know. Listen to that voice.
First is simply to write. Your craft will improve the more you write.
Second, there will be days where you will feel like chucking it all in. Don't. Only ever truly stop if you feel the love affair is over.
Third, be honest with yourself, always. Granted, it won't always be easy working out when a book is good enough, but if the story isn't working, or if it's fast becoming a stinker, deep down you will know. Listen to that voice.
J.B. Drake
The world and characters you create in your mind. It's such a wonderful part of it all, having all these characters come to life and interact with each other, sometimes in ways you didn't even envisage at first, and all in the world you've conjured up, a world that feels so vivid and real.
J.B. Drake
If it hits while I'm working on a new book, I use it as a time to edit what I've written thus far. If it hits while I'm about to start a new book, I run through the plot/story arc to see if that needs tweaking, or, if it's a series, I work on the story arc of the next book in the series
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