Ask the Author: Brock E. Deskins
Answered Questions (17)
Brock E. Deskins
Hi, Steven. Thanks! That's very encouraging to hear, especially these days. That's a hard question to answer. I've never been a "favorites" kind of guy or the type to become a "fanboy" of anything (except ice cream.) RA Salvatore made a big impression on me years ago. Same with Margaret Weis and many of the Forgotten Realms authors. My reading habits used to be voracious, especially when I was in the army. Lots of downtime to read. Not so much anymore, especially since my migraines have gotten worse over the years. Almost afraid to read now. It's a toss up between fantasy and sci-fi/space opera. I've recently begun listening to audiobooks a lot (another thing that has cut into my reading) I've found I really enjoy LitRPG in audio form almost more than any other, although the Iron Druid series was fantastic in audio. I'm writing my first LitRPG literally at this very moment. I think it's starting out well. At least the word count is. Thanks for the question. Feel free to connect with me on FB or my website.
Brock E. Deskins
I've put that project on hold, sort of, as I figure out the best way I can create the best audiobook I can. I'm focusing on the other two books in my Brooklyn Shadows series first and then the rest of The Sorcerer's Path. I jumped into audiobooks without a good understanding of everything, but now that I'm getting a handle on it I think I can create a better product. It will just take a little time. Sorry for the wait.
Brock E. Deskins
I released a new book in the series called The Sorcerer's Rebirth. It technically picks up twenty years after Destiny but does a good job of filling in what happened in that time.
Brock E. Deskins
I've set up a recording system of my own and hope to narrate further books myself. I'm working on finishing my Brooklyn Shadows series, then I'll start on the remaining Sorcerer's Path books.
Brock E. Deskins
I have a rough idea for a third book, but it's likely to be quite a ways off if it ever gets printed. As much as I love the series, it doesn't have enough of an audience for me to dedicate much time to it.
Brock E. Deskins
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Brock E. Deskins
Thanks, Darryl, I appreciate that. I know my problem is I lost my early reader base by not properly tracking and engaging them. Marketing is my Achilles heel as you say. I'm sure the biggest problem is that people, especially the ones that read and enjoyed my books, just aren't seeing me, don't know I'm still here. That's the real source of my frustration, not knowing how to get seen.
Brock E. Deskins
My beta reader is returning his copy tomorrow with his notes. I'll go through them and do a final edit. I had hoped to get it out in March, but it's looking like the first week of April at the latest. Almost there!
Brock E. Deskins
I have them in 2 box sets, books 1-4 and 5-8 that saves people up to $10 if they buy both. I'm glad you enjoyed the series. I hope book 9 reflects what I've learned as an author over the years and is even more enjoyable. Look for in March.
Brock E. Deskins
Wow, that really means a lot, especially at a time when (looking at my sales) I am feeling very unappreciated. I enjoyed writing the series more than any other I've done. I hope to continue it some day. If you enjoy audible books, I'd be happy to furnish you with a UK audible promo code if you would like to listen to the excellent job my narrator did with Shrouds of Darkness.
Brock E. Deskins
It is very likely to span at least two additional books. An even ten sounds like a good place to stop. Given how little planning I do before I start writing, it's hard to know where it will go. The Sorcerer's Path started out as, "Hey, I think I'll write 'a' book." Finished book 1. "Hm, still a lot of story in my head." Eight books later...
Brock E. Deskins
Do you mean in book 2 with the mind games and such or the new book I'm writing now? I'm not sure I understand the question. If you are referring to mind manipulations in book 2, no it certainly does not continue. I'll let you in a little secret. There was a time where I had thought of writing an alternate ending of the series where everything that happened during and after book 2 was just mind manipulation to see how he would react and to better control him. Good thing I didn't. Pretty sure there'd be people with torches and pitchforks outside my house. But no, there's only the couple instances of fake/altered reality in Azerick's mind in book 2. The rest of the story plays out in reality.
Brock E. Deskins
I wrote the first chapter or 2 a while back but have been focusing on my Empire of Masks series. I just finished book 3 of that series and will be sending it to my editor in couple weeks. I plant to give more attention to Rebirth even as I work on book 4 of EOM. It's really insisting that I write it. While some time has passed, it is a continuation of the series. Most of the characters from the previous books are still there. I plan on posting what I've written so far on my website in the near future to give readers a good idea of what to expect. I hope to have it finished by next summer. I don't have a good track record of working on multiple projects, so we'll see.
Brock E. Deskins
Decide what you want out of writing. I see so many people say "Don't care about sales, I write for the love it." If you are happy having a day job and write only as a hobby, then fine, but realistically, if you want to be a truly free writer, able to take financial care of yourself and your family, then you need to be sensible about what you write and how you write it. When I started writing The Sorcerer's Path, I just wanted to get a story out of my head, to do something constructive with my time in a very low period in my life. I wrote for my own amusement. Despite the series' incredible success, had I known then what I know now, had I known I was writing a story not just for myself a few friends but for tens of thousands of readers, I would have done things very differently. Story arcs that are present now would be stripped out. You can figure out which ones by reading some of my more critical reviews. Most of them are warranted.
Brock E. Deskins
Getting the voices and stories out of my head and sharing them with others. For those lucky enough to be able to make a living out of it, it is the ultimate freedom. I am able to live my life the way I choose and am beholden to no one and nothing but my own desires.
Brock E. Deskins
My biggest block is my own brain. I don't think I've actually gotten writer's block. I get writer's distraction. Right now, I am writing the 3rd Empire of Masks book and am distracted by a plot/story speed bump. Instead of simply going around it and writing other story arcs or the next book in my Sorcerer's Path series, I am fixated on this bump and refuse to move on until it's sorted.
Brock E. Deskins
My biggest block is my own brain. I don't think I've actually gotten writer's block. I get writer's distraction. Right now, I am writing the 3rd Empire of Masks book and am distracted by a plot/story speed bump. Instead of simply going around it and writing other story arcs or the next book in my Sorcerer's Path series, I am fixated on this bump and refuse to move on until it's sorted.
Brock E. Deskins
I am currently finishing up Nightbird, the sequel to Highlords of Phaer. I hope to have it out in February.
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