Michael R. Baker's Blog, page 18

SPFBO Interview: Sean Cunningham “Ghost Electricity”

Hey guys! I return from the pits of Cuthulu with another SPFBO interview. I’ve had a rough week, but my weekend vacation to Keswick seriously helped me recharge.

Now, today’s interview is with Sean Cunningham, author of Ghost Electricity. I still have a fair few left to post, but I will always be available to you guys. If you’d like one or would like a book review, don’t hesitate to get in touch with me!

Before I go into today’s interview, a little update on my end. I’ve finally started my first edits of THE AEGIS MORA, which is the second book in my Counterbalance series. My tentative goal is to finish at least general edits on the book by the end of 2018, with a possible Q1 2019. As for the release, I honestly have no idea what’s happening on that. Juggling health and financial problems, it may just be a long wait for the next in the series. There are several developments in place for some of my writing future, but I cannot go into much detail just yet. Once I find out more, I will likely make a blog post on this. I will also take the chance to give you a link to my SPFBO entry The Thousand Scars. Apparently it’s good according to most of my reviewers!

 

Now, onto the main course!

 

Check out some of my previous SPFBO interviews down below:

SPFBO Entry Interview: Richard Writhen “A Host of Ills!

SPFBO Semi Finalist Interview: Steven McKinnon

SPFBO Entry Interview: David Mullin “The Tempest Guild”

SPFBO Entry Interview: Justin. L. Anderson “Carpet Diem”

 

 

First of all, tell me about yourself! What do you write?  

 

Hi Michael. Thanks for having me here. My name is Sean Cunningham and I’m an Australian living in London. I moved here to do a bit of travelling and then never got around to leaving. I write urban fantasy set in modern-day London.

 

How do you develop your plots and characters?

 

Plots come to me in bits and pieces. I think of it like the way planets form: lots of rocks big and small drifting around, then two collide and stick together. Their gravity starts pulling in other chunks of rock. Eventually you have enough critical mass to get started. My characters tend to be silhouettes until they start speaking on the page. That’s when I really get to know them.

 

Tell us about your current project.

 

I’m currently in the editing stage of Immortal Make, book 3 of the Hawthorn House series, of which Ghost Electricity is the first book. It’ll be up on Amazon soon.

 

Who would you say is the main character of your novels? And tell me a little bit about them!

 

The Hawthorn House series has an ensemble cast, but limiting it to the big four:

 

Rob: A werewolf trying to make a go of life in London. The London packs want nothing to do with him, though they won’t explain why. He really just wants a few friends to go to the pub with after work. Instead he keeps getting into adventures.

 

Julian: A warlock, of the oldest English magician family. Julian has resurfaced after vanishing without a trace four years ago. Also just trying to make a go of things in London, he keeps getting into adventures with Rob.

 

Fiona: Unaware of the world of magic and monsters, until that world takes an interest in her. She has a monster in her shadow, but she doesn’t know how it got there. The more Fiona learns, the more the mysteries and secrets around her grow.

 

Jessica: The ten year old sister of Fiona. Jessica is a genius inventor whose insatiable curiosity leads her to leap fearlessly into trouble. She is accompanied by two automatons, a brass-shelled tortoise named Mr Shell and a glass-feathered raven named Mr Beak.

 

What advice would you give new writers on how to delve into creative fiction?

 

First, read a lot. Read everything. Read your favourite genres and the ones you’re less interested in. You’ll learn from them all. Start writing. You will not be good when you start. Like anything, it takes time and practice to develop writing skills. Give yourself permission to be terrible at the start. Finish. Get to the end of that first draft. Don’t stop. You’ll be tempted to go back and tinker with things. You can do that once you’ve got to the end. Pretend you’ve already done that tinkering, if that’s what it takes to make you keep moving towards the finish. Show someone your writing. This is an absolutely necessary step. Friends, fellow writers, editors, you need to hear what they have to tell you. Finally, keep writing.

 

What real-life inspirations did you draw from for the worldbuilding within your book?

 

London’s history is long and fascinating. Did you know that the original Roman settlement still shapes some parts of the city? That it was abandoned entirely for a while? That the Great Fire of London took days to cross the city? There is a map of an area of London where I used to live, as it was in 1777. It was villages and allotments back then. But the roads between the villages are the main roads of the suburbs there today. Some of them even have the same names.

 

What inspires you to write?

 

I’ve filled my head up with so many words by reading books that they can’t help but come back out through my fingers.

 

What was the hardest part of writing this book?

 

Editing it, I think. It was my first real go at properly editing my work. I worked with an excellent editor and I learned a lot from the process.

 

What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?

 

There’s no part of the story that I dislike, or was a chore to get through, but my favourite part was Rob and Julian’s cross-country race from Birmingham to Paris. I got to throw absolutely everything at them. It was a blast.

 

Did you learn anything from writing this book and what was it?

 

That there needs to be a human story at the core. The characters and the setting sat in my head for a while before I started writing Ghost Electricity. Nothing much happened. Then my brother announced he was moving back to Australia permanently. It had been good to have that family connection close and I knew I’d miss him when he left. That’s when I had my core story: four isolated young people finding each other. While fighting vampires and such.

 

It’s sometimes difficult to get into understanding the characters we write. How do you go about it?

 

As I said earlier, my characters reveal a lot of themselves to me when they start speaking on the page. But I have a few things in mind about them beforehand. One of the most important things to know about your characters is what they want. Even minor characters should want something. It will inform everything they do and give them a purpose in the story. I’ve also been trialling Libbie Hawker’s outlining method from her book Take Off Your Pants! I’ve found it a useful way of thinking about how the main characters and the plot fit together.

 

What are your future project(s)?

 

My plan at the moment is to publish the third book in my series, Immortal Make. I also have a novella called The Clock Strikes with my editor, which will go out to my newsletter subscribers for free once it’s published. I have three more books planned in the Hawthorn House series after that. I have little doubt that I’ll eventually start publishing an epic fantasy series as well. But that’s a bit down the road.

 

If you couldn’t be an author, what ideal job would you like to do?

 

I think I’m doing it: software development. It’s a creative profession, one that challenges you constantly with new technologies, complex business domains and the need to continuously improve your skills. It makes you think about systems as well, which I find useful in world-building.

 

What is your preferred method to have readers get in touch with or follow you (i.e., website, personal blog, Facebook page, here on Goodreads, etc.) and link(s)?

 

My website: https://seancunningham.co.uk/contact/

 

Facebook: https://fb.me/seancunningham.author

 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/seanacron

 

You can buy Ghost Electricity on Amazon at https://viewbook.at/GhostElectricity

 

Many thanks for your time, Sean! I hope to get back on schedule soon.

Author Interview: Kaitlin Bellamy

Hello everybody! This is a bit of a break from my traditional SPFBO binge-fest, but you will get your interview as promised, but on Thursday!

Today’s interview is with Kaitlin Bellamy, who I approached a few weeks back about interviewing her with her debut novel’s launch. ​Kaitlin Bellamy is a freelance performer and writer residing in Central Florida, with a theatrical history spanning more than twenty-five years. And it turns out she’s damn good at writing as well!

 

 

 

 

 

First of all, tell me about yourself! What do you write? 

I specialise in YA Fantasy! It is my favourite genre to read AND write!

How do you develop your plots and characters?

Quite frankly, they tend to take on lives of their own. My writing style is as chaotic as my personality, which isn’t always easy to wrangle. Oftentimes I sit and outline an entire book, and then two chapters in, something comes to me, and I derail the whole thing. The book I’ve just published, Windswept, is the perfect example. That piece of story represents two pages in a 42-page outline.

Tell us about your current project.

I have never been a “one project at a time” kind of girl, so I am currently working on several stories at once. Mainly, I am tackling the sequel to Windswept, called Inkspice! It follows the three main characters from the first book as they continue to learn more and more about Fox’s powers, and themselves. In addition, I’m very excited to be getting further in my Victorian Christmas Demon-Hunting tale. Yes, that sounds VERY strange, but it’s actually coming along quite nicely!

Who would you say is the main character of your novels? And tell me a little bit about them!

Forric Foxglove, nicknamed “Fox,” is the main character of my Mapweaver series. He is the son of a trapper and fur trader, and all set to follow in his father’s footsteps. He’s always had incredible instincts when it comes to tracking, but when he discovers that his gift is magical in nature, everything changes. Fox is the only child in centuries to be born with magic in his blood, at least in this corner of the world.

What advice would you give new writers on how to delve into creative fiction?

READ. Every chance you get, read. Never stop exploring new worlds and new ideas. Take classes, REAL writing classes, not just “let’s only say nice things” classes. Listen to other writers, and other readers. You’ll learn far more surrounding yourself with other storytellers than you ever will just writing by yourself.

What real-life inspirations did you draw from for the worldbuilding within your book?

So many little things shaped the world I’ve created within The Mapweaver Chronicles, but I think the biggest thing was learning about old theatre troupes during the Italian Renaissance. They influenced the nomadic Shavid that my series focuses on, and helped me build a more specific time frame for my book, rather than just generic “Medieval.” The fantasy version of the Renaissance I’ve built is allowed to have more technology than the Dark Ages. I can include fountain pens, and spectacles, and pocket watches, and indoor plumbing … my Theatre History class was the accidental catalyst for my whole world, and I am grateful for it.

What inspires you to write?

I grew up surrounded by artists and writers, and I always admired my uncle in particular. He is a writer himself, and I always loved his lifestyle. His house was filled with books and movies and artwork, and he could afford to travel and eat out and fancy restaurants, all while being highly invested in his family life. For me, that was always the dream. I knew that, as a successful writer, I could make not only my own world, but my own schedule. I could have an office at home, and be surrounded by family or friends or pets. I could create the stories I always wanted to read, or star in as a performer. My over-active imagination could be my greatest strength, and I could live wherever and however I pleased. That dream has kept me going for years, even when the inspiration occasionally dries up.

What was the hardest part of writing this book?

This book as a whole was NOT easy to churn out. It took me the better part of a decade, and I even had to start over completely once, as I changed the main character altogether. However, fighting through my own perfectionism was definitely the hardest part. I don’t do “drafts,” I write a chapter to perfection and then walk away from it. Nowhere will you find early drafts, first drafts, etc … I either fix a problem in the moment, or start over completely. It is EXHAUSTING.

What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?

Everything involving Farran’s backstory was SO much fun for me. I love my pirate god, and something about his chapters just came very easily to me.

Did you learn anything from writing this book and what was it?

I learned so much about my own storytelling style, and what it takes to actually get through my own tale. However, I mostly learned that I CAN NOT TAKE TEN YEARS TO WRITE THE NEXT ONE! I have learned that I have to change my methods if I ever want to make this my living. That means carving out a writing schedule and sticking to it, not simply writing when the mood strikes me. It’s going to be rough … I genuinely hope I can make it work.

It’s sometimes difficult to get into understanding the characters we write. How do you go about it?

I’ve been very lucky with my character development, as I am an actor by profession, and I can put myself into the shoes of anyone in my book. I would highly recommend taking acting classes for any writer who has problems in that area. Learning about tactics and desires from an acting perspective is FAR different than learning about them as a writer, and it has helped more than I can possibly describe. Even an improv class might help some of you out there, and I can’t recommend them enough!

What are your future project(s)?

Soon, I hope to be producing the audiobook for Windswept, with myself as the narrator. I’d also love to dive into a standalone book about Farran, the Pirate God. He plays a rather large part in my series, and we catch glimpses of his past, but I think he’s worthy of his own tale.

If you couldn’t be an author, what ideal job would you like to do?

I love acting and performing, as I do now. I hope I can always continue being an actor, but I’d love to branch out into more projects. Film, TV, etc.

What is your preferred method to have readers get in touch with or follow you (i.e., website, personal blog, Facebook page, here on Goodreads, etc.) and link(s)?

I prefer Facebook for the moment, however I’m tied into a lot of different Social Media outlets, so hit me up wherever you like!

www.facebook.com/KaitlinBellamyOfficial

www.KaitlinBellamy.com

www.instagram.com/Executive.Geek

SPFBO Entry Interview: Bryan Schuder “Ain’t a Hero”

I’m back again with a new interview! One of my favourite things about interviewing is I get to give everyone the opportunity. This one is with Bryan Schuder, author of Ain’t a Hero.

 

 

Check out a selection of past interviews down below:

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First of all, tell me about yourself! What do you write?  

 

For all practical purposes I’m a guy from America’s “Da’ South” just trying to make it work in this crazy world.  I’ve had a lot of oddball things happen to me over the years and I’ve tried a whole sundry of projects during the combination of awful jobs, long gaps of unemployment, and now nice, comfortable work at a university library.  

 

I’m quite the outsider to the normal writing communities.  So, I don’t know the proper methods to most of this, which might work in my favor?  Regardless, writing has always been something I come back to that as a great outlet for the strange situations of my existence.

 

There’s been quite a few:  

 

I lived in a practically abandoned house for seven years.  “Long term house sitting for free” technically, but the duty was passed onto me only officially by my roomate there, well after he left to take care of family.  We did what we could to keep the place together. I’ve crawled into odd places both high and low in that old place. Places I propbably shouldn’t have had. When I decided to diagnose some electric issue in the attic…  in a part I had to crawl through a 3ft diagonal triangular gap between wall and roof to get to… during a storm… WITHOUT my phone handy… Two thoughts crossed my mind at that moment as I balanced myself on a roof rafter:  “I am not a smart man.” AND “I better hope if anything happens, my fat ass falls through the ceiling, so someone will eventually find me.”

 

Help raised a litter of raccoons in the attic.  The mother was dead I believe, since she never showed back up.  I found one kit when he tried to claw through the window with my window AC and I saw the rest on the roof.  Read up about what rescuers do, kept my distance, set up a ladder to allow them to climb down off the roof, and randomly, in location and timing, put dog food out to teach them how to scavanage for food.  They started wandering further out on their own in the neighborhood and got big enough to fend for themselves. So, I eventually sealed up the holes they were getting through (that they were trying to make bigger) and gave them one last meal before they were on their own.  Still got pictures I need to pull off my old flip phone.

 

Still raising a 3.5+ year old avadoco tree that I sprouted from a pit.  Its tall branches were over 10ft tall, so I had to run them up the stairwell, set up lights, and keep it inside during the harsh winters.  When I moved out of the old house to my current apartment, I rented a U-Haul truck, hoisted the 100lb pot (because I learned too late the difference between potting soil and topsoil), tied the thing down at an angle, and drove a tropical tree down the main street of a university in the temperate early spring… in the middle of the day.  Oddly no one paid attention. I was a bit disappointed on that one. It’s in my kitchen/dining area now, and I’ve carefully tied the branches down to give it some clearance. I also wrapped in outdoor led lights so it has a light source to help it out, and it makes for a conservation piece. I think I’ll get some more colorful ones for Christmas.

 

Before the old abandoned house was auctioned off, two estate sales happened… on top of me.  It was like an antique mall passive aggressively moving in. I’d come home from work and find all the house stuff rearranged… now with price tags on it.  Weird to go through once, strange to go through twice. And estate sales are serious business. I’m not even being sarcastic on that one. The sales happened at 8am.  People lined up a 7am.

 

I was the practical god of a 30 gallon of over a 100 colorful and interesting, but terribly inbred and mutated fancy guppies.  I was also their destroyer when I miscalculated the amount of hydrogen peroxide to add to the tank to help oxygenate it when the power went out.  The trouble is the tank ecology was maxed out by a huge factor. I had already split many fish out to other impromtu tanks to divide out the load.  But some unexpected chemistry happened, and started a mass genocide of fish in the main tank. So, in a dark creepy old house, without power on an dark autum night, I had to run around between either side of the house to vainly mount a rescue/cleanup effort with a LED head lamp as my only light.  Thankfully, the water was working, because there was some serious flushing going on. Eventually, I found the survivors new homes, but I am very hestitant to setup another tank in the future without three layers of backup systems in place.

 

So…  Those experiences and similar come into play when I write.  I mostly learn towards comedy and oddball, but with my current series “Ain’t A Hero” I’m trying to really work on the theme of “Making the best of a strange situation” on many different levels.  I started back into writing on Reddit’s r/writingprompts, then got directed towards r/HFY where I currently post my Ain’t A Hero episodes. It’s been a few years now, and I’m still writing and loving it again.

 

How do you develop your plots and characters?

 

I wish I had some great answer to this one, but I mostly just simulate it all in my head.  I start out with a basic situation as the pretext to it all. Then, I assign characters with various rough traits and put them in the situation.  I practically run the simluation of their interactions in my head with only a rough idea of where it might go. When conflicts of logic or flow happen, or I can’t decide how it should resolve, I examine either the situation or character.  Then, I determine if I need to add something to help story move along. For example, I test adding traits to a character and see if the story resolves in a way I like, then I’ll do another pass to see if I can justify the traits in a manner that makes sense given the aspects of the world.  A lot of the time, it’s just extending existing character’s traits with refinied versions, but sometimes I have added hidden, contrasting aspects that work out and open up more depth and opportunities.

 

I’m a computer scientist by training and have played way too many tabletop role-playing games over the years.  So, that might provide some background as the method behind the madness.

 

The plots start to form over time with the development of the situations.  I have a rough outline of what I want to happen, but I don’t put any great detail in.  My experiences game mastering have made it so I don’t make greatly detailed outlines, as they never survive contact with the players.  Also, any situations and set pieces that don’t fit into one arc of the plot… I save for later.

 

So, I let the characters run the plot for the most part, but I’ll introduce elements of chaos and “chance” encounters.  Mostly it all stems from “I wonder what such and such is doing…”

 

Tell us about your current project.

 

Well, my current project is continuing the “Ain’t A Hero” series.  I’ll be starting on the fourth season in a few weeks and post the episodes on Reddit’s r/HFY subreddit.  Meanwhile, I’ll be doing another editing past and writing one more extra side epsiode of sorts to make the Season 2 book…  And, actually publish it on Amazon.

 

The best summary I’ve managed to make of “Ain’t A Hero” so far is this:  In the thrice cataclysmed future, we hop right into the life of Bach. He’s a thirty year old adventuring school drop out that is reflecting upon where his life isn’t, while he watches the latest news report about his “chosen one” brother’s defeat at the hands of the Dark Lord.  It’s all starting to sink in when he comments about the Dark Lord’s last attack, his brother agrees. The ghostly form of his brother, sitting right next to him, agrees.

 

And from that point, Bach is figuratively and literally dragged back into the adventuring life within the confines of a “kitchen sink” fantasy world.  There’s a little bit of everything in there: Dragons, comic book shops, adventuring fandom conventions, hybrid magic/tech phones, and even Adventuring themed reality television shows.

 

I’m pretty much challenging myself to try to build a sensible enough world that is cohesive and coherrent despite how mundane the extraordinary may become.

 

I thoroughly enjoy writing it and have been doing so for over a year and half now.  A lot more territory to cover, from many angles.

 

Who would you say is the main character of your novels? And tell me a little bit about them!

 

For Ain’t A Hero, it’s Bach.  He’s ultimately the point of origin despite where the focus shifts.  He’s a guy down his luck. And like many of us, not in the worst life situation possible but not exactly in the greatest.  He’s just playing the hand he’s been deal the best he can. Then, the fickle finger of Fate pokes him in the eye and he stumbles back with brother, Sebastian, and his diverse adventuring group.  They all hope to defeat the Dark Lord and get Sebastian back to a non-ghostly, physical form once again.

 

So, now he’s been dealt a new hand and works with the new strange situation he finds himself in.  But, there’s only so much he can do and only so much he can understand. Thankfully, he’s got a party to rely upon to try to figure out the rest, on-the-fly.  It might be like having to try to change the tires on the car while it’s moving, but it’s not the first time they’ve done it.

 

What advice would you give new writers on how to delve into creative fiction?

 

Don’t over complicate it.  From what I’ve read on many forums, that’s what discourages many people from writing.  Don’t set out to write the next great epic or anything similar. Start with the basics:  A few good characters, a solid plot, and a situation that sparks it to start. Let it roll from there and feel it out for yourself.  When the momentum starts to wane, consider the rest of your world. Remember, it’s there to pull from and so have it react to the plot and characters.  And, I’d avoid strict structures, they don’t allow the story to grow as it needs to. Stick with loose outlines of major goals, collections of situations, and notes about the world so far as introduced to the reader.  When it comes to characters, establish the minor details first, then reinforce later.

 

What real-life inspirations did you draw from for the worldbuilding within your book?

 

A lot of 90’s anime and games, MANY of the strange situations I’ve encountered in life so far, my job as a systems administrator at a university library, my comptuer science and electronics background, and my experiences from tabletop role-playing.  (That really helps with keeping in mind what needs to be explained and how it can be presented without bringing things to a halt. And also, what details people may latch onto.)

 

I actually don’t pull a lot from the classic fantasy influences.  I know of them and have enjoyed their works, but I wanted to write something for my tastes.  And, if I do pull something from the typical sources, it’s usually going to be put to use as satire or parody.

 

What inspires you to write?

 

Getting the ideas of out my head onto a format to be enjoyed by others.  While I enjoy the challenge and the escapism of the process, ultimately…  I want to share my creation and hope that it is enjoyed by others. Because if no one enjoyed it, I could very well just keep it in my head and play out the whole thing like a movie all I want.  The fact that others read it and continue to do so, keeps me going. It allows me to get excited when I come up with a new situation and try to figure out when and where I can fit it in the story.  And due to the serialized nature of what I write, I get to see reader commentary and the feedback helps me tweak and adjust my process.

 

What was the hardest part of writing this book?

 

Editing, nit-picky bits of formatting, and just general clean-ups.  And finally getting the courage to post it on something “official enough” like Amazon…  And… telling people about it. I’ve always had an apprehension with associating anything I create with money.  This is mostly due to the number of “get into the ndustry” projects that failed when I tried to push them commercially.  So, it was a few months before I mentioned in the comments of a posted episode that I had Amazon KDP version of “Ain’t A Hero – Season 1” posted.  Didn’t even drop link, but two people found it and bought copies. So, I loosened up a bit after that, but I don’t pimp the Amazon link heavily. I actually prefer people to read it first and then pay for it.  Just read it people. That’s all I ask.

 

What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?

 

For Season 1, it was either when the party ran into what was scaring folks from the park, or the end epilog.  I strive to get everyone in the party equal representation and I like showcasing them working together as a proper team.  Then, I also like showing the levity of life despite the situation. Humor in the face trauma. That is something I’ve always found to be distinctly human and a trait I hope endures well into our collective future.

 

And, I love to drop  hints and teases for readers for what may come in the future.  I’m actually always curious if readers have actually picked up on the clues I’ve left hidden throughout episodes before.  Love reading those fan theories.

 

Did you learn anything from writing this book and what was it?

 

Just do it.  No matter what you do, you are going to royally screw things up eventually.  You will have failed projects. In fact, you will have a huge pile of failures if you keep trying.  And that’s okay. Because you can climb up on top of that mound of mediocrity and view the world from a much higher vantage point than ever before.  And hopefully, the view will encourage you to make more possible failures that will build up your pile.

 

It’s sometimes difficult to get into understanding the characters we write. How do you go about it?

 

As I mentioned, I try to simulate the characters in my mind and see how they react.  Psychology has always been an interest of mine. Also, the weird paths of my existence has lead me to interact and relate with a variety of people in the world.  I’ve tried to develop a good deal of empathy and understanding for how others think. Try to get to the root of their thought processes. There’s a lot of people I emphasize with.  But, while I do not agree with their decisions on matters, I understand how they they got there given their experiences. I look at my characters’ traits and behaviors, and apply layers upon layers of “Why” questions to define how they all function.  Even the supposed “bad guys” in the series have histories that support how they behave. You still might not care for what they do, but given how they got to that point… You can’t fault them. Honestly, with some of the people I have known and hearing their life stories…  I find it hard to be even angry at them when they do what they do, since I don’t rightly know if I would do better given those circumstances.

 

What are your future project(s)?

 

Future Seasons of Ain’t A Hero.  There’s a tabletop game or two I made for a contest a long time ago I thought about rewriting to my current standards.  Eventually need to do something with the computer game engine I’ve been writing… like write a game using it. There’s a cyberpunk and science fiction series I may work on, but my focus is presently on Ain’t A Hero.

 

If you couldn’t be an author, what ideal job would you like to do?

 

Tenured professor of computer science at a unverisity, teaching the introductory courses.  I would have so much fun with that job. I don’t have to prep, just show up, comedically ramble about random basic computer programming stuff, and not have to worry.  Most people who go into computer science, and will actually make it, teach themselves after a bit a of guidance. Those that aren’t a fit will fail out at a certain point no matter what you do.  So, I have fun and don’t have to worry about whether I’m setting anyone up for failure by my ineptitude at teaching.

 

What is your preferred method to have readers get in touch with or follow you (i.e., website, personal blog, Facebook page, here on Goodreads, etc.) and link(s)?

 

I’m a bit of outsider to the normal means that more established authors use.  But, I do have a website with my various projects, including the free EPUBs for Ain’t A Hero:  http://www.bestwithstuff.com

 

On Reddit, I go by Lakstoties and post over to r/HFY , ( https://www.reddit.com/r/HFY/ ).  They’re pretty accepting and decent folks over there, so if you write anything about humanity it should have home there.

 

And folks can always just e-mail me.  It’d be nice to get something than other automated e-mails and spam:  bryanws@gmail.com

 

Also,  I guess the Amazon link for Ain’t A Hero – Season 1 would make sense here.  Read first from the website, pay if you enjoy: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BCWLBW8

 

SPFBO Entry Interview: Lee Conley “A Ritual of Bone”

I’m back with another interview! I still have a few tucked away. Today’s reluctant guest into the Thousand Scar’s den is Lee Conley, proud author of the Dead Saga series. Go and check out his book down below!

Also check out that wonderful beard!

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I should’ve made this the featured image…never mind!

 

Check out some of my previous SPFBO interviews down below:

SPFBO Entry Interview: Richard Writhen “A Host of Ills!

SPFBO Semi Finalist Interview: Steven McKinnon

SPFBO Entry Interview: David Mullin “The Tempest Guild”

SPFBO Entry Interview: Justin. L. Anderson “Carpet Diem”

SPFBO Entry Interview: Alex Anthony “Servants of Rage”

SPFBO Semi Finalist Interview: Steven McKinnon

 

First of all, tell me about yourself! What do you write?

 

Well, I like to keep quite busy. I spend a lot of time with my family, with my beautiful wife Laura and our little girl, Luna. We like going on lots of adventures.

For work, I have been a professional guitarist for over 15 years now, these days I mostly work as a guitar teacher and sound engineer as my day job but am leaning more and more towards my writing. I have just taken the plunge and begun a creative writing degree as I’m a glutton for punishment.

I also teach historic martial arts. I’m an instructor at a club in my hometown of Lincoln. I specialize in English Longsword primarily but study other Longsword techniques including a variety of the more common Italian and German styles. I also fight sabre, sword and buckler, tomahawk and knife. Alongside teaching, I compete in tournaments and have a nice clutch of medals to my name now (including a few golds, YEESSS! – sorry I couldn’t help myself, I’m very proud of them), mostly in Longsword. And, I generally go around fighting people with swords as much as possible.

 

So what do I write, mostly Fantasy these days. I like it dark and epic so I have been working on a Dark Fantasy series called The Dead Sagas which I will tell you more about in minute but in short, it’s the tale of the rise of the dead in a land of warriors. My current books are very much Fantasy but have a strong horror element and are certainly in the realms of what folk are calling Grimdark.

 

How do you develop your plots and characters?

 

For me planning is important for the main structure but saying that, I often just sit down and write, I see what happens, things wander around and unexpected things can come out of it but I will then sit down and think, will this fit? Is this necessary? If it works I will work it in to my plan. My main structured plan is only the bare bones, the important bits if you will. I like to flesh it out with a mixture of planned ideas and the unplanned ideas that just happen as I write.

I like to write scenes and chapters just to see how they feel. In my current WIP I had a certain part of the story I wanted to work towards, the part where all hell breaks loose and everyone is fighting for their lives. But to get there I had to work up to it and set the scene. So I had a bunch of stuff already written that I knew I definitely wanted to keep and a grand master plan for the overall story arc of The Dead Sagas. But to get it all right I had to sit down and meticulously plan out the story arcs.

 

Tell us about your current project.

 

My current project is a Dark Fantasy series called The Dead Sagas. I have recently released the first installment entitled A Ritual of Bone which has been entered into this year’s SPFBO competition. A Ritual of Bone is the first part of The Dead Sagas: Volume I which is made up of three parts. I have written a short blurb below to wet your appetites.

 

Many threads entwine to tell The Dead Sagas, many stories, interweaving the tales of those who play their part in the search for answers and ultimately their fight for survival. There is plague, invasion and terror as the inexorable rise of the dead sends the kingdom of Arnar scrabbling to its knees.

Set mostly in Arnar, it is a land of warriors, a land of dark forests and ancient hill forts. An ancient and forgotten evil is awoken by the curious minds of the College. The Great Histories and the Sagas of the College say nothing of this evil, long passed from memory, even the vast records of the College have no mention of this fell darkness.

But now awoken, the evil spreads and the Dead rise in its wake. It brings not only the Dead, but terrible creatures which roam the night and feast on the flesh of men. Even the spirits are now restless. The Dead Sagas chronicle what could perhaps be the final chapters of those great records kept at the College, perhaps the last testament of the deeds of Arnar.

 

In this first part of the Sagas, A Ritual of Bone tells of the events which lead up to the unleashing of the Dead. It tells the tale of the mysterious Apprentice and of his Masters from the illustrious College as they delve into ancient things best left forgotten. And now, Arnulf and his guardsmen must confront the Dead and unravel the riddle of events they find befalling their homelands.

There are other threads that entwine to tell this first volume in The Dead Sagas. In the south, death has come to Arnar from far across the seas. The townsfolk of the capital watch as death and plague spread amongst them. Their only hope a plea to their gods to deliver them from a grisly demise. Meanwhile, many miles away, the story of Bjorn unfolds, the famed huntsman, is sent out to find the truth of the rumours spreading throughout the towns of the frontier, rumours of disappearances, rumours of a beast. But what he discovers is much more terrifying than he could have possibly imagined.

 

The Dead Sagas is a dark fantasy epic combines dark malign horror and epic fantasy adventure, as the story unfolds in a world where honour and renown is all, where beasts and savages lurk in the wilderness, and where sword, axe and shield is all that stands between the living and the grasping hands of the dead.

 

“Only valor and steel can stand against the rising dead”

 

Who would you say is the main character of your novels? And tell me a little bit about them!

 

I don’t really have one single main character. There is a small cast of characters amongst the many characters in The Dead Sagas that you could call main characters. The Dead Sagas is a weaving of the stories of many characters that tell a greater story. Life, after all, is not just about one person and the events that shape the world are rarely the work of same people.

So let’s briefly look at the most important POV characters which form the main cast.

The Apprentice unwittingly plays a huge part in The Dead Sagas, he is both protagonist and antagonist depending on whether you like him or not. He is part of a College of Scholars who exist to record and chronicle all knowledge and history in their great Sagas and records.

Bjorn is a famed hunter and tracker. He is cocky and a bit arrogant but I think very cool. He is employed by the great and good to lead their hunts but also sometimes to use his tracking skills and knowledge of the wilds to hunt fugitives like a sort of bounty hunter.

Arnulf, is a warrior-lord who finds himself entangled in the events of The Dead Sagas, he is accompanied by his warriors and his old friend Lord Fergus. These guys take a very prominent part in the first part/book: A Ritual of Bone.

Nym is a waif living a rough life in the capital, fighting for day to day survival with her young brother Finn. They stay off the streets working for a one armed tavern keeper named Jor who is an old family friend. Nym and the people she knows face mounting peril as a terrible plague descends on the capital and this is only the start of their darkening times.

There is a big cast in The Dead Sagas but these, I think, are the main characters in A Ritual of Bone. All hell is about to be unleashed upon them, may the gods have mercy.

 

What advice would you give new writers on how to delve into creative fiction?

 

I don’t feel I have the experience to offer any real sage advice but I suppose I would say – Just write. Write what you like. Write what you love and know. If what you write makes you happy then keep doing it, whether it becomes a short story, a novel or an entire series it does not matter as long as you enjoy it. I would certainly recommend planning to a new author but don’t be afraid to improvise and change if it goes a different direction to that which you originally planned. But mostly just sit and write and enjoy it.

 

What real-life inspirations did you draw from for the worldbuilding within your book?

 

I am big into the study of folklore and history (as you can probably guess from my study of historical swordsmanship). There are so many true life events in the history of the world which are just mind blowing that they actually happened. I draw a lot of inspiration from historical events and settings.

As far as world building for The Dead Sagas goes I take a lot from early English history, from early Medieval, back through the Dark Ages into Pre-Roman times. I love the period of Saxon and Viking England and much of Arnar’s setting is attributed to this period. I have tried to keep a very Celtic/Pagan feel to the culture. As far as the plague in the capital goes, I take a lot from the time of the Black Death in Europe.  

 

What inspires you to write?

 

I love to read. I have been trying to read all the works of all the great fantasy writers, both traditional and modern. I take a lot of inspiration from the books I read. My wife and I also watch a lot of films, horror, fantasy, and allsorts really, and I began to play a game, in which I now pride myself, on correctly predicting the plot. I started to think I had a fairly good grasp of plot devices and story arcs.

I really got the writing bug after writing a guitar theory textbook called The Guitar Teachers Grimoire. Towards the end of publishing that I just started writing fiction for fun. I have always been a big reader. One day I was reading and I just thought – I can do this anf just started writing. Don’t take me the wrong way, I didn’t think I could do this better, simply I thought I had something to offer, some stories to tell. I thought “Hey, let’s write a novel.” So I started to re-draft my stories into what is now The Dead Sagas.

As I said I take a lot of inspiration from the books I read. I have a few favorites which particularly inspired me. The style of Steven Erickson in his Mazalan books was amazing. I love Bernard Cornwell, Tolkien and his world’s setting, Martin’s ASOIAF for its complexity. Abercrombie, Rothfuss, Eddings, Glen Cook, all blew me away at different stages of my life. R.E. Howard’s Conan and other works are some of my all-time favorite. H.P Lovecraft always fascinated me. I am a big fan of Stephen King’s writing style also, The Dark Tower is incredible. There are so many others, fantasy authors, horror writers, historic fiction authors – I draw a lot of Inspiration from them all.

As I mentioned above I am inspired by a lot of historical events and legends. Also I am a watcher of people, not in a creepy way, but the nature of people truly fascinates me. How people interact, how we will do things for each other, sacrifice everything for someone. And, at the other end how we are capable of such reckless hate and indifference of life. I suppose I draw inspiration from a myriad of places, people and interests and I work it all into my writing if I can.

 

What was the hardest part of writing this book?

 

The Dead Sagas is quite an ambitious tale. Several big plot arcs wind together and eventually coalesce as one as the full epic scale of the story is revealed. I suppose the hardest thing was bringing those stories together and put plenty of crossover references into each arc so they felt right as they merged. The planning helped immensely with that.

There are also a lot of characters in the book so I had to work hard to ensure my characters were believable and give depth. I often had only a short amount of time to bring them to life so I had to think very carefully about what is revealed about them, but also give enough to make the reader empathize with them and thus care about them. It was a fun challenge.  

 

What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?

 

A tough one, either Bjorn’s opening chapter called “The Tracker” or Arnulf’s opening chapters. Both are featured fairly early in the first book.

Bjorn’s chapter was really fun to write. The way he tracks his quarry, the meeting with the Wildman and of course the cannibals. It’s gruesome and tense.

Arnulf first appears in a chapter entitled “The Watchpost” it is the warriors of Arnar’s first encounter with the Dead, there’s a lot of action, major plot devices are introduced and again was an exciting chapter to write. Arnulf’s subsequent chapters are dark, gruesome and full of action. He is probably my favorite character in this book; his story has it all, so much happens to him. His story was overall my favorite to write.

 

Did you learn anything from writing this book and what was it?

 

I learnt a lot, it was my first piece of published fiction. I learnt a lot about the industry and the process of publishing. On editing in its various stages, on cover design, publicizing and I’m still learning. I still have a lot to learn but the journey is half the fun.

I also have done a lot of research to put the world of The Dead Sagas together. I have learnt a lot more about pre Iron Age, early medieval and Dark Age European culture. I feel I have expanded my knowledge of weapons, armor, religious practice and customs from these ancient times. Again, I’m still learning and I hope I will always pursue knowledge in this area, it’s so incredibly fascinating.

 

It’s sometimes difficult to get into understanding the characters we write. How do you go about it?

 

There are a lot of characters in the book, taking inspiration from Mazalan and ASOIAF, The Dead Sagas also has a large cast. So I had to work hard to give each of my characters depth and bring them to life in often only a short amount of time. Many of the characters are slowly fleshed out over the course of Volume I but I think (I hope) people will be able relate and like them, or of course hate them. Some POV characters only get one or two chapters but I used them to tell a side of the story from an interesting angle. Also it is worth mentioning, I have neither protagonists nor antagonists they are all capable of great good and bad.

Other characters had a pre-destined purpose in my planning and had to develop in a certain way which I planned. To create my other characters I like to brainstorm different character types and attributes and see who would be fun to mix with who for the best impact. I write them each a short backstory much like I would when playing DnD which allows me to better flesh out my characters in to much more believable people.

 

What are your future project(s)?

 

There is a lot of work still to do on The Dead Sagas. There will eventually be two big Volumes each comprising of three parts. Bear in mind, Ritual of Bone is only the first part of what was originally one big novel. There are three parts to Volume I, Ritual of Bone being the first, each of the three parts does stand alone as separate novels but I would one day like to see them as I originally intended in one epic tome. Same for Volume II which will reveal the full scale of the story arcs and hopefully resolve the bulk of the entire thing. That being said it should leave plenty of scope for more and I have plans for a few stand alones set in the same dead plagued world.

I have a few other projects I would like to try, perhaps a Wyrd Western, maybe some Sci-fi, certainly more Fantasy but I guess we’ll see what happens. The Dead Sagas will be my priority for the near future.

 

If you couldn’t be an author, what ideal job would you like to do?

 

I am very lucky as I have made a career out of doing the things I love, playing guitar, sword fighting and writing. But, if I couldn’t do what I do, and could do anything?

I always wanted to be an archeologist, digging up amazing and ancient things and studying history. Or perhaps a pilot, I always wanted to fly planes. Maybe a professional jouster?  Maybe I still will do some of this one day, but best get this writing lark done first though.

 

What is your preferred method to have readers get in touch with or follow you (i.e., website, personal blog, Facebook page, here on Goodreads, etc.) and link(s)?

 

Sign up to Lee’s mailing list!

If anyone would like to sign up for occasional (once or twice a year) email of news and updates on Lee’s work, with the occasional competition or giveaway too, please sign yourselves up to Lee’s mailing list.

https://mailchi.mp/ec0e4d5c30e7/leeconleyauthlaningpage

 

Please feel free to pop me a message anytime, best way to contact me is probably on Facebook on my author page – www.facebook.com/LeeConleyAuthor/

 

Follow Lee:

on Twitter – https://twitter.com/LongswordLee or @LongswordLee

on Facebook – www.facebook.com/LeeConleyAuthor/

On Goodreads – www.goodreads.com/author/show/14649012.Lee_Conley

on Reddit – https://www.reddit.com/user/LeeConleyAuthor  or  u/LeeConleyAuthor



Follow The Dead Sagas:

On Twitter – https://twitter.com/TheDeadSagas or @TheDeadSagas

On Facebook – www.facebook.com/TheDeadSagas/

 

Amazon links

US: https://amzn.to/2qPVWG5

UK: https://amzn.to/2qWLkFj

Australia: https://amzn.to/2HopQfF

Canada: https://amzn.to/2Kb0xeE

 

I’d like to, if I may, take a moment to say a big thank you to Mr Michael Baker for having me here and letting me ramble on for ages, also for all the excellent interviews he has hosted over SPFBO. It’s a rare chance for unknown authors such as myself to get exposure and a great chance for readers to get to know us better. So thank you.

If you haven’t read his book and SPFBO entry The Thousand Scars, you should definitely go check it out.

 

I’d also like to say thanks to all my readers and everyone who has supported my work these last few months – Thank you all indeed.

 

Thanks for reading my ramblings, it’s been a pleasure,

Lee

SPFBO Entry Interview: Alex Anthony “Servants of Rage”

I’m back on the beginning of the month! Today’s interview is with Alex Anthony, author of his debut “Servants of Rage.” Think an awesome mix of Mongol fantasy and wild violence, and that’s only scratching the surface. Go check it out, I’ll leave a link down below. Enjoy his book and the interview I held with him.

 

 

First of all, tell me about yourself! What do you write?

Hey there, Michael (and everyone else!). I’m A.Z. Anthony and I write pretty much everything SFF (sci-fi / fantasy). By day I’m a ghostwriter, working on sci-fi and fantasy novels for my clients, and by night I’m an author in the midst of publishing my debut fantasy trilogy. I enjoy writing darkly comedic characters and survival situations that push them to their limits.

 

How do you develop your plots and characters?

Well, I used to come up with a story, then fill it with the appropriate characters, but recently I’ve developed some characters I really enjoy and have been finding trouble for them to get into. When it comes to actually laying out a plot, I prefer to think about the elements I want to have in a story, then find a way to combine them all into one. For example, when I was developing the plot for my first novel I wanted magic that came at a heavy price, small groups of deadly individuals playing a game of cat and mouse, a non-Eurocentric setting, and an excuse to write some seriously fun (and explosion-filled) fight scenes. It took a while, but eventually I managed to find a premise that allowed all those factors to work.

 

Tell us about your current project.

I’m in the middle of publishing my debut novel, Servant of Rage, and plan to start writing its sequel in March. In the meantime, however, I’m working on a standalone novel that I’m very excited about. It features a darkly comedic “gentleman adventurer,” his legendary ego, and his personal biographer as they brave a jungle in which everything, including some of the plants, are trying to eat them. They are, of course, in search of three simple things: wealth beyond measure, fame beyond reason, and maybe a small kingdom somewhere warm.

 

Who would you say is the main character of your novels? And tell me a little bit about them!

The main character of Servant of Rage is Subei, Son of None. He’s a headhunter for the Ghangerai – a powerful khanate of steppe nomads, and the peoples they’ve conquered – currently bulldozing its way through the settled societies of the world. Subei is an ambitious person, and when he’s cursed / blessed (we’ll let the readers decide which) by otherworldly powers, he finds himself in a unique position to both serve his khan and carve out his place in the great history of his people.

 

What advice would you give new writers on how to delve into creative fiction?

Be like Nike and Just Do It. Grab a computer, or pen and paper, or whatever you need, and write. A lot of people like to talk about writing, but I’ve found the quiet ones who pound away at their keyboards consistently, are the ones who make great progress as writers. Also, always, always, always write what you enjoy. Fun writing makes for fun reading.

 

What real-life inspirations did you draw from for the worldbuilding within your book?

I’ve always been fascinated with history, and particularly, with nomadic peoples. The infamous Mongols, the Scythians, Turkic nomadic tribes, and even the Beja people of Sudan. All of these were inspirations for me and I’ve spent many hours studying their histories. The Ghangerai khanate in Servant of Rage was heavily inspired by these peoples. I also find it incredibly interesting how the Mongols – previously a scattered and relatively ignored people – were able to band together and steamroll the settled societies around them in order to create the largest land empire in history. It’s a topic that’s also interested me and I’m constantly learning more about it.

 

What inspires you to write?

Escapism, I suppose. I love the idea that my stories can help someone relax at the end of a long day, or take their minds off a troubling topic in order to spend some time in a world of fantasy. I think it’s a worthy thing to contribute to society. Also, it’s just plain fun.

 

What was the hardest part of writing this book?

The learning curve, I think. I started Servant of Rage in college, and hadn’t properly written a novel before it. The actual writing came easy to me, but the process of planning a novel from start to finish, of hitting the right beats at the right time, of appropriately showing character growth, was all new to me. Since then I’ve written numerous novels and while I’ve gotten better at all that, it’s a continual learning process.

 

What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?

The second to last chapter features the final fight scene of the novel and it’s a doozy. I had a blast writing it because the characters were at their “final form” in terms of book one, so there was no holding back. Throughout the book the characters are learning new powers and how to use them, but in this fight, they’re so drugged up on power that they’re inventing new attacks on the fly. It was awesome to write with such freedom.

 

Did you learn anything from writing this book and what was it?

Oh jeez. I learned a ton. There’s really too much to list here, but I think the most important thing I learned is to write what you’d like to read. I said it earlier, but I’ll say it again because I think it’s important: fun writing makes for fun reading.

 

It’s sometimes difficult to get into understanding the characters we write. How do you go about it?

I try to force myself to think and act as the characters would. It’s an acquired ability and I’m still learning it, but I try to distance myself from my own thoughts, feelings, and motivations. By doing so, I can focus on what the character wants. This helps me organically discover what the character would do, and not what I would do.

 

What are your future project(s)?

After publishing Servant of Rage I’m planning to finish up my standalone novel, which is currently unnamed. That novel will be queried to agents. In the meantime, I’ll write the sequel to Servant of Rage for release in Summer, and then the final book of the trilogy for release in Fall. It’s going to be a busy year, but it’ll be worth it.

 

If you couldn’t be an author, what ideal job would you like to do?

This is an odd one, but I used to work in the tourism industry in a position where I helped manage an association of Florida’s largest theme parks. I really enjoyed that job. There’s a big focus on encouraging people to come to the state, but also on helping them have the best vacation they can. It’s a very interesting culture in Florida (there’s a reason it’s looked to worldwide as a model for attracting tourists) that truly cares about giving visitors the best trip they’ve ever had. It permeates down from the people like me, sitting in offices at the capitol, to the individual employees working with park guests daily.

 

What is your preferred method to have readers get in touch with or follow you (i.e., website, personal blog, Facebook page, here on Goodreads, etc.) and link(s)?

Well, as I always say, the best way to get ahold of me is to go out into the forest at night and just give your best Sasquatch-esque whoop or tree knock. However, you can also contact me through these less effective means:

 

Website: http://azanthony.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GrindarkGuy

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15997997.A_Z_Anthony

Email: Write.aza@gmail.com

 

Thanks very much for having me, Michael! It’s been a pleasure!

Conclusion

You’re most welcome, Alex, and I know you’re going to do great in this year.

Interview uploads this month might be a little slow. I’m going to be focusing heavily on edits in my second Counterbalance novel THE AEGIS MORA as well as going on vacation mid-month. I’ll still try and get as many up as possible. In the meantime, if you’re in this year’s SPFBO and haven’t had an interview, and would like one, don’t hesitate to get in touch! My email is anduril38@googlemail.com

Links:

Blog:  http://bit.ly/1RMNPho

Facebook Author page: http://bit.ly/2kiNHSk

Amazon Author Page: http://amzn.to/2kZ4wix

Worldbuilding Services: http://bit.ly/2kBMiCB

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Thethousandscar

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2knxeHY

Patreon: http://bit.ly/2laP311

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B017GDAO3Q

Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/thethousandscars

SPFBO Entry Interview: Brian D. Anderson “The Vale”

I return! The last interview for August, but I will continue to post up the interviews as I receive them. I still have a fair few left to post, but I will always be available to you guys. If you’d like one or would like a book review, don’t hesitate to get in touch with me!

Before I go into today’s interview, a little update on my end. I’ve finally started my first edits of THE AEGIS MORA, which is the second book in my Counterbalance series. My tentative goal is to finish at least general edits on the book by the end of 2018, with a possible Q1 2019. I have lots to do of course, so this might not be a reliable date. There are several developments in place for some of my writing future, but I cannot go into much detail just yet. Once I find out more, I will likely make a blog post on this. I will also take the chance to give you a link to my SPFBO entry The Thousand Scars. Apparently it’s good according to most of my reviewers!

 

Anyway, onto the main event! This next interview is with Brian D. Anderson, whose entry The Vale looks awesome. Here’s his book link, go check it out! I had a lot of fun with this interview.

 

Check out some of my previous SPFBO interviews down below:

SPFBO Entry Interview: Richard Writhen “A Host of Ills!

SPFBO Semi Finalist Interview: Steven McKinnon

SPFBO Entry Interview: David Mullin “The Tempest Guild”

SPFBO Entry Interview: Justin. L. Anderson “Carpet Diem”

And now, it is Brian’s turn to take up the mantle.

 

First of all, tell me about yourself! What do you write?

 

My name is Brian D. Anderson. Sorry if that sounds like a formal introduction. I use the “D” because sadly, it’s a very common name. I share it with a comic book writer, a major league pitcher, and a writer of cook books. Primarily I write traditional fantasy. Though this year’s entry is a bit different.

How do you develop your plots and characters?

 

I really couldn’t say. My first series, The Godling Chronicles, was inspired by my son. Others…well just sort of came to me. Though not all ideas end up becoming books. Some are whimsies that never take root.

 

Tell us about your current project.

 

I’m currently working on several. There are the follow ups to The Vale. There is the last in a two book  sequel of The Godling Chronicles. The final of the Akiri series. These are all book still owed to Audible.com. Then there is The Sorcerer’s Song, slated for a 2020 publication by TOR. The first book, Bard’s Blade, is in the revisions and editing stage.

 

Who would you say is the main character of your novels? And tell me a little bit about them!

 

Sticking to The Vale (my SPFBO entry), the primary character is Drake Sharazi, a former royal guard, exiled and turn bounty hunter. This series was inspired by my love of RPG’s. It is NOT LitRPG, however. There are no gaming elements. But Drake and the other cast of characters fit nicely into the familiar types you would run across: the dark hero, strong princess, spritely young thief, arrogant mage, sinister prince, and many more.

 

What advice would you give new writers on how to delve into creative fiction?

 

There are so many things I could say. Rather than trying (and failing) to be a literary Yoda with some inspiring but useless quote, I’ll give them something practical: Study the elements of storytelling. A potentially good tale can be completely ruined by inadequate structure. When you read, pay attention to how the author creates tension and the way information is revealed. Some have a natural talent for this. Others who are objectively good writers, have trouble framing a plot in a manner that engages the reader. But fear not. Though it’s a talent for some, if you don’t have it, it’s also a learnable skill. You just have to possess the willingness to put in the effort.

 

What real-life inspirations did you draw from for the worldbuilding within your book?

 

Playing Final Fantasy and Tales Of.

 

What inspires you to write?

 

Bills. Just kidding. I draw inspiration from the fact that of all the jobs I’ve had over the years, this is the first time I have ever been truly proud of what I have done when the day ends. I realize I’m not changing the world with my little stories. But that’s okay. I take great joy knowing that someone is reading my books, escaping from the stress of their lives, and finding a reason to smile when they put it down. Yeah. I’m not curing cancer or even building a better mouse trap. But I find great value and fulfillment in what I do.

 

What was the hardest part of writing this book?

 

The writing was a breeze. The plot unfolded for me quite easily in fact – a sign I was on the right track. But The Vale is not my typical fare. It was a risk. I was reaching out to fans of a different style of fantasy, while hoping I would not disappoint those who already knew my work.

 

What was your favourite chapter (or part) to write and why?

 

I’m not sure if I have a “favourite part”. I enjoyed adding the new elements together in ways I hadn’t before. And using a more modern way of writing dialogue was cool too.

Did you learn anything from writing this book and what was it?

 

I learn something from every book I write. Mostly it’s how to improve. Everything a writer puts on the page should be a learning experience. It’s sometimes difficult to get into understanding the characters we write. How do you go about it?

 

I don’t find that very challenging. For me it’s guiding their development in a way that is realistic and connects to the reader. This is particularly difficult when dealing with a large cast and multiple plot threads. It’s not that hard to assign personalities to a character. And it’s not much of a challenge to give them motivations and a history. But making them engaging as the experiences change and mold them into someone else while remaining true to who they are…that can have you banging your head against a desk.

 

What are your future project(s)?

 

Right now, I have so many books I’m obligated to write I could not handle anything more. I have to finish what’s on my plate before moving on.

 

If you couldn’t be an author, what ideal job would you like to do?

 

I’m not sure. I can’t imagine doing anything else that gives me as much joy as writing.

What is your preferred method to have readers get in touch with or follow you (i.e., website, personal blog, Facebook page, here on Goodreads, etc.) and link(s)?

 

https://www.facebook.com/TheGodlingChronicles/

 

https://briandandersonbooks.blogspot.com/

 

http://briandandersonbooks.com/

 

https://www.amazon.com/default/e/B00684NQ4E?redirectedFromKindleDbs=true

 

Many thanks for the chance to interview you, Brian! I will try and return soon. I plan on having another interview up this weekend.

SPFBO Entry Interview: Richard Writhen “A Host of Ills!

I’m back again! I’ll be continuing to post these interviews as I get them in, but I will probably reduce them to twice a week. I’m back at the editing of Counterbalance’s second in the series, which will be taking up the majority of my time.

Today, I bring you an interview I held with Richard Writhen, who entered SPFBO4 with his book A Host of Ills. Down below is the Amazon link. Nothing witty from me today (Still waking up and I’m out of coffee), so let’s just get right down to it!

 

A Sample of Past Interviews:

SPFBO Semi Finalist Interview: Steven McKinnon

SPFBO Entry Interview: David Mullin “The Tempest Guild”

SPFBO Entry Interview: AJ VanOrden “To Walk a Ruin”

SPFBO Entry Interview: Justin. L. Anderson “Carpet Diem”

 

First of all, tell me about yourself! What do you write?  

 

I’m terribly uninteresting, lawl. But what I write is an odd amalgam of grimdark, gothic fiction, weird fiction and horror that I call “gothdark.” It’s essentially as dark as fantasy can get without being Earth-based.

 

How do you develop your plots and characters?

 

I’m a pantser, basically. The majority of the piece is usually written out of sequence as it comes to me, but is later correlated and edited into something approximating a narrative. Yet, I’m more about overall immersion rather than specific plot points. I want reading my work to be an “experience” more than anything else.

 

Tell us about your current project.

 

I’m working on a fourth novella called The Angel of the Grave, after writing three that were essentially a blueprint for the overarching narrative; each was to be the first in a trilogy but it’s looking that the fourth will now essentially be a “book zero,” or prequel book in the third series.

 

Who would you say is the main character of your novels? And tell me a little bit about them!

 

I don’t have any one pivotal  character, and the plot is pretty much driven organically by the full ensemble. But yeah, I guess you could say that the the focal characters of the first three books are Lucylis Sontire the tailor in A Host of Ills, Renita Blane the student in A Kicked Cur, Nicholat Khavel the thief in The Hiss of the Blade, and the baroness Marissa Wallins in the new one, The Angel of the Grave. I’m shooting for a september release now, but it’s gonna be a grind.

 

What advice would you give new writers on how to delve into creative fiction?

 

The mind is a sieve. Basically every book and movie you’ve seen over the course of your life can fuel creativity. The hard part is composing prose, but I worked as a copy-editor for a long time and it gave me that discipline to an extent. Day in, day out constantly writing and correcting text.

 

What real-life inspirations did you draw from for the world-building within your book?

 

The cities that I’ve lived in over the course of my life pop up in my fantasy world in weird little ways. The Bronx, Providence, Manhattan, Newport … they’re all there and they’re not. It’s almost like designing electronic games, except you have to describe textures rather than having the program visually render a file.

 

What inspires you to write?

 

I try to satirize reality, yet also create art. I think a lot of modern dark speculative fiction does. Aside from dark fantasy,  I’d actually like to get into writing SF and horror eventually as well.

 

What was the hardest part of writing this book?

 

The current WIP? Making the time and opportunity to write. I’ve been experiencing a few of what I like to call “life issues” and if I could just focus on it fully, it would come. My SPFBO entrant, A Host of Ills ? That was written originally as a free serial, and that’s a lot easier than trying to tackle seven chapters at once or whatever. But the magic system is complicated, and of course fight scenes are always kind of a bother to keep straight. But overall, it’s internal continuity and exposition … those are always the toughest elements to pull off effectively, IMO.

 

What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?

 

That would be difficult to relate without giving away spoilers, but let’s just say that I got a kick out of trying to give a non-human character something of a personality.

 

Did you learn anything from writing this book and what was it?

 

The exposition in my first novella was basically clumsy, so I tried to give it a bit more polish this time. I think I succeeded. Other than that, the discovery process told me a lot more about the planet of Cedron, where the novella is set. In a way, the book isn’t about the main human characters at all, as they are kind of there to illuminate the world itself.

 

It’s sometimes difficult to get into understanding the characters we write. How do you go about it?

 

Well, you have to understand that just as in real life, characters don’t even always understand themselves. Free will is involved in the creative process, and if you let the characters live and breathe they will probably surprise you, the author, more than anyone else, lawl.

 

What are your future project(s)?

 

The first two novellas are still scheduled to be the first in trilogies. But the third series may now be any number of books, now that I’ve kind of opened it up in scope. So, in a sense, the first two trilogies will be prequels. How very SW, rite?

 

If you couldn’t be an author, what ideal job would you like to do?

 

Serial killer or assassin. Just kidding. I want to pick up the guitar again, actually … so musician. I never really had the blind self-confidence required to act professionally. I also want to begin painting eventually. I think that must be really epic.

 

What is your preferred method to have readers get in touch with or follow you (i.e., website, personal blog, Facebook page, here on Goodreads, etc.) and link(s)?

 

Any of those are fine. I don’t have a newsletter yet, but I’m at richardwrithen.wordpress.com, I have a Facebook author page, I’m on Goodreads, Twitter, all are good support. Thanks very much!

 

SPFBO Entry Interview: Jacob Sannox “Dark Oak”

I return as promised with another interview! Nothing new to say today so let’s get right down to it. Next to enter my victim’s lair is Jacob Sannox, author of Dark Oak.

 

 

Check out a selection of past interviews down below:

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First of all, tell me about yourself! What do you write?

 

Hello! I’m Jacob Sannox, and I write in all kinds of genres, but my debut novel, Dark Oak, is grimdark epic fantasy. My first ever novel was epic fantasy, my second was about Napoleonic privateers & smugglers, while my last was a paranormal thriller.

 

 

How do you develop your plots and characters?

 

I like to write about real people rather than character classes. Nobody is just a ranger or a cleric or a warrior in real life. Sure, that might be your job, but does your job entirely define you? No!

I make a conscious effort to make every character the protagonist, at least in their own minds. I’d be hard-pressed to identify the baddies and the goodies in Dark Oak. Readers, on the other hand, have been vocal on the issue!

In terms of developing plot, I generally start with a situation or a concept I’d like to write about and start the book halfway through the first scene.

I spent years writing chapters one, two and three of various books before grinding to a halt, and it took me a fair while to come up with a system that stopped me despairing when I looked up at the mountain ahead. I now take my word count goal and divide it by, for instance, thirty chapters. That gives me a word goal per chapter. I then create a spreadsheet and list those chapters, the point-of-view character for each, and I go through and write a single sentence about the events therein.

So, I look up at the mountain and decide on a route up before I start climbing.

As soon as I’m making my ascent, I’ll get taken by surprise and with any significant changes to the route, I’ll go back through the rest of the plan and make changes as I go. I guess I continuously outline in response to making it up as I go along…

I keep updating word counts for each chapter, which updates pie-charts showing percentage complete/percentage done, alongside constantly adapting ‘Words Left Before the End’ boxes to give me a little hit of dopamine every time I manage to type a word!

I drag my sorry ass through the process, complaining I’m out of breath and forgetting not to look down.

 

Tell us about your current project.

 

Knight Errant: Book Two of the Dark Oak Chronicles. Right now, I’m on a high ridge at the foot of a scree-covered slope just below the summit. My vertigo is playing up and there’s cloud coming down.

I’ll let you know how it goes, but keep mountain rescue on standby. If Book One tore down the world then Book Two is about the characters emerging from the debris, while book three will build a new society from scratch.

 

Who would you say is the main character of your novels? And tell me a little bit about them!

 

Morrick was a tradesman and family man in his own part of the world, but he was conscripted along with the rest of his people to fight for the Dark Lord against the rest of humanity.

When Dark Oak begins, the Dark Lord has just been killed, leaving Morrick to keep his men in one piece, to persuade the Queen he is no traitor and to get back to his family, if they are still alive.

He’s a pragmatist, for sure, but I wouldn’t say he’s a hero.

 

What advice would you give new writers on how to delve into creative fiction?

 

Do as I say, not as I did.

 

I maintained the perfect work space, I wore things that made me look like a writer, I talked about writing, and I wrote the beginnings of many stories, but never pushed on with them. I was the epitome of a writer placing affectation over hard work. I thought you were supposed to write in the wee hours when the moon was full and magic was in the air.

These days, at my most effective, I write in snatches whenever I have a few minutes to spare. In my last job, I used to hammer out a few hundred words in an email to myself while stopping for a coffee in between sales calls. Now I write at the coffee table or at my kitchen table, but rarely at my desk. I focus less on being a writer and more on actually writing.

Take it seriously, and just sit down and write. It really is hard to tell between those times when you were throwing your head back to sigh every ten seconds and those sweet sessions during which the muse whispered sweet nothings in your ear.

Write about real people, not stereotypes or plot-enablers.

 

 

What real-life inspirations did you draw from for the worldbuilding within your book?

 

I used to take part in English Civil War battle reenactments as a pike-man, so that informed much of the first chapter.

Various events in history have influenced Knight Errant, the second book.

When I first started, I was working from some of the environments from fairytale, but the Hinterland quickly changed into a landscape more inspired by western frontiers, at least in terms of the isolation and life on the brink of a great wilderness.

Much of the rest of the world was inspired by my childhood holidays spent on the Scottish islands.

 

What inspires you to write?

 

You won’ t like some of this answer. The first bit will be alright and is pretty obvious; reading inspires me to write. The second bit will raise the odd tut-tut; I am inspired by whatever films or TV series I am watching.

Generally, I am very, very easily influenced, and I have to carefully manage my entertainment consumption if I want to stay productive in a particular genre. If I am watching Star Trek, I’ll find it harder to stay in an ancient fantasy world than if I’m watching/reading Lord of the Rings or Game of Thrones.

Specifically, I am very driven to produce characters. I studied psychology, and my day job is all about interacting with the best and the worst of humanity, so human thought and behaviour has long been an interest.

 

What was the hardest part of writing this book?

 

The hardest part about writing Dark Oak, which I’ve entered into SPFBO, was not losing heart and having confidence that I was producing something worthwhile.

 

What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?

 

I particularly enjoyed writing about the Dryads. I put a lot of thought into their general psychology, as a race devoid of most human desires, limitations, needs and fears. Obviously Dryads are nothing new, but I think I’ve got a unique take on them.

 

Did you learn anything from writing this book and what was it?

 

Mostly what I said earlier about writing whenever and wherever I can instead of needing an allocated six hours in an ivory tower.

 

It’s sometimes difficult to get into understanding the characters we write. How do you go about it?

 

I’m pretty empathic as a person and quiet by nature, so I tend to observe and listen more than I take part during social engagements. That helps. I find I struggle more with writing small talk and banter between lads than I do about someone’s inner demons.

 

What are your future project(s)?

 

I’ve started the first in a new fantasy series which is based around the Tower of London. I’ve also started to outline a sci-fi series based on a generational ship, but with a twist.

 

If you couldn’t be an author, what ideal job would you like to do?

 

I can’t make a living writing yet! I’m in my ideal job to pay the bills. It’s challenging and no day is the same, but it sometimes leaves me struggling to find energy when I get to sit down to write.

 

What is your preferred method to have readers get in touch with or follow you (i.e., website, personal blog, Facebook page, here on Goodreads, etc.) and link(s)?

 

You can get in contact with me at jacobsannox.com, where you can also sign-up for my newsletter, but I’m happy to hear from you on Twitter or Facebook. Just search Jacob Sannox!

I’m on Goodreads too, and I’ll be excited to hear from you however you choose to get in touch.

 

https://www.jacobsannox.com/

 

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B071HBR3VM

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B071HBR3VM

 

https://twitter.com/jacobsannox

 

https://www.facebook.com/JacobSannox/

 

https://www.instagram.com/jacobsannoxwriter/?hl=en

 

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16793077.Jacob_Sannox?from_search=true

 

 

SPFBO Semi Finalist Interview: Steven McKinnon

I return with another interview, and this one is a biggie! One of the semi finalists got announced recently and this one is Symphony of the Wind by Steven McKinnon. I recently got the honor of reviewing one of the first semi finalists for this year’s SPFBO. I will leave the Amazon link down below, please check it out! Personally, I love this book cover and I’ve already added it to my TBR list. Expect a review in due course!

 

Check out a selection of past interviews down below:

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First of all, tell me about yourself! What do you write?

 

Action-heavy fantasy adventures with a dose of grit (and occasional humour). My entry for SPFBO is my first fictional book, Symphony of the Wind. My first book, Boldly Going Nowhere, is a true-life tale about anxiety and online dating and how I strove to turn my life around in the face of my personal demons. (But with a lot of humour.)

 

How do you develop your plots and characters?

 

By not planning well enough in advance (something I’m trying to remedy). Usually I get *most* of a character down pat, and only when I’ve spent time with them and got a sense for who they are through their actions can I go back and amend their dialogue/mannerisms. Also, sticking them in a the middle of a brawl and seeing how they fight/run/handle it helps me figure them out. It’s a good way to get to know fictional people.

 The plot usually fits around the characters and their dynamics; in Symphony, there are wider machinations going on, but everyone’s in the fight for their own personal reasons.

 

Tell us about your current project.

 

I’m currently working on the second volume of The Raincatcher’s Ballad… Details are secret just now, but it’ll have the same gritty tone, big action sequences and surprises in store. It’ll also delve deeper into the backstory of one of my favourite characters, who takes centre stage…

 

Who would you say is the main character of your novels? And tell me a little bit about them!

 

A 16-year-old orphan named Serena is the main character of the series, but she cuts about with a motley bunch of characters she meets in Symphony of the Wind. She’s a “Raincatcher”—the roughneck, working-class labourers who provide clean water for the desert kingdom. She dreams of captaining an airship of her own one day. Something of a loner, Serena has never known any true family, which contributes to her rebellious nature and lack of respect for authority figures. She might also be a little bit magic…

 

I like to incorporate archetypes in my stories, but make them fresh and unique. Hopefully I’ve struck the right balance!

 

What advice would you give new writers on how to delve into creative fiction?

 

Exactly that—‘Delve’ right in. Get your fingers dirty. Leave handprints all over the place. You’ll soon get a feel for what you’re good at and what you need to work on. Also, get in touch with friends or writing groups who can offer you constructive criticism. I did a part-time Saturday creative writing class at University of Glasgow and it did wonders for my writing. I recommend doing something like that over a more informal group, as (in my experience anyway), the in-class critique and analysis fine tunes the creative mind without stifling it.

 

What real-life inspirations did you draw from for the worldbuilding within your book?

 

I researched castles and war monuments, but the biggest real-life influence (I’m sorry to say) was ‘Unit 731’, a World War II Japanese chemical and bio weapons facility that involved a lot of human experimentation and abuse. It makes for some pretty grim reading… (It’s also the subject matter of the Bruce Dickinson song “The Breeding House”, and the Slayer song “Unit 731”.)

 

What inspires you to write?

 

My love of reading and genre TV and computer games! I want to contribute to the things that stoked my imagination growing up (and which continue to stoke my imagination). Also, as a sufferer of OCD and anxiety (not to mention episodes of depression), I like to explore mental illness—one of my main characters, Tyson Gallows, is in a deeply depressed state at the beginning of Symphony.

 

What was the hardest part of writing this book?

 

With my first book, writing biographical humour meant I didn’t have to invent so many details—that’s not true this time around! Giving the reader small details to build the world around the characters (like architecture and politics etc.) meant having to work some creative writing muscles that had atrophied a bit. Research can be a bit of a time-sink, though not necessarily an unpleasant one.

 

What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?

 

Ha! ‘All of them!’

Actually, my favourite chapter is probably chapter nineteen, as that’s where the narrative takes a turn, characters we’ve been following either meet or separate, and worlds collide…

 

Did you learn anything from writing this book and what was it?

 

I love writing action and chase scenes. Also, I learned how to demonstrate emotion better in my characters through actions—showing and not telling.

 

It’s sometimes difficult to get into understanding the characters we write. How do you go about it?

 

I just go where they take me. I’ll have an idea of what a character will say or do, but try as I might, they can change their mind and reveal a different facet of their personality that I hadn’t thought of…

 

What are your future project(s)?

 

More Raincatcher’s Ballad, if readers want it (I hope so). I also have one or two ideas that would work well in the same world, though concerning a different group of characters, as well as a pair of novels bubbling away that are still genre fiction but entirely different from epic fantasy. It’ll be a long while before I can focus on them, though.

 

If you couldn’t be an author, what ideal job would you like to do?

 

I enjoy my student-facing admin job at University of Glasgow—I get to help students and solve problems. It’s a lot more hands-on and involved in what higher education is all about compared to other University jobs I’ve had.  But to answer your question, a Robot Ninja Space Pirate.

 

 

What is your preferred method to have readers get in touch with or follow you (i.e., website, personal blog, Facebook page, here on Goodreads, etc.) and link(s)?

 

Preferably by a living sacrifice to Throzgaz Blood-Dancer, Undergod of the Damned—but failing that, I can be contacted via my website . I’m also on Facebook , Goodreads and Twitter .

 

Cheers! Symphony of the Wind is available on Amazon. Subscribers to my newsletter get the prequel novella, The Fury Yet To Come, for free.

 

 

SPFBO Entry Interview: David Mullin “The Tempest Guild”

It’s me again, back with a new interview! This would make the sixteenth so far. I’m slowly whittling down the number of victims. Believe me, the number of bodies in my truck are starting to pile up. I’m going to need a new truck. I’ll look on Ebay.

Anyway, immaturity aside, here is my latest interview with David Mullin, author of The Tempest Guild. As always I shall link the book down below with this fancy link:

Check out some past interviews from clicking on the links down below:

SPFBO Entry Interview: Patrick LeClerc “Out of Nowhere”

SPFBO Entry Interview: Aaron Cross “Robocopter Ski Patrol”

SPFBO Entry Interview: Mike Morris “He Who Fights”

SPFBO Entry Interview: Matthew Olney “The First Fear”

SPFBO Entry Interview: Kayleigh Nichol “Sorcerous Rivalry”

SPFBO Entry Interview: Scott Kaelen “The Blighted City”

Anyway, enjoy the interview! I had a lot of fun with this one particularly, and I really love the cover.

First of all, tell me about yourself! What do you write?

 

Currently, I’m writing a fantasy series based in a world called Talam. The book I released in June of 2018, The Tempest Guild, is the first in a planned series of five books. I also write science fiction with a thriller/horror bent to it.

 

How do you develop your plots and characters?

 

This is actually a hard one to answer. It all just sort of comes together for me. The Talam Chronicles was a unique experience in that I started and wrote the book three times before coming up with the final plot and set of characters on the fourth try. I used what I call “plot awesomes” to create the intertwining plots between the characters, as well as notes I make during the first draft. These are floating outlines that I find very helpful in plotting out a story.

 

Tell us about your current project.

 

I’m currently in the middle of writing the sequel to The Tempest Guild, which will be part two in the series. My idea is to have each volume be the length of a novella so that it can be read in just a few hours. I think of it as a TV series in book form.

 

Who would you say is the main character of your novels? And tell me a little bit about them!

 

My main character is a nineteen year old named Phaedra (although it is not YA). She has had a horrifying past having to do with her special ability that can kill easily. As we meet her in the story, she is struggling with a drinking problem and maintaining any kind of relationship. What finally draws herself out of her misery is a Pooka (ala the film Harvey) who befriends her and watches over her.

 

What advice would you give to novice writers on how to delve into creative fiction?

 

Read a lot and then just sit down and write your own story. Don’t worry about structure, plot, anything. Just get a story down on paper as a first draft. No one else is going to read it but you, so it’s very important to give yourself permission to suck. From that freedom will come some creative ideas. Then you can build on those in subsequent drafts.

 

What real-life inspirations did you draw from for the world building within your books?

 

I’m not sure I can pinpoint any exact one-to-one inspirational ideas from our world. I just thought of the world I created, the different types of races and societies inside of it, and how they would likely interact and clash.

 

What inspires you to write?

 

I seem to have an endless supply of stories and I’m not getting any younger. I want to leave a written legacy for future generations to enjoy. Hopefully they can get a glimpse of who I am as well through my written works.

 

What was the hardest part of writing this book?

 

Writing close to 80K words that I threw away while searching for the story. I was tempted to give up on it altogether but something told me to persist, that there was a story there. I don’t look at those earlier drafts I wrote as a mistake but rather the foundation for what I finally ended up creating.

 

What was your favourite chapter (or part) to write and why?

 

There’s a chapter where I describe the devastating storms in Talam called Convulsions. They are fierce storms with multiple funnel clouds that cause massive devastation. As part of a right of passage, young men will strap themselves into a wing suit and attempt to ride one of the funnels by being sucked up into it. As you can imagine, it doesn’t always work out so well.

 

Did you learn anything from writing this book and what was it?

 

I learned to trust my own judgement and that I’m just as good at writing a book as anyone else. It just takes a lot of hard work, persistence and a couple of good editors!

 

It’s sometimes difficult to get into understanding the characters we write. How do you go about it?

 

If I’m having trouble understanding or getting inside a character’s head, I will usually put them in situation where I as the writer have no idea how they’re going to get out of it. Then I write the scene and they usually come up with a way out that I didn’t think of before. The characters will speak to you if you’re open to it.

 

What are your future project(s)?

 

I have an interesting science fiction, supernatural thriller that I started while taking a breather between drafts of The Tempest Guild that I plan on finishing. Then I have an epic post-apocalyptic series that I’ve been developing for several years now.

 

If you couldn’t be an author, what ideal job would you like to do?

 

I’d like to write and direct movies.

 

What is your preferred method to have readers get in touch with or follow you (i.e. website, personal blog, Facebook page, here on Goodreads, etc.) and link(s)?

 

Facebook and Goodreads are the two most accessible platforms for authors to interact with their readers, so I would suggest those two platforms. I’m on Instagram and Twitter as well and will include those too.

 

FB: facebook.com/davidmullinauthor

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18108636.David_Mullin

Instagram: instagram.com/dkmullin

Twitter: twitter.com//david_mullin

Website: www.david-mullin.com