Alex Laybourne's Blog, page 91

Howard Hopkins: A Sneak Peak at the Chloe Files

As those of you who follow my blog will know, the Indie Community lost a very valuable perosn last month. Howard Hopkins may have passed on, but he has left behind a legacy that is set to grow.

It is therefore my sincere honor to be able to present you with a small sneak peak inside one of Howard's works.

The Chloe Files #1: Ashes to Ashes

Genre: Horror, paranormal mystery

Book link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004WLCRYK

Blog address: http://howardhopkins.blogspot.com

Twitter: @yingko2

Excerpt

My name is Chloe Everson. I'm blonde, 5'6" and, um, thirty-something. Oh, and please don't judge me, but I'm also a stripper at the Red Lagoon, at least I was until a few weeks ago before…well, that's a story I can get into later. Most of the other girls call them­selves exotic dancers, like it makes taking off your clothes in front of a bunch of drunken idiots classier somehow. But I am a stripper. There's an art to it, like those burlesque girls in the old days.

I never had a lot of control over what happened in my life. In fact, most of the time I just felt like everything was sweeping me along in a rush of black water. But stripping gives me some sense of control. I know exactly what I am doing and what I can make my audience do. Anyone who gets out of line, well, Arly takes care of them.

And I know what you're thinking: I'm one of "those" girls. Well, I'm not. It goes no farther than the dancing and never has. I have never crossed that line and I wouldn't. I just spend a lot of time naked and I don't mind that. Guys don't seem to mind, either, but it's strictly look, don't touch.

I hope what I've told you won't make you think less of me. I ended up on my own early, and had to survive somehow. I had no real skills other than dancing and I made enough money to give me some sense of power over the things in my life I might not have had otherwise.

I've been through a lot over the past few months, especially back around Christmas when that whole Sisters of the Snake thing was go­ing on. You can read about that in GRIMM. It's now a matter of re­cord since Arly decided to hire that author to report the things we've seen and experienced. I mean, who would believe it if we didn't make sure the public was able to read about it? Arly didn't even believe in the supernatural before Angelique Ficatier and her witches came into our lives.

Me, I just write things down in my journal. I'm doing that now, sit­ting here in my condo, with the boxes I've packed piled all around me (I had plans, you know, ones that now…) I was hoping maybe someday I would be able to show it to my children, let them see what a fire­cracker their mother was in her day. Sounds silly, doesn't it? Like one of those old movies I like to watch. The kind where the heroes always win and the guy gets the girl and everything turns out happily ever af­ter.

But life is not always like that and I'm afraid maybe this time I've lost again, lost someone who means more to me than anything in the world. I've lost a lot in my life. My parents were killed when I was seven and I was sent to various foster homes. My sister…I lost her, too. I haven't been able to find her since the day I saw a couple drive off with her and leave me behind. Arly was helping me look for her, but I already tried everything I could think of. Still, I cling to a little hope that someday…

Well, anyway, I guess that's enough about me for now, because what's more important is that I am worried. Sorry, no, I'm not just worried. I'm scared out of my wits. Because after what happened with the Sisters of the Snake I know there are things in this world that crawl out of the darkness and into our lives. Terrible things. Inhuman things. And I'm afraid something like that has happened again. To Arly.

He disappeared about a week ago. I've been looking everywhere, trying everything I could think of. But I'm not the detective. Arly is. He's the one who knows how to find people. I talked to his friend, Detective Sturdevant, about it and he's helping but hasn't come up with any leads yet. I can tell he's worried too, because before Angelique Ficatier he didn't believe in any of that ghost and demon stuff, either. I think he does now, but he's afraid to admit it. I can't say I blame him.

Oh, dammit, it's starting to rain. I can see the water streaking down the slider doors that lead to the patio. I hate rain. It just makes every­thing more depressing right now. Makes me more afraid and more lonely and I feel like I'm just going to come apart if I don't do some­thing, find some clue to what happened to him.

Even though it's raining I am thinking of driving over to Arly's cottage to look around. I've been there already a few times and found nothing, but just being in his house makes me feel a little bit closer to him, so maybe I'll try again.

What else can I do?

Rest Softly Howard

Howard Hopkins – In Memoriam

 

Howard Hopkins – In Memoriam

Can we pause for a moment from our hectic, over-booked, fatigued, maxed-out, lives and remember what is really important?

We lost one of our own this month – an author of many books, our friend Howard. I didn't know him outside our literary circle. Aside from social media and mutual support, Howard was one of many online writer pals who exemplified why we all gather here – community.

Death is hardest on those who are left behind. We take comfort in the legacy left behind, the memories we share, the essence of the energy that continues to surround us despite absence of physical body.

When someone passes without warning, without pre-illness, it's that much tougher. We can grieve illness when someone is still living, and while we mourn the loss we had time to prepare. There is time to process, to tie up loose ends, and to say farewell. Sudden passing is without warning. It doesn't come with a set of instructions. It's inconceivable that someone would be there one minute, and simply not the next.

It is because of the finite life line we all share, the No Guarantee brand on every life that does not promise you a single breath past tomorrow, or the next hour, or the next minute, or second – that every breath must be a cause for celebration. What are you doing right now to celebrate that breath you just took?

Because we continue to have the privilege of breathing, let us honor Howard's LIFE by honoring his work. This year, let's each commit to read something Howard wrote (if you haven't already) and post a review. And please help RT the Thursday Teaser Train tweets Feb. 9, dedicated exclusively to our talented friend.

We are all extremely busy and that will not change. But let's keep Howard in our thoughts this year, and not allow life to get in the way of remembering our ultimate purpose: To revere each second ticking by as a gift not to be squandered.

Howard, you will be missed.

Visit Howard's author page on Amazon to read more and view his works.

http://www.amazon.com/Howard-Hopkins/e/B002BM64IW/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

                                                           

The Chloe series is meant for adults, while The Nightmare Club is for children.  If you are unfamiliar with Howard's writing, check out his blog, Dark Bits–it's a good representation of his style.  One of my favorite blogs of his is on Stephen King, check it out:  http://howardhopkins.blogspot.com/2011/09/hail-to-stephen-king-or-stephen-king.html!  It's LOL funny!

 

 

Author Interview: The Late Howard Hopkins

Last month, the writing world was shocked to learn of the passing of one  of our own. Author Howard Hopkins had passed away leaving behind him a legacy that is sure to grow and grow.

In an effort to celebrate his life, I have dedicated my blog this week to Howard. While I never met him, I spoke with him on numerous occasions and will miss him as a writer and a friend.

Rust Zacht (Rest Softly) Howard.

The below is an interview that Howard did as a result of his participation in a writers promotional group we were part of. The teaser train, and it is my honor to be able to share his words with you.

   Author Howard Hopkins

BIO: Howard Hopkins is the author of the paranormal horror series The Chloe Files, and The Nightmare Club paranormal horror series for children, as well as numerous stand alone horror novels and over 30 westerns under a pen name. He edits for Moonstone Books and writes licensed characters such as The Avenger, The Green Hornet, The Lone Ranger and Sherlock Holmes, along with comic books and graphic novels. His books are being translated into Italian and audio, and he created the heroine The Veil, who will debut shortly in a special edition comic book co-written with New York Times Bestselling author Nancy Holder. His novel The Lone Ranger: Vendetta will see print in March. He hails from a small seaside town in Maine, where his neighbors constantly wonder whether he is still alive in his office…

Website: www.howardhopkins.com

Blog: howardhopkins.blogspot.com

Twitter ID; @yingko2

Facebook: Author Page

Welcome, Howard! Thanks for being here today.

Q: What is your genre as Howard Hopkins? Why did you choose it?

HH: Thanks for having me, Ashley! I actually write in a number of genres, primarily horror/paranormal, westerns, and children's paranormal/horror, as well as graphic novels and comic books, pulp. I like genres with a sense of wonder, discovery and spookiness. I blend a lot of the eerie into my westerns. I also like genres that let me escape, and through writing, help others escape, life's everyday worries and stresses.

Q: How many books have you published? Are they traditionally published, self-published, or a combination?

HH: I'm closing in on around 60 books, I think. Many are traditionally published, some small press, ebook publishers and now a few self-published.

  

  

Q: How did you get started writing western books under the name Lance Howard? How different is the experience of writing westerns versus writing horror novels?

HH: A friend was writing westerns for a hardcover publisher at the time I was writing mostly horror. He suggested I try the company because they had a suspense/mystery line that wasn't far from what I was writing—so I did. And upon submitting this mystery, called Dancing with Death, the editor told me it was a good book—but unfortunately they had just decided to cancel their mystery line! I've never been one for perfect timing! But, thick-headed, I decided to try a western, since that line had survived the cuts. And they bought my first book. That was 34 books ago! They sold the rights to paperback companies, too, so it basically doubled everything I wrote for them, and now they are bringing some of my westerns, starting with Vengeance Pass, to ebook formats. The mystery, Dancing with Death, I rewrote years later into one of my westerns called The Deadly Doves, so it didn't go to waste.

As far as differences in the two genres, well, they are really not as far apart as some might think. Both involve characters pitted against overwhelming threats—whether it be demons or dust storms—and ghost stories were a staple around western campfires. Stories come down to characters and how those characters handle whatever adversity they encounter…and both genres shine when with that. My westerns have had vampires, Jack the Ripper, ghosts, etc. and my horror has had skeleton gunfighters returned from the grave for revenge.

Q: Do you sell copies of your novels, or other works, directly from your website?

HH: No with one caveat. They are sold through bookstores, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc. I do sell a few signed western hardcovers to fans that I have extras of once in a while.

Q: How much time do you spend on Twitter each week? Do you have a Facebook Fan Page?

HH: Way more than I should! Hours, literally. But there are such awesome folks there, writers and readers. I have met some of the nicest, most helpful people. It's addictive. Yes, my FB fanpage is: www.facebook.com/howardhopkinsauthor



Q: Do you blog? How often? Strictly professional or a blend of all things?

HH: Yes, and very often, 4-12 times a week. It is a blend of all things, very eclectic. News updates, opinion, few reviews, life articles, horror, westerns, comic books…

Q: Do you have a motto or favorite quote you turn to on tough writing days?

HH: "I read to escape…I write to help others escape…" My own quote. When my writing day is absolutely sucking, I always try to remember who I am writing for—those people out there who need to get away from their problems, even if it's only for an hour or two.

Q: Have you outsourced editing, cover design, formatting, web design, marketing, etc?

HH: Editing, yes. I work as an editor for Moonstone Books, and luckily they have other editors who do a wonderful job on some of my stuff. I design my own covers for self-published stuff, format myself, web site myself (which I am NOT good at and hate), market myself. On the traditionally published stuff the company takes care of all that, except marketing, which I participate in.

Q: Do you work with a writing group?

HH: No, never have. I'm sure there are some great groups out there, but if I talk about my book at all…I lose interest in writing it. And as educated as opinions are, they still come down to a certain subjectivity. If you go see a popular movie some will love it, some will hate it, all with tell you what's wrong and right with it, and those will all be different in many ways. So I work with a couple people I trust, instead, and work on things there's a consensus on.

Q: When you did you first decide to self-publish? How much time did it take to get from an idea to an ebook on Amazon?

HH: I started out publishing my own magazine and chapbooks back in the early '80s, so I guess you could say I always have done some degree of self-publishing along with traditional publishing. I was lucky enough to have a number of back catalog novels that had been out with other publishers that I had rights reversions on, so was able to take some of them to Kindle & Nook. So not long. They are all professionally edited, so after that it is mostly a matter of doing the cover artwork and getting them up, which Amazon and Barnes have made very quick.

Q: Have you published any of your work for free? Why or why not?

HH: I have put a short story or two on my blog, and initially a raw version of the first Chloe Files was a blook experiment (most of it). But otherwise, no. I recently am trying an Amazon Select western, which you can make free for a few days, just as an experiment. Otherwise, I am not sure about free book writing. Pro writers sell their work, just like pro cupcake makers sell their work. I think writers have to look at themselves as pros the moment they finish their story or novel, and proceed accordingly. On the other hand, cupcake makers give out samples, so maybe writers should as well to build author brand. And it depends on how an author views their book too, either strictly as a business/vocation or as something they want to do to just to entertain readers. Depends on the person, and on individual marketing strategy. Whatever works best for the individual.

Q: What tips or advice would you offer to writers who are about to join the self-published community?

HH: Get a professional editor and listen to him/her. Make sure you have a professional cover—not a fits-all cover provided by a service. If you are going to be professional and compete in a professional arena, then it is imperative you become a professional and present the best work you can do, in the best package you can put it in. I'm not saying spend a ton of money, but you need to put your ego or insecurity aside and make sure your product is the best you can make it. Learn your craft, and keep honing it. Writers NEVER stop learning and improving. Take constructive criticism. This is a tough business and even Stephen King gets trashed sometimes, so develop a thick skin for negative people and bad reviews. Above all—have faith in your talent and in yourself. YOU can do it.

Q: Is there another writer (or two) in the Twitterverse that you would recommend newbies follow?

HH: Oh, God, I am afraid to answer that because there are so many excellent authors out there I'd be afraid of forgetting someone. ANY of the Teaser Train authors are shining examples of great writing and professionalism, so follow them all.

Q: What is coming up for you in the next few months?

HH: I have a number of Westerns coming out—Blood Creek, Johnny Dead (both just out) followed by Guns of the Past, Ladigan and Palomita. I also have a huge YA/paranormal/horror series debuting, which I can't name right at the moment. I have a couple hardcover westerns on their way out, A Sherlock Holmes anthology on which I am editor and for which wrote a story coming in Jan (Sherlock Holmes: The Crossovers Casebook), a Honey West anthology, more work with The Avenger and The Green Hornet and a brand new Lone Ranger novel coming in March I am very excited about. I have a comic book written with NY Times bestseller Nancy Holder coming very soon, which introduces my original heroine The Veil and my retooled pulp heroine The Golden Amazon called Threesome, plus other stuff. It's going to be a busy year!

Q: Do you have (or are planning to make) any audio books?

HH: Actually I have two coming. One is a novella in a paperback and audio book anthology based on the old radio show Nightbeat coming from Radio Archives. There will also be an audio book version of my huge horror novel Night Demons—unfortunately that one will be in Italian, so I won't understand a word of it!

Q: Have you done a blog tour? Any advice or cautions?

HH: No, that's something I have never done. I'm not really sure how!

Q: Do you create an outline before beginning a new book?

HH: Usually a very very loose outline. I have tried both seat of the pants writing, and outlining, and I prefer at least a little idea of where I am going. But my outline for a western might be Chapter 1: Hero rides into town, rescues bargirl from being killed. I have the story in my head, so only need little reminders of what goes where.

Q: Do you work on more than one manuscript at a time?

HH: Rarely. My brain has limited hard drive space!

Q: Do you use specialty software?

HH: No, except for PSP for covers.

Q: Tell us about some of the hurdles you've cleared on the path to becoming an author. Did you have any idea at the start what the process really entailed?

HH: It is ALL hurdles. I had an idea when I started, but really NO idea. It has been far harder than I ever thought anything could be. I have sold to companies I thought would be big breaks, only to have them go out of business before my stuff was published. I have been ripped off by agents and publishers. I once sold four novels to an ebook company (and a big one at the time), only to get a note a week later the publisher had decided to close. This can be a very discouraging, frustrating business. It's trial by fire. If you come through it, you know you really wanted to be a writer, because no one else but somebody with the passion to write would endure it. That said, the rewards are fantastic when they come, not necessarily in monetary terms. When a little kid writes to you and says he or she loved your book—THAT makes all the toil worth it.

Q: What is the best comment/compliment you have received about your work?

HH: "Wow, this didn't make me throw up." Kidding. Sorta.

Q: Let's flip things around for a moment. As a reader, what factors do you consider when deciding whether or not to purchase a book?

HH: Smooth writing, spooky stuff, or stuff with a sense of wonder and escapism.

Q: Thank you, Howard, for sharing your publishing experiences with us. We wish you continued success, and hope you'll come back and share updates with us in the summer!

HH: Thank you!

****

Purchase links for 'The Chloe Files'

Amazon

Nook

Highway to Hell is FREE

 

That's right, the toll for this Southbound lane has been lifted.

 This offer is only open for a limited time, so please, come and grab your free copy of Highway to Hell today. Tell your friends, tell your neighbours and colleagues, carpool your way along the Highway to Hell.

I can't promise you any riches or prizes for helping me, but my eternal gratitude if certainly up for grabs.

I have pasted a few Tweets below that you can copy, or of course if you are feeling particularly creative you can create a few of your own.

#FREE #KINDLE #FICTION with #KDPSELECT http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005H93KEM Going to Hell for a Heavenly Read #MyWana #Horror RT!!

If you like reading #Horror #Books then check out Highway to Hell. It is FREE today thanks to #KDPSELECT http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005H93KEM

Have you ever read a real nightmare, a terrible dark vision that makes one stare backwards in daylight? http://mrkt.ms/rHOkxx #FREE #HORROR

 

Thank you in advance for your help, and have a great day.

ROW80: A Return From The Wilderness

What a long week is was, to be without the internet at home. It mean no tweeting, no poking or wall reading, no promoting and even worse no writing as my manuscript was in an email I had sent to myself. Luckily, I survived it as I mentioned in my previous ROW update.

The internet finally came back on Friday morning, and it has taken me a little while to get caught up and back in the swing of things. From next week onwards I hope to have my normal scheduling resumed.

But the real question that this post poses is… How are things going with my goals for the round.

Well, I am delighted to be able to say that I got a mammoth (for me ) 12 pages edited yesterday evening and it brought me not quite back on track but certainly onto an adjacent footpath. I still hope to have the book read for beta reading by the end of this month, which means I can turn my attention to the new project that is now starting to burn a whole in my mind.

For the rest, I have been reading a lot in the last week and have currently devouring I Am Legend. What a cracking read it is. I haven't done much blog reading or commenting, but I will be getting back into that in the coming weeks.

The temperature has dropped incredibly here in Holland these past three days, and yesterday there were even temperatures as low as -22 degrees celsius. For this small country that is bizarre. It did however mean I could spend the day sleighing with my wife and kids through the dunes near our house. However an off-piste adventure saw me crash through a few trees and into the side of a second dune. My ankles are not too happy with me, but guess that means I have an excuse to spend even more time sitting and working on my writing.

So, how are all of you getting on with your goals as we make the transition from the first month of the year into the wild ride that will soon usher in the summer and *GASP* Christmas before we can blink.

ROW80: REDRUM

Well, this will sadly be a short and (not so) sweet update for two reasons.

1) I am at work, and having the sort of week there that makes me wonder what the point is behind it all. My stress levels are so high I expect to find a second grey hair in my beard any day now.

2) I haven't really done anything since last Thursday. I edited a page and a bit last night and plan to do another big chunk tonight. It is crazy how strange I feel not being able to write or to edit. I have done some good reading, which has been great fun, but I miss writing. It keeps me sane, and the lack of it therefore explains the title to this post. Although please, don't take me literally.

How are you all faring on your ROW80 adventure this round? I still hope to get my goals met this round so no rash changes to be made just yet. As of Friday I will be back in full swing again, and now I finally have my WIP on my works laptop I can get some things done before then too.

A Social Outcast

A sneaky post from my office laptop. I apologize for any bad grammar, it was kind a secret operation to get it written and posted.

 

Well, we have successfully moved out of our flat and into a real house. The kids love it, and despite the cold weather making out attic bedroom almost uninhabitable, the house is perfect. However, the one problem with any move is that there is that pesky delay between moving home and your internet / TV / phone line coming with you.

We have to wait a whole week before our signal gets turned on again. Why it takes so long, don't ask me. It just seems to take a while, even though we are moving within the same town, with the same provider.

When they first gave me the news I thought. Ok, it's easy enough. After 4 days I am just about climbing the walls. I wouldn't quite say that I am having internet withdrawal or anything like that, but I can certainly say that going cold turkey in terms of Internet and Television is not much fun at ALL. The phone doesn't matter, we never use it anyway. It is more so that my family in England can call us.

I miss not being able to post of my blog, this post is being written on a laptop that I will have to try and connect from work when I get in tomorrow and post via that route. I miss interacting with other people. At the end of the day, the only real friends I have in my life (beside my wife and kids) are the ones I have made through social media. I have no idea what is going on in the world, and don't ordinarily have time to read the newspaper so having one delivered is a waste of money.

I cannot even play the pc game I relax with without an internet connection, which is annoying as it isn't an online game, but the software that supports it is.

Even my book is currently beyond my reach as it is on the PC and that currently has no home, and without the internet I cannot access that most recent version that I have saved in my emails.

My own internet longing aside, you never realize how much you can count on children television until you no longer have it at your disposal. The weather outside has taken a sudden turn for the worse, and is now even snowing. I know that may be nothing for some of your, but for us in the Netherlands, -2 Celsius is approaching Country standstill conditions. This means that we have been inside for a lot of the last 4 days, and with nothing but a few DVD's to keep our youngest two entertained, It has been a bit of a stretch. That being said, all three children have been incredibly well behaved during the whole process. Maybe it is us that are missing the TV that most, but that is mainly because as an adult there is definitely a time limit on how much Peppa Pig you can watch before your head explodes. For those that are interested, it is 2 hours and 25 minutes.

I am back off to work tomorrow, and can once again reunite myself with the social media world, and hope that I have not been left behind. Perhaps most importantly of all, I really want to see if I have sold any books. I had a large number of Tweets pre-scheduled but they were only until Saturday. Since then all promotions have been placed on radio silence.

Moving Day

I am moving house today, and so have not been able to prepare anything to post. I have no internet access until Firday 3rd Feb, but will try to get a few posts up during the week.

Thanks for sticking with me, and see you all soon.

 

ROW80 Mid Week Check-in: The End is in Sight

Firstly, let me say, I cannot believe that we are already into the last full week of January. It's crazy. Then again, they say that time flies when you are having fun, and fun is exactly what I have been experiencing all year so far.

Friday is the big day, we are moving out of the small flat and into a house. A real house with three floors, well two floors and a converted attic, a nice sized garden and a two-story summer-house / brick-built shed. (Soon to be the best home gym / writing studio anybody has ever seen).

Of course, work still goes on around all of this, but you know what. In spite of all the negativity in the office, the grumbles and the non-stop bitching, I am actually having a good year. I am enjoying myself and actually getting things done. I am kind of swamped but with just a few small jobs that are more time-consuming than anything else.

With writing, everything is back on track. Things are going great. I am (finally) in the swing with editing, and remember how much I really enjoy this book. It is slightly different again to Highway to Hell, but I think people who liked the first novel will enjoy the sequel. I have 45 pages to go in editing, and then I will be ready to send it out to a couple of beta readers. The only thing I need to get sorted out is the cover art, and I just have no idea what I want. It is driving me nuts trying to think of something, or find some images than inspire me.

How are you all doing with your goals? I would love to hear your tales thus far.

Allow Me To Introduce: Dmytry Karpov

 Last week I had the privilege of interviewing writer extraordinaire Kimberly Kinrade. This week her partner in love life and the universe, and equally gifted writer Dmytry Karpov has stopped by for some coffee and a chat.

As a horror writer myself, I simply have to ask this question first.

1. What is your favorite scary movie.

Though I often write dark short stories, I'm not actually much of a horror fan. Those stories just come naturally to me, especially in a shorter format. Personally, I believe that feelings of horror, or unease, are the easiest to evoke in a reader in a short period of time.

So as for scary movies, I haven't seen that many—just enough to know the genre conventions. But recently, my favorite horror film has to be "Paranormal Activity." It actually got me invested into the story, and I couldn't wait to see what would happen next, even though I knew it'd be terrifying.

I also liked "Insidious," which was made by some of the creators of "Paranormal Activity." That movie haunted my thoughts for days. But only because it exploited my irrational fear of really scary old ladies. Wow. I'm shivering just from writing that.

2. If you could be any character in fiction, whom would you be?

This wasn't an easy choice for me, but, though I almost don't believe it, I'd be Harry Potter. I love fantasy and magic, and the kid got to go to a magic school. That's awesome. I'd use my powers to teleport and make things float and do all sorts of things.

3. What is your favorite color

I love the color red. To me it represents passion and creativity. Those are some of the things I value most in life.

When I was younger I got kicked out of my English class for using this classic excuse. The only thing was for me it was true.

4. Has the dog ever eaten your manuscript?

No. And I'm happy for both me and the dog, because it would have had to eat an entire laptop. I haven't written stories on actual paper with like an actual pencil since I was in Seventh Grade. That's when I started to take writing seriously. But soon enough, I transitioned to a digital format, just in case any dogs did find my writing overly appealing.

5. What do you consider your biggest failure?

I didn't release a novel last year. I had some personal writing deadlines that I just failed to meet. I did release my short story collection, "Dark Edge," which I'm really proud of, but I had a few novels planned that never got finished. I have many great ideas and the skills to convey them, and I love sharing my work, so not having a novel out yet almost doesn't make sense to me. Of course, it's not like I haven't been busy. I'm constantly honing my skills as well as researching into new possibilities combining literature and electronic media. Hopefully all of this work will make my first novel better than I ever imagined. My New Year's resolution is to finish one this year. And that's what I'm going to do.

6. Do you laugh at your own jokes?

I do. Some people think it's sad or weird, but I don't stop myself from enjoying life. Even if that means laughing at my own jokes. Sometimes secretly in my head.

7. When you were a child what did you want to be when you were grown up?

I wanted to be an inventor. I loved coming up with new and cool ideas. And as a kid, I thought I'd be able to make them real when I became an adult. I still believe anything is possible, but I've decided to narrow my career down to writing for now. This way, people's imagination is my only limit.

However, I still love inventing new ways of conveying stories. With the creation of eBooks, there are more possibilities now than ever.

8. How do you react to a bad review of one of your books?

I'd love to say I take the constructive feedback and brush the rest of it off, but it's not that easy. The first review I ever received gave my book a one star rating. That was tough. It brought up a lot of fears: what if no one will like my work? What if I'm a horrible writer? I realized that the one star reviewer didn't like my style—others may like it more. But still, I feared any future reviews.

Fortunately, the ones I received next came from people who enjoyed my writing. After getting a few four and five-star reviews, the bad ones have become a lot easier to deal with. Now that the fear of being a horrible writer no longer haunts me, I can focus on the constructive feedback. And if someone doesn't like my style, so what? I can't please everyone, but I can do my best to write a novel that someone out there will love.

9. What's the most blatant lie you've ever told?

Probably when I teasingly tell my fiancée, Kimberly Kinrade, I don't miss her when she's gone. Nothing could be further from the truth. But I don't know if that qualifies as a lie, since she knows I'm joking.

Honestly, I rarely lie. Honesty is an important part of trust for me. And I want people to like me, or not like me, for who I am. Not some half version of me filtered through lies.

10. What is the biggest sacrifice you have made for your writing?

Letting it take time away from my family. I love Kimberly and our girls.

11. What inspired you to write your first book?

When I was a kid, I would spend hours just walking around my room, thinking up ideas. Usually, they involved magical worlds and fantastical creatures. These journeys into my imagination were more fun than any movie, book, or video game. Once I learned to read and write, I developed a particular interest in fantasy novels.

Then one day in seventh grade, when I was eleven, I decided to write a book. My first attempt was a ten book epic fantasy series compiled of dozens of characters and settings. Let's just say, I still haven't finished that first book.

12. 2011 saw you publish your debut work Dark Edge. So tell us what are your plans for 2012?

I plan to publish a novel in 2012. Right now, I'm working on two different outlines. One is an Epic Fantasy about two kingdoms on the brink of war and two friends who end up on different sides of the conflict. The other is about an aspiring magician with real magic who gets caught up in a dueling event that's more than it appears.

When the outlines are done, I'll pick one to turn into a novel by the end of this year.

Simultaneously, I've been working on creating a new kind of "Choose Your Own Adventure" story. In the past, these sorts of books have given readers the ability to choose where their characters go and sometimes what they do. This gives readers a sense of control over the story, but it often happens at the expense of a great story line and the flow of the writing.

In my approach, instead of giving the reader simply logistical choices, I want to give them emotional choices. When a character comes across an obstacle, the reader can decide if the issue is handled with humor, sympathy, logic, or even brutality. This not only gives them control over the story, but also allows them to tailor the experience to their preferred emotions. Since most people read novels for an emotional experience alone, this integrates decisions into novels in a way that I've never seen before.

Also, many "Choose Your Own Adventure" books only give readers choices during pivotal moments in the story. This approach can be fun, but puts too much emphasis on the choice, causing people to make choices that they think are the "smartest" or will have "the best results" even if they may not be the most fun choices for them. It can also make readers go back if they're not satisfied with their choice, destroying the flow of the story.

Instead of focusing on big, pivotal moments, I give the reader many small choices. This makes decision making a part of the experience, and not the focus of the book.

Unfortunately, this type of story takes a long time to write. Hopefully, I'll have something I can share with people soon.

13. What books have most influenced your life most?

The "Deltora" series got me into fantasy as a young kid. After that, "The Wheel of Time" series by Robert Jordan nurtured my love for the genre and expanded what I thought possible. Recently, Brandon Sanderson's work, including his "Mistborn" trilogy, have pushed my perception of fantasy conventions even further. These books inspired me to create original works that push my genre and literature, instead of trying to recreate someone else's ideas.

14. What was a time in your life when you were really scared?

When I was kid, my family and I went swimming at a beach. As I was walking along with them in shallow water, a huge wave came out of nowhere and swept me under. Water pushed down my throat. My legs and arms scrambled for the surface even as I began to cough and vomit in an attempt to suck in air. The few times I broke out of the water, I screamed for help.

As I was about to lose my strength to keep fighting, an arm reached down and pulled me towards the sun. I pierced the surface and gushed water from my throat. Finally, I tasted air again.

My dad held me by the arm and dragged me to shallower water. Somehow that wave had taken me more than three dozen feet away from my family. When I felt my toes touch the sand again, and my mother's arms wrap around me, I finally stopped shaking.

Let's change it up a little bit. Last week your partner in crime love and life Kimberly was my guest, so let's see if you two can answer a few questions about each other. No cheating now.

15 What's Kimberly's favourite fruit?

Pineapple. But a really good mango would beat it

.16 What's Kimberly's favorite colour.

Purple. But she also likes blue and red.

17 What is Kimberly most afraid of?

Ants. Big ones. Especially with wings.

 

BIO

Dmytry Karpov defies convention in writing and life.

At an age when most are still growing into the thought of a voice, Dmytry has gained a certain genius mastery of his craft in writing and editing. And he continues to learn and grow.

His writing style is often dark and twisty, with searing prose and storylines reminiscent of Neil Gaiman's short works.

He also has an eye for structure, style and character development that is true brilliance.

Writers worldwide should be throwing money at him to make their work shine.

Publishing companies should be bidding for him to review their slush pile.

And agents should be begging to represent him.

He's that good

'Dmytry's debut publication is an anthology of short stories and an excerpt from a novel he is working on. The stories are not for the faint of heart and will make you consider the darker side of life and realize that it is hiding in the shadows all around us.