The Author Interviews: #13: Stephen J WOLF

In this series, I'll be interviewing self-published authors about their books and their lives as writers. For my thirteenth interview, I had the privilege of interviewing Stephen J WOLF on 19/06/2016. WOLF writes fantasy and his latest book is 'The Forgotten Tribe (Red Jade Book 4).Let's get started!What made you want to become a writer?In eighth grade, my English teacher gave us a writing assignment to describe three separate things: an object, a person, and a place. I ended up linking them together and wondered if there was more to the story that I could tell. In ninth grade, after a severe concussion that kept me nearly immobile for eight months, I started crafting worlds in my head. I discovered that I love telling a story.Why did you choose to write in this genre? Have you ever considered trying other genres?Magic always fascinated me. Wave your hands, say some odd words, and poof there’s a fireball! When I first started writing as a teen, I needed that kind of magic in my life. I started reading fantasy too and I was drawn in wholeheartedly. I have a background in science and I teach it to seventh graders, so I have considered venturing into science fiction. I just haven't done it yet.What do you love most about writing and why?I love creating a new world and new characters. I can challenge the characters to do things that can't happen today. I also love infusing small aspects of my life into my stories. If I'm having a bad day, it's time for a battle scene. Made a new friend? Ok, time for a new companion for the travelers.What do you dislike about writing and why?Inspiration doesn't work on command, so sometimes I can be driving home from work and have great ideas in my head, but I'm unable to write them down in the moment. I would love to be able to stop time at those moments, write what's in my mind, then continue on with the rest of life.If you could trade places with any of your characters, which would you choose and why?I would have to choose Dariak. He is a mage in Hathreneir and grew up able to learn how to use his skills. The story of the Red Jade series centers around him. He is singularly determined and focused on completing his goal for the greater good of all.If you could live in any of the worlds you have created, which would you choose and why?I would want to live in Kallisor for the beauty of the land, but in Hathreneir for the acceptance of magic use. I could see myself spending a lot of time in Magehaven with other spellcasters, learning new abilities and seeking my way onto the Mage Council. From there, I would teach other mages and try to develop acceptance among those who scorn magic.What's your writing routine or schedule like? Do you struggle to find time to write? How do you stay organised and keep to your deadlines?My best time to write is once I get home from work. As a teacher, I interact with twelve-year-olds all day and it is inspiring and invigorating. Their energy is boundless and exciting. Getting home, my mind is awake and thriving and it's the best time to put my fingers to the keyboard. Sometimes events in life, both good and bad, interrupt the writing cycle. Missing a day here and there is fine. I sometimes may reconvene at the keyboard after dinner or work late into the night to make sure I'm keeping up with the pace.Who or what inspires you? Where do you get your inspiration?Life itself is my inspiration. My friends and family all have traits about them that I try to incorporate somehow. Places I visit, illnesses I've had or seen, tragic events that have occurred all make it into what I write in some form or other. If you're reading a scene that's a little lengthy about an injury, you can be assured I was describing something that happened either to me or to someone close to me. Characters and events are not copies of what I know, but aspects of them are woven together into a new situation.Do you have a favourite author and if so, why do you enjoy their work?I have to defer back to those who first inspired me for this kind of question. Lyndon Hardy, who wrote Master of the Five Magics, showed me a creative adventure where magic wasn't some random force that could do anything. He taught me that magic can have rules and be logical. Melanie Rawn, of Dragon Prince and Dragon Star fame, taught me the importance of detail and intrigue. I tend to write more like Hardy than Rawn, but these two inspired me to tell my story and to follow my heart.What do you find most challenging about being an indie/ self-published author and why?The most challenging part is finding readers. I want to share my story and I want to know what readers think. I have tried following the advice of others and I have tried what has felt right to me, yet I would love for more people to join Dariak’s quest for the Red Jade. I am hoping one day to turn the story into a video game and seek an audience there as well.Any COMMENTS/ NOTES to the reader:Thank you for taking the time to read through my thoughts here. If you're up for a fantasy adventure, I'd love to see you in Kallisor! Have a fantastic day, wherever you are!Thanks to Stephen J WOLF for this interview. All the best with your book! If you want to find out more about this authorplease click here.