The Author Interviews: Round 2, #5: T.S. Lowe/ LoweFantasy
Today's author interview is an awesome read, withT. S. Lowe / Lowe Fantasy. Her book “Out of Duat” is already on the shelves and “Erase Me” is temporarily available now for free on Inkitt.com until 03/10/2016). She also has a series of fanfictions for free under the penname of LoweFantasy.
*images from author*Where do you get your ideas from?To be honest, I'm not entirely sure. I think it's when I start craving a certain story that I can't find, so I just decide to write it myself.Why do you write?Because I am obsessively in love with stories, and writing a story is twice as fun as reading it because I get a say in what happens. Also, it's therapuetic for me.What do you find most appealing about your chosen genre?I write both in Fantasy and Contemporary with romantic elements. What I find most appealing about those are the elements I am able to explain a conflict or trial in everyday life in a fantastic or beautiful way that helps me and others learn how to live through it without wanting to bawl our eyes out—but instead laugh. Or I get the opportunity to deal with horrors and monsters that depict subjects that trouble me or others, yet is hard to talk about.How do you deal with bad reviews, rejection and criticism?They're just as important, if not more so, then the good reviews. They help me to improve. Mostly I'm just happy someone took the time out of their life to read my story.What do you find difficult about writing?The discouragement that pops up all the time asking me if what I'm doing is all in vain.Do you ever outsource your work?Besides the necessary help for an editor or illustrator, never. That would be like paying someone to go to Disneyland for me. This is my labor, my work, and if I'm to have any pride in myself and what I do, I'll do it myself.What is your opinion on indie vs traditional publishing?Personally, it kind of saddens me that traditional publishing seems to be failing because marketing is the pits. Also, in order to find the well done gems in independent publishing, one has to work through all of the...not so well done stories in order to find it, and that's rather discouraging to me in regards to my own work.Talk us through your creative process from start to finish.Usually ideas hit me while I'm busy with something else, like driving or cleaning. Once I start writing the character's dialogue in my head, I try it out on the page. I have a time set aside every day to write, and I try to write at least 2,000 words. Keeping in mind what I want to happen, I let the story tell itself to me along the way, keeping the end goal in sight to keep it on target. Because I look forward to the endings, and because the whole story revolves around certain key points happening, ending books for me has never been an issue.Once I've finished the first draft and have reached the envisioned goals I had in mind, I let it sit for a few weeks or longer. After I've let it sit, I take a look at it and decide whether or not I'd like to try publishing it. Then, if I decide 'yes,' I hand it over to someone I trust as critical and educated enough to read it and point out the weak parts of the plot and character developments. With those points, I completely revise the manuscript, often times taking out and rewriting p or more of it (that's often the case when you're a discovery writer like myself). Then I hand it over to those willing to help me copy edit it. Only then do I look into querying or self-publishing.What advice would you give to aspiring writers?Write everyday. Write till your fingers bleed. Write, and don't ever stop.If you could go back in time 12 months, what would you advise yourself?Don't worry so much about what others think or want. Just write and enjoy it.I also managed to gain an insight into this author's reading preferences.Would you agree a good book must withstand more than one read?No. I have found many stories that are creatively well thought out and express a deep understanding of human nature from the author, but the weaknesses of the writing hamper that on further readings. A brilliant book, on the other hand, must withstand more than one read.What do you look for when shopping on Amazon for a Kindle book? Highlight those you would consider. Are any of the below more important to you than others?Cover / Title / Author /Price/Description/ Publisher /Sample Chapter/ ReviewsWho is your favourite author and why?Oh gosh, that depends on the day. Please don't make me choose.Do you shop for indie books online? If not, why?Yes, mainly because I live 45 minutes from town and have a two year old, so getting out is just plain hard.What would it take for you to leave a review on Amazon/ Goodreads?Not much. I know what it means to authors to have a review.After downloading book one for free/ 99p or 99c on Amazon, do you ever return and pay more for book two? If not, why?Oh yes! But only if I love it. I'm not much of a series junky.Do you ever visit an author's website and if so, why?Yes, because I want to see if there are any articles on writing that I can learn from. Also, I'm not a series junky because I hate having to wait to finish the story, so I often visit author's websites to see if the next books are out so I can binge read.What would it take for you to sign up to a mailing list?I'd have to like the book or know the author personally.Do you ever enter giveaways and/ or order signed copies?I've entered giveaways because I love books, but I've never been one for signed copies.What would it take for you to recommend a book to a friend?I have an excellent memory for anything I read, so all I'd need is for my friend to be looking for a particular book, and whether I liked it or not (unless it was awful), I'd recommend it. However, if it's so good I'm almost in hysterias, everyone hears of it.
Many thanks to T. S. Lowe for this interesting interview. To find out more about the author and offer your support, please visit their website or purchase a book. Many thanks.
*images from author*Where do you get your ideas from?To be honest, I'm not entirely sure. I think it's when I start craving a certain story that I can't find, so I just decide to write it myself.Why do you write?Because I am obsessively in love with stories, and writing a story is twice as fun as reading it because I get a say in what happens. Also, it's therapuetic for me.What do you find most appealing about your chosen genre?I write both in Fantasy and Contemporary with romantic elements. What I find most appealing about those are the elements I am able to explain a conflict or trial in everyday life in a fantastic or beautiful way that helps me and others learn how to live through it without wanting to bawl our eyes out—but instead laugh. Or I get the opportunity to deal with horrors and monsters that depict subjects that trouble me or others, yet is hard to talk about.How do you deal with bad reviews, rejection and criticism?They're just as important, if not more so, then the good reviews. They help me to improve. Mostly I'm just happy someone took the time out of their life to read my story.What do you find difficult about writing?The discouragement that pops up all the time asking me if what I'm doing is all in vain.Do you ever outsource your work?Besides the necessary help for an editor or illustrator, never. That would be like paying someone to go to Disneyland for me. This is my labor, my work, and if I'm to have any pride in myself and what I do, I'll do it myself.What is your opinion on indie vs traditional publishing?Personally, it kind of saddens me that traditional publishing seems to be failing because marketing is the pits. Also, in order to find the well done gems in independent publishing, one has to work through all of the...not so well done stories in order to find it, and that's rather discouraging to me in regards to my own work.Talk us through your creative process from start to finish.Usually ideas hit me while I'm busy with something else, like driving or cleaning. Once I start writing the character's dialogue in my head, I try it out on the page. I have a time set aside every day to write, and I try to write at least 2,000 words. Keeping in mind what I want to happen, I let the story tell itself to me along the way, keeping the end goal in sight to keep it on target. Because I look forward to the endings, and because the whole story revolves around certain key points happening, ending books for me has never been an issue.Once I've finished the first draft and have reached the envisioned goals I had in mind, I let it sit for a few weeks or longer. After I've let it sit, I take a look at it and decide whether or not I'd like to try publishing it. Then, if I decide 'yes,' I hand it over to someone I trust as critical and educated enough to read it and point out the weak parts of the plot and character developments. With those points, I completely revise the manuscript, often times taking out and rewriting p or more of it (that's often the case when you're a discovery writer like myself). Then I hand it over to those willing to help me copy edit it. Only then do I look into querying or self-publishing.What advice would you give to aspiring writers?Write everyday. Write till your fingers bleed. Write, and don't ever stop.If you could go back in time 12 months, what would you advise yourself?Don't worry so much about what others think or want. Just write and enjoy it.I also managed to gain an insight into this author's reading preferences.Would you agree a good book must withstand more than one read?No. I have found many stories that are creatively well thought out and express a deep understanding of human nature from the author, but the weaknesses of the writing hamper that on further readings. A brilliant book, on the other hand, must withstand more than one read.What do you look for when shopping on Amazon for a Kindle book? Highlight those you would consider. Are any of the below more important to you than others?Cover / Title / Author /Price/Description/ Publisher /Sample Chapter/ ReviewsWho is your favourite author and why?Oh gosh, that depends on the day. Please don't make me choose.Do you shop for indie books online? If not, why?Yes, mainly because I live 45 minutes from town and have a two year old, so getting out is just plain hard.What would it take for you to leave a review on Amazon/ Goodreads?Not much. I know what it means to authors to have a review.After downloading book one for free/ 99p or 99c on Amazon, do you ever return and pay more for book two? If not, why?Oh yes! But only if I love it. I'm not much of a series junky.Do you ever visit an author's website and if so, why?Yes, because I want to see if there are any articles on writing that I can learn from. Also, I'm not a series junky because I hate having to wait to finish the story, so I often visit author's websites to see if the next books are out so I can binge read.What would it take for you to sign up to a mailing list?I'd have to like the book or know the author personally.Do you ever enter giveaways and/ or order signed copies?I've entered giveaways because I love books, but I've never been one for signed copies.What would it take for you to recommend a book to a friend?I have an excellent memory for anything I read, so all I'd need is for my friend to be looking for a particular book, and whether I liked it or not (unless it was awful), I'd recommend it. However, if it's so good I'm almost in hysterias, everyone hears of it.Many thanks to T. S. Lowe for this interesting interview. To find out more about the author and offer your support, please visit their website or purchase a book. Many thanks.
No comments have been added yet.
