Author Interview: H.S. Cook
Today I’ll be interviewing H.S. Cook for the Blog World Tour: Fantasy Edition! She’s a fantasy writer like me, although she writes epic fantasy! Her current work-in-progress is the series, The Blood King Chronicles.
Welcome to my blog, H.S.! It’s a pleasure to have you here. The first thing I’d like to have you do is describe your typical day. How do you juggle writing with everything else?
If I have slept, I am up early. I swim before I go to university. I spend 8-12 hours on average in the lab (though some days take no time at all) and I catch up on paperwork or write while experiments are running. I am usually home by 10PM for dinner. I then write until tired – though not always on my WIP.
Eight to twelve hours in the lab? I remember that from my summer internship a few years ago… Those are long hours to work! I’m impressed you find the time and energy to write. When at the lab, do you write on paper or with a computer? What’s your preferred writing method while at home? Typewriter, computer, dictation, or longhand?
I write my first draft longhand on A4 paper (Pukka Pad) with a fountain pen. I usually use my extra-fine dip pen, allowing me to write 30-40 words to a line (around 1000 words to a page).
I then type up into Scrivener, separating scenes, checking continuity and correcting big mistakes. To check spelling, punctuation and grammar, I read it aloud and where possible, I record to listen back.
I wish I had a typewriter, if only for the cool factor. I find dictating embarrassing.
Typewriters are fun, though they take some getting used to–we have both a manual and an electric one and the keys do take more force to press down than a normal computer keyboard. That’s so awesome that you use a fountain pen! I’ve always wanted one of those–they sound a lot cooler than a typewriter (as well as more difficult to manage.) You say you can cram 1000 words per page; do you aim for a set amount of words/pages per day?
During NaNoWriMo, Camp NaNoWriMo and JuNoWriMo, yes. I set a goal for the month and aim to stay on track each day. Otherwise, no. I write what I can, when I can.
Given how long your work days are, I don’t blame you. It’s awesome that you find the time to do NaNo and its offshoots–NaNo was my first introduction to novel-writing (may that draft never come to light.) Especially during NaNo, I find it a lot easier to “pants” my novel, making up all the characters on the spot. When you develop characters do you already know who they are before you begin writing or do you let them develop as you go?
I start off with rough ideas and allow them to grow as the story progresses. I feel like they more organic that way. It also allows me to maintain a small amount of control over the story, directing it before they take charge themselves.
I do the same. Though my characters tend to run off on me a lot! What’s your favorite method for coming up with names for your characters (and locations, for that matter!)?
What letter do I like today? String together random sounds. Repeat until I have something I like. A few places are named for significance – the Sea of Kedrin or Fate’s Passage for example. I work more with sounds, however, so that they fit the world and each other well.
I love that idea. Never really thought about using sounds to create names before, but I think I’ll try that in the future. *glances at clock* We have time for one more question… This is one of my favorites to ask people! What is your favorite quote?
“A writer is someone for whom writing is more difficult than it is for other people.” – Thomas Mann
This really strikes a chord with me. There are so many quotes that ring true, but this hits home hardest. Writing to write is an art firm. As writers we seek perfection in the tales we spin, and so writing as a writer holds more weight than any other writing we do. It’s simple to write words, but far harder to weave a story. Neil Gaiman said something similar: “Being a writer is a very peculiar sort of a job: it’s always you versus a blank sheet of paper (or a blank screen) and quite often the blank piece of paper wins.”
That’s a wonderful quote, H.S. Thank you for sharing it with us. *clock chimes* Sounds like it’s to wrap things up. Thank you for being here today.
Thank you for taking the time to talk with me. By the Blood, may the Fates show mercy.
It was my pleasure. By the Blood, may the Fates show mercy!
About H.S.: Working in a world of logic and reason, while dreaming of one filled with magic, H.S. Cook lives between her scientific research and her fantasy writings. A molecular biologist by day, she finds ways to inject the magic of her worlds into daily life, making time to write. She is currently working on an epic fantasy series: The Blood King Chronicles.
You can learn more about H.S. and her stories through her website, and connect with her through Twitter and Facebook.
