Author Interview with Steven Vincent, “Dawn of the Knight I”
My interview today is with Steven Vincent, author of “Dawn of the Knight I.” I think you will be interested in this fantasy novel! Welcome, Steven!
The description of the book is as follows:
In the spring of 220 Minores, the world of Xeltia brought its black army to bear down upon the kingdoms of mankind. Led by the Corrupter and her Knight, they sought the Collapse – a fate worse than death, encompassing all and never to be undone.
Yet as the three kings united and the true knights arose, the onslaught was met on the eastern plains of Rolace. Many lives were ended, kingdoms shattered, but in the end the terrible evil was driven away. An era of flourishing peace would follow, which men called the Dawn.
But decades would pass, and this would become legend. True knights would fade, and the Corrupter would return, once again seeking the Collapse. Her Xeltian Knight would pit the hearts of man against his brothers using their anger, greed, and lust. There would be no united resistance this time… Only a boy seeking to fulfil a promise.
Dawn of the Knight I – Xeltian Invitation is a 560 page tale that will have you hooked from the start. Join Egon Skysong as he ventures across the lands of Rolace and Crylite in search of answers to defeat the wicked Xeltian Knight. Along the way he will learn much about himself and others, but if he cannot discover the true meaning of the Invitation, Xeltia, and the Collapse, the world shall know despair forever…
Author Steven Vincent
My name is Steven M. Vincent, born July 19th, 1991 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. As a kid, that’s all I ever wanted to do was immerse myself in video games. They were 16-bit and not much for plot, but that prompted me to create my own stories. I guess you could say that’s where my storytelling began.
I started writing in mid 2009, and I’ll always remember the feeling of satisfaction I had when the story was completed. Still, it was only the beginning. I quickly learned I had a lot to learn; editing, how to contact agents, how to sell myself. To date, I am still learning. I hope I always will be, because that’s what gives life meaning.
Agents didn’t work out, and that’s how I discovered the wonders of Kindle. The ease of self-publishing was very inviting, and though I knew it would be challenging, I took that path. That path led me here. Now my only goal is to bring my stories to the world, and pass on what I’ve learned along the way.
1. What is the title/genre of the book and how did the title evolve?
The title of the book is “Dawn of the Knight”, and if you hadn’t guessed yet it’s a fantasy novel. The name is not just a play on words as people tend to assume; it actually refers to a period in the story’s history in which the knights were able to secure peace for all, and they called this period “the Dawn”.
2. How did you design the cover?
I actually drew each piece of the cover by hand, then digitally traced the outlines and colored them. It was a lot of work, but I’ve actually been asked who I went with, so I must have done something right!
3. What message were you trying to convey with the cover?
I wanted to have the Xeltian Knight reaching out for the reader just like he silently pursues Egon Skysong throughout the story. The whole theme of the book is sort of holding your head up high even as evil closes in around you, so I wanted the cover to tell that side of the tale.
4. How long have you been writing and what made you decide to write a book?
I’ve been writing for over four years, and it wasn’t even my idea! I always wanted to entertain and I was trying to get into the comic business, but it wasn’t working; that’s a hard thing to do. My sister told me I should try to write a book, and since my mother had always said I was good at telling stories (in a good way!) I decided to give it a shot. I never thought I would wind up where I am today.
5. How have video games inspired you to create?
Well I started playing Mario and Sonic on the NES when I was two years old, and by the time I was five I was playing Legend of Zelda. Now, as a kid it was hard not to scare me! That game terrified me, but I loved the magic items, the adventure, and the fantasy of it all. So, I guess you could say the fear of the monsters actually made it all feel more real, and I think that’s where my imagination started to take off.
As far as the actual ‘voice’ of my writing, video games taught me that stories should be one of two things; fun or thrilling, if not both. My job as a writer is to entertain and thrill my readers, but I also feel I have to reteach this idea to writers who seem to have forgotten it.”
6. Who are some of the characters in the book and are they inspired by significant role models in your life?
I actually try not to draw inspiration from people I know, because I’d hate to accidentally insult someone or have them take the wrong message away from it! But the role of a parent is very prominent throughout the story, as Egon lost his father long ago, and Adela very recently lost both of her parents. I think in a way they find that same sort of guidance through the High Knight, Bertram, who is a very solemn but kind father figure.
7. What is the underlying message that the book is intended to convey?
To start, change is a huge theme, for better or for worse, in ourselves or in others. The Xeltian Invitation is a plague that twists the hearts of even pure kings, and the Xeltian Knight is using it to pit mankind against itself while he works to fulfil his dark designs. The story really reminds you to stay true to who you are, and to do what you can to remind others when they need it.
Other messages like the importance of keeping promises, the meaning of life and death, and even some lighter notes like relationships and being the new kid on the block are mingled through the book as well!
8. What has been your most difficult task as you wrote the book?
I actually had to rewrite the story several times because there were things I just didn’t like. The ending was very rushed, but the biggest defects were the lack of humor, and the Xeltian Knight’s Old English. That was a terrible idea from the start which my grandma warned me not to try, and I should have listened! But it was a learning experience, and it pushed me to completely redo the personality of the Knight. He became a more witty, love-to-hate sort of character. This is actually a quote from him, from the final version available now;
“Do you know I’ve even had to adapt my manner of speech to fit and blend with the current time? I will not do that again. I hate doing that! This time I will enslave this world, and all else.”
9. What is your next WIP (Work In Progress)?
I’m working on Dawn of the Knight II as we speak, but I’m also writing a science fiction novel that I would like to publish later this year or early next year!
10. What mentors have helped you during your journey through self-publishing?
Jonathan Gunson was a great help to me, and you’ll see his name in the thank you section of the book. However, it was my family who took the time to encourage me, read my drafts, give me advice, and keep me doing what I was doing.
Thank you Steven for an excellent interview!! All of Steven Vincent’s links are attached below.
True Knights Blog: http://trueknights.wordpress.com/
Steven Vincent’s Amazon Profile: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00A8A13GW
Steven Vincent’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/Aka_Hinotae
Steven Vincent’s Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/steven.akahinotae
Steven Vincent on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6581197.Steven_M_Vincent
Dawn of the Knight on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A111OCQ
Dawn of the Knight on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DawnOfTheKnightIXeltianInvitation?ref=ts&fref=ts
Dawn of the Knight on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17250780-dawn-of-the-knight-i—xeltian-invitation
