Author Interview – Andrew Cormier’s Interview with Scriveners River
Tell us about your latest book. How did it come about, change as you wrote and researched, etc.
It is a work of speculative fiction or dark fantasy. It is kind of a cross-genre blend. It started in 2002 as a short story. People liked it so much I decided to expand. The idea was very original and I planned to do a few things I have never seen in literature or movies before, so I knew I had to write it. I originally had a totally different ending, which wouldn’t have worked, and I added an alternate as an afterthought. It turns out many people prefer the alternate.
Do you have a favorite character? Why?
The main character: he’s the focus of the entire book, it is kind of his memoir. I love how dynamic he is as the book moves on.
Who/what influences or inspires your writing?
I don’t know anymore. I think I inspire myself, I am driven to succeed and I enjoy doing it.
What authors do you return to again and again, if any? Where do you find new authors to read?
I haven’t been reading as much lately, but in the past I found myself grabbing as many of R.A. Salvatore’s books as I could. I usually find new authors by word of mouth or on the writing groups I belong to.
Do you have a writing routine/ritual? What distracts you when you’re writing?
Yes: I wake up, write as much as I can, and break once my head starts to hurt. I then repeat. Lately the HBO series Boardwalk Empire has been distracting me. I started it a few weeks ago and am compelled to see what happens next.
What do you like best/least about writing?
The best is when you finish putting an awesome quote in a book, or write a scene that is just mind-blowing. The least favorite part is the editing.
Favorite non-writing activities?
Watching football (go Pats!). I also like movies and TV, camping, and grilling.
Advice for newbies?
Keep writing. Your first few stories are going to probably be really bad. Or at least need a lot of editing. Even with natural talent you will grow a ton the more you write.
What else are you working on?
I’m currently writing a zombie apocalypse book. I plan to call it Shamblers: the zombie apocalypse.
Where has writing taken you that you never expected to go? Funniest/most exciting/most memorable?
I found out I am a “real sick person” according to friends and family. I guess I have a macabre sense of humor, and some of the women in my stories get a bit mistreated. The funniest thing I did was a scene near the end of “The Great Deceiver” …I won’t ruin it, but I laughed for two days when I put it in.
Pantser/plotter?
Plotter, definitely: though I believe characters ultimately drive a plot. Memorable characters are more important than the plot. I wrote a fantasy series from the POV of 13 characters as it shifted, and 3 interweaving plots. The outline alone was 19 pages.
How do you deal with dry spells?
I find other things to do.
Do you have critique partners or beta readers? How do they help?
Yes, I have a few people whose opinions I rely upon and trust. They tell me where the dog died, so to speak. I learn more about my books from them than I do myself, and their input is critical.
Do you remember the first book you ever read or had read to you? First story you wrote?
It was so long ago I can’t. I was probably in the 2nd or 3rd grade. I remember a book about a teacher who was replaced by an alien/monster. I also remember a book about a magic ring that turned a kid into a dragon or something. I wish I could recall the titles, they’d be interesting to revisit. The first story I wrote was about a serial killer, though I spelled it “cereal” because I didn’t know any better. Lol. It also was more a guy running around committing random violence, so made no sense at allI think I was in the 4th grade.
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