AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Stephen Zimmer talks new Epic Fantasy HEART OF A LION

By Peter Welmerink

 

 



Rayden Valkyrie. She walks alone, serving no king, emperor, or master. Forged in the fires of tragedy, she has no place she truly calls home.

A deadly warrior wielding both blade and axe, Rayden is the bane of the wicked and corrupt. To many others, she is the most loyal and dedicated of friends, an ally who is unyielding in the most dangerous of circumstances.

The people of the far southern lands she has just aided claim that she has the heart of a lion. For Rayden, a long journey to the lands of the far northern tribes who adopted her as a child beckons, with an ocean lying in between.

Her path will lead her once more into the center of a maelstrom, one involving a rising empire that is said to be making use of the darkest kinds of sorcery to grow its power. Making new friends and discoveries amid tremendous peril, Rayden makes her way to the north.

Monstrous beasts, supernatural powers, and the bloody specter of war have been a part of her world for a long time and this journey will be no different. Rayden chooses the battles that she will fight, whether she takes up the cause of one individual or an entire people.

Both friends and enemies alike will swiftly learn that the people of the far southern lands spoke truly. Rayden Valkyrie has the heart of a lion.

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CREATIVE HELP BOARD: Where did you come up with the character Rayden Valkyrie? Does her name mean anything significant fictionally or non-fictionally?

STEPHEN ZIMMER: The name Rayden truly popped up in my head when I first envisioned her.  To me, she was (and is) a ray of light and maybe that's part of it. 

The Valkyrie part of it is kind of title that she has come to be called over time as her reputation grew in her world.  The Valkyrie name is certainly a salute to her abilities, character and heart, as the supernatural female warriors do exist in her world too. 

Rayden may or may not encounter them at some point.  I'm not telling!  Haha!

CHB: Why a strong, sword-toting, take-no-shit lead female character versus a strong, sword-toting, take-no-shit lead male character?

SZ: It's just the way things went, in terms of the character coming to me.  At the time I had my first vision of Rayden I was enduring a very difficult period personally, and I had an image of a golden-haired female warrior, with piercing blue eyes, standing tall, with a very defiant air. 

From the outset I understood that she had been through great tragedy and heartache, and still persevered in a way that had not hardened her to a point where she became indifferent to others.  She inspired me at a time when I needed it, and surged to inspire me again during other personal storms, and has become a very, very special character to me. 

So there wasn't a “conscious decision” on gender.   She truly manifested. :)

CHB: Do we need more strong, bad ass female character storylines in the realms of Epic Fantasy? Why?

SZ: I think we need more well-rounded, fully-developed female character storylines in epic fantasy, sword and sorcery, horror, and many other genres, especially when it comes to heroines.  Being a heroine involves so much more than beating people up and uttering a few snarky one-liners.  I see that kind of heroine out there all too often, a heroine that might be entertaining but if the reader were actually living around that character they would quickly find them obnoxious, at the least.

The requirements all too often seem to center on just a sexy look and ability to fight (and going around with a snarky chip on the shoulder attitude).  Good looks only last a short time before the rest of a person's attributes comes to the forefront.  I have a hunch that if a reader actually came to know a lot of the highly self-absorbed sexy heroines that are very common to the book and movie world,  they'd find them far less attractive after a short time. 

Additionally, there is nothing weak about feminine qualities, and I think we need to see feminine qualities presented as true strengths more often in genre fiction, movies, and other spheres.  There really is much more to being strong and being heroic than being able to kill or beat up someone.

In my opinion, a truly badass female character can fight well, be assertive, AND show compassion, be nurturing, and display generosity toward others  True strength of character is shown in areas that often do not involve physical combat.

CHB: All characters have flaws, what would you say is Rayden’s? Will it cause her problems in forthcoming storylines?

SZ: Rayden has no sense of having a place to call home and this really eats at her.  Yes, it does cause her problems, as it underlies her great restlessness and lack of inner peace.  She is, in a sense, a drifter, and the lack of a true anchor is a tough thing to overcome and leads her toward more and more dangerous situations.  At her core is a real yearning and that can be problematic.

Yet I am very sympathetic to her, as I can relate to that kind of dynamic very intimately.  It is a very difficult burden to carry.

CHB: What do you like most about writing Epic Fantasy tales?

SZ: As far as Epic Fantasy tales, such as my Fires in Eden Series, I enjoy the room to really develop an ensemble of characters and execute a story containing a number of compelling subplots surrounding a core story.  Planting seeds in the first or second book of a series that won't grow and bloom until much later in the series is great fun!

Having the room to extensively develop an ensemble cast, and the relationships between them, is another thing I love about epic fantasy.  It simply gives you a bigger canvas to work with, which can be a challenge in itself as you don't want things to bog down pace-wise, or lose cohesion on the main storyline with things going off on various tangents.  It is a challenge as a writer to keep the plots and subplots tight, consistent and flowing over such a large territory.  But when that is achieved, such as in the great epic fantasy series like those of J.R.R. Tolkien, the results are magical.

CHB: It has been said nothing truly new has been written. I find writers who write in their favorite genre usually have READ and/or quite learned in the specific genre. What are your thoughts on that beginning statement, and writing within a genre that you also enjoy reading?

SZ: There really is nothing new under the sun, to paraphrase the old saying.  There are many variations and shades of archetype characters, and there are many shades and variations on a theme or plot.  But each writer is a unique individual, informed by their own path and experience, and the potential is always there to put your own stamp, twist, or flavor to a kind of character, theme, or plot. 
To write well in a genre requires a passion for that genre, which means that there has been some sort of foundation that has kindled that passion inside of you.  My own road started early at age 7 with Tolkien and the Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit.  The more my love for the genre grew the more my desire to create within it deepened.  Reading inspires, and this is certainly true of a writer in a given genre.

CHB: What is your writing routine? When is the best time for you to unleash your muse?

SZ: When I'm not too fatigued, I can write at any time of the day.   I used to write often at night, but now tend to be more of an early morning writer.  I write on a computer that is in a separate room from my home office, I listen to music when I write, and that computer is not connected to the internet (so I have no distractions or urge to check messages and things like that). 

This dedicated space and the use of music to create an atmosphere that keeps out sounds from the neightborhood has, in time, gotten me to a point where my thoughts focus on writing when I sit down on that computer.  It's kinda Pavlovian!

CHB: For anyone interested in getting into the writing business as a writer, what would you say to them?

SZ: If we are talking about getting into the business of being a writer, I would say to at least gain an understanding of the publishing process, media, social, media, and publicity.  Even if you are with a major press you'll need to understand these things.  It is a business, not a charity, and an is an extremely difficult one.  You have to approach it professionally, like a business.

Once you gain an understanding of these kinds of things you'll be better informed for choosing the path you want to take, whether that might be self-publishing, small press, or going for a major press.  There are many more options for writers today, but there is also a tidal wave of content and a constant need for making sure you don't fall off the radar and are able to raise awareness.  It's not easy, but then again, the best things don't come easy.

CHB: Rayden Valkyrie’s story appears in the Dark Sun Dawn trilogy, which HEART OF A LION is the first novel. What can we expect next in Rayden’s ventures?

SZ: My plans are to reveal the full Rayden Valkyrie story through novels in story arcs like the Dark Sun Dawn Trilogy, though it could be a two or even four book story arc at some point.  There may also be stand-alone novels.  There definitely will be more short stories too.

At the moment I'm working on the follow-up to Heart of a Lion and that will be the next novel she is featured in, but there could be another short story or two popping up in the same time frame as well.
Expect to see her full story being revealed, including more about her back story and her journeys.  The journeys will reveal more about the world she inhabits. 

CHB: And final words on the HEART OF A LION and Rayden Valkyrie? 

SZ: Rayden Valkyrie has become a very special character to me and Heart of a Lion shows the core of what she is about.  It shows a lot about her honor code and the strengths she possesses beyond her fighting skills.  I am confident that readers of fantasy, dark fantasy and sword and sorcery will love meeting her and exploring the world she inhabits.

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About the Author
Stephen Zimmer is an award-winning author and filmmaker based in Lexington Kentucky.  His work includes the cross-genre Rising Dawn Saga, the epic fantasy Fires in Eden series, the sword and sorcery Dark Sun Dawn Trilogy, featuring Rayden Valkyrie, the Harvey and Solomon Steampunk tales and the Hellscapes and Chronicles of Ave short story collections.

Author Links
Website: http://www.stephenzimmer.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/stephenzimmer7
Twitter: @sgzimmer
Instagram: @stephenzimmer7

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Book Links
Amazon
Print Version
http://www.amazon.com/Heart-Lion-Stephen-Zimmer/dp/1941706215
Kindle Version
http://www.amazon.com/Heart-Lion-Dark-Dawn-Book-ebook/dp/B00T44R6LE

B&Nhttp://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/heart-of-a-lion-stephen-zimmer/1121113044?ean=9781941706213

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Heart of a Lion Virtual Tour Info and Schedule

11/2  Beauty In Ruins Guest Post
11/2 MyLifeMyBooksMyEscape Interview
11/2 Kentucky Geek Girl Guest Post
11/2 SwillBlog Review
11/2 Kylie Jude Blog Top Ten List
11/3 Kylie Jude Blog Interview
11/4 Book in the Bag Interview
11/4 Azure Dwarf Review
11/4/ Novel-Ties Guest Post
11/4 Sheila's Blog Guest Post
11/4 The Star Chamber Show Podcast (Show is live at 9pm EST)
11/5 Creatives Help Board. How may I direct your call? Interview
11/6 WebbWeaver Reviews Guest Post
11/7 Sapphyria's Book Reviews Top Ten's List
11/8 Armand Rosamilia, Horror Author Guest Post
11/8  Anasazi Dreams Review

Tour Page URL:

http://www.tomorrowcomesmedia.com/stephen-zimmers-heart-of-a-lion-virtual-tour/

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: John F Allen talks about CODE NAME: KNIGHT RANGER

By Peter Welmerink

Captain Alexandre Cornelius “Neal” Du Bois is a US Army Ranger and decorated war hero. When his unit is ambushed by supernatural hostile forces while in Afghanistan, only Neal survives. When he wakes up in a secret government facility, Neal discovers that his whole life has changed forever.

A shadowy government agent named Elijah Bishop arranges for Neal’s brain to be transplanted, without his permission, into a bio-engineered body capable of amazing feats. Armed with advanced body armor and weaponry, he becomes the epitome of the Ultra Soldier.

To protect his family and those closest to him, he must let the world and everyone he loves believe he is dead. With assistance from Dr. Avery Clarkson–the scientist responsible for his new body–Neal reluctantly utilizes his superhuman abilities to work for Bishop and his organization called G.E.N.E.S.I.S. (Global Espionage Network of Elite Supernatural Intelligence and Surveillance), in order to track down those responsible for the slaughter of his unit and keep the world safe from supernatural terrorist forces.

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CREATIVE HELP BOARD: Where did you come up with the character Captain “Neal” Du Bois and the KNIGHT RANGER storyline?

JOHN F ALLEN: I was reading an article on U.S. soldiers who returned to life after suffering severe injuries while serving abroad. It also alluded to the breakthroughs in bionics/prosthetics. I did some research on those modern technological advances and recalled my childhood fascination with Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Captain America and Iron Man from Marvel Comics, James Bond and the TV show The Six Million Dollar Man, based off of the Cyborg novel series by author Martin Caidin. Thus, Captain Alexandre “Neal” Du Bois aka Knight Ranger was born.

CHB: With your military background, how much research, if any, did you put into KNIGHT RANGER? Are there elements and/or knowledge from your time spent in the USAF that intermingle with the elements within the novel and characters?

JFA: To be totally honest, I was only an enlisted Airman through tech school. I got a medical discharge early on and although I didn’t actually serve a full term. However, I’m still a registered veteran because I was active duty for at least one day.  That said, my time in the military didn’t contribute to any research directly, but it certainly did inspire me to create this character and write the novella. I’ve talked with other veterans and conducted research via the internet, interviews and the VA to compile the data I used to write Codename: Knight Ranger.

CHB: Did you already “know” the KNIGHT RANGER characters before you started writing the story, or did Captain Du Bois, Elijah Bishop and Avery Clarkson write their own story and identities as you wrote the novel?

JFA: Elijah Bishop was first introduced in my debut novel, The God Killers, which features my urban fantasy heroine, Ivory Blaque. Also, Captain Alexandre “Neal” Du Bois aka Knight Ranger made a cameo in the novel as well. It was from there that I decided to tell Du Bois’ story and in the course of writing it, I wanted to develop Dr. Avery Clarkson as a character prior to getting into Neal’s journey. I felt it was an important aspect of Knight Ranger’s origin which helped to solidify the bond between the two characters. Since I’d already written Bishop, I knew he was a butthead and that part came easy.

CHB: Is it important to know the full background, quirks, etc., of each character when writing a story about/around them? Why and/or why not?

JFA: I keep a wiki site where I write out the histories and statistical data for each character and storyline which appears in my writings. I suppose you could look at this as reverse outlining, as most times the stories are already written or at least started before any wiki entries are made. The wiki also helps me keep the timelines and continuity for the characters/stories straight in my mind.  I don’t necessarily think having all of this data prior to writing the stories and developing the characters in important, at least for me. I like for things to develop organically through storytelling, so any background info is shown in the writings themselves.

CHB: What do you like most about writing Paranormal and/or Urban Fantasy tales?

JFA: In writing Paranormal/Urban Fantasy stories, I enjoy the freedom in such story telling which allows me to use a familiar, modern setting and its history, to spin tales of fantasy adventure. Anytime I can incorporate real history into my writing I’m on cloud nine, as those are two areas I thoroughly enjoy researching. I also enjoy using the urban setting as a character in and of itself.

CHB: What do you like most about writing in general?

JFA: I enjoy world building first and foremost. I equally enjoy storytelling in general, as it allows me to live vicariously through my characters and incorporate actual history and real life world scenarios into my writing.

CHB: What do you like least about writing?

JFA: The thing I like least about writing is that I can’t write fast enough to keep up with the voices in my head and story ideas which I come up with. If I could extract my stories from my brain digitally, I’d have about a dozen novels, fifty stories coming out each year.

CHB: It has been said nothing truly new has been written. I find writers who write in their favorite genre usually have READ and/or quite learned in the specific genre. What are your thoughts on that beginning statement, and writing within a genre that you also enjoy reading?

JFA: I wrote a guest blog post on this blog tour which directly addresses your initial statement. I believe that essentially there are no entirely new stories. What separates each story is the life experiences and unique creativity of the author which is derived from those experiences. For those interested in a more detailed assessment of my position, please read the post.

(Note: The link to John's more in-depth comments on the subject above has been linked.)

CHB: What is your writing routine? When is the best time for you to unleash your muse?

JFA: I generally write in the early morning or late at night, both are times when my family is gone for the day or asleep. I usually have music playing while I write as well. I have an eclectic playlist which consists of: R&B/Soul (1960’s through now), Old School Rock (1950’s through now. Some Hard, but no Heavy Metal), Pop (70’s & 80’s), Jazz (1930’s through now), Old School Hip Hop (late 1970’s through mid-1990’s), World Music, some Classical and instrumental movie soundtracks. This helps me to relax and sometimes I play specific songs which inspire the muse for certain characters and/or settings.

CHB: For anyone interested in getting into the writing business as a writer, what would you say to them?

JFA: I immediately think of two quotes from two authors I admire.

"If you can quit, then quit. If you can't quit, then you're a writer."
~ R. A. Salvatore

“If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it.”
~ Toni Morrison

CHB: Can we expect more stories and/or novels involving Captain Du Bois or is this a standalone novel? If so, anything on the literary horizon from the mind of John F. Allen?

JFA: Yes, this is Book One in a series of novellas featuring Captain Du Bois. He will also appear in various other works I have planned throughout the coming year(s). One is a trilogy of epic length thrillers which utilizes every current character in the Ivoryverse to some degree.

CHB: And final words on the CODE NAME: KNIGHT RANGER?

JFA: I’m looking forward to writing the expanded adventures of Knight Ranger and further integrating him and the other characters surrounding him, into the Ivoryverse. I will be tackling real world issues such as terrorism, fallout from the Cold War, emerging weapons technology and domestic/international political intrigue.

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About the Author
John F. Allen is an American writer born in Indianapolis, IN. He is a member of the Speculative Fiction Guild and the Indiana Writers Center. He began writing stories as early as the second grade and pursued all forms of writing at some point, throughout his career. John studied Liberal Arts at IUPUI with a focus in Creative Writing, received an honorable discharge from the United States Air Force and is a current member of the American Legion. John’s debut novel, The God Killers was published in 2013 by Seventh Star Press.

John currently resides in Indianapolis, Indiana with his wife, son and daughter.

Author Links
Website: www.johnfallenwriter.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/johnfallenauthorwriter
Twitter: @johnfallen1970

Code Name: Knight Ranger Book Links
Amazon
Print Version:
http://www.amazon.com/Codename-Knight-Ranger-John-Allen/dp/1511496533
Kindle Version
http://www.amazon.com/Codename-Knight-John-F-Allen-ebook/dp/B00YG3NJZK
B&Nhttp://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/codename-john-f-allen/1122019036?ean=2940151360548
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CODE NAME: KNIGHT RANGER VIRTUAL TOUR

Tour Schedule and Activities

11/2  On Cloud Eight-and-a-Half Guest Post
11/2 A Charmed Life Review
11/3 Creatives Help Board. How may I direct your call? Author Interview
11/4 Armand Rosamilia, Horror Author Guest Post
11/4 Book in the Bag Interview
11/4 RJ Sullivan Top 5 List
11/5 Darkling Delights Interview
11/6 Beauty in Ruins Guest Post
11/6 Sheila's Blog Guest Post
11/6 Bee's Knees Reviews Review
11/7 The Infamous Scribbler Review/Interview
11/7 Vampires, Witches, & Me Oh My! Top Ten List
11/8 Sapphyria's Book Reviews Guest Post

 Tour Page URL:

 http://www.tomorrowcomesmedia.com/john-f-allens-codename-knight-ranger-virtual-tour/



AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Steve Shrewsbury talks BORN OF SWORDS

 

What makes a legend but the stories told about him? Interviewing Gorias La Gaul, the biggest legend of them all, is a dream come true for young scribe Jessica. Where other girls her age would swoon beneath the steely gaze of the warrior, Jessica only has eyes for his mouth, and the tales that come from it...when he takes a break from cursing or drinking. Unfortunately for Jessica, Gorias doesn't really have time to babysit. She's found him in the midst of an annual pilgrimage of sorts, and though he agrees to let her come along, it's not without a warning: You may not like what you see and hear. Just don't come crying afterward. Whether viewing past visions with magical gemstones or jumping into the fray alongside the barbarian, Jessica's about to get firsthand accounts she won't soon forget...and discover legends are far from reality, and just as far from being pretty. You wouldn't expect a youth of love and friendship from the greatest killer to walk the Earth, would you? These are tales of some of Gorias' earliest days, back before he'd found his swords, to a time when a dragon needed killing. Tales back before his heart had hardened. Maybe. For most men, the future is not certain and the past is prologue. For a legend like Gorias La Gaul, even the past is up for debate. One thing is for certain about these tales. They will be bloody.

 

Such is always the way for a man...

 

Born of Swords

 

 

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CREATIVE HELP BOARD: How did you come up with the character GORIAS LA GAUL?

 

SHREWSBURY:  After I’d written GODFORSAKEN, I had a number of ideas brewing for a fantasy novel. While drinking beer and listening to Johnny Cash and some bluegrass music with my brother Mark one Sunday afternoon, a few tunes brought this persona to life in my head. An ancient ballad about a Lord with two very sharp swords…mated to another song…a rather odd cover of Cash doing IF YOU COULD READ MY MIND LOVE where he says, “…but heroes often fail…” and there stepped the 700 year old merc. His first name comes from the spear wielded by Celtic god Lugh (seen in GODFORSAKEN). And La Gaul? Just flowed well. He isn’t a French or Gaulish barbarian.

 

CHB: BORN OF SWORDS seems to me as kind of a Gorias origins story, did you begin writing the La Gaul novels and stories in order and figured in this latest one it was time to detail out some of his back story? (Or am I wrong in my observation of BORN?)

 

SHREWSBURY: Each tale or novel comes to me out of sequence. Frankly, the idea of the flashback to his youth I thought could be a really great way to show us what makes him tick. I have many more stories set across his lifetime. This just happened to proceed after OVERKILL in a way, but before THRALL. The portion near the end is a flashback when he was over twenty and still finding himself. Kids do stupid things, of course, and Gorias is no different.

 

CHB: There has to be some personal enjoyment in writing books and characters like these. What do you like or enjoy the most about writing the adventures of Gorias La Gaul?

 

SHREWSBURY: Anything is possible, pretty much. I enjoy being in the skin of Gorias. He’s easy for me to write. Is he the darker side of my id, ego or whatever? Maybe, maybe not, but he’s funny, crass and a joy to spin yarns about. Sometimes, I surprise myself. All the folks about him and events spin on their own accord.

 

CHB: Your La Gaul material is probably best described as dark epic fantasy. In this genre, what makes the La Gaul stories unique from the genre material out there?

 

SHREWSBURY: Some slap the sword & sorcery label on him, but epic dark fantasy fits it fine, I reckon. I place him in an era really on the Earth, not a world pretending to be the Earth. But this way I get to do the history my own way. I think my stuff is raw to the core and frank, perhaps with a tinge of (Robert E) Howard & (Karl) Wagner's downcast attitude.

 

CHB: As La Gaul’s history takes place in pre-biblical times, how much research do you do or have you done to flesh out those times?

 

SHREWSBURY: I do plenty of research, but there is only so much info about that era, though they keep digging up new stuff that the historians are confused about. Jessica makes a comment about the stone markers seen in BORN as similar to a place in Turkey unearthed in the past decade. Kemet in BORN is Egypt, as that is what is was called long ago. I’m a smarty pants at times, like Albion is England, Transalpinia is France, etc. I’ve read much on that time, theory and other wild speculation, so it is a time just as good as setting my world elsewhere.

 

CHB: What do you like most about being a writer?

 

SHREWSBURY: The freedom to create, but I don’t revel in the God-complex we all have. I’m not full of myself. I enjoy seeing folks react in person to things I’ve created and that it made them act, laugh or feel anything. I love telling a story.

 

CHB: What do you like the least about being a writer?

 

SHREWSBURY: The voices in my head. Hah. Naw. The pay. The idiots one meets that need to be punched in the mouth. When I was writing on a manual typewriter snail mailing things, I thought a lot less about killing smart-assed, self-absorbed pricks that I see online who try to tell me how to live my life.

 

CHB: What is in La Gaul’s future as far as books and short stories? (without giving away any major spoilers)

 

SHREWSBURY: I have a number of epic novels in line for Gorias, one thundering into existence is a very broad, huge work that is surprising me as it is created. I’ll be exploring more of his life while chronicling more of his adventures…and possibly those of his daughter.

 

CHB: And final words on BORN OF SWORDS and Gorias La Gaul?

 

SHREWSBURY: Get it and read it. It has more balls than the World Series. It also has a twist at the end that would make Alfred Hitchcock and Rod Serling give out mocking applause. Read, laugh and enjoy. But don’t be too shocked in places. Don’t say I didn’t warn ya. Cheers.





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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Steven L. Shrewsbury lives, works and writes in rural Central Illinois. Over 365 of his short stories have been published in print or digital media since the late 80s. His novels include WITHIN, PHILISTINE, OVERKILL, HELL BILLY, BLOOD & STEEL, THRALL, STRONGER THAN DEATH, HAWG, TORMENTOR and GODFORSAKEN.
 
He has collaborated with other writers, like Brian Keene with KING OF THE BASTARDS, Peter Welmerink in BEDLAM UNLEASHED, Nate Southard in BAD MAGICK, Maurice Broaddus in the forthcoming BLACK SON RISING and Eric S. Brown in an untitled project.

He continues to search for brightness in this world, no matter where it chooses to hide.

Author Links
Website: https://sshrewsbury.wordpress.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorstevenshrewsbury

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BOOK LINKS
Amazon
Print Version
http://www.amazon.com/Born-Swords-Steven-L-Shrewsbury/dp/1941706851
Kindle Version
http://www.amazon.com/Born-Swords-Steven-L-Shrewsbury-ebook/dp/B0106X81LU

B&N Link for Born of Swords
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/born-of-swords-steven-l-shrewsbury/1122120658?ean=9781941706855
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Shrewsbury BORN OF SWORDS Tour Schedule and Activities

10/26 Armand Rosamilia, Horror Author   Guest Post
10/26 Man's Midnight Garden    Review
10/26 Sapphyria's Book Reviews   Guest Post
10/27 Azure Dwarf    Review
10/28 Book in the Bag    Interview
10/29 Creatives Help Board.How may I direct your call?   Interview
10/30 WebbWeaver Reviews   Guest Post
10/30 Sheila's Blog   Guest Post
11/1 Dice Upon A Time   Top-Tens List

Tour Page URL:

http://www.tomorrowcomesmedia.com/steven-l-shrewsburys-born-of-swords-virtual-tour/

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Stephen Zimmer regarding his new short story collection: HELLSCAPES Volume 2

Return to the nightmarish, shadowy realms of Hell in the latest installment of the Hellscapes series by Stephen Zimmer. Six brand new, macabre tales of the infernal await you … but be that you only visit these realms, you do not want to share the fates of the inhabitants you will encounter!

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CREATIVE HELP BOARD: HELLSCAPES 2 is obviously the second book in this particular short story series. What was your initial idea behind the HELLSCAPES short story series?

ZIMMER: I wanted to write tales in the horror genre that were connected with a theme, and have something to say in them, while also having something that would give me unlimited range in the kinds of environments, characters, themes, and creatures that could be encountered within them. 

The idea of doing stories set in Hell gives you every option.  You can go bizarre or brutal  You can have something more rooted in stark realism or depict something wildly fantastical.  You can have a tone that is visceral in nature or more psychological in nature. 

There are no boundaries that are off-limits, as Hell is the ultimate horror, an unending, eternal nightmare for those condemned to dwell within it.   Writing a series of short tales that have a connecting theme to them, while allowing for great variance in the types of stories and settings, gives me a good challenge as a writer. 

Intellectually it allows me to explore conceptions of evil in all its forms, the subtle and not-so-subtle. The way in which I reveal what brought the character to their area of Hell can be a real exposition of a given type of evil.

For me, the kinds of stories in the Hellscapes collection offered that opportunity and that's why I embarked on the path of writing them.

CHB: Do you see yourself more a Horror writer or an Epic Fantasy writer delving in realms of Horror?

ZIMMER: I just see myself as a writer exploring another horizon.  I don't want to ever limit myself, and the truth is that elements of various genres are used often in other genres  I have horror elements in my Fires in Eden Series, Rising Dawn Saga, and Rayden Valkyrie Tales.  This is simply going full-throttle in the genre, without inhibition.  There are things intrinsic to each genre, but at the end of the day you still have to have plot and characters that appeal to, and engage, the reader.  

CHB: What do you think makes the HELLSCAPE series unique?

ZIMMER: Truly, there really is nothing new under the sun, but I do like to think that this series has its own twist on the kinds of themes that originated as far back as Dante's Inferno.  The various characters find themselves in different realms of hell that are suited toward the kinds of evils the characters committed in their physical lives. 

It is an exploration of evil in all of its guises, the things more direct and those things like so many like to gloss over, such as what transpires when a community is gutted because of the closing of a main factory or business as a result of a hostile takeover in the financial sector.  All too often, the kinds of suffering and evils spawned in the aftermath of something like that are never factored into the thinking of the powerful sitting in high rise offices far away. 

That can make for a seemingly dry concept of evil, but in tales like the Hellscapes I can draw upon all kinds of imagery to represent that kind of evil and show just how malignant it is.  I think in many ways the Hellscapes have value because they do explore all kinds of evil and not just the obvious ones.

The wide variance in the stories combined with a cohesive overall theme make this a collection that I feel has its place among the horror genre offerings out there.

CHB: Do you have a favorite short story in one or both of the series? Can you say a little bit about WHY without giving too much of the storyline away?

ZIMMER: It is hard to pick favorites in the two volumes.  In the first, I would probably lean toward “The Smallest Fish”, as it brings together zombie elements and Lovecraftian elements into an exploration of a more subtle, but all too common type of evil.  It has horrors on an epic scale but doesn't lose the personal connection to the principle character.  The Stranger, who appears in this one to the main character, is also one of my more favorite guides among the denizens of the infernal realms. 

With the second book, I lean toward “Spots Do Not Change” as it is a story that depicts a kind of evil that I find to be among the worst, a kind of evil that destroys a path that could have brought tremendous good to many, and all for mere physical indulgence.   The liar, cheater, and deceiver does not just harm the person they have ensnared, but they also cause great damage to those around that person and others who could have been a shining light in that person's life.  In this story, I have hopefully shown that kind of evil for what it is and how it is an evil that gives rise to further evils.  Personally, this was  a very gratifying story to write. 

CHB: What do you like most about being a writer?

ZIMMER: I love the creative exploration and personal growth that it brings.  Writing gives you the ability to bring worlds to life, but you also must live a real life in order to breath life into characters, emotions, and situations.  For me, the writing life calls you to get out in the world and try things out and experience things, travel to new places, meet different kinds of people, from all walks of life.   Life experience truly helps you grow as a writer, and this call to live and bring worlds of the imagination to life co-exist in a wonderful way for me.

CHB: What do you like the least about being a writer?

ZIMMER: The maelstrom of it all.  In today's writing climate, there is simply so much out there and coming out that you have to do all you can to raise awareness and make sure you don't fall off the radar.  This demands a lot of time to do properly. 

That can be a bit onerous sometimes and the things done to promote and raise awareness can lead to some issues in the area of perception of value.  Of course illegal downloading is hurtful, but there is also the fact that with many titles being legally given away for free or 99 cents, I think a skewed perception of value has resulted.  People that think nothing of spending seven bucks on a drink at a bar or five dollars on a Taco Bell combo meal hesitate on an eBook that is over 99 cents, when the value in that eBook is longer-lasting and much better than those aforementioned things (not even counting all the work, research, writing, rewriting, editing, etc that goes into a book project).  That can be a little frustrating and wasn't so much of an issue with tangible formats.  I know the musicians and filmmakers can relate strongly to writers in this area.  The digital world, while it offers such convenience, has also opened up a lot of difficult issues for artists who still need to pay bills and are trying to have a career.

CHB: Do you have plans to continue this series into possibly a HELLSCAPES 3?

ZIMMER: Of course! Without a doubt. I have loads of ideas for more stories and there are so many other kinds of evil that can be depicted.  These stories give me a different area to explore artistically from the other series and projects that I have, and that gives me a nice change of pace from time to time.  I certainly hope to do a Hellscapes 3, 4, and so on!

CHB: And final words on the HELLSCAPES series?

ZIMMER: The Hellscapes tales have delivered to me as a writer everything that I saw them as offering, and I hope readers, especially those of the horror genre, give them a try.  They will find a diverse range of characters and settings, yet also see a connection between them all.  With what these stories are and what they have to say, I also believe they demonstrate some of the strengths of horror in what the genre offers to literature.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stephen Zimmer is an award-winning author and filmmaker based in Lexington Kentucky.  His work includes the cross-genre Rising Dawn Saga, the epic fantasy Fires in Eden series, the sword and sorcery Dark Sun Sawn Trilogy, featuring Rayden Valkyrie, the Harvey and Solomon Steampunk tales and the Hellscapes and Chronicles of Ave short story collections.

LINKS
Website: http://www.stephenzimmer.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/stephenzimmer7
Twitter: @sgzimmer
Instagram: @stephenzimmer7

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HELLSCAPES II Book Links
Amazon (Kindle)
B&N
Kobo

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HELLSCAPES Vol. 2 Virtual Tour

Tour Schedule and Activities

10/26 Anasazi Dreams Review
10/26 Beauty in Ruins Guest Post
10/26 Shells Interviews Guest Post
10/26 Sinister Scribblings Guest Post
10/26 Kentucky Geek Girl Author Interview
10/27 Pulp Reports Review
10/28 Creatives Help Board. How may I direct your call? Guest Post
10/29 Bee's Knees Reviews Review
10/29 Sheila's Blog Guest Post
10/30 L. Andrew Cooper's Horrific Scribblings Review
10/31 SwillBlog Review/Interview
11/1 I Smell Sheep Review
11/1 Sapphyria's Book Reviews Top-Tens List
11/1 Armand Rosamilia, Horror Author Guest Post

Tour Page URL:

 http://www.tomorrowcomesmedia.com/stephen-zimmers-hellscapes-volume-ii-virtual-tour/