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.

#

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.

#

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

#

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

#

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: 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

 

 

#

 

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.





#

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

#

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
#

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/

Deanna Compton - FIVE THINGS LEARNED WRITING FREECURRENT

FIVE THINGS LEARNED WRITING

featuring Deanna J Compton

 

 

 

 

Freecurrent I:  The Legacy
Within a hidden drawer in a dusty old trunk stored in the attic, seventeen year old Jesse finds her long lost grandmother's diary.  The pages reveal Gabriel's adventure from thirty years earlier as she travels through a gate to a land of magic where dragons communicate telepathically and fantastic creatures strive to restore harmony between their realms.  Gabriel is visited by a handsome young warrior who tells her she is destined to save his land from corruption.  He persuades her to set aside her life as a homemaker and travel with him through the lightning gate to Risen to become their next Master Sorceress.  Gabriel becomes deeply involved with the people and creatures of Risen as she attempts to defeat the corrupt sorcerer who plans to dominate all.  As Jesse reads about her grandmother's journey, she encounters a personal crisis of her own and must leave home with her golden retriever and elude the police as she travels to the lightning gate.  On the way she discovers that her own destiny is entwined with her grandmother's in ways that both alarm and thrill her.  "The Legacy" is the exciting beginning to the Freecurrent series.

 

 

 

Freecurrent II:  Descendants
In the depths of his seclusion, the corrupt sorcerer Candaz devises a strategy to help restore his lost power.  As he attempts to implement his plan, the dragons suddenly vanish from Risen and it is left up to their human friends to discover the reason for their disappearance.  In the second book of the Freecurrent series Jesse joins her grandmother in a quest to find out what fostered this terrible occurrence and to set things right.  She crosses paths with three handsome young men who will impact her life in very different ways.  With time slipping away for the dragons, the party faces a number of perils as they traverse Risen in an attempt to reach the Ancient Dragon Temple of Neeg to find answers before it is too late.

 

 

 

Freecurrent III:  Dynasty
After chasing Candaz through the lightning gate to Earth, Stephan and Nicholas continue to pursue the elusive sorcerer as he endeavors once again to reclaim his authority.  Jesse must return home to protect her family from Candaz's malicious plans.  The third and final book of the Freecurrent series is filled with action and an array of emotions.  Personal triumphs and tragedies are visited upon the inhabitants of Risen.  A link to the past could be the key to solving a critical personal battle for Stephan but hard choices lay in the path.  Events escalate when a last ditch effort by Candaz to rule all of Risen is challenged by Jesse and her friends as they struggle to restore peace to the realm.  Their lives and all that they love are in jeopardy and they must fight to avoid extinction.

 

#

 

Five things I learned writing the "Freecurrent" trilogy:

 

1.  Writing a novel and letting others read said novel is like standing naked in front of the world.  An author, like any other artist, opens themselves up for critical examination by not only family and friends, but total strangers.  It is exposing the soul to others as the reader inevitably becomes intimate with the writer in a symbiosis relationship.

 

2.  Writing is much easier than marketing.

 

3.  Writing is cheaper than therapy.

 

4.  The grammar correction on "Word" doesn't know everything.

 

5.  The fifth and most important thing I learned from writing "Freecurrent" is that I have a true passion for writing.  I love every aspect of the craft.  Developing characters is very personal and some of them I love deeply, which is weird because they are an extension of my identity.  I am thrilled when someone reads my work and enjoys it.  I love to get feedback from readers that they loved my story.

 

#

 

About the Author
Deanna Compton was born in Muskegon, Michigan where she presently lives with her husband of thirty plus years, two sons, one daughter, two dogs, a cat, and two snakes.  She lived in Milwaukee, Las Vegas, Lexington and Roscommon before moving back to Muskegon.  For the last ten years she has run a dog boarding kennel.  Being mom-taxi has recently become much more fun with the addition of her "new" shiny red 1970 Chevrolet Impala convertible.  Her passion is writing.  Fantasy is her favorite genre because the imagination is free to soar beyond the ordinary.  She likes classic hard rock, walks on the beach and dark chocolate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/DeannaJComptonauthor

Official Website:  http://freecurrent.net

 

#

 

Book Links:
http://www.amazon.com/Freecurrent-Legacy-Deanna-J-Compton/dp/099147550X

http://www.amazon.com/Freecurrent-II-Descendants-Deanna-Compton/dp/0991475518

http://www.amazon.com/Freecurrent-III-Deanna-J-Compton/dp/0991475526

 

 

 

JOHN GROVER talks five things learned writing KNIGHTSHADE

By darkheroicfantasy

 

 

It is the year 1412 in the continent of Eurone. King Gravynmere has sent some of his best soldiers to investigate strange stories in the nearby border town of Faxon. The men will soon learn there is more truth than fancy to these stories, for something walks in the fields, something with cloven hooves and fire dripping from its hands.

The king will rally his son, Prince Quinn, his entire army and all of the Kingdom of Vanosia to confront the very forces of darkness in an epic tale of adventure, magic and mystery as the veil between their world and Perdition grows thin.

Join the Prince as he battles for his land, his people and his beloved on a mission that will take him to ends of the world and back, through pain and sacrifice, war and horror as what is below claws its way to above.





 

#

 

1. Research makes a better book and better writer.

When writing Knightshade: Perditions Bleeds, book 1 of the Knightshade Series, I wanted to make it feel as realistic and true to its history as much as possible. Even though it’s set in an alternate world, I modeled it after King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table and that time in our own history. I was going for a world filled with knights and castles with moats, Lords and peasants, cavalry and infantry, witches and wizards. I spent a lot of time learning about medieval armies, the hierarchy and structure of soldiers, their captains and lords, what the groups of soldiers were called, how and why they were employed by their lord or king, and how the reporting structure worked. I studied different types of armor from chain mail to leather. I researched all types of swords and other weapons of the time. In the end I really feel it mad a much stronger book and a great tale of fantasy war and adventure. It made me appreciate the art of my craft and I think I’m a better writer because of it.

2. Patience.

I have written a lot of horror in my writing a career but wanted to give fantasy fiction a try since I had always loved it and wanted to create worlds of my own. One thing I quickly learned when trying to tackle fantasy especially epic fantasy is that there are rules to follow and a formula its fans expect you to follow. Not that you can’t break those rules but I found by learning them first, I would write a better tale. I needed to read more of what was out there, immerse myself a little bit more in the fantasy circles, its current writers and fans. It’s very different than writing horror, there is a lot world building and magic rules and many other things I never considered. So, it wasn’t just running in and writing a great story or book in a month, it was learning the rules, learning how to build others worlds and knowing my market. I’m still a beginner at it and still gaining an audience but one thing I’ve learned is to have patience while writing.

3.  An Editor is a necessity.

Whether you self-publish or go the traditional route, I still think having an editor, another person to set their eyes on your work and slice and dice for you is key. Self-editing is great, but I am very close to the work and I miss things. I will be the first to admit I am terrible at catching my own mistakes but that isn’t even half of it. I work with a few different freelance editors and the editor that went over Knightshade: Perdition Bleeds was amazing. She caught things I hadn’t even thought of. There were consistency questions, word origins, period research that she called out as well as grammar, typos and sentence structure. My editor made my story even better than I had hoped. So if you can afford someone else to edit your work do it, but even if not, it is such a great idea to have someone else, a friend or someone, read it and at least give you feedback.

4. Have Fun.

I learned that if I wasn’t having fun writing the story, the reader wasn’t going to have fun reading it. When I was writing Knightshade I was excited about it. I thought long and hard on the tale and its various plotlines and subplots. When I wasn’t writing it I was thinking about it, I was taking notes, writing down scenes in a notebook and getting excited to get back to it. I couldn’t wait. When I finished various chapters, especially battle scenes, I would go back and read them and they put a smile on my face. I loved what I was reading and writing and I hoped others would too. I got caught up in this alternate world and its mysteries and puzzles, inhabitants and beasts. I always try to write what I would enjoy reading...and if you do that you usually can’t go wrong.

5. Move on to the next.

Once the book was done and published I knew I had to let it go and move on to the next. I’m like anyone else, my work is my baby and I want to keep polishing it, keep going back to it and push it as far as I can but eventually you just have to leave it alone. I let Knightshade go out into the world and then I immediately started on my next book: The Ashes of Orum, the final book in my Song of the Ancestors Series. If I keep obsessing over one title I’ll never move onto any others. As most of my fellow authors say, publish your book.

 

#

 

About the Author

 

John Grover is a fiction author specializing in Horror, Fantasy and Sci-fi residing in Massachusetts. He completed a creative writing course at Boston’s Fisher College and is a member of the New England Horror Writers Association.

Some of his more recent credits include Knightshade: Perdition Bleeds, The Ashes of Orum: Book 4 of the Song of the Ancestors Series, The Fetch: an occult horror novel, and stories in Dead Harvest, Best New Werewolf Tales Vol 1, The Epitaphs Anthology by The New England Horror Writers, and The Northern Haunts Anthology by Shroud Publishing.

He is also the author of various chapbooks, short story collections, novels and more. Please visit his website www.shadowtales.com or his facebook page https://www.facebook.com/johngroverdarkfictionauthor

 

 

#

 

Links

 

All John's fantasy titles 99 cents for a limited time.
See this list for great deals:

 

Amazon:
Knightshade: Perdition Bleeds: http://amzn.com/B00OOAXQLC

Possessing the Grimstone: http://amzn.com/B00B06RSVC

 

The Song of the Ancestors Series:
Web of the Spider Queen: http://amzn.com/B0077XXRMQ
The Human Condition: http://amzn.com/B008ITKUAK
Ballad of the Fallen: http://amzn.com/B00BR91MFU
The Ashes of Orum: http://amzn.com/B00QD89M8E

 

The Books of Braenyn Serial:
The Scepter of Namiss: http://amzn.com/B00AUAIT8K
The Fallen Church of Ashburn: http://amzn.com/B00AUIDWXO
Family Bonds: http://amzn.com/B00DU1S4PY
Tarrow’s Tale: http://amzn.com/B00GVHSFR6
Duel on Mount Vapor: http://amzn.com/B00Q0UJIYI

 

Barnes & Noble:

Knightshade: Perdition Bleeds: http://tinyurl.com/qg377bw

 

The Song of the Ancestors Series
Web of the Spider Queen(FREE): http://tinyurl.com/oppcjaj
The Human Condition: http://tinyurl.com/pn8jbe2
Ballad of the Fallen: http://tinyurl.com/ng6sytv
The Ashes of Orum: http://tinyurl.com/n9rdlho

The Scepter of Namiss: http://tinyurl.com/aflwbh9

JAKE ELLIOT: Five Things Learned Writing THE WRONG WAY DOWN

 

 

 

Katia is an accomplished thief. She accepted a job with a heavy price for failure;

her life.

 

Popalia, is the acolyte priestess who has vowed to return her church's stolen

treasure. Ambitious and impetuous, she'll go to any lengths and pay whatever cost.

Wynkkur is a self-taught sorcerer who miscasts as much as he evokes. He's been

conscripted as a bodyguard and sent on a hopeless mission.

 

This is not the path to their victories, but the story of their fall. This is The

Wrong Way Down.

 

#

 

PJW: I "met" Jake while being part of the FADING LIGHT: AN ANTHOLOGY OF THE MONSTROUS. He wrote a tale that made the book. I wrote a tale that made the book. (Well, the Companion ebook anyway as the paperback was already filled to bursting and the editor/publisher didn't want to exclude about five other stories so...I got in by the skin of writer's teeth.)

 

I think I wrote and subbed a short story to a 1950's Cthulhu antho Jake was editor of. I didn't make the cut, but still kept my eyeballs on Elliot because, basically, he is a fine write and great human being.

 

So here he is talking about writing and THE WRONG WAY DOWN.

 

#

 

What I’ve learned since writing The Wrong Way Down is this:

 

1. Be patient.

 

They say patience is a virtue. I don’t have many virtues, but I have found great

value in patience. So far, as a writer, being impatient has only hurt me. Several

fans are like, “Dude! Where is book three?” It is being polished. Whenever I think

a story is done, it is not. A month, maybe two months later, it is easier to see

the weak points in the characters, storyline, and editing. Book Three: Hounds of

the Hunted will be my best book yet all thanks to the virtue of patience.

2. Sometimes, the story has a better idea than you do—go with it and see.

 

The scene depicted on the cover was never part of my original outline.  The story

was moving in a direction, but it wasn’t very eventful. Realizing the book needed a

kick in the pants, out of nowhere emerged the idea for a bear-like beast to stumble

into our heroes’ camp at night. The monster awoke everyone while eating their

rations of food, and the writing flowed out magically easy. Many readers have told

me the bear-scene is among their favorite parts of The Wrong Way Down—and the

bear-beast was never intended to be there.

3. When reading a poor opinion of your work, “Shhh, be quiet.”

 

This is experience talking. A popular reviewer gave my second book, Crossing

Mother’s Grave, a less than great review. Although I was smart enough not to say

anything on his website, I was dumb enough to bitch about it on Facebook. Too many

people saw it.

 

Don’t do that unless you want to look like an ass.

 

I looked like an ass. I doubt that reviewer will give book three a favorable

review, but we’ll see when Hounds of the Hunted is finished. If he won’t read it,

or if he gives it a worse review, then it is already my fault—so this time I’ll

just shut up and take my lumps.

4. The cover really does sell the book

 

Below is the original cover for The Wrong Way Down. What do you think? Which book

do you want to read?

 

 



 

PJW: I prefer the new cover. To me it is more dynamic, more eye-catching.

5. A painfully hard lesson—writing isn’t a ‘get rich scheme.’

 

I totally thought I was going to make a mountain of money on my awesome idea. Check

it! Who wouldn’t want to read about a crazy bear-beast that tries to eat a group of

elves? I could see myself lying in bed at night, taking handfuls of Benjamins and

throwing them high up into the air, emitting gay giggles as the bills trickled upon

my naked body. Then, with millions snowing down around us, I’d take my wife in a

romantic pose, and make love to her until dawn.
 
~Fin~

 

Reality check. Writing is more like this—

 

On bad months, I can usually afford a six-pack of craft beer from my royalties. On

good months I can buy a bottle or two of good whiskey—and this one time, I made

enough to take my wife out for dinner. Our hope is that someday my royalties will

actually pay a bill or two. That would be something. However, I have established a

loyal readership—so damn the money to Hell—right?

 

...right?

Thank you Peter, for letting me have free reign on your web-site for a day. It has

been a lot of fun and I think you should come over to my page in the not-so-distant

future. Just don’t break any furniture, cool?

 

PJW: No promises, Mr. Elliot. Right now I am traveling around in a 72-ton armored

transport. LOL

 

#

 

Author Bio

 

Having live all across the United States, fantasy author Jake Elliot currently

resides in the Pacific Northwest with his wife and their giant cat. (He’s twenty

pounds and a bit sensitive about his big belly.) Jake has been published nine

times, including two novels and seven short stories.

 

Birds fly, fish swim, Jake writes.

 

What to expect:

1) All stories will have complex and interesting characters.

2) Action scenes will be visceral and compelling.

3) A developed system of both arcane and divine magic.

4) Dichotomy–although characters tend to be good guys, each story is rich with

darkness and irony. With a love for writing about moral themes–I prefer to focus on

the mistakes characters make rather than projecting self-righteousness.

 

 

My 1950's Cthulhu is still out there, Jake. It continues to sleep 900 feet below the surface of Lake Michigan. Boo!

 

 

Author Links

 

Jake Elliot webpage

Amazon

Goodreads

Twitter

Facebook