Pastime With Books: Author Interview

How long have you been writing? I have marked 11 as my “official” beginning as a writer, as that is when I began my first novel (entitled The Power Source), which remains unpublished. However, I had been writing for some time before that, and my family assert that I started much younger. If we go by that chosen landmark, however, that would be, as of this interview, 15 years. More than half my life.

When did you first know you could be a writer? Officially, when I was 11. It was a dream, and when I set a goal, which ultimately is what every dream is, I try very hard to achieve it. Of course, a writer is someone who writes, so as soon as I did that on a regular basis, I was already a writer. Becoming a published writer was an aspiration, however, but only providing I could deliver a quality book.

What inspires you to write and why? All life’s experiences and mysteries are a source of inspiration, from the most lofty to the seemingly mundane. We live stories every day, we communicate tales on a regular basis, and we use language all the time. What I read, watch, hear, and experience all feed into the inkwell.

What genre are you most comfortable writing? Fantasy, because it is such a broad genre and allows for great creativity. I also consider it the heir of mythology, addressing a real human need to seek out answers to life’s many mysteries. It is a genre that can tell an entertaining and enthralling story on the surface, and yet deliver a potent message underneath, where everything becomes a symbol of something greater.

What inspired you to write your first book? A desire to tell a good story and a love of the craft of writing, the medium of words, and a great affinity with language.

Who or what influenced your writing over the years? All of life’s experiences have influenced my writing in some manner. I don’t think there is one defining moment, but rather a series of moments, like the individual scenes of a story.

What do you consider the most challenging about writing a novel, or about writing in general? Discipline. Many people talk about wanting to write a novel, but what holds them back is a lack of discipline to follow through on that aspiration. It takes a lot of time and self-motivation to write a novel, especially with all the possible distractions we have in modern life. Staying focused and determined requires great discipline, and this is a challenge even to the most seasoned of writers.

Did writing this book teach you anything and what was it? The importance of discipline and determination in pursuing a goal.

Do you intend to make writing a career? Yes. It already is, although currently I make more money from journalism than fiction. In time I expect my fiction to be my primary source of income. Being able to pay the bills by doing what I love will mean more, and better, stories to share with the world.

Have you developed a specific writing style? Yes. Some have described it as poetic and lyrical. I read everything I write aloud, and a key part of writing for me is the rhythm of the words, which, in a sense, creates a soundtrack for the novel, accentuating each scene and revealing the sheer potency of language.

What is your greatest strength as a writer? The ability to convey atmosphere and tension, and use words to deliver on multiple levels.

Have you ever had writer’s block? If so, what do you do about it? I have never had writer’s block in the sense of it being a complete obstacle to my writing. From a very early age I recognised that this was a mental block that could be overcome by perseverance. Often writer’s block is attributed to lack of inspiration, but waiting for inspiration is a foolish endeavour. It has to be sought out and called upon.

How did you come up with the title? It was basically a phrase from the book itself, repeated a few times, and encapsulated what the overarching story was. Originally, many years and many drafts ago, the series was called Protos Mythos (Greek for First Legend) and the first book was called Dawn of the Dark Age. Those titles were a bit on the vague side and did not really capture what it was all about, so I let the story itself suggest the appropriate titles.