Steampunk Spotlight: The Exile's Violin (Tethys Chronicles: Book I)

Good Day, Bloggerati~


I would like spotlight an upcoming novel today, written by fellow Hydra Publications author R.S. Hunter. His novel is a steampunk piece, titled, The Exile's Violin, and it is to be Book I of the Tethys Chronicles, scheduled for release this September. (Can you believe it's already September next month?) Mr. Hunter has thus been kind enough to give us a sneak peek at his newly released cover art - as well as a blurb of his work. Feel free to voice your thoughts:
 

Enggar Adirasa is the artist, and he truly did a masterful job. I, personally, adore this piece, and I think it is a perfect portrayal of a steampunk world. I am told that the figure looking back at us is the main character in The Exile's Violin, Jacquie Renairre.

And now for a quick blurb regarding the novel itself:

Why hire mercenaries to kill an innocent family just to obtain one little key? That question haunts Jacquie Renairre for six years as she hunts down the people responsible for murdering her parents.

Not even accepting an assignment to investigate a conspiracy that aims to start a war can keep her from searching for the key. Armed with her father’s guns and socialite Clay Baneport, she continues her quest for answers abroad.

With the world edging closer to disaster, Jacquie is running out of time to figure out how the war, the key, and ancient legend are intertwined. The fate of the world hinges on her ability to unravel both mysteries before it’s too late.

Thank you, Mr. Hunter, for providing us with a premature glimpse at your novel. I can't wait to read it next month!

 Keep an eye on Hydra's site for the release of this upcoming novel, and be sure to tune in for further announcements and shenanigans.



R.S. Hunter fell in love with science fiction when he watched Star Wars with his grandmother as a small child. From then on there was no turning back. To escape suburban life he turned to stories that took him on wild adventures through time, space, and to worlds both real and imagined. While he knows space combat won’t work the same way as it does in the movies, he still hopes that someday he’ll get his own X-Wing or TARDIS.

His short fiction has appeared in anthologies such as Abaculus III, Growing Dread: Biopunk Visions, 20,001 A Steampunk Odyssey, and the forthcoming In Situ. In addition, R.S. writes about video games for multiple websites. The Exile’s Violin will be his debut steampunk novel.

Oklahoma Live! Televised Interview

Greetings, Fellow Readers and Wordsmiths:


Today I had the pleasure of being interviewed on a local television show, Oklahoma Live!, hosted by Owen Pickard and Mrs. Oklahoma, regarding my various publications (including Empyreal Fate). It was a great experience, and I had a marvelous time sitting on-stage as the show was filmed and answering questions when my turn came around. Unfortunately, I didn't know any of the questions beforehand, so my answers were quite impromptu and not as thorough as I normally would have made them. Also, I was cut off at one point while talking about Rhothdyn, the king of man, but I believe it was simply due to time constraints. All the same, I was delighted and honored to be featured, and I would like to share with you all the link to the interview. Don't laugh at my attempt at a bun, by the way. My hair is nearly to my thighs, and it is my first time using 'hair chopsticks'. Anyway... Enjoy!

Oklahoma Live! Interview: Author Rachel Hunter

Quote for today:

"The difficulty for me in writing–among the difficulties–is to write language that can work quietly on a page for a reader who doesn’t hear anything. Now for that, one has to work very carefully with what is in between the words. What is not said. Which is measure, which is rhythm, and so on. So, it is what you don’t write that frequently gives what you do write its power." 

-Toni Morrison

Until next time! Fare thee well~

Rachel Hunter

Author Interview: Tony Acree and 'The Hand of God'

Greetings, Friends!

Mother Nature has been toying us lately with scorching degrees, so I implore you all to find a seat beneath the shade or settle into your favorite chair indoors. From there, feel free to pour yourself a cup of tea or lemonade (or, in my case, hot cocoa), and kick back: relax a bit; take a deep breath - perhaps attempt a pose or two of yoga? But get comfortable, as I'm delighted to have up-and-coming author Tony Acree with me today to answer a few questions. His upcoming release, The Hand of God, is scheduled to come out Spring 2013 through Hydra Publications.

G'Morning, Tony! It's great to have you here. 

It is my understanding that your upcoming release, The Hand of God, is tentatively scheduled for publication through Hydra Publications for spring of 2013. Can you tell us a bit about your novel? What genre is it? 

The Hand of God can best be described as a supernatural thriller. The novel tells the story of Victor McCain, bounty hunter, who finds out his brother has sold his soul to the Devil. Vic is offered a chance to save his brother's soul by finding a missing woman who has stolen something Satan wants back. The novel is about choices and consequences. 

A supernatural thriller, eh? It sounds intriguing! 

Do you have any other published works? Tell us about them.

 

My short story, Leaves of Departure, appeared in Kentucky Monthly Magazine. The story is about a father and his estranged daughter dealing with a painful anniversary. You can read it for free on Smashwords.com. In the past, I have written news and information articles for The Cumberland, the Kentucky outlet for the Sierra Club. 

I will certainly have to check out your short story! Thank you for letting us know about it~

What was the hardest part about writing The Hand of God? What was the easiest?

The hardest part of writing The Hand of God, by far, was finding the time to write. I committed myself to writing at least 500 words every day and there were days it was a struggle to do so. This is my first novel and like anything new in life, it took me time to learn the proper way to go about it. The easiest part is coming up with the story line. From the beginning, the story flowed effortlessly. 

Why must Time be ever-elusive? You'd think someone would have come up with a time-controlling device by now.

What is your writing schedule like? Are you more of a ‘morning’ writer or an ‘evening’ writer?

There is no doubt I'm an evening writer. I tried getting up with the rooster's crow and writing, but found it's not for me. I usually start writing around 6:30 p.m. and write until around midnight. 

It's good to know what writing schedule works best for you. I find that the early morning or late evening works for me. The middle of the day seems to lack in creative spirit. 

Can you tell us about your route to publication? 

I attended an event called Pitch the Publisher in La Grange, Kentucky. Each author submitted an opening chapter as well as a complete synopsis of their book, then got the chance to meet with three different publishers where you're given fifteen minutes to "pitch" your book, followed by fifteen minutes of feedback from the publishers. I was lucky enough to have all three publishers offer a contract on The Hand of God, as well as Jericho, a private detective novel set in Louisville, Kentucky. I chose to sign originally with Otherworld Publications, as they were located in my hometown. When they decided to close their doors, Hydra Publications agreed to take over publication of my book and I could not be more thrilled. 

And I am ecstatic that you are part of the Hydra Team! Congratulations~

Would you describe yourself as a plotter or a pantser?

I'm more of a pantser, although I've known how my book starts and ends from day one. It's all the stuff in the middle I let go where it wanted to go. 

I understand you’ve incorporated religious sects and constructs in your novel. Can you tell us about the research involved or how you went about creating these distinctions?

I did a lot of research on the Devil, Satanists and the history of Devil worshipping. This includes reading every verse in the Bible where Satan is mentioned and particularly his fall from grace as the Angel of Light. I also did my best to make sure I did not use any names for organizations which actually existed. The first half dozen names I thought up for use in The Hand of God had already been used, either partially or in total. 

It sounds like you put a lot of work into the research aspects. I can't wait to delve into it once it's published.

What sort of moral code is featured in your novel? 

The main problem Victor struggles with is the issue of a moral code, or his lack of one. What will he be willing to do, what boundaries will he push, what lines will he cross to try and save his brother's soul. What would any of us do, given the choice he faces. Victor is, at heart, a good man, but who is forced to do some not so good things. He soon realizes he is putting his own soul at risk just to free his brother, and he really struggles with the choice. 

I think this is something we all can relate to in some manner: struggling to identify our moral code and ethics. Such a character as Victor could surely attract many readers for the purpose of 'relatability'. (I think I just coined a new term).

How do you portray Heaven and Hell in your work?

Hell is definitely a real place in my book. You meet the Devil in the first line of my novel and part of the story line is about the battle Satan is waging to claim his spot in Heaven. For years, I have carried on an internal debate on whether Heaven and Hell really exist and the book gives me a chance to argue both sides of the issue. Victor is a guy who never gave the question of whether there is a Heaven any thought. He really didn't care one way or the other. But now confronted with the knowledge Satan is REAL, it throws his view of God and Heaven into a blender, spinning around in his brain.  

I quite like the imagery on that one. ;)

What sort of symbolism do you employ in your writing? Do you tend to stick to a single motif – or do you just write whatever comes?

 

If this book has one defining motif, it would be about making choices. It makes no difference if you're an atheist or one who believe in God: every day we make choices, some big, some small, but they all add up through the course of our lives. This book is about the choices each character is forced to make and the consequences that result. I like taking people who are balanced on a knife's edge and then push them, to see which way they fall. 

How do you summon the Muse? What do you do when you’re not writing?

I read constantly. Books, websites, magazines, anything where the printed word can be found. I like to keep my mind engaged. And I use it for a tool when I need information on how to perform a task I know nothing about. With a few quick mouse clicks, you can begin to learn about any subject you wish. I also like to play Texas Holdem poker. I like the combination of math and the need to pay attention to details (such as your opponent's tells) the game requires.

 

I, too, peruse words whenever I can - and however I can: from reading, to gaming, to everything in-between. It keeps the gears turning, if you know what I mean.

Can you describe your writing style for us? What processes do you go through while writing? (i.e. outlines, character maps, index cards, etc…)

I don't use outlines. I've been able to keep the overall plot of my book floating around in my gray matter and generally have an idea of where I want to go, if not how I will get there. One thing I do use is a big white board, with each character's name written on it, so I can just glance up and recall who is who. I also use the character interview technique, to help keep the voice of the character consistent. 

A fellow pantser all the way~ Brilliant!

What is your writing environment like? Do you have any writing rituals? (such as a ‘must have’ food, drink, chair, etc…)

My favorite writing environment is the one thing which has really surprised me. I don't, as a general rule, like writing on laptops. I prefer my ergonomic keyboard and my large monitor on the desk in my office for most things I write, such as this interview. But I've found the best place for me to write my novel is with my laptop, sitting in my recliner with the footrest up, and the laptop on my lap. The smaller screen makes me focus in on what I want to write. The chair makes me feel comfortable. I have a single lamp on behind me offering just the right amount of light and from time to time, music or a baseball game on the TV with the volume turned down. So far, this works for me. 

It sounds like you've quite the comfortable writing arrangement. It always helps to have as little distractions as possible - and being comfortable is a way to eliminate possible annoyances.

What were your favorite books to read as a child? As a teen? How about now?

 

When I was a kid it was Agatha Christie, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Alexandre Dumas and Arthur Conan Doyle. In my teens, I was big into fantasy. I read everything by Raymond Feist, Terry Brooks, and David Eddings. Now I like to read thrillers, by authors such as Lee Child, Michael Connolly and John Sanford. I do also like the occasional fantasy novel by Jim Butcher (love me some Dresden) and R.R. Martin. For the record, I was reading Game of Thrones long before HBO showed up on the scene. 

Hmm. I'm curious: Have you always known you would be a writer? What inspired you to begin your first novel? 

I have known I would be a writer since 6th grade, after reading a poem by Robert Frost and thinking, "I can do this." Throughout school, I wrote poems for friends and family. My poems appeared in local and school papers, as well as our senior yearbook. I then moved on to short stories and finally, a novel. The inspiration for the first novel I started, Jericho, was a comment made by my brother, an electrician, about something he found while working at a large mansion. From there, the brain took over and took off. 

Ah - a fellow poet! Are not the words of poetry beautiful? Divine, almost~

Lyrics are a form of poetry. Do you listen to music when you write? If so, what kind?

I do occasionally and in most cases, jazz. I will also listen to southern rock when writing  action scenes. Nothing like Flirting with Disaster when your character is, well, flirting with disaster. 

I'm quite intrigued: What sort of creatures do you include in The Hand of God?

There can be no doubt Satan is a creature. Once one of the brightest stars in Heaven, now the ruler in Hell, he fits the description. Several supernatural creatures make an appearance, but the novel is really about people and the choices they make. 

Can you describe how your experiences in life influenced your novel?

I grew up as both a man of science and of God. I attended church regularly, but also planned on majoring in physics and computers in college. Reconciling these two halves is a fight I continue with today. Both Creationists and Evolutionists have the same problem: Creationists cannot tell you where God came from and Evolutionists cannot tell you what came before the Big Bang. Many of the arguments made by characters in my novel, on both sides of "Does God exist" debate, are ones I've made myself. I'm still not sure of the ultimate answer, but The Hand of God allows me to explore the issue in more depth. 

Are you reflected in any of your characters? How about friends and/or family members? *cruel chuckle*

Big time, yes on both accounts. As I mentioned above, the question of "Is there a God" is one I've spent a lot of time thinking about.  I find many of Victor's views on the world coming from my past experiences. Other characters in the book have their basis in people I've known over the years. One does not have to work hard to create interesting characters, one just has to spend time sitting at a White Castle Hamburger joint at 2 o'clock in the morning, or a Starbucks on a business day afternoon, and keep your eyes and ears open. 

The psychology of people-watching. You'd be surprised at how entertaining it truly is. And you can learn a lot from it as well.

Is there any sense of the fantastical in your work?

There is, as Victor must confront Satan, vampires, hellhounds, and other things through the course of the book one would consider fantastical. I remember listening to The Devil Went Down to Georgia by Charlie Daniels and wondering what would I do if I were in Johnny's place. You don't get more fantastical than a fiddle contest with the Devil. In my book, I get to let Vic answer the question of what he would do when offered a challenge by Satan. 

Okay - now for some random questions:

If you had the ability to travel through time, would you choose to go back or move forward? Why?

I would move forward. As a history buff, I've learned the future always brings things the current age would consider magical. Can you imagine what someone from the Middle Ages would think about things we take for granted every day? I would like to find out what will amaze me in the future. 

Very true! I'm still waiting for that time-controlling device~

If you could have a discussion with any author (living or deceased), who would you choose and why?

Great question and if forced to pick just one, it would be Edgar Allan Poe. The author of the first detective novel, a writer of poetry and horror stories, all in one, plus one who died under such mysterious circumstances, I would like to learn what made him tick. A close second would be Mark Twain, just for the banter back and forth. 

And a witty banter I imagine that would be!

How many states have you visited? Have you ever traveled overseas?

I've visited twenty-eight states, as well as Australia. I've also been to Canada, but as they are not overseas, so they don't count.

 

I once lived in Minnesota, but I never once made it up to Canada. *sigh* I've yet to leave the country.

Know what? Dreams fascinate me. Are you ever inspired by your dreams?

I have done some of my best writing following a dream. I often go to sleep wondering what a character will do next and the next evening, recalling the dream, hit a good bit of writing based on what I can remember of the dream. 

What is the strangest dream you can recall?

I remember a dream where Elvis and I were traveling around Europe in an old Mustang Convertible, and we ended up stopping an IRA plot to blow up Prince Charles. You know what I mean? I think you do, thank you very much. 

I love it! Isn't the Muse fantastic? The mind is certainly an interesting force.

Mountain or canyon?

Mountain. Keep on climbing up. 

I agree! 

Hot or cold?

I'm always hot. Given the chance, I would keep it fifty-five degrees year round. 

I'm always cold. Eighty or ninety degrees is perfect for me! Here's a little-known tidbit: I use a space heater in my room year-round - even during the summer.

Novels or short stories?

I like to write short stories, but novels are growing on me. When it comes to reading, novels. 

Checkered, polka-dotted, or striped?

Stripes all the way. I see polka-dots and I think clown, checks and I think why?

Sunrise or sunset?

To me sunsets are more beautiful and they leave you wondering what the morning will bring. 

Hardback or paperback?

I prefer hardbacks. I like my novels big and the spines wide. 

The longer, the better.

Favorite word?

Dude. Say it loud and you can get someone's attention. Say it with a laugh and you can make fun of a friend. Say it with a head shake and let someone know you don't approve. Or you can use it as a casual greeting. Know what I mean Dude?

That's quite the 'busy' word. It has so many uses depending on the context~

Favorite number?

The number 8.

Favorite board game?

Trivial Pursuit. I'll take anyone on and spot you two pies. 

You're on!

Favorite quote?

"Always acknowledge a fault. This will throw those in authority off their guard and give you an opportunity to commit more." - Mark Twain

Favorite villain?

Moriarty. Sherlock Holmes' nemesis has been brought to life in many different versions and I've loved them all. 

Thank you for joining me today, Mr. Acree! It's been a pleasure hosting you on my blog and learning more about you and your work. I'm thrilled you are a part the Hydra Clan, and I'm looking forward to The Hand of God.

 

Tony Acree was born in La Grange, Kentucky in January 1963. His short story fiction has appeared in Kentucky Monthly Magazine. He has written articles about his time as a stay at home dad for a women's magazine as well as sports and information articles. His work has also appeared in The Cumberland, the Kentucky state wide newspaper outlet of the Sierra Club. He is a member of the Green River Writers as well as  The Bluegrass Writers Edge, a creative writers group in Goshen, Kentucky, where he lives with his wife and twin daughters. 

 

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"Empyreal Fate" AToMR Blog Tour - Day One

This week, July (9-13), I will be participating in a Blog Tour for Empyreal Fate through 'A Tale of Many Reviews', including author and character interviews, fun posts, reviews, and.... a GIVEAWAY! And Day One begins today! How can you take part? Simply follow the links for the relevant blogs below on the given day, comment when you wish to, and follow the directions for the eBook giveaway. In fact, today I am on the 'Speculating on SpecFic' blog, where a review has been posted, and a Giveaway is featured. So check it out and enter to win!

Empyreal Fate Blog Tour 

Schedule

Monday, July 9, 2012

Speculating on SpecFic: Review and eBook giveaway

        

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

StorybookEscape: Review and Excerpt

        

JeanzBookReadNReview: 'This or That' Post

        

Wednesday, July 11, 2012
A Tale of Many Reviews: Character Interview and eBook Giveaway

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Splash of Our Worlds: Review

        

 

Friday, July 13, 2012

GoodChoice Reading: '6 Words' Post

        

MeganLikes Books: Review

        

FireStarBooks: Author Interview

        

KindredDreamheart: Review

       

BookshelfConfessions: Excerpt

        

JennReneeRead: Review

        

ShaynaGier’s Book Reviews: Review and Excerpt

        

        

Quick List

Full List

Guest Author: Simon Williams and the World of Aona

 Good Afternoon, Readers and fellow Wordsmiths:

Alas - the rain is pattering and the thunder is growling, but the tune is a merry one indeed. I've always been fond of a bit of a storm. There's something whimsical to it - despite the crackling thunder. It's almost as if it means to put on a show - as if its pounding temper were just a facade for its overall purpose: holding a beat for the music of Nature. Regardless, I've a pot of tea in hand (though I don't drink tea), a cozy blanket or three (I often get cold), and a warm spirit in my heart. But to make the afternoon even better, I've a wonderful author to introduce to you all today. Please give your greetings and utmost attention to Mister Simon Williams:

First off, would you mind telling us a little bit about yourself, Mr. Williams?

I’m a writer of what people have termed “dark fantasy” and speculative fiction, and I’m based in the UK. I don’t consciously write for any mass market as such- I write the kind of thing I feel I’m comfortable with. I started off writing much more traditional fantasy years ago, but although I still like to read those sort of works, I try to create original, thought-provoking fantasy and futuristic novels and stories. Sometimes it works, sometime it doesn’t. Thankfully it seems to be working a little more these days!

How exciting! Now, I understand you’ve recently released an ebook version of Oblivion’s Forge. Can you tell us a bit about it - and your series in general? Entice us!

Oblivion’s Forge is the first book in a series generally termed “The Aona books” (Aona being the name of the world where they’re set), of which I expect there will eventually be five. This first book concerns the travels and trials of a number of people through a world which appears to be descending into madness. Many thousands of people are succumbing to a strange fever coupled with insanity and dreams of either a “great light from the east”. At the same time, mysterious, immensely powerful beings known only as the marandaal prepare to break into this world- and in response to them, the ancient, malevolent guardians of the world- who once enslaved all the younger races- rise again.

In essence the Aona books are about these opposing evils, and the people of the Younger Races who are caught up in this struggle- some of them possess the same ancient, magical talents as their old masters, and others are their guardians, charged with protecting them from their many enemies- and even their own sorcery. I don’t think of these people as heroes in the traditional sense- much of the time they’re simply trying to survive and come to terms with reality as it has become.

 

Do you have any other published works? Tell us about them.

I had a number of short stories published in various fairly small-circulation magazines during the 1990s. These were mainly speculative / experimental fiction rather than fantasy as such. I’m actually compiling an anthology of these, together with a number of new short stories, which I hope to bring out soon. What people will make them I have no idea!

More recently, Oblivion’s Forge was published in 2011 and its sequel, Secret Roads, was published in April 2012. Ever since completing Oblivion’s Forge I seem to have become a *lot* more productive, so I’m hoping the third book, provisionally titled The Endless Shore, will be out around the end of 2012.

What was the hardest part about writing Oblivion’s Forge?

When I originally started writing it, it was very different- much more traditional fantasy with a whole different set of plotlines. I struggled with it for a few years before finally realizing that it wasn’t right simply because the style wasn’t right. I pared it down, removed most of the more traditional elements and stereotypes and concentrated instead on the characters themselves. So in a sense it developed partly into a psychological horror as well as fantasy. Somehow I was far more comfortable with that- and suddenly the book that I’d struggled with for nigh on twelve years (yes, really!) was completed less than a year later.

I admire your dedication. It requires a certain amount of wisdom on the writer's part to admit when something isn't working out with his or her own story. And it sounds like you took the time to mold your work from what it was into what it should be: what was right for you. Bravo!

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

At its core, the Aona series is about ordinary people (albeit some with extraordinary talents) struggling to survive and make sense of a world which is rapidly spiraling out of control and into chaos. I guess the message is that even in a world as terrifying as Aona becomes, an ordinary man or woman can somehow, with a bit of courage and a lot of luck, do an extraordinary deed, make a difference, even change the course of wider events.

Another message is about the nature of power, particularly the inevitability of its corruption. The various men and women of the younger races who are the main characters in the books suffer doubts, experience great rage and the desire for revenge- they have difficult choices to make and they don’t always make what most readers would probably call the “right” choice.

I think this is something every reader can relate to and thus appreciate. It makes the characters seem like real people rather than cut-and-paste templates.

Would you mind telling us about your path to publication?

When I was younger and starting out, I would check out publishers and literary agents to make sure they dealt with the genre, carefully make sure I formatted the required document in the right way, double check all their other guidelines to make sure I didn’t fall foul of any of them, and then (after sending an initial letter if required) send the manuscript or the part of it they required.

Most of the time I would hear nothing back. In more recent times, when enquiring initially by email, I would occasionally get a response, although one or two of these were along the lines of “Why would we want to publish / publicize work of this kind?” Generally speaking, I haven’t found agents to be particularly pleasant or helpful, which I expect is partly to do with the vast numbers of manuscripts they get sent- most of which I’m sure they never even get around to reading.

So I eventually decided to do the publication myself- in part because I wanted to at least be the master of my own destiny- an agent or editor, even if they actually read my work, would have probably wanted a number of wholescale changes to it, which could eventually mean it’s no longer entirely my work but a collaborative effort. I may sell more books doing it my way, or I may not- but the important thing for me is for the work to be mine. 

Do you relate to any of the characters in your work? Tell us about him/her.

To an extent I relate to Vornen, who readers meet at the beginning of the book and who is quite central to the storyline- I’d like to think I’m mentally in a far better place than he is, but nevertheless I can relate to some of the things he goes through- self-doubt and self-loathing amongst them.

That said, the character I find most interesting of all (which I feel is a form of relating) is Nia, the assassin and spy who readers meet briefly towards the end of Oblivion’s Forge, but who is a major character in Secret Roads. She somehow developed into a very complex character with all sorts of things going on psychologically- and I love writing about people like that. It’s the thoughts, fears and inner struggles of such characters that make it a joy to write.

Can you describe your writing style for us? What processes do you go through while writing? (i.e. outlines, character maps, index cards, etc…)

I’d say I try to write atmospherically and emotionally but with an economy of description. I don’t believe in noting down every little detail and regurgitating it for the reader. A few lines here and there can swiftly build a powerful image of a character or a place or an event- any reader with a certain amount of imagination can then flesh out the rest of the details in a way their mind sees fit. In short, it’s about setting the scene and catalyzing the whole event.

When did your fascination with writing begin?

At a very young age. I was an early reader and I was reading the likes of CS Lewis, Alan Garner and Susan Cooper from around the age of eight or nine. It was around that time that I really started to get into the fantasy genre- if I had to pick one author who influenced me in that regard it would have been Alan Garner. His book The Weirdstone of Brisingamen opened up a whole new world for me- I was literally lost in it for a few days. If it hadn’t been for this genius I might well have been a different sort of writer (although do note- I *still* would have been a writer!)

Does your writing reflect past experiences or is it mostly drawn from imagination?

Thankfully I haven’t experienced anything quite on a par with the events in the Aona books, but I do draw on memories of things in my life or how I coped or dealt with something, and use that to empathize with the characters. The rest of it is imagination, or as I prefer to call it, visualization. I can close my eyes and have a very sharp image in my mind of a particular scene, down to tiny details- as if it was a film. I find this helps immensely.

How do your philosophies of life tie into your work?

I’m not sure that they do, especially. I guess there are parts of me in various characters, and some of the things they say and do are the same things that I would, but I try not to use my books as a political or moral platform- I wouldn’t want my beliefs or set of values to affect how a story turns out- instead I want it to run its own course.

A wise course indeed. One must always tread carefully. 

What would you say is one of your writing “quirks”?

I always have to have a title for anything I write, whether it’s a short story, a novel or an article / essay. It absolutely has to have a title, even if I discard that title at a later point and use something completely different!

I find I am much the same: everything must have a title!

How did you choose your specific genre?

 

It chose me, really. As I mentioned, there were a few authors who I really enjoyed reading when I was a kid, and they completely turned me on to fantasy- after that there was no going back.

Does the Muse come easily for you? How do you deal with writer’s block?

It comes and goes. I deal with writer’s block by simply gritting my teeth and writing the story, even if I know that what I’m writing is rubbish. Sooner or later, the very act of writing triggers the inspiration, and then I can move on with things again (and if necessary, get rid of the crappy bit!)

Would you call yourself a “plotter” or a “pantser”?

I create plotlines and I often plan quite far ahead- for example I know exactly what the eventual concept of the Aona books is and what I want to happen at the end- but I do so in quite a sketchy way, with random notes in a whole array of different notepads. I don’t know exactly what various characters will be doing or saying before I get around to writing the scene. I also like to leave the plot slightly open to sudden ideas or bursts of inspiration I might (hopefully!) have further down the road.

What sort of creatures can be found in your work?

I don’t have any of the traditional fantasy creatures, so you won’t find dragons, elves, dwarves, gnomes, trolls etc. in my works. In the third Aona book I do introduce a race called the orkar who you can think of as a *little* bit like orcs in appearance- I wanted to introduce a race who have been continually thought badly of in this world, who appear fearsome, even horrifying, but who are actually highly developed and, in their own way, quite civilized. I wanted to challenge people’s preconceptions of the race, which also happen to be the preconceptions of many people *in* the books.

Do you listen to music when you write? If so, which genre(s)?

 I almost always listen to music when I write, and I have a pretty huge collection of music of almost every genre. I could literally be listening to anything from progressive trance to black metal to 80s/90s/00s pop to indie to grunge to post-rock to drum ‘n’ bass… you get the picture!

Do you have a new project in the works? Can you tell us about it?

One thing I never lack these days is a new project on the go. Apart from the next Aona book (The Endless Shore) I’m writing a new standalone experimental novel called The Spiral, and then there’s my anthology of short stories which I‘m compiling. And as if that wasn’t enough, last week I had an idea for another fantasy series- that doesn’t yet count as a project, but I suspect that it soon will.

Always so many projects; never enough time. *shakes head* But it's often a good thing, I find.

What is the toughest criticism you’ve received as an author? The best?

Back when I wrote much more traditional fantasy, I had a number of people mention that my work was derivative and didn’t really cover any ground that other writers had already covered- which is one of the reasons I began to move away from that (sub)genre.

As for the best, well I’ve received a lot of good comments about Oblivion’s Forge and Secret Roads recently, which is enough to confirm to me that I’m on the right track- in other words, the fact that I’m writing what I want and what I feel I was always meant to write is helping me craft works that I feel proud of.

Indeed - you should be very proud of your accomplishments! 

Formalities aside, let's delve into some rather 'random' questions, shall we?

Which would win a fight: minotaurs or dragons?

Dragons every time, unless of course the fight takes part in the minotaur’s maze in which case the dragon would get stuck, or lost, or both. ;)

If you could possess any superpower, which would it be?

The ability to absorb other super powers, of course! (Like a few of the characters in Heroes)

Favorite word?

Willpower, followed by serenity.

Favorite quote?

If the world is my oyster, who owns the rest of the beach?

Favorite ‘writerly’ snack?

Cadbury’s Whole Nut or Fruit & Nut milk chocolate

Paperback or hardback?

Paperback- I just like the feel of a tatty old paperback. Hardbacks annoy me if they have dust jackets that keep coming loose or sliding off.

Black or white?

To me, white represents sterile conformity or cold, clinical blankness- whereas black is something I can fill with anything from my imagination. I can’t seem to think of white as a blank canvas for some reason…

Oceans or mountains?

I love travelling on the sea, but very few things can compare to the view from the top of a mountain, especially if you climb higher than the cloud level…

Pen or pencil?

Pen- I hate the faint outlines that pencils make, and I love to scribble things out and make a mess rather than erase them tidily. ;)

Violin or piano?

I can actually play the piano, so that would be my instrument of choice. In fact I’ve written a few tracks as “theme music” for my books, but that’s another story altogether…

 Thank you again for speaking with me today, Mr. Williams! You've lent us a brilliant description of yourself and your work, and I am pleased to have you here today.

About the Author:

Simon always wanted to be a writer, and didn't ever feel like doing much else, a fact which in time became quite clear through his school reports. As soon as he picked up his first writing pen, his parents breathed a heartfelt sigh of relief (yes, I know. Two people but just one sigh. Go figure...). "At least he's given up scribbling on the wall with crayons" they declared. That wasn't strictly true, but moving on...
So he spent much of his childhood writing. Major influences during these years included such luminaries as C S Lewis, Susan Cooper, and the incomparable Alan Garner, whose masterpieces of Celtic fantasy had a profound effect.
Nevertheless, Simon was still obsessed with sci-fi at this point, and wrote his first novel at the age of thirteen. It was a cheesefest- an utter cheesefest. Within a couple of years he had embarked on a (very) traditional fantasy trilogy which still occasionally provides a degree of mirth.
During the 90s he wrote a number of experimental novels, and an entire scribblefest of short stories. Most of these defied genre definitions. Some also defied belief. A number of them were published in various small-circulation magazines.
Inspired by the fact that several thousand people were actually reading (even enjoying) his stories, the intrepid Mr Williams promptly stopped writing them. He turned again to writing fantasy.
A combination of steadily advancing age and rapidly advancing laziness meant that it took a long time to really get going with the Aona books. But at long last, creativity is flowing ("creative juices" sounds a tad biological somehow), the first book is published and he's positively jogging along with the second. It's a truffle shuffle with real intent. All of which proves it's better to be neither the hare nor the tortoise.

Learn more about the World of Aona.

Purchase Oblivion's Forge: paperback and newly released in ebook

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