Welcome to this week’s Author Diary where I delve into the latest developments in my writing projects, celebrate a personal milestone, and share my thoughts on content platforms.
📝 Progress on “Punks Versus Zombies”: This week has been productive with the completion of three new episodes of “Punks Versus Zombies.” I am now approaching the final act of the series, a phase filled with anticipation and excitement as I aim to wrap up the story in a satisfying manner. It’s thrilling to see the end in sight, and I’m eager to bring a compelling conclusion to the fans of the series.
🥂 Celebrating 15 Years: On a personal note, I celebrated my fifteenth wedding anniversary with my wife. It’s a significant milestone, and we took some time to appreciate the journey we’ve shared together, reflecting on the memories and looking forward to many more years.
🔄 Considering Platform Changes: I also discuss my current concerns with the Ream platform. Despite enjoying the experience Ream offers to readers, recent issues with its senior management have raised doubts about the platform’s long-term viability. These developments have led me to consider switching to Patreon, a platform known for its stability and strong creator-supportive community. For now, I will continue to post on Ream as usual, but I am exploring all options to ensure the best experience for my readers and a sustainable model for my content.
As always, I appreciate your support and interest in my work and personal updates. I’d love to hear your thoughts on approaching the end of a long-term project, celebrating personal milestones, or navigating changes with content platforms. Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more insights into my author’s life and the decisions that shape it.
Explore the struggle of waiting for the next books in epic fantasy series like “A Song of Ice and Fire,” “The Kingkiller Chronicle,” and “The Gentleman Bastard Sequence.” Delve into the tension between fans’ demands and authors’ creative processes.
In the vast and magical world of fantasy literature, there are a few epic series that have captured our hearts, only to leave us languishing in uncertainty.
We eagerly await the next instalment, but deep down, we know it may never come.
Among these tantalizing yet tormenting series are George R.R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire,” Patrick Rothfuss’s “The Kingkiller Chronicle,” and Scott Lynch’s “Gentleman Bastard Sequence.”
As fans, we walk a tightrope between our desperate need for closure and our understanding of the creative process.
Let’s explore this conundrum with a touch of that signature dark fantasy wit.
A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin
George R.R. Martin’s magnum opus, “A Song of Ice and Fire,” has redefined epic fantasy with its intricate plots, morally grey characters, and a willingness to kill off anyone who gets too comfortable.
Five books in, and we’re still waiting for the promised “Winds of Winter” and “A Dream of Spring.”
Martin’s pace has left fans with enough time to knit entire wardrobes of direwolf sweaters while speculating endlessly on who will finally sit on the Iron Throne—assuming it hasn’t rusted away by then.
There’s a toxic fandom that demands more books with the fervour of a White Walker army marching south.
But let’s pause and think about this: Martin started this series in 1996.
That’s right, the Spice Girls were still topping the charts when he began this saga.
Maybe, just maybe, Martin wants to write about something other than dragons and incest for a change.
The Kingkiller Chronicle by Patrick Rothfuss
Patrick Rothfuss introduced us to the gifted and enigmatic Kvothe in “The Name of the Wind,” followed by “The Wise Man’s Fear.”
Both books showcased Rothfuss’s lyrical prose and complex world-building, leaving readers craving the final volume, “The Doors of Stone.”
However, Kvothe’s tale remains incomplete, much like our understanding of how long it actually takes to tell a good story.
It’s said that good things come to those who wait, but at this rate, we’ll all be wise old men by the time we get our answers.
Rothfuss, much like Martin, has faced the ire of a fandom that oscillates between adoration and outright hostility.
It’s as if fans expect him to chain himself to his desk until he churns out the final volume.
However, writing is not a mechanical process, and inspiration isn’t something that can be summoned at will, unlike a demon from the University’s Archives.
We forget that Rothfuss, like all artists, needs time to breathe, to live, and occasionally to eat something other than fan mail.
The Gentleman Bastard Sequence by Scott Lynch
Scott Lynch’s “Gentleman Bastard Sequence” began with the audacious and charming “The Lies of Locke Lamora,” followed by “Red Seas Under Red Skies” and “The Republic of Thieves.”
The series, detailing the exploits of master thief Locke Lamora, combines swashbuckling adventure with intricate cons and schemes.
However, Lynch’s fourth book, “The Thorn of Emberlain,” has been eagerly anticipated for years.
Readers are left plotting their own heists to get their hands on the next instalment, hoping Locke’s luck hasn’t run out just yet.
Lynch has been open about his personal struggles, and while some fans have shown understanding, others have wielded their impatience like a cudgel.
There’s a bizarre expectation that authors should be machines, cranking out books on demand, regardless of the toll on their mental and physical health.
Lynch’s characters, especially the resilient Locke Lamora, are beloved not just for their cleverness, but for their flaws and vulnerabilities.
Perhaps it’s time for fans to show a little of that same empathy towards the author himself.
The Push and Pull of Expectation and Empathy
There’s an undeniable push and pull between the desire for authors to deliver on their promises and the need to empathise with their journey.
As fans, we’ve invested time, emotion, and sometimes a small fortune into these series.
We yearn for closure, for the final piece of the puzzle.
Yet, it’s crucial to remember that authors are not our personal story vending machines.
They are individuals with lives, dreams, and struggles of their own.
So, while it’s easy to join the chorus of demands for the next book, let’s take a step back and consider the human behind the words.
George R.R. Martin, Patrick Rothfuss, and Scott Lynch have given us worlds of wonder and characters we love.
They deserve our patience and our respect.
So, let’s hold onto hope, but also hold onto our humanity.
After all, isn’t that what these epic tales are really about?
Out now: The Fall of Wolfsbane
When the Ostreich Empire shatters his world and enslaves his people, Ragnar Wolfsbane vows to fight back.
Thrust into a dangerous game of imperial intrigue, Ragnar must learn to navigate a world of forbidden magic and hidden agendas.
But as the true power of ravenglass emerges, Ragnar’s choices could lead to salvation or ruin for those he holds dear.
Immerse yourself in a vivid fantasy realm where the lines between hero and villain blur.
Will Ragnar rise to become the leader his clan needs, or will the Empire’s machinations crush his resolve?
Find out in The Fall of Wolfsbane, a character-driven high fantasy novel, perfect for fans of Vikings and The Last Kingdom.
Join me in this week’s Author Diary as I dive deep into writing “The Knight and the Rebel,” the third book in the Ravenglass Legends series, and share a bit about family time watching a captivating TV show.
Discover the captivating fantasy world of author Jaq D Hawkins. Explore her unique characters and immersive world-building in this exclusive interview. Get a sneak peek into her fantastical works and be inspired by her creative process.
Author Jaq D Hawkins has made a name for herself in the world of fantasy fiction with her captivating world-building and unique characters.
In this exclusive interview, we delve into her creative process, inspirations, and what she has in store for readers.
Join us as we learn more about this incredible author and get a sneak peek into the fantastical worlds she has created.
What inspired you to start writing in the fantasy genre?
My love of reading fantasy made me always want to create my own world. Then one day, the goblins kidnapped me and showed me theirs.
How do you approach world-building in your stories?
It tends to flow organically with me. A need to explain how something works extracts that information from the secret compartment in my brain where the Akashic records for that reality are held.
Can you walk us through your writing process?
It varies, but basically an idea will spawn characters who then take over and drag me into their world.
For example, I threw some magicians into my goblin world just because magic is my thing and the blighters took over, formed a government and based it on their LARP games.
I never got a look in!
Would you survive in your own fantasy world?
Probably. I’m pretty down to earth and sensible. I know better than to go mucking around in the wrong caverns.
What themes do you explore in your work?
Prejudice is a big one. Preconceptions. The tendency of most people to accept what they are taught when young and not ask questions.
Asking myself why goblins should be at odds with humans was a big part of the early stages of forming that world.
Generally what we perceive as evil isn’t just mindless malice (serial killers excepted). There’s a reason why peoples would be enemies.
What do you consider to be your biggest influences as a writer?
A whole lot of sci-fi and fantasy from age twelve, after a childhood of enjoying stories with magic. Interesting worlds especially.
What’s the strangest thing you’ve had to research for your stories?
Not related to my goblin series, but finding what metal the cutlery used in Victorian workhouses was took me down a rather extensive rabbit hole. Obviously they wouldn’t use silver.
Another one is the varying theories on magnetic pole shifts of the Earth and the possible consequences if the planet reversed position.
What do you hope readers take away from your stories?
A bittersweet longing to be part of the goblin world. It’s actually rather a stress-free sort of life. Most of the time anyway.
Would you rather have a pet dragon or a unicorn, why?
Dragon! As long as it could talk. I’ve always had a fascination with reptilian creatures. Unicorns are cool too though.
If you were stuck on a deserted island with one of your characters, who would it be and why?
Haghuf, definitely. He would probably know a way off the island, perhaps through a deep cavern under the ocean. If not he’s still the most practical goblin I know.
What would you name your pet dragon?
Khadri (see my story, A Wizard’s Quandary).
Where is the best place to start reading your work?
That depends if you like exposition or quick action. Dance of the Goblins for the former, Demoniac Dance for quick action. It can stand alone.
Of course, if you prefer flying with airship pirates, The Wake of the Dragon is a steampunk adventure written for adult readers.
Jaq D Hawkins is the author of The Goblin Trilogy, which includes Dance of the Goblins, Demoniac Dance and Power of the Dance. She has also written the Airship Mechanoids Steampunk series which begins with The Wake of the Dragon and a science fantasy romp, The Chase For Choronzon.
Embark on a thrilling journey where gaming and fantasy collide! Join us as we uncover the captivating world of T.L. Branson, the mastermind behind action-packed tales. Discover the inspiration behind his books and the secrets of his creative process. Get ready for an immersive adventure that will leave you craving for more.
If you’re a fan of immersive and action-packed stories that blend elements of gaming and fantasy, then you’re in for a treat.
In this interview, we’ll get to know the author T. L. Branson, about his books, his inspiration, and the answer to the most important question—what would he name his pet dragon?
So, grab a cup of tea and join us as we delve into the mind of T.L. Branson.
What inspired you to start writing in the fantasy genre?
From the moment I picked up R.A. Salvatore’s The Hundred Orcs, I’ve been in love with fantasy novels. I’d “fantasized” about writing my own for years. I pictured myself out on a park bench in the beautiful sunshine creating worlds of adventure…
Yeah, that never happened.
But, I did get to a point where the stories in my head were bursting at the seams to get out and onto the page, and in 2016, I bit the bullet and started writing.
It was in a house in Western Pennsylvania where it’s gray, overcast, and cold most of the year, but the location wasn’t what mattered. The time spent writing was, and it’s a process that still works today. We authors like to say “Butt in chair” time.
How do you approach world-building in your stories?
I try to have a fully-formed world before I even begin the writing process. This takes a lot of brainstorming sessions. Usually I’ll be mulling over ideas for days or weeks.
This might be a scheduled time where I’m actively writing notes in Word, or while I’m driving my car (the worst because I can’t write things down), or waiting at a doctor’s office.
As soon as I’m able, I’m adding notes to my file. It works best when my laptop and phone are synced to the same Note so I can update it no matter where I am and the changes are there.
My notes will often contradict themselves as I come up with newer and better ideas. I never delete old ideas, just add new ones to the Note.
Then when I’m ready to begin writing, I go through, compile all the good ideas, throw out the old, and start organizing them into a cohesive whole.
Can you walk us through your writing process?
I’m what they call a plotster. There are three kinds of writers: plotters, pantsers, and plotsters.
The first plots out their entire novel in great detail before ever beginning. They have pages and pages of outlines with detailed info about what happens in each scene and how the plot progresses.
Pantsers have no plan at all. They just start writing and what happens happens.
A plotster is a pantser that doesn’t like having no direction at all. We like a little structure, but we also don’t want to be so bogged down by a formal outline. We want the ability for the story to go a different direction if it feels like it needs to while writing.
To change anything to a plotter means hours of revision work to their outline. And hours wasted.
So what I prefer to do is map out the next 3-4 chapters. Sometimes this is very detailed about what exactly needs to happen. Sometimes it just includes a note like “We must meet the water elf queen in this chapter.” Other times it includes full blocks of dialogue that popped into my head one day and I wrote it all down line for line.
The point is, I like my story to be organized, yet open to interpretation and change without losing hours of work thanks to a rigid outline.
Would you survive in your own fantasy world?
Probably. Very few people have magic, so most everyone is an ordinary person. And all of the conflict happens between the nobles and rebels. If you’re not a rebel or a noble, you’re probably safe.
There is always collateral damage, and I couldn’t help it if my house suddenly collapsed due to a conflict I couldn’t control. But it’s not a brutal world where no one leaves the safety of the commune or anything.
What themes do you explore in your work?
I don’t really do themes. I write for fun. Just good old romps, battles, and magical creativity.
What do you consider to be your biggest influences as a writer?
Other writers. I’m a voracious reader. Also video games. The amount of story elements or inspirations that came from playing RPGs is amazing.
This isn’t copying something that already exists. It’s usually a small element that influence how my world already operates, but heightens it.
For instance, I was watching Dr. Strange while writing my first novel, and he punched a guy in the chest and his spirit flew out of him. Or something like that. The magic in my books deals a lot with souls, so this seemed like an excellent opportunity to heighten the main character’s magical abilities by allowing him to eject souls with something like a punch, rather than simply removing them from the body.
What do you hope readers take away from your stories?
Just like themes, this isn’t something I think about. I’ve got a story in my head, and I write about it because it sounds fun to me. I don’t have any hidden messages intentionally built in. We all have pasts and history and values that we inherently bake into the story because it’s who we are, but I don’t ever sit down and say “I want this book to influence people this way”
Would you rather have a pet dragon or a unicorn, why?
Dragon, no question. I’m sure a unicorn is safer, but I’m not much of a horse person. Dragons just sound fun. I’m kind of like Hagrid in that regard.
If you could have any magical ability, what would it be?
Either invisibility or flight, though I’m almost certain it’s flight.
If you were stuck on a deserted island with one of your characters, who would it be and why?
Ocken. He’s tall and strong. He’d be great for building shelter and doing all the “hard work.” Not that I wouldn’t do anything, but surviving on an island is no joke and having some muscle around would be helpful. Plus, he doesn’t talk much, so he wouldn’t bother me while I was reading, provided I had a crate full of books whilst being stranded on the island.
What would you name your pet dragon?
No idea. Fireball?
Where is the best place to start reading your work?
“We start at the very beginning. A very good place to start.” But no seriously, Book 1 is a great place to start. It doesn’t matter what series.
T.L. Branson is an author of YA and Epic Fantasy. His debut novel, Soul Render, is the first in a planned quartet. Branson started writing when he was eighteen but didn’t take it seriously until eleven years later. Born in Pennsylvania, he currently lives in California with his wife and two children.
He finds his inspiration from the kings (and queen) of story, J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, George Lucas, and J.K. Rowling. That’s code for “he’s a total nerd!”
Branson first fell in love with fantasy when he picked up a copy of R.A. Salvatore’s The Thousand Orcs. Since then, not a day goes by where his mind doesn’t wander into the realm of elves, dwarves, and orcs or crave for an epic adventure.
Discover the world of fantasy adventure with E C Greaves. Explore captivating tales, unique world-building, and the author’s creative process.
Welcome to this exciting interview with E C Greaves, an author and illustrator who has made a name for himself in the world of fantasy adventure stories.
Born in Solihull, UK, Ed now resides in Christchurch, New Zealand, where he continues to create unique and interesting tales that have a mildly Slavic tinge to them.
When he’s not weaving tales of magic and adventure, Ed can be found pursuing a variety of passions. He restores old vehicles, codes video games, and teaches history to high school kids. It’s hard to believe that he manages to fit all of this into his schedule, but perhaps his secret lies in the fact that he seems to be completely immune to the effects of aging—despite being far too old to explain the lack of grey hair!
As we delve deeper into this interview, we’ll learn more about Ed’s creative process and how he approaches his work as an author. So sit back, relax, and join us as we explore the fascinating world of E C Greaves…
What inspired you to start writing in the fantasy genre?
In short; long and exceptionally boring train rides to a long (and by some eldritch curse) even more boring job in finance—believe it or not, but I wrote the entire first novel on my phone!
And, I suppose since I grew up with a total nerd for a dad (playing D&D, and various fantasy games on the Atari STE with him, as a kid) fantasy was really the only genre I’d ever read, so it was all I thought to write.
How do you approach world-building in your stories?
Whilst I do have a general idea of what the world looks like—tech level, magic or whatever, types of creatures and peoples, regions, etc.—I pretty much just write stories that take my characters wherever they need to go. From there, I sorta make it up as I go along, and flesh out whatever I need to.
I take this, and jot it down in one of about 35,000 google docs (on my phone, of course), and forget about it until I catch a contradiction once a book is already pretty much finished!
Can you walk us through your writing process?
During the day, I procrastinate a whole lot. Then, in the evening, I reread some existing stuff. Finally, at around midnight, once I can no longer escape it, I start writing. It takes me through til perhaps 2 or 3 am. Which is when I try desperately to get enough sleep to survive the following day!
I usually begin with a conversation, description, or situation that sorta comes to me from the ether—more often than not, something I thought of when I was driving. And then I build on that.
My characters tend to take the story where they want it to go, and I’m most definitely not a “plan every chapter” kind of author.
As such, I let them guide me, and I then go through and tie the stuff I wrote back to the general idea I had for an overarching plot, or I try to work in stuff that references earlier things—you know, to make it seem like I actually DID plan that sweet twist!
The entire time, because I have ADHD and it’s one of the best ways I’ve found I can focus, I drink a billion litres of caffeine—coffee, cola, energy drinks—and I usually chain smoke home-grown tobacco.
Would you survive in your own fantasy world?
—
You know what? I think I just might.
It’s not all that much more dangerous than our own history was. I grew up on a small farm, and I am fairly handy.
Oh, and I know how to make blackpowder. Anyone with that knowledge would do just fine in a pseudo-medieval (low magic) fantasy world, I think.
What themes do you explore in your work?
Identity and belonging, motherhood, legacy, freedom vs responsibility/authority, and what exactly constitutes “right.”
What do you consider to be your biggest influences as a writer?
In all honesty—and this really isn’t something I’ve seen another author admit,—but…
I don’t actually read many books.
As such, I am more influenced and informed by general conversation and discussion on politics and philosophy, by life and the real world (particularly ancient and medieval history), and by childhood influences—earlier fantasy works (usually films) like Conan, Dungeons and Dragons sessions I played when I was like 7, hours spent poring over the pictures in Dragon magazines, countless video games (from Drakkhen and Hero’s Quest, to Ultima 7 and Baldur’s Gate).
What’s the strangest thing you’ve had to research for your stories?
The stages of pregnancy, and then what happens AFTER you’ve had a baby—how long before milk dries up, and under what conditions? how long before periods come back? what happens to your body? Etc etc
Needless to say, the algorithms started targeting me with a lot of maternity stuff on devices where I’d forgotten to block ads!
What do you hope readers take away from your stories?
I don’t aim to convince readers of anything, and I try very hard to separate my own views from those of my characters. For me, my writing serves as entertainment first and foremost.
That said, I do hope they consider their own views on some of the thematic stuff, and some of the more “thorny” or “weighty” topics discussed within.
Would you rather have a pet dragon or a unicorn, why?
A unicorn. When I was a kid, I had this beautifully illustrated book about woodland critters who hung out with these industrious little gnomes.
In one of the books, they meet these total dick elves, who at one point, steal a unicorn egg or something. I honestly can’t recall much more than a few pictures (of a stripy guy transforming into a fish, and of a telescope putting ink around another guy’s eye).
What I remember clearly, however, is this beautiful picture of a unicorn/pegasus hatched out of an egg. It was really cute and pure, and for a weird little kid who liked goblins and mud, and who was picked on quite a bit, that little white horse creature seemed to represent an innocence and goodness that I think I sorely wished was more prevalent in the world.
Weird, I know.
Wish I knew what those books were!
If you could have any magical ability, what would it be?
Teleportation.
It is, by far, the most powerful/useful ability besides perhaps just straight-up omnipotence. 9-out-of-10 dentists agree.
If not that, cos it’s cheating, then the ability to live happily and healthily without doing harm to any other living being. Photosynthesis or something!
I would also like to be able to communicate with any other living being too (maybe even some dead ones… Just to spice it up!)
If you were stuck on a deserted island with one of your characters, who would it be and why?
I’d want to pick one of the Vulkari, but they’d all probably just eat me.
And whilst Zyntael could perhaps use her weird necromancy to convince the Spirits to help us, I think Phobos Lend would know of some way off the island. Either that, or he’d have a stash of rum and pipe leaf.
What would you name your pet dragon?
Wait, you mean that I didn’t get the Unicorn after all? And I poured my heart out for that question!
Fine.
“Little Stinker.”
It is my go-to pet name in anything where you can have a pet.
Where is the best place to start reading your work?
It’s available on Amazon here:
But, you know what? I really appreciate you humouring me.
So here, have the first book in the trilogy for free!
