๐Ÿ“š Fantasycon Highlights & Creative Endeavours | Author Diary โ€“ October 18, 2024๐ŸŽฉ๐ŸŽƒ

In this weekโ€™s Author Diary, I share my experiences from Fantasycon, delve into new and ongoing writing projects, and explore some intriguing reads.

๐Ÿฐ Fantasycon Adventures:

This past weekend at Fantasycon was a whirlwind of inspiration and connection. Participating in panels, enjoying the banquet, and meeting both fellow authors and avid readers was fantastic. It’s always exhilarating to be part of such a dynamic gathering of creative minds.

๐ŸŽฉ Crafting a New Lord Sidebottom Tale:

In the spirit of Halloween, Iโ€™ve started working on a new Lord Sidebottom story. This steampunk adventure promises to be as wacky and inventive as its protagonist, perfectly fitting for the spooky season. Iโ€™ll be posting this as a free story on my Patreon on October 31! Visit: patreon.com/joncronshawauthor

๐Ÿ—ก๏ธ Progress on “Forged in Blood”:

Iโ€™m also nearing the completion of “Forged in Blood,” the second book in the Guild of Assassins series. Currently 80% through the draft, the final stages are both the most challenging and exciting as I tighten the narrative and escalate towards a compelling climax.

๐Ÿ“– Reading Update:

After finishing “The Eye in the Pyramid,” the first book of the Illuminatus! trilogy by Robert Shea and Robert Anton Wilson, Iโ€™m still processing its wild and intricate narrative. Now, Iโ€™ve moved on to “Incarcerat,” part of the TerrorTome series by Garth Marenghi. This horror parody offers a refreshing and humorous take on the genre, proving to be an entertaining read.

Iโ€™d love to hear about your experiences at conventions, any Halloween-themed stories youโ€™re working on, or your thoughts on blending humour with horror in literature.

Donโ€™t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more weekly insights from my author’s journey!

Exploring the Goblin Realms: An Interview with Jaq D. Hawkins

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.

Interview with Jaq D Hawkins

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.

Whatโ€™s the strangest thing youโ€™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.

Find Jaq online:

Website: jaqdhawkins.com

Facebook: facebook.com/GoblinSeries

Goodreads: goodreads.com/author/show/218599.Jaq_D_Hawkins

Twitter: @jaqdhawkins

Pinterest: uk.pinterest.com/jaqdhawkins