I am thrilled to announce a new project that I will be sharing exclusively with you on my Substack page: Guild of Assassins.
Hello from sunny Morecambe!
I am thrilled to announce a new project that I will be sharing exclusively with you on my Substack page: Guild of Assassins.
This is your chance to dive into a world of intrigue, danger, and dark epic fantasy as you follow the tale of Soren, a young sculptor’s apprentice on his path to becoming a member of the Assassins’ Guild.
Set in the Ravenglass Universe, Guild of Assassins is both a standalone story and a prequel to my novel, Dawn of Assassins. Whether you’re already a fan of this series or just discovering it, this adventure promises to captivate you from the very beginning.
By subscribing to my Substack, you’ll gain a rare glimpse into my writing process. You’ll be able to read chapters of the novel-in-progress, and I encourage you to share your thoughts, comments, and support as we embark on this journey together.
Please keep in mind that the chapters posted may not appear in the final novel, as I often make cuts and revisions during the final draft. This means you’ll be experiencing an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the raw, unfiltered story as it unfolds.
Be the first to explore the shadowy corners of the Ravenglass Universe and uncover the secrets of the Assassins’ Guild.
Follow Soren’s journey from humble beginnings to his ultimate destiny and immerse yourself in a tale that will leave you on the edge of your seat.
So, are you ready to join the adventure?
Don’t wait—subscribe to my Substack now and begin your exclusive journey into the world of Guild of Assassins. Together, let’s explore and discover what lies within.
Discover the captivating fantasy worlds crafted by Clayton Wood, the mastermind behind the Runic, Fate of Legends, and Magic of Havenwood series. Join us as we delve into his writing journey, inspiration, and insights into the realm of fantasy fiction.
Clayton Wood is the mastermind behind several popular fantasy series, including the Runic series, Fate of Legends series, and Magic of Havenwood series.
In this interview, we will delve into Clayton’s journey as a writer, his inspiration, and his thoughts on fantasy writing.
So without further ado, let’s get started!
What inspired you to start writing in the fantasy genre?
Fantasy books were my go-when I was a kid, and I devoured series by Piers Anthony, R.A. Salvatore, Raymond E. Feist, Terry Brooks, Robert Jordan, and many more. Why fantasy appeals to me, I cannot honestly say. All I know is that my muse constantly conjures new ideas for me to work with, and she’ll make my life a living hell if I let her down by not using them!
How do you approach world-building in your stories?
For me, world-building usually grows from the main theme or themes I’m exploring in a series. For example, The Magic Collector was about art and creativity as magical forces, and so I incorporated works of art quite literally into the world. Books about castles made castles, and books about giants made giants. In contrast, Elazar the Magician was in part about dogma and ways of knowing, and thus a scientific and technologically more advanced society clashed with a religious one. Both were slaves to their own dogma, and the truly enlightened were magicians. Magicians who gained their powers through magic mushrooms, which inspired mushroom-shaped symbolism in the world-building process.
Can you walk us through your writing process?
Normally an idea for a new series comes out of the blue for me (see note on my abusive muse above), and I let it grow and mutate in my brain for a year or so. I know it’s ready for writing when it stops changing, solidifying into a world, narrative, and a couple of characters. I have an idea of the beginning, middle, and end, and when I write, I let the characters fill in the rest. Mostly because if I try to get in their way, they’ll stage a mutiny.
As for how I structure my time, I usually order book covers from my cover designer 6 months in advance. 2 for the Spring, 2 for the Fall. Nothing is written yet when I order them, but they gotta be done by the time the covers are due to be made. That way I keep a pace of around 4 books published a year.
Would you survive in your own fantasy world?
My wife says no, ’cause I’m soft. But she’s totally wrong.
What themes do you explore in your work?
For the Runic series, it was the role of various father figures in growth and self-actualization…how negative father figures can create conflict that forces growth through adversity, and how positive father figures can do so with mentoring and nurturing.
For the Fate of Legends series, I explored group identity vs. individual identity, and the magnetic-field-like forces that force those with weaker wills to align with stronger wills. Also, the ways in which failing to identify as part of the greater world can lead to calamity.
For the Magic of Havenwood series, I explored the creative process itself, making art magical. Writers wrote books that created entire lands and monsters, while sculptures came to life. Musicians could manipulate emotions and time itself, while Actors could literally transform into who they played. And Painters could take objects and living creatures they’d painted out of their canvases, bringing them to life. It was a fun way to explore my own creative process, teaching the reader some things that I’d learned. It was also a way to explore secondary themes of the dark and light parts of the human soul, and the somewhat lost idea of redemption.
For Inappropriate Magic, I explored the themes pertinent to the mid-life crisis, where one realizes they’re going to die, the life they’ve lived is one they fell into and no longer want, and that they need to find meaning and purpose in their life.
What do you consider to be your biggest influences as a writer?
Most authors I liked made me want to write a book like theirs. Piers Anthony made me want to be as creative as possible in my writing, instead of just parroting books I’ve read.
What’s the strangest thing you’ve had to research for your stories?
Coral reef reproduction as it pertains to a character from the battle over Alexandria during the rein of King Ptolemy VIII.
What do you hope readers take away from your stories?
First and foremost that they enjoy themselves. Secondly that each book makes them think a little bit. And third, that someone – even one person – is inspired to write their own book after reading mine. That’s what fantasy authors did for me, and if I can do that for someone else, that would be amazing.
Would you rather have a pet dragon or a unicorn, why?
Dragon. They’re badass. Although I’ve had both in my books. A rude, sarcastic skeletal dragon called Nemesis, and a…gifted unicorn named Peter.
If you could have any magical ability, what would it be?
Healing people. I’m a physician, so I naturally want to make people better!
If you were stuck on a deserted island with one of your characters, who would it be and why?
Vi. I feel like her survival skills would keep me alive…if she didn’t kill me for my lame Dad jokes, that is. My wife has considered it, but she’s waiting for my life insurance application to be processed.
What would you name your pet dragon?
Unicorn. Now I get to have both!
Where is the best place to start reading your work?
*It depends on your tastes. If you like classic coming-of-age fantasy, Runic Awakening.
If you prefer to have your heartstrings pulled at, The Magic Collector. If you like gritty medieval fantasy, Hunter of Legends.
If magic mushroom-based magic in a steampunk world is your thing, Elazar the Magician.
And if you enjoy inappropriate humor, Inappropriate Magic!
About the author.
Clayton Wood is the author of the Runic series, the Fate of Legends series, the Magic of Havenwood series, the Magic of Magic series, and the Masks of Eternity series. He’s been a computer programmer, graphics designer, martial-arts instructor, and now works in the medical field. He has a wife and three wonderful children.
Writing was always Clayton’s passion, but it wasn’t until the birth of his first son that he found the inspiration necessary to finish his first book. Five years later, he published Runic Awakening, the first entry in the Runic Series.
Discover the imaginative world of A. L. Lorensen, a talented fantasy author, as we delve into her writing journey, inspiration, and creative process. Explore the magic of storytelling and get inspired by her captivating works.
Welcome to our latest blog interview, where we get to know some of the most talented and creative writers in the fantasy genre.
Today, we have the pleasure of talking to A. L. Lorensen, a fantasy author with a lifetime passion for writing and the art of storytelling.
Get ready to be transported to the magical worlds of A. L. Lorensen’s imagination, and learn more about the author behind For Evergreens and Aspen Trees.
What inspired you to start writing in the fantasy genre?
I have always loved fantasy. Growing up, I was one of those weird kids that only played imagination games where I ran around my neighborhood pretending to be an empress of some far off land or a powerful sorceress, or what have you.
When I started actually writing when I was about seven or eight, those games were the inspiration I drew from, and then they developed into what I write today.
How do you approach world-building in your stories?
I ask myself a lot of “why” questions while I write. Why do these characters have to get from Point A to Point B? Why does the super-cool-sword look the way it does? Why is my bad guy the bad guy?
With the main world I am writing, it grew up with me, so as I was learning to write, I was also learning more about how to craft stories and worlds, so those “why” questions saved me.
Can you walk us through your writing process?
Absolutely! When I first started writing, I flew by the seat of my pants. If something sounded exciting, I put it in.
Some people thrive off this type of writing, but as I got older I realized that it stressed me out more than anything. The story and the world felt overwhelmingly broad when I had no plans in place for it, and I had no idea when it would or should end and how to get there and what I needed to focus on. It gave me writing paralysis.
So, I discovered a new method from Joe Nassise, and it has saved my writing career. These are now the steps I follow when I write:
1. Get a bunch of blank index cards and write every scene I can think of on them. Doesn’t matter which order or how many or how “stupid” I’ll think they are later. I just write them all down.
2. I organize the index cards into chronological order and see which ones I don’t need, and if there’s any I need to add.
3. I handwrite my first draft. I’m allergic to writing chronologically, so I’ll just pick a scene from my index cards to write that day, and then mark it off when I’m done. It also satisfies my love of marking off to-do lists.
4. I type all my handwritten scenes/chapters and edit as I go.
5. When all the scenes are written and typed, I print them all and go through them with a red pen to mark anything I need to change/add.
6. I change/add the things I’ve marked.
7. I send that draft to my beta readers to look at.
8. I edit again based on beta reader feedback.
9. I do another read through, because I have crippling perfectionism syndrome and can’t just leave it alone.
10. I realize my eyes will bleed if I look at it anymore, and send it off for two rounds of professional edits.
11. I fix the things that need fixing from the professional edits.
12. Take a few weeks to binge Netflix on my couch and recover.
13. I publish the book.
Would you survive in your own fantasy world?
That would depend on if my characters knew who I was or not. If they knew me and knew what I had done, absolutely not.
If I was a lone, anonymous agent and able to do my own thing, though? Also no.
What themes do you explore in your work?
I explore the themes of identity and self, prejudices, corrupt leadership, and the power of love and hope, whether it be for good or evil.
What’s the strangest thing you’ve had to research for your stories?
Oh, golly. I did most of my research when I was much, much younger, so I don’t remember most of it. However, as I got older, I was more of a knowledge goblin—just kind of scavenging and hoarding tidbits that I found in random places.
One of my most recent finds was an assassin’s teapot that held both tea and poison in two separate compartments inside of it. There were airholes you could put your fingers over, which would affect which of the liquids came out, so you could pour yourself a perfectly fine cup of tea, and then poison your enemy all in one go.
That’s a thing you know now!
What do you hope readers take away from your stories?
I would hope that my readers finish my stories and believe that hope and beauty still exist in the world, that hardships can be overcome, and that pure love really and truly can change the world.
Would you rather have a pet dragon or a unicorn, why?
The horse-girl inside of me wants to say unicorn, but I have to say dragon, 100%. They are one of my absolute favorite fantasy creatures, and I want to bond with one and ride one and gleefully set fire to all my enemies (mostly spiders).
If you were stuck on a deserted island with one of your characters, who would it be and why?
If I had my choice, it would be Aspen Tanner, because she is unendingly resilient and competent, and will not rest until she has accomplished what she needs to do. She’ll also make sure to keep any nefarious critters at bay.
If it was based on who would actually end up on a deserted island with me, it would be Tristan, because he tends to get yanked around by the winds of fate more than anyone else.
What would you name your pet dragon?
Cinder is the only one my brain can think of currently. But I know I would be so much better at naming them when I met the dragon in person.
Where is the best place to start reading your work?
A. L. Lorensen has had a lifetime passion for writing and the art of storytelling. She graduated fromUtah State University with a Bachelor of Science in Social Work and maintained her writing on the side.A. L. mainly writes fantasy, but has dabbled in fiction, mystery, comedy, and anything else that may strike her fancy.
A. L. Lorensen currently resides in Logan, UT with her husband, their cat, Muse, and their many, many bookshelves. If you would like to keep in touch with A. L. Lorensen (and get a free short story), you can join her newsletter at allwrites.com.
Discover the epic tale of Ragnar and Maja in “The Fall of Wolfsbane,” a prequel set in the intricate world of the Ravenglass Chronicles. Immerse yourself in a rich fantasy realm!
If you’ve been following my Author Diary podcast, you’ll be aware that I’ve added a second point-of-view character to The Fall of Wolfsbane, and the story is so much stronger because of it.
Now, you can expect a full-length epic fantasy novel (it’s the longest novel I’ve written to date) that tells the story of Ragnar and his sister Maja as they are taken as hostages by the Ostreich Empire.
Ragnar is forced to live in Welttor under the mentorship of Prince Gregor, while Maja is sent to the Imperial Palace in Reichsherz to become a pet project of Princess Saranka.
It’s set several hundred years before The Ravenglass Chronicles at the time when the Empire first invades Wiete.
There will be some familiar places and even a familiar character!
As with Dawn of Assassins, you don’t need to have read The Ravenglass Chronicles to enjoy the story, but as I write more stories in this world, hopefully you’ll enjoy the little Easter eggs and how the world is different at various points in the timeline.
If you’ve not read the prequel Blades of Wolfsbane yet, you can get it for free as part of the Ravenglass Universe starter library.
I love what Christian has done with this. It fits in nicely next to my Dawn of Assassins and Ravenglass Chronicles series.
As an author, getting a new cover is as close to the feeling I used to have opening presents on Christmas morning.
The designer gets the brief, you wait…and wait. And then something magical happens and the vague notes you made about the concept and colours come to life in front of you.
Of course, I still need to finish writing my redrafts, but having a cover definitely energises me to a book finished.
Discover the captivating world of C.B. Matson, an author who weaves historical fantasy with rich world-building and character-driven stories. Uncover his writing process, influences, and the enchanting Tapestry series, starting with “Half Sword.” Immerse yourself in a realm where history meets imagination. Available on Amazon.
Today, we have the pleasure of diving into the mind of this seasoned writer C.B. Matson and exploring his unique approach to storytelling in the fantasy genre.
From his adventurous background to his literary influences, Matson’s creative journey is as captivating as the worlds he builds within his novels.
Matson’s life has been a tapestry of diverse experiences, with roles ranging from mining geologist to strategic planning consultant. His wanderlust has taken him across continents, immersing him in different cultures and histories.
So, grab yourself a cuppa and join us as we explore C.B. Matson’s magical realm.
How do you approach world-building in your stories?
Okay, color me lazy…writing Historical Fantasy means the world has already been built. Well, at least as it was perceived in the 12th Century. That gives me a lot of latitude. Manticores yet dwell in the high passes, old deities wander the forests. Magic still works. I love to dig into the historical details of cities and peoples…Nubian traders bring gold and ivory from the Mali Empire. Mongol tribes amass at the Gates of Alexander, soon to throw them down and overwhelm the nations of Europe. Truly more interesting than any world I could devise.
Can you walk us through your writing process?
So let’s talk about writing, yeah! [fist pump, victory dance, muscle cramp] Every writer eventually becomes this Nosferatu vampire-person for story ideas. Neighbor dies… hmmm? Virulent disease… hmmm? You get the picture. It’s the teasing out of stories worth telling that’s the art and perhaps is the toughest part of writing.
Twyla Tharp, in her book “The Creative Habit” recommends collecting and maintaining Idea Boxes of possible projects. That’s one way to sort out the phials of blood and vital humors that you’ve collected. Most writers have some kind of Idea Box, a spawning ground for new stories. Grubby little idea-larvae wriggling about…never mind. To sort this stuff out, I ask myself three questions: 1. Do I want to write this story? 2. Am I capable of writing this story? 3. If I wrote it, would anyone want to read it? By question 3., most of the larvae have died.
Turning an idea into a project and then a story means writing, and herein lies the rub: whether to “pants” and endure the slings and antics of outrageous protagonists, or “plot” and endure, well, whatever it is that plotters endure. That is, write by the seat of your pants and let the story just take whatever path it takes, or plot it all out with outlines and character descriptions, so things converge where you want them to converge, when you want them to converge. In my experience, pantsing is much more fun for the author, but plotting makes a much better product for the reader.
Would you survive in your own fantasy world?
It would be tough, the archaic language and all. Medieval toilet habits too…sheesh (scene from Monty Python and the Holy Grail comes to mind). Aside from that, yeah, ‘cause like the stuff I know, engineering, health care, and well…I know what’s gonna happen. “Run, fools, the Mongols are coming!!”
What themes do you explore in your work?
Three words that would describe my writing would be: Experiential—I try to immerse the reader in the story setting; Focused—I like to get right down into the soul of my characters; and Complex—theme, plot, and action all have wheels-within-wheels, subtext, and conflicting motives.
My themes are simple and I usually establish them at the beginning of the writing process. “Half Sword,” the first of my Tapestry series, is centered about Self Discovery. Not only my protagonist, but my supporting characters must discover their own fears, strengths, limitations, and courage before they can overcome the barriers and adversaries they encounter.
Next (as yet untitled) book in the Tapestry series is all about Belonging…finding a people, a purpose, and ultimately, love in a world torn by war and dislocation. After that, Becoming. My protagonists must become who they were meant to be, who they must be in order to survive. Did I mention that my stories are character driven?
What do you consider to be your biggest influences as a writer?
As an author (and a reader), my Holy Trinity is Bradbury-Steinbeck-Eco (all dead, yes…I know). Ray Bradbury for his evocative story lines. His narrative is almost poetic, and his plot drivers hover between sci-fi, fantasy, and magical realism. “Something Wicked This Way Comes” is perhaps my fav.
Unarguably John Steinbeck is one of the greatest 20th Century American authors. I only wish I could write dialog and create characters like he did. His stories do not build high tension, or include much action, but still, reading them is like eating a warm scone with clotted cream on a lazy Sunday morning (yes I have. And for that, and for Benny Hill, I forgive the British their somewhat irrational spelling).
Umberto Eco was a phenomenon all unto himself. Professor of Italian Medieval Philosophy and Semiotics, among a gazillion other topics. He wrote faster than I can talk (which isn’t that fast…but) and his first novel, “Name of the Rose” went best-seller/movie-deal right off the presses. Eco was a Renaissance man, a true genius of words, symbols, and ideas. For the quintessential Historical Fantasy, I can strongly recommend “Baudolino.” Never could quite get into his “Kant and the Platypus,” however. But hey…he’s the genius, not me.
What’s the strangest thing you’ve had to research for your stories?
Ho boy! Do I get into some weird stuff researching the Byzantine world. Perhaps the strangest is the “Apocalypse of Methodius” that foretells the barbarian invasion of the late Roman empire. Right up there would be, “The Travels of Sir John de Mandeville.” I have a 1915 translation that describes (among many other weird things) blemmyes, gryphons, and monopods, all found east of Eden in the land of Nod (where good Sir John claimed to have visited).
What do you hope readers take away from your stories?
A sense of wonder…isn’t that what fantasy is all about? Wonder, and perhaps a sense of joy…when the story wraps, the characters reach their goals and their destinies, and you can’t wait for the next tale to unfold.
Would you rather have a pet dragon or a unicorn, why?
What—WHAT? A dragon, really? Like in my backyard? Maybe a little one that would light the charcoal in my grill and growl at the Amazon drivers. But I’ve got a dog that does that (no, she doesn’t light the grill, but she enjoys it when I do).
Of course a unicorn would be quite decorative and would just graze gently in the yard. I’m afraid riding it would be tough. My luck, the neighbor would choose a dragon, a big one, and it would eat my unicorn. That, and it would leave huge steaming mounds of dragon poop all over the yard. Maybe I’ll take a pass on the whole deal.
If you could have any magical ability, what would it be?
I’d want the power to create magical ancient worlds and people them with fascinating characters having amazing adventures…Wait, I already do that. Never mind.
If you were stuck on a deserted island with one of your characters, who would it be and why?
Eponia, the horse. ‘Cause I’d get hungry on a deserted island and I could always eat the horse…okay, never mind that one either.
Where is the best place to start reading your work?
The only place to start reading my Historical Fantasy is “Half Sword” on Amazon mybook.to/Half_Sword.
Author bio:
Let’s see… [ponders stuff to definitely leave out] I grew up on the California coast and ran away to sea when I was eighteen. Still got the Coastguard Mariners Certificate to prove it.
Since then, my rather checkered career included mining geologist, commercial fisherman, civil engineer, mess-hall cook, surveyor, and strategic planning consultant. My work has taken me to Africa, Latin America, Europe, the former Soviet Union, Middle East, India, and the Pacific Islands. These days, when I’m not writing, I enjoy hiking, tinkering, and “… simply messing about in boats.”
What inspired you to start writing in the fantasy genre?
Years ago, I started writing Science-Fiction/Fantasy because that was my primary read. It was all a pile of dreadful trash, written for my own enjoyment. Then I picked up “Name of the Rose” by Umberto Eco and found my Holy Grail, Historical Fantasy.
Not saying my stuff was happy Pulitzer ever after, or even worth reading, but I upped the action and developed my own approach to the genre. When Neil Stephenson put his Foreworld series out on Kindle Worlds, I jumped in and contributed three rather large Historical Fantasies.
Dive into the enchanting world of Andrew Claydon as he unveils the secrets behind his captivating fantasy series, The Chronicles of the Dawnblade. Discover his writing process, inspirations, and themes of self-improvement and magical abilities. Get ready for an immersive adventure!
Andrew Claydon has enthralled readers with his fantasy series, The Chronicles of the Dawnblade.
In this interview, Andrew takes us behind the scenes of his writing process, the inspiration for his characters and world-building, and what readers can expect from his work.
So grab a cup of tea, get comfortable, and let’s dive into the mind of Andrew Claydon.
What inspired you to start writing in the fantasy genre?
It was either that or sci-fi and it’s easier to try and explain magic than explain how a hyperdrive system works. Really, I have grown up with fantasy films, like Conan and Willow, which have been a great source of inspiration to me.
There is something about swords and sorcery that speaks to me creatively like nothing else does. The idea of a magical world inhabited by all kinds of creatures that heroes traverse on adventures is just so appealing to me as writer…even though I personally read military sci-fi.
How do you approach world-building in your stories?
It started out very vaguely with my series. It was only once I started writing the first book that I realised I’d have to really knuckle down and think about the world I was creating.
There are many things which I’ve dialled in but a few more that I’ve left open to give me room to be creative in coming titles. I never know what inspiration’s going to strike me.
Can you walk us through your writing process?
I’m certainly not a plotter. When I start a book, I have a chain of events that I want to occur throughout the story and some lines I thought up that I want to include. If I go any deeper than that I start to lose interest.
I find that some of the best stuff I write comes to me as I’m deep in the flow or going off on some tangent or other, so I avoid overly plotting my stories.
Would you survive in your own fantasy world?
Depends which part of it I land in. Some are more hospitable than others—but give me a sword and some stalwart companions and I reckon I’d last at least a week.
What themes do you explore in your work?
I think change is a big theme in my books, but in the terms of self-improvement. Who you think you are/how you see yourself doesn’t define you. You can always grow and learn and change. Nothing is set in stone. It just takes the proper motivation and the proper teachers.
What’s the strangest thing you’ve had to research for your stories?
How many pints of blood in the human body—please, don’t ask!
What do you hope readers take away from your stories?
That with the proper drive, you can become whatever you want, regardless of how you start out.
Would you rather have a pet dragon or a unicorn, why?
A dragon. The food bills are probably immense, but I’d never have to worry about paying for heating again.
If you could have any magical ability, what would it be?
Healing magic—I’m approaching 40, so it’d be great to make my various groaning joint pains magically disappear.
If you were stuck on a deserted island with one of your characters, who would it be and why?
Shift. I could utilise their shapeshifting ability to get myself off of said island. And before I did, they’d just be lots of fun to be around.
What would you name your pet dragon?
Vultan. So every time I rode him I could think of Brian Blessed in Flash Gordon and shout “Diiiiiiive!”
Where is the best place to start reading your work?
I’m a UK fantasy author who began publishing his first series last year. I currently have two books of my series, The Chronicles of the Dawnblade, published and plenty more on the way. I have degrees in history and psychology and black belts in 3 martial arts so I hope to god that means I can write a good character and a decent fight scene!
Dive into the magical worlds of Jan Foster, British historical fantasy author, as she discusses her inspirations, writing process, and magical creatures in her stories.
Today we are joined by British historical fantasy author Jan Foster.
With a passion for history, Jan has created a world filled with magic and intrigue.
In this interview, we’ll dive into the inspiration behind her world, her writing process, and what readers can expect from her books.
So grab yourself a cuppa and join us on this journey into the world of historical fantasy.
What inspired you to start writing in the fantasy genre?
I write historical fantasy and history, although written often by the victors, could be read as absolute. Fantasy allows me to ask the ‘What if’ questions – like, what if I had to live with wings but pass as a human, what if the world as fae knew it was ruled by an immortal woman, and what if a bastard son was made vampire and took over the English throne. It’s fun to explore these ideas and play with them in a parallel world.
How do you approach world-building in your stories?
I have a world within the human world, whose society structure is based on nature’s creatures. The beings who inhabit this hidden world have to, at times, interact with the human world though but because they are more ancient, it’s accepted that they shouldn’t interfere too much and change the course of human history. Because its a parallel world, there is crossover though, and I tried to imagine the view which an ancient observer would have on the human world with the benefit of their long life and experience. Naturae itself is on a real (geographically speaking) island, so I had to incorporate the topography into the design of it!
Can you walk us through your writing process?
My stories are quite character driven (as in, I want the character to start at one point in their journey, face their challenge and then, grow from it – thus making up their arc), but I always start the plotting with the history. I look for years where there was a lot happening in the society – preferably a seismic shift because of change in ruler/religion/discovery and imagine how that might effect a character’s aims in their story arc. Once I’ve noted down those events and plotted out the character’s arc within the context, the storyline is virtually broken down into chunks for me to write. It takes a lot of research and pondering to see how the jigsaw of multiple POV’s is going to fit together so its a long process. Recently, I thought it would be quicker to write against a beat sheet, for a romantic fantasy, but it actually took me longer because I was so worried about keeping to the desired structure and at times, it just didn’t ‘feel’ right to move ahead with the plotline then. I think, when all is said and done, I’m a plantster through and through – I have a rough idea of where things are heading and when in the story, but let it evolve a bit more naturally than sticking to a word count for an intended end number of words!
Would you survive in your own fantasy world?
Absolutely – but not if I was still a human. I’d quite like to be a witch though.
What themes do you explore in your work?
Belief, right to rule, female empowerment (in a time when women were definitely second class citizens)
What do you consider to be your biggest influences as a writer?
I read widely, especially historical/historical fantasy, but I also LOVE thrillers. I’d like to think some of my influences are those who write in these genres, but I also highly rate authors / specialists who talk about story structure like John Truby and Lisa Cron.
What’s the strangest thing you’ve had to research for your stories?
Blacksmithing and medieval spycraft!
What do you hope readers take away from your stories?
I’d love it if they could see the parallels I infer with modern life from the history I cover, but perhaps that’s a wish too far. Mostly, I just want to tell a good story to escape into!
Would you rather have a pet dragon or a unicorn, why?
Dragon – I grew up with probably every Anne McCaffrey book she ever wrote so it had to be really!
If you could have any magical ability, what would it be?
I’m easy to please – I just want to be able to fly. Telekinesis would be cool though, or am I just too lazy to reach for my brew when I’m reading?
If you were stuck on a deserted island with one of your characters, who would it be and why?
Spenser – my Fae Ambassador to Europe. He’s a bit of a fop, a dandy, highly entertaining and well travelled, but would have so many tales to tell I’d never get bored. Plus he’s kinda hunky for a fae.
What would you name your pet dragon?
Clawsome
Where is the best place to start reading your work?
Sign up to my newsletter and receive a free novel – the prequel set in Viking era, Risking Destiny. You can sign up on my website and find out more about the Naturae series there as well.
By day, Jan juggles consultancy work with her family, but by night she sneaks off, into the past. Her penchant for sprinkling history with magic is fueled by coffee and Cadburys. When not writing, Jan takes her dogs and small monsters into the countryside, especially if there is a castle or historic building there with a cosy coffee shop in which to escape the rain of Manchester, England
Dive into a conversation with CL Jarvis, historical fantasy author, as she talks world-building, writing process, and her debut novel.
Get ready to be transported to a world of magic and science as we talk to historical fantasy author CL Jarvis.
With a passion for history and a love of science, CL Jarvis has created a world filled with magic and intrigue.
In this interview, we’ll dive into the inspiration behind her world, her writing process, and what readers can expect from her series.
So grab a cup of tea and join us on this journey into the world of historical fantasy with CL Jarvis.
How do you approach world-building in your stories?
My stories are set in a historical Edinburgh with added magic, so some of the world-building is already done for me. But it requires a lot of research to ensure it’s historically accurate (without drowning the reader in info). My goal is to nail the sensory, geographical experience of being in this world.
Can you walk us through your writing process?
I’m an intuitive/pantser writer. Any project starts with 1-2 key scenes that first spark my imagination, so I write those out first. Then I’ll write a few more exciting scenes, step back, and try to figure how to fit a plot in there. I prefer a simple three-act structure—I don’t need to reinvent the wheel with my story arcs. If I was sensible, I’d outline more…but I find the most interesting, original bits of sparkle/insight come out when I’m writing on the fly, and they’re what make the writing process exciting to me.
Would you survive in your own fantasy world?
They have coffee, so probably.
What themes do you explore in your work?
Though there are plenty of ribald jokes and fight scenes, my debut novel also asks questions about access to knowledge: when “trust the experts” becomes elitist gatekeeping, and making medical/scientific knowledge accessible flips into propagating inaccuracies. These were issues in the 18th century with the rise of the professional class (and greater access to university education/newspapers), and it’s an issue today.
What’s the strangest thing you’ve had to research for your stories?
Period-appropriate swearing and foods are the most fun.
What do you hope readers take away from your stories?
The Georgian era is a fascinating time period: weird, scandalous, grubby…but modern in surprising ways. While these are adventure fantasies, I hope readers come away with a bit of my enthusiasm for the era.
Would you rather have a pet dragon or a unicorn, why?
Dragon. Who wouldn’t want the perk of flying?
And what would you name them?
Growler
Where is the best place to start reading your work?
In my 9-5 life I’m a mixture of writer and scientist. I’m from Scotland (currently based in Edinburgh) but have lived in the US long enough to mess up my grammar and spelling. I have a vociferous cat and drink a lot of coffee.
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!
Explore the fantasy world of author Melinda Kucsera as she shares her writing process, inspirations, and the eternal debate: pet dragon or unicorn? Dive into her captivating stories and discover where to start reading.
Melinda Kucsera is the author of over twenty fantasy titles.
In this interview, we will delve into her writing process, her inspiration, and whether she’d prefer a pet dragon or unicorn.
So pour yourself a nice cup of tea and let’s get started…
What inspired you to start writing in the fantasy genre?
I kept meeting people in fantasy garb who were looking for their long-lost queen. I offered to help them, only to discover that no one else can see them except me, and to help them, I need to write books about a reluctant mage and an ancient curse. They claim this will break the curse and free the queen, but I’m a bit skeptical at this point since I’ve written twenty books and I still haven’t broken the curse or freed her. I’m not saying the characters are lying to me, but someone is. 🤣
How do you approach world-building in your stories?
I keep the characters from going on at length about every facet of their world and just show the parts that actually relate to the story I’m writing. The characters don’t like when I do this, but no one wants an info dump, least of all me.
Can you walk us through your writing process?
I create a plan, then pat myself on the back for a job well done. After that, I set the plan aside and go to work. Unfortunately, my characters are stuck in my apartment while I’m at work. They pull out the plan, decide we’re not doing what’s planned, rip up the plan, set the pieces of the plan on fire and leave me to sweep up the ashes of the plan as they skip off into the sunset and do their own thing.
Would you survive in your own fantasy world?
Yes, I’d survive and live quite well in my fantasy world because I know how to follow the rules of the enchanted forest. I also know where to find quality medical care and affordable housing.
What themes do you explore in your work?
The themes I like best lately are: can you go home again, and other family-related themes. Who am I if I lose my magic, and other questions about identity. Can dreams come true and if they do, what do you do after that happens?
What do you consider to be your biggest influences as a writer?
The Lord of the Rings trilogy is a huge influence on me. I read it after I saw the first Peter Jackson film when I was in college.
What’s the strangest thing you’ve had to research for your stories?
What happens to your intestines if you get stabbed? Did you know, they can slide aside so a knife can slip past them and not even nick them? Yeah, I didn’t know that either until I went down that rabbit hole. It depends on where the person was stabbed, and it’s a common occurrence according to the research I did.
What do you hope readers take away from your stories?
A warm hug and a bemused smile because where they thought the story was going isn’t where it went, but where it ended up is better than what they thought.
Would you rather have a pet dragon or a unicorn, why?
I’d rather have a dragon. In fact, I have a dozen right now scattered across multiple books that are published and coming soon. I really don’t need another. 😂
If you could have any magical ability, what would it be?
If I could have any power, it would be the power to heal.
What would you name your pet dragon?
My dragons usually name themselves, then tell me what to call them, and I respect their wishes, so they don’t incinerate me.
Where is the best place to start reading your work?
Curse Breaker Enchanted is the best place to start and not just because it’s my first or my favorite or the book I can’t leave alone. Everything grew from that book, including the prequels.
About the author.
Melinda writes epic fantasy books when her characters allow. They sometimes drag her off on unrelated adventures to save the the greater universe where her books take place, but that’s a story for another time.
