Author Q&A

Why did you choose to self-publish? 

 

After doing a lot of research into the different publishing options, I decided that, at least for this series, I wanted to self-publish. While it’s a lot more work to do it yourself, I maintain control, not just of my rights but also of my creativity. I don’t hand over a beloved work I’ve poured my heart and soul into to a company that is thinking of the bottom line. Don’t get me wrong. There is nothing wrong with authors who go the traditional route. But I’ve heard too many stories of series that were dropped and left unfinished, with the author having no control over it. That’s not what I wanted.

 

Who are your favorite writers? 

 

I read a lot, both fiction and non-fiction. One of my favorite fiction authors is Sharon Kay Penman. She writes a variety of stuff, but my favorites are her series set in the medieval period. Not only is she great with characters, but she really knows how to do her research and incorporate it so you feel like you are in the time and place of the novel.

 

Where do you get your ideas?

 

Referring back to question number two, I read a lot. I get many ideas from the non-fiction I read, both for pleasure and as a historian. I love incorporating ideas and stories I read from across different time periods into my works, even if they are predominantly set in a medieval world.

 

What is your writing process?

 

I’m an outliner and planner. From the beginning of an idea, whether it be a dream, something interesting I read, or just a simple daydream, I plan. I have a pretty fleshed out outline by the time I write my first sentence. This outline is typically divided into four parts: Act I (the set up), Act IIA and ActIIB (split by the midpoint), and Act III (the finale). I like using the Save the Cat beats to ensure my story flows well, but I don’t always follow it to the letter. I find that as I’m drafting, I add a lot of ideas and really flesh out characters, which can have a trickle effect throughout the entire novel. I also do a number of edit/revision passes, which take a 40k rough draft to a final 100k+ novel.

 

What is the most difficult part of your writing process? 

 

Maintaining motivation during the editing process. It is pretty easy for me to fast draft a novel. I don’t edit as I go, but follow the outline and get out what I’m able to get out. It’s quick and messy. Then comes the editing process, where I have to take this messy draft and turn it into a novel. That’s the hard part. I have to take into consideration the plot, character development, consistencies, world building, and more. I do multiple passes, often addressing each of these things separately. It takes a long time, especially on large works, like my fantasy. It’s easy to get burned out and I have to pace and reward myself to avoid that.

 

What do you think makes a good story?

 

I find that I enjoy stories with characters I can relate to and empathize with. If I don’t connect with the character, it’s really hard to enjoy a story, no matter how interesting the setting or plot is.

 

How do you develop your plot and characters? 

 

I find that plot and character are really woven together to make a compelling story. The plot is what happens to the character, but in many instances, the plot is driven by the character. Without one, there isn’t the other. No one wants to read a series of events, no matter how interesting they are. Readers want to experience these events through the feelings and actions of a character they can relate to. I try my best to place my characters in situations (plots) that push them to grow. Sometimes that growth is good. Sometimes it isn’t (hello negative character arc). 

 

How many books have you written and which is your favorite?

 

My first completed novel comes out in 2022, but I’ve written a number of others which are in various stages of the editing process. I go through moods that make different projects I’m working on my favorite at that time, so it’s hard to say which is my actual favorite. My first novel will always have a special place in my heart, but man is it nice to be done with it and moving on to something else!

 

What part of the book did you have the hardest time writing?

 

During my many revisions, I got some beta feedback that I need to include more emotion in my writing. As the creator of this work, I knew what emotions needed to be there. I felt what my characters felt, but I was so afraid of writing “purple prose” or being too inside my characters’ heads that I tended to err on the side of less-is-more. However, the feedback was a real eye-opener and now I work hard to let the reader into my character’s thoughts and feelings, not just allude to them.

 

How would you describe your book’s ideal reader?

 

If you like history, especially the medieval period, there is a lot to like in my book. But beyond the setting, I really tried to bring in a variety of characters often overlooked, especially during this time period, specifically those considered “weak” by the patriarchal “knight-led” society (i.e. women, servants, poor men, monks). Though Lyoness Rampant revolves around the fight for a throne, I wanted to show what could happen when the weak refuse to be oppressed and try, instead, to take a stand for the masses, for people who have no voice, and give them one. 

 

If that’s the kind of story you like, I hope you enjoy mine!