What is your writing process? For instance do you do an outline first? Do you do the chapters first? What are common traps for aspiring writers?
Personally, I don’t bother with outlines. I will never stick to them. The only thing I do at the beginning to work out the main characters. I find a name, figure out what they look like and their personality. Maybe a bit of conflict then I start writing. I don’t set goals for the length of a story and while I have a plan when I start, it almost always changes.
The most common trap I see for aspiring writers is the desire to be the next big author, i.e the next J.K. Rowling. That doesn’t work. Be yourself. Write for yourself first. And when you release a book, don’t describe it in any way like, “Harry Potter meets Twilight.” You set yourself up for failure when you compare your book to big sellers like that.
What is your writing Kryptonite?
Typos are the devil. That’s my biggest problem. Fortunately my editor knows me well enough to not only spot them but figure out where I’m trying to go.
Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?
I prefer to be original. It’s too hard to try to cater to readers so directly.
If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
Write more often. Write more poetry, write more short stories. Write more novels. Just write.
What’s the most difficult thing about writing characters from the opposite sex?
We work a little differently emotionally. Also, sex is difficult to write out if you write from her point of view. For my part, I’m used to writing alpha male type of characters. Most say really raunchy and blunt stuff that isn’t always characteristic of a lady.
How long on average does it take you to write a book?
Used to be about six months. However, this is my first book in about three years
Do you believe in writer’s block?
Yep, and it sucks. That’s why it’s been so long between releases for me.
Genum Island, and Talis is considered the head and strongest of it.
Joined by his sister, Teryn, and her husband, Cian, they protect
their magic based home from the forces of darkness who seek the
mysterious power of their home. It’s all routine, until Talis’ old
crush shows up with a strong desire to take the head witch for himself.
to make up for, but with him comes trouble. Hot on his tail is his
ex-girlfriend, and with her is a demon who has a craving for souls
and a rise to her former glory.
ever faced. How far will they go to save a soul?
has ever faced, Talis and Dion settle in happily married life. But
Talis is the head of the Coven, and his life will never be simple. He
has responsibilities far above and beyond what he had anticipated and
ever increasing powers to master. With all this, there is the
certainty that darkness never sleeps, and now comes a true test of
more than just ability, but the strength of his will.As Teryn and
Cian prepare to welcome a new addition to the family, Talis and
Dion’s work just begins as insecurity and outside forces come
together to threaten their marriage. Beneath it all is a sinister
force older and more powerful than any ever known, threatening not
only to tear them all apart but the world as they know it.
Teryn and Cian actually walked into the kitchen at the same time as Talis and Dion.
“So, did anyone actually cook today?” Talis asked.
“Sleep sounded like a better idea,” Teryn replied.
“So, we’re making sandwiches then?” Dion asked.
Cian went to the refrigerator and peered inside. “We’ve got leftover baked chicken. Sounds like a plan.”
Companionable silence descended as they worked together to fix their easy meal. They stood around the kitchen island to fix their sandwiches and to eat.
“So, this is cozy,” Teryn ventured.
“It’s weird,” Talis muttered.
“Normal is overrated, remember?” Cian reminded him of his own casual saying.
“Ok, true, but it’s weird knowing we were all doing the same thing and had the same idea after,” Talis replied.
“Pretty sure there were some differences,” Dion added.
“Sex, shower, deep emotional conversation we wouldn’t normally have, then feed,” Teryn listed.
“Ok, that’s beyond weird. It’s creepy,” Dion told her.
“But it explains so much.” Talis smirked at his sister. “My loving sister is already getting mood swings, and she had an emotional moment that I picked up on to have my own.”
Teryn flipped him off and Cian laughed.
“Someone fill me in,” Dion requested. “I’ve clearly missed something.”
“Teryn’s pregnant,” Talis said simply.
“Gods I hate men,” Teryn griped before taking an aggressive bite out of her sandwich.
writer, though he also writes some poetry and general fiction. He is
very active on both twitter and facebook and has his own website at
www.drakosden.net which is frequently updated with news on his books
and fun extras. When he isn’t writing, he’s busy helping take care of
his nieces, playing videogames, reading, promoting, and spending time
with family.
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Thanks for a little insight about yourself. I haven’t read any of the books but I must say the covers are great.
Thank you.
I particularly like the typefaces on SUNDER!