Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi there, I’m a New Zealander who lives in Wellington, or “Wellywood” as it is affectionately dubbed around here. Working part time in a bookshop, means I always have a book to read – from thrillers to kids books. And I love them all, but my favorites are epic fantasy and science fiction. I love the worlds, I love the imagination, I love the adventure.
As for books written, I’ve had numerous short stories published, including horror, science fiction, fantasy and stories for children. In terms of books, I’ve written around ten, depending on what is counted as a book. I have a number of children’s books of varying lengths, and my current epic fantasy series has three novels, “Quest”, “Prophecy” and “Omens” as well as a short story book magnet: “The Secret Child”.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is “Omens.” Like the rest of the series it was inspired by some of my favorite authors, and there are nods to many of them in the series. Omens is stand alone, (at least I hope so) and darker than the previous novels, as I plumb some of the elements of dark fantasy and horror to make life really difficult for my feisty heroine.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I think I’m like a lot of authors, I spend most of the day procrastinating, and suddenly at midnight, my writing brain switches on.
There’s a bit of talking that goes on, too. I mean how else do you get your characters to talk to you, or figure out what the prose will sound like? At least, that’s my excuse. 🙂
What authors, or books have influenced you?
So many authors, where do I start?
Ursula Le Guin, JRR Tolkien, Jill Murphy, Terry Pratchett, H.P. Lovecraft (mostly just to use those spoof elements), Diana Wynne Jones, Iain M. Banks, C. J. Cherryh, Andre Norton, E.B. White (mostly known for Stewart Little or Charlotte’s Web, but Trumpet of the Swan is my favourite), Alf Prøysen, Lewis Carroll, Neil Gaiman…
I could go on for a very long time, but I will spare you. 🙂
What are you working on now?
Right now, I’m just taking a breath and working through ideas for my final free reader magnet for the series. I haven’t quite decided on a character. Currently I’ve narrowed it down to six:
Old Capro: the wizard’s younger days hunting dragons
Amarinda: spy and lover of dresses and feminine things
Jonathan: his adventures as a trader before he became a wizard
Torri: the inventor
Tishke: I’ve no idea what I’d write, but I love Tishke – she’s a bit of a mystery and crazy fun. I still haven’t figured out her early days.
Potsie: The leader of the wizard UN D’Ground
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
That’s something yet to be determined, I’m pretty new to the promotion game.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep exercising: keep the blood flowing if you want to keep ideas coming. And read lots.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
This is nothing to do with writing, but for all the celiacs out there, this is for you – “gluten is poison”. That piece of advice changed my life! If you’re feeling really sick and run down, low in iron or have other markers, get tested – it might save your life!
What are you reading now?
Right now, I’m reading Brandon Sanderson’s “Oathbringer” and I’m still not sure how I feel about it, but it is beauiful and really well written. And I just finished Frances Hardinge’s Deeplight, which was amazing and just a little bit steampunk.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I really like variety. I can’t bear to write the same thing twice so my plan is to finish a series of You Choose Adventures with my daughter, write another free story for my Sylvalla Chronicles series, and then aim for a science fiction dystopian thriller.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
Verdigris Deep, by Francis Hardinge
Guards! Guards! by Terry Pratchett
And an enormous blank book to write in!
Author Websites and Profiles
A.J. Ponder Website
A.J. Ponder Amazon Profile
A.J. Ponder’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account