Interview With Author A.S. Norris
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Spent a lot of my youth and much of my adulthood adventuring across the United States and the world. Even though I'm now married with a family, the adventuring spirit still yearns for the unknown deep inside me. Officially, I have written and published one book so far, "The Wayward Mage: The Adventures of Jack Wartnose." I do have the second book in the series, "The Forbearing Mage," coming out April 25, 2023, with many more books in the series planned.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is "The Forbearing Mage," set to debut April 25, 2023. What inspired the series as a whole was a desire to tell good stories that parents could enjoy with their children, along the lines of Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" or Jacques "Redwall" series; fun, engaging adventures with clean humor and romance yet could still challenge the reader with its topics of family, forgiveness, and redemption.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I usually only get to write during my lunch breaks. Between my normal nine to five and responsibilities at home, not to mention a toddler who loves her daddy and constantly clings to me whenever I'm home, I don't get a lot of time to write. So I spend a lot of time conjuring up scenes in my head and then quickly writing them down in the short time I have. If I can't I make a detailed note and come back later to flesh it out. I have about 40 pages of notes for this series stretching toward the end.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle Earth, C.S. Lewis "Narnia" series, Brian Jacques "Redwall" series, Terry Pratchett's "Discworld" series, Susan Cooper's "The Dark is Rising" series, Frank Beddor's "The Looking Glass Wars" trilogy, Timothy Zahn's "Heir to the Empire" trilogy. Outside of fantasy adventure, there's the "Freakonomics" books, "The Richest Man in Babylon," and some other history books.
What are you working on now?
Currently, working through the self-edits of the second draft of book three in "The Adventures of Jack Wartnose" series, "The Condemned Mage." Hoping to finish soon and get it to the editor. That would leave me more time to get back to and finish the draft for book four, "The Hunted Mage."
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Honestly, don't know. Still learning how to best promote my books. Not easy being a new author trying to carve a niche out. There's a group I'm subscribed with called Self-Publishing School that has been great at coaching me through a lot of this.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
1) Pray. I wouldn't have stuck with this and the financial headache it brings without all the spiritual help I've received.
2) Don't let failure hold you back. Writing is a marathon. It's not an overnight success like the movies make it seem. Keep writing, writing, writing, and learning little by little how best to market your writing.
3) Have a few dedicated family and friends for support. You're going to get frustrated. Have them help you vent, clear your head, and then push you to keep going.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
From Terry Pratchett, when asked how he can put out a book a year; words to the effect of "If you write around 300 words a day, you can finish a book within a year!" Don't believe you have to write it all down at once. Little by little, and it will get done.
What are you reading now?
Besides book 3 of my series for the third time? Tolkien's "The Silmarillion" and some indie authors I'm helping to launch their upcoming books.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Launching book 2 April 25, 2023. Then finishing the self edits for book 3 and get it to my editor. After that, finish writing book 4 and getting that ready to launch with book 3 at the beginning of next year.
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?
Whatever books the Professor from Gilligan's Island had to create all those gadgets out of coconuts and palm fronds to make life easier.
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