Interview With Author Daniel Dydek
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve been writing since I was 8, and have always loved the written word. Life has intruded many times over the years, but also given me plenty of opportunities to write nearly full-time. I also love the outdoors, and I think you’ll recognize that love in many of my books. I have three published so far in The Triumvirs series, with a new series beginning late March that I’ll be publishing concurrently with The Triumvirs.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The One Known is the third book in the Triumvirs series, available now, and was actually inspired by a video game—Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance for Playstation 2. There’s a moment where your character is in these ruins, and the wall is broken through and the plants outside have grown right up next to it, and the sunlight is streaming in. And I wondered: what would it be like if there was a detective who could see the last moments of a victim’s life in those sunbeams? From that came Keebo, singer of the Kin-Song, who can see the victim as the words are sung during the time of the murder.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t know, writing daily? Just kidding. One habit I picked up is to stop writing only when I know what comes next. It makes it so much easier the next day to jump back in.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Many of the fantasy greats: Tolkien less than others, but Robert Jordan, Elizabeth Moon, Robin Hobb, Patrick Rothfuss, David Eddings, R.A. Salvatore; and some of the less-famous perhaps: Glen Cook, David Keck. Probably others I can’t think of right now.
What are you working on now?
I’m more than halfway done with the first draft of Book 4 of the Triumvirs; and I’ve been working on a new supernatural thriller/fantasy series called the Spirit Wind series. Book 1 should be coming out at the end of March ’23.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Right now Amazon Ads are doing some amazing things; I also have my own website where readers can connect, and sign up for my monthly newsletter.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Give yourself time to grow. If you’re going to do this as a career, you’re going to be writing forever—so don’t be afraid to write a story and throw it away, or keep it to yourself, or rewrite it later. It’s still all writing.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“I had learned already never to empty the well of my writing, but always to stop when there was still something there in the deep part of the well, and let it refill at night from the springs that fed it.” Ernest Hemingway. Never stop writing when you don’t know what’s next, but only when you do.
What are you reading now?
I’m going to be finally diving into Brandon Sanderson’s Stormlight Archives to see how he handles a truly epic fantasy.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Continuing to write, publish, and promote The Triumvirs and The Spirit Wind series.
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?
1. The Bible
2. The Deed of Paksenarrion
3. The Great Hunt
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