Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m just coming into my prime in this world. My mind is constantly split between the world I created with Dragonkind as well as Software Engineering, oh…and my day job if I’m being honest. I’m a family man, three kids, one about to head into the Navy the other two about to enter middle school, and a girlfriend without whom none of this would have been possible. I am currently working on a single series of books, the first of which is available now and I’m in the middle of writing the second. So far on chapter 7 and page 110.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The book is Dragonkind Dawn of Prophecy and this story has rolled through my head for the better part of two decades. It had many different iterations throughout the years and at one point I completely gave up on it. When I finally sat down to write the story it took five drafts/edits to get to the point where it is now.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t feel that I do. While I’m writing I’m trying to visualize the scene I’m writing. If I can’t do that I erase what I wrote and approach it from another angle. The fun part of everything that I’ve done with this first book is that I discovered I like to make good people suffer in the story. My favorite story from this process has been that I wanted my teenager to tell me she hated me for what I’d done with a few characters in the book and I got my wish. She was screaming all the way from her room on the third floor about how much she hated my choices and why I felt they needed to happen. That was a good night.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love Lev Grossman and The Magician’s trilogy, I read those for research during the writing process just to see how he wrote the use of magic. Stephen King definitely influenced me, no specific book rings to mind, but I love the way he writes. I’ve read too many books to really notice where all of the influences came from, but I definitely started reading more when I actually sat down and started writing the book.
What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on the sequel to Dragonkind Dawn of Prophecy. The title of the sequel is currently Dragonkind Dawn of Heresy. It’s a bit darker than the first, which is saying a lot if you read the book. Currently, I’m on Chapter 7 and on page 110.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Still working on that, hoping this one knocks the socks off of the two Fiverr promotions I’ve done, but we’ll see.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Be Dory from Finding Nemo and just KEEP WRITING. What I experienced was tremendous growth in content after I finished one draft and took the notes I received into consideration. Your first draft WILL NOT be perfect. When you get to the point where you’re nitpicking all of the grammatical errors and no longer adding new content, then you’re done with the story and need to move on to line editing, which is the step before release.
ALSO don’t hire someone for the cover TOO soon. I wound up needing to add more and the artist charged me to do so, which was her right. I’m just saying, wait until you know what it needs and make sure it’s ALL displayed on the cover. It’ll cost you in the long run.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
To read while you write. That’s the best thing an author can do. If you’re wondering if a word you use is going to be okay and you find it in a published author’s book then you’ll be okay using it. That comes from Stephen King as well, not the last part, but the first. Don’t let Imposter Syndrome take control of your actions. You are what you say you are and don’t let anyone, not even yourself, ruin it for you.
What are you reading now?
Currently in the midst of the final Magician’s book, The Magician’s Land. I took a bit of a break to really finish up the book and focus on school for a minute.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m going to keep writing. I have at least 10 books to write before I die, hoping that spins off into 100.
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?
I would need to bring the Lord of the Rings (the copy with all three novels in it), The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy (again, with the whole story), and probably something Stephen King, anything I could lay my hands on before I was stranded.
Author Websites and Profiles
Kenneth L Powell Website
Kenneth L Powell Amazon Profile
Kenneth L Powell’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile