Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am 24 years old and from Peterborough, Canada. I’ve lived here my whole life save for when I was completing my Bachelor of Engineering in Mechatronics in Ireland. I have been a fan of the fantasy genre for a long time now and I’ve always had a tendency to write and be creative though it was much more recently that I came up with the idea for my book Shadow’s Awakening. It is my only book so far but there are plans for more.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Shadow’s Awakening was inspired by the writing that I did with a friend of mine. It was a sort of cooperative writing exercise where we took turns writing what the characters would do or say and letting the story build from there. The characters I created and the character that they brought to the story ended up meshing so well that I just had to expand on what we had written. Shadow’s Awakening now tells the full story of those three characters.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really. I work full time so I end up squeezing my writing in when and where I can. That being said, once I sort of get into the zone of writing, I churn out words very quickly. I managed to write, edit, and publish Shadow’s Awakening in less than a year.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
The Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan is the first series that I can remember finishing in its entirety. Those books helped stoke the fire of my love of fantasy. Furthermore, I saw the whole Lord of the Rings trilogy at what may have been too young of an age, but it nevertheless became an obsession and hooked me much deeper into fantasy.
What are you working on now?
Currently I am working on a prequel novella for Shadow’s Awakening which will expand upon the world and the events that led to the start of the novel. I am also planning out two other novellas which will expand on some of my favorite parts of the book as well as a full sequel novel.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Goodreads has been an invaluable tool. As a self published author, a lot of my promotion ends up being done over social media or simply by word of mouth. Goodreads has been an incredible way to bring my novel directly to the audiences that are interested in it. Having a captive audience who are only there to talk about books and their authors is more than I could have hoped for.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
My single biggest piece of advice is to practice. A lot of people don’t see writing as a skill like cooking or woodworking but it is. I cannot guarantee that anything you write in the beginning will be any good. Looking back at my early stuff I can’t help but cringe, but only by starting to write will you one day discover the story that will turn into your first novel. Beyond that, just write whatever makes you happy, not everyone will create numerous outlines, versions, and character profiles. Sometimes you’ll find that you can just let the story flow.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
It was that if I really struggle to write a section of my story then more than likely the reader will struggle to read it. Forcing yourself through writer’s block can make for very bad writing. Sometimes it’s better to simply take a step back and try writing the scene in a different way.
What are you reading now?
I’m currently reading A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas after finally bowing to the peer pressure of some of the people in a book group I am a part of, and I don’t regret it.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Honestly, I’d just like to get the rest of these novellas and novels on paper. It feels like they have been living in my head for so long that I can’t even fathom what may come after. I do have an idea for a completely separate novel that’s a little less spell and sword, and a little more monsters in the real world, but that’s not for a little while.
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?
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by JK Rowling, The Martian by Andy Weir, The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson, and The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman.
All books that I could, and in some cases have, read hundreds of times and never get bored with them.
Author Websites and Profiles
Liam Bonner Website
Liam Bonner Amazon Profile
Liam Bonner’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile