Interview With Author Matt Devitt
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m Matt, the author of Conquest, and so far, I’ve only officially written one book. I’ve always loved creating stuff, and I started writing out of boredom. I had nothing to do, so I opened up Notepad and started writing. My first work (if you can even call it that) was awful to say the least. But I enjoyed it. So I wrote and wrote. Eventually, I got better until I decided to see how good of a writer I was. I wrote my first ever work and learned so much from it. But it still needed work. However, I believed I was ready to create my magnum opus, and thus, Conquest was created. I put more time and effort into The Quest For Freedom than all other works combined.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The latest book is still my first (The Quest For Freedom), but the second book is in the works. It’s bigger and more epic than the first, filled with more battle, wit, and rallying speeches.
What inspired Conquest is LOTR and The Inheritance Cycle. I always loved LOTR, and in my opinion, it’s the greatest fantasy of all time. As for Eragon, it’s one of the first epic fantasies I’ve ever read, and it sticks with me to this day. Both of them are full of grand battles and moments that get you fired up, and I tried to replicate that in Conquest. The fights feel like you’re there, the stakes are high, and Fletcher delivers some of the most rallying speeches I’ve ever heard (I might be biased towards that).
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes. I don’t create a layout/plan for my book. I have a starting point and an end, but almost everything in the middle I make up on the fly. I can’t recall the countless times I’ve backed myself into a corner because of that, but I find that is where I work best. In those moments where I need to figure something out that makes sense and is entertaining, otherwise I’ll be forced to delete and redo hours of work.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
LOTR, Eragon, and Percy Jackson have inspired me the most. I already talked about the first two, but Percy Jackson has a charm that you can feel regardless of age. It has combat, but it isn’t so overdone that all meaning is lost in the story. The characters have depth, and everything flows smoothly together, while somehow not getting stale even after so many books.
I tried to keep the same balance of battle and character development. I want my work to breathe life, while also being entertaining and enjoyable to read.
What are you working on now?
Right now, I’m working on the second book in Conquest! For anyone who has read the first, get ready, because the second book is even more epic. The battles are bigger, Affer has expanded, and more characters enter the story. I don’t plan on slowing things down, and the world of Conquest will continue to grow until the very end.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Instagram is where I’m on the most. I find and connect with more people on there than anywhere else. Goodreads is also great and I’m on there often.
Feel free to message me on either; I hope to connect with you on either!
You can find both my accounts here:
https://www.instagram.com/theconquesttrilogy/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/57481094.Matthew_D_Devitt
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just do you. If you like another author, or book, it’s fine to take inspiration from it, but make sure what you’re writing is you. If you try to sound like someone else, not only will people just read them instead, but you’ll lose your greatest asset: being unique! Sure, every author might not have a completely different style, and styles are bound to overlap, but if you stay true to yourself, at the end of your book, you’ll be able to look at it with pride.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
You only have one life. Don’t waste it. You’ll never get another chance, so make sure you live a meaningful life.
What are you reading now?
At the moment, nothing. I’m focusing on my second book now, and I don’t like to read while I’m working on a book.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Finshing up the second book and then the thrid. I intent for Conquest to be my Magun opis, so I’m putting as much effort into it as I can. From there, only time will tell.
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?
War and Peace, Dune, and a random book. I’ve tried to read War and Peace before, but was unable to finish it; however, on an island, I think I can read the whole book. Dune, because I have never read it and would like to. As for a random book, I would want to read something unexpected.
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