Interview With Author Paula Baker
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
With my son, Aidan Davies, I have written The Hawks Trilogy, including Rebels of Halklyen, The God Sword and The White Wolf. We also have a duology called Cairnisle that is nearly ready for publication. It includes The Magisters and Balinus.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Hawks Trilogy, which includes Rebels of Halklyen, The God Sword and The White Wolf came to life on the first day of summer holidays after Aidan finished grade 9. We were jumping on the trampoline and decided to write a book. Aidan made Flint. I made Fleta. From there, the world with its story took off.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Aidan and I write together but writing is essentially an independent activity because you have to settle into the scene and write from the part of your unconsciousness that you can only reach alone. As a result, we have developed a strategy that works for us. First we talk our way through the scene. At this point there is a great deal of good-natured argument. Then, Aidan outlines the chapter and gives a few key dialogue lines. He is excellent at plotline and cliffhangers. Finally, I take the outline and settle into the scene to bring it to life for the readers. Aidan proofs it for me and I make his suggested edits. And we start all over again.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, John Flanagan’s Ranger’s Apprentice, Christopher Paolini’s Eragon, Darren Shan’s Demonata, R. L. Stine’s Goosebumps, J. K. Rowlings’ Harry Potter, Alison Goodman’s Eon, Laini Taylor’s Daughter of Smoke and Bone, Charles Dickens’ David Copperfield… The list is nearly endless. There is so much great writing for young adult and middle grade and we have read far too many of them.
What are you working on now?
The Cairnisle Duology is almost ready for publication. Set in the same world as The Hawks, it takes place a thousand years later. On the surface, everything seems fine, but a rumble of discontent threatens the stability of the city. It is with the editor now and covers are being designed. We are just finishing the first draft of Darkest Intelligence, the second in the Lords of Chaos Trilogy. The first in the series, Loftiest Intelligence, is complete and ready for editing. Elisabette, the main character lives in a world where magic is learned rather than inherent from birth. She is fascinated–and absolutely obsessed–with learning all she can about it. At the same time, she is plagued by bouts of mental instability that leave her incapable of doing anything in a rational manner. We have had a lot of fun playing with a character who can flip to craziness at the drop of a hat.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
TikTok seems to shift the needle on book sales.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read. And while you are reading, use your editing brain. Think critically and pay attention to how the great writers bring their worlds to life. Then edit your manuscript. Expect the same level of exellence and work until you achieve it.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Pay an artist to create your cover.
What are you reading now?
Hedy’s Folly by Richard Rhodes
What’s next for you as a writer?
As indie-authors, our world has expanded into the marketing. This transition has brought a whole new set of skills to master. It is almost as exciting as creating a new story and bringing it to life.
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?
This is the most difficult question in the world. Although I always enjoy re-reading an old favourite, I cannot imagine being restricted. If forced to pack for an end-of-the-world trip, I would take fat books. How about: The Great Dune Trilogy by Frank Herbert, A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon (because it is the longest one), Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (because it is the longest one), and David Copperfield by Charles Dickens.
Author Websites and Profiles
Paula Baker’s Social Media Links