Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I write inspirational non-fiction, visionary fiction, and run an online enlightenment workshop. Enlightenment and storytelling have interesting parallels, which invited me to write a book about storytelling – The Eight Crafts of Writing. I was born in Germany and, after graduating, enjoyed two years backpacking in Australia, New Zealand, and South-East Asia. Prior to my writing adventure, I pursued a career as a business development manager in Europe, Middle East, and Asia. . Semis-retired now, I live with my son in the Philippines.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of my latest book is The Eight Crafts of Writing. Learning fiction writing felt like parachuting into an unknown mountain terrain. Every time I climbed a mountain (a writing craft or skill), I discovered another one to scale. Five years into my writing adventure, I still couldn’t see the end of it. I looked for a ‘map’ with an overview of the writing craft, but couldn’t find one. Most writing coaches specialize in two or three crafts. Also, they prefer to focus on either story structure (left brain) or story experience (right brain). So, I drew up the storytelling map myself.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I meditate on scenes. Creative writing (writing scenes) is a right-brain affair and story structure and editing/rewriting is a left-brain affair. Meditation syncs the brain’s two hemispheres, which allows writing in the stream of consciousness.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I like Robert McKee’s philosophical approach to storytelling.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on a medieval/historical/heroic fantasy novella called Everknight. Everknight is a story of uncompromising honor. If you lost your life in a bet and were given a year to live, would you go to your execution when the time comes? Would you go out of your way to get there? Would you be a knight?
We need to return to love (Marianne Williamson) and to honor. But not that cliche honor that is open to abuse. A new honor that we can only find within.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Influencer outreach: be a guest on podcasts and write guest posts.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Get an overview of the writing craft(s), before you parachute into the storytelling jungle.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Fiction writing is complex and we can find a lot of great advice in books and on the Internet. If I had to choose the most important advice, I’d say, “Write every day three to four hours.”
What are you reading now?
Wool by Hugh Howey
What’s next for you as a writer?
In the context of religion, Jesus was the great exception. In the context of enlightenment, Jesus was the great example. The latter is a story untold.
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?
The Book of Tokens and the “Book of Nature” (Tarot).
Author Websites and Profiles
Stefan Emunds Website
Stefan Emunds Amazon Profile
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