Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a new independent author with my debut fantasy novel, Legends of Lightning book one, Hidden Realm, releasing on October 6, 2020. I am also planning on publishing a collection of short stories closer to Halloween.
When I’m not writing I love to read (and watch) horror and fantasy. If you read my works you will see that even though the Legends of Lightning series is a fantasy, there are many horror aspects to it. I love the mixing of genres!
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Legends of Lightning series is my current project. It was inspired by several different things, most notably I have always had very vivid dreams and nightmares; everything I was exposed to while awake had the potential to be twisted into something terrible and haunting. This is what I did with Legends of Lighting, I took an ordinary person and shoved her into a world plagued with nightmares and told her she had to fight them if she wanted to live.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I can’t focus when I’m typing directly onto a computer and I had a constant problem with writers block and terrible focus when drafting my first novel. I found the best process for me it to hand write everything (or most everything) and then type it up on the computer. Sure it takes a while and I get a lot of hand cramps, but it is so much more efficient for me.
What are you working on now?
I am working hard right now to finish the squeal to Hidden Realm. Legends of Lightning book two, Redemption.
I’m very excited to expand this series and dive further into the politics and the plot lines I started in book one. I am also eager to show the alterations and growth of my character, Esther Wan, as she is forced to make impossible decisions. How far will she go, and how much of herself will she loose to stop evil?
I really hope to expand this series into 5 books, branching out and telling it from other POVs along the way.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Making friends!
Seriously, got on Instagram, Twitter, whatever you like, and make friends in the author and reader community. Making friends will get you so much further than just ‘Buy my Book’ posts ever will.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t give up and don’t ever take ruthless, non-constructive criticism from someone you would not go to for advice.
Many people may want to help, but honestly just because they have good intentions does not mean they know what they are talking about. I constantly get ‘advice’ from people who have never written a book or sold a product in their life. Find reputable places to learn from, there are so many great YouTube channels out there made just for you! Don’t let other people’s ideas and opinions bog you down and just write.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
even if you think you think you have writers block, sit down and write a single sentence anyways.
It’s amazing how that simple act can kick-start your mind. I have gotten some amazing writing done on days I ‘wasn’t feeling it’ by doing this.
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?
1 – His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman
2 – Lord of the Rings by Tolkien
3 – Anything by Dan Brown or the Millennium trilogy by Stieg Larsson
Author Websites and Profiles
T.R. Slauf Website
T.R. Slauf Amazon Profile
T.R. Slauf’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile