Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve been writing since the age of six, but I’ve always had stories in my head. As long as I can remember, I’ve been a storyteller and a story finder. As a child, I almost never finished stories because I had too many ideas, and as soon as I fixated on one long enough to write the first few chapters, I would run out of plot or get distracted by the next one. My first book to reach completion was a short mess called “Talking Car Town”, which is exactly what it sounds like. It involved a dramatic plot to rescue the lost King of Cars, and I had five more highly formulaic books planned. However, I didn’t finish anything else until almost seven years later, when I developed some self-discipline and my writing really took off.
To date, I’ve completed four full-length novels, two shorter works, and the first two volumes of a four-volume epic fantasy. Weird fact about me: I love historical fiction but write fantasy.
Aside from writing, I’m a pianist and composer, and one of my favorite hobbies is to compose music for fellow author friends’ books (and mine, of course). I work at a dairy farm currently but have aspirations towards a library job.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My upcoming release is titled “The Journey”, or “The Journey”, Ceristen Series #1 when I want to sound original. Except for a few months in its early draft where it went nameless, The Journey has always been its name. It’s about journeys, inner and outer, more than anything else.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really. I stay up late, demand peace and quiet, play lots of music, and check my social media when I should be writing. I’d say I’m fairly standard.
Then again, I don’t drink coffee. That puts me off the charts.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
J.R.R. Tolkien’s thematic use of language and his world-building depth have left an abiding influence on me since I read Lord of the Rings at age 10. The first thing I did for my world was to (very inexpertly) craft a unique language for it. Nine years and several years of Latin and casual linguistic study later, it’s become seventeen languages, twenty countries, and innumerable cultural quirks that I could talk about for hours.
Rosemary Sutcliff, a lesser-known historical fiction author, is my true inspiration for writing style and character depth. If you haven’t heard of her, go look her up now. Her command of the English language is delightful, and her art of character portrayal phenomenal. More than any one author, she has shaped my writing to what it is today.
What are you working on now?
Lots and lots!
The epic fantasy mentioned above is just over halfway complete, with the third volume in progress. “Sorrow and Song” is a prototypical fantasy on many counts, with the big baddie in a tower, a quest (several!), and Artifacts of Great Power; but it also includes unusual elements such as mostly adult/middle-aged protagonists, and strong themes of personal growth that tend to outshine the main conflict.
I’m also writing a middle-grade fantasy on the side. Set in a country based off Phoenician/Arab culture, it explores the concepts of choices, misguided loyalties, and cross-cultural relationships.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I focus on networking. I love to connect with people, and I find that when I genuinely interest myself in their lives and aspirations, they are in turn eager to reciprocate the friendship, and often wind up checking out my book. I make sure that my name is out there for people to find when they need it, and I do a degree of outright promotion, but I prefer making things personal.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Stories take time to develop. Be cautious seeking criticism in the early stages; your story doesn’t know fully what it is yet, so how can your critics? Write your draft, go over it, let it alone for a little, come back, and see how your vision has altered and solidified. It’s your duty to know your own story best, so know it before you let the beta-readers and editors in.
(Of course, there are some editors who deal specifically with story development — developmental editors. If you’re having trouble actually developing your own story ideas, then by all means, get some concept help! I know a few amazing developmental editors who can send a story soaring.)
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Creative brains gotta create, even when it’s not convenient. Don’t annihilate your creativity; arrange and build around it. Some people will say if you’re really disciplined, you can just fight it… life is too short to tell your creative brain to sit in a corner.”
As an author new to the publishing and marketing life, these words from author Janeen Ippolito’s recent social media webinar mean the WORLD to me.
What are you reading now?
I don’t have any current reads. I just finished a fantastic book, “Oath of the Outcast” by C.M. Banschbach. If you like brotherhood stories, loyalty amidst false accusations, and good ol’fashioned adventure, do yourself a favor and check it out.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Completing some edits on Ceristen Series #2 and submitting it to my publisher. I’m excited to continue sharing my words with the world.
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?
For starters, the Bible. After that, well, I’d obviously have to take some Sutcliff… and once I was done picking from those, I don’t think I’d have any books left. I might be able to make an exception for Eloise Jarvis McGraw’s “Mara, Daughter of the Nile”, though.
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