I started writing my novel when I was Grade 8 in the year 2012.

Jayra Almanzor – 23 October 2014

The Back Flap

What would you do if you woke up in hell and couldn’t remember a thing?

Set in a dystopian society about 150 years from the 21st century…

Suddenly rousing in a place completely different from his world, seventeen-year-old Robert is greeted with accusations, bullying, and fear from the teenagers around him. Life isn’t easy in the new place, especially if it’s the direct opposite of how and where he was raised. However, there’s something more about the place that gives him the chills. Is it the fact that monsters and demons always get to massacre someone every night, and then leave when dawn comes? Or that he can’t recall what his surname is? Maybe it’s that the locals are always blaming him for what happened to Cleo, a girl whom Robert doesn’t even know. Determined to find out what happened, how he got there, and how to get out, Robert and his unreliable fox companion tries to persuade the most stubborn party of defeatists to help them on their crusade, or go off on their own. Filled with thrills, devotion, realism and originality, Stygian Rift is one unforgettable, emotional journey!

About the book

What is the book about?

Stygian Rift is a dystopian novel about a boy named Robert who one day wakes up in this eerie, dark chamber. He eventually finds out that this place is essentially a place where mutated monsters and demons are thrown in and there is no easy way out. Robert, along with a group of defeatists, must then conquer their fears and inner demons to find a way out and fast.

When did you start writing the book?

I started writing my novel when I was Grade 8 in the year 2012.

How long did it take you to write it?

It took me around a year to write it and another year to edit and get it published.

Where did you get the idea from?

I got the idea from a lesson at school about how the world’s population is increasing significantly (there are more births than deaths). I thought to myself, “what would be a possible last resort for this issue?” and came across the idea for Stygian Rift.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

I certainly struggled on a lot of parts of the book. By the middle of Stygian Rift, I came across what most people would call “writer’s block,” although I like calling it “the wall.” I lost interest in writing the novel because it was too much for me. School became hectic and I just became lazy. However, I gave myself a little lecture and vowed to write a bit a day to eventually completely chip off the wall.

What came easily?

The beginning definitely came easily. That’s the part where you’re most free; you’re not completely tied to the novel’s plot and/or storyline and you can change it easier than when you’re, let’s say, at the climax of the novel.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

They’re entirely fictitious.

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

I’ve always loved Erin Hunter, Suzanne Collins, James Dashner, Veronica Roth, and George R.R. Martin. I think it’s their stories and my connections to their characters that have always influenced me to write.

Do you have a target reader?

I think young adults are my target readers for Stygian Rift, but I’m hoping to completely expand this on my next books.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

I like to brainstorm first then just dive into writing, to be honest. However I make tiny notes on my phone when I feel like I need to remember things (I have a really bad memory). The ideas usually come in the middle of the night, which sucks, but I don’t really have a choice if they choose to come to me at that time!

I go from place to place when writing, meaning I don’t just go in one direction. One day, I might be writing chapter one, the next chapter eight, then the next will be back to chapter five. I find that doing this helps me overcome an incoming writer’s block, which saves me a lot of time.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

I may write little chapter headings and see where that will take me, but like I said on the previous question, I like to just dive into the writing. I may brainstorm then go into the writing, but that’s it. When I feel like I need it, I may make a simple, changeable outline, but I find that making an extensive one to follow all the time really disrupts my writing flow.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

I like to edit when I can’t think of anything else to write, just to get more ideas. However, I don’t edit a lot of the plot; that usually comes when I’m finished writing the first draft.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

Yeah, I like to listen to music. They help fuel my brain so I can continue writing. Music can help me write 5 000 words without me even realizing it. It’s that crucial to my writing. I like to listen to classical music, covers, and lots of The Fray.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

I think I have submitted my work to one agent only.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

The fact that Stygian Rift is my first novel, I think going with an indie publisher is the way to go. It’s extremely hard to get into bigger publishing houses when I’m so young and don’t have a lot of credentials.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

I got the cover artwork painted by an artist then my publisher did the rest of the work.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

I think both. I have a marketing plan and along the way, I’m also winging some things. Like if opportunities to market the book come to me, I do it. It doesn’t have to be a part of my plan.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

Persevere, persevere, and persevere. You miss all the shots you don’t take. I think that’s what aspiring authors need to know; they get daunted by the fact that getting into the writing industry takes a lot of time and effort, but that’s what’s fun about it. The fact that you worked so hard to get there is the most rewarding experience on earth, in my opinion. Aim to get your novel published instead of letting it rot in your hard drive; no matter how bad or good it is, there will eventually be people that will like it. As clichéd as this sounds, you just have to believe in yourself.

About You

Where did you grow up?

I was born and raised in the Philippines until Grade 4, then went to Canada onwards.

Where do you live now?

I live in Ontario, Canada.

What would you like readers to know about you?

I don’t know… maybe everyday is a struggle for me to balance academics, writing, painting, exercise, and League of Legends? What do you want to know about me?

What are you working on now?

I’m working on a fantasy focusing on time and space and the four seasons. I’m currently around 40% complete with the first draft and still have a working title. Titles, for some reason, are really hard for me!

End of Interview:

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Get your copy of Stygian Rift from Amazon US (paper or ebook), Amazon UK (paper or ebook), or Barnes & Noble.