My son isn’t as an avid reader as the rest of the family. He often struggles to find books that would interest him at his reading level. So, my desire was to take some of the elements that are found in older fantasy works and put them in a book that was at his reading level.

J. Daniel Batt – 12 March 2015

The Back Flap

There is world of adventure just a dream away.

There is more to your home than what you’ve seen. There is a place you have never stepped foot in. Your home has an outside, an inside, and a side you didn’t know existed: Dreamside. If you have a very healthy dose of curiosity and courage, you might be able to find it. In fact, on an afternoon not too many days ago, a young boy named Keaghan discovered the way in. This is the story of Keaghan and his adventures in Dreamside, a strange world of twisting hallways, a labyrinth just beyond the walls (and through and between) of every home. Keaghan must journey to the Heart of Dream, over the Sea of Teeth, through the dark and deadly Blether House, into the House of No, through Overside and Underside, and more wonderful and frightening places in a race to to stop the invading Cra-gin and their horde of ravaging Tomsi. Can Keaghan save his home, his Dreamside, and all of reality? Can Keaghan unlock the mystery that is the Boy at the End and prevent the destruction of the Tree of Dream? And can Keaghan do all this when every one of his friends have fallen in the Dream War and left him alone?

About the book

What is the book about?

The book, Keaghan in the Tales of Dreamside, tells the story of a young boy that discovers a world full of strange creatures inside his own home. Keaghan must journey through Dreamside, a strange world of twisting hallways, a labyrinth just beyond the walls of every home. Keaghan will discover that he is the Boy at the End and the only one capable of saving the world of Dream from the invading Cra-gin and their horde of ravaging Tomsi.

When did you start writing the book?

We’ve long had a tradition of nightly bedtime stories. We quickly gave up reading from story books and instead, I’d come up with different stories each night with my children as the heroes. The stories became serialized ending each evening with a cliff-hanger. Finally, after a few years, my family encouraged me to write the stories down. What was just a few late-night stories turned into an entire novel.

How long did it take you to write it?

The full book was written in different stages. Part I was written several years back as a simple chapter book published through Radial Works Media. That was very well received and people kept pushing me to write more. The four remaining parts that make up the Omnibus actually came out fairly quickly. I knew the story. I had this image of Keaghan standing on an edge of a sea of teeth. I also had an image in mind of the great dream tree and these glowing doors hanging in space. Putting the two together, the plot fell out fairly well. I did a rough outline and while much changed, several key beats did not. Overall the majority of the book was written in about five months.

Where did you get the idea from?

My son isn’t as an avid reader as the rest of the family. He often struggles to find books that would interest him at his reading level. So, my desire was to take some of the elements that are found in older fantasy works and put them in a book that was at his reading level. It is an intense book. It’s meant to be! I kept looking for something that would grab my son’s attention from cover to cover and finally decided I’d have to write it myself.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

I’ve wrestled with other writing before but not Keaghan in the Tales of Dreamside. It was a completely different experience. I knew the scenes, I knew the themes, and I knew the arc for the character. I wish everything I wrote came as easily. This was a rare treat. Part of the writing came so easily because I had been telling these stories to my kids at night and honing them over quite some time. The struggle was probably in those late moments by their bedside when I was hurriedly thinking of something fresh to say.

What came easily?

Not to sound repetitive, but most of it did. The easiest was the final several chapters. Part 5 of the Omnibus poured out. I knew the ending and found I couldn’t write fast enough.

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

I do have a son named Keaghan and the two share quite a lot of similarities. The boy in the book is definitely more mischevious than the real Keaghan. I also have a son named Tristan. The one in the book is definitely much less kind than the real one. The other characters have no relation to anyone I’ve ever encountered. And that was a delight. They were their own people and I loved that. Oh, we did get a beagle after the book was written and we named her Kitli. She had a lot in common with the Kitli from the book.

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’m a voracious reader. The list of authors is far too long for this interview. Stephen King has definitely influenced my writing style and story construction. I’m a huge fan of Anne Rice, Peter Hamilton, C. S. Lewis, James S. A. Corey, Nisi Shawl, Ken Scholes, and a whole host of others. I take a little bit from each one I read and find it comes out in my writing later.

Do you have a target reader?

Keaghan in the Tales of Dreamside was written for children between third and sixth grades but I’ve had many adults e-mail saying they “absolutely loved reading it themselves.”

About Writing

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

I write first thing in the morning. I work a full-time job so my time is limited but I make sure that I do it every morning. A solid hour – three hours depending on what I can crank out. It means early mornings but it’s a critical part of my experience. I use Scrivener religiously. I also keep a notebook with me at all times. Any idea, no matter how small or strange, gets written down. I also try to write fast on the first attempt—my goal is to reduce any bit of compunction or hinderance between my subconscious and the actual page. I’ll close my eyes as I type and try to get in a mode where the words hit the page as quickly as I can think of them.

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

I normally don’t outline. The process of outlining and charting a story first is very foreign to me. My writing experience has always been exploration through writing. I tend to dream up a scenario, fashion my characters, and then let the story unwind as I write it. However, I did outline this. It wasn’t extensive (although, any outlining for me feels extensive).

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

I absolutely refuse to do any editing until I get through the entire book. Then I let it sit for a few weeks before coming back to edit. It’s the method Stephen King proposes in his book On Writing and I’ve employed it on everything I’ve written.

Did you hire a professional editor?

I did work with a professional editor. J. Scott Wilson is my editor and he edits everything I touch. The man is absolutely brilliant!

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

I do write to music. I have several Spotify playlists all arranged based on what I’m writing: space music, scary music, epic, etc. It changes depending on what I’m writing.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

I have submitted other work to agents but not this piece. I wanted full control. As an artist, I knew what I wanted the final work to be so I didn’t even bother with going to agents on this one.

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

I have gone both ways over the years. I’m still trying to sell another novel through the traditional route. I chose independent on this because of the full creative control it provided me. I wanted a beautiful finished product. I just had such a strong visual image I wanted from cover to cover that I couldn’t let someone else touch it and not feel as if I had cheated myself.

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

I work as a professional designer and artist so I managed the entire process myself. I’ve actually done layout and design work on several traditionally published fiction and non-fiction books so this was actually the most natural part. Part of the desire to do it myself was so that I could control the entire process. I’m very pleased with the final product—the internal artwork is beautiful and I feel it complements the sense of wonder and fantasy I wanted to create!

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

I have an extensive year-long marketing plan and have consulted several marketing experts. Marketing is, for me, the most difficult part of the process. However, I really do believe it’s just as important. If no one is reading your book, then part of the whole experience is missing. I want to get the book in people’s hands.

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

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you’re not a designer, then get a designer (and a good one—not just someone who owns Photoshop) to do your work. Have many first-readers that will give you honest advice. Don’t put out crap. Be proud of your work because you’ve earned the right to be proud.

About You

Where did you grow up?

I grew in the Nebraska Panhandle, far out in the country, completely surrounded by cornfields. It was a completely different life!

Where do you live now?

I live in Northern California on the edge of the city. I still have country vistas to look at but I’m also just a few minutes from the benefits of the city.

What would you like readers to know about you?

Beyond writing, I’m actively involved as a space enthusiast. I serve as the Creative and Editorial Manager for the 100 Year Starship, an organization whose mission is to develop the capability of interstellar flight in the next 100 years. I’m also on the Space Settlement board with the Lifeboat Foundation.

What are you working on now?

I’m editing an anthology for the Lifeboat Foundation. I’m finishing my first screenplay. I’m also continuing to seek representation for my young adult novel.

End of Interview:

For more from J. Daniel, visit his website, follow him on Twitter, or like his Facebook page.

Get your copy of Keaghan in the Tales of Dreamside from Amazon US (paper or ebook), Amazon UK (paper or ebook), Barnes & Noble, or Smashwords.