It started off as a challenge to myself to create a character I could reuse in other stories … I wanted to create a character who is less intertwined with a single, definitive plot arc, who I could continue to write about and develop across titles.
Steve Thomas – 4 April 2013
The Back Flap
Klondaeg is a simple Dwarf with a simple plan: rid the world of monsters. When he was a boy, his parents were killed by unidentified monsters, and he swore revenge against all of them. Armed with a talking battle axe with two personalities, Klondaeg travels the countryside, slaying everything from tiny werewolves to gold-devouring demons. He negates prophecies, disproves history, and even comes face to face with Acerbus, the god of darkness himself. But will he ever find the thing that killed his parents?
About the book
What is the book about?
Klondaeg the Monster Hunter is an action-fantasy novella featuring a Dwarf on a quest to avenge his parents, who died in a mysterious monster-related tragedy. Klondaeg never found out who exactly to blame, so he’s made it his life’s work to kill all monsters just to be sure.
It’s a novella heavily influenced by cartoons such as The Venture Bros. or Batman: The Brave and the Bold.Klondaeg is a firmly tongue-in-cheek fantasy adventure full of outlandish monsters, team-ups with other heroes, and over-the-top action.
When did you start writing the book?
I started it in August of 2012.
How long did it take you to write it?
It took about six months to draft, plus a few more months of editing and soliciting feedback.
Where did you get the idea from?
It started off as a challenge to myself to create a character I could reuse in other stories. I had previously written two novels, but they all end with a certain finality. Each major character in those books has his/her fundamental conflict fully resolved. I wanted to create a character who is less intertwined with a single, definitive plot arc, who I could continue to write about and develop across titles.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
This is going to get very specific and a little weird. At one point in the book, the topic of alchemy came up. I had a throw-away joke saying that alchemy was a sensible methodology. A friend pointed out to me that in a magical setting, alchemy is unreliable hokum while sorcery is well-established and predictable. I resisted because even in the real world, alchemy as unreliable hokum, even though it evolved into chemistry. The argument lasted a few days, but he eventually convinced me.
What came easily?
There are a lot of characters with strong personalities in this story, and so there’s also a lot of banter. The banter came very easily, to the point where if I had to be careful not to let it swallow up entire scenes.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
My characters are all fictitious. I don’t want that kind of trouble.
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?
My earliest exposure to fantasy was, as is typical, The Hobbit by Tolkien. Tolkien’s stuff is obviously the progenitor of modern fantasy, so he’s a major influence. Terry Pratchett has also had a huge influence on how I approach comic fantasy.
Do you have a target reader?
Anyone who has read enough epic fantasy to see the humor in it.
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?
My process isn’t anything too glamorous. I tend to do most of my brainstorming when I’m in the car or otherwise have time to think. Good ideas end up in an outline, and I do most of my writing in the evenings after my wife goes to bed.
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
I typically have the premise, characters, and ending worked out before I start writing. I do some rudimentary outlining, but it’s usually nothing more than a few lines of major plot points I plan to put in the next few chapters. When I have time to write, I write. When I have time to plan, I plan. I don’t wait until I’m done with one before I continue the other.
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
Most of my editing is at the end. I’d never finish a draft if I was constantly rereading and editing.
Did you hire a professional editor?
I did not. I always have a handful of people read it prior to publication, and they’ll point out whatever typos they find (along with bigger problems). After that, I proofread until I stop finding problems, and then I proofread again before publishing.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
Oh my, no. Too distracting.
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
I did not. Once I realized that indie publishing was a viable option, I didn’t see the point.
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 an aversion to any kind of red tape, and publishers have a lot of demands (formatting, cover letters, etc. all need to be custom-tailored for each publisher, and half the time they aren’t accepting unsolicited manuscripts anyway). Once I learned about self-publishing, it was the natural choice.
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?
This cover was drawn by student of The Art Institute of Philadelphia named John Comegno. He’s since graduated.
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
Oh, I have a plan. It’s a good plan, but talking about the plan isn’t part of the plan.
Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?
Write the sort of books you want to read, and make sure to tell people that you did. Don’t rush to publish; you’ll just embarrass yourself.
End of Interview:
For more, visit Steve’s website.
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