If there is any advice I could give, it would be to never stop. Even if life gets in the way and you have to put your focus on important things like family, work, school. Please handle your business, but continue to work on your craft. It is hard, manual labor and serious time has to be invested to create something of quality. 

Eric Danhoff – 27 May 2013

The Back Flap

Night falls and snow begins to cover dead concrete as the city known as Perdition enters another winter. Each year, the storms grow more intense, as does the murder and corruption inside the city’s walls. A bizarre murder scene and a young girl reported missing bring ailing detective Paavo Harker back from retirement. The dark mystery behind both crimes will unleash secrets that not only threaten his own fleeting life, but perhaps everyone’s.

About the book

What is the book about?

The Black Eclipse is essentially an existential parable wrapped in a crime drama. Paavo Harker, the protagonist, is struggling with a terminal illness while trying to solve a string of kidnapping cases. He puts himself in exile when he is unable to find those people. A doctor’s diagnosis gives him only a short time left to live. As his condition worsens, he decides to take new cases again in order to give his life meaning before his body gives out on him. One of his latest jobs, however, takes him deep into a web of conspiracy and intrigue that threatens the entire city.

When did you start writing the book?

I had the initial idea in high school, around 2002. I drew up a synopsis and character introductions, along with a dream sequence to set the tone for the story. I showed it to a few peers and teachers. Their reactions were mainly raised eyebrows but wanting to see where it would go.

How long did it take you to write it?

Six years in total. I did not start working on it again until 2006 when school was done and I had time to focus on writing an actual novel. In 2009, the manuscript was only 60 pages, but I kept working on it until it was finished at the end of 2011.

Where did you get the idea from?

I read a quote from a guitar player years ago that said we take small pieces from our influences until (hopefully) your own style is unrecognizable. The idea for this book stemmed from a mix of literature, film and animation I was into during those school years. I wanted to create a story that was based in philosophy. It had to be a unique world and it had to have a strong visual style.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

When I decided to write the novel, I had a beginning and an end. The struggle was developing a story that would take the reader from point A to point Z. My goal was to try and create a story that was wholly original, so I took a lot of time to make sure the plot did not follow any other stories that already existed. Researching the styles that influenced this story in the beginning, and making sure I did not fall into familiar traps. The trick was turning the plot in new directions, and still having everything make sense in the end.

What came easily?

Developing characters was easy for me. The hard part was figuring out what to do with them.

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

The characters living in this world were not based anybody I have met.

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?

The essays of Albert Camus kept me awake most nights, questioning what I was going to do with the rest of my life. I wanted that same desperation to be a part of my story. The movies Blade Runner and Sin City were huge inspirations to me in terms of how to create a gritty, noir atmosphere. I was introduced to Cowboy Bebop through my friends in school. It had such a unique style with its use of jazz music and the mystery surrounding each of the characters. This novel, in many ways, pays homage to those stories and their effect on me as a writer.

Do you have a target reader?

I suppose not. As a kid, I always tried to read books and see movies that were too old for me anyway. So, I welcome anyone to read it and tell me what they think.

About Writing

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

My writing process is simple; at the computer with headphones on. I try to immerse myself in the world I am creating and write in stark images. For every character I develop, there is an image to introduce them. Paavo’s introduction is him staring at himself in the bathroom mirror. A hole in his chest can be seen in full light. The reader learns of his strange disorder alongside the unsettling picture.

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

For this book, I started with a title for each chapter, followed by a series of key events I wanted to happen in each one. With a beginning and an end to reach, I needed to map out how the story unfolds to make sure everything was explained with no gaps in logic.

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

I usually finish a chapter and then go back and read it over to edit any mistakes.

Did you hire a professional editor?

Createspace offers the service of a professional editor to look over your manuscript but I decided to do it on my own. In hindsight, I probably should have hired someone with more experience as I found myself spending too many hours, reading each chapter over and over. And I still missed a few errors somewhere in there.

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

Music is a huge part of my writing process. I actually came up with a soundtrack to listen to while completing the story. It was an odd mix of metal, trip hop music like Portishead and crazy jazz rock from John Zorn’s Naked City and The Mars Volta. I still have it on my iPod.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

When the manuscript was finished, I sent out letters to at least 200 agents. I got nothing but rejection letters, which I used to have on my desk but since then have been packed away.

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

After getting nowhere with literary agents, I started reading articles on self publishing, found out about Createspace and took that route. It was a gradual process. Harlan Ellison said that the reason anyone writes is for posterity. I decided to purchase the ISBN number so it can be used with other publishing companies, but I wanted my story out in the world, somehow.

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

The book cover was done by a very talented artist in Chicago named Rampy Vivian. We went to high school together and he does amazing tattoo and mural work. He has a website (rampyvivian.com) but it’s probably easier to find him on Facebook. I wanted the cover to get people’s attention. It had to be connected to the story in some way but I wanted it to have mysteries of its own. I got in touch with him in 2011 and he invited me out to see his work in a gallery on the Northside of Chicago. The painting I saw (and the one I wanted for my cover) was called “Mind Control”.

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

My marketing plan has been to start small and then build a presence online with videos and advertisements. It has been a slow process and a steep learning curve.

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

If there is any advice I could give, it would be to never stop. Even if life gets in the way and you have to put your focus on important things like family, work, school. Please handle your business, but continue to work on your craft. It is hard, manual labor and serious time has to be invested to create something of quality. There is bad writing everywhere now and not just in literature, in video games, movies and television, and it is getting worse. Take time to find interesting shows, films, games, and let them inspire you.

About You

What would you like readers to know about you?

I also have a book of poetry available on Amazon and Createspace if you would be so inclined as to check it out as well. Also, thanks to The Indie View and to anyone who takes the time to read about my novel.

What are you working on now?

At the moment, I am getting ready to start a cyberpunk novel, to be out next year.

End of Interview:

Get your copy of The Black Eclipse from Amazon US (paper or ebook) or Amazon UK (paper or ebook).