This was the basis for how magic works in my world. To make something happen you have to be able to imagine it with such clarity and focus that it comes in to being. I then imagined a world where this creativity was banned, or at least tightly controlled. Those two ideas fed everything else in the novel.
Luke Brady – 19 May 2018
The Back Flap
Perin is about to graduate from the Great Academy of Caramine. It is his school and only home he has ever known.
He discovers he has the potential for great power and suddenly finds himself a fugitive on the run.
His only hope for safety is aboard a creaky old galleon with a crew of elderly misfits, determined to return Caramine to its former glory by overthrowing the Evil Committee of rulers. They believe Perin and his newfound powers are the key. He is not so sure.
Through hidden mysteries, magical duels and epic naval battles we discover who will prove themselves to be the true Sorcerers of Caramine.
About the book
What is the book about?
That’s a tough question to answer in a concise form. Let’s see…Essentially, The Sorcerers of Caramine is about a young man, raised in an oppressive society who finds himself on the run with a group of eccentric elderly pirates. It contains lots of magic, naval battles, duels and discovery.
When did you start writing the book?
I started writing in April 2016
How long did it take you to write it?
I used the NaNoWriMo format of writing a certain number of words a day, but I increased the number of words and assigned each day a chapter. I made it in the 30 days, but it them took a further two years to edit, edit again, professionally edit, sort beta readers, typeset, investigate publishing options etc etc! It finally made it into people’s hands on April 15 this year.
Where did you get the idea from?
I worked in Arts education in some form for about 10 years. During that time, I struggled, and saw students struggle with, the balance between sustaining their passion and creativity with the rigors of formal education. The answer was always a varied and inspirational teacher who could strike that balance.
This was the basis for how magic works in my world. To make something happen you have to be able to imagine it with such clarity and focus that it comes in to being. I then imagined a world where this creativity was banned, or at least tightly controlled. Those two ideas fed everything else in the novel.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
Action sequences were hard to describe with variety. Geography and names were the hardest part of world building. Writing in such a concentrated space of time also made pacing the passage of time difficult.
What came easily?
I had a very clear idea of the characters and their voices, so conversation came easier than I expected.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
This is a hard one again! The easy answer is Yes but more in terms of character traits with the volume turned up than entire people I have met. I hope that they are different enough and in a fantasy setting that no one will point to a character and say “Hey, That’s Me!” My girlfriend and my Brother know my mind and the way it works better than I do, so they figured it out pretty quickly!
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 don’t think there is any fantasy author in their 30’s that hasn’t been influenced by the likes of JK Rowling and George R.R Martin. I’m also a fan of Michael Dobbs, (writer of the House of Cards Books,) Gregory Maguire, (writer of Wicked), and Jasper Fforde, (writer of the Eyre Affair).
I think I have learned things from each author. Rowling showed with her character development through her books that no one is as simple as they first seem. Martin shows how death happens and has tangible consequences to the story. Dobbs shows us the power of quiet sinister conversation can be just as dramatic as broad action sequences. Maguire shows the dark mirror against the seemingly perfect world. Fforde has created a world of complete and utter absurdity that I love and shows that you shouldn’t be afraid to fight against convention.
Since completing the book I have started to read a lot of Stephen King. If he has taught me anything, it’s that keeping reality in your characters can be incredibly powerful.
Do you have a target reader?
I started out thinking it was a young adult novel, and I think this is probably where it has stayed. There is certainly nothing in the novel you won’t be able to let your 12-year-old kid read and understand. That being said, adults have read this book and really enjoyed it. So I’d like to think it’s for everyone.
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?
I followed the NaNoWriMo process of writing a certain amount each day. I aimed for 3000 words rather than 1500 and did it in April rather than November.
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
Yes! In order to follow the NaNoWriMo format, I split my story up into thirty chapters so that I could aim for one chapter a day. I wrote one or two sentences about what would happen in the chapter and then used the Chapter before as an entry point and the chapter afterwards as an end point. I found that breaking it down like that avoided writers block because aiming for 3000 words allowed for 1000 words for reaction and consequences to the previous chapter, 1000 words of development and ‘new info’ and then 1000 words to get your characters where you need them for the next chapter.
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
Definitely after the first draft was completed! Editing does not require the same flow or momentum as writing. If I had gone backwards to edit as I went I don’t think I would ever have finished.
Did you hire a professional editor?
Yes. I used Silverwood Books based in Southern England. They offer the full suit of publishing services but I only used them for their editing and I can’t say I had a complaint in how they did this.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
The job that I had in the Creative Arts was a musician for dance schools. I don’t think I could get through any given afternoon without music. I tried to select music or background activity that had some bearing on the scene I was writing. I listened to soundtracks to movies that had similar themes. Swashbuckling themes were written to John William’s Hook soundtrack or Hans Zimmer’s Pirates of the Caribbean. Magical scenes were written to the Harry Potter Soundtracks or Game of Thrones. Although not music, I think I may be unique in writing action sequences with professional wrestling playing in the background. I found it gave the correct energy for confrontation!
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
A few, but not with great hopes or expectations. The chances of success seemed extremely low and would take a long time if they were.
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 read a great deal about the different publishing options and liked the idea of doing it myself so that I could maintain control over the look, release date, marketing etc. As a musician with indie album production experience, I was comfortable that I could manage this project in a similar way.
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?
I engaged a professional illustrator, Tone Julskjaer, to do the artwork for the cover, the map inside and some concept artwork for all of the principal characters. She has produced amazing stuff!
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
The plan up to release was all well planned and thought out. Setting up the public profile as well as organising a good launch event. This has all done really well and I’m very happy with it. Moving forward I have the audiobook version release in May, (being recorded by Youtube Sensation Team Starkid’s Brian Holden.) Beyond that, I am in the process of booking tables at Sci-Fi and Fantasy Conventions or Comic-Cons around the UK to promote and sell the book. This should give me an annual calendar of events that I can reuse for subsequent novels as well as help me populate a mailing list.
Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?
Simply put….Just Do It! Read a lot, both fiction and industry articles and advice but come up with the process that works for you.
About You
Where did you grow up?
Dundee, Scotland!
Where do you live now?
Still there, though I love to travel.
What would you like readers to know about you?
I love people! Some artists get inspiration from scenery, history or events. I live for interacting with people!
What are you working on now?
There will be a second novel in the series. I have plotted it out in a similar way to the first. I’m waiting till this book is up and running in all its formats and my calendar is set for the year before working out when I’m going to dive back in to Caramine. It won’t be long though, because I can’t wait!
End of Interview:
For more from Luke, visit his website and like his Facebook page.
Get your copy of The Sorcerers of Caramine from Amazon US or Amazon UK.