I once heard that we only see people we’ve met in our dreams. In that way, we never see a face we haven’t seen in our dreams and that which we imagine in our sleep is a story comprised of people we’ve seen before. I like to think the same is true about writing; we only write about characters we’ve met.
J.D. Bowens – 12 March 2019
The Back Flap
Amarant is a magical continent, home to mages, swordsmen, rangers, bards, and thieves. It’s where the Edderick brothers live and struggle to leave their mark on the world.
A JOURNEY THROUGH THE SHADOWS:
Consus Edderick is excited to be a mercenary on his first mission with his older brother Kyran. Nothing difficult about escorting an elderly priestess from one city to the next. The mission changes when they are apprehended by soldiers.
Consus, Kyran, and the priestess make a run for it and take shelter in a network of caves. They discover a long forgotten city, miles underground. Can they make it through the city undetected by the evil that lurks in its shadows and avoid capture?
THE RAT, THE RAVEN, AND THE CROW
It’s a simple job: clear a basement of rodents. In fact, it’s too easy for a trained mage such as Altin Edderick. He and his brother, Ewan, have little trouble exterminating the rats. At first the rats retreat down the privy chutes to the sewers.
But something terrifying climbs back out: Dire rats, rodents the size of dogs with a bony exoskeleton. Only by traversing the sewers of the city will he be able to discover who is leading these creatures of evil.
A BARD ON THE ROAD TO SUNDROW:
There is nothing more tragic than the sudden death of a loved one. There is nothing more dangerous than unfettered curiosity.
A precocious halfling bard convinces Kyran to retrieve his lute from highwaymen. Kyran agrees to do it, for the right amount of gold. He finds the highwaymen already dead, killed by their own sorrow. Now ghosts from Kyran’s past try to lure him to his own death. How can he escape?
Join the Edderick brothers as they face one perilous adventure after another. Then join them on their grand adventure in THE PILGRIM STONE.
About the book
What is the book about?
Adventures in Amarant is a collection of short stories that follow the Edderick brothers – Kyran, Altin, Ewan, and Consus – as they traverse the continent of Amarant, solve magical mysteries, and fulfill dangerous quests.
Each short story follows two brothers, the third focuses on all four. These short stories are a prequel to a trilogy that follows the same characters.
When did you start writing the book?
I wrote these stories after writing my first novel for the series (The Pilgrim Stone). I realized that a great way for the reader to become more familiar with the world and protagonists would be to read some short stories before they read the first novel. Writing these stories was a wonderful experience.
Most of the fantasy short stories I’ve read (or heard about) are long and more like novellas. There aren’t too many short stories that are – pardon my redundancy – short. I wanted each short story to be a small adventure for the reader, a little quest that starts and ends in just a few pages.
How long did it take you to write it?
That’s a great question. With editing and review it took about 72 hours. Of course, I didn’t write everything within 72 hours. That’s 72 hours spread out over three months.
Because I have a day job, I don’t really write a lot during the week. However, give me 4 hours in a Starbucks on a weekend and I might just eek out half of a short story.
Where did you get the idea from?
I’d love to say it’s based on a true story… but I can’t recall the last time I ran into an actual wizard.
I’m a big fan of D&D (Dungeons and Dragons); I started playing in high school (2.5 edition). The short stories, A Journey Through Shadows and The Rat, the Raven and the Crow, are based on similar adventures I experienced in D&D. The characters and the outcome are quite different, but they are comparable in content.
A Bard on the Road to Sundrow is based on my own personal experience with family tragedy. A death in the family has a ripple effect that follows you through life, particularly if that person was your parent or a sibling. This short story captures the experience one might have when being visited by the ghost of a loved one.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
A Journey through Shadows was hard to write and it was also the first short story I wrote. I had the challenge of introducing the brothers, the gods, the world and magic in just a few short pages. I’m very proud of the result.
I also wanted to evoke that eerie feeling one might experience when traveling through a lost city. I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but I believe I succeeded in that effort.
What came easily?
A Bard on the Road to Sundrow was the easiest story for me to write. It’s shocking to me that it was. It doesn’t hold the same fantastic adventure feel that the other two stories have. While there are exciting moments, there is a greater focus on the remorse one carries years after the passing of a loved one.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
This is a fun question. Yes and no. I once heard that we only see people we’ve met in our dreams. In that way, we never see a face we haven’t seen in our dreams and that which we imagine in our sleep is a story comprised of people we’ve seen before. I like to think the same is true about writing; we only write about characters we’ve met.
The brothers are an amalgamation of people I know and fictitious parodies I created to fit the story. I like to think that all my characters are based on some real interaction I had with a person in the real world.
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?
Terry Goodkind was my first fantasy author. I read his books in the 8th grade and it changed my entire reading habit. Suddenly an 800 page book was a decent weekend read. My tastes have changed but The Sword of Truth series holds a special place in my heart.
Margaret Weiss and Tracy Hickman (The Dragonlance Series) blew my world wide open. There were so many well-imagined characters in a world rich in history. It was the first time I realized that I could create an entire universe of stories in my mind.
Do you have a target reader?
I like to think that my target reader is anyone who likes a great adventure. I expect I’ll draw attention from male readers 15+ with a fantasy background. However, you don’t have to be a fan of fantasy to enjoy a new world and new characters.
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?
For a novel, I prepare an outline and spend a day just stewing on the story. Then I’ll park myself in the nearest café and write until I’m overcaffeinated and need to go for a jog.
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
I maintain a chapter by chapter outline. Each chapter has a couple of points about significant events or conversations. When I initially begin writing a novel, I only have 20 chapters that are fully developed in my mind. But as I write, the story evolves and changes. Subplots reveal themselves as well as opportunities for character development. Extra chapters are added. I usually double the books length once the process starts. It is so much fun!
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
I edit as best as I can while I’m writing the rough draft. I want to complete something that’s not entirely atrocious for my editor. Upon completion I’ll go through the manuscript with a fine-tooth comb and try to tackle any grammatical errors, plot holes, and inconsistencies.
Did you hire a professional editor?
I did not hire a professional editor for Adventures in Amarant: Short Stories Collection Vol 1. I am in the process of “editor-shopping” for The Pilgrim Stone (the next book in the series) and all subsequent books in the trilogy.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
Of course, I do. I’m not a monster. I will listen to anything from electronica to folk music to Kentucky blues to classic jazz and bebop to celtic music. It depends on the mood of the chapter I’m writing. I can’t listen to someone like Arianna Grande when I’m writing a major death scene.
About Publishing
What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?
Initially I thought I might go the route of traditional publishing. I was daunted by the world of self-publishing; the marketing, advertising, editing, book covers, and all the other daily tasks – it just seemed overwhelming.
I sent out query letters to publishers and was turned down 72 times. As most writers do, I felt a strong need to share my story. The more time I spent investigating the world of self-publishing, the more I thought “yeah, I could do this.” I stopped sending query letters in April of 2018 and haven’t looked back.
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?
I hired a professional and I encourage everyone else to do the same. Working with imagery is far different from writing, believe me. Jessica Dueck designed my covers and she’s done a fantastic job. She’s so easy to work with and she’s very creative. I was lucky to find her.
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
I have a marketing plan but there are times where I am shooting from the hip. I know there are essential items of success for an indie author: great book cover, solid blurb, well-informed reviews, and visibility on social media and Amazon. Obtaining all of these items together (especially the reviews and visibility) is an ever-evolving process.
Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?
First, work on your craft. Join writing groups, find beta readers, and review your story over and over. There will always be a better writer than you, so try not to get discouraged. Focus on what makes your story different.
Second, do your homework. Immerse yourself in podcasts on marketing, self-publishing, and advertising. Make sure you know all the critical items you’ll need for your success and then try to get all of these things before you launch your book.
Finally, know that whatever plan you have will change once post-launch. Adapt and move with the market and the outlets that sell your book. It’s not easy. It’s a lot of work but the reward is that you own your book, you own your brand, and you own the profits.
End of Interview:
Get your copy of Amarant: Short Stories Collection vol 1 from Amazon US or Amazon UK.