Here’s what I love about being a writer…
So as I’ve stated many times before, I rarely pre-plan anything in my books other than the most general ideas. All the rest I just type and let the story flow out of me in whatever way it feels like it should, just as though I were standing there watching the scenes in real life while I typed it all out. Even the simplest little notion can turn into something that affects the whole series, like the notion I had today. I’m currently working on chapter 14 of Resurrection and there was a part that came up that had nothing to do really with what I ended up doing, but it led to it, and what I did felt so natural when I did it. It was something I’d sort of hinted at a bit in the past but never really out and out said, nor had I had any plans at all to say it in this or any other book, but in this one particular moment, it felt right to finally say it, and now that one little thing is turning into a major part of the story. Not only that, but it’ll bring someone who heretofore was sort of a secondary character and will elevate her up to main character status along with the others. I’m not going to say what this all involves because that would ruin it, but let’s just say that I’m really excited about what I’m doing with it.
Resurrection has been a difficult book for me to write. It just hasn’t been flowing as well as the others for one main reason…it’s kinda depressing. Now don’t get me wrong, there are some really fun scenes in this book, but there’s also a lot of heavy emotional and relationship stuff that was done out of necessity. You can’t just bring people back from the dead without there being some regrets, resentments and other emotional issues that go along with that. The problem with that sort of thing is that it’s a bummer to have to write it. The fun stuff is a blast and I can blow through those scenes in no time at all, but the heavy stuff…that takes a lot more thought and you really have to become each of the characters so you can really understand their point of view and why they feel the way they do.
Now, that said, aside from the fun stuff and the heavy drama, there are also a lot of firsts in this book.
1. You’ll go to Charles and Richard’s house for the first time.
2. You’ll meet the Ach’len for the first time.
3. The main characters all discover and develop a new remote linking ability that allows them to do some really cool (and fun) stuff.
4. One of the characters reveals a secret that becomes a major part of the story.
5. That part of the story is sort of an offshoot of something they were already doing, but they’re going for a completely different result.
6. You’ll find out a bit about how just how tough the reptilians are.
7. You’ll find out the details of what happened the night Logan committed suicide.
There’s probably more I’m forgetting to mention, but there are some major story advancements in this book. If I keep up with my chapter a day goal, the book will be finished by Friday at the latest, and then it’ll take me three or four days to proofread it and get it ready for publication. I’m hoping to have it out by next Wednesday or so.
Also, since I know what’s coming generally in the next book, the name popped into my head today while I was writing. The next book will be called Encounters, and it’ll be the 10th book in the series, which is way cool! 😀
That’s it for now. Time to get back to writing.
J. Alton Mast
from the time I was young (about 11 years old) and as embarrassed as I
am to admit it, I was an avid fan fiction writer. So when I turned 18
I decided that I was done writing stories about worlds other people
had invented and I created my own. That, and my chosen major in
college was English.
what you’ve written in the past.:
science-fiction, horror series with a strong Dystopian theme. It had
been my major work in progress until its publication. Since ‘Daemon
Theory’ is a series I am currently working on the second, along with a
Psychological Horror story called ‘The Bone Garden’
and what if anything are you constantly working to improve upon?:
that people visualize easily. I’ve also been told that my writing
makes people think. However, I will admit that I have a nasty habit of
switching points of view from chapter to chapter, so that is something
I’m striving to fix.
both? Why did you choose to go that route?:
simply because I don’t trust the self-publishing scene. At the risk of
sounding arrogant, I didn’t want something I poured my blood, sweat,
and tears into for two years to float around in the depths of
cyberspace for the rest of forever. Not to mention with all the vanity
publishers out there, I just didn’t want to take the risk. So instead
I took the heartbreak of seemingly endless rejection letters, but the
comfort of knowing that if I ever received a ‘yes’ my book would be in
more capable hands then myself.
these formats do you prefer and why?:
fashioned but I like the look and feel of books. On the kindle, nook,
or Ipad it just doesn’t feel right.
trailer soon to post on YouTube. Essentially I just use social
media.
review, and how do you handle it?:
degree as I question my choices in life. I’m kidding, of course. When
I see a negative or unfavorable review, I brush it off of my shoulder.
Whoever wrote it is entitled to their opinion and if every little
negative criticism brings you down then you shouldn’t be an author, or
in any entertainment medium for that matter. No matter where you go
and what you do, there’s always going to be someone trying to put you
down. I choose not to take it personally and keep moving forward.
Unless the negative/harsh criticism makes a valid point about my
writing style, I just forget it. But if it does, I take the critique,
and use the advice to better my skills.
write?:
I’ve always felt that media as of late hasn’t been able to do that
job, so I like to try to scare myself. As weird as it sounds, I like
to go into that darker part of my head just to see what I happen to
pull out of it.
works by certain authors inspired me. For example: the Dark Tower
series by Stephen King. I wouldn’t call Stephen King an inspiration to
me, but one of his series did inspire me to write.
not writing?:
and I’m an artist as a hobby (I’m okay…not really good, but not
horrible either).
try others before you settled on the one you’re currently using?:
familiar to me since I was young.
currently using that makes it the best solution for you?:
an old curmudgeon who’s stuck in her ways.
your fellow authors?:
advice I could give new/young/fellow authors is this:
For any reason, do not give up on your work. Don’t quit writing
because ‘mom wants me to pick a sensible major’ or ‘everyone says
there’s no money in it…’ or ‘No would want to read a story about a
Werewolf drag queen superhero’. Whatever the reason that’s festering
in the back of your mind, telling you to stop, fight it! Creative
types tend to let other people, and most importantly ourselves, into
our own head and start swaying our opinions on our work and our
choices. I cannot count the times that I’ve second-guessed myself
because the voice in the back of my head was telling me ‘Don’t write
that! It’s too strange! It’s too dirty! It’s too violent!’ But I
ignored the voices in my head, and stuck by my work. And what do I
have to show for it? I’m published. That’s what. I’m not saying to
ignore criticisms, to the contrary. But only take in the thoughts and
opinions of others that can help you and allow you to grow as a
writer. Don’t let the negativity or the judgement get in your way of
doing what you love to do.
books?:
Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/DaemonTheory.
By Duane • Guest Author Interviews 0