Rather than do a bio post, or a “welcome to this random blog” post, I thought I’d start out by doing a little writer’s interview so you can get to know me, my process, my influences, etc…
What are you working on right now?
A litrpg novel Deus.exe Machina: Well of Souls. It’s based on an idea I had way back in the last century for a text based RPG game (yes, back when graphics were not a given on-line.) The story itself is new, but the world and premise, to some extent, comes from that work.
Plotter or Pantster?
I’m more of a planner than a pantster. I start with the framework of a plot and a plan on what I think is going to happen. Then plan meets pants… I start writing, and I outline each scene as I go, but things tend to go sideways when better ideas pop into my head. So I adjust the plan and start writing until things go sideways again, and its back to the plan to see what needs adjusting, and so on until “The End”.
What are your influences?
Tolkien had a profound affect on me as a child. I also read a lot of really brutal horror stuff at an inappropriate age, which has colored a lot of my writing as well– I’m not averse to tragedy and loss in my stories. Other novels that had a huge impact on my creative soul include “The Stress of Her Regard” by Tim Powers. “The Delicate Dependency” by Michael Talbot, and “Tombs of Atuan” by Ursula K. Le Guin.
Specifically in the litrpg field, I’m a big Dungeon Crawler Carl fan.
What genres do you like to read?
I mostly read Fantasy and Sci-Fi, but also Horror, Mystery, Thrillers, the occasional memoir and straight up literature. I have ecclectic tastes.
And write?
Mostly Fantasy, often historical fantasy and a bit of sci-fi. When I write short form it tends toward the dark, but not quite horror side.
How many books do you typically read in a year?
It varies a lot depending on what else I have going on. I’ve read over 50 books in a single year on occasion, but I’ve also had years where I barely manage one.
Since starting to listen to audiobooks, it tends toward the 50 plus range.
Who are your favorite authors?
Naomi Novik, Matt Dinniman, Tim Powers, Martha Wells, N.K. Jemisin, Jeff Vandermere, Daryl Gregory, Seanan McGuire, Octavia Butler, Tolkien, Bradbury, among others.