I’m delighted to introduce a new interview with Alexandra
Butcher, the author of The Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles.
TW: There
are two books so far in The Light Beyond The Storm Chronicles, with a third on
the way. Will the series be a trilogy, or do you have more planned?
AB: Yes,
at the moment I have at least six planned. Book III
follows some characters introduced in book II, so book IV will return to the
main adventurers Dii, and Archos. There are several revelations to come, and
some tragedy. Not to mention the resolution of a number of aspects.
TW: What
aspect of writing do you find most challenging?
AB: Focusing
on the writing! I have a terrible concentration span, and find it easier to
focus on lots of things at once rather than one thing. I usually have the TV on
in the background, and sometimes more than one story open.
TW: Who’s
your favourite character to write?
AB: Oh
gosh, each character is so different so I am not sure I have a favourite. I
love Dii, she has survived so much and is actually a very strong woman, she
just doesn’t realise. Olek is always fun, he can snap between the easy-going
half-elf to the ruthless assassin in the blink of an eye. He loves food, so he
is great to write when there is a meal involved and he probably has the best
sense of humour. Archos is always great to write. He is very powerful, but he
is quite arrogant and often actually quite nasty. Ozena is sweet, she had
matured a great deal but is still really quite niave and gets shocked by
events.
TW: More
elven history/lore is revealed in The Shining Citadel. Have you written a full
history for the elves that you dip into when needed, or do you prefer to write
lore as and when it’s needed?
AB: No,
at least not written down. I have a lot of it in my head, but now I have
started to document the lore as it becomes relevant. I tend to adapt and change
ideas, so writing them down often means I end up tying myself in knots. It is
easier for me to keep it in my head and let it ferment there until I need it.
There is a lot to be revealed in forthcoming books, and I have the lore of the
trolls and some of the history of the humans to contend with as well. That said
I do have folders of notes and idea sparks but it is not an organised history
as such.
TW: When
the series is over will you write more books in the same world, or move on to
something entirely different?
AB: I
am provisionally planning a later series but we will have to see. There will be
short stories too, following more minor characters, I am working on some of
these at the moment. I am also planning an erotica short story series. I may
also try and do something with another fantasy world I created some years back,
and even a Roman style historical fantasy.
TW: What’s
your favourite memory of writing (in a broad sense, so a great review or
similar would count)?
AB: Oh,
hmmm. I used to love planning adventures with my friend for a game we used to
play. Ah and the first time someone I
didn’t know bought the book and left a good review.
TW: Excluding
your own books, what’s your favourite fantasy book/series?
AB: I
like Janet Morris, and I love Lord of the Rings. Ms Morris takes one on such a
rollercoaster of adventure and Tolkien is a supreme world-builder. Before that,
I would say Discworld and the Odyssey.
TW: Which
authors or books inspired you, in terms of both getting into writing and your
own style?
AB: Janet
Morris, Alexandre Dumas, Tolkein, Gaston Leroux, David Gaider.
TW: Apart
from reading and writing fantasy, what do you like to do in your spare time?
AB: I
watch a lot of movies and TV, all sorts of genres – fantasy, sci-fi,
documentaries, science, natural history, action films, superheroes etc. I like
history too and study quite a bit of that. I like growing plants and playing
with pets. I also play PC games, although not so much now as I can’t sit at the
PC for long these days.
TW: What
advice would you give someone who was just about to start writing their first
book?
AB: Be
patient, be realistic. Sales probably won’t come overnight and it takes work
and time to build a fan-base. Don’t
expect to be the next big thing, it very rarely happens. However don’t get
disheartened by this, there is no reason, with a very good book or even better
many books you can’t make some money.
Keep writing, network and take advice on board. No book is perfect, and
someone won’t like it. Bad reviews go with the territory, as do good ones
(hopefully). Oh and read the FAQ and TOS
for the publishing platform you use. Really. You are doing business and it
helps to know what you’re getting into. Most of the newbie questions are
explained in the FAQs and you can save yourself some time and upset by reading
through them. It never ceases to amaze me how many people don’t. Finally keep
writing and write what you love.
TW: Apart
from finishing The Light Beyond The Storm Chronicles what are your writing
plans for the future, and do you have an estimate for when your next book will
be released?
AB: I
am working on some anthology pieces, which should be out later this year. I am
hoping book III will be out mid to late 2014.
Author
website: http://libraryoferana.wordpress.com/
Twitter:
@libraryoferana
Thaddeus
Alex, a great overview of you and the Light Beyond the Storm series. Thanks for the kind mention. jem
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