The Next Big Thing MEME
Thanks to Jeff Carlson, crafter of some of the most intense science fiction thrill rides you’ll ever experience, for inviting me to participate in the awesome that is “The Next Big Thing.” Last week, he answered some questions about his Latest book, The Frozen Sky which you can read here.
Enough about Mr. Carlson…let’s talk about what I’ve been up to.
1) What is the working title of your next book?
SPELLPUNK
Well, technically, it’s not my VERY next book, but it’s coming pretty soon. I’m also really excited about it, because I’m trying something pretty innovative (at least I think so) with it.
2) Where did the idea come from for the book?
Over twenty years ago, some friends and I were talking, and someone brought up the idea of an alternate version of earth where technology worked during the day, and magic worked at night. All my friends knew I wanted to be a writer, and they told me I should turn that into a story. So I did, though the current version is vastly different from my early drafts.
3) What genre does your book fall under?
Urban Fantasy.
4) What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in
a movie rendition?
Since I’m a fantasy writer, I’m going to go with my dream cast, because some of the actors are dead.
Slate: Andrew Garfield, Dart: Hayden Panettiere, Kyle Drae: Brandon Lee, Jasmine: Bridgette Lin, Brian Sabre: Benedict Cumberbatch, Kheldred Drae: Daniel Craig, Peter Galahad: Bradly Cooper
I guess that’s enough for right now. The cast in this book is pretty big. If I tried to list everyone, we’d be here for a while.
5) What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
After waking up in an alley with no memory, Slate has to learn to control his empathic powers before they drive him mad so he can save the world from a megalomaniac shape shifter and an insane trickster spirit.
6) Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
SPELLPUNK will be self-published.
7) How long did it take you to write the first draft of the
manuscript?
Over 10 years. Subsequent drafts much less time.
8) What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
The closest that comes to mind are the Dresden Files by Jim Butcher. Or, you could consider SPELLPUNK Charles deLint meets Steven Brust.
9) Who or what inspired you to write this book?
Well, see #2 above. The big trick was finishing the bloody thing. A couple of times in the first draft, I nearly gave up after a year. Then, when it was all said and done, I was ready to scrap it, all 200,000+ words, because I’d fallen under the false illusion that because it was my first novel, it wasn’t going to be worth salvaging.
Two people are responsible for SPELLPUNK seeing the light of day. When I started on this self-publishing journey, my wife suggested I take a look at SPELLPUNK again; I might be surprised at what I found. I was. The book wasn’t nearly as horrible as I thought. As I’ve been working on the book from the very first draft, an internet buddy Mihir Wanchoo, who saw some chapters of the very first draft, has been poking me about it every couple of months to finish it. If it wasn’t for them believing in this book, it would probably remain a file in the bottom of “My Documents” folder.
10) What else about the book might pique the reader’s interest?
SPELLPUNK has something for everyone: action, adventure, magic, gun fights, sword fights, spell fights, friendship, romance, revenge, loyalty, betrayal, intrigue, mystery, the list goes on.
If you’re interested in taking a look, I’ve got a bunch of chapters already posted on the SPELLPUNK section of the site. I’ll be posting new sections every Monday and Friday until the book is finished, so eventually, the whole book will be available for free…if you can be patient.
In early 2013, the webcomic and podcast reading (by myself) will also be available.
Next up on “THE NEXT BIG THING” is my fellow GENRE UNDERGROUND writer and dancing fool A E Marling!
