2024 Q&A

Hello! I wanted to a Q&A section on my website, but obviously I am yet to have people ask me Q&A style questions. So, I did some research, found some commonly used questions, and asked them to myself. Hopefully, I will do one of these every year, so this is the 2024 edition.

Thanks for reading :)

(sorry for the long responses, I'm a bit of a talker when it comes to what I love)

Can you tell us a bit about your writing? And what inspired you to begin writing in the first place?

Yes of course, totally real interviewer. So far, all of my stories are planned to take place within the same cluster of stars called the Operium. My duology, Light and Dark, occurs on a planet named Lavoden, within one of the ten solar systems in this small little universe. I've always loved creating worlds and fantasy places even before I knew what I was doing. Even before I knew what fantasy even was. I think my creativity definitely came from by dad, but was really encouraged by my mom. So its not really a question of what inspired me, but who.

How long have you been writing?

I remember in fifth grade my teacher had our class write creative stories. She allowed us to write anything and let our minds run free. I wrote a story about my friends and I surviving a zombie apocalypse, and I loved it. I went home and had my mom read the story, and ever since had writing on my brain. It wasn't until I was a freshman in high school that I really began considering writing as a future for me. I started worldbuilding the Operium that year, though it has evolved quite a bit. I think I started my first actual book in my junior year, and finished it right after graduating. So, what's that? Six or seven years, not including elementary school, I think.

Do you have a writing routine/schedule?

YES. I'm very big on organization and keeping my surroundings neat. Ever since I was young I had a problem with doing things (like getting my haircut, going to a relative's house, or even out to eat) unless it was planned first. I've grown out of that... sort of. Today, as the 20 year old man I am, I keep a schedule on my phone that I go by daily. So, obviously my writing is included in that. I typically write six hours a day, while taking short breaks every hour or so. This allows me to write 2500 words a day, which I am quite proud of.

Do you have any authors who have inspired you?

Believe it or not, I'm not the biggest reader, despite my love for writing. For the last few years, I've thought, "Why read when I could spend that time writing?" Recently, however, I've learned reading can completely change how you think and feel while writing. Reading another story can help put your own into perspective. Turns out, Brandon Sanderson and I are quite similar, regarding out writing style and expanded universe, so he's inspired me a lot. Pierce Brown is a another author I'm getting into and I really enjoy his Red Rising series. Both of them have influenced me.

What goals do you have for the future of your writing?

I have tons of goals. Right now I have about... 40 to 50 books I have simmering in the back of my mind. I hope I get to write all of them and more before I die. No. I WILL. I hope you stick around to read them all.

Who is your favorite character you have created?

Oooo, thanks interviewer for this good question. Favorite character... it's a hard question. Bearlan, the protagonist of Light and Dark is definitely at the top. I've just put so much work into him and I love the journey he's gone on from the beginning of Light of a Moon to the end of Dark of a Storm. He's seen so much growth with highs and lows and I'm very proud to have made someone so "real" I guess. There's also a character that shows up briefly in book 2 that will have a bigger part to play in the future of the Operium. I'm really liking where he is going in my worldbuilding. Razd. Remember that name.

What inspires or gives you the ideas for your characters and stories?

This is going to sound crazy, but I'll try to make it as coherent as possible... so basically while I'm asleep I have pretty vibrate dreams. A lot of the time they're absolutely nothing, but sometimes I'll get really cool glimpses of a story that I want to build onto by the time I wake up. Light of a Moon was actually based on a dream I had, where I saw a dead girl laying in the alleyway of a cyberpunk city. That was the whole dream. Just that image. So I continued from there and built a story around it. This all makes me sound crazy. The fact I get a lot of story ideas from dreams. But trust me, I'm normal. Somewhat. As for the ideas for characters, I create them to fit the story I'm planning or writing. They are what they need to be.

What is the most challenging aspect of the writing process for you?

I love writing. And I feel like I'm one of the few people that doesn't get writer's block. I would write every day if I could. So, adding new material to a book is what I really love doing. That and worldbuilding. Editing on the other hand... it's not something I hate, or even dislike, it's just a part of the process that doesn't have my love like the rest.