The Next Big Thing – Writers' Blog Journey

I was recently tagged for The Next Big Thing by Maria DeVivo. Her YA Dark Fanasy novel, The Coal Elf, came out last month. Check it out. It's really cool. Her blog can be found at: Beneath The Ash

Ten Interview Questions for The Next Big Thing:

What is your working title of your book?

The title of my work in progress is, The Last Clan. It's the second book in my series, The Chronicles of the Knights Elementalis. I'm currently shopping the first book, Knight of Flame, around to agents and publishers.

Where did the idea come from for the book?

I can't point to a single spark of inspiration. The characters and storyline evolved over time. Fire has always captivated me. I can watch a dancing flame for hours, losing myself in its chaotic energy and dazzling display. Why not create a character with the ability to wield and control such a destructive force of nature?

What genre does your book fall under?

The series falls under the Contemporary Fantasy genre.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

That's a great question. I mean, what writer out there hasn't dreamed about their book becoming a movie, and the perfect actors to cast. My family has discussed it at length, but it also pop ups out of nowhere. We can be watching a movie and someone blurts out who the current actor on screen would be perfect to play
-Develore Quinteele, Knight of Flame, played by Daniel Craig.
-Magnus Siggurson, Knight of Earth, played by Gerard Butler.
-Wren Sasaki played by Crystal Liu.
-Cassidy Sinclair played by Anne Hathaway.
-The casting for the villain, Alexander Gray, remains cloaked in secrecy. Actually, I don't have him picked out yet. We need someone suave, intense, handsome, and able to pull of brooding menace with a touch of vulnerability.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

A modern-day Knight must overcome the tragedy of his past and rediscover the purifying force of love that, when balanced against his out-of-control rage, unlocks his potential to save the world.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

I do not intend to self-publish, so I'll either sell directly to a publisher or sign with an agent.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

I rewrote the first one hundred pages several times before I got the traction to write the rest. All told, including the rewrites of the first section, about six months. Once I was happy with the opening, I raced through the next three hundred sixty pages in about eight weeks.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

I find this a tough question. Most contemporary fantasy I've read falls into the Urban Fantasy category. Those books tend to be written in a single character's point of view, and have a darker, grittier story to tell—the detective noire of the fantasy genre. The Chronicles of the Knights Elementalis is more like an epic fantasy set in the modern world. I tried to capture the camaraderie of R.A. Salvatore's Companions of the Hall in my small cadre of elemental knights. Though their situation is dire and their foes nigh invincible, they manage to bring out the best in each other.

Who or what inspired you to write this book?

My family is my inspiration. It's only through their support that I find the time to dream and write about the trials and triumphs of my knights and future characters.

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

Readers will get to know each of the members of the Knights Elementalis—Knights of Flame, Water, Air and Earth. While certain characters' points of view will persist through the series, each new book will introduce a new perspective. With it comes a host of new thoughts, motives, and all around juicy goodness.

Other Authors to check out in The Next Big Thing:
Jen Greyson
Lori DiNardi
Their posts will be up next week.
Have fun,
Scott