The Next Big Thing: Week 25

Sorry this took so long. I was busy being in the hospital without Internet. SCREW YOU, REVO.

1- What is the working title of your book?

Shadow's Dawn

2- Where did the idea come from for the book?

I always had a fascination with fantasy, even though I was not a big reader as a child. Dragons always piqued my interest, since they were always so popular and well known, yet they remained in such limited and rigid roles. So! I decided I wanted to change that.

3- What genre does your book fall under?

A surprisingly tough one. Generally, it's a fantasy. The subgenre, though, is what is tough, since it falls under the banner of High/Epic fantasy and the newer genre of Science Fantasy. I would say the latter, if it meant it wouldn't scare people off.

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

Oh dear! Probably all unknowns, to be honest! (Not that I want a movie rendition. The idea of losing control of my characters and world irks me a bit).

5- What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

Caraka cannot escape the psychotic goddess who possesses her mind, she has to gain the upper hand and force the goddess to save the world. Problem is—Caraka doesn't want to die.

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

I'm hoping and praying for it to be represented by an agency! Heartbreaking and soul stealing, sure, but I hope.

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

Took me six years, from first try to THE END. Lots of start and stops in that time.

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

Oh dear, to be honest, I haven't found any. I have seen lots of attempts (from Eragon to Anne Bishop) but nothing really seemed to fit for a proper comparison. I haven't decided if that is a major hindrance or a blessing in disguise.

9- Who or What inspired you to write this book?

To be honest, it wasn't an author, famous or otherwise. It was my darling boyfriend of nearly eight years. I never would've had the guts to write this book, no less attempt to get it published, if it weren't for him.

10- What else about your book might pique the reader's interest?

Take your pick. The half dragons' in depth and vivid society. The vast modern-like technologies that run off of magic. Caraka Sarugien and her snarky, sharp tongue. The chemistry between Kytheran and Caraka. The three-way racial tension between the dragon-kin, elves, and humans. The history of a fallen people as advanced as us.

I have put a lot of work into making the world and characters come alive. It was what I wanted. Before I was forced to take this story from fantasy to reality, it wasn't plot or grammar or how I worded things that I concentrated on, but the characters and the world. Those were the things I spoke about, entertained my family and friends with, before I started writing them down. Still today, I want to keep to that. I want to grow, nonetheless, but I want to respect the talent I had as a child: storytelling.

I'm normally not a fan of playing up my book. I hate to disappoint.

Tagged for next week (Week 26) are some of my very talented writer friends. Check out their blogs next Wednesday, November 14th, when it's their turn to post answers to these same questions about their own works-in-progress!

Kodi R.

karossofficial.blogspot.com