FRIDAY FLICKS: Heroic Fantasy Series by Andean White

Book 1
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AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Andean White, author of Winter's Thief

Tell me a about yourself. What got you started in writing?

About me, hmmm. I married my high school sweetheart and we will celebrate our 37^th anniversary this November. For thirty-five wonderful years, I worked in manufacturing management for some neat organizations making interesting products. I enjoy biking, fishing, travel, woodworking, golf, classic cars, and of course writing.

A couple years before retiring, I wrote a series of travel journals with a humorous under current. Several friends and family suggested I write some stories based on the journals.

How and where do you write? Do you prefer a lap top or do you prefer writing freehand?

I have a dedicated basement home office, but may move to the breakfast table if a change of scenery is needed—or, to the family room if I work in the evenings. The office has a small sink, refrigerator, microwave, pantry, and a recliner. I have been known to get lost in the office when I am on a roll.

I am a laptop user, my handwriting is horrible at times—I can’t read it, which is why I edit with a tape recorder.

What's your favorite part about writing? Your least favorite part about writing?

Fine tuning the text is my favorite part. At this point, the bulk of the work has been completed, and the tweaking process improves the story presentation and imagery.

Finding the right word for a key element of a story can get frustrating. The correct word that infers the right meaning, defines the character, or describes the setting.

How do you come up with your characters? Why would readers want to get to know them?

Winter’s Thief characters are a collage of the interesting people I have met in my life. One character might be the blending of several people with similar traits.

The characters are ordinary people dealing with the trials of living in difficult times, but their trials are of life and death magnitude. They must outsmart the enemy with wits, put aside their fears, and overcome their flaws.

What types of marketing do you do to promote your writing?

My first event was a shared booth at a crafts fair—fifteen books in two days was okay for a first event. The second event was a book signing party at our home—thirty-two books in four hours.

Future plans include a booth at FanX in January with expectations of finding many heroic fantasy readers. Also, investigating book signing at medieval, equestrian, or archery events in the west.

Several published authors have advised staying away from the typical bookstore

signing.Currently, in the initial phases of a social media campaign using Twitter, Facebook, blogging, and website—later adding Google+ and LinkedIn.

How do you schedule your writing time? When do you write?

Presently not following a schedule for writing as the marketing plan needs attention during the initial phase. But, I am writing in the spaces between marketing demands.At other times I write best in the mornings.

What are you currently working on? Do you have a new book out?

Saraton Summer, the second book of the trilogy is scheduled to be completed August 2015. The series might turn into four books—one for each season.Winter’s Thief has recently been released.

Do you have a project on the back burner? Tell me about it.

I have a few short stories that I think could be turned into books. But for now, my focus is finding out what happens to Kendrick, Althea, Oscar, and Quentin—the cast of Winter’s Thief.

What would you tell a beginning writer who wants to publish but doesn't believe he/she has enough talent? 

Don’t give up! Get your stories in the hands of a professional for evaluation. Let them advise you. The writing world is tough, and like nature only the strong survive. And, you need to be bulletproof, because it’s hard listening to someone squash your pain staking work. It’s hard work but the rewards are fulfilling.

***

 Thank you, Andean!

Learn more about Andean and his book at:

Email: Andean.White@gmail.com

Website:  www.AndeanWhite.com

Twitter:    @AndeanWhite

FaceBook:  www.facebook.com/AndeanWhite

eBook at Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O5D6QNS  

Book at Amazon:  

http://www.amazon.com/Winters-Thief-1-Andean-White/dp/0988810751/

CHARACTER INTERVIEW: Oscar from Winter's Thief

   Tell me about yourself.

My name is Oscar. I serve King Louis III of Manshire Province as Captain of the Long

Bow Knights. For my king’s comfort I typically execute the critical assignments at his

decree. Manshire Province is one of two countries on the island continent of

Estmira. Manshire now includes the former country of Saraton. Worchester is the country

to the north. The mountainous region to the east is uninhabited.

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I am bound by my word and as a man of average height I must keep myself in top

physical condition to fulfill  my obligation to my King. My salt and pepper beard is short

to keep it out of the bowstring; and my hair is short to keep it out of my silver eyes. I

have square shoulders, and large, strong hands.

I spend my days raising my son to be a good citizen of Manshire, easing my wife’s pain,

and serving my king.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Commitments to my king leave little free time, but when possible I spend my weekends

with family—developing my son’s survival skills, helping with farm chores, and sharing

stories with my family.

What is your favorite color?

Green—the color of spring—a fresh start.

What is your favorite food?

That’s easy—an omelet, particularly my wife Abbey’s omelet. It’s so amazing how she

can blend several bland ingredients into something so delicious.

What would you say is your biggest quirk?

I’d have to say it’s my impatience with younger Long Bows—they are not prepared for

their duties when they start out as a Long Bow.

What is it about your antagonist that irks you the most, and why?

My enemy is more of a thing, than a person; or, maybe its better to say there are several

forces/people at play attempting to destroy the king and his linage. They are deceptive

and solid evidence never reveals

itself.

What or who means the most to you in your life?

Abbey and Kendrick are the two most important people in my life, but my duties as the

captain keep me

away from them. This situation creates a deep internal conflict for me.

What one thing would you like readers to know about you that may not be spelled

out in the book?

I became the captain of the guard because of who I know— the king and I were best

friends in our youth. I   was not the most skilled Long Bow at the time of my promotion.

If you could tell your writer (creator) anything about yourself that might turn the

direction of the plot, what would it be?

I have a great belief in fate. Fate made me the captain and I am sworn to faithfully

execute the commands of my king, as such I spend more time with the king’s affairs than

with my family.  It would be nice to live  for  today. Carpe Diem.

Ask me any question:

How long do you spend developing lead characters compared to secondary characters?

At least twice as long. With a main character, you really need to know how he/she thinks,

behaves, looks, speaks. It isn't enough to have some sort of cardboard character;

something you may be able to get away with when it comes to a character who comes on

to the scene only a few times. For a lead, you must really know them, and that means

spending that extra time getting to know them like you would your very best friend.

***

Thank you, Oscar!

Website: http://www.andeanwhite.com

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FRIDAY FLICKS: Winter's Thief by Andean White

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