Welcome to The Wormhole!
It is my pleasure to feature an interview with debut author Nathan Burns.
I've been writing on and off since I was around ten, which was about the time I realised I could create worlds of my own. I never got more than half way through a variety of stories until about a year ago, where I decided it was time to knuckle down and do the legwork to get one finished.
? How many jobs did you have before you became a writer?
Depends what you consider a job - I've had various short-lived part-time positions, although I am currently employed full-time. So probably about two and several bits.
? How long does it take you to write a book?
The way I've worked so far is to put together a chapter by chapter summary plan on a huge bit of paper, which takes a few days, then to get to first draft stage takes a few months. Editing can be endless, but another few months with a gap in the middle to get a fresh perspective seems to work out OK.
? What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?
Possibly that I write nearly everything on an iPad at night. Typing on it can be a pain but the ability to write anywhere is invaluable. When I first started writing I didn't have the huge sheaf of pen and paper notes I imagine some writers have - it was all on the iPad. Although saying that, more and more rolled up large pieces of paper covered in notes have begun to appear around my flat...
? Where do you get your ideas or inspiration for your characters?
Everything I guess - I try to avoid cliches, though I keep in mind certain archetypes that most people will understand and be able to relate to. A lot of fictional characters seem to be very dramatic and prone to mood swings, which doesn't really appeal to me. I prefer real characters in dramatic situations, because that's when the true nature of people comes out.
? How do you decide what you want to write about?
Generally I write what I would want to read. I completely understand that what I write won't be everyone's cup of tea in the same way that I don't go for certain genres of books. It ends up that a story has formed in my head to the point that it's barely me writing it, it's more like I'm watching it play out and taking notes as I go.
? What books have most influenced your life?
Most of what David Eddings has written - The Garion series, the Sparhawk series and The Redemption of Althalus. I read them when I was quite young and was just blown away by the worlds I could delve in to.
? What are you reading right now?
I recently finished Mort by Terry Pratchett. I'm not sure what to read next - been so focused on my own novel that I haven't had a chance to do much reading. I'm thinking about the Runelords series, I keep seeing it mentioned.
? What do you like to do when you are not writing?
Play games, watch TV, watch movies - I became a bit of a home cinema nut a few months ago so been getting into film a bit more.
? What is your favorite comfort food?
I can't say I comfort eat that much but when I do it's fairly severe - whatever it is I'm eating, I end up finishing the whole pack / cake / roulade.
? What do you think makes a good story?
Characters, setting, mythology - personally I enjoy worlds or situations I can dive into with characters I like along for the ride. With that in mind, each story has a different feel about it - some are deadly serious and they're great for that, some are comedic and they're also great for that. I guess a really good story is one that when you've finished, if you could forget it all and read it all again, you would.
? Who would you consider your favorite author and why?
David Eddings, hands down. Absolutely fantastic books - I love the stories, and fantasy genre aside, the characters and the interplay between them is just brilliant. You want to tag along with them for their adventures, and you don't want it to end. Or at least I didn't!
Fun random questions:
• dogs or cats? Cats. I always grew up with cats around and I think they're great. Plan to get a couple of kittens as soon as I can.
• Coffee or tea? Used to be coffee but now it's tea. I've learned the benefits of a tea break in the middle of a particularly stressful situation.
• Dark or milk chocolate? Milk chocolate. Dark's just a little bit too bitter for me.
• Rocks or flowers? Odd question, but rocks I suppose. I wonder what that says about me?
• Night or day? Night I think. I like the sunlight but I'm definitely more creative in the dark, plus you can fully focus on whatever you're enjoying (e.g. a movie in the cinema)
• Favorite color? Blue. Always been blue.
• Crayons or markers? Markers. I could never get the hang of crayons.
• Pens or pencils? Good quality pens. I like fountain pens but they're just too messy.
(Young Adult Science Fiction/Fantasy)
Book blurb from author:
Four worlds. Four ages. Four struggles through deserts, demons, criminal underworlds and overwhelming odds. Elian searches for answers to the mysterious blackouts, led forward by his only clue: an encoded diary. Ben stalks the streeets at night in search of horrific creatures not of this world. Alexander hunts down criminals, always intent on doing the right thing whatever the cost. And Prometheus tries to save his village without dying in the process.
Separate but intertwined, they press on, linked somehow to the mysterious John, who watches and waits - for it seems each of the four is part of something much greater than they could ever have imagined.
You can buy a copy of this book by clicking HERE.
Thanks for stopping by The Wormhole.
Happy Reading!
