Welcome to The Wormhole and my stop on the tour!
Today I am pleased to introduce John Hartness.
John G. Hartness is a recovering theatre geek who likes loud music, fried pickles and cold beer. He’s been published or accepted online in several journals including The Dead Mule School of Southern Literature, cc&d, Deuce Coupe and Truckin’. His first novel, The Chosen, is an urban fantasy about saving the world, snotty archangels, gambling, tattooed street preachers, immortals with family issues, bar brawls and the consequences of our decisions.
He followed up The Chosen with Hard Day’s Knight, a new twist on the vampire detective novel and the first in a planned series of at least five books. The second book of The Black Knight Chronicles, Back in Black, landed in March 2011 and has enjoyed immediate success. John has been called “the Kevin Smith of Charlotte,” and fans of Joss Whedon and Jim Butcher should enjoy his snarky slant on the fantasy genre. His next novel, Knight Moves (Black Knight Chronicles Vol. 3) is due out in the summer of 2011.
He can be found online at www.johnhartness.com and spends too much time on Twitter, especially after a few drinks.
Author Interview:
? When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I’ve wanted to be a writer since Elementary School. Astronaut was never really a dream of mine, but I wanted to write since I was a very young kid.
? How many jobs did you have before you became a writer?
Not really that many, honestly. Other than some part-time stuff in college and high school I’ve only really had one career (which I still have, since I don’t support myself solely through writing).
? How long does it take you to write a book?
I write in my spare time, so it takes me a little longer than I’d like. I write about 1,000 words each day on average, so a first draft takes 2-3 months. Then there’s polishing, editing, formatting, cover art and everything else, so from start to finish it can take half a year, but the actual writing and creating of the story is 2-3 months.
? What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?
I don’t think any of my quirks are that interesting, but I always write to music, usually with big headphones on.
? Do you have a routine that you use to get into the right frame of mind to write?
Not really, I just pick a musical artist that fits with what I’m writing that night, put on my headphones and start tapping away.
? Where do you get your ideas or inspiration for your characters?
All around me, the real world, TV, other books that I read, news stories, websites, people that amuse me, everywhere, really.
? How do you decide what you want to write about?
Well, since I’m writing a series, I have a story arc in my head for the big-picture stuff. Then I try to work in stuff with the details and the minor plot points.
? What books have most influenced your life?
A Prayer for Owen Meany, The Prince of Tides, The X-Men (Chris Claremont’s run), Sandman, American Gods, The hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, The Belgariad
? What do you like to do when you are not writing?
Listen to live music, play poker, drink like a college kid
? What is your favorite comfort food?
Chex Mix
? What do you think makes a good story?
Character - you can have the most earth-shattering plot in the world, but without great characters, no one will read to the end.
? Who would you consider your favorite author and why?
Pat Conroy for his lush settings and his literate southern characters, and Neil Gaiman for his brilliant prose and twisted tales.
? What book, if any, do you read over and over again?
American Gods and The Belgariad. I’ve had to replace my copy of Pawn of Prophecy three times because I read it until the covers fall off!
Fun random questions:
- dogs or cats? Cats
- Coffee or tea? Mountain Dew
- Dark or milk chocolate? White Chocolate on pretzels
- Rocks or flowers? Rocks
- Night or day? Night
- Favorite color? Black
- Crayons or markers? Markers
- Pens or pencils? Pencils
Thanks for stopping by The Wormhole!
You can read my review HERE.
The next blog stop - Romancing The Darkside
