|
Debut book title:
Serpent of Eternity
Pitch your book in 50 words or less (I'll be counting!).
For beautiful, successful Anya Alan, dreams really do come true, but when
those dreams turn into nightmares, she must abandon her comfortable world
and embark on a journey of self-discovery. To survive, Anya must believe
that she alone possesses the power to defeat an ancient enemy and save
humanity.
What are three words you would use to describe your novel,
Serpent of Eternity?
Mature, multi-layered, and allegorical.
Why speculative fiction?
I have loved fantastical literature since childhood. Especially fantasy, with its
roots burrowed in myth and legend, I think it's the most elemental of all the
genres. As an only child, I spent a lot of time nurturing my imagination. I'm
also very interested in exploring aspects of human nature - like the different
masks we wear and the fears that drive us to hide behind them. On top of
that, I have a keen fascination for employing mythological archetypes in a
contemporary context, and I feel compelled to write stories that deal with
plausible impossibilities. Writing speculative fiction allows me to do those
things.
With this market almost completely devoid of African American writers, how do you plan to make your mark in the genre?
That's a good question. I keep asking myself the same one. So far, the
interest in Serpent of Eternity seems to cross color lines, and I think I can
reach at least three audiences. The novel appeals to fantasy enthusiasts
who want an out of the ordinary dark fantasy or a storyline that doesn't
include dragons.
People of color who might not otherwise read this kind of book are relating to
the characters and cultural elements. It's not chick lit, but the protagonist is
a woman whose only hope of survival rests on her ability to believe in herself
and I'm receiving very positive feedback from female readers. I think I have
an innovative marketing plan, and I began implementation before the book
went into production. Since savvy readers often judge a book by its cover, I
ran a cover art competition that not only helped me find the perfect artwork
for the cover and showcase an emerging artist but also served as an
excellent opportunity to create buzz for the book, and drive traffic to my
website. To promote the book's release, I declared May 22 National
Earthbound Goddess Day in celebration of female empowerment and to honor
the goddess in every woman. There are other special promotional activities
on the horizon.
How long did it take you to write
Serpent of Eternity?
Six years from concept to completion. Mostly because it was my first novel,
and the whole thing was a learning experience for me, but also because it
was volume one of a trilogy, and I needed an overall grasp of the entire
series before starting. I knew I wanted to tell a haunting, provocative story
that was characterized by the struggle between good and evil, one that
paralleled mythology and religion, and highlighted the many facets of ancient
beliefs that still exist in the modern world. My goal was to present an
ordinary slice of life and experience that was steeped in secrets, and
unfolded in a world that was a fusion of classic and contemporary - a world
where fantasy and reality merged, and make it all seem real. Before sitting
down to write, I spent a year just thinking about the story I wanted to tell
and how to make it entertaining for readers and myself. During that time, I
did a lot of researching and character development, and I did a lot of reading
about the writing process to hone my craft. I wrote the first draft in about
three months. The second draft took a lot longer. I worked on the pacing,
enhanced the mythological motifs, tweaked background and settings. By the
third draft, I felt I had succeeded at breathing life into a headstrong (and
very reluctant) hero, a misanthropic demon, and a pantheon of feuding gods.
After a little tough editing, I sent it to an editor for critique. I used
her comments as guidelines for the final revisions. I don't think it will take
me as long to write the next books, but I will continue to use the 6-step
process of preliminary planning, plotting and writing four drafts.
Did you outline the novel, or did you sit at the computer and let the words pump out of your mind?
I have great respect for writers who can just sit down and write, but I am an
organized planner type and would be lost without an outline. It's step 2 of
the 6-step process!
How much research went into the novel?
A lot. Serpent of Eternity is loosely based on African mythology, suggests
the existence of an ancient secret religious society, and the story spans
centuries. I spent a little over a year researching the novel. I did a lot of
library and internet research, talked to historians, and visited a few
locations. But for me, one of the most fascinating parts of writing a novel is
the research, especially when it lends some reality to the story and brings
the characters to life.
Did you try to go the traditional publishing route with
Serpent of Eternity? If so, what was that journey like?
When the idea of self-publishing first dawned on me, I refused to give it
weight. I wanted to do it the traditional way, but the more I researched
agents and publishers, the more I really began to consider self-publishing. As
a first-time author, I knew I faced an almost Sisyphean task since many
publishing houses and agents have grown reluctant to gamble with a book
that does not come with an automatic "blockbuster" guarantee. Would a
book written in a genre that isn't generally known for African American
writers meet that criteria? Then I discovered that most publishing houses put
very little to no effort whatsoever into promoting debut books- tantamount
to the kiss of death. The idea that my book could be released and then
abandoned unless I promoted it at my own expense, made me wonder why I
should give up creative control or risk being pigeonholed.
What is your writing inspiration?
I love writing. There's nothing else I'd rather do. I enjoy it even when it's not
going well. The fact that I have an opportunity to write is all the inspiration I
need.
What are you currently reading?
I generally don't read any fiction while I'm writing, but right now I'm in the
outlining stage, so I'm reading Seduction of the Minotaur by Anais Nin,
Apex Hides the Hurt by Colson Whitehead, and The Cat Who Walks Through Walls
by Robert A. Heinlein.
What are you currently writing?
I've started a short story based on the Medusa myth entitled
"Memoirs of a Monster," and I'm close to finishing the outlining stage for
The Serpent's Gift, volume two of the Serpent Trilogy. It begins where
Serpent of Eternity leaves off, and is a fantasy, sci-fi hybrid that portrays a possible future for
humanity. I'm thinking about writing the first draft in November as a
NaNoWriMo participant.
|
