Welcome everyone. I would like to introduce S. Evan Townsend, author of Hammer of Thor, Agent of Artifice and Rock Killer. He is here today to answer a few questions and give away two e-book copies of his new release, Agent of Artifice, a hot new Urban Fantasy. Be sure to look in the near future for the release of Rock Killer coming soon. All you have to do to enter the drawing is leave a comment. Winners will be drawn on November 12th and we will forward each winner a copy of Agent of Artifice in whatever format you require for your e-readers. Remember to enter a comment to participate and your email address so we may contact you as a winner!
Thank you, Evan for participating in our interview and giveaway. I'm sure your fans would like to know more about you.
Tell us your latest news.
I have a lot going on. Hammer of Thor is out and selling well. Its sequel, Agent of Artifice, is in editing shooting for an 11/1/11 release. And I'm wrapping up work on a science fiction novel called Rock Killer that is about mining asteroids. It's should be released by the end of 2011.
When and why did you begin writing?
I can't remember a time I didn't want to be a writer except maybe when I was five and wanted to be a fireman. I started writing when I was 12 and taught myself to type (on a typewriter) using my sister's typing manual from school. I've been writing ever since so that's going on 40 years.
What do you like to do when you are not writing?
I enjoy reading books and watching movies. My kids are getting older and I like to spend as much time as I can with them before they leave the house. I have a bad habit of driving too fast but sometimes I do it on a racetrack where, at least, I don't have to worry about the local constabulary. And I like to go to the Starbuck by the interstate and people watch.
What inspired you to write your first book?
Well, I wrote my first novel at 18 (I don't remember its title). It was probably inspired by Star Wars and I think was most likely quite jejune. Hammer of Thor, however, had a complicated beginning. I'd written a short story set in the near future with fantasy elements in it (something I'd never done before). It was there I developed the "adept" universe. It was about a wizard (or as I call them, "adept") who uses technology to fool another wizard. And I remember doing my two-mile walk and was thinking about World War II and I suddenly had the idea of putting these adepts into World War II. How would they handle the threat of fascism? And the story grew from there into a full-blown novel that covers 18 years from the early Depression to the Korean War.
What do you think makes a good story?
A good story should take the reader somewhere he's never been before, either emotionally, spiritually, or physically. I know none of my readers have used magic to protect themselves from machine guns, as my character does. And they haven't had to stop a fire-breathing pterodactyl at the Space Needle in Seattle. I want to take my readers on an adventure like they'll never have in real life.
How do you want readers to feel after they read your stories?
They should feel exhilarated, and maybe a little bit educated about places or things they haven't personally experienced, and perhaps a bit inspired by some of the ideas I presented.
What is your favorite character out of all the books you have written?
I fell in love with Charlene "Charlie" Jones, the heroine of Rock Killer. I put her through so much and she came out a stronger and more self-reliant woman. But my favorite character has to be Michael Vaughan from Agent of Artifice. I have to admit, he is everything I would be if I were younger, better looking, and had magical powers. But during his adventures he is forced to mature and even risks his life for others. He was a rascal and he became a reluctant hero, then a genuine hero.
What influences your creativity of your characters?
The aforementioned people-watching is great for developing characters. Also people I know. And I'm not above borrowing a character from a book or movie, tweaking them a bit, and using them. I spend a lot of time on characters, their background, their physical attributes, their opinions and prejudices, and their personalities.
Can you share a little of your current work with us?
I just started a sequel to Agent of Artifice (or a third book in the "adepts" series, except I try to make all the books readable individually). It's set in 1968 and I'm trying to weave together ICBM development, necromancy, and the Prague Spring and consequent Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia into one story. That's the background. I'm working on the plot and how are adepts going to be involved in all of that.
What are some of the goals and future plans with your writing?
Like probably every writer out there, I want to write a best-seller. I want to have adoring fans, groupies (do writers have groupies?), do the talk show circuit (does that even exist anymore?). I want as many people as possible to read my work (and pay for it). Realistically, I want to increase my freelance work because it's challenging and helps pay the bills. And I want to finish the third "adepts" novel I've started. Beyond that, I have very few plans or goals. One book at a time!
Thank you, Evan for the interview! Now remember to leave a comment for your chance to win! Also, please remember to leave your email address so that we may contact you if you are a winner!
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