"What you really like the most about me is my smile!" — Rizo Malkin
18. How important is social media in promoting your work?
Probably some sample bias in the answers to this question, given the venue, but oh well.
Yes, social media is the linchpin, the material component if you will, of my entire marketing strategy. I use it to promote book sales (like the one going on right now!), drive visits to my web site, get subscribers to my newsletter, etc.
"Everything's going according to the prophecy." — @ixtlidekami
19. Does weather play an essential role in your writing? In what way?
Weather is one thing of many that can influence the plot. In Water Against Chaos, Cordela has to deal with torrential rains, and the resulting outbreak of sniffles. In The Amulet and the Dragon, the weather clears up just in time for Rizo to cast his (out of doors) summoning spell.
"I often wonder whether it is bravery or stupidity that leads us to do the things we do." — Lord Samtor of Loerhold
20. What genres would your work fall into if you could make up new genres? Fun answers only.
I would so situational magic comedy, where the characters get themselves into comical situations due to misunderstandings and miscommunication, and have to use magic to put things right. The spells always work, but never how you expect them to.
"If you ask me, it's a load of dragon poo." — Rizo Malkin
26. Do you write stand-alone stories, series or both? Which do you prefer?
I have written two stand-alone stories (one semi-autobiographical) and I'm two books into a series with the third WIP.
I prefer series because I can drop in little references that astute readers of earlier books will notice but others will not, and that understanding is not essential to the story at hand.
"Travelers like you stay here and share their stories with me. I've been all over the world, participated in great battles, hunted dragons, uncovered precious treasures and rare artifacts, and seen wondrous magic, all without leaving home." - Willie
27. Have you ever written a section and subconsciously plagiarised another work?
I hope not. I know I have deliberately referenced other works in a non-infringing sort of way.
2. Have you had an idea halfway or more through a project that requires extensive rewriting of what you've already done?
No, I've been very lucky in that regard. Other than rewriting a few chapters from a different POV, the only major change I've made after first draft is to add an entirely new character and subplot. Since his arc didn't intersect with MC's until the end, I didn't have to rip up anything.
"This epigraph thing hasn't caught on like I thought it would." -- Klepsis
3. Does your work include pictures, maps or other custom graphics? Share your pics.
The Amulet and The Dragon includes a reproduction of the map that Cordela uses in the story. I tried to give away some full color full size canvas reproductions, but nobody wanted one.
"There's nothing like asparagus when it's fresh from the garden." — The Elder Gods
5. Is there a certain kind of story or arc that is easier for you to write as a short story than others?
I find that limited scope settings fit short stories best. As soon as characters have to start traveling from location to location, things balloon up to novel (or at least novella) length.
