- a storyteller, fantasy lover, and young man with his head in the clouds
Readers, thanks for checking out another Author Spotlight Interview. Let’s give a good, hearty welcome to this week’s guest!
William grew up with dyslexia and had a hard time paying attention, his mind was constantly elsewhere, off in a fantasy land where no one else could reach. Growing up he had an intense love for storytelling, though he did not know how he was meant to tell these stories.
Growing up in a small family, he made a family from those he called friends, and from those relationships, he discovered his daydreaming wasn’t something that was going to hamper him, instead, it was what he was meant to do. His passion became the act of telling stories, no matter what form. At first, he was scared to write due to his dyslexia, but the love and passion drove him forward. Now he is the author of Last of the Usurpers with many more stories in store.
William, thanks for agreeing to be here today. Most author spotlight interviews start off with the boring stuff, but I know what readers REALLY want to know.
If you could have any pet (real/fantasy/no-allergies/no worries about feeding it) what would it be?
Hands down I would have a dragon, at least my idea of a dragon. I love the beauty, power, and freedom that fills my mind when I think of them.
An excellent — and classic choice — for a fan of fantasy!
What do you write? And how did you get started?
I write fantasy, adventure, and romance (emphasis on fantasy.) My first story came to me, or rather assailed my brain until I finally allowed it to spill out onto paper.
I started writing twice. The first time to see if that was the direction I wanted, which it was not. The second was when I got so hyper-focused on an ideal that I couldn’t get it to leave me alone, and the second was the one that became Last of the Usurpers.
I’ve definitely had more than one story I had to write more than once.
What do you like to read?
Personally, I only enjoy fantasy. I hate “will they won’t theys” they irritate me in stories. Now that being said, my favorite book ends with a will they won’t they, and while it made me upset, I still love it.
Anything with good, or interesting magic or awesome characters lures me in. I hate when a story carries a love triangle and I just won’t or will stop reading it.
So true! I’ll stray from my preferred genres when the storytelling is good.
What do you drink when you write/edit?
I always drink water and Gatorade, I can’t drink anything with caffeine or I will get a migraine. I believe it’s because I have too much energy as is.
Oh no! I’m sorry about your migraines. Glad to hear I’m not the only water-drinking writer, though.
Do you snack when you write/edit? What are your favorites?
Hands down Chester’s Flamin Hot Fries, I love them. Like, I will sit down and eat an entire bag, or multiple in one sitting. My mouth is now watering while thinking about it.
I like my snacks a little less spicy, usually. But hot fries definitely have a place in the rotation.
Name one commonly accepted piece of writing advice that doesn’t work for you
Rough Drafts
(don’t edit as you draft)
Most people want you to write a rough draft, that doesn’t work for me. The stories come from me naturally or not at all. That being said, I edit the original multiple times: once while I am writing, and again once I finish.
You can actually count it as a rough draft, even if you do edits as you go along. That being said, there are definitely best-selling authors who edit as they go, too. You’re in good company with John Scalzi and many others.
Name one commonly accepted piece of writing advice they can pry out of your cold, dead hands
Your story is YOURS.
Honestly, the only advice I love is that it is YOUR story. No one else can or will tell it.
Indeed! So often, editors and beta readers will give us feedback, suggesting changes. But, they’re better at telling us what needs fixing, than how to fix it. Only you can make the final call on what works best for your story.
Shameless Self-Promotion time!
Last of the Ursurpers
The Usurpers were once a powerful race of fighters with magic flowing through their veins, making them stronger, faster, and far more durable, but at a price.
Argent is a man believed to be a myth, the legendary Usurper who was responsible for the death of the Dragons. He must journey to save his daughter from the hands of her captor.
A tale of love and the lengths parents will go to save their children, this edge-of-your-seat read is a thrilling, fantastical commentary on the nature of love, the way it is quick to grow and then deeply rooted.
WRITING TIPS & WRITERLY MUSINGS 
love the respect for Lloyd Alexander
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