Book: Ascension
Q1. Hello Sir, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
Hello! My name is Eric Erickson. I’m an author and filmmaker and I live in Los Angeles. I grew up in Northwest Washington state but have lived and worked all over the United States and other countries. I have a background in journalism but have also worked in politics and the entertainment industry, including acting in and writing a number of movies.
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘Ascension’?
I wanted to take the complex ideas of death and the process of contacting and existing in the Realm and write them in a way that was accessible and fun. Taking the science and explaining how it worked as well as the feeling of this otherworldy universe and creating a page turning action novel. That was a challenge.
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
I grew up reading Robert B. Parker, Clive Cussler and the books of the Dune Universe (Frank Herbert and his son Brian and Kevin J. Anderson). They appealed to me, the descriptive narratives and the way the authors pushed the adventure forward with each chapter. I also really liked the way they injected humor and character quirks into their work to really bring their heroes to life. I think sometimes authors overwrite a bit too much and it slows things down. Give me a good story that pushes forward. ‘Ascension’ has been compared to Dan Brown and ‘The DaVinci Code’ and I’m OK with that.
Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
I love road trips. I love to be on the open road and discover new places as well as revisiting old haunts. It can just be a day trip to see the forests or a getaway to Vegas, I just love the feeling of freedom on the open highway.
Q5. Is there lots to do before you dive in and start writing a book?
I tend to do a lot of research and planning out the plot. When I first began writing in my youth it was just about sitting down at the keyboard and seeing what happens. The challenge of the blank page.
As I got older and starting working in different types of storytelling including screenplays, I saw how I needed to plot out my ideas. It actually gives you more freedom because you don’t have to worry about the basics as much, so you can concentrate on characters, dialogue and filling out your story. You are also much more productive in your writing and you run into a lot less writer’s block.
Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘Ascension’ book?
I wrote the first draft over ten years ago and set it aside. The first draft is actually the first two books of the series: ‘Ascension’ and ‘Revelations.’ About two years ago I picked it back up and started to craft it into what you see now.
I made the decision to split it into two parts for creative as well as logistical publishing reasons. While the original version had mostly the same plot, the one you’re reading now is much leaner with more action and twists and turns. The characters also went through a number of changes, including race and motivations.
Q7. On what platforms readers can find ‘Ascension’ to buy?
It is available in hardcover, paperback (trade, mass market and large print) and e-book from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Google Play, Kobo, Vivlio, Scribd and other retailers. You can visit Viking-Dog.com for links to all of the available sales locations.
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Ascension’?
It was actually a very long process and we went through numerous versions. Originally the idea was to portray Arius, the greeter of the Realm, but that became too difficult. I didn’t want to put an image into the reader’s mind, I wanted them to formulate him in their imagination. So we turned to the idea of the process of crossing over into the Realm. The great thing with literary science fiction is that your cover can be a bit more fun. So when the artwork for the brain and circuitry came up, I thought it was a great representation of the science in the novel.
The title was initially ‘The Realm,’ but that was for the first two books. When I decided to split it into two, ‘Ascension’ came right to the top due to the way the concept is weaved through the book.
The title of part two, ‘Revelations’ came about because the second book is truly where everything is revealed. Not just the Realm, but the motivations behind all the groups and characters and how they play into the story with their personal motivations. I also liked the religious allusion.
Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
I want to entertain myself. So when I am finished and editing, if I don’t start to lose myself in the words and the story, then it needs more work. If I come up against a situation where it’s been done before, I try to come up with a way to go “OK, but it hasn’t been done like this!”
Q10. Are there any secrets from the book (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?
My first answer is… No! Read the book and be surprised!!!
But I will say that the tale has heart and humor as well as adventure. I wanted to write a page turner with depth and that’s what ‘Ascension’ turned out to be. I will mention that when you get to the sequel, ‘Revelations,’ you might be surprised who is really who they say they are. Enjoy!
Author: Eric Erickson
Book Is Available On Amazon
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