Q1. Hello, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
A1. I am a self-published author, personal fitness trainer, and English tutor with a BA from WLU double majoring in Anthropology and History.
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book “BARD: Bearer of the Gemstone”?
A2. BARD, as it was originally called, was written over a number of decades. The pith of the story has always remained the same, however my style and knowledge has changed over the years. Re-working the story so it flows seamlessly has been the biggest challenge.
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
A3. The books and authors that have influenced me the most are J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit”; Frank Herbert’s “Dune” series; Joe Haldeman’s “Forever War”; Timothy Zahn’s Star Wars “Heir to the Empire” trilogy (Admiral Thrawn); and William Stevenson’s “A Man Called Intrepid” (non-fiction).
Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
A4. When I was younger my parents would take us to Mikisew Provincial Park where we could canoe all day and make new friends every summer.
Q5. What inspired you to write the book ‘BARD: Bearer of the Gemstone’?
A5. I was writing poetry in high school and decided I wanted to write a book. Dungeon and Dragons was very popular then but when I asked my one brother what I should write about he said nature. So I combined the two. However, like the Inuit carve out the image that already exists in the soapstone, BARD started dictating to me what to write.
Q6. How long did it take you to write your book ‘BARD: Bearer of the Gemstone’?
A6. The original book BARD, started more than thirty years ago. However, when I told a friend I was struggling to write a synopsis for the story she suggested I split the book in two. BARD: Bearer of the Gemstone is the first book.
Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?
A7. The book is published as an e-book and paperback on Amazon.
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘BARD: Bearer of the Gemstone’?
A8. For a while now I’ve been following https://fantasy-art-z.com/. She did two covers for me and I chose the one you see as the cover.
Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
A9. I like books that teach me something so there’s information on blacksmithing and lute making. However, to keep the story interesting the information is intertwined with the storyline. The river of emotions runs from fear to dark to humour.
Q10. What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given about writing?
A10. The reader should feel your fiction is real.
Buy BARD: Bearer of the Gemstone on Amazon
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