I’m chuffed to welcome indie author Nicholas A. Rose to Books Are Cool for a friendly interrogation. Nicholas writes fantasy and is two-thirds of the way through his second trilogy. Markan Throne, Markan Empire and Markan Sword make up the first, and Gifted Apprentice is being followed by Gifted Hunter in the second. I discovered Nicholas through the very enjoyable Gifted Apprentice so that’s the starting point for my questions to him.
1. Tell us briefly about Gifted Avenger
This novella continues Sallis ti Ath’s story. Sallis is a bounty-hunter with a strong belief in justice. He is also blessed with the Gift, which means he can “see” where a criminal he’s pursuing has passed. But murder sets Sallis on a path of vengeance and he’s forced to challenge his beliefs concerning justice and the Gift.
2. Who’s your favorite character?
In the novellas – Sallis ti Ath.
3. Which character is most like you?
In the Markan Empire Trilogy, there is a sylph scout named Neptarik. People who know me and have read these books assure me that he displays a lot of my own character traits. Basking in sunshine and a weakness for chocolate, to give two examples.
4. What makes Gifted Avenger stand out from the crowd?
That it is part of a trilogy linked to all the other trilogies that are, or will be, written by me. In many ways, the Gifted Trilogy is a prequel to the Markan Empire Trilogy, but is also completely independent from it.
5. Why did you choose to write fantasy, or did it choose you?
Probably because I read so much fantasy as a youngster. I loved being able to escape this world, and wonder what if? I suppose writing fantasy is just a natural progression from that.
6. How did you come up with the cover design?
Joleene Naylor does all my covers. I just give her the rough outline of what I’m looking for and leave the rest up to her. I said I wanted Sallis on Glyder riding through a forest, pretty much what I’ve got. I leave the detail up to Joleene and she often surprises me with what she comes out with.
7. What are you working on now? Will it be out soon?
When people contact me about characters, the two they mention most are Sallis ti Ath and the ship’s sylph Cloudy. The next trilogy covers the ship Flying Cloud in her early days, how Cloudy came to be the ship’s sylph and some of her early adventures. I’m halfway through the first draft of The Ship And Her Sylph and finished the plotting and set pieces for the second in the trilogy, The Ship and Her Dolphin.
Fingers crossed, I’m hoping to have these two out in 2014.
I’m also (slowly) working on the next Markan Trilogy, following on from where the first left off. There may also be more Gifted books, if more plots present themselves.
8. What are you reading at the moment?
Factual books. The Ship (Landstrom), Seamanship (Harland), and The Age of the Galley (many contributors, published by Conway’s).
All dry stuff, all bought for research, but also fascinating (to me).
9. Do you write every day? Is it hard to find the time?
Every day, though I sometimes miss the odd day here and there. It can be hard to find the time, but more a matter of self-discipline and sacrificing other things I perhaps ought to be doing. One must keep the creative thoughts flowing!
10. What one snippet of advice would you give to aspiring self-published authors?
Keep going, never give up. Learn from your mistakes. OK, that’s two.
11. What ereading device do you have? And why did you choose that one?
The ubiquitous Kindle. I bought that one because it was the only one available in the UK at the time. I also have an ipad.
12. Do you dress up or dress down to write? Or maybe you don’t dress at all?
I write in whatever I’m wearing at the time. Though I always am wearing something at the time. Jeans and t-shirt usually and often barefoot.
13. Where can we find your website? And other social media?
My website is at: http://www.ilvenworld.com/
My blog: http://ilvenworld.blogspot.com
On Twitter I’m Nicholas A. Rose
And I’m nickandyrose on Facebook
14. Anything else we need to know about you?
Happiest outdoors, where I’m free to think. Love mountains, the sea, good company and real ale.
15. Your favorite “knock knock” joke?
Knock knock.
Who’s there?
Me.
Me who?
Seriously, me, I’m just telling a knock-knock joke!