Today it is with great pleasure I present an interview with first time author G. L. Cromarty of Divided Serenity book one in the Divided World Series.
Q&A About Writing
Where do you get your ideas?
They pop in there at unexpected moments from all sorts of sources, such as songs, news articles, and even—video games. Other books are influential for their concepts, but the ideas always become a bit of a mash of different sources. And I love anything to do with psychology, and so I get a lot of character profile ideas there.
Q&A About Writing
Q: Where do you get your ideas?
A: They pop in there at unexpected moments from all sorts of sources, such as songs, news articles, and even—video games. Other books are influential for their concepts, but the ideas always become a bit of a mash of different sources. And I love anything to do with psychology, and so I get a lot of character profile ideas there.
Q: What motivates you to write?
A: Being in front of a computer. If I am left unattended for more than five minutes, you can assume I am busy making something up!
Q: What is the best thing about writing?
A: The escapism. Creating worlds and people, and then having complete autonomy to do whatever I like with them.
Q: What is the least favorite thing about writing?
A: Having to stop.
Q: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
A: Be selfish and write about what you would most like to read. Try different styles and genres. Don’t be afraid to try or fail. If you do fail, try again. I started over a hundred stories before I found something I wanted to make into a full novel. Trying out story ideas is great fun!
When you are ready, please share your work. Honest feedback is the single most important (and motivating) thing a new writer can receive.
Q&A About Reading
Q: What is your favorite genre(s)? Tell us more about why you love them?
A: SciFi, Fantasy, and Romance, in that order. I love SciFi and Fantasy for the escapism. I generally don’t like anything that is too grounded in reality!
I can enjoy romance if it is part of SciFi or Fantasy book.
Q: Are you a one book at a time reader, or do you jump between many?
A: I usually have at least 3 or 4 on the go at the same time, and read each depending on the time of the day and my mood. I often read a mixture of fiction/ non-fiction books.
Q: Tell us what you are currently reading and your verdict so far?
A: The Atopia Chronicles by Matthew Mather. Only read a couple of chapters, but great so far!
Q: If you could have a signed copy of a book by an author (dead or living) What book would it be and why?
A: Tolkien, The Hobbit. I read this as a young teen, and it inspired a decade of fantasy reading.
Q&A About the Book
Q: You are living in your latest novel. Where are you living, and what is it like?
A: My book world is divided so…
Inside the wall: I am living in a futuristic land dominated by sprawling technology-driven, high-rise cities. Life is safe and peaceful, at least it was until the recent spate of terrorist attacks.
Outside the wall: I am living in a primitive land where there is no technology, and the only way to protect yourself is to carry a sword. The lands and people exist in a perpetual state of war.
Q: You are your most recent protagonist, what do you like doing for fun?
Tanis: Drinking beer. And killing people who try to kill me, get in my way, or are in any other way irritating. Wait? Was that a serious question?
Hannah: Going to the opera, hanging out with sister and my nephews, and working with ancient technology.
Q: What do you hate doing?
Tanis: Drinking stout because we have run out of beer. Dealing with my brother when he is in one of his challenging moods. Dealing with my father, period. Dealing with idiots—unless I can kill them, which would fall under the above category of fun.
Hannah: Fixing ancient technology outside the wall, or doing anything outside the wall, actually. Riding a horse . Eating travel rations because they have the constitution of rock and are about as tasty.
Divided Serenity is a fascinating look at society. Different cultures living separated by a wall. If you like Game of Thrones, this book is for you. It is currently available at https://amazon.com.
Be on the look out for a one day free book promotion on June 8, 2017.
Book two Serenity Falling will be out soon.
cassandraparkerauthor 