Author Q&A with Paul Saylor

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Hello!

Aside from all my writing related comments and answers below, I also like to do a bit of amateur photography and astronomy. I’m also a complete addict to Peanut Butter Snickers. During these rough times, I do miss concerts and traveling very much. The two things I love and haven’t been able to do in the last seven months.

Links to all my self-published stories are on my website (worldsofintrigue.net).

And there is a free one there as well. Enjoy!

Not my usual read but I was captivated by the story from the first page. The book was filled with action, adventure and mystery – keeping you guessing as you turned each page. Imagination flowed off of the pages and I honestly couldn’t put the book down.

1. Tells us about your writing/ published book(s)

I primarily write in science-fiction and fantasy settings with stories that are action adventures, thrillers, and mystery.

Resurrected is a science fiction novella of an exiled mother with her son in a war-torn wasteland when two strangers show up asking for help, promising to get them out of exile in return. But as they trek to their destination, the strangers are much more than they seem. With ulterior motives to boot.

Dessert Interrupted is a science fiction detective short story. A member of a royal family is poisoned at dinner. Inquisitor Elena Nikto, who was headed for some relaxation time, is diverted to handle the case.

The Road To Gatlen is a fantasy action adventure with intrigue and suspense. It’s over 221,000 words. It’s Addylyn Yago’s adventure across the continent of Laynae. She has with her her ailing and troublesome brother and an ancient Artifact. The Artifact will unlock an ancient and advanced city. So naturally, everyone else wants it too.

2. Where’s your favourite place to write?

This is a tough question. I spend most of my time in my “writing alcove”. A bonus room/loft in my house. It’s one of my favorite rooms to write in. But I also use the front room, which we’ve dubbed the “reading room” in our house. But, most of my notetaking and outlining and refining of my ideas comes on the peaceful shores of Donner Lake whenever we get a chance to go. This is probably my true favorite place.

3. How do you approach starting a new book?

This usually comes involuntarily to me. A line in a song, a scenic landscape (either in real life or a video game)… basically, the smallest thing will trigger a new idea. From there, I generally go into a frenzy of making disorganized notes expounding upon the idea. If I like it enough, I will re-arrange it into an outline, character profile sheets, world-building, etc. If I still like it, at that point I start writing the actual book.

4. What’s your favourite genre to read?

Though I can read just about anything in any genre so long as it is a good story, my favorite has pretty much been military space operas.

5. Have you always wanted to write?

Since early teens, I was creating stories, so pretty much.

6. What do you do when you have writer’s block?

This is tough. Because usually though I struggle and fight on how to get past it, it often is a waiting game until I can figure it out. I’m not always successful as I have two WIPs sitting nearly abandoned because I cannot for the life of me connect the ending with the first two-thirds of the books that is planned.

7. Tell us about a scene that you loved but had to edit out of your book

Fortunately, I haven’t really had this happen yet. I heavily edit my outlines before I even start writing a draft. If a scene is cut, it’s done during that phase, so I haven’t had time to write it, soak it in, and love it, as such.

If it is a scene that doesn’t make any sense with the rest of the story, I probably wouldn’t love it anyway. But sometimes, during my explosion of ideas while I’m just doing my frenzied note-taking and I’ll think of something that doesn’t ultimately fit into the outline and I still really like it, I’ll generally try to find a way to make it fit into a sequel or side short story.

8. Do you like reading the same books you write?

As mentioned above, I can read pretty much any genre so long as it has a good story. That said, I find myself writing more towards fantasy, paranormal, with elements of science fiction in them. So this differs vastly, I think, from my preference of military space operas.

9. Do write under a pen name? If so, tell us about how you chose it

I do not.

10. How do you choose your book’s title(s)?

It depends on the story, though largely I want it to be some kind of tie-in to the theme of the book. For instance, in my novella Resurrected and short story Dessert Interrupted, they were recurring themes. Some more obvious than others. I won’t say more to avoid spoilers. The Road To Gatlen is more or less just that though. Addylyn Yago treks across the continent of Laynae hoping to find the ancient city that fell from the sky.

11. What advice would you give to someone wanting to write their first book?

Try anything and everything and don’t give up. As a first book, don’t be afraid to experiment and find what works best for you. It may be tough and slow going, but the perseverance is necessary until you find your groove.

12. Do you do research for your books? If so, what kind of research?

I do. Most of it happens on the internet. Often what I need are snippets to little things here and there. I also like interviewing people in jobs related to character roles in my book. Then there is some research that is unintentional. Meaning, I’ll experience something and take that into account later in a story. For instance, when I redid my backyard. That was a lot of work. I think about how my muscles feel and such whenever I have a character going through physical labor like that.

13. How do you fit writing into your everyday life?

When I have a story that I have a strong urge to write, it’s not too difficult. I have no kids and I can take advantage of moments when the wife is at work or when she prefers spend time reading. This writing time does gouge into my solo relaxation time though.

14. How do you approach ‘world building’?

This depends on the world. In my current WIP, it’s in the modern world with a bit of a fantasy twist to it. So very little needs to be done. It’ll take place in real towns and such.

For completely made up places, like in The Road To Gatlen, I usually start with a single place, such as a city that will feature prominently in the story. From there, I’ll build within and then without. Adding things like whatever magic system or sci-fi tools are used along the way.

Video games play a huge part in my world-building from a character’s perspective. As I explore new areas in open-world sandbox games, I imagine what my character must be thinking as they experience that area.

15. How do you handle criticism

Badly. It makes me cry.

That said, I tend not to listen to “fluff” criticism. By that, I mean if they don’t like the story, oh well. There’s no such thing as a book for everyone. But I do try to pay attention to remarks that may help improve my future writing. I may not always adhere to them because it doesn’t fit what I’m trying to do, but I’ll listen. Outright mistakes though, I can get real mad at myself.

16. Describe your perfect character to me

I don’t know if I would find a character to be “perfect.” Naturally, I would want them to be well-rounded, flawed in their own ways, but characteristically equipped enough to tackle what their world throws at them. I do like it when they fail from time to time too. And of course, I prefer them to need help, that they can’t do everything on their own.

That said, as the worlds and plots change, so too must the characters who rise up in those situations.

17. Tell me about your current work

My main piece is a secret project. I will only say that it is inspired by a song. But I do intend to squeeze in another short story here and there over the next couple months. Such as a second Elena Nikto mystery.

18. Tell me about your main character

My main character in my biggest book, The Road To Gatlen, is basically a person that is everything I’m not. And by that, I don’t mean that just because she’s a short blonde farm girl. I mean she’s brave, assertive, usually confident, smart, strong, enduring and so on.

19. Would you want your book made into a film?

I don’t know. Right now, my gut is no. I like my stories to be in the medium that they are: in print. Or digital really. But you know what I mean.

20. How many books do you own?

About two thousand. However, most of them are intended for business. By that, I mean, I own an online used bookstore where I sell books out of my garage.

You can find Paul Saylor on Twitter.

Author Q&A with Paul Saylor