Author Interview: Jaq D Hawkins
What inspired you to write in the fantasy/sci-fi genre, and how does that inspiration reflect in your stories?
I started reading Fantasy books at age 12 sought out as much of the genre as I could, keeping in mind this was way before self-publishing and Fantasy books were fewer in number. By the time I had explored worlds like Darkover, Amber, Sanctuary and Pern and many others, I wanted to invent a world of my own.
I had actually been writing since a young age and it seemed the obvious thing to want to write in the genre I most liked to read.
Why did you choose the indie author route to publication?
I was originally trad published with a small, fledgling publisher in 2005, several years before indie publishing was a thing. When the owner failed to get distribution outside of the UK, I eventually negotiated my contract back and in 2012, dipped my toe in indie, quickly deciding I like the full control.
Can you share a bit about the world-building process in your series or novel? How do you balance creativity with consistency?
When my Goblin Trilogy was manifesting, my bf at the time kept asking me questions about the world, which spurred me to come up with answers. It was a fairly quick process, just following logic. The goblin world was already following a sort of anarchistic, shamanistic pattern so I fit details into that framework.
My Steampunk book was a different process. I had heard the song Airship Pirates by Abney Park and felt there should be stories about airship pirates! Just think of the possibilities! I had been participating in some flash fiction challenges on the old MySpace forums and wrote a 500 word piece about my pirates landing on the roof of a warehouse to steal a shipment of opium that a dishonest businessman had diverted from the East India Company (Opium was legal in Victorian England).
Afterwards I wanted to expand that world and wrote The Wake of the Dragon (A slang term for opium use).
What unique challenges do you face as an indie author in the fantasy/sci-fi genre, and how do you overcome them?
The biggest problem since the self-publishing explosion has led to a lot more books becoming available is finding ways to stand separate from the Romance books that have inudated the Fantasy genre. A lot of young readers have a different perspective of what constitutes Fantasy than us old school folks.
Who are your favorite fantasy/sci-fi authors or works, and in what ways have they influenced your writing?
Old favourites are Mary Stewart (Merlin series), Roger Zelazny (Chronicles of Amber), Marion Zimmer Bradley (Darkover) Anne McCaffrey (Pern).
I'd say they inspired more than influenced. Newer authors I've really enjoyed include David Green, J.A. Andrews, Shanna Lauffey, Angel Haze, Jon Cronshaw, Justin Fike and Jeffrey L. Kohanek.
How do you develop your characters, and who is your favorite character from your works? Why?
My characters develop themselves and I enjoy sitting back and watching. If I had to choose a favourite, it would be Mister Bale from the Steampunk book. He's always got a flask handy and an opium pipe in his mouth, yet he has a supernatural sense that allows him to pilot the airship through clouds, narrow streets, just about anywhere, and always manages to be just in the right place.
Could you discuss the role of magic/science or fantastical/sci-fi elements in your stories? How do you create rules and limitations for them?
I like to stay just over the line of reality. The magicians are the ruling class in my Goblin Trilogy, yet the magic is fairly subtle, much of it more psychic sense than blatant magic. A similar borderline with the supernatural stays close in my Steampunk.
Of course for creatures in the goblin world all bets are off. There are different species of goblins with different abilities, whether it's digging caverns like a giant mole or melting rock.
How do you approach the plotting and planning of your series or novels? Do you prefer to map everything out beforehand or let the story evolve as you write?
Definitely let it evolve as I write. I'll have snippets of plot elements that I work in later but I love the surprise of watching what my characters do to deal with the tight places I put them in.
What is a theme or message you hope readers take away from your work?
I don't think about theme before or during the writing process, but I've noted after the fact that I do encourage readers to think outside the box and to adapt to circumstances. I'm not one for hitting readers over the head with moralistic messages.
In what ways do you connect with your readers, and how has their feedback influenced your writing?
I keep a presence on Facebook and answer questions when people write to me. I stick with the philosophy of writing the sort of books I want to read.
As an indie author, what advice would you give to aspiring writers wanting to publish in the fantasy/sci-fi genre?
Decide 1. whether you're writing for yourself or for the market and 2. who your target audience is. Don't stint on proper editing and make an effort to have an attractive cover. If a new author doesn't have the money to pay a high end cover artist, there are other options that can still look professional.
Oh, and don't expect to retire on one book. Keep writing and spend some time in places where readers of your subgenre go online, but don't apam. Network with other authors. We share information and support in general.
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