SPFBO 9 Author Interview - Adam Copeland
What inspired you to write your SPFBO entry? Is there a particular story, personal experience, or idea that sparked this book? Growing up I loved all things fantasy: The Hobbit, The Chronicles of Prydain, Excalibur, Beast Master, Robin Hood, etc. Also, my household was full of my dad’s encyclopedias and books on mythology and legends. I would spend mornings in the school library before classes started and read about anything that had to do with castles, swords, and knights. As an adult, I needed an outlet to relieve the tension built up in my head holding all this information. That came in the form my first foray into novel writing, and though it’s my first, at 500+ pages, apparently my attitude was “go big or go home.”
How would you describe your writing process? How did it evolve during the creation of this book? I’m definitely a “pantser.” That is, I fly by the seat of my pants without an outline. I just let it flow, as the story has already been building inside me, presenting itself like developing film. Maybe that’s a bad example these days, because how many people remember the old film-making process before digital cameras? Anyway, if there is an argument for “The Muse” I might be it, because the stories really do “just come to me” being inspired by other books, movies, and music. I don’t know how many times I’ve sat in a coffee shop and listened to the music playing and think to myself, “Ya know, this would be great intro music for the villain coming on the scene…”. When writing Echoes, my first novel, I was pleasantly surprised, as most fiction writers are, on how the characters develop themselves and do things you didn’t expect and you have to adjust the story to accommodate them. I’m also a binge-writer. I’d rather write for four hours straight on a Saturday rather than set aside four separate hours each day of the week. There is no wrong way to write. Just do what works for you.
What challenges did you face during the writing or publishing process, and how did you overcome them? Finding the time and motivation was the most difficult. It really did take 15+ years for my first novel. I actually was terribly embarrassed when people would ask, “So, how’s that novel coming?” I thought I’d never finish. I just persevered and until it was done. And when it came time to do the pro edits (basically re-writing the whole damned thing), it really helped when I lost my job and time on my hands and had to choose my priorities in life. I found that having something to focus on really helped keep structure in my life, kind of like those who in school who do sports and academics and find that the sports-life actually helps with their schoolwork. Publishing was daunting. I found the Createspace Community to be very helpful that. Virtually all the answers to my question could be found there.
Who are your biggest literary influences and how have they impacted your writing style? Tolkien is probably my favorite, and consequently my style tends to incorporate “epic” language because of it. Also Stephen King, and so my writing tends to be incredibly descriptive and detailed.
How do you approach world-building in your fantasy novel? What elements do you think are essential for a compelling fantasy setting? My fantasy is historical fantasy, so it involves the real world as we know it, but takes on the fairy quality of King Arthur and ancient mythology and legend. So really, the groundwork has already been set for me, I’m just borrowing it and putting my own spin on it. Essential elements are scope and extraordinary visuals. My book ranges from antediluvian middle-east to boreal Celtic forests filled with trumpet blasting avenging angels to pearl-covered castles with moats and dragons.
If you could give a piece of advice to the main character in your book at the start of their journey, what would it be? “This too shall pass.” Which is something I would also tell my younger self. “It gets better. “
As a self-published author, how do you navigate marketing and promoting your work? Currently I subscribe to so many newsletters and blogs I’ve lost track. I peruse them regularly and anything that sticks out as useful or doable (and affordable) I make a note and give it a try as time permits. I came across the existence SPFBO several years ago, but this year was the first time I was able to be on top of it and submit at the stroke of the hour, and now here I am. Smiley Face.
What made you decide to participate in the SPFBO competition? How do you think this experience will benefit you as an author? I really liked that you could submit regardless of when you had self-published. I loved the community revolving around it and the sense of agency it provides. The very first post on Facebook that people were announcing that they had submitted, I chimed in with my two-cents worth after someone said they were just glad they could participate, even if they didn’t advance in rounds. I said, “Indeed, there are no losers here” and I really feel that way. Staying engaged even long after you’ve written and published is very important. Thanks to Mark Lawrence for this! How will it benefit me otherwise? Let’s just say I look forward to being pleasantly surprised!
If you were to win SPFBO, what impact do you think this would have on your writing career? I’m certain it would jump start it into overdrive. I will always write, and probably will always publish, but winning would shoot my energy and motivation levels into the stratosphere. I’m sure doors would open that I wasn’t aware existed and I would run through those doors, waving my arms.
What's next for you after SPFBO? Are there any upcoming projects you can share with us? If I had a “brand” it would be “that diversified guy” because not only do I write historical fantasy, but I’ve also written a pulp thriller (a kind of “Fight Club” meets “Dandelion Wine”). My next project is to try and turn my World War One vampire/zombie/action horror into a graphic novel.
