SPFBO 9 Author Interview - C.D. Mckenna
What inspired you to write your SPFBO entry? Is there a particular story, personal experience, or idea that sparked this book?
Call it cliché, but I was watching The Lion King when the idea hit me. I had been writing for over a decade, but always toying with different story concepts and in the process, honing my voice as a storyteller. Although that did not stop the self-doubt and for about 6 months, I put it all aside and thought, “If I’m meant to write, maybe one day I’ll return.” Dramatic, I know, but can you expect anything different from a writer?
So, when that idea hit, I saw it. I saw the entire world in the blink of an eye. It was a full blown out of body experience and the next day, I was at the store buying canvases to do mock-up country maps. And I haven’t looked back since.
How would you describe your writing process? How did it evolve during the creation of this book?
I once told my editor: I have spent fifteen years writing, but only now have I discovered my confidence. The writing process was maddening, and I would be lying if I said I whipped out that book and had it in an editor’s hands in a year. Nope. I wrote five drafts – an accumulation of over 600,000 words that the world will never see. A part of those redrafts were because I was still discovering this grand world myself and each time I wrote a draft, something new would be identified – the magic system grew more complicated, politics became bigger, a Soul Realm was explored, etc. So as each draft was comprised, the world grew bigger and bigger.
And then one day, I knew I had it. And despite knowing I had something massive, I was not foolish enough to think my writing was up to par to match the complexity and maturity of this world. That was when the hunt for the editor began.
What challenges did you face during the writing or publishing process, and how did you overcome them?
The challenges came from editing – surprising, huh? Not so much if you know a thing or two about editing. And not just editing a standalone, but a book that would become the crutch for a nine book saga and future spin offs. My editor is a champion, which is probably something he grows tired of me saying about him, but he specializes in the field, has direct experience with the traditional industry, and when it comes to editing, is a ruthless tyrant. I love it.
But that didn’t mean I was excited to see the notes for development edits. In fact, I was so stuck in my head, I ignored them for weeks. I became my own challenge and the object of my mission: get a grip on my imposter syndrome or never publish. My editor was patient with me, and after six or seven weeks, I finally had the courage to just LOOK at the notes. I still remember the moment I conquered myself and walked right up to my laptop, opened a new word document, and started writing the book all over again – based on the feedback of my editor.
Following that, publishing only became a challenge because I didn’t know WHAT I was looking for, Googling, or what to make of it. From Copyrighting, LCCNs, and ISBNs, I was a virgin, but I had several authors I’d connected with by then who were able to guide me in the right direction.
Who are your biggest literary influences and how have they impacted your writing style?
Frank Herbert and Stephen King greatly influence my writing style, but I would have to say the first time I realized a fantasy world was at my fingertips was when I read Eragon years and years ago. That was the first time, as a budding storyteller, that I realized I could write anything I wanted.
How do you approach world-building in your fantasy novel? What elements do you think are essential for a compelling fantasy setting?
World-building NEVER ends, and if it does, you’ve stopped exploring your own world. Even two books later and a standalone project, I am still learning about new elements and pieces of my world that I hadn’t found before. How exciting is that?
Elements that are essential for a compelling fantasy setting: Magic systems that are complex (a simple magic system weakens a fantasy world – cheapens it). Fantasy means that the impossible is possible, so the storyteller is the rule maker and rule breaker – the moment you realize that, you can do anything, which is critical for a fantasy world to succeed. Characters that are well-rounded and aren’t entirely familiar with the world themselves are amazing components to a compelling fantasy setting – imagine stumbling on something new WITH your character as either a reader or writer. It doesn’t get more thrilling than that. And without going on and on because I will, I would say be creative with simple concepts – a world with multiple realms is cool, but a world with multiple realms that are all power-driven and possess different rules to their reality? All right, even cooler.
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?
I have three main characters, so I’ll do all three because I can’t leave one out or I’ll be haunted.
*Syra: Trust your instincts and stop doubting your abilities. There’s a reason you’ve been chosen.
*Morei: Don’t forget who you are – the world can be cruel, but you know yourself better than anyone. And don’t forget why you fell in love with being a king to the people.
*Cyrus: Trust someone – it’s okay to ask for help and be vulnerable. Adventures are grand, but making connections are critical to survival and growth.
As a self-published author, how do you navigate marketing and promoting your work?
By sacrificing myself to the Writing Gods. Wait, I meant posting.
In reality, it’s been a learning curve balancing the marketing/promoting world and still keeping my sanity. I work on a schedule now, where I post 6 days at the same time and then take a day off. I do have an incredible amount of fun making posts that are inspired by my world, but it is a taxing job when you have to juggle everything else too. My favorite part of marketing is actually connecting with the readers and budding voices of the storytelling world – somewhere out there, my post, engagement, and obvious excitement is helping someone else figure out their own world or taking a reader away from their reality.
What made you decide to participate in the SPFBO competition? How do you think this experience will benefit you as an author?
I was actually inspired by another author who is also participating in SPFBO. She has an incredible world and also shares the same editor, so we have a lot of shared interests with fantasy and our big dreams. She messaged me the morning the submissions opened and let me tell you, I have never gotten out of bed so fast to submit my work (little did I realize this self-imposed urgency is the ONLY reason I made it before the slots filled, although it did help that she told me SPFBO was halfway full already). So, at the end of the day, it was her that inspired me and introduced me to this amazing world.
I have already experienced some of the amazing benefits of this community, which has been connecting with extremely talented and kind individuals. Whether that’s through Facebook or Instagram, I have been fortunate enough to make immediate connections with some of the nicest people I’ve ever met!
If you were to win SPFBO, what impact do you think this would have on your writing career?
*Deep Breath* I think I would cry if I won – I’m not sugar coating that. To be honest, I have come to the conclusion that the world of The Vorelian Saga deserves so much more than what I can give it by myself. Exposure and a chance for bigger avenues of marketing would be a massive dream come true. I have devoted years to this world and it deserves to see the whole reader world, not just bits and pieces of it.
What's next for you after SPFBO? Are there any upcoming projects you can share with us?
I am a part of a huge book signing event at the Stanley Hotel this year, which I am SUPER excited about. As for upcoming projects: I am working on a series that takes place hundreds of summers (years for the mortal tongue) that will track the fall of the Dragon Riders – ah, yes, did I mention I have a Dragon Rider in my current work? That story will be 3 books and follow a handful of characters as they navigate the failing politics and strange magic. On the side, I am a massive horror lover and am finishing up a draft to a standalone piece that once edited, will be queried. It is cult/psychological/paranormal-style horror, and to say I am excited about that one is an understatement.
