SPFBO Interview: A.R. Rathmann
What inspired you to write your SPFBO entry? Is there a particular story, personal experience, or idea that sparked this book?
I was in the middle of writing another book, Avalon Summer, about a girl named Sarah who finds an old fantasy novel that has weird parallels to her own life, so I figured I needed to come up with some details about this old novel to include in Sarah’s story. I made up chapter titles like “A Heart Wrought with Spells” and “The Blood Sword,” and then those chapter titles gave me ideas about plot and characters, and pretty soon I was writing the actual book. So, Gates to Illvelion is both a standalone fairy-tale fantasy novel AND a plot point in my coming-of-age YA novel, Avalon Summer. The whole thing is kinda meta and self-referential, but each book can be read separately. It’s more like if you read both you get some cool “Easter Eggs” to enjoy. (This is also why Gates to Illvelion is written under the pen name “A.R. Rathmann.” A.R.Rathmann is also a character in Avalon Summer.)
How would you describe your writing process? How did it evolve during the creation of this book?
My writing process mostly consists of the dictum, “Write the next sentence.” I sit down at my computer or with my notepad, reread what I wrote the day before, and then write the next sentence. Sometimes I add to or change what I wrote the day before, sometimes I let it stand. I revise as I go, basically. I also use a writer’s notebook to jot down ideas, write brief scene outlines, and hash out any troubles I’m having with a plot point or character. I don’t think my process really evolved during the writing of Gates to Illvelion, but I did become more consistent about writing every day, even if it was only 50-100 words. I found that writing every day, even in little chunks, was better for my momentum than writing only on days when I had lots of time.
What challenges did you face during the writing or publishing process, and how did you overcome them?
The biggest writing challenge was writing two books at once (both Gates to Illvelion and Avalon Summer). It did help that they weren’t really the same genre; one was fantasy, the other realistic fiction. With the publishing process, I did something new this time by having a Kickstarter for both books. I’d never run a Kickstarter before, and while it was fun and we funded it in less than twenty-four hours, it was still a lot of work and a bit stressful at times. However, I plan to run more Kickstarters for my books, and I would encourage others to do the same. I gained quite a few new readers by doing it, and it was a good experience overall.
Who are your biggest literary influences and how have they impacted your writing style?
My biggest influences are Tolkien, Ursula Le Guin, Ray Bradbury, Neil Gaiman, Peter S. Beagle, and Susanna Clarke. I don’t know if they’ve impacted my writing style, but they’ve definitely influenced my imagination. I suppose you could say that I tend to like fantasy that’s rooted in folklore and myth, and I’m much more of a “numinous magic” writer than a “magic system” writer. I love to read Brandon Sanderson, but I can’t write like him!
How do you approach world-building in your fantasy novel? What elements do you think are essential for a compelling fantasy setting?
I often start by drawing a map. I have loved maps ever since opening The Hobbit as a kid and seeing both Thorin’s map and the Map of Wilderland. So, the map is where I begin. Place names, geography. I don’t usually have much idea what any of it is, just the names and such, but those names then inspire ideas and the world grows from there. One of these days I’m going to commission an artist to draw maps to include in all my books, but as of right now, the maps are just my own tool for crafting the world. Honestly, I don’t think there are any essentials for a compelling fantasy setting. I think it all depends on the way the tale is told, and I like to be surprised when I read. That doesn’t mean the world has to be super weird or different or anything, it just has to be evocative and flavorful.
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?
No advice. She needs to learn the lessons on her own!
As a self-published author, how do you navigate marketing and promoting your work?
I don’t. I’m bad at promotion and I’m not on social media (except Reddit). I do have a newsletter and a website where I try to blog regularly, but as far as marketing and such, I don’t do any of it. I don’t have enough books published yet. Once I have closer to twenty or thirty books, then I might start running promotions. I’d much rather be writing my next book, though.
What made you decide to participate in the SPFBO competition? How do you think this experience will benefit you as an author?
I was in SPFBO in 2017 with a book called The Thirteen Treasures of Britain, and it was a great experience overall. I met a lot of authors, got some reviews from interested readers, and felt like part of a larger community. I wanted to have that experience again, and since Gates to Illvelion was eligible, I decided to enter. I’m hoping to meet even more fellow authors this time around and read some cool books!
If you were to win SPFBO, what impact do you think this would have on your writing career?
I guess I’d have more people reading my books! That’s helpful! I like being a self-published author, so I wouldn’t be interested in getting a deal with a traditional publisher or anything like that. I just hope I can find more readers. That’s all I’m really interested in. I write stories for fun, but it’s also fun when those stories are enjoyed by others.
What's next for you after SPFBO? Are there any upcoming projects you can share with us?
I have Avalon Summer coming out on the same day as Gates to Illvelion. Avalon Summer is my ode to childhood and being a nerdy kid who loved playing make-believe in the backyard. I’m also working on the second book in my Merlin series, Ysbaddaden and the Game of Chess. And I just started drafting an urban fantasy book based on an Icelandic saga, which I’m calling Norse City Limits.
