Today I welcome Ian B. Boyd to the blog to answer a few questions
for Interview³.
Ian B. Boyd Author Interview³
1) Tell us 3 little-known facts about you
I started writing because I had things I wanted to say about life. It turns out no one cares about any of those things. I still sneak little bits in here and there.
When I was a kid, I found a half-finished story my brother had written in hospital before he died at the age of ten. Not a fun fact, but interesting I guess. The book has followed me ever since and represents a life unfinished. If only he had been given one more month. I hope that story motivates anyone who needs a reason to finish their own story.
I have three beta readers at home who made completely different recommendations for changes to the first draught of my first novel. I deciphered the recommendations as best I could and they all had different opinions on the changes I made. It seems you can never please everyone, so make sure you please yourself. Fortunately, I did.
2) Describe your writing style in 3 words
Magical supermarket chocolate.
3) Name 3 of your literary influences
Stephen King, Brandon Sanderson, SGB27 (a girl in a fantasy group I write in where most writers don’t show their real name. She really loves critiquing.)
4) Share your 3 favourite books
Watership Down, The Chrysallids, Scion of Ikshvaku
5) What are your 3 essential writing tools?
Imagination, Safari, Construction grade earmuffs (Bold and the Beautiful is too distracting.)
6) Where are your 3 favourite places to write?
I only write at the kitchen table. My dream spot would be the same location but where everyone in my house would vacate when I start writing and come back when I say I’m finished. Sometimes I pull my hoodie over and pretend I’m a mysterious superhero author.
7) Name 3 items on your writing wish list
I would like to win a short story competition for up to 5000 words. I like writing short stories.
I would like to be offered a contract by any publisher, but couldn’t guarantee accepting it.
I would like to find the right hat so I look like the real deal.
8) What are your top 3 tips for aspiring writers?
Finish what you start even if it means changing things you don’t want to change, take criticism as a means to improving, write about things that make you feel good
9) Tell us 3 of your writing plans for the year ahead
Follow every path that opens as a result of releasing Madilla.
Build more relationships with like-minded people in the industry.
Write another novel which establishes me in some way into a genre where readers can see a continuity of what I do best, and then try to keep improving.
10) Tell us about your latest release
Madilla: The Spirit of U’Katang is my debut novel and I loved every moment of writing it. I was able to delve into my interest in different religions, languages and cultures by creating my own version of each. There are bits of Western culture infused into third world culture, so if a reader is hellbent on facts, Madilla may be too hard to swallow, but I did spend a great deal of time getting certain facts right. Coming from a horticultural background, I surprised myself at how much time I spent checking whether plants and animals could survive in certain conditions. I also researched Himalayan village life quite extensively which filtered into some elements of the book, but more influence came from places that I have been and people I have met. Through all that, I was able to sneak in bits of how I see life, which was why I started writing. I am most definitely not finished.
Madilla is suitable for readers aged 16 and up. Minimal moderate inclusion of rape.
Ian B. Boyd
Self-Published
1 March 2018
YA/Fantasy
From her very first touch of the piano keys, Madilla feels a strange tingle of energy running through her fingers. In defiance of the customs of her people, she connects through the spirit of her music with a wild mountain sparrow that shows her the freedom of wings and an endless blue sky.
Madilla’s piano becomes her only escape from the violent atrocities of an isolated and forgotten mountain village, poisoned by centuries of military occupation, but her family has no escape. Tormented by lust and hatred, her uncle succumbs to the ways of the soldiers, igniting an even greater evil lurking within his spirit. Recognising the confusion of her Mama’s unshakable beliefs, Madilla searches for her own truth. What she learns is that the magic she feels through her piano is only the beginning.
About the Author
Want to connect with Ian? You can find him at any of the links below.
Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook / Website
No comments:
Post a Comment