First, I would like to say “Good Morning!” to everyone. Then, I would like to welcome everyone to another segment of the “What’s-Up-Wednesday Guest Interview". I am pleased to introduce to you our newest guest, the exciting fiction writer known as “Aylerion”. Please help me welcome "Aylerion", author of "Pulse of Time" and "Daughter of New York" (the first in the series of six) to my blog!
Welcome to my blog, Aylerion. I am so excited that you were finally able to visit. I know that my readers are so anxious to find more out about you, so why don’t we get right down to it. I will start right out with an easy question:
Could you tell us a little bit about yourself, including how long you have been writing?
First, I wanted to say thank you for the interview—I’m honored. A little bit about myself, hmmm…,well, I’m a lot like most other guys; uh, no, that’s a lie. I really stand out and usually have a hard time fitting in with people. Not because I have eight arms, but because I always had a unique way of looking at things. Even from a young age, my teachers used to call me a "dreamer" because I was not in class. I mean, I was there physically, but I was not "there". So around age 28—that’s when I started to write. I realized then, the unique perception I had, was something I owned.
What did you do before you became a writer?
For over ten years, I was a Web Designer, which entails being on the computer and designing corporate websites all day long, so I have tons of Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML) Code in my head. When I started writing, I knew I would have to kick the Web Designer career to the curb, because by the time I came home at night, the last thing I wanted to see was a computer, much less the Internet, and I knew one or the other of them would have to go.
Since I knew I wanted to become a writer, this would have to change. So I started working in retail stores (I abhor retail!) in jobs that didn't use up my mind's resources—jobs that wouldn't stress me out—jobs that I could do in my sleep. At times, in these fly-by-night businesses, people would actually come up to me and ask, with confused expressions, "What are you doing here?" They would shake their heads, trying to figure it out. All I could say was, "I wish I had an answer for you, I really do." I would shrug my shoulders and this was while I was living on my own. Food can get expensive.
At one humiliating job, they actually thought I was a spy sent from the Corporate Office to find out what everybody was doing. Yes, about fifty-seventy people believed this notion, and I didn't find out until I was about to leave. I thought to myself, "No wonder".
Family, relatives, friends and everyone would tell me, “But you can still get a good job and write at night or on the side or something. What are you doing in those sweatshops?” I would turn to them and say, "Ha! You try doing that and see how far you get."(By the way, they weren't too off base calling them sweatshops.)
Writing takes total and complete, utter focus. Any "real" jobs will just take that away. I could not risk getting comfortable. Now, I get emails and telephone calls, all telling me the same thing: "I couldn't put your book down." That shows me, it was worth all the sacrifices, ridicule, and the condescending looks that I suffered through.
Was there a light bulb moment that inspired you to become a writer?
Well, growing up, I always had hints. For example, I once wrote a ten-page love letter to a girlfriend of mine. I also remember when we didn’t have a phone, I would write to my friends. It just came naturally and a stamp was a lot cheaper than long distance. But when I started to write stories, although it was a skill, and I had to cultivate it and practice, and then practice some more, it always just flowed.
What genre is your favorite?
Uhm…I don’t think in genres usually, I think about the story, then after the fact, I have to find a genre to put it in. But what I have found is the fantasy genre is what I use all my brain fuel on. For example, with “Daughter of New York”, you are dealing with things that already exist: cars, trains, laws, etc. But with “Pulse of Time”, you have to come up with everything—a whole world. So, my imagination is running at its peak in the fantasy zone. In writing a series, like “Daughter of New York”, each installment might be in a different genre. So far, it looks like it falls into four of them.
What are you currently working on?
Thank you for asking. I’m working on Books II, III, and IV of the “Daughter of New York” series. Books II and III are already done. I’m halfway through Book IV. These three books will be released in the same year, a few months apart, starting at the beginning of the year sometime. There are six books in this series.When you write, do you use outlines?
A couple of co-writers and I have developed a style called “The Timeline Style”, which we use exclusively. I can’t go into the detail about it because it’s, well, private and they themselves are not even allowed to share it either. So it remains with the three of us. But one day, I would like to share it. I’m just not ready to do that yet. I think everyone has to find their way—the way that works for them. It will give them uniqueness.
Do you or have you ever belonged to a critique group? If not, would you consider it, or are you against them?
I have actually never thought about it. I do have one or two colleagues that I confide in. But they already understand where I’m coming from. Any input they add is not only what they think might be cool, but they try to help paint the vision I already have or that I am reaching for. But usually, I have thought about a story and character so much, they’re pretty much the audience.
What are your favorite writing links and your favorite writing resources?
Okay, just by looking at this question, I can see I may not be the typical writer, but I’ll try to answer it. I don’t have any favorite links or resources that I know of. If I had to say a resource, I would mention dictionary.com. For instance, I want “Pulse of Time” to have a certain type of word style. Dictionary.com sends me a “word of the day”. If the new word I am sent on a daily basis is one that I like, and it fits with the style of the book, I would hide it in a folder. Then when it is time to write another installment for my book, I have a wealth of words that I already like readily available.
Who are your favorite authors?
Tolkien, Alexander Dumas, and I love Jane Austin’s rebel spirit. Haha.
Are there any heroes in your life?
Jesus Christ! No one else has shown love to the extent that He has displayed it.
I certainly agree with you there! He happens to be my hero, as well. What other interests/hobbies do you have?
Living life! I find enjoyment in making life as grand as it could be. A real incentive in doing that is “it’s my life, so I better be on that, or else you have a boring life.” For instance, the other night, a friend came into town, so we just went into New York and cruised, looking for cool places to take pictures. But the top three, I would say are: the beach, spending time with the kids in my family, and there are a few TV shows that I’m sorry to say, I got hooked on.OK…you have to fill us in on that one! From a writer’s standpoint, what television shows are you "hooked on", and what is the main thing that you like about each one of them?
That’s a great question. One thing that I have noticed as a writer, is that with a book, the story is told in a linear way. Every chapter has a general focus, and pretty much sticks to characters or events. With TV (and /or movies), you can jump around from scene to scene, sometimes only spending a few seconds at a time, telling the story. Both mediums are quite amazing.
One of the shows that I must watch is: Burn Notice. I love the actors, the characters, and Miami Beach. It is also so well written and they really compress a lot into one hour. Did I say I love Miami Beach? (LOL!)
Another show I really like is CSI Miami, I love the visuals. I do find a lot of holes in their script, but I watch it a lot for its cinematography aspects because, for a TV show, they are very daring with their shots. Of course, Horatio's one-liners and ghost-like appearances are a must.There are a few teen shows I like: One Tree Hill for starters. I got hooked on it because of my younger cousin. It's all her fault—I blame her totally! And sadly, The Hills. I'm so ashamed. The Hills is a show I could watch and wonder with an outstretched hand, "Are people really like that?" It's kind of an escape. From what? I don't know. I'm in denial. If you were to ask me to my face, I'd probably deny it. "Naw, I don't watch that."
Do you depend on your writing to support you entirely now or do you also have another profession, and if so, what is it?
My writing does not fully support me financially as of yet, but in the “fulfilling” department, it does, many times over. My family has been quite a support to me, although it's still been very hard. I know what poor is, but I look at the reactions people have to my stories and it's inconceivable that it doesn't just happen. So I keep going, hoping in time more people will find out about my work, and see what I see. In the meantime, I work odd jobs to supplement my income.
What is the one piece of advice that you would impart to a writer if you could share only one thing?
Oh my gosh, so much. This one answer can be a few pages by itself. Just one thing, huh? Okay, here it is. Get your stuff out there by whatever means necessary. If you make it available and people are enjoying it, it will find it’s own path—maybe one you never would have thought of, but you have to get your stuff out there. If you brought your project to the highest level it could be and still every agent and publisher slams the door in your face, but you’re still passionate about your project, then it’s quite possible they all could be wrong. Go straight to the people.That sounds like good advice to me. I have one last question for you. What is your favorite saying?
“Whatever works!”
And there you have it, folks! That’s the conclusion of our first of many (I hope) interviews with fiction writer “Aylerion”. It’s been a real pleasure, "Aylerion", and we look forward to having you come back again when the first of your new books is released, so we can discuss what you plans are for the future and what you’re up to.
If anyone wants to learn more about "Aylerion", they can visit him at his blog, here, or at his websites, here and here. Please don’t forget to enter the contest to win a chance at one of the three FREE, autographed-copies of Aylerion’s exciting book entitled “Daughter of New York”. The contest details are all listed below.
Thanks for visiting my blog and please keep checking in to see what is in store next. We have many new and exciting things planned in the future. Don’t miss out on them!
Until next time...stay safe, stay well, and may God bless you all.
Cynde
Please visit my other blogs:
Cynde's Daybook ~and~ Usurper Exposed. Thank you!
