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Thursday, April 24, 2014

Elemental

Today Brandon Ax joins us to answer my questions and tell us a bit about his book Elemental...

1. Where did the initial idea for Elemental come from?

Interestingly it came from me wanting to do a comic book. I always loved to draw and so figured I would give it a shot. Once I came up with the MC Sophia everything changed. I knew she needed a novel.

2. Which part of the publishing process was the most surprising?

Working with my editor. I published the books with a self edit, but have recently gotten an editor and working with her has made the book so much stronger.

3. If you could give yourself any piece of advice before you started writing, what would it be?

Besides get an editor? lol. Mostly that the work starts the moment you publish. So much goes into promoting your book.

4. Plotter or panster?

A little of both. I like a loose plot but it is all about the characters with me.

5. Quiet room or noisy room when you're writing? How quiet do you need it? What sort of noise?

I'm not big on a ton of noise. I have to have some music playing or at the least a movie I have seen a million times. Too much quiet is distracting.

6. Your writing area/desk: a place for everything and everything in its place or if anyone ever straightened it, you’d never find a thing?

Funny thing, I don't have much clutter on my desk, but it is covered with little trinkets. Like statues I find interesting or collectible cups. Just things to spark my imagination when I break in my writing.

7. What is your current pop culture obsession (book, TV show, movie, webcomic…)? What are the rest of us missing?

Hmm, if you are not reading the Dresden Files you should be. I am huge comic nerd so the new Captain America is a must see. As far as TV shows, I am really enjoying Hannibal, I think the cast is amazing.


Elemental

Sophia's mother disappeared when she was six, leaving behind a broken father and sleep disturbed by silent terrors. Now twelve years later, the nightmares that plagued her youth have suddenly returned.

With dark creatures occupying her nights and a sense of restlessness consuming her days, all she wants is to finish school and get out of her small town as fast as possible. Everything changes when she is confronted with the realization that the shadowy beings from her dreams are real. The truth of this reality hits hard when someone she loves is killed. It would seem that anyone in their way is disposable.

A mysterious boy named Aiden enters her life bringing with him all sorts of complications. They're drawn to each other, but their connection brings Aiden right into the path of her half-demon nightmares. With her father and several new friends put in the cross-hairs, Sophia must decide whether to let the shadows take her or stand her ground and fight. As the school year steadily moves closer to an end her decision may come with the cost of her life or worse—the lives of those she cares about.


About the Author:

BRANDON AX fell in love with fantasy as child after first devouring the entire Chronicles of Narnia series. Born in New Orleans his early life was spent moving from state to state all along the south. Developing a love for people and their stories he began to pursue a career as an author. After years of tuning his craft he finished his first novel ELEMENTAL. Living in South Carolina with his wife, two children and three dogs, he spends his days dreaming up new worlds and fascinating characters. Hard at work on finishing The Light Bringer Saga, he enjoys the task of molding a story to its completion.

Links:
Blog
Amazon

7 comments:

SK Anthony said...

"Too much quiet is distracting," I find this to be true for me as well. Great interview!

Oh I do recommend Elemental, awesome read! :D

Sherry Ellis said...

Elemental is an awesome book! I'm one of those crazy people who needs quiet when I write. Anything else makes it hard for me to hear the voices in my head. ;0)

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I can relate with you on number five. Sometimes I do both - music and a movie.

Susan Kane said...

The title is intriguing and the book is sure to be as well. Note to self: editors are needed.

Lynda Dietz said...

Excellent book and great interview! Brandon, you really know how to write a captivating story.

Um...you need to change your author bio, though...don't forget that third child, mister! :)

Rachna Chhabria said...

Great interview with Brandon. I agree with him that editors are needed. Elemental sounds good. And I love the title.

Janie Junebug said...

I'm going to do a happy dance. I'm Brandon's editor, and I'm so happy to work with him. Elemental is a great book.

Love,
Janie