The Next Big Thing is a questionnaire going around the author community. Ari Marmell tagged me, after talking about his newest Widdershins project. Participants answer, and then tag five more authors to participate. Tags at the bottom.
(Warning: this is quick, not as in depth as some of the other interviews I’m doing this week. So check those out).
1) What is the working title of your next book?
The next available book is Lesser Evils. The book I’m working on is called The Adversary
(which will come out this time next year).
2) Where did the idea come from for the book?
Lesser Evils came out of two ideas crashing together: Harpers and Zhentarim, and a lost library. It’s also a sequel to my 2011 book, Brimstone Angels. The Adversary was partly inspired by a letter my husband’s grandfather wrote about his experiences during WWII, and partly by the game’s changing editions.
3) What genre does your book fall under?
Fantasy. Fantasy Adventure? Tie-in Fantasy? Fantasy Soap Opera? I’m bad at genres
4) What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?
I don’t do that. Who would you pick?
5) What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
A tiefling warlock hunts for the spell to free a devil from the Nine Hells while eluding powerful evils and making unlikely allies in a forgotten library.
6) Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
Neither. It’s published by Wizards of the Coast.
7) How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?
About four months. Considering I was pregnant or caring for a newborn during that time, I still think it’s uncommonly fast.
8) What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
Ooh, this is another thing I’m bad at. Here are things other people have compared it to, making me super flattered: Elaine Cunningham’s Starlight and Shadows series; N. K. Jemisin’s Inheritance Trilogy (!!); and the TV show Supernatural.
9) Who or what inspired you to write this book?
Love of the characters. I had several chances to change direction, to back out, to take this off my plate. But I believe in these characters and their story. So you’re stuck with them.
10) What else about the book might pique the reader’s interest?
This is a tie-in novel, yes, but I want to point out that I’ve always made a point of making sure that my books appeal to longtime fans while being fun to read for my grandmother. And while she doesn’t like the devils (they are a little unpleasant), she’s enjoying this series.
Next week!
Robin MacPherson
Jason Brick
Jennifer Brink
