Last month I shared an extract from the new fantasy series “Wizards of Ends” by Vanessa Finaughty. At the time I promised an upcoming interview which I know you’ve all been waiting, however impatiently, for ever since. Well, it’s time to end the anticipation and hopefully stoke up some more for Vanessa’s upcoming series. So without further ado, I present (on this the twelfth of August) a dozen questions with Vanessa Finaughty!!
1.) Your new series "Wizard of Ends" is coming out soon, what will you tell us about it?
Wizard of Ends is a fantasy novella series that follows the adventures of the wizard, Lashlor Leaflin. Lashlor doesn’t think he’s all that powerful, yet he’s probably the most powerful magic user the Land of Ends has ever known. He also doesn’t use magic just because he can, and always tries to find another way. This often upsets the people around him, especially if they’re under attack and the one person who could end it quickly refuses to use magic to do so.
2.) Do you plot out your series before you start; how many books and what occurs in each?
I sometimes plan my books, but, thus far, none of my series have been planned. It usually starts with a vague idea that pops into my head, along with the opening scene, which I visualise much like a movie. Once I start writing, the story writes itself and the characters take over. It’s much more fun writing a story when you don’t know what’s going to happen next, and is excellent motivation to make time to write among all the work and baby-related responsibilities. As far as the total number of books in Wizard of Ends is concerned, I honestly have no idea – all I can say at this point is that there will be quite a few more books in the series, based on what’s already in my head waiting to come out, and Book 3 is already well underway.
3.) What themes do you explore in this series?
There are two main themes. The first is that you shouldn’t always do things the easy way just because you can. Sometimes that can have disastrous consequences and weaken you, and, if you take the easy way too often, it may no longer be available to you when you need it the most. The second theme is that you should always try to do the right thing, even if it takes some effort and you gain nothing from it other than the joy of doing the right thing.
4.) What themes are you most passionate about and which of your works explore them?
I’m passionate about doing the right thing no matter what, and helping those who cannot help themselves, so that tends to come out in a lot of my writing. Wizard of Ends is one example, as is my other series, Legends of Origin, which also explores humanity’s origins and our reason for existing – something I think everyone would like a definite answer to… before we leave our fleshly bodies! Of course, I’m the most passionate about good overcoming ‘evil’, and that’s apparent in most of my books.
5.) What other projects are on your radar for the near future?
I’m currently working on Book 4 in my Legends of Origin series and Book 3 in the Wizard of Ends series. After the Wizard of Ends book tour later this year, I’ll be publishing an A – Z of Book Marketing (that’s a working title). There are also a number of new series ideas clamouring to leave my head, all sci-fi and fantasy, but, sadly, right now I only have time to focus on the two series I just mentioned. It’s tempting to start the others, but I don’t want to let down my readers, and, as an avid reader myself, I know how frustrating it is when you’ve just finished a book and are dying to read the next one, but it isn’t available yet.
6.) Which authors do you feel have had the most influence on you and on this series?
Dean Koontz probably influenced much of my earlier writings, specifically my horrors and thrillers, and I still love his books. I don’t think Wizard of Ends was influenced by another author, though, simply because I hardly ever have time to read for fun anymore (that isn’t as bad as it sounds, because I still read novels daily for work, which is nice).
7.) What is your favorite book written by yourself and by someone else and why?
My favourite of my books is Wizard of Ends, Book 2 – I find that the last thing I’ve completed is always my favourite, possibly because I never stop trying to improve. My favourite book by another writer… that’s a hard one; there are so many! If I have to choose just one, I’d have to say The Queen’s Blade by TC Southwell, but I also love Douglas Adams’ Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and all his other books, and my favourite Koontz books are Lightning and Watchers.
8.) Is there any question that you dislike answering and why?
I can’t think of any question I’ve disliked answering, but I think anything that’s too personal would be a no-no for me, and I’d probably refuse to answer. I’m quite an open person, though, and most interviewers have the tact not to ask people too-personal questions, which is probably why I can’t recall ever being asked something I didn’t want to answer.
9.) Is there a question that you wish someone had asked you and what is your answer to it?
I think this is probably the same for most writers, but… I would be over the moon if someone asked me: do you want me to sponsor your writing for a year? Okay, that’s not an interview question, which is what you were asking for, but it’s the first thing that popped into my head when I read your question! My answer would obviously be a resounding yes please!
10.) What is the hardest part of being a writer?
Having to stop writing to fulfil other responsibilities when I’m ‘in the zone’.
11.) What do you want your legacy to be?
That you can do anything, including things others think impossible, if you just believe, put your mind to it and never give up.
12.) Where can readers find you on the internet?
Author website (which will soon be given a facelift)
Author blog
Twitter
Facebook
Goodreads
Smashwords
Barnes& Noble
My books are sold by all Smashwords’ distribution partners, except Kobo and the libraries, which I’ve opted out of.
A Brief Author’s Bio
Vanessa grew up in Cape Town, and still lives there with her husband of fifteen years, her baby daughter and plenty of furry, four-legged ‘children’.
Her passion for the written word started her career as an editor and copywriter and she ran a writers’ critique group for close on seven years. She’s been writing ever since she learnt how, has always been an avid reader, and currently lives on coffee and her e-cigarette.
Her interests include reading, photography, the supernatural, life’s mysteries and martial arts, of which she has five years’ experience.
Disclaimer: This blog is a Smashwords affiliate, any purchases from Smashwords may result in a laughable amount of money to fall into my bank account.
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