This is an author’s insight into my first novel, The Wrong Way Down. The Wrong Way Down is a fantastically imaginative story, and it was not my first book, but the first to ever make it into print. (I did not self-publish. I may eventually do so with future books, but I have not self-published my first two novels.)
The Wrong Way Down is a fantasy story set in a dangerous world, and written with an edgy darkness, intended for a 16+ audience. The tale is about a fledgling priestess who makes decisions based on good intentions, but she reaps contradictory results. Mind you, this is a fantasy story, so holy power is vastly different in this imagined world than it is in our world. Priestess Popalia is a true faith healer, and as she grows as a character, so shall her divine gifts.
The antagonists in this first installment are a gang of thieves. Two members from this gang murder a priest in a remote pilgrimage temple where Popalia resides. They’ve stolen a relic of tremendous power, but one thief is caught as the other escapes. Popalia is ordered by the high priest to escort the captured thief to the nearest military garrison for inquisition, but along the way the thief escapes. Young Popalia, accompanied by an elven wilderness guide, decides to pursue the thief rather than accept their failure. This is where things begin to twist. This is the road to perdition—the wrong way down.
As the critics have noted, there are some editing issues in this first story. What the critics have not said is the worst of them are in the prologue. Once beyond the prologue, the story straightens out and the editing glitches are greatly decreased. I have asked my publisher to fix these issues since The Wrong Way Down was released; they continuously tell me it is too expensive to do an edit at this time and they’ll do a re-dub once my contract has expired. With my second in series, Crossing Mother’s Grave, I ensure the edits of my books are top-notch.
If you have come to this site based on recent reviews, the critics have all agreed that this is a fun book despite its shortcoming. The feedback I’ve received from readers thus far has been great.
(Click on the book to link to Amazon)
This interview was provided from my last guest, Lee Mather. To find him…
http://www.leemather.org.uk
http://leemather.livejournal.com
http://www.facebook.com/mather.lee
1) What is your working title of your book?
I am currently working on the third book in the Heretic Series. Its name is so cool I’m keeping it under my hat until I get a nod from my publisher. It is such a secret that not even my wife knows the name.
However, Crossing Mother’s Grave is getting great reviews from a plethora of sources.
2) Where did the idea come from for the book?
Rising from the darkness of my subconscious is as good a guess as any other.
The third book continues Popalia’s quest, she and her band of survivors from Crossing Mother’s Grave are closing on the thief, Thorgen. He is cornered somewhere in the Portown of Magistrey. Meanwhile a Lycanthropic Pirate and his sadist crew are raging up and down the coast. Their paths are inevitably going to cross and when it does, it is going to be ugly.
3) What genre does your book fall under? 
It is categorized as dark fantasy, but wields a fast-paced action adventure feel to it. It is quite sharp.
4) Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
Emma Stone would easily fit the role for Popalia. Because the characters are so young, most of the actors would also need to be newer. Russell Crowe would make an excellent Randel Grenier, who is the central villain.
5) What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
Violent pirates become an acute pain in our heroes’ asses.
6) Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
My first two books were published through Damnation Books, a small publishing house based in Northern California. I’m hoping the third in series will also find a traditional publisher.
7) How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript? 
I’m still writing this one. My second book, Crossing Mother’s Grave, came out less than three months ago and it took about nine months until I was happy with it.
8) What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
No one, I write my own books, not someone else’s. JRR Tolkien was very inspirational. Ray Bradbury, Steven King and Robert E. Howard also contributed to my idea, but this story is mine.
9) Who or what inspired you to write this book?
God? The Devil? Maybe it was Sigmund Freud’s Id, I really don’t know.
In all truth, it was an old friend of mine from my college days. Fifteen years ago he had an idea to write twin novels. It would be one story, but told from two different perspectives. It was an awesome idea, but he quit writing his half––I didn’t.
In fact, his idea of multi-dimensional story-telling has become cornerstone in my series.
10) What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
I recommend wearing a helmet and a five point lap-strap when reading my books. They are a rush once they start rolling. Oh, and keep your limbs in the car at all times.
I’m showing free samples over here….yes, free.
I’ve spotlighted a couple other authors for everyone to keep an eye out for—Jeremy Kline, author of Lazarus Cain, Dina Rae (She was my guest a few posts back,) D. Robert Grixti – whose first novella is being published by Damnation Books on Dec. 1st 2012. Last and not least, from the Fading Light anthology, watch for Peter Welmerink and Tim Baker.
Here it is, the cover for the second book. Number three is in active production and book two will be released on September 1st, 2012. There is more information at the ‘About my Books’ tab.
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