About Alaric Longward:
I am Alaric Longward, a dad, a husband and an aspiring writer.
I remember sitting on my grandma’s frazzled couch, staring doggedly at an old Tarzan movie. I must have been some six years old and her TV was black and white. I also remember being both scared out of my young wits and excited as puppy about to be fed.
I suppose that was the time I fell in love with furious adventure stories, all spiced up with love and drama, villainous villains and heroes, though in time I came to appreciate that the characters should not all be as black and white as that Tarzan movie was.
It quickly became a dream of mine to get my stories out, but it took a long while for me to take the time to do so. Yet, here I am, finally.
I create fiction, fantasy, adventure and drama. They won’t be short stories, but full blown books and might require some time to finish. I hope you enjoy them and would love to hear your feedback.
What inspires you to write?
I have ever been inspired by stories. In a world of toil and mundane chores, one needs to have an adventure every now and then and so, finally, I decided to make my own. I noticed I have a lot of ideas. And a need to write it all down.
Tell us about your writing process.
It usually begins with an idea. A one-liner, really. Then I write the first chapter. I being to think what kind of an ending would be explosive, dramatic. Then the middle. What is the major turning point. Then I take all the chapters to a cork board. I really follow a sort of a screenwriting guide expanded to a five book structure, with an A act to describe the people and the problem, then three B acts to have fun in and to mix things up for the lead character. Then, C act, where some part of the problem is solved. I write series so there will be many problems carrying over to the next books. And usually all the plans are there just to get me started. You rarely follow the plan once you get going.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
I read their words aloud.
What advice would you give other writers?
Do it. Suffer the first draft, re-do. Then re-do again. You will get better. Hire an editor.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
I went with e-book business from the beginning. I wished to write full blown novel of 150 k words and enjoy the flexibility of self publishing. I got some bestsellers to begin the process with, so I was happy. Will explore the traditional publishing as well, and I am creating book suited to be a first book from an unknown author. Different and not too long, that is.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
Changing, of course. New modes of telling a story will change the book forever and e-book is just the first, hesitant step away from the trad publishing. You will get music to guide your mood while you turn the pages, perhaps video. It can be a social experience. Sorry, I’m an old ICT manager and love to create new products, but I definitely think it will change and grow.
What do you use?: Professional Editor, Professional Cover Designer, Beta Readers
What genres do you write?: Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Comedy
What formats are your books in?: Both eBook and Print
Website(s)
Alaric Longward Home Page Link
Link To Alaric Longward Page On Amazon
Your Social Media Links
Twitter
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