Author Bio:
Brandon Berntson has been writing speculative fiction for almost thirty years. An avid reader of dark tales, fantasy, the classics, and science fiction, he has been featured in various anthologies and published several novellas along with a collection of horror stories, Body of Immorality. He is also the author of Castle Juliet and When We Were Dragons, enchanting, magical tales for all ages. His influences include, Stephen King, Peter Straub, Clive Barker, Ramsey Campbell, Jonathan Carroll, Dickens, Poe, Lovecraft, Hemingway, and countless other classics. A fan of ice hockey, Beethoven, long walks, and old black and white movies, he makes his home in Boulder, Colorado. Visit him and www.brandonberntson.com
What inspires you to write?
Usually life, something in life, or something deeply personal that might cry to get out. Mix that fearlessness to express with something honest about yourself or life, exaggerate it into something imaginative, and I think you really have something.
Tell us about your writing process.
I like to write in the morning, showered, tea, breakfast, so I can sit for a while. Usually, it’s just all about discipline, though. You just have to make the time for it every day to keep the ideas fresh.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
I don’t usually interact. They have a life and will of their own. I am more the observer watching what they do and recording it the best way I can.
What advice would you give other writers?
Write what you are passionate about and love everything you read. You won’t, of course, but reading everything you can really helps you understand why some stories succeed and others fail. Put yourself in your fiction. All the hurt, joy, pain, trauma, confusion, and beauty. That is what your readers will respond to.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
After years of rejection, ebooks were available. By that time, I’d already had several novels, novellas, and lots of short stories. I figured you had nothing to lose, so it was just a matter of going over them, creating covers, formatting, editing, and publishing.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
It’s strange, kinda scary, kinda exciting. It’s a good time to be an author, or at least we still hope so. The important thing really, though, is the readers. Now as writers we can concentrate solely on readers without all that middle-man garbage. Our fate is in our own hands.
What genres do you write?
Horror, urban fantasy, Young Adult, contemporary, literary, and coming of age
What formats are your books in?
Both eBook and Print
Website(s)
Brandon Berntson Home Page Link
Link To Brandon Berntson Page On Amazon
