About C.K Thornehill:
My name is C.K Thornehill , I was born In New York, I started writing as a hobby in 2006. In 2010 I got signed up with Bond Literary Agents And Specialized Services. I found them in the writers and artists yearbook. After submitting the first MMS for the Omen Swift series , my agent gave me the best piece of advice I began to follow religiously. She said to me “Listen no one is going to look at you if you do not go on Amazon Kindle , you don’t need me for now, so go and make your own career.. but when someone does call you.. let me know.. and then everything will fall into place”.. That is what I’m doing. For now I’m giving the series I have been writing since way back in 2006 a chance to find it’s audience on Amazon and Smashwords.
What inspires you to write?
Because my work involves a lot of reading.. strangely, its not other books and Harry Potter. I have taken a liking to certain religions and groups in certain parts of the world, for eg when I was about seven. My .Father was a huge fan of the illusionists in India and New York. He would practice this as a hobby and show us street magic.. and make us watch David Copperfield show the world he could fly and walk through the great wall of China. All these things stayed with me until I was an adult . In 2010 I lost my Father who introduced to me all the greatest things I would use in The Omen Swift series. The Red Indians , The Illusionists .. All these things have been a strong inspiration in creating the world that Omen Belonged in.
Tell us about your writing process.
The writing process ? You would never believe how less dramatic it is. Everything is already formed in my head when I write… but that’s only because I have been playing around with the Omen Swift series for a very long time. First it was a hobby , then after the book became four hundred pages in length, and I got picked up by an agent.. The rest began detailed drafts .. everything from scene , character , settings all fell into place when I write. The first draft is a complete chapter and then I work on things from there. That would be my best process.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
I mostly go with whats in my head. As much as I am engaged in what I do. You have to remember, it’s a whole world with more then fifty characters that are created inside one’s head. All play a specific role in each setting. I write according to what role they play to each other and for what purpose. Every single action, line piece of dialogue has a reason to take place. I make that reason a part of what the Character in the scene is about.
What advice would you give other writers?
Come up with unique ideas. Be different. If you want to write in a popular genre like Fantasy fiction go ahead. Do it. But don’t fall into the trap of writing in the same plots and ideas like other authors just because you think it will sell or become a hit. Publishers are looking for unique ideas because the market is already flooded with Fantasy , witches wizards vampires werewolves.. Its the truth , The reason why Harry Potter was a hit was not because there was magic and wizards involved, Just remember there were and still are many books of similar genres to this. It was the execution of these old ideas to be given something new and inventive, that was what set the world alight with this series. So if you want to write make sure you have a good story to tell, AS well as many stories to tell. The more pages the better. Publishers do not want a writer who will only write one 150 page novel and call it a book. If you want to be taken seriously as a writer. Productivity in mass volumes is key. And we mean mass volumes in books . Writing many novels will get you respect as an author, it shows you have the drive to keep doing what you love. Also write and gain exposure through Amazon Kindle . They are a great platform for writers. As well as a prestigious brand.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
My agent pitched the idea of going on Smashwords and Amazon Kindle to me in 2010. I have never looked back. After 2013 I began finishing my novels and went on Amazon. Currently I am selling my ebooks through them.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
I think there is hope if one continues to persevere. Amazon Kindle and Smashwords have become major platforms for writers. There are many talented writers out there, all with the same goal. Now that we use Amazon as a means of showcasing talent. Its up to the massive following of readers out there who will decide which New Author is going to be a best seller.
What do you use?: Professional Editor, Professional Cover Designer, Beta Readers
What genres do you write?: Fiction Fantasy
What formats are your books in?: eBook
Website(s)
Link To C.K Thornehill Page On Amazon
Link to Author Page on Smashwords
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