This is the last month of the Blog World Tour! How sad! But, we get to end on a good note! Let’s welcome H. S. Cook!
Working in a world of logic and reason, while dreaming of one filled with magic, H.S. Cook lives between her scientific research and her fantasy writings. A molecular biologist by day, she finds ways to inject the magic of her worlds into daily life, making time to write. She is currently working on an epic fantasy series: The Blood King Chronicles.
A: My main project is The Blood Within – a Blood King Chronicles novel. It is a high/epic fantasy following a dragon and a prince as they discover the part they will play in the battle for mankind’s survival.
A: I am hoping to publish traditionally – self-publishing has too many limitations in the hardback/paperback market at the moment – especially in the UK. While ebooks are great, they are not my main target. There is nothing like losing yourself in a book and e-readers act to distant you from the story.
A: I have never suffered a ‘lack of ideas’ writer’s block, but I have and do experience others.
Too many ideas: I really struggle with this one. I cannot commit due to the sheer volume if ideas. This is why I have hundreds of openings and snippets that will likely never see daylight.
Stuck: moving from A to B is really hard at times and I end up stuck between plot points because nothing is happening. I have two options here – skip it, or add some drama. I usually do the former – it sorts itself on the rewrite. I only use the second method sparingly. These moments fall where a rest period is needed, so to add drama makes everyone tense again, which is carried forward, on and on.
The right words: I am a sucker for this one. In a perfect world, everything I write would be perfect. For some scenes, I just cannot find the right words. Option one – star and skip to fix in the rewrite. Option two – write some nonsense and hope for the best. Again, the rewrite will fix it.
A: It depends on what is needed. I spent days researching mines for several scenes, and nearly as long again on sheep farming. I only spent an hour on tilling the land for arable farming.
When it came to map making, I ‘wasted’ a weekend, while my knowledge of swords was an evening devoted to research. When it came to royal chambers, I googled once, found little, quit and then made it up.
A: I have met a few writers – all favourites: Darren O’Shaughnessy, Garth Nix and Eoin Colfer (twice). Felt completely star struck! They were all a little mad, but in the best way possible. Eoin Colfer talked about writing at one event while the other was a signing. Darren O’Shaughnessy pretended to strangle me! (My mum insisted I get every book of his signed… had a huge pile and he even gave me a spare autograph on top of it all. Garth Nix was talking about the Old Kingdom and discussing the heritage and history of Hadrian’s Wall which inspired him.
I have also met the crew of the Red Dwarf – now that was an evening to remember.
Thank you for taking the time to talk with me.
By the Blood, may the Fates show mercy.
H.S. Cook
