In a new series of Mythrill Author Spotlight we are introducing you to our very own original story author B.W. Quacke — the author of The Lun’Eddan Cycle; it is new on Mythrill app and has already gathered a loyal readership.
Tell us about your writing? What is your process?
Whatever keeps me working on the story. Sometimes I focus on outline, sometimes brainstorming, sometimes writing. Writing especially changes depending on what keeps me adding words. I remember finishing S1 of The Lun'Eddan Cycle. I kept staring at the Word Doc, unable to add anything, until I grabbed a pen and started writing by hand - and then I'd start every morning transferring what I'd written onto the doc. By theory it's slower, but it got me to the finish line!
Who would you say are your influences in writing?
Definitely Brian Jacques and his Redwall Series got me interested in stories from a young age. Sure, most of them were just my own rewrites of my favorite scenes, but it got me in love with the craft - and now no matter what I'm doing I'm always happiest when dreaming up a story.
As for other influences, I'd say off the top of my head Philip Pullman, Terry Pratchett and Andrzej Sapkowski. And when it comes to storytelling as a craft, Tolkien's essays, Ursula K. Le Guin's thoughts of the fantasy genre and Propp's studies on the folktale are sources that always keep me inspired.
Did you have previous experience with Serialized Fiction before you partnered up with Mythrill or did you have to adapt to the format?
My partnership with Mythrill was my first opportunity at having the freedom to properly sit down and tackle a fantasy story. I was barely out of uni then, and had always been focused on the novel or short story format. Having to reshape my still untried convictions was a challenging process, but worthwhile. Though I still take influence from novels, I now have a more accepting outlook towards less traditional methods of telling a story (or at least I like to think I do). I now consider story the most important ingredient. No matter what I'm doing, if it tells a story I'm in.
What has been the experience like seeing your characters come alive in Lore Cards?
The first illustration I saw was of Askvi Skiall, and it caused quite a bit of panic for my cat who was happily napping when I saw the lore card. I jumped up from my chair and banged my knee on my desk. I don't think she ever forgot that - I certainly didn't (though we both have our own reasons).
You got 2 sentences to hook a reader into your story. Go!
A woman hunts a bear, ends up having to protect a child. Sets a spark for a whirlwind of a ride with forgotten histories re-discovered, legends re-interpreted, kingdom's re-taken and thrones usurped.
Finally, tell us why you partnered up with Mythrill? What made you go for it?
I was a freelance creative writer for ForgeFiction, after which I got on board as a content writer. When Mythrill was still in its concept stage I was approached to create and write a fantasy story, which soon led to The Lun'Eddan Cycle, and well here I am!
You can read The Lun'Eddan Cycle on Mythrill by downloading the app.