Today we have a two-for-one bonus special with both the authors of the Necromancers' Pride series dropping by for an interview. I am pleased to introduce Charles D. Carpenter and D.W. Jones. Welcome gentlemen. Charles: Hi everyone. Like night and day, we are two uniquely different authors who came together to form what we feel is a dynamic writing team. I, Charles, besides being a writer, am a martial artist who was born and reared in sunny Southern California. Yes, I am a rare native who was actually born here. See, we do exist. |
Backgrounds:
As an avid lifelong reader, Charles has always dreamed of creating a world into which he could immerse himself and feel safe. Writing has given him an outlet that allows for expression behind the shield of different characters and places. Stories of daring adventures and faraway places helped D.W. to avoid the pitfalls of the streets, inspiring him to dream bigger and reach farther. Those stories still inspire him today. In joining forces, we have found the creative partnership and motivation to see our writing dreams manifest into reality. We hope you enjoy the world we’ve created. The Partnership: D.W. Jones and Charles teamed up almost a decade ago. In that time, they have written a variety of works. Here are a few: Feature length screenplays, television pilots, web series, scripts, dozens of spec television commercials and industrials and now two full-length novels.
Book titles:
Necromancers’ Pride – Quest for Elderstone (Book 1),
Necromancers’ Pride – Tides of War (Book 2)
Genre: Fantasy
Synopsis:
Quest for Elderstone: Powerful, dark and sinister forces seek to rip apart the very fabric of the Known Kingdoms. With the peak of the 1000-year magical Caredon Cycle almost upon them, the Necromancers battle against time as they plot to dominate all the Strands of the Magics and conquer the world of the living. Their mighty lord, Necromverde Cartigas, knows they grow weaker as their otherworldly power consumes their mortal souls. Only in finding the PRIDE and fulfilling the ancient prophecy will their goal of domination be reached. The dead will be born and the living cast down. This plane of existence will become a hellish underworld, with the Necromancers in complete control of the horror. The entire world of Tarune is about to face an enemy the likes of which has never before been seen.
Self-published: January 8, 2014
Tides of War: Having rescued the young Lyndrian slave, Velladriana, from her vile tormentors, the inexperienced Oslyn cadet, Corwyn, continues on his quest to see her safely to the enchanted stronghold known as Mount Elderstone. The strange attraction that links Corwyn and Velladriana continues to grow, as do the magical powers building within her. Velladriana’s growing abilities make her a target for the dark power of the Necromantic wizards. In the shadows of their magical fortresses, the |
Self published: June 11, 2014.
Here's our interview:
Kasper: When did you start writing and why?
Charles David Carpenter: First, I want to thank you for your interest in us and our work. We are very excited to be chatting with you.
D.W. Jones: Absolutely, good looking out! We really appreciate this.
CDC: We started writing together over a decade ago. We began working on a web series called Can We Do That? We learned early on that we had a great rapport with each other. We also share similar views in terms of what makes a good story.
DWJ: We also saw that our writing styles complement each other. What I do well he doesn’t and vice versa.
CDC: And since there is so little that he does well, I figured I would take pity on him and give him a hand.
DWJ: Ha-ha, very funny. Let’s just say we make a good team.
CDC: We do, indeed. It is great to have someone there to share in the adventure of storytelling.
Kasper: You guys are so funny. I love the way you bounce off each other and can see that you make a great team.
What other writing have you done? DWJ: I’ll take this one. We have written several feature length scripts, television pilots, along with dozens of spec commercials, industrials and shorts. CDC: If you can think of it, we have probably written a version of it. What made you choose this genre? |
CDC: Touché. Anyway, I wanted to discover worlds in which I more readily fit than this one. I found those worlds in the pages of fantasy novels. As I grew older and made more friends, I never forgot the ones that were there for me as a child. I wanted to add my own creations to those friends I made.
DWJ: I grew up on some pretty mean streets. Fantasy gave me an escape from a lot of difficulties. Now, I love knowing that my books can do the same for others.
CDC: It is about giving back to the stories and genre that gave so much to us.
Which is your favourite character and why?
CDC: My favourite character is Corwyn. Corwyn is a young and inexperienced warrior known as an Oslyn. He has honed his skillsets through rigorous training and discipline. He has amazing potential, but needs to get out of his own way. He is an amalgam of who I was when I was younger and the ideal of who I strive to be.
DWJ: I identify more with Reese. With Reese … well, he is complex and rich. He is a warrior that has a dark code of honor, but it is honor nonetheless. As an older character, I identify with where he is now in his life. He has travelled a very difficult road. Instead of the difficulties making him so jaded that he turns his back on his humanity, he embraces it and shows compassion when he could just as easily walk away.
I love that you are both very different, yet come together as one when you write. Ying and Yang.
How do you develop your characters? DWJ: Our characters are the most important element in our world. If you don’t have real, three-dimensional characters, then there really is no reason for readers to stay interested in your story. To develop our characters, we have to understand that all of them, protagonist and antagonist, must come from a place of logic and reality. CDC: Just because they exist in a different world doesn’t mean that their motivations aren't like our own. Indeed, it is vital given the fact that the story does not take place on the planet Earth that the characters are fully developed, that their motives, fears and ambitions make sense. |
CDC: I do have a penchant for the verbose.
DWJ: You see what I’m dealing with? Anyway, we discuss strengths and weaknesses, desires and fears. Then, we let them loose in the world and allow them to dictate to us.
CDC: Once we have their backstory, we let the facets of their personalities come through in the storytelling.
What are you working on now?
CDC: Now, our main focus is on completing book 3 in the Necromancers’ Pride Saga, Storm of Shadows.
What’s your writing routine?
CDC: Write often and consistently. That is the routine.
DWJ: We want to get to the top. To do that, we have to tell great stories, among other things, but the story comes first.
CDC: It is important to set aside time every day to write, as well as setting aside time to energize your creativity by being with family and friends. Burn out does you no good. Having said that, being writers in today’s market means that we are more than just artists.
DWJ: That’s right, we are businessmen as well. We have goals we work towards and deadlines we set. We are always there to help each other stay on point.
CDC: We support each other so that the business is fun. We love what we do.
DWJ: Love fuels passion. Passion ignites desire. Desire bolsters commitment. Commitment breeds success. However, it all has to be fun, especially when you are your own boss.
It's fascinating to hear about your writing process and how dedicated you are to the craft. What do you do when you have writers’ block? CDC: D.W. likes to remind me that we can’t afford to have writers block. However, when it looks like it’s creeping in, we just start bouncing every thought we have in our heads to each other, no matter how outlandish or unbelievable they may be. I love these character drawings you have sent in and the striking book covers. How did you go about developing your cover artwork? |
DWJ: You just give your design specifications and start the process. We actually had to go through it twice.
CDC: That’s right. The first time through, we were not happy with the results. Then, another contest and 130 plus entries later, we had our design.
DWJ: The artist’s name is Andya Dewakinnara. She lives in Indonesia and is fantastic.
CDC: She also did all the character drawing you can find on our website. We’ve included some here for you to see. She really is an amazing talent.
What is your favourite quote?
CDC: Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now. ~ Goethe
DWJ:
Watch your Thoughts, they become words;
Watch your Words, they become actions;
Watch your Actions, they become habits;
Watch your Habits, they become character;
Watch your Character, for it becomes your Destiny. ~ Unknown Author
Do you have a blog?
CDC: We do. You can check us out at www.necromancerspride.com.
What do you write about in your blog?
CDC: We give some interesting facts about the world of Tarune; the world in which Necromancers’ Pride takes place. We share information regarding the lore of the world that you will not find spelled out in the book, as well as some deleted excerpts that did not make the final cut.
DWJ: We also write about our journey in creating the world of Necromancers’ Pride. We give tips to help other authors stay focused and get around the obstacles we have encountered in our writing journey.
CDC: For us, it is all about being positive. We want people to know that it is possible for them to see their dreams come to fruition. It is all about taking that first step, putting one foot in front of the other and staying the course.
DWJ: If we can inspire other people to live their dreams, then we have made a real difference.
Who inspires you? Simultaneously: CDC: D.W. - - - DWJ: Charles. (laughter) DWJ: No, no. You, my good man. CDC: No, sir. It is you who inspires me. (louder laughter) We get asked this question a lot. We are fortunate in that we draw our inspiration from life and our surroundings. There are myriad places that give us the warm and fuzzies. I really can’t say just one. Having said that, I can talk about this subject all day… DWJ: And night |
DWJ: What?
CDC: Just wanted to see if people were paying attention. Honestly, though, my family inspires me.
DWJ: If it’s just one person, I know this sounds corny, but it is my son, Aragorn.
Cool name, DW. I'm guessing you're a Tolkien fan.
What book would you take if your house was on fire and you could only carry one?
CDC: Would it be cheesy to say Necromancers’ Pride – Quest for Elderstone?
DWJ: No cheesier than for me to say Necromancers’ Pride – Tides of War. But since I’m lactose intolerant, let’s give the non-cheese version.
CDC: Copy that. You know, my father gave me a copy of Edgar Allen Poe’s Tales of Mystery and Imagination that I would hold on to.
DWJ: The one for me would be The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho.
Who would you choose to read your audiobook?
DWJ: Jeremy Irons! Enough said. Drop the mic! Ha-ha!
CDC: (picking up the mic) I’m good with that.
Do you prefer ebook or hardcopy?
DWJ: I personally like feeling the pages of a book. However, I love the convenience of my kindle.
CDC: Did you see what he just did there? Do you see what I have to deal with? He is the consummate politician. I like the feel of a good book. I lament the sacrifice of trees, but there is comfort to me in the physical pages of a book.
What’s your experience of the fantasy sci-fi network?
CDC: The fantasy sci-fi network is incredible!
DWJ: I completely agree!
CDC: It gives us a place to go were we feel safe and welcome. We can ask questions and share in the lives of other amazing authors. It lets us know that we are not alone.
DWJ: It is a fantastic resource and an amazing group of brilliant, talented people.
On behalf of the FSFN, let me say thank you to both of you for being a part of the network too.
Well, as the Warner Brothers would say, 'That's all folks.' Thanks so much Charles and D.W. for stopping by and sharing your exciting writing with us.
CDC: We just want to thank you and your readers once again for being so supportive of our work. It is a wonderful thing to be included in this growing community of writers.
DWJ: Thank you, Kasper. We had a great time in this interview. To all your readers, we appreciate you all! Thanks for the love!
Check out these links:Website/Blog/Book trailer: http://www.necromancerspride.com/ Facebook: http://on.fb.me/1fBVFtU Twitter: CDC: https://twitter.com/charlesdavidcar DWJ: https://twitter.com/writerdwjones Amazon: CDC: http://amzn.to/1n8FNWD DWJ: http://amzn.to/1tP6zXA |
- Fantasy Sci-Fi Network:
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