Interview with Dimitri Elfland, Author of A Hunger of Echoes

What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write A Hunger of Echoes?

I wanted to finish a decent novel. I wrote one before and I felt it was mediocre. So I read the best in class craft books and made an entire standard operating procedure with a brand new story to “test it out” with. It was my lab experiment using what I studied, and what coaches and editors told me. Ultimately, the book became much more as the story developed into what I find a fascinating question on how one can grow despite the chains of their past.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of A Hunger of Echoes, what would they be?

Andrex Yan probably would like the neurotic sounds of Mindless Self Indulgence. Pakian is likely a big Lana Del Rey fan.

What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

Epic fantasy and cosmic horror (so basically what I write).

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Red Rising.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

Probably the chapter where I give the reader the point of view of a cosmic horror slithering through a mountain.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

I game the process. I put my word count and time of writing in a spreadsheet and then always try to beat the day before. I’ll also write my mood and setting. I’ve never optimized as I’m quite lazy, but I like having the data to “feel” like I might optimize my writing productivity one day. The ultimate procrastinator tool.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

I live life by my favorite quote from Oscar Wilde, “Life is too serious to be taken seriously.”

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

That people are complicated, nuanced, and may do good things for evil reasons and vice versa.

Dimitri Elfland is the author of the new book A Hunger of Echoes

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