What can you tell us about your new release, Knightmare Arcanist?
I can tell you that Knightmare Arcanist is an adventure series along the lines of How to Train Your Dragon and the Codex Alera series, by Jim Butcher. It’s the kind of book (and series) that starts light, but dives into serious situations when the narrative requires—fun and hopeful while still keeping the edge of reality. I love team building stories, magic, pirates, and all sorts of crazy things in this novel and I just can’t wait for people to read it!
What or who inspired you to become an author?
Heinlein was an amazing author who I always admired, but I didn’t start writing until after I read Twilight by Stephanie Myers. After I read that, I thought, “I could do this” and since then I’ve been writing several hours every day.
What’s on your top 5 list for the best books you’ve ever read?
These are my top 5 books (in no order).
– Stranger in a Strange Land
– Island of the Blue Dolphins
– Without Remorse
– Starship Troopers
– Game of Thrones
The first novel to ever catch my attention was Island of the Blue Dolphins. We were required to read it in school and my little child-mind had never thought of being trapped on an island before. It really blew me away to think of life all alone with only a dog. It has a special place in my heart to this day.
Say you’re the host of a literary talk show. Who would be your first guest? What would you want to ask?
I would probably ask Stephen King to come onto the talk show, and then ask him about his creative process. Out of all the authors I’ve read about, his process seems to be the most ingrained. Plus, he has a son who is writing now, and I’d like to ask him about the parent-child dynamic of working on a novel together.
What’s your favorite thing about writing?
Telling amazing stories. I love weaving together epic narratives and characters. I especially love it when other people enjoy my stories (I’m sure every author says that) but whenever someone resonates with your work, it’s like you’ve finally been rewarded for all those long hours you sat alone in a dark room typing on your computer.
What is a typical day like for you?
I wake up, answer my emails, get something to eat, and then get to work. My work is editing news articles, grading paperwork, or writing the latest chapter of my favorite novel. I do this until the evening, which is my relaxing time, but before I go to bed, I make sure to put in a couple hours of just writing.
What scene in Knightmare Arcanist was your favorite to write?
The ending! I love the ending to novels so, so much. If the ending isn’t good, what was the point of reading the novel? That’s how I tend to think about it, so I always want a fantastic and action-packed ending worth your time. And the ending to Knightmare Arcanist is super awesome, in my opinion! Lots of people never see it coming.
Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?
A few, actually.
– Never let perfection be the enemy of completion
– Fortune favors the bold
– Invest in yourself
I get really energized by mottos or philosophies of self badassery. Everyone has the potential; it just requires care and nurture, much like a seed that grows into a study tree.
Shami Stovall is the author of the new book Knightmare Arcanist.
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