An Interview with Vaelric Obsidian
I am a husband, father, entrepreneur, police officer, military veteran, adventure seeker and writer. One of my favorite authors, Steven Pressfield, wrote, “I was born this way… I was detached. I felt like another person was inside me. This other person was me, only stronger and crueler, more cunning and more deadly. I never told anyone about this secret me. I was afraid they might think I was crazy, or try to take this other me away, or convince me that I should be ashamed of him. I wasn’t. I loved him. In sports or fistfights, in moments of crisis or decision, I cut loose my conventional self and let this inner me take over. He never hesitated. He never second-guessed.” For me, this ‘other person’ inside of me is Vaelric Obsidian, who is the true author of this story.
What inspired you to start writing this book?
I have the beginning of over a dozen novels on my cloud drive. The problem was, I always wrote about things I knew about and they all just fizzled out. Then, I consciously removed all limits from my mind and let my inner person write and this story just manifested. Around 114,000 words just came out and now I’m about 70,000 words into the second book in the series. I can’t point to something that inspired the story. I was looking for an escape from my chaotic, stressful and dangerous everyday life and my conscious self just needed to get out of the way and the story continues writing itself.
Tell us the story of your book’s current title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?
As soon as this story started manifesting itself, I knew that it would be a number of books. The word “Chronicles” came almost instantly, as it’s the story of the founding of a new human race on a reborn planet. Pretty quickly I settled on Obsidian Chronicles. Ultimately it’s a story of ‘found family’. It’s the story of Vaelric Obsidian and the women who align with his vision for a new world. so the title came fairly easily.
Describe your dream book cover.
Mystical and captivating! All novels are mysterious as you don’t know the ending or where the journey leads. The cover needs to capture and convey the mystery of the story.
If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?
“E.T.” by Katy Perry, “Follow Me” and “Undisclosed Desires” by Muse
What books are you reading (for research or comfort) as you continue the writing process?
The Crescent City series.
What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?
Military, Police, SWAT
Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?
I’ve loved reading my entire life. Recently, I came to enjoy good writing as much as a good story. Sometimes maybe even enjoying a well-written novel more than the story itself. It’s an art form that called to me and the reason my writing style is unique. I’m not just telling a story. I want to paint a picture with the words that makes the reader feel like she is there. Like she is living the story.
Where is your favorite place to write?
At home on a cold, rainy day.
What advice would you give your past self at the start of your writing journey?
Have fun with it and keep at it.
What’s one thing you hope sticks with readers after they finish your book?
There’s no right way to be a person, just your way. Sure, there are wrong things (like criminal) a person can do, but stop trying to be like someone you’re not. Be you and own it.
Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.
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