Hi there! I’m D. E. M. Emrys, but you can call me D. I
was born in Wales, but raised across the UK.
Home for me is Chelmsford, Essex. Though, being a member
of the British Army, my working-week home is on a military base…at an
undisclosed location. Dun, dun, dun!
Did you always
want to be a writer? If not what did you want to be?
Not always – I
actually hated reading when I was very young. I only started to get into it
when I was about eleven years old. Before that…I wanted to be an Action Man,
but I don’t have the ‘plastic groin’ for that and so became the next best
thing…a soldier!
When did you
first consider yourself as a "writer"?
I started
writing by posting short stories on a site called ‘Deviant Art’. A lot of
readers might have heard of it. When I started getting people responding to my
work I realised I was not just writing stories, I was writing for people.
Did it take a
long time to get your first book published?
‘It Began With
Ashes’ from start to finish (this includes beta reading, editing, cover work,
registering copyrights etc. as I am self-published) took just over a year and a
half. I’m confident, that given the time to write around my work life, I could
easily half this.
Do you work
another job as well as your writing work?
I’m a serving
soldier in the British Army.
‘It Began With Ashes’ – An epic start to a new fantasy
series. It’s about living on your feet or dying on your knees.
Who is your
publisher? or do you self publish?
I’m
self-published and proud of it. I release my titles under the ‘Four Branches
Publishing’ header, so as to give them a recognisable but personal brand.
Do you have a
"lucky charm" or "lucky routine" you follow when waiting
for your book to be accepted by a publisher?
I’ve yet to
start querying…but time will tell. And as with sailors, we soldiers are a
superstitious bunch!
How long does it
usually take you to write a book, from the original idea to finishing writing
it?
Well, so far
I’ve only got experience with ‘It Began With Ashes’ and it’s short story
prequel ‘From Man to Man’, but so far I’d say that the year marker would be
adequate.
Which of your
books were easier/harder to write than the others?
‘From Man to
Man’ was harder than ‘It Began With Ashes’ despite being shorter. That was
because I was new to writing short but chaptered stories, but I found the
experience to be an eye opener! I forced myself to work to a 1000 word limit
per chapter, and this really was a game changer for a fantasy writer as myself.
What can we
expect from you in the future? ie More books of the same genre? Books of
a different genre?
Both! I’m
currently working on the sequel to ‘It Began With Ashes’ but I’m itching to get
myself stuck into a crime or sci-fi novel!
Do you have
plans for a new book? Is this book part of a series?
‘A Stirring of
Dead Embers’ is my current project, the sequel to ‘It Began With Ashes’.
What genre would
you place your books into?
Fantasy. If you
want to be more specific heroic-fantasy. It’s a low fantasy setting (as opposed
to high fantasy with fairies, goblins, ghouls and dragons) with elements of
sword and sorcery thrown in.
What made you
decide to write that genre of book?
When I started
reading, I devoured the works of David Gemmell and always wanted to write a
novel in the same vein as his.
Do you have a
favourite out of the books you have written? If so why is it your favourite?
‘It Began With
Ashes’ – it’s gritty, it’s real, it’s emotional.
Do you have a
favourite character from your books? and why are they your favourite?
I’m torn between
Draven Reinhardt and his son Kale. They’re very much alike, both very
thoughtful, intelligent, witty…but I’d have to stick with Kale. Though he’s
still young (twelve in ‘It Began With Ashes’) he’s got big things coming his
way, and he’s about to learn the hard way that life isn’t as easy as it seems.
It’s about ‘living on your feet, or dying on your knees’ in my fantasy setting.
If you had to
choose to be one of your characters in your book/books which would you be? and
why?
Haha, Draven or
Ivebian. As mercenaries they don’t have the most glamorous of jobs, but they
certainly have fun whilst doing it!
How long have
you been writing?, and who or what inspired you to write?
I was a late bloomer with reading. I didn’t start picking
up books (outside of school) until I was eleven years old. Even then I jumped
the gun, and started with Adult-reading-level books. Namely the heroic-fantasy
tales of David Gemmell and James Barclay. These got me into the genre.
From time to time, I’d find a book that I didn’t like the
end of, or in some cases a book that I wanted to continue. I’d pick-up where
the book finished off and continue the story. This eventually saw me start
writing my own works. The first time I started writing stories for myself?
Thirteen years old.
When I was sixteen my father committed suicide. Suddenly,
the desire to write stories became the desire to write books. I wanted
something concrete, something to leave behind not only for me, but him, too.
When it came to publishing, I even chose to adopt parts of his name to craft my
pen name.
As far as further inspiration that’s down to work, family
and friends. I’m a serving soldier for the British Army, and my experiences as
part of the military have played a massive part in bringing the kinetic side of
my stories to life. Family and friends? That’s self-explanatory, I hope.
Earlier, I mentioned my writer’s doubt? That in itself was a wall to be taken
down, and all credit for that goes to my fiancée. She inspires me to keep
going, to keep putting the pen to paper, but most importantly, share.
Where do you get
your book plot ideas from?What/Who is your inspiration?
Literally…everywhere!
The ideas come pouring in from everyday life.
Do you have a
certain routine you have for writing? ie You listen to music, sit in a certain
chair?
Finding time to
write is not as easy as you’d think. I snatch time here and there, scratching
notes on receipts, post-its, the back of my hand…ideally, I sit down at my desk
and listen to a movie sound track to get me going!
Do you have
anybody read your books and give you reviews before you officially release
them?ie. Your partner, children, friends, reviewers you know?
Not for
reviewing purposes, though it’s something I want to start doing. At this point
in time I’ve only given copies out prior to release for the purpose of test
reading.
Do you gift
books to readers to do reviews?
Most definitely!
Do you read all
the reviews of your book/books?
Yes – it’s all
part of the learning curve.
What was the
toughest/best review you have ever had?
A reviewer
saying that though the story was good, they had little to ‘report home with’.
Would you ever
ask a reviewer to change their review if it was not all positive about your
book/books?
No – it’s their
opinion after all! I would extend an invitation for them to read another of my
stories, though, in a bid to prove that I’m not ‘all that bad’ at what I do :D
How do you come
up with the Title and Cover Designs for your book/books?Who designed the Cover
of your books?
The cover for ‘From Man to Man’ was designed and created
by myself. I wanted something to reflect the gritty mood of the main character,
Draven, and a stark image that put the reader in the mindset of a dark and
violent persona.
Do you choose a
title first, or write the book then choose the title?
Books first,
title second – though with both ‘From Man to Man’ and ‘It Began With Ashes’ the
titles came to me as I wrote.
How do you come
up with characters names and place names in your books?
Inspiration from
friends, history – particularly ancient history. I studied the Greeks,
Persians, Romans and Celts at college, and a love for the ancient world has
stayed with me since then.
Are character
names and place names decided after there creation? or do you pick a
character/place name and then invent them?
A little bit of
both.
Do you decide on
character traits (ie shy, quiet, tomboy girl) before writing the whole book or
as you go along?
I have a basic
idea when I start writing a character, but to me they’re real people, and as
with people, they grow of their own accord.
Do you basic
plot/plan for your book, before you actually begin writing it out? Or do you
let the writing flow and see where it takes the story?
Basic plot at
the outset but more often than not things worm their way in one way or another!
How do you
market/promote your books?
At this point I
do a lot of reader engagement via Goodreads and forums.
What do you
think makes a book a really good/bestseller ?
Having qualities
which its audience can relate to.
Have you ever
suffered from a "writer's block"? What did you do to get past the
"block"?
Most definitely
suffered with it – but the best remedy? Just pick up the pen and get down to
it!
What do you do
to unwind and relax? Do you have a hobby?
As part of my job I enjoy keeping fit and shooting, so
I’m a pretty active guy. I’m also a very amateur DIY’er seeing as I’ve just
bought a house, and I play the guitar.
Have you ever
based characters on people you know or based events on things that have
happened to you?
Definitely! I
won’t name them all and give the game away, though!
Are there any
hidden messages or morals contained in your books? (Morals as in like Aesops
Fables type of "The moral of this story is..")
There will be a point in everyone’s lives when they’re
caught between doing the right thing, or the easy thing. But, just keep in mind
that: ‘it’s better to die on your feet than live on your knees’. Or words to
that effect!
Is there a
certain Author that influenced you in writing?
David Gemmell –
my writing idol.
Which format of
book do you prefer, ebook,hardback, or paperback?
I prefer hardcovers – nothing beats the feel of a well
loved hardback.
What is your
favourite book and Why? Have you read it more than once?
‘Legend’ by David Gemmell. I’ve read it so many times! My
copy of ‘Legend’ is dog-earred and tatty, but it’ll last a few years yet! I
love the ‘human’ factor in it. There’s no super humans with intergalactic
powers to rush in and save the day. Just pure old brains and brawn.
Do you think
books transfer to movies well? Which is you favourite/worst book to movie
transfer?
Of course –
books make for the best stories, after all! Favourite movie transfer…who
wouldn’t say Lord of The Rings? Worst = Eragon.
What are you
currently reading? Are you enjoying it? What format is it?(ebook, hardback or
paperback)
The special
edition hardback of Ben Galley’s fantasy debut ‘The Written’.
Do you think
ebooks will ever totally replace printed books?
Never – brick
and mortar book stores will forever belong on the high street!
Do you think
children at schools these days are encouraged enough to read? and/or do
Imaginative writing?
Not fully. My
younger brother has just passed out of secondary school, and bar for reading
‘the classics’ in history as part of the compulsory curriculum he read very
little else. I think children should be encouraged to read more of what they
like, rather than what has stood the test of time.
Did you read a
lot at school and write lots of stories or is being a writer something newer in
your life?
I didn’t like
the books given to me at school, as did many of my peers. Though, I did hide a
blank bit of paper in my school books to write my own stories.
Did you have a
favourite author as a child?
I was a late
bloomer to reading, so as an early teen David Gemmell ruled the roost for me
Do you have a
treasured book from your childhood? If yes, what is it?
That same old
copy of ‘Legend’.
Do you have a
favourite genre of book?
Fantasy is, and
will always be, my first love.
Is there a book
you know you will never read? Or one you tried to read but just couldn't
finish?
No – I’ll try
any book that comes my way!
Are there any
New Authors you are interested in for us to watch out for? and Why should we
watch out for them?
John Gwynne – I
think he’ll be a tour de force amongst the fantasy pantheon of the current age.
Is there
anything in your book/books you would change now if you could and what would it
be?
A question I ask myself almost every minute of the day?
The short answer…no. The long answer…still no. I believe that I’ve done all
that I can at this moment, and if I kept going back and editing then I’ll never
finish!
What do you
think about book trailers?
Fantastic
promotional device.
What piece of
advice would you give to a new writer?
Writing has taught me a lot about myself. I pour myself
into my stories. They’re personal – thoughts, opinions, hopes, fears, dreams,
experiences. I apply myself to everything I write, in an effort to bring out
what I want to share with the reader. This doesn’t help with the doubts mind
you, as the fear of negative response isn’t just a critique, it’s something
more.
So to all the writers out there, I know you feel the
same. But don’t be afraid to share. Write for yourself, that’s most important,
but get out there and do it.
Best advice
though…be a writer, not an author.
Do you or would
you ever use a pen name?
D. E. M. Emrys is in fact my pen name. I chose to publish
under a pen name because 1) my real name would kill search engines by the mass
amount of people in the world who share it, 2) due to the nature of my job, I
thought it best for security reasons, and 3) D. E. M. Emrys is special to me.
My father took his own life when I was sixteen, and left very little as a
legacy. To put something of him down in history, I adopted his middle (Emrys)
and first (David) names into my Author Persona. And so, D. E. M. Emrys was
born.
If you could
invite three favourite writers to dinner, who would you invite and enjoy
chatting with?
Ooo, tricky
question this one as I have so many favourites!
Michael J
Sullivan – the man is a hugely talented writer, and he self-published first!
John Gwynne – a
new fresh face to the fold.
Mark Lawrence –
all round nice guy, though he writes a wicked anti-hero.
Your Blog Details?
http://written-with-a-sword.blogspot.co.uk/
Your Website?
http://written-with-a-sword.blogspot.co.uk/
Your Facebook Page?
http://www.facebook.com/dememrys
Your Goodreads Author Page? http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6556774.D_E_M_Emrys
Your Twitter Details?
@DEMEmrys
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