Indie Author Interview with Charles E. Yallowitz - Author of the Epic Fantasy / Sword & Sorcery Series Legends of Windemere.
Charles E. Yallowitz was born, raised, and educated in New York. Then he spent a few years in Florida, realized his fear of alligators, and moved back to the Empire State.
When he isn't working hard on his epic fantasy stories, Charles can be found cooking or going on whatever adventure his son has planned for the day. 'Legends of Windemere' is his first series, but it certainly won't be his last.
Interview with Charles E. Yallowitz
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| Author Charles E. Yallowitz |
Charles E. Yallowitz: I’ve written several fantasy adventure novels and a few smaller works that are published on Amazon. Before that, I studied English Writing Arts at SUNY Oswego and took several writing workshops over the years. Mostly, my background is using breaks at work and other spots of free time to outline stories, create characters, and design monsters.
Who are your favorite writers, your favorite books, and who or what are your writing influences?
That’s a pretty long list and I’m resistant to even start it. My favorites change as I get into new things and I never really like putting one thing over the other. Really depends on my mood and I try to take a little from everything I read. Even stuff that I didn’t enjoy influences my style because I learn what not to do.
When did you first know that you wanted to be a writer?
I feel in love with writing when I was 7 because my 2nd grade class had a writing station where you could make books. Mostly I was doing joke books and animal information books, but I did write an adventure story for a friend before my dwindling math grades changed my direction. I came back to writing when I was 15 and had read a really good fantasy series called The Books of Lost Swords by Fred Saberhagen. Something clicked in my head and I set off to create my own fantasy world.
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
Technically, it was that adventure story mentioned in the last answer. It was a copy of King Kong where a group of humans are trying to retrieve a jewel statue. They had to run away from a giant gorilla and get off the island. Some got eaten by the gorilla, some fell off a log bridge, and the rest made it onto the boat. There were pictures too, but it was mostly stick figures running around terribly drawn dinosaurs. Like I said, I was 7.
"I do a lot of planning before I get to the actual book."
Tell us about your writing process. Do you have a writing routine?
I do a lot of planning before I get to the actual book. This includes plot synopsis, character bios, brief monster descriptions, notes on important story events, and an eventual chapter by chapter outline. About 75% of this gets tossed out the window when I get to the story because characters turn out differently than expected. I go along with it and figure I can make changes when I do an editing run.
Please, describe your desk/workplace.
Right now, I’m working on a desktop computer by a window in the den. There’s a Taco Bell Chihuahua doll collection staring at me, but they’re not mine. Other days I’m on my bed using my laptop or at the dining room table. As you can guess, I don’t have a desk or a designated workplace due to limited space. I’m rather nomadic.
What do you find easiest about writing? What the hardest?
The hardest part of writing is the marketing side of things because I’d much rather spend all my time on the stories. I’ve learned a lot as far as using social media and promoting myself. So maybe it’s a tie between marketing and the late stage editing as far as hardest. Easiest is coming up with the initial idea and the planning parts. There’s no time constraint here and I don’t have to worry about losing the flow like I do with the actual story. If something tears me away from my books in mid-chapter then I have to find a way back in. With an outline, I just pick it up, skim what I have, and continue.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
Hearing from people who have read my book and finding out who their favorite characters are. I put a lot of work and focus onto my heroes and villains, so it’s nice to hear that people are thinking of them after the book is closed.
"[...] magic is everywhere and adventurer is a viable career path."
Charles, please tell us a little about your Epic Fantasy Series Legends of Windemere.
This series introduces readers to the world of Windemere where magic and adventure are around every corner. Seriously, magic is everywhere and adventurer is a viable career path. The heroes in Legends of Windemere have been destined to face an ancient evil that has been forgotten by history. Every book has a new adventure that connects to this villain or involves the return of a mistake by one of the heroes. It’s very character driven and focuses a lot on how these young adventurers develop under the pressure of a prophecy.
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| Click to Read an Excerpt |
You just released the 7th book in the Series – Sleeper of the Wildwood Fugue – What happens in this book?
The simple answer is that I make my characters despise me. After gaining a new ally, the champions travel to the southern desert city of Bor’daruk in search of the next temple needed to keep their enemy sealed. They are delayed when they find out that an old friend and her mercantile family are being hunted by monsters. A war is brewing with the nomadic tribe behind the beasts and only a handful of the family remains. It doesn’t help that two of the strongest agents of the ancient evil are hiding within the city. There’s a lot of broken spirits and shattered minds within this book.
What inspired you to write the series?
I’ve always loved reading fantasy and I played a lot of Dungeons & Dragons. Legends of Windemere is based off the game I was in during the first two years of college. I liked the story and saw a lot of paths to take with it, so I asked the other players if I could use their characters for a book series. They agreed and I took notes during every session. Eventually, I realized that what happens in a game doesn’t always translate to a book. So I went in a different direction with a lot of the story and absorbed influences from other things around me to create the series you see today.
Who do you see as your target audience?
Anyone who enjoys fun, laidback fantasy or is curious about the genre. I used to say YA, but the series turns more New Adult as it hits heavier themes.
"[...] it’s the characters that really draw people in."
What makes your series special?
Because I wrote it. Seriously, it has an uncommon style with present tense third person and people have said that it reads like a movie. As important as the adventure is to the story, it’s the characters that really draw people in. The focus on them combined with the style makes you feel like you’re there instead of simply observing. It really is a piece of escapism that can help you drift away from reality for a few hours after a hard day.
How would you describe the success of your series so far?
To be honest, I would say it was unexpected. I’d been told that a series author won’t get anywhere until their 5th book, but my first one hit 1,000 sales in its first month. The later books haven’t had the same oomph because not everyone who reads one will go on to the next, but each volume sells and I get mostly positive feedback for them. Even though I started publishing my series in 2013, I still don’t think I’ve fully comprehended how far I’ve come because I still feel like I have no idea what I’m doing.
How long did it take it to write each book in the series?
The first 3 books took a few years because I was working other jobs at the time. When I focused predominantly on writing, the books started taking 2-3 months to write. That’s only a first draft and it doesn’t include all of the planning beforehand. I try to outline an entire series to help with foreshadowing and getting a clear idea of where I’m going, which is why the actual writing doesn’t take as long as it could.
"Do what feels right for you."
Can you give some advice for other Authors regarding the writing process?
Do what feels right for you. Many people will declare that their way is the best way to write, publish, and market a book. They’re right because it’s the best way for them. It might not work for everyone. So if you feel like something is off then step back to examine whatever you’re doing and get things back to where they feel right. The only person who knows every detail of your story is you, so that’s who should make the final call.
Are you working on another book project? Can you tell us a little about it?
Outside of Legends of Windemere, I have two other projects. One of them is a fantasy short story that went live on Amazon on June 1st. It’s titled Ichabod Brooks & the City of Beasts and it’s a quick read that involves a man hired to clear out a ruined city. Without giving away too much, things go wrong from the very beginning. I’m also working on a paranormal thriller, which is completely out of my comfort zone. The first draft is done and I’m having a few people look it over. If enough beta readers like it and I get it to a publishable point then I plan on releasing it next year.
Where do you see the book market in 5 or 10 years? Will there be only eBooks and will book stores disappear like record stores disappeared?
I do wonder if physical bookstores will disappear since they’re so hard to find these days. Even if they do, I don’t think paperbacks will vanish. Maybe I’m just optimistic, but I see paperbacks and eBooks thriving next to each other since they each hold a niche. While you can’t carry as many paperbacks around as eBooks, I think the desire to hold a physical book will always be around. If anything, it’ll help if you lose your e-reader charger, the battery runs out, you have a blackout, or need to fend off a zombie. You can’t bludgeon the undead with a virtual book and e-readers break after a few swings.
What is your e-reading device of choice?
I usually read paperbacks, but I do have a Kindle that I read when something is only in eBook form. Not sure of the model, but it doesn’t have any bells or whistles. I think it’s the Paper model, but I’d have to check and I’m not sure where my son hid it.
"I have to balance my time between writing and keeping the house in one piece."
Do you write full-time or do you have a day job? When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
Writing is my full-time job, but I’m also a stay-at-home parent. So I have to balance my time between writing and keeping the house in one piece. There are days where the parent side knocks the author side into the background, but that’s part of the role. When I’m not writing or being domestic, I read or watch TV. After days or weeks of working hard, a little boredom and quiet is just what I need.
How can readers connect with you?
Legends of Windemere Blog
Website
Amazon Author Page
Thank you very much for the Interview, Charles.
About the Book Legends of Windemere - Sleeper of the Wildwood Fugue
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| Click to Read an Excerpt |
Awakening their new ally is only the beginning as Luke, Nyx, and their friends head south to the desert city of Bor’daruk. Hunting for another temple once used to seal Baron Kernaghan, they are unaware that the game of destiny has changed. Out for blood and pain, Stephen is determined to make Luke wish he’d never set out to become a hero.
By the time the sun sets on Bor’daruk, minds will be shattered and the champions’ lives will be changed forever.
- "If you were mesmerized by the game ‘Dungeons and Dragons’ or enjoyed reading ‘The Hobbit’ series you will not want to miss the mystical inhabitants of Windemere! Author Charles E. Yallowitz weaves an intriguing tale in a world where good and evil collide and is quite often underestimated." - Reader Review
Link to the Book
Link to the eBook Legends of Windemere - Sleeper of the Wildwood Fugue on Amazon
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