Welcome back!
You were a guest on ‘Writer’s Treasure Chest’ before, where we learned about writing in your life and your projects.
Let’s see what you can tell us today:
1. Are you still writing in the same genre as you did before, and if not, why did you switch – or would you ever think to change genres?
Yes, I am, but I’m dabbling more with other speculative fiction genres as well. All dark, of course. I think my stories will always have that element of darkness to them.
2. Please, tell us a little about your writing process.
All my stories begin with a character. Most of the time it’s the main character, but with Shadow Stalker, Kado was the first character I created and the world and everything else was built around him even though he wasn’t the main character. Once I have a character in mind, I just place them in situations in my mind and I let the world and everything else come together in my imagination around that character.
Once it’s cemented in my mind, I begin writing down the ideas in no particular order. From there, I plan basic details about other characters, the plot and the world. I don’t go into too much detail because I like to let most of the details develop with the story. From there I create a simple world map and timeline so I get everything in order and other minute details (such as distance and direction) right.
Then I start creating the scenes, write an outline from that and begin writing. The actual writing has many step, and I suppose you can say some of those steps would count as editing, but for me it’s still writing. My first draft is nothing more than a skeleton. It reads more like screenplay. When the first draft is finished, I go back and fill in details. That’s where I change the telling to showing and bring the story to life.
3. What is important to know for young, new authors and writers?
No matter what, don’t ever give up. Even when it seems hopeless, just keep writing. No one who has ever kept at it has ever failed. It might take years, but eventually you’ll get there.
4. Your experience in the writing world, do you think it has already taken you where you wanted to go?
I’m still in the middle of my journey. Honestly, it’s a journey I hope never ends. When I reach one goal, I’ll set another so I always have something to strive for. Right now, I’m aiming to reach a point where my income from book sales is enough to support my family. From there… who knows?
5. In your opinion, are you a writer or an author – and what is the difference for you?
I’m both. A writer is someone who writes. It’s that simple. An author is someone who has written and published a story, essay, article, etc. So, really, even someone who has a blog is an author. I’ve always had a hard time understanding why people complicate those terms.
6. Please, tell us about your projects again. Was there progress since the last interview or are there even completely new projects?
Well, my Shadow Stalker serial is ending soon. The last episode will be released in September and the Bundle will be released in November. I’ve begun work on my next serial, which will be about the origin of the shadow stalkers. The episodes in that one will be shorter (about 3k to 4k words), but I’ll be releasing a new one every two weeks. Each season will have 22 episodes and at the end of each year, I’ll release a bundle of all the episodes from that season.
I’m also publishing short stories more regularly now and working on my first novel series.
Thank you for being my guest. It was such a pleasure to have you here!!
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Full Title: Shadow Stalker: Awakened (Episode 20)
Release Date: 21 June 2017
Description:
Appolia is once again under siege. Auren returns to find the Galvadi are using extremely inhumane tactics to demoralise the Coalition. She needs to help the Coalition before everything is lost. If Auren can use her newfound abilities to find the Galvadi’s greatest weakness, they might stand a chance in bringing the Galvadi down once and for all.
Buy links:
http://reneescattergood.com/books/shadow-stalker-awakened-episode-20/
For those who have not read the serial: Get Shadow Stalker Part 1 (Episode 1 – 6) and Shadow Stalker Part 2 (Episodes 7 – 12) Free: http://reneescattergood.com/get-my-free-books/
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Bio:
Renee Scattergood lives in Australia with her husband, Nathan, and daughter, Taiya. She has always been a fan of fantasy and was inspired to become a story-teller by George Lucas, but didn’t start considering writing down her stories until she reached her late twenties. Now she enjoys writing dark fantasy and paranormal thrillers.
She is currently publishing her monthly Shadow Stalker serial, and she has published a prequel novella to the series called, Demon Hunt. She is also working on a new series of novels, A God’s Deception.
Aside from writing, she loves reading (fantasy, of course), watching movies with her family, and doing crafts and science experiments with her daughter. Visit her site for more information and a free copy of Shadow Stalker Part 1 (Episodes 1 – 6): http://reneescattergood.com
Contact URLs:
Website/Blog: http://reneescattergood.com/
Renee’s Author Spotlight: http://reneesauthorspotlight.blogspot.com.au/
Renee’s Shadow Stalkers: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/16rTPYCAwDq5cpyxHfphx0-x6ka9C7DWoJsdgYa2CyAw/viewform
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00NTJY1W2
Smashwords Author Page: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/rscatts
BookBub Author Page: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/renee-scattergood
Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8507658.Renee_Scattergood
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/reneescatts
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ReneeScatts
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/100671337443224225702/posts
Newsletter:
Get a Free Book: http://www.subscribepage.com/ReneeWrites
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Excerpt #1:
Makari stirred the contents of the pot that held our evening meal. “Now is probably not the best time for exploring.”
“No. I know. I was just thinking that maybe one of these tunnels might lead to the camp.”
“They might, but we have no idea which ones, and we’re more likely to get lost.”
I was only partially listening to them. One of the tunnels seemed to stand out more than the others. It seemed brighter even though I knew it couldn’t have been. And voices whispered in my mind as if encouraging me to go there. “I can find the way, but it will take several hours of hiking.”
“You’ve been in these mountains?” Makari asked.
“Well, Kado and I did come up here a few times, but not this mountain specifically. We went further north.” I sighed. Now was just as good a time as any to tell him. “My powers have returned. I drank the water from the Black Lake and after that something happened. I can access the shadow world again, but it’s different now. Everything feels different.”
“Different how?”
I shook my head. “I can’t explain it.”
Excerpt #2:
“You’re sure you know what you’re doing?” Jade asked, nervously.
This had been her idea and now that she realized how narrow and dark the tunnels were, she didn’t feel as confident.
“Yes. I’m absolutely sure.”
It wasn’t long before we came to the first fork. I paused to examine both tunnels. Even with the torch light, one tunnel stood out brighter than the other. The voices seemed louder now too as I headed down the left tunnel. I was on the right path. Every time we came to a fork, it was the same.
“We seem to be going down. You’re positive this is the way?” Makari asked.
“Yes.” I closed my eyes a moment and I could see the tunnel laid out before me in my mind. “It starts going up again a short distance from here, but it’s going to be a pretty steep incline.”
After another twenty minutes of walking, I paused at the bottom of the incline.
Makari seemed stunned. “How are you doing this?”
“I have no idea. It’s as though something is guiding me.”
“I hope it’s something that wants to help and not something that wants to get us lost or killed,” Jade said.
Excerpt #3:
I didn’t have time to reflect on what just happened. Makari was still in danger. I moved closer to him, right on the edge of the veil. I felt the tingling of the beryllonium’s effects. Strangely, I suddenly felt stronger. I needed to get Makari back into the shadow world before that trooper came to his senses and returned. If I could wrap myself in the veil, maybe I could do the same for him.
In my mind, I imagined the veil like a blanket. I pushed it out and manipulated it so that it surrounded Makari.
He sat up, looking around. Are you doing this, Auren?
Yes, I sent back.
When he regained some of his strength he shifted and joined me in the shadow world. We returned to the cavern.
“What did you do? How did you do that?” Makari asked.
“I’m not sure. Somehow, I was able to affect the trooper’s thoughts. I convinced him that you weren’t a threat and he left. Then I wrapped you in the veil to nullify the beryllonium’s effects.”
Makari shook his head slowly then gazed at me. “Could you do that again?”
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