A Glimmer of Faith
1) What is your author name? (Pen name if you use one.)
Joseph Kopel
2) What are your top ten favorite book/authors?
Charlotte Bronte, Carlos Fuentes, Isaac Asimov, Ray Bradbury, H.G. Wells, JR Tolkien, Nicholas Sparks, Christie Golden, Frank Herbert, Gabriel Garcia Marquez.
3) What book do you think everyone should read?
“Jane Eyre” is a must read, especially in women. Is a very deep and intimate story, just the novel the way should be written, and it gives a special aroma from the Victorian Era—I know, not the type of my genres and style, but loved the intimacy of Jane. More than two hundred years, it is still a powerful book.
4) How long have you been writing?
Forty years or so.
5) Do the characters all come to you at the same time or do some of them come to you as you write?
Yes and no. When I decide to write a book I outline the main characters, but the secondary ones come as the story goes on.
6) What kind of research do you do before you begin writing a book?
In the case of “The Empress’ Journey,” as I wanted to transplant from Space Opera to Fantasy, I had to do lots of research about Middle Ages and Renaissance, and investigate some other fantasy books such as “Lord of The Rings” and “Game of Thrones.” Beside the familiarity I had with “World of Warcraft” books—though I played the game a long time ago, I am basing purely on the books, especially the ones from Christie Golden.
There is an example where in a chapter describes a combat by jousting, I had to do research about it and even printed it from a website.
7) Do you see writing as a career?
Someday, if anything goes well. For now, I will stick with a job.
8) What do you think about the current publishing market?
It is oversaturated and biased. In Amazon solely more than four million books are published every year. While I welcome authentic indie authors to the market, there exist so many low content and bad quality books that bury the ones that are worth, to make things worse, the big publishers include their best sellers and, they invest thousands of dollars in marketing.
Some of us, indies do not even have the resources to market or pay for a good designer or editor. We indie struggle to get our books through to be in the spotlight, and unfortunately some even give up.
My advice, do not stop, keep writing. Keep trying. Not all hope is lost.
9) Do you read yourself and if so what is your favorite genre?
I do read during my breaks from writing. Sci-Fi used to be my favorite, but I became open to any genre as long as it is a good book.
I try to avoid reading while I write. I don’t let myself to be influenced by other’s styles.
10) Do you prefer to read with silence or with noise? Why?
All depends on the story’s mood. I don’t mind the noise when I am in the relaxed, easy parts. But in the climaxes, I need my silence.
11) Do you write a book at a time, or do you have several going at a time?
Because of the complexity of the trilogy, I am writing once at a time. In the future I plan to write two, perhaps in a pair of years.
12) Pen, typewriter or computer?
I use my tablet when I do fast drafting with a magnetic pen, then I use the computer with an online software for writers.
13) Tell us about a favorite character in a book.
Jane Eyre—I have mentioned before—she was an example of empowering and determination despite simplicist and unfortunate life in the middle of a world dominated by men during the Victorian Era. She was at first naïve until she discovered the truth about Mr. Rochester, which is where she began to mature. The intimacy and the struggles of the character attracted me. Unfortunately, today is not easy to find a character like her in most books.
14) What made you want to become an author, and do you feel it was the right decision?
If it was the right decision, only the time will tell. I became an author because after reading and looking at the books at my grandfather’s library, I want to become like those author by making a book telling a story. I was ten at the time.
15) A day in the life of the author.
I usually wake up early to prepare for my kids to go to the school, I clean the kitchen in the kitchen and feed my pets. After that I spend 2-3 hours in the morning working in my book, around 10am I do my usual chores—if not a working day—like cleaning the house, doing the laundry and sometimes I cook for my wife who wakes up late because of her job.
My wife leaves for work but not without the lunch I prepare. My kids arrive from school, we eat and talk together, clean dishes and kitchen, I take time for myself—reading, watching, a nap or something else—after I eat dinner, prepare the coffee for the next day, two more hours of writing. I give food to my wife who returns from work, we spend some time together and sleep.
16) Advice you would give to new authors.
Write, write, and write. There are not specific rules to do so. Look for your style, and write because you love it.
17) Describe your writing style.
I am direct, descriptive, third person, I do not go for figurative words or poetry.
18) What makes a good story?
A compelling one that keeps the reader always interested, direct to the story.
19) What is your writing process?
I outline although not necessarily will follow it but to guide me through the story, in the end I become a pantser.
20) What is your writing Kryptonite?
Distractions around the house.
21) Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?
I try to make it the most original possible, if not I bring something different from elements already established.
22) If you could tell your younger writing self anything. What would be?
Avoid cliches and too many repeats!
23) What’s the most difficult thing about writing characters from the opposite sex?
Women and girls. I try to write them from the female perspective, what they feel, what they think. As a man myself I find it challenging as I dislike objectivizing women. However, my main character happens to be a girl.
24) How long on average does it take to write a book?
I began with my last book in September 2022 and finalized in November 2023, more than a year. That is because I was looking for the right style and rewriting my first chapters in three diverse ways.
I believe that the second book will take between six and eight months. Hopefully, I can finish it before.
25) Do you believe in writer’s block?
It happens. In moments of stress or tension when there is a problem or an issue that can’t take it out of my mind, it’s practically impossible to write that way.
26) Tell me a little bit about your book(s)?
The Empress’ Journey
Tikl The First of Nehel Book 1
Amid turmoil and despair, a new hope arises as a young empress.The Gesha obliterated the once thriving but ailing Kingdom of Aranka, triggering an imbalance in Sankaris. Epidemics, wars, pollution, and madness plague the land as the protagonists pursue for answers.A glimmer of faith spreads throughout the maimed world as the Promise. Her rise to power brings a much-needed balance, ensuring a fresh start and the dawning of a new era.Will she unravel the mysteries behind these afflictions and restore the balance to Sankaris?Join this captivating tale of humanity, resilience, determination, and the search for truths in a world gripped by darkness.
27) Can you tell me a little bit about yourself?
Joseph Kopel is an imaginative author who has transitioned from Sci-Fi to Space Opera and now ventures into the realm of Fantasy with his debut in the genre.
What began as a hobby has grown into thirty-five years of writing. Being bilingual, he switched between English and Spanish. The greatest influences on him were the Latin American literature in Mexico City's libraries and the most famous American Sci-Fi authors.
When he is out of any fantastic realm to be in the world of reality, he enjoys his time with his wife, three kids, and his two pets.
Currently, he lives in Northwest Missouri, in a small peaceful country town of only 250 people.
28) Do you have a website? If so, what is it?
Not at the moment.
29) Where else can we find and follow you?
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JosKAuthor
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@joew7705
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