Nobody would want to kill a Faery, surely?
1) Let’s start with a basic question. What is your Author name; use your Pen name if you have one.
C A Deegan
2) What is your genre and what drew you to it?
I write what I suppose is Fantasy, almost urban with a dash of paranormal thrown in. It sits in a spot astride YA and Adult in the market – there’s no profanity in any of the books, but plenty of humour that adults will find entertaining. As to what drew me to it...well, its the story I wanted to tell! “The Cracklock Saga” series of books came about from reading some pretty awful fairy books to my daughter over the years – she’s in her teens now and has now (with more than a little relief, I have to say!) left those behind. But I always wondered what would happen if someone didn’t like fairies, what they would do about it, and could anybody stop them? This idea grew, and the Cracklocks were born. I liked the idea of people who hated the Fae and everything they stood for. And who knew just how wicked those people turned out to be!
3) Which character of yours is your favorite and why?
Really tricky question; it’s so difficult because I like them all that I’ve created. You can see them on the website. www.Cracklocksaga.com . I like Elsie’s humour; she’s based on someone dear to me, but then again most of them are. If I had to choose, it would have to be my brownie, Dorcas. She has been the most fun to write; from her weird way of speaking (editing nightmare!!) to her character and the fights she has as she defends her friends. But I love my bad guys as well; Anastasia and Benedict are my favourites. Particularly Benedict who is pretty evil and borderline psychotic. He hates the Fae; kills them.
4) Do you prefer writing dialogue, action or other scenes?
Eerm, (shuffles awkwardly), well, eerm….I don’t mind to be honest; I think that all have their place and I try to get a good balance. Actually, what the hell, know. Action scenes. They’re the best to write, and probably the most complicated. Dorcas’ fight scenes are my favourite things I have written.
5) How did you come up with your cover design?
I have an idea on what I want a cover to look like, loosely based on some fragment in the story. My wife tells me its okay. You know, ‘okay’…. I ask her for ideas. Then I take those ideas to my cover designer, who is a genius. We discuss ideas, what is achievable and what will look good. She puts some rough drafts down. I love them, and we go from there.
6) What is the hardest challenge in being a writer?
The dreaded “M” word. Marketing. It’s a constant beast that needs your input. I think that most writers share this; certainly the ones that I have spoken to. The writing side, I don’t have an issue with; I don’t tend to suffer from writes block, despite being a total pantster. One day I may run out of ideas, but until them, it still flows.
7) What is your favorite book and why?
I would have to say “IT” by Stephen King, although his ‘Dark Tower’ series is a close second. I am a lifelong Stephen King fan and IT was the first one I ever read, at ten years of age (young I know, but I pinched it off my mum), and the richness of his worldbuilding and descriptions are fantastic; I try to emulate these. Then throw in a pinch of humour such as the great Sir Terry Pratchett’s and that’s what I strive to achieve. I haven’t quite made it yet (in my opinion; others seem to like it!) but I’m getting there.
8) What book protagonist would you love to talk to if he/she/they were real?
Roland Deschain of Gilead. I don’t think that the Dark Tower books scratched the surface for him, although Wizard and Glass in that series gave more depth to him than the others.
9) What is you preferred method of reading a book? (Audio, paperback, hardcover, or eBook)
Nowadays I prefer to read eBook’s, just for ease more than anything else – as they’re backlit, I don’t have to have the bedroom light on late at night. I collect Stephen King 1st Edition hardback books, but these sit proudly on the shelf in my study. I also have a large collection of paperbacks, primarily from the guys I beta read for.
10) Do you prefer to read series or independent novels?
Either is fine; I don’t distinguish. I like a good series, but there are many independent novels out there that really get you thinking.
11) If you could live in any “book world” what would that be?
That’s a difficult question! So many worlds…which to choose? If you pinned me down and made me choose, then I would stammer a bit and then probably choose the Discworld. So much going off there!