Interview with Stephen Anastasi, as part of his blog tour

Australian author Stephen Anastasi has just released two books, The Runes of Ire and The Druid.  Published by Morris Publishing Australia, both are the first book in a fantasy adventure series aimed at the nine to sixteen age group.

Stephen visits my blog today as part of his blog tour promoting both books. And to celebrate the release of The Runes of Ire and The Druid, Morris Publishing Australia is holding a competition.  Competition details follow the interview.

So without further ado, l welcome Stephen Anastasi. This interview is courtesy of Morris Publishing Australia.

Welcome Stephen.

Thanks Helen for hosting me during my blog tour.

Why do you write?

I write because it seems to be the only way that I can walk other people through the unusual architecture of my labyrinthine mind. I like to think that, like Jack London, or Harper Lee, when I’m gone, people will smile, or cry, or feel something special because of something I wrote.

Some writers have a preferred writing schedule. Do you?

Not a schedule as such, though I would if there were not so many demands on my time. To write, I need music, which switches on the labyrinthine mind. And I need a clear space of at least an hour so that I can fall into the well of my words.

Do you have a favourite place to write?

I can write anywhere. Once I have fallen into the story, after around fifteen minutes or a little longer, I am quite unaware of the outer world. If you asked me in the middle of this state whether I want tea, I’ll be staring at you thinking ‘t?’ ‘t?’ Why not ‘s’ or ‘q’. I am a long, long way away.

What do you love most about writing books?

I see my words through the eyes of a reader. When I start laughing at what is dancing off my fingertips or feel shivers of dread, I love to think that is how other people will feel when they read it.

What is the hardest part of writing for you?

So many stories! So little time! I have so many fantastic stories that need to be turned into architecture that I hate that I haven’t the spacetime to get them all completed. I don’t find the writing hard at all. It is the not writing I find hard.

What’s the easiest?

When I get started, the words soon come so naturally I am often unaware later of having written them. This makes editing easy because it reads like someone else did all the work.

What advice would you have for anyone wanting to write a book in your genre?

Most fantasy these days is formulaic. Get adventurous. Don’t just rewrite the same old pap.

Other than writing, what else do you love?

Teaching students who like Science and Mathematics and English.

Describe your perfect day.

Five thousand elegant words, usually discovered on my computer the next day, as if written by an author better than myself, only to find I actually wrote it.

What five words best sum you up? 

Explosively creative. Imaginative. Complex. Genuine.

Thanks Stephen for sharing your writing experiences. We wish you  and Morris Publishing Australia every success with your books.

Now don’t forget to enter the competition. Details below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Competition Details:

Win a signed copy of either book – One of each book is up for grabs.

To enter the draw, go to the publishers website at: http://www.morrispublishingaustralia.com/  OR click here, and on the ‘contact page form’ write: Stephen’s competition, your name, email address, and your book preference.

Purchase Books:

The Runes of Ire and The Druid are available from your local bookshop.  If not in stock, the store can order through distributor Dennis Jones and Associates.

Also available in many on-line stores as a paperback and as an eBook, and from http://morrispublishingaustralia.com.

More information at:

http://www.morrispublishingaustralia.com/the-runes-of-ire.html

http://www.morrispublishingaustralia.com/the-druid.html

Follow Stephen during his blog tour.

Stephen Anastasi’s Blog tour hosts

April 22^nd:  http://www.morrispublishingaustralia.com/news-update-blog.html

April 23^rd:   http://carolwarner.wordpress.com – Interview

April 24^th:   http://elaineoustonauthor.com – Interview

April 25^th:   http://misshelenwrites.wordpress.com  Helen Ross – Interview

April 26^th:   http://bluedingo.ning.com  - guest post interview.

April 27^th:   http://authorjillsmith.wordpress.com  Jill Smith Review.

April 28^th:   http://www.kids-bookreview.com   Reviews.

May 1^st:     http://www.buzzwordsmagazine .blogspot.com.au/   Vicki Stanton – Review Anastasia Gonis.

May 8^th:     http://bugreviews.wordpress.com  reviews by Angela Hall.

Date to be advised: www.sherfordbear.co.uk  Deb Cullen – Review.

About the Publishers: Morris Publishing Australia:

Morris Publishing Australia is a boutique publishing company created by Lou and Elaine Morris. With the future of traditional publishing in doubt, the cut backs to acceptance of new authors, and the growth of digital publishing, they felt it was timely to throw their hat into the ring and help other writers achieve their dream. Their author list is growing every day.

Helen Ross writes supports talented independently published authors, small press publishers, and independent publishing houses.

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