Ask the Author: Aaron Frale
Answered Questions (9)
Aaron Frale
The mood has to be right. I make sure that I setup the space in order to let the creativity flow. For example, I make myself a mug of decaf vanilla bean chai Stash tea with ¼ a cup of almond milk and one packet of Stevia in the Raw. Then I put on my alpaca socks and light three candles. I realize that my socks don’t fit quite right so I charter a plane to the Andes, where I pack a bag for a journey on foot to seek out the one they call uno sabio. I learn the ways of the jungle and listen to the heart song of the mountain. When I am ready, I can sheer an alpaca and weave the perfect sock. That’s also why my books are so short.
Aaron Frale
Where are my pants? They've been in the closet the whole time!
Aaron Frale
Pants at work = optional.
Aaron Frale
I have a couple of projects in the works. The third Teristaque Chronicles is nearing completion. This story will explore the backstory of Hayden and the mysterious Sarge in more detail. Kal’s homeworld will also play a big part in the story. I also have a book called Time Agency that is currently in the “good enough for a closer look pile” for the traditional publishing industry. Finally, I’m about 30k words into my addition to the post-apocalypse/dystopian narratives of the world.
Aaron Frale
My stories come from a lot of different places. The Teristaque Chronicles and Time Beast were initially formed in a dream. I had dreamt the final scene of the creature in the lake, and I built the story to fit the visual images. I dreamt of a prison with all sorts of alien creatures and invented Kal to inhabit that prison after I woke. Other times, I get my ideas from listening to podcasts. I’d heard about Amazon shipping drones and knew there was a story behind that. For Playlist of the Ancient Dead, there is a creepy structure in the middle of Burton Park. While walking the dog, I always wondered what was inside this vined fence covered in razor wire. A new story I’m working on was inspired by Minneapolis’ skyway system. When the inspiration hits, I have no choice but to write the story.
Aaron Frale
Playlist of the Ancient Dead is my farewell to Albuquerque as my wife and I moved to Minneapolis. I wrote a novel before we left and Playlist is that novel. The neighborhood featured in this story really exists. There is a power station in the park that always intrigued me. It looked like it had never been used in years, and I had always wondered what went on inside. On a side note: The dog in the story is inspired by walks through Burton Park with my wife and our dog. We really do call walks Trotskies.
Aaron Frale
Yes, I would build a snowman, who will run for senate. That way when he votes according to the agenda of a Super PAC, I can threaten him with a blow dryer.
Aaron Frale
Don't worry about writer's block when you can just rewrite successful books using ducks as the main characters. There is so much material out there! You'll never run out of ideas. If you really want to be clever about it, change the titles slightly. For example, my next sure-to-be-a-hit novel is called Game of King Chairs (with ducks).
Aaron Frale
Become an English teacher. You'll get paid and by the time they can replace your position with a robot that can read and evaluate critical arguments, the robot overlords would have already enslaved humanity.
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