Ask the Author: Richard Gradner
Answered Questions (16)
Richard Gradner
Book covers are very difficult to get right. As an author, you want your book cover to portray as much of your story as possible to the reader. It needs to be enticing enough to grab someone’s attention. I think that most authors and distributors alike change covers often because they feel that they need to communicate the premise better each time to their reader base. Also people get used to seeing one cover so when they are presented with a new version of the cover, they feel more enticed to purchase the book than before.
In the fantasy genre, most of the covers have a very similar look and feel. A character on the cover definitely makes the book more enticing. Even the font of the title plays a big part in communicating in the right way to the right market.
I chose these 3 heroines for my book covers so as to keep the overall look and feel consistent, which also adds to their appeal. Each heroine represents a character in each story.
In the fantasy genre, most of the covers have a very similar look and feel. A character on the cover definitely makes the book more enticing. Even the font of the title plays a big part in communicating in the right way to the right market.
I chose these 3 heroines for my book covers so as to keep the overall look and feel consistent, which also adds to their appeal. Each heroine represents a character in each story.
Richard Gradner
There are so many across so many genres! The first has to be the Old Testament. Next is Lord of the Rings (Trilogy) because I read it as a teenager and it really defined the fantasy genre I was into at the time. Lastly, I’d say Perdido Street station by my favourite author, China Mieville. He paved the way into a new genre of fiction he calls ‘Weird Fiction’. I admire him most for his originality. This is something that I try and emulate in my storytelling.
Richard Gradner
I am hopeful as all writers would be, but the rise and growth of e-books has dented the physical book market quite substantially. Most readers will tell you that they prefer the feel of a physical book, but the main reason for the growth of the digital book market, simply comes down to cost.
Richard Gradner
My ability to write stories that include a strong spiritual element as well as a strong and original storyline.
Richard Gradner
Out of all the periods that I wrote about, the 19th century would be the one that I would choose to live in because of the sheer number of inventions over this period - electricity, light, telephone, cars etc
Richard Gradner
I enjoy writing dialogue the most because I often draw on personal experiences when doing so which enhances my storytelling.
Richard Gradner
The fictional characters were easier and quicker to write because everything came out of my imagination. The non-fictional characters, but more so, the non-fictional events, were harder to write because they were based on a variety of different sources and I tried as best as I could to keep them authentic.
Richard Gradner
I write based on a lot of credible research and then inject a dose of fiction so as to create intriguing stories that appeal to almost anyone. I intentionally omitted swear words and sex scenes so as to appeal to the YA market. My protagonist, Elijah Levy, is also fairly young.
Richard Gradner
The genre of my work is mythical fiction and I believe that as a writer, one should try and stay as much within a particular genre as possible so as to build a strong following. The foundation of SOM is based on the myth of the Primordial Stone, a mystical talisman believed to have come from the river Pishon in the Garden of Eden. Reincarnation is also another strong, underlying theme and one that I included in the story. As with all of my novels, I am inspired to write stories that are different from the norm, that invoke one’s imagination and push the envelope.
Richard Gradner
I would say the Joker and Harley Quinn. I loved their bitter romance in the recent movie, Suicide Squad. The fact that they were villains, with an anti-hero status, made them even more enjoyable.
Richard Gradner
Change. Change the scenery. Have a drink, then start writing. Write without thinking and then look over your work for inspirational, out-the-box ideas.
Richard Gradner
Finding something passionate and fulfilling to take up time that would otherwise be wasted on mundane stuff.
Richard Gradner
Put the framework for your story together and stick to it. Lauren Beukes gave me the best advice when I started writing. She said "finish your story". In other words, don't mess about with marketing or anything else, rather stick to finishing the story first. You gotta keep your eye on the ball. If you busy yourself with other stuff in the middle of writing, then you lose focus and momentum which makes it that much harder to start writing again. Be consistent. Write at the same time and place.
Richard Gradner
I have just finished writing my second novel, Unicorn, that is set for release on 01 September 2016:
The year is 2518 BCE. Halim, a Shakti warrior initiate, lives with his family in Harappa, a fortified city in the Indus River Valley. His father is injured, so the task falls to Halim to find a cure for his mother, who has fallen prey to a mysterious, debilitating disease.
Sanjit, a seasoned Shakti, agrees to accompany Halim to the Kunlun Mountains in search of a mythical medicine from an ancient monastery. Halim’s impulsive sister, Taja, insists on joining them too.
When the three travellers confront the Ignogai, a barbaric tribe with a bloodthirsty shaman, they must flee across hazardous and unfamiliar terrain to avoid being captured and persecuted for their Shakti prana.
With a little bit of magic, determination, and some help from a few extraordinary people, the trio must fight for their lives to make it back home in time to save Halim's mother from certain demise.
The year is 2518 BCE. Halim, a Shakti warrior initiate, lives with his family in Harappa, a fortified city in the Indus River Valley. His father is injured, so the task falls to Halim to find a cure for his mother, who has fallen prey to a mysterious, debilitating disease.
Sanjit, a seasoned Shakti, agrees to accompany Halim to the Kunlun Mountains in search of a mythical medicine from an ancient monastery. Halim’s impulsive sister, Taja, insists on joining them too.
When the three travellers confront the Ignogai, a barbaric tribe with a bloodthirsty shaman, they must flee across hazardous and unfamiliar terrain to avoid being captured and persecuted for their Shakti prana.
With a little bit of magic, determination, and some help from a few extraordinary people, the trio must fight for their lives to make it back home in time to save Halim's mother from certain demise.
Richard Gradner
Inspiration doesn't come easy. Most of the time you just have to put your head down, start writing and get into the story. Once you bury yourself in the detail, the inspiration flows. It's important to work within a framework instead of just writing blind. This gives you a set of goals or milestones to work towards within the story. Sometimes an exciting piece of the story becomes an inspirational drawcard so you write until you reach it and then the passion really flows.
Richard Gradner
So much of the same stuff has been written about that what I really wanted was to create something different. Something unique. I read a book once, long ago, about the Lemurian civilisation so I decided to use it as a basis for my story. It just works. I believe that it speaks to people today. It’s filled with mystery, intrigue, prophecy, crime, spirituality, adventure and suspense. It’s best described as a new-age, dystopian thriller. Dan Brown meets James Redfield.
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