Interview with author Steven Helsel!
Steven Helsel, author of the Black Opal, is going to be a new author appearing at this year’s Gen Con in downtown Indy. His lair will be amongst those of the other scribes of fantasy and fiction (including myself) that will be lurking within the Author’s Avenue, and I was lucky enough to connect with him for a quick interview.
Here is an excerpt of what awaits within his novel…
“A tale of deep shadows and flickering light await within Black Opal, with struggles between good and evil, man and monster, sword and spell, decadence and poverty by brave warriors, faithful knights, noble ladies, wizards that command splendid magic, and rogues that live by their wits. Black Opal is a journey of hatred and vice, redemption and honor, and a vision of blood and snow.”
Hi Steven - thanks again for taking the time to be interviewed! Let’s begin with telling us a little bit more about who Steven Helsel is.
Steven: I am 38 years old and have 8 kids at home and another on the way. Yes, they are all mine. I have been married for 14 years. I grew up in the south suburbs of Chicago and have been in Indiana for 12 years.
When did you know that you wanted to be a writer?
Steven: I always knew I loved to write but did not know I wanted to be a writer until I was about 25. I was always good with my words but more so with the written word.
How did you develop the idea for Black Opal?
Steven: I have been running role playing games for 25 years. Running those games is very much an exercise in storytelling. The essence of the geography and many of the characters are derived from these games. They are all composites of varies creations of mine over the course of time.
Which characters were the most fun to develop? Which were the most challenging?
Steven: The rogue trio was the most fun. I grew up poor in an urban environment so their sarcasm and emotion came naturally to me. Everybody loves Jynx. The most challenging was Treant since he is teetering on the line between good and evil throughout the book and I do not want it to be obvious how he ends up. Is it just bad luck and timing with him or is their great darkness within?
What are your plans long-term for your writing? Do you have additional/different works in mind?
Steven: I am writing a follow-up to Black Opal since I left some things wide open. I would like to focus more on other characters as well. I am also writing a novel publicly on my blog that is a compliment to Black Opal with totally different characters. I am writing a world guide and last, but not least, I am writing a contemporary comedy that is hilarious.
As a fellow author, I share the challenge of getting the word out on my works. What have you had to do to win broader exposure and branding for your books?
Steven: Ouch. I feel your pain. I have done the obvious with social media. I am developing email lists. I have set up a series of events, the biggest of which is Gen Con 50. I look forward to seeing you there. I have a website and have spent much time on it. It is a whole new world and I am still learning the ropes. I think many people focus too much on author pages in fb. While I am grateful, even humbled by the support of family and friends it is my goal to market my book to fantasy diehards. That is why I am looking at a long game, to bring people into my world.
This question will start off sounding like an old joke – a person walks into a bar (or convention or bookstore) and bumps into Steven Helsel – what would be your elevator pitch to showcase your work?
Steven: So, I am probably the only person that does not have one. For agents and publishers, I can put something together but I am writing to people that I already share a bond with over the fantasy genre. I love talking about it. No pitch necessary, I just have the kind of conversation I have had a million times and at some point mention my work.
As an author, it’s sometimes difficult to finally say a product is finished, no matter how many times you review or edit. Is there anything you would go back and change in your stories? Where there ideas you had in mind and then decided NOT to include?
Steven: LOL. No, it is finished. I knew it was finished when my wife threatened me if I revised it one more time. There are some things that didn’t make the cut for me. I would have liked it to be longer but I was already pushing the industry standard on word counts for new authors. But it worked out well. I had a clear goal for the end of the first book.
I have a 5 year old son, and structuring time around him can be challenging! I’ve lost count of the times he nearly pressed the delete button on something I was working on…how do you find time to write your stories?
Steven: See question one, lol. I have so many children that it is a miracle. I have been interrupted too many times to count. I do most of my writing in my head, usually before I go to sleep. It is very malleable. When I have it, I pour it out on my laptop. I have deleted many things and lost entire chapters before.
Do you have a certain method you use when you write – i.e., a certain room, music, mood, etc., to help get you in the right writing frame of mind?
Steven: To block out noise I will listen to head phones and play instrumental music on you tube. I prefer to write at the desk in my room. As far as mood goes it is usually the writing that steers my mood. If I write something sad, it makes me sad. If I write about malice it makes me angry. It is a rollercoaster.
What are you reading right now?
Steven: I have a huge reading list and just finished my associates degree at Ivy Tech so I am taking a break from reading to concentrate on my writing and marketing. I will be reading again soon however.
Where can readers go to find out more about Steven Helsel?
Steven: My website at www.blackopalhiddencity.com I have links to my blog and my authors central page. Also, Goodreads is a great place. People can always contact me directly. I love feedback and suggestions. I look forward to my blog novel receiving inspiration from the readers.
Thanks Steven, for sharing some of your time!
Steven: No, thank you Hugo. It was fun, good luck to you sir.
Here is an excerpt of what awaits within his novel…
“A tale of deep shadows and flickering light await within Black Opal, with struggles between good and evil, man and monster, sword and spell, decadence and poverty by brave warriors, faithful knights, noble ladies, wizards that command splendid magic, and rogues that live by their wits. Black Opal is a journey of hatred and vice, redemption and honor, and a vision of blood and snow.”
Hi Steven - thanks again for taking the time to be interviewed! Let’s begin with telling us a little bit more about who Steven Helsel is.
Steven: I am 38 years old and have 8 kids at home and another on the way. Yes, they are all mine. I have been married for 14 years. I grew up in the south suburbs of Chicago and have been in Indiana for 12 years.
When did you know that you wanted to be a writer?
Steven: I always knew I loved to write but did not know I wanted to be a writer until I was about 25. I was always good with my words but more so with the written word.
How did you develop the idea for Black Opal?
Steven: I have been running role playing games for 25 years. Running those games is very much an exercise in storytelling. The essence of the geography and many of the characters are derived from these games. They are all composites of varies creations of mine over the course of time.
Which characters were the most fun to develop? Which were the most challenging?
Steven: The rogue trio was the most fun. I grew up poor in an urban environment so their sarcasm and emotion came naturally to me. Everybody loves Jynx. The most challenging was Treant since he is teetering on the line between good and evil throughout the book and I do not want it to be obvious how he ends up. Is it just bad luck and timing with him or is their great darkness within?
What are your plans long-term for your writing? Do you have additional/different works in mind?
Steven: I am writing a follow-up to Black Opal since I left some things wide open. I would like to focus more on other characters as well. I am also writing a novel publicly on my blog that is a compliment to Black Opal with totally different characters. I am writing a world guide and last, but not least, I am writing a contemporary comedy that is hilarious.
As a fellow author, I share the challenge of getting the word out on my works. What have you had to do to win broader exposure and branding for your books?
Steven: Ouch. I feel your pain. I have done the obvious with social media. I am developing email lists. I have set up a series of events, the biggest of which is Gen Con 50. I look forward to seeing you there. I have a website and have spent much time on it. It is a whole new world and I am still learning the ropes. I think many people focus too much on author pages in fb. While I am grateful, even humbled by the support of family and friends it is my goal to market my book to fantasy diehards. That is why I am looking at a long game, to bring people into my world.
This question will start off sounding like an old joke – a person walks into a bar (or convention or bookstore) and bumps into Steven Helsel – what would be your elevator pitch to showcase your work?
Steven: So, I am probably the only person that does not have one. For agents and publishers, I can put something together but I am writing to people that I already share a bond with over the fantasy genre. I love talking about it. No pitch necessary, I just have the kind of conversation I have had a million times and at some point mention my work.
As an author, it’s sometimes difficult to finally say a product is finished, no matter how many times you review or edit. Is there anything you would go back and change in your stories? Where there ideas you had in mind and then decided NOT to include?
Steven: LOL. No, it is finished. I knew it was finished when my wife threatened me if I revised it one more time. There are some things that didn’t make the cut for me. I would have liked it to be longer but I was already pushing the industry standard on word counts for new authors. But it worked out well. I had a clear goal for the end of the first book.
I have a 5 year old son, and structuring time around him can be challenging! I’ve lost count of the times he nearly pressed the delete button on something I was working on…how do you find time to write your stories?
Steven: See question one, lol. I have so many children that it is a miracle. I have been interrupted too many times to count. I do most of my writing in my head, usually before I go to sleep. It is very malleable. When I have it, I pour it out on my laptop. I have deleted many things and lost entire chapters before.
Do you have a certain method you use when you write – i.e., a certain room, music, mood, etc., to help get you in the right writing frame of mind?
Steven: To block out noise I will listen to head phones and play instrumental music on you tube. I prefer to write at the desk in my room. As far as mood goes it is usually the writing that steers my mood. If I write something sad, it makes me sad. If I write about malice it makes me angry. It is a rollercoaster.
What are you reading right now?
Steven: I have a huge reading list and just finished my associates degree at Ivy Tech so I am taking a break from reading to concentrate on my writing and marketing. I will be reading again soon however.
Where can readers go to find out more about Steven Helsel?
Steven: My website at www.blackopalhiddencity.com I have links to my blog and my authors central page. Also, Goodreads is a great place. People can always contact me directly. I love feedback and suggestions. I look forward to my blog novel receiving inspiration from the readers.
Thanks Steven, for sharing some of your time!
Steven: No, thank you Hugo. It was fun, good luck to you sir.
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