Heaven's Fate Excerpt

Today’s Featured Author: Andre Alan

Today I have an excerpt from Andre Alan’s book Heaven’s Fate.

Excerpt

Only thirty minutes before, Jeremiah Cek lay in his bunk reading a new novel he had picked up on his downtime. Now he sat in the cockpit of his AF-157 with a scramjet engine and smooth, rounded curves to prevent radar detection. Squadron leader Cek, tag-name: Honey Badger, a name earned through his fearless tactics. He had received the secure message on his wrist communicator from his captain, Charlotte ‘Sky’ Landry, commanding him to form up his squadron and double time it to High Garden Clearing. They approached the city; he could already see fires burning in the distance.
“The target is painted hot, Honey Badger,” said Masi Lawrence, tag-name: Wolverine, and the Honey Badger’s second in command.
Squad leader Cek and the two other fighter pilots flying in formation behind him switched their heads-up-display to view the infrared spectrum and located the large red dot that was their target flying in circles above High Garden Clearing. Fires created by the dragon’s breath had produced a thick layer of smoke that sat low in the air.
“Target in sight,” said Honey Badger. “Weapons free. I repeat, weapons free.”
“Roger that,” said Wolverine. “Let’s light ‘em up!”
“I have missile lock,” said Warthog, the last member of the team. He flew in formation to the left of the Honey Badger. “Repeat. I have missile lock. Bombs away.”
The laser-guided missiles left the airplane’s weapons chamber from a compartment underneath the wings and quickly climbed to speeds in excess of Mach ten. Each of the three pilots flying towards High Garden Clearing released two hydrogen-powered heat-seeking missiles and watched on their radar as the rockets found their target. The missiles exploded against the scaly, stronger-than-steel plates of the dragon’s green hide, brightening the night sky over the city in a burst of energy. The beast let out an agonizing shriek. Xiuhcoatl fell to the ground, sending up a plume of dust and debris.
“Our work here is done, boys,” said Honey Badger. “Let’s leave the cleanup to Captain Sky. First round’s on me tonight.” He smiled, hearing the cheers of his fellow pilots. Joyous sounds coming through his headset were abruptly replaced by an everlasting silence.
A plume of dragon fire ignited the gas tank and the other pilots watched their leader’s plane explode. Wolverine regained his composure. He knew the task to see them safely back to base had now fallen to him. “Break off,” shouted Wolverine into his helmet. “Evasive maneuvers. Stay with me, Warthog. We’re going in for another shot. We need to drop this bastard if we want to have any hope of making it out alive.”
Warthog, Sal Diamond, was a young, chubby kid that could barely grow a mustache. He still remembered vividly the day that Jeremiah Cek had come to his home town of Queens. He knew that trying to kill a dragon without the advantage of surprise on your side was suicide. He wanted nothing more than to pull back on his throttle until it was jammed and run afterburners until he arrived back home. Yet the soldier in him wanted revenge for his squad leader, his friend and mentor. Sal tucked his emotions away as he had been taught in basic training and formed up on Wolverine. They swung back around to engage the target.
Masi Lawrence sent a signal to his commanding officer on the ground.
Charlotte peered down at the two-way wrist communicator. A message beeped in her earpiece. The note from Wolverine saddened her at first. By the end of the message, she was merely angry; it read: first strike failed. SQNLDR  KIA. Engaging target. Requesting ground support. She spit on the ground in frustration, wondering how her small contingent had become involved in the never-ending war between the Ura and the people of High Garden Clearing. The capitol city of Ardile, which held the seat of political power, would no doubt hear of this ruthless attack by the Ura and demand that troops be sent to the Ura Forest. There would be an outcry from the public to destroy the main base of the demons, and their capitol city, The Ura Star. Charlotte relayed a message to the wizard resting in his tower.
Sebastian was now fully recovered from the physical and mental toll of imbuing the Tundra Sword with its rightful magical properties. He received the message from Charlotte on the communicator she left for him. His instructions were clear: should the battle turn ugly, signal the mages located in Consonance and have them open a portal to send the heavy-hitting mech-tanks for assistance.
Charlotte, along with Thame, periodically peeked around the corner of the red brick building they now hid behind. They were watching the heavy mech-tanks sweeping down the streets. The tanks were being controlled remotely by soldiers still on the large military base in Consonance.
“The reinforcements are here,” said Charlotte. “We need to pull back to Sebastian’s residence and get a portal to Consonance.”
“We can’t just leave these people here like this,” said Thame.
“They are not my responsibility,” said Charlotte. “You are. My orders clearly state that I need to get you back to the Pyramid ASAP after completion of the Tundra Sword.”
“I brought this upon these innocent people. I must see them safe.”
“If you wanna be a hero, then do it on your own time! I have orders. Orders that must be obeyed.”
Thame did not like the ominous tone in Charlotte’s voice. He looked in her direction, and the butt of Charlotte’s las-gun sped towards his face. He was rammed into unconsciousness and immediately his mind was whisked away to the Oresme Sphere.

Book Description

Thame Elliot, an expert Rietsu martial artist, is consumed with thoughts of avenging his father’s death and rebuilding the legendary Tundra Sword. Little does Thame know that his aunt, the first empress of the human continent, Eioda, Autumn Augustus, has set the nation on a course that can only lead to war with the Orcs. The mystical inhabitants on the planet, Threa have been plunged into a struggle for the ancient artifacts buried in the mysterious, Consummate of the Trust. Not only that but his aunt is hell bent on marrying him to a corrupt military admirals daughter while Thame’s spiritual guardian, Masaya from the Astral Plane tries to manipulate him in order to keep the heavens from falling apart. The fate of mankind rest in Thame’s young hands but does he even want the responsibility that goes along with being the chosen one. Or will Thame’s spiritual twin, imbued with dark powers granted by the evil one, assassinate him before he can fulfill his destiny.

Author Bio

Andre Alan was born and raised in Hartford, CT and attended college in New Haven, CT. After graduating with a degree in international business and a brief career as an IT data analyst in the insurance field, Andre Alan decided to follow his lifelong passion of creating fiction entertainment. With a small amount of artistic talent, some of his first memories are of drawing TMNT’s. After a brief, failed stint as a poet and a short lived comic book series, everything fell into place to pursue fantasy novel writing. An avid video gamer when there is time and an addict for Ramen Noodles. Andre is a sports fanatic and a lifelong student of international business; if the television is on (which it rarely is) it will be tuned into ESPN or CNBC.
You can find more about Andre on his website. You can also follow him on Twitter or check out his Facebook page.
You can get Heaven’s Fate at Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

Indie Author Interview: Andre Alan

Author Interview with Andre Alan - Author of the Science Fiction / Fantasy Heaven's Fate .

Andre Alan has created in his Fantasy novel a world rich with detail: colorful, sense invoking, swirl before your inner eye detail. The wonderful word scenes take you to another world where magical adventure awaits. It's an exciting, scary, and fascinating journey the reader takes with Thame.


Interview with Andre Alan

Author Andre Alan

Alan Kealey (Indie Author News): What is your (writing) background?
Andre Alan:Seven years ago I began writing fantasy and sci fi short stories but before that I was an artist. Once I started to create backstories for those drawn characters I began to ingest information on how to write. From books like Conflict and Suspense by James Scott Bell and Description & Setting by Ron Rozelle to Writers Digest website, I tried to do whatever it takes to learn the craft of writing. Before that, I only wrote papers for school.

Who are your favorite writers, your favorite books, and who or what are your writing influences?
Some of my favorite authors include Robert Jordan and his Wheel of Time series. He was a master at description, on par with Tolkien. The first book in the series: The Eye of the World inspired me to create my own unique world that the characters could inhabit. Also, Michael Connelly is another writer that I enjoy reading. I like the way he tells the story of his detective crime fiction books. Harry Bosch and Mickey Haller are two very galvanizing characters that push me to want to write better. Lastly but most certainly not least is R.A. Salvatore. The way he describes fighting scenes is mind blowing. I hope to one day be as proficient in my description of destruction and death.

When did you first know that you wanted to be a writer?
In 2005 when I worked as an IT Help Desk Analyst and was told to pick up a cop of Robert Jordan’s Eye of the World, after reading that I wanted to try and tell stories the way he did. Then I read R.A. Salvatore’s Dungeons and Dragons Series of books with my favorite dark elf, Drizzt Do’urden. After that, I fell into the Science Fiction whole and discovered Arthur C. Clarke’s 2001: A Space Odyssey with the immortal Hal 9000 and his series beginning with Time’s Eye. H.G. Wells The Time Machine and Spin by Robert Charles Wilson are two more sci fi novels that are special to me. I obviously was unable to read all of these titles in one year. But I feel as though all of these works of fiction confirmed for me the need to pursue my own writing.

Tell us about your writing process. Do you have a writing routine?

I usually get my best work done at night. I also need to be comfortable when I write. Whether it is lying down on my stomach in bed or reclining with music playing. I tend to start writing at 6:00PM after the PTI program goes off on ESPN. Unless there is a sports game on or some new interesting show, I turn off the television and turn up the tunes. Not only that but I have a tendency to repeatedly look at the word count meter in the bottom left hand corner of Microsoft Word, so I hide that section of the window off screen. I know I am a little weird that way but I can’t help it. If I don’t do that then I don’t get any work done.

"One of the hardest parts of the writing process is when I am staring at a white piece of paper..."

What do you find easiest about writing? What the hardest?
I think that at this early stage in my career nothing really comes easy. One part of the process that I do enjoy more than others is coming up with unique names for my characters and their settings. One of the hardest parts of the writing process is when I am staring at a white piece of paper and that tiny little black vertical line is blinking at me. I feel like it is a car’s turn signal telling me to go right (write); at least that is how I think of it.

Andre, please tell us a little about your novel Heaven's Fate.
Heaven’s Fate is a science fiction and fantasy novel that is told on, what I hope comes across as, a grand scale. I want it to be a story that is bigger than life. But I also want it to be able to connect with the reader. I hope that they understand the motives of the main character Thame Elliot. Thame lost his mother at birth and his father only ten years later who was murdered by his former classmate. Thame was then raised by his father’s other classmate, Autumn Augustus who eventually becomes the first female empress of the human nation of Eioda. The continent has large oceans bordering its eastern and western shores where other various races reside like the Orcs, Elves, and Gnomes.

Thame is determined to find out the name of the man that killed his father. Once he finds out who it is, he wants to deliver justice in the family name. Little does Thame know that powerful forces operating in the political, military, and business sectors are aligning to destroy his family name. Not only that but supernatural forces are pressing down on Thame’s psyche and try to control him. Luckily for Thame his birthright is one of the most powerful artifacts ever known to exist, the magical Tundra Sword. With this weapon, he can exact vengeance upon those that deserve to no longer exist by corrupting society.

Click to Read an Excerpt

What inspired you to write the book?
Inspiration for Heaven’s Fate came about in a very unique way. As I said before, I loved to draw when I was younger. While in college from 2000 to 2004 I was very much into Japanese anime and a particular show, Dragon Ball Z. The characters from Heaven’s Fate borrow some of the character and setting elements of the popular anime. However, originally I had planned for those characters to be a part of a comic book series that I wanted to create. After the first novel I created was almost stolen (for the record, about the first twenty five percent of the manuscript was stolen and plagiarized online *Be careful out there people. Be wary of who you show your work to.*) I decided to take the storyline of Heaven’s Fate the anime and turn it into a novel.

Who do you see as your target audience and where can we buy the book?
My target audience for this novel is Young Adults from the ages of sixteen to twenty one. I also feel that this book has enough to capture the attention of twenty two all the way to fifty plus years of age. This book has suspense, international intrigue, love, betrayal, and unique family drama that I think many people can relate to.

Heaven’s Fate can be purchased online at Amazon and Barnes & Noble. It is available in hardcover and eBook format.

How would you describe the success of your book so far? (Sales, Awards, Reviews)
So far sales have been pretty good. They can always be better but I am not complaining. I have yet to receive any awards but up until this point my novel – I think – has flown beneath the radar. However the reviews available on Amazon have been very positive, receiving an average rating of four out of five stars.

How long did it take to write the book?
I think it took me quite a while to finish this book. I spent – I think – a little over a year writing it down then almost as much as six months going through the reviewing, editing and revising process.

Please, tell us where you self-published the book.
I self-published the book using my private publishing company, EVapor Entertainment Inc. I thought that it was important to own all of the rights to the intellectual property that so much time has been invested into. Not only that but I think that I want to prove that I can produce a quality product without going through the major publishing houses.

How smooth went the self-publishing process? Any issues? What are things to look for when self-publishing a book?
The self-publishing process went pretty smoothly but with any new adventure that a person undertakes, there are going to be bumps along the way. With the setting of the publishing date far in advance of the completion of the novel, I ran into the problem of running past the deadline on multiple stages of the publishing process. Not only did I run long on my own deadline of writing, reading, re-reading, editing, and revising on the project but the multiple editors of the company ran over schedule, along with working with the distributor which resulted in pushing back the release date. File uploads and the book cover creation process had an almost never ending series of delays and restarts and re-uploads. But again this was my first time so things like this are to be expected.

One thing to look out for is not giving yourself enough time to make sure that the product you put out to the public is top-notch quality.

Did you hire an editor and/or Cover Designer for your book?
I hired several different editors for the different creation steps in the process of making the book. The cover design I developed on my own. Since I knew how to draw, I decided to show readers the design of the Tundra Sword. In hindsight it probably would have been a lot easier to just hire someone.

"One tip that I can give other authors is to find a good editor, not all editors are created equal."

Can you give some tips for other Indie Authors regarding the writing and self-publishing process?
One tip that I can give other authors is to find a good editor, not all editors are created equal. When you find one that you click with, stick with them. I think some authors marry their editors because they can correct so good, joking (*I’m not sure if that is true or not*). Another tip is to find a good cover designer if you cannot do it yourself. The cover, most of the time, is the first thing that the reader see’s (If you are lucky then the reader will see your spine first when they are walking down the aisle of a bookstore). Make sure everything is tight, if you know what I mean. Make sure that you’re i’s are dotted and your t’s are crossed. Nothing takes a reader out of the story quicker than a misspelled word but sometimes it happens and we can only hope that they continue to read due to the strength of the writer’s story telling ability. Also, pricing and marketing are essential if new and unknown authors want to generate sales. You must be a good businessman as well as a good writer in this new age of publishing because if people cannot afford your entertainment then they will never know how good it is.

Are you working on another book project? Can you tell us a little about it?
I’m currently working on the sequel to Heaven’s Fate. The second book in the series is titled Winter’s Legacy and is scheduled to be released in fall of 2013. I will try to give you a brief overview of book two without giving away any spoilers from the first book.
Winter’s Legacy begins with the main character Thame Elliot beginning to understand his purpose on Threa a little better. He also is starting to come to terms with the destiny that is laid out before him.

Are you planning to move forward as an Indie author or are you looking forward to have one of your next books to be traditionally published?
Unless I get a blockbuster deal from a traditional publishing house, I foresee that I will stick with my own publishing company that I started from scratch and try to turn my business into an international phenomenon. Not only that but I feel as though by using my own publishing company I have more control of the overall product. I can decide how I want the book covers to look and set a release date that is convenient for myself.

Where do you see the book market in 5 or 10 years? Will there be only eBooks and will book stores disappear like record stores disappeared?
In ten years I still do see book stores sparsely decorating the landscape. I feel like with the advent of the internet and companies like Amazon that can deliver a book to the customer in only a matter of a few days, will reduce some of the need of traditional book stores but not eliminate them completely. Unlike Record stores, Book stores still serve as a way to get the populace introduced to new authors that they have never heard of before because I feel like true book readers like to browse the aisle and also hold the actual soft cover or hard cover book in their hand. Unlike music, the average person cannot print out a quality hard cover book with their home printer, and bind it and so forth, the same way you can take a blank CD and write songs to the disc and play it in your CD. It is very hard and very cost intensive to create actual hard cover and soft cover books that can be held in a person’s hand. However, eBooks, like CD’s are changing the “Book Game” so to speak. With inexpensive, yet quality eReaders like the Nook and Kindle Fire, people will be able to acquire their favorite books from all of their favorite authors and carry 100 or 1000 books in their hand which would be impossible if you were forced to carry 100 soft cover books everywhere you went. With the convenience of eReaders and the availability of low priced, quality eBook files makes it more attractive to a younger audience.

But who knows, maybe one day the novelty of holding an actual book in your hand will fade as new generations come along.

Do you write full-time or do you have a day job?
Writing is my full-time job for the most part. I fancy myself somewhat of a stock trader during certain months of the year.

How can readers connect with you?

Readers can connect with me through multiple venues.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AndreAlanAuthor
Twitter: www.twitter.com/AndreAlanAuthor
Blog: http://ryukagebrainwork.blogspot.com/



Thank you very much for the Interview, Andre.

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About the Book Heaven's Fate

Click to Read an Excerpt

Will Thame get revenge for his father’s murder?
Will he live to fulfill the prophecy?
The answers are written in Heaven’s Fate.

Thame Elliot is Winter’s Legacy. On the planet Threa, in the human continent of Eioda, Thame is the one man everyone believes is prophesied to overthrow evil. Starting his journey to re-forge the Tundra Sword, a powerful relic from a time when demi-gods walked the planet, he is launched down a path that will either see him victorious as the hero or as the destroyer and the bringer of darkness.

With the powerful ancient artifacts recovered from the Consummate of the Trust, events have been set in motion that will determine the fate of the heavens. All the while, secret societies and government agencies politic with elf and Orc diplomats that seek to control the world.

"Heaven's Fate has a wide array of characters, with decent pacing and doesn't tend to drag between plot points. The novel has a complete concept and encompasses the proper scale of a fantasy world. The story is meant to be grand and that is exactly how it feels. The dialogue between characters is generally engaging and adds to the development of the plot." - Reader Review

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Links to the Book

Link to the eBook Heaven's Fate with Excerpt

Race, Relation, & Relevance

Earlier this month I watched a program called Open Court on NBA TV. They were doing a Black History Month Special. On a panel of ten people, eight were black and former basketball players while the other two people in the room were white, Steve Kerr who once played in the league and the moderator of the debate. One of the things that I found interesting about this panel, despite the lack of diversity, was the perspective from Steve Kerr. During the debate, he made an interesting comment, (this is me paraphrasing) “at least black people have a month; white people didn’t get anything.” Which was in response to Charles Barkley saying the joke, does Steve feel guilty that black people were given the shortest month. This statement triggered my train of thought down the following path.

I have always wondered how white people feel when they see something like Black History Month, Martin Luther King Jr Day, and the Black Entertainment Television (BET) channel. Because what is interesting to me – this is a story that I have never told anyone else – but while working at a department store I overheard two of my white co-workers talking as I walked by the television department and one of them said, “if white people had a channel like that (similar to BET, I guess a WET) then other races would be up in arms.” Although I did not say anything and kept on walking, that conversation has always remained in the back of my mind (this happened ten plus years ago).

I think that if white people had a WET or a white appreciation month it would not be perceived well, to say the least. Without a doubt, other races would scream bloody murder. Hispanics, blacks, and Asians would probably feel as though their worst nightmares are coming true because these races perceive that the world is already dominated by the white man. If we look throughout history, Caucasians have basically taken whatever they wanted and claimed it as their own; they already have the twelve months of the year and they own the history books.

What I don’t understand is how white people see the world. White people, I think as a collective group doesn’t realize the fact that – although some of them may not be Warren Buffet or Bill Gates – they still have an upper hand on every other race, especially black people, and especially in America. I think, white people don’t understand that by being born white, they are given the benefit of the doubt and that is something a black man never has. I’m not sure what the first thought is that a white person has when they see a black man but I am almost certain that it is more closely associated with a negative image rather than a positive one.

With that being said, I know for a fact that some black people look at other black people and they will think something negative first as opposed to opening welcome arms to your brother; but don’t get me started on black on black racism because I feel as though that is a much larger problem and a topic for another day. I mean seriously, how can we expect other races to take us seriously when we break our backs to perpetuate stereotypes and continue the “crab-in-a-bucket” mentality. I believe that part of the reason for this is because white people have controlled the narrative and the headlines for so long that black people have taken the stance of “don’t bite the hand that feeds you” which throughout history has been someone with white skin. Therefore, black people will put down other black people just to have a seat at the white mans table. How can we combat this, for one stop looking up to celebrities as if they are the saviors of the world. Secondly, the African American community needs more positive role models besides seeing the same tired images of black people on television. Thirdly, we need to value education more, which is easier said than done.

Lastly, as a side note, when are we going to stop idolizing celebrities and entertainers and start valuing the hard working business man or the quality teacher or the two parents that are still together and putting their child through college? When are we going to give regular people a chance to tell their story? Everyone has a unique tale to tell, not just sports heroes.

Character Profile – Thame, Heaven’s Fate

Taken from the glossary of the sequel to Heaven’s Fate, the highly anticipated second book in the Heaven Trilogy: Winter’s Legacy; the definition of Thame Elliot aka Snow:

His mother died giving birth. His father, Alex Elliot was murdered when he was twelve. He was raised by his father’s childhood classmate, Autumn Augustus. After learning who murdered his father, Thame carried out a savage revenge. In his wake, an evil twin emerged that now threatens to cover the world in darkness. Thame will do whatever it takes to track down Miles Xavier and bring him to justice.

The second novel is due to be released in the fall of 2013. When I first came up with the idea for Heaven’s Fate I was a sophomore in college. Back then I was convinced this title would turn into a comic book or maybe a cartoon; since at the time I drew heavy influences from the anime Dragon Ball Z. As the idea for the story continued to develop and the characters were fleshed out, it took almost a decade for all of the pieces to fall together properly in order to form the 90k word debut fantasy epic that is currently available. Not to mention the countless amount of time spent learning how to construct a proper novel, the hours upon hours spent reading and re-reading the finished product, only to send it off to my editor and go through the process all over.

Ideas go through several stages before the finished product reaches the customer. I don’t think readers realize how much actually goes on behind the scenes to put a work of fiction entertainment together; hell, I did not even know all of the work and strenuous hours that would be required of me before undertaking this process. I never really understood the mantra of being a ‘starving artist’ until I actually became a starving artist (and let me tell you, after nights on end of eating ramen noodles I have the high blood pressure to show that I have earned that title) because when you are younger, (and growing up I was always an artist, drawing this or that and doodling in class) you think that you are a starving artist and you think that it is so cool to be out in the world and pursuing your dreams. Those cold and lonely nights when you only have your ideas to keep you warm and fuel you to keep going, the term sinks in and has more weight to it. It means a lot more when you are actually going through it. But I guess that is with anything right, in order to understand something fully you have to go out and actually experience it, participate in the things that were wispy yet grand ideas in the days of your childhood.

With that being said, I hope you enjoy the book.

For those of you who missed your chance to win a free, signed copy of Heaven's Fate you just might be in luck. Be sure to check in with Indie Author News (http://www.indieauthornews.com/) on March 4, 2013 for my new exclusive interview and your chance to get a copy of Heaven's Fate which will be the Book of the Day and stop by for your chance to win.

Book Review: The Lincoln Lawyer

The Lincoln Lawyer written by Michael Connelly

An intense, riveting, page turner that leaves you on the edge of your suit and actually kind of makes you want to be a juror, just to have the chance to see the main character, Haller do his thing, old school style, just like his dad who was a lawyer that passed away when Haller was five. Even though Haller did not know his father, he ultimately ended up following in his old man’s footsteps by becoming a defense attorney.

Here is a joke for you: What is the difference between a catfish and a lawyer? One is a bottom feeding shit sucker while the other is a fish.

Michael Connelly tells the story of law as though he had been a practicing lawyer all his life and with an authenticity and creativity that actually kind of makes you want to go back to school and try your hand at law. The one thing that would stop me from becoming a lawyer however is the same that thing Haller was afraid of for his entire career, having an innocent man come to him for defense and he not be able to see it. Which is what ends up happening and now Haller must find a way to get the innocent man out of prison and find a way to put the newest client, an evil son-of-a-bitch behind bars for the rest of his life. 

Dishin' It Up with Fantasy Author, Andre Alan

I’d like to welcome author, Andre Alan, to DJ’s Book Corner. Thank you for taking the time to come dish it up with me.

My pleasure.

First question, when did you first know you wanted to be an author?

One of my coworkers in the year of 2006 told me to pick up a book titled ‘The Eye of the World’ by Robert Jordan and after reading that book I was inspired. I sort of stumbled into writing and being an author. I figured it would be a job that was a lot more fun than IT Help Desk support. Before that experience I had always been preparing to create a comic book and maybe even a cartoon since I love to draw. Yet after discovering the world of fantasy books I began to love to read and consequently, to write.

When did you write your first book?

I first starting writing in 2007. My first full length book was a story titled ‘Paladin Conscript’ that I originally set out to write as a novella. Then I challenged myself to see if I could turn it into a novel. Maybe one day I will release that novel to the public.

Tell us a little about your fantasy novel, Heaven’s Fate. Who or what inspired the title?

Heaven’s Fate is about a young man named Thame Elliot who lost his parents. He grew up with a lot of anger and insisted it was a government conspiracy. His father’s martial arts classmate, Autumn Augustus took in the young orphan boy and raised him. She is now the empress of the human continent Eioda.

The inspiration for the title came from the fact that Thame Elliot will eventually carry the fate of the entire world and all of the races that live there. Thame must learn to become the messiah in order to stop his nemesis, Miles Xavier from casting a spell that will bring the underworld up to dominate the world of Threa, where the living reside. With the help of his legendary mystical weapon that his father once wielded, the Tundra Sword, Thame will control the fate of everyone that has ever lived and even that of the dead.

Sum the main character Thame up in three words.

Driven. Dedicated. Determined.

What do you like best about writing fantasy novels?

Seeing my ideas take shape and transforming a blank piece of paper into a mystery world that no one has ever seen before. Plus when you go through the different editing phases you get to know the story inside out and start to have a deeper connection with the characters and the world that they inhabit.

What is your writing schedule like?

As random as the weather, sometimes I start writing at 1AM only to finish at 5AM but then again sometimes I will start at Noon and keep going until 8 PM. It really varies based on how I am feeling that day. I try to stick to a weekly writing quota as opposed to a daily one.

Do you need absolute quiet to write? Do you listen to music when you are writing?

No, I don’t necessarily NEED quiet to write but sometimes I do prefer it. I also like to write with music playing softly in the background as well since it helps to make the time fly by. I feel as though music helps to put me in the mood of writing and helps me to convey certain feelings.

Who are three of your favorite authors? Books?

Three of my favorite authors: R.A. Salvatore, James Patterson, Robert Jordan. While three of my favorite books are: ‘The Eye of the World’ by Robert Jordan, ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ by Arthur C. Clarke, and ‘The Holy Bible’ by Various Authors.

As an author, what is the best compliment you could receive from a reader?

To be perfectly honest, I am not really sure. But I guess what I would love to hear is that my novel somehow, in some way, shape or form connected with the reader on a deeper lever and took them on an unforgettable journey. I just hope that my book does not waste anyone’s time and that it is entertaining.

My Super Silly Question: Since you like video games, Snowman (cookie) versus Gingerbread Man (cookie) in Call of Duty...who would be the victor?

LOL…, okay, this is a hard one, but I think I would have to go with the Gingerbread Man. He seems like he is a bit tougher, plus he has more of a soldier type of build.

Diantha: Plus Gingerdude has the spice factor going on, right?

Now for the Quickie...

eBooks or Paperbacks? Paperbacks

Vampires or Werewolves? Vampires

Playstation or Xbox? Playstation

ESPN or CNBC? ESPN

Ruffles or Lays? Lays

Kindle or Nook? Kindle

Coffee or Tea? Tea

Music or Movies? Movies

Thanks Andre! It's been fun!
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Author Interview

Andre Alan

December 21, 2012

Courtesy of Brook Syers Blog

http://brooksyers.blogspot.com/p/author-interviews.html

Hello and welcome to The Brook Syers Blog!  Are you ready for some really tough questions?  Just kidding, I’ll go easy on you. 

Thanks, I’m still new to all this.

Tell us a little about yourself? Perhaps something not many people know?

Something that not too many people know…,

What made you want to become a writer?

I have always felt a need to create something. I was never really good at math so engineer was out of the question. Since I used to draw cartoon characters when I was young I eventually started creating my own characters and then making stories for them.

Do you have any hidden or uncommon talents?

Not unless you count the ability to play videos games for hours on end then no, I can’t really think of anything. I’m a pretty basic dude.

What gives you inspiration for your book(s)?

Crappy TV shows and sucky movies. Have you ever seen or read something that made you wonder, who thought this was a good idea. I want to create entertainment that takes people on a journey.

Are your characters based off real people or did they all come entirely from your imagination?

Almost entirely from my imagination. I do like to take certain character traits from people that I have met, but it’s mostly a mixing and matching of identities.

Could you tell us a bit about your most recent book and why it is a must-read?

My most recent book is my debut sci-fi, fantasy novel, Heaven’s Fate. This story is the uncovering of a hero who wants nothing more than to follow his father’s footsteps, into the grave. Thame Elliot is blinded by revenge while his aunt, the first empress of the human nation tries to prevent a war. With God’s that grant paladins special powers and what some to believe a corrupt church under the control of a secret organization, Heaven’s Fate transports the reader to magical world of Threa, with dragons, demons, and ghouls, oh my. LOL (sorry couldn’t help myself)

What do you love most about the writing process?

I love the creation process and seeing a story take shape before your eyes. I love to take blank pieces of paper and turn them into works of art, one way or another.

Of all the characters you have created, which is your favorite and why?

I think my two favorite characters would have to be a tie between Miles Xavier and Autumn Augustus. Miles because I feel like the key to a good story is a believable villain. Autumn because I think she is a strong female character.

What is the biggest surprise that you experienced after becoming a writer?

My biggest surprise would be the difference between how writers are romanticized in popular fiction compared to the reality.

Do you have a day job in addition to being a writer?  If so, what do you do during the day? 

Other than managing my investments from time to time, I am a writer all day.

Tell us a little about your plans for the future.  Where do you see yourself as a writer in five years?  Do you have any other books in the works?

In five years I see myself with several novels under my belt and maybe even something that is a moving picture.

Right now I am working on the second book in the Heaven Trilogy, Winter’s Legacy. That novel will be out some time next year.

And now, just some little random questions!

Favorite TV show?

The Big Bang Theory

Favorite movie?

The Matrix

Favorite city?

My home town of Hartford, CT

Favorite food?

Crab legs

Favorite book?

The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan

To conclude, is there anything you would like to say to your readers?

Thanks for the support and stay tuned for more exciting and action packed and intense works of fiction.

It was a pleasure hosting you on my blog today.  I wish you all the best in your career!

Thank you very much.

Please provide links to the following:

Blog: http://ryukagebrainwork.blogspot.com/

Website: http://www.evaporent.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AndreAlanAuthor

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AndreAlanAuthor

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Heavens-Fate-Andre-Alan/dp/0615634249/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1350749220&sr=8-1&keywords=heavens+fate+andre+alan

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/heavens-fate-andre-alan/1110389657?ean=9780615634241