Transcript: Alan Baxter Interview

RyanASpan: Welcome everyone to our very first Twitterview with @AlanBaxter. Alan, what was the first time you knew you wanted to be a writer?

AlanBaxter: When I was about 7 and handed in an epic three page story. Everyone else had written 1 or 2 paragraphs!

RyanASpan: Ha, I see. What drew you to writing genre fiction, rather than more ordinary works? Was your story an SFF one too? ; )

thurtinkle: Hi Alan. How do you balance inspiration, structure and characterisation in a story?

AlanBaxter: It was genre, actually – a guy lost in time, being chased by dinosaurs, I think. I just love the scope to explore the imagination that spec fic allows. Why be tied down by reality? @thurtinkle Inspiration comes first, then structure is planned. If it’s done well, characterisation happens organically.

RyanASpan: Let’s talk a little bit about MageSign. Where did the idea come from? What made this particular story come alive?

ErgoFiction: What was your coolest experience with a fan ?
AlanBaxter: MageSign is a direct sequel to RealmShift. I actually had the idea for it in a flash while writing RealmShift which was intended to be a standalone book. Both books still are, but best read in sequence. I can’t really say much without giving away a lot. Suffice to say that it was fun playing with the consequences of RealmShift. @ErgoFiction I once had this chick want me to sign her boobs. No wait – that was a dream. To be honest, I’ve never had anything freaky. The best for me is people telling…

RyanASpan: I should’ve started asking about RealmShift, shouldn’t I? ; ) Proof that this is live and uncut, folks.

AlanBaxter: @ErgoFiction …me they loved the books out of the blue. It’s great to get emails from strangers saying they dig my stuff. @RyanASpan Well, MageSign was the book released last year… : ) RealmShift was an idea born from the character. I came up with this powerful immortal idea while travelling.

BordersParra: Hi Alan, what city are you in?

RyanASpan: What made you decide to release RS and MS with Blade Red Press? Was creating a small publisher in the plans all along?

AlanBaxter: My “Walking the Earth like Cane from Kung Fu” period, as I like to call it. The story grew around the character.

BordersParra: Would you be interested in doing a book signing/author chat at Borders Parramatta?

AlanBaxter: @BordersParra I’m about an hour and half south of Sydney, near Kiama. @RyanASpan Not really. It was something that grew as I learned more about publishing and wanted to get involved. We’ve got a GREAT antho coming out soon, incidentally! http://bit.ly/6VuSwN : ) @BordersParra Absolutely – more than happy to.

RyanASpan: Very subtle plug there, my friend. ; ) Tell us, what’s your biggest challenge in writing?

AlanBaxter: @RyanASpan It’s not a bad problem to have. My biggest problem is finding time to write all the things I have in my head! Otherwise I see it as a challenge to constantly improve my craft, which I hopefully do!

RyanASpan: And tell us a little bit about the antho! This is BRP’s first anthology, isn’t it?

AlanBaxter: It is. Whether it’s the only one remains to be seen! It’s a selection of 14 dark speculative fiction stories from authors all over the world. Very exciting – a really great set of yarns, including sci fi, fantasy, horror, etc.

Thereseferguson: Yay! @AlanBaxter is coming to Parramatta! lol

AlanBaxter: @thereseferguson Is that where you are?

RyanASpan: That’s cool. On a lighter note, who’s your favourite author, and what’s your favourite book?

AlanBaxter: Man, fave book and author questions ruin me. It’s like picking a favourite child…

Thereseferguson: Yes I’m in the Parra area. Does that mean you’re not coming now? lol

RyanASpan: Pfft, dodging the question, Mr. Baxter! We’ll be deducting points for that! ; )

AlanBaxter: @RyanASpan I’m a fan of Neil Gaiman, Lovecraft, Pratchett, Iain M Banks, Alan Moore, Douglas Adams, Garth Ennis, William Gibson. @thereseferguson More reason to come! @RyanASpan Best thing I read last year was a novella called “Wives” by the brilliant Paul Haines. Another Aussie. It was in the X6 Novellanthology from Coeur de Lion Publishing.

Thereseferguson: Are you going to turn MageSign and RealmShift into a trilogy?

AlanBaxter: @thereseferguson I keep getting asked that. : ) Only if a really good idea comes along. I only planned one book, then got…

RyanASpan: Excellent. Might have to pick that up. So what’s next for you? A sequel to MageSign, or something entirely different?

AlanBaxter: @thereseferguson inspired while writing it for the second. At the moment it stands as a duology! I am working on a third book, in the same “universe”, but all new characters. There will be a cameo or two though not sure if that really counts as a trilogy! @RyanASpan Like I said to Therese, I am working on a third book. Same world, new stories. There will be cameos. I’ve also been working a new novella, that I’ve just subbed to a publisher, so all cross your fingers for me! I’m also planning another “Ghost Of The Black” novella, and I’ve been working on short fiction a lot.

Thereseferguson: Maybe people that have read the duology can help provide you with some inspiration for a storyline.

Thereseferguson: It only counts as a trilogy if the main character is in the 3rd book.

AlanBaxter: @RyanASpan Just noticed your admonishment for dodging the question! Sorry about that! : ) @thereseferguson Exactly – and he will be in it, but only in a very minor cameo role. If at all… I might change my mind yet!

RyanASpan: Gotcha. In closing, before I let the masses ravage you with questions,is there anything you’d like to say to the fans?

AlanBaxter: @thereseferguson I love the character of Isiah and will definitely write more if good ideas come along. But only with good ideas – not just for the sake of it. @RyanASpan Really, I’m just so glad to think that there are fans, it’s humbling. Thanks to everyone that has read the books! Am I going to be ravaged now? Excellent! Anyone lurking, feel free to weigh in!

Thereseferguson: You’re always going to get good and bad ideas when you ask for readers participation in a storyline.

AustLiterature: Is there any part of the writing process more challenging than other parts, e.g. first sentence vs last sentence?

AlanBaxter: @thereseferguson I’m always open to suggestions/interpretations, etc. from readers. I may not use them, but I love to hear them!

Thereseferguson: That’s great that Borders at Parra want to introduce your books into their store. It’s very popular!

AlanBaxter: @AustLiterature I’m always paranoid about endings. I want the journey to be really satisfying for the readers so I agonise over endings. And opening on a note to get people hooked, I suppose. But ends scare me more!

AlanBaxter: @thereseferguson It’s fantastic.

RyanASpan: Thanks very much for the opportunity to Twitterview you,it’s been quite fun! Good luck with all your upcoming projects.

AlanBaxter: @RyanASpan Thanks Ryan – great to be Twitterviewed! If anyone has anything else, I’m always around on Twitter. I try to answer everything I can! ; )

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ALAN BAXTER is an Australian author & martial artist. His dark fantasy thriller novels, RealmShift and MageSign, are available now. Check out http://www.alanbaxteronline.com for details. Alan also runs the Illawarra Kung Fu Academy http://www.illawarrakungfu.com.au

RYAN SPAN is living in the UK, currently enjoying sunny England. Ryan is a writer at heart. Not a tortured author, not even a starving one, just someone who loves writing fiction. No genre is too obscure, no plot too outlandish, and Ryan gets plenty of opportunity to dabble in off-beat stories with his RPG work. In his own time, however, Ryan tends to devote himself to science-fiction http://crossedswords.co.nr/

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