Hello, everyone. I thought I would throw the spotlight on a fellow fantasy author and show some support where I can.
Gary Vanucci is a writer with a definite plan. Last year, he published his debut novel,
Covenant of the Faceless Knights: Beginnings and has recently begun releasing short stories revealing the histories and colorful pasts of the main characters of that world.
All right, let's learn more about Gary.
Hi, Gary. Would you please introduce yourself to the
readers?
Hello, all. I am from a small town in Pennsylvania just
north of Philadelphia. I grew up reading comics and sci-fi/fantasy novels,
which opened my imagination to degrees I never thought possible. I played
role-playing games of all kinds and the experiences sent my mind somewhere
different. I spent time in the late 80’s as a singer in a hard rock band,
obtained a degree in Graphic Design and illustrated and wrote stories, games,
etc. I found that as I grew older, my illustration and design fell to the
wayside, but my love of writing moved forward. I am currently in the process of
expanding on that love of writing. My goals in the next few years include
improving on my current writing style, finding my ‘voice’ and adding more depth
to my writing as I move forward. I live ‘outside the box’.
You and I have worked together recently. I’ve provided
artwork for some of your publications so I am aware of some of the things you
will be publishing, but for those that may not know, tell everyone what your
plans are for the future with your company.
I intend on pushing the
Realm of Ashenclaw for the
foreseeable future, so people had better get used to seeing it!
I have grandiose plans for the world, including 5 more full length novels (am
currently working on #2) to hopefully finish the storyline that I am working on
now with the current characters. I also plan on writing a few more short
stories in the future that focus on the ‘bad guys’, as well as full length
novel plans telling the story of the main protagonist:
Zabalas Dimonia. I even
started a story telling the
Legend of Ashenclaw and how it shaped the current
version of the world. I also have my sights set on giving away a few more short
stories on my blog occasionally as I have a few more ideas floating around in
my head that need to come out! In the next few years, I would love to expand
the universe and possibly opening it up to other writers to share in it.
I know that you are an avid gamer. What role do you think
gaming has played in your creative career?
Gaming had introduced me to so many things. It opens the
mind to new experiences and really pushes your imagination. As a game master
(the guy who runs the games), I found that I was under deadlines to get things
done, so it really prepares you for many things, including public speaking,
making your thoughts coherent and also provides leadership experiences.
What writers do you think have had the most influence on
you?
Anyone that knows me knows that
R. A. Salvatore is my
favorite author. I aspire to his greatness and I will tell you why. When he
tells a story, it brings vivid imagery to mind. His characters are fairly
unique and extremely enjoyable to read and his combat scenes are the best I’ve read.
I aspire to do exactly all of these things. I also enjoy a few lesser known
authors, including
James Silke and all of the writers that worked on the
Wild
Cards series that I enjoyed in the mid-80’s. That included
George R. R. Martin
as their editor. Those stories are a must read for anyone who enjoys
superheroes, though it tells it realistically as opposed to what you read in
comics. I also very much enjoyed the unmatched wit of
Douglas Adams, the
funniest writer to walk the face of the planet (in my opinion).
Do you have plans to write stories that are set outside the
Realm of Ashenclaw? Other genres, perhaps?
If I do, it may be under a pen name! I have interests in
many things and tons of ideas floating around in my cranium. I have a series of
futuristic bounty-hunters set in the late 2000’s that I began writing in
1998-1999 that has 200 pages finished and is just sitting there…waiting. I
would also like to try my hand at comedy in the future as well. Let’s just say
that I am not ruling anything out.
How do you usually work? Do you outline a story first or
just dive in and work out the details along the way? Do you give yourself a
quota to meet, for example a specific amount of words per day or week?
The first novel was written with very few notes. I just
plowed through it and let the chips fall where they may. I had an idea from the
notes and kind of let them take me where they wanted to go. The world I spent a
good deal of time on with a friend (
Nicholas Titano of Infernal Titans), who
helped me shape it and helped me name things. As far as the books go, I have
gone back and outlined a good deal of it and I have an overarching storyline
that makes sense to me. I begin to outline a book in greater detail before I
start to write it and it goes from there. For the most part, I never know what
I am going to write from one page to the next. It’s kind of fun that way! I
also try to write 5k words a week. I often fall short with my blog and other
commitments, but that is my goal. Last two weeks, I did write over 10,000 words
though! I just started a new job, too, so I have another test period for a
month or so until I get used to it.
What would you consider the drawbacks and/or benefits of
self-publishing?
The only drawback I see is getting noticed. There is a
plethora of self-published books that are out there and it is up to the people
to decide what they like based on reviews and samples. I just try to put my
best work out there and hope than when I am discovered, the reader sees that I
put an effort into it and had it edited, etc. There is nothing worse than an
‘author’ who puts out an unpolished book and expects anyone to pay for it.
How important do you consider reviews on your work?
It is one of my more popular posts and seems to have gotten
support from most authors and readers. That being said, I suppose it really
doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things. Sometimes I feel it is very
important and other times I think it doesn’t make one iota of difference.
Depends what day you catch me.
How much do you participate in social media? Do you think it
has an impact on your book sales?
I am a social media maniac. I believe that it is important
and really it is the only way we can get our work some exposure. It doesn’t
cost anything and after a while, it seems to have an impact. I try to post some
things that are personal in between promotional texts in order to interact with
people. I also try to help other authors in retweeting and promoting them too,
especially ones that have gone out of their way to aid me.
Just for fun, fast forward ten years. They are making a
movie of Covenant of the Faceless Knights. Which actors do you see playing
which characters?
I have thought about this a few times and am at a loss. I
know that I would love for Mila Kunis to play Rose if she wanted the part! I
would sprinkle in a few famous names with new talent and look for several new
actors to try giving them the break that I want right now: Just a shot at
dazzling an audience.
Do you have any advice for someone considering a writing
career?
Yeah, don’t! All kidding aside, I was told by an amazing
fantasy author once that writing is not for the lazy. I couldn’t agree more. First
of all, do it because you want to and not to ‘make it big’, because that is a
one in a million shot. It could be you, but it probably won’t be…lol. Do it
because you love it. Also, if you plan on doing it seriously, then please do it
right. If you put junk out there and call yourself an author, it makes it
harder for the other talented indie authors to have any credence or validity.
And above all: READ! I know plenty of authors who don’t read. Find time to do
it. Writers who don’t read, in my humble opinion, will eventually become
stagnant and their work will suffer. Do it and do it well is what I say.
Thank you very much for the interview, Gary!
Do yourself a favor and visit Gary's blog. Read the samples of his stories that are available on his Amazon page. You might find it very much to your liking. I did.
William
