Your online source for Interviews and more!
An interview with A. F. Stewart author of Chronicles of the Dead, Tears of Poetry, Inside Realms and The Incomplete List of Action Movie Clichés.
Hello and welcome to another session of 10 Quick Questions with
Dave, I’m your host Dave Tallman and today I am chatting with A.F.
Stewart Author of the Chronicles of the Undead, Inside Realms,
Tears of Poetry and The Incomplete List of Action Movie
Clichés.
Ok then let’s get started:
Me:
First I’d like to thank you for taking the time to do this
interview. I read on your profile that you are a poet as well as a
Novelist, what kind of poetry do you write?
AFS:
I write free verse poetry, incorporating Celtic mythology, history
or anything that peaks my interest. My poetry tends to be
reflective or contemplative, even dark. I don’t write romantic or
sweet poems.
Me:
In Tears of Poetry you have a collection of poems, is there a
general theme to the series of poems or are they random thoughts
and verse?
AFS:
Tears of Poetry is divided into two sections. The first part is a
selection of random poems, inspired by diverse subjects; there are
poems examining Jim Morrison, fantasy, death, history and nature.
The second half of Tears is a mixture of my Celtic poetry, based on
the mythology and history of Ireland , Wales and Scotland .
Me:
How long have you been writing, and how many books over all have
you published to date?
AFS:
I’ve been writing ever since I learned to put words on paper, and
over the years have tried, unsuccessfully, to get published.
It is only recently that I decided to pursue the idea of
independent publishing when I discovered Lulu.com on an internet
search. To date I’ve published four books; their sales haven’t been
through the roof, but I’ve gotten great feedback from readers.
Me:
I see by your Bio that you have done poetry, nonfiction, and
fiction writing, which genre is your preference?
AFS:
I like writing fiction best, watching the plot and the characters
unfold and grow out of a singular idea is satisfying.
Writing poetry is what comes easiest to me, though.
Me:
What can you tell us about your nonfiction publication, The
Incomplete List of Action Movie Clichés, how did that come about
and where did you come up with the reference materials?
AFS:
The book actually started as a conversation with friends over
dinner as we came up with a list of clichéd scenes in action
movies. It wasn’t until I was watching the movie The Marine (it is
amazing how many clichés are in that film) that I decided to write
a book about Action Movie Clichés.
The book is a small volume, listing 30 ultimate clichés, plus film
examples where you can see them. You can read about such favorites
as the shattering Plate Glass, Really Bad Aim, Wanton Destruction,
and Losing the Gun.
I’m currently working on a sequel, The Incomplete Guide to Action
Movies. As for reference material, I just had to raid my DVD
collection; it was the best research I’m ever done.
Me:
In order to take on such a daunting task as movie clichés, you must
have a very large repartee of movie knowledge, how long have you
been a movie buff?
AFS:
I fell under the spell of movies as child, after watching the
original Stars Wars (it’s still my all-time favorite movie).
The fascination with action movies came later after I watched
Lethal Weapon; something about fight scenes and explosions just
appeals to me. Many of my favorite films are action movies: Lethal
Weapon, Die Hard, the Kill Bill films, Crank.
Me:
With Inside Realms you’ve put together a collection of short
stories, what can we expect to find included?
AFS:
Inside Realms is a hodgepodge of nine fantasy stories.
The first three stories in the book are set in the fantasy world of
my current work-in-progress, Song of the Wind and Sea. (This novel
deals with the Wizard Order of the Song Mage and a world where
magic is entirely dependent on musical talent). Two of my short
stories tell how this Wizard Order was founded and the other is a
tale of the wizard Diarmid, who is the main character in Song of
the Wind and Sea.
The rest of Inside Realms gives the reader two stories about the
legends of King Arthur, a story about the ghostly Undead, a modern
day vampire tale, a myth about the Gods of the Second World, and a
paranormal romance set in historic, Roman Britain.
Me:
Do you have a favorite character that you have created and who or
what would that character be?
AFS:
I love all my characters, even the villains, but I do have a
special fondness for Nimue, the narrator of the short story
Legendary Debts (from Inside Realms). She’s an immortal sorceress
with a strong, quirky personality.
Me:
Your Chronicles of the Undead is written in a very interesting
style, could you elaborate on how it was done and why you chose the
dates that you did?
AFS:
Chronicles of the Undead is a novella written entirely as diary
entries from three different characters, with no dialogue.
The book starts in the late 18th century with the diary of Samuel
Harrington, whose interaction with two vampires begins a chain of
events that impact his son Edmund. Edmund’s diaries overlap events
in his father’s and continues the story. The last diary belongs to
Charlotte Harrington, who discovers her family’s dark secrets and
inherits their strange legacy. It is an unusual format, but I felt
that this style conveyed a certain intimacy as well as the
formality of the time period.
I knew I wanted the book to start after the French Revolution, as
my main vampire was French and had fled France for England . I also
knew I wanted the last part of the book to be set in the early part
of the 19th century, around the Regency period. I figured the
timeline from those two specifics, factoring in the characters
ages, and started the diaries in 1793.
Me:
I’ll end with the standard what’s next for you? Where do you see
yourself in five years, ten and beyond?
AFS:
At the moment I’m working (at least that's the plan) on two books:
my sequel to The Incomplete List of Action Movie Clichés, and the
first book in my proposed Song Mage series, Song of the Wind and
Sea; after that I have three more books planned.
I am also considering submitting future books to the world of small
press publishing and expanding my repertoire to flash fiction.
I have no absolutely idea where I’ll be in five or ten years, I
have enough trouble figuring out where I’ll be next week.
Here are my links (Feel free to use any or all):
Website: "http://afallon.bravehost.com/">http://afallon.bravehost.com/
Press Kit: "http://ca.geocities.com/gwenhwyfar32000/">http://ca.geocities.com/gwenhwyfar32000/
Blog: "http://afstewartblog.blogspot.com/">http://afstewartblog.blogspot.com/
Book Links:
Inside Realms: "http://www.squidoo.com/fantasycollection">http://www.squidoo.com/fantasycollection
Chronicles of the Undead: "http://www.squidoo.com/undeadchronicles">http://www.squidoo.com/undeadchronicles
I also have a link that incorporates The Incomplete List of Action
Movie Clichés and the upcoming The Incomplete Guide to Action
Movies.
Action Movie Central: "http://www.squidoo.com/actionflick">http://www.squidoo.com/actionflick
Dave, I’m your host Dave Tallman and today I am chatting with A.F.
Stewart Author of the Chronicles of the Undead, Inside Realms,
Tears of Poetry and The Incomplete List of Action Movie
Clichés.
Ok then let’s get started:
Me:
First I’d like to thank you for taking the time to do this
interview. I read on your profile that you are a poet as well as a
Novelist, what kind of poetry do you write?
AFS:
I write free verse poetry, incorporating Celtic mythology, history
or anything that peaks my interest. My poetry tends to be
reflective or contemplative, even dark. I don’t write romantic or
sweet poems.
Me:
In Tears of Poetry you have a collection of poems, is there a
general theme to the series of poems or are they random thoughts
and verse?
AFS:
Tears of Poetry is divided into two sections. The first part is a
selection of random poems, inspired by diverse subjects; there are
poems examining Jim Morrison, fantasy, death, history and nature.
The second half of Tears is a mixture of my Celtic poetry, based on
the mythology and history of Ireland , Wales and Scotland .
Me:
How long have you been writing, and how many books over all have
you published to date?
AFS:
I’ve been writing ever since I learned to put words on paper, and
over the years have tried, unsuccessfully, to get published.
It is only recently that I decided to pursue the idea of
independent publishing when I discovered Lulu.com on an internet
search. To date I’ve published four books; their sales haven’t been
through the roof, but I’ve gotten great feedback from readers.
Me:
I see by your Bio that you have done poetry, nonfiction, and
fiction writing, which genre is your preference?
AFS:
I like writing fiction best, watching the plot and the characters
unfold and grow out of a singular idea is satisfying.
Writing poetry is what comes easiest to me, though.
Me:
What can you tell us about your nonfiction publication, The
Incomplete List of Action Movie Clichés, how did that come about
and where did you come up with the reference materials?
AFS:
The book actually started as a conversation with friends over
dinner as we came up with a list of clichéd scenes in action
movies. It wasn’t until I was watching the movie The Marine (it is
amazing how many clichés are in that film) that I decided to write
a book about Action Movie Clichés.
The book is a small volume, listing 30 ultimate clichés, plus film
examples where you can see them. You can read about such favorites
as the shattering Plate Glass, Really Bad Aim, Wanton Destruction,
and Losing the Gun.
I’m currently working on a sequel, The Incomplete Guide to Action
Movies. As for reference material, I just had to raid my DVD
collection; it was the best research I’m ever done.
Me:
In order to take on such a daunting task as movie clichés, you must
have a very large repartee of movie knowledge, how long have you
been a movie buff?
AFS:
I fell under the spell of movies as child, after watching the
original Stars Wars (it’s still my all-time favorite movie).
The fascination with action movies came later after I watched
Lethal Weapon; something about fight scenes and explosions just
appeals to me. Many of my favorite films are action movies: Lethal
Weapon, Die Hard, the Kill Bill films, Crank.
Me:
With Inside Realms you’ve put together a collection of short
stories, what can we expect to find included?
AFS:
Inside Realms is a hodgepodge of nine fantasy stories.
The first three stories in the book are set in the fantasy world of
my current work-in-progress, Song of the Wind and Sea. (This novel
deals with the Wizard Order of the Song Mage and a world where
magic is entirely dependent on musical talent). Two of my short
stories tell how this Wizard Order was founded and the other is a
tale of the wizard Diarmid, who is the main character in Song of
the Wind and Sea.
The rest of Inside Realms gives the reader two stories about the
legends of King Arthur, a story about the ghostly Undead, a modern
day vampire tale, a myth about the Gods of the Second World, and a
paranormal romance set in historic, Roman Britain.
Me:
Do you have a favorite character that you have created and who or
what would that character be?
AFS:
I love all my characters, even the villains, but I do have a
special fondness for Nimue, the narrator of the short story
Legendary Debts (from Inside Realms). She’s an immortal sorceress
with a strong, quirky personality.
Me:
Your Chronicles of the Undead is written in a very interesting
style, could you elaborate on how it was done and why you chose the
dates that you did?
AFS:
Chronicles of the Undead is a novella written entirely as diary
entries from three different characters, with no dialogue.
The book starts in the late 18th century with the diary of Samuel
Harrington, whose interaction with two vampires begins a chain of
events that impact his son Edmund. Edmund’s diaries overlap events
in his father’s and continues the story. The last diary belongs to
Charlotte Harrington, who discovers her family’s dark secrets and
inherits their strange legacy. It is an unusual format, but I felt
that this style conveyed a certain intimacy as well as the
formality of the time period.
I knew I wanted the book to start after the French Revolution, as
my main vampire was French and had fled France for England . I also
knew I wanted the last part of the book to be set in the early part
of the 19th century, around the Regency period. I figured the
timeline from those two specifics, factoring in the characters
ages, and started the diaries in 1793.
Me:
I’ll end with the standard what’s next for you? Where do you see
yourself in five years, ten and beyond?
AFS:
At the moment I’m working (at least that's the plan) on two books:
my sequel to The Incomplete List of Action Movie Clichés, and the
first book in my proposed Song Mage series, Song of the Wind and
Sea; after that I have three more books planned.
I am also considering submitting future books to the world of small
press publishing and expanding my repertoire to flash fiction.
I have no absolutely idea where I’ll be in five or ten years, I
have enough trouble figuring out where I’ll be next week.
Here are my links (Feel free to use any or all):
Website: "http://afallon.bravehost.com/">http://afallon.bravehost.com/
Press Kit: "http://ca.geocities.com/gwenhwyfar32000/">http://ca.geocities.com/gwenhwyfar32000/
Blog: "http://afstewartblog.blogspot.com/">http://afstewartblog.blogspot.com/
Book Links:
Inside Realms: "http://www.squidoo.com/fantasycollection">http://www.squidoo.com/fantasycollection
Chronicles of the Undead: "http://www.squidoo.com/undeadchronicles">http://www.squidoo.com/undeadchronicles
I also have a link that incorporates The Incomplete List of Action
Movie Clichés and the upcoming The Incomplete Guide to Action
Movies.
Action Movie Central: "http://www.squidoo.com/actionflick">http://www.squidoo.com/actionflick
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Sheila Deeth on
-
Neat interview. Thanks for inviting me to the site Dave. I shall enjoy reading all these interviews, and it's nice to have them in one place.
-
Permalink Reply by Dave-10 Quick Questions founder on
-
You are very welcome, feel free to add comments or questions.
Sheila Deeth said:Neat interview. Thanks for inviting me to the site Dave. I shall enjoy reading all these interviews, and it's nice to have them in one place.
-
Permalink Reply by Linda Nelson on
-
Great interview Dave. The story Chronicles of the Undead sounds like a really neat book. Thanks for sharing the links too.
About
© 2010 Created by Dave-10 Quick Questions founder on Ning. Create a Ning Network!
