Doodles, doodles everywhere congratulates author Christian Nadeau on the release of his book, Seeds of Hatred! Let's welcome him on the blog for an interview with DDE today. Read on!
1. How did you decide to write the Scions Awakened series?
I've been wanting to write for a long while. Back in high school, I would start drafts, but I'd end up letting them go after a few months. I liked Lord of the Rings, but it didn't touch me the way it did some of my friends. I found it too stark black and white, too all or nothing in it's approach whereas I'm all for shades of gray as it makes for more relatable characters on both the antagonist and protagonist sides. As contradictory as it seems, there's also the element of realism I wanted to respect. It's hard to fear for a hero when he can face off against a hundred enemies and come up on top. So, around 2004, I sat down and decided I would write a story and get to the end of it. I had a huge D&D setting I wanted to use (with heavy modifications, I didn't want to write a D&D story), so I thought about another setting with a slight horror feel to it I could use for "practice". I was so naive...
So, once I'd chosen the setting in which I wanted to tell a story, I had to come up with a story, and a good story needs a theme. Vengeance came right away, the cycle of ongoing hatred, someone wrongs you, you wrong him in turn and when does it stop? After a few cycles, how can you tell the difference between who's in the right and who's in the wrong?
2. Did you start writing Seeds of Hatred with the clear idea of a series in mind or did you decide that during the process of writing?
Right away, I knew I was going for a trilogy. It's classic, but at the same time, a lot about Seeds and its two follow-ups is about starting with something familiar and trying to go in a different way. For the story I had in mind, I needed to put things in place, explore the build-up to the conflict. In the second part, the conflict will degenerate and war will start to take its toll. Finally in the third part, the conflict will be resolved but in terrible sorrow.
3. Can you tell us what kind of research went behind Seeds of Hatred?
To be honest, not a lot. There were a few things regarding the lethality of certain blows which I did research on when I was challenged. Most of my research efforts were rather put into building the world, thinking about the history and different interaction of factions throughout this history.
4. How did you celebrate the sale of your first book?
Actually I didn't! Perhaps back then it's because I'd just realized I'd made a huge mistake and would need to rework the whole novel. And back then, the novel was only available in digital format, so there was nothing really tangible about it. I'm not that much of a celebration guy anyway, but I can't say there wasn't a quiet satisfaction and a whole lot of pride when I got my first physical copies and I could touch the result of my work.
5. Tell us about some of the biggest challenges or learning experiences you faced throughout the writing and publishing process.
There's two things that stand out as being greater hurdles than I thought they'd be. The first is clearly editing and the second everything related to marketing. Back in 2015, I was so proud, I'd just finished my manuscript which had taken me forever to write and hurried to publish it on amazon. What a mistake! Fortunately, I got a feedback which pointed out the glaring flaws in my first version, but which at least let me know the content had potential. The whole ensuing editing process was an exercise in humility, accepting the challenges and learning to remove parts . Then there's the whole getting your book noticed thing. PR is not exactly my cup of tea (I know I know, a kind of nerd who's not really got at socializing, I'm pretty much a walking cliché there.), so I've been struggling at getting in touch with bloggers and goodreads reviewers to try and build credibility around my book. I understand the wariness of customers toward Indie publishing and author, I've been guilty of publishing something before it was ready.
6. Tell us something personal about you that your readers may be surprised to know.
I don't metabolize caffeine (or its derivatives)! For me it's just a hot drink which I like the taste of, but I can chuck four espressos and go right to sleep after. Seriously, it actually happened on a road trip where I was co-driver, I drank two red bulls in five minutes and ten minutes later I was sleeping in my seat. Shame on me, I know.
7. What do you enjoy doing when you are not writing or reading?
Playing ball hockey! Not on any really competitive level mind you, I'm playing goaltender in a small organised league with childhood friends. We're pretty bad, but it's still good fun to get together and do some sports. Otherwise, I'm finishing my masters in project management this coming winter semester. I'm also a board gamer, my friends and I we
8. What's next? Are you working on any other projects to come after the Scions Awakened series?
I'm not working truly on it yet, but I've got an idea for a science-fiction stand-alone or two parters. Main theme will be about chauvinism and how we distort history to make the winning side seem better.
9. Lastly, any special thoughts for the readers?
If you ever purchase my book, or if you have questions you'd like to ask, don't hesitate to let me know what you thought about it on goodreads!
1. How did you decide to write the Scions Awakened series?
I've been wanting to write for a long while. Back in high school, I would start drafts, but I'd end up letting them go after a few months. I liked Lord of the Rings, but it didn't touch me the way it did some of my friends. I found it too stark black and white, too all or nothing in it's approach whereas I'm all for shades of gray as it makes for more relatable characters on both the antagonist and protagonist sides. As contradictory as it seems, there's also the element of realism I wanted to respect. It's hard to fear for a hero when he can face off against a hundred enemies and come up on top. So, around 2004, I sat down and decided I would write a story and get to the end of it. I had a huge D&D setting I wanted to use (with heavy modifications, I didn't want to write a D&D story), so I thought about another setting with a slight horror feel to it I could use for "practice". I was so naive...
So, once I'd chosen the setting in which I wanted to tell a story, I had to come up with a story, and a good story needs a theme. Vengeance came right away, the cycle of ongoing hatred, someone wrongs you, you wrong him in turn and when does it stop? After a few cycles, how can you tell the difference between who's in the right and who's in the wrong?
2. Did you start writing Seeds of Hatred with the clear idea of a series in mind or did you decide that during the process of writing?
Right away, I knew I was going for a trilogy. It's classic, but at the same time, a lot about Seeds and its two follow-ups is about starting with something familiar and trying to go in a different way. For the story I had in mind, I needed to put things in place, explore the build-up to the conflict. In the second part, the conflict will degenerate and war will start to take its toll. Finally in the third part, the conflict will be resolved but in terrible sorrow.
3. Can you tell us what kind of research went behind Seeds of Hatred?
To be honest, not a lot. There were a few things regarding the lethality of certain blows which I did research on when I was challenged. Most of my research efforts were rather put into building the world, thinking about the history and different interaction of factions throughout this history.
4. How did you celebrate the sale of your first book?
Actually I didn't! Perhaps back then it's because I'd just realized I'd made a huge mistake and would need to rework the whole novel. And back then, the novel was only available in digital format, so there was nothing really tangible about it. I'm not that much of a celebration guy anyway, but I can't say there wasn't a quiet satisfaction and a whole lot of pride when I got my first physical copies and I could touch the result of my work.
5. Tell us about some of the biggest challenges or learning experiences you faced throughout the writing and publishing process.
There's two things that stand out as being greater hurdles than I thought they'd be. The first is clearly editing and the second everything related to marketing. Back in 2015, I was so proud, I'd just finished my manuscript which had taken me forever to write and hurried to publish it on amazon. What a mistake! Fortunately, I got a feedback which pointed out the glaring flaws in my first version, but which at least let me know the content had potential. The whole ensuing editing process was an exercise in humility, accepting the challenges and learning to remove parts . Then there's the whole getting your book noticed thing. PR is not exactly my cup of tea (I know I know, a kind of nerd who's not really got at socializing, I'm pretty much a walking cliché there.), so I've been struggling at getting in touch with bloggers and goodreads reviewers to try and build credibility around my book. I understand the wariness of customers toward Indie publishing and author, I've been guilty of publishing something before it was ready.
6. Tell us something personal about you that your readers may be surprised to know.
I don't metabolize caffeine (or its derivatives)! For me it's just a hot drink which I like the taste of, but I can chuck four espressos and go right to sleep after. Seriously, it actually happened on a road trip where I was co-driver, I drank two red bulls in five minutes and ten minutes later I was sleeping in my seat. Shame on me, I know.
7. What do you enjoy doing when you are not writing or reading?
Playing ball hockey! Not on any really competitive level mind you, I'm playing goaltender in a small organised league with childhood friends. We're pretty bad, but it's still good fun to get together and do some sports. Otherwise, I'm finishing my masters in project management this coming winter semester. I'm also a board gamer, my friends and I we
8. What's next? Are you working on any other projects to come after the Scions Awakened series?
I'm not working truly on it yet, but I've got an idea for a science-fiction stand-alone or two parters. Main theme will be about chauvinism and how we distort history to make the winning side seem better.
9. Lastly, any special thoughts for the readers?
If you ever purchase my book, or if you have questions you'd like to ask, don't hesitate to let me know what you thought about it on goodreads!
Seeds of Hatred
(Scions Awakened Book One)
by Christian Nadeau
Publication Date: April 9, 2017
Published by: Independent
Page count: 506
Goodreads
As a former assassin, a man on the run for years, Marac survived taking on odd jobs, living on society’s fringe, never putting down roots for fear of having to run again. Until he’s hired to steal a trinket from the Brotherhood.
Newly graduated, Soren is ready to shoulder the responsibilities that come with an officer’s commission. Serving in the Brotherhood of Khan is a privilege, one he abandoned everything for. But when an Angel calls on him, he knows his first assignment is more than it seems to be.
As a Lightbearer, gifted with the power to shape light to her will, Alex lived a sheltered life in Tyranor’s monastery. Should the Brotherhood find out what she was, they’d kill her, but the monastery is underground, safely hidden from their prying eyes.
Then it all comes crashing down. A terrible game is played, and when the powerful move, pawns are doomed to be sacrificed.
Are they?
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