5-STAR Fantasy / Sci-Fi

Sunday, October 01, 2017

Indie Author Interview: Christopher Reamy


Indie Author Interview with Christopher Reamy - Author of the (Dark) Fantasy Novel Dreams of Hegemony.

Christopher Reamy has been writing works of fiction since he was a child, becoming a nationally published author at the age of 9, with the poem “In the Cold and In the Night”. He is also a decorated veteran of the United States Air Force, earning such honors as “Honor Guardsman of The Year,” and “Non-Commissioned Officer of The Year”.

Interview with Christopher Reamy

Author Christopher Reamy
Author Christopher Reamy
Alan Kealey (Indie Author News): How would you describe your writing style?
Christopher Reamy: I think my writing style can be summed up best as dark and emotional. I find despair a fascinating fissure that must be navigated with the most delicate of sensitivities, forcing each character to rise above the obstacles set before them, or plunge head long into its depths, lost forever. I love to explore how people deal with loss. But I also enjoy the triumph, the will to persevere, the drive to succeed, and above all else, the passion and love that spurns them on through various trials unspeakable. I like to explore, “What is that ONE thing that we cling to in times of pain or adversity?” For each person it may be different. And for each character I write, it is no exception.

Who are your favorite writers, and who or what are your writing influences?
Without a doubt my favorite writer of all time is Edgar Allan Poe. I began reading him from a very young age, and I find him to be a master of literature. He is without a doubt my biggest influence, as I began writing poems almost exclusively from my youth. All of which where dark in tone. I also love Stephen King. I always thought that I would grow up and be a horror writer because of those influences, however, I feel that I enjoy writing many different genres from Fantasy, to realistic fiction, to anything in between. Now, one day I will do a horror novel. But I have a great imagination, and right now I like my sleep, so that is on hold for the time being. But when I decide to go forward with it, there is no doubt in my mind, it`s going to be fun.

When did you first know that you wanted to be a writer?
I knew I wanted to be a writer from as early as 6 or 7 when I would gather with my cousins and tell them stories that I would make up on the spot. We would sit in a circle and I would create adventures involving each family member and they really enjoyed them, and I enjoyed their excitement and enthusiasm for my tales. I later moved to poetry, something I am still passionate about, but it has been a long time anyone has read a poem from me outside of my wife.

Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
My first published poem was called “In the cold and in the night”, I wrote it when I was 8 years old. I remember my teachers reading the poems I would write during class in my black and white notebook, and recoiling at what this little 8 year old had written. To me, I was just writing fun, albeit macabre, stories I found interesting. My first poem was about a depressed man who`s wife had left him, pacing back and forth on the shore of a lake in the chill of late fall. He kills himself with a gunshot to the temple, and his body is pulled into the waters. As time went by his body was frozen under the surface, his lifeless corpse staring upward through the ice. If I was a teacher and an 8 year old wrote something like that, I would be a little shaken too, haha.

"My writing process always consists of an idea first."

Tell us about your writing process. Do you have a writing routine?
My writing process always consists of an idea first. An idea that I find intriguing, or new, or a twist on a trope that hasn’t been quite explored in that way. Most of the time for me, the ending always comes first. And it usually consist of, “Wow, wouldn’t it bee cool if…”, Or “Oh my goodness, that would be crazy!” My first book “Dreams of Hegemony” is the exception. I wrote it not knowing where it was going, and let interesting ideas and plot twist decide what characters would like or die, and what events would transpire due to how the story was flowing. I didn’t lock down the ending until about 70% of the book was complete. For the other two books I am currently writing, I have very distinct plot, and chapter outlines with events and how they transpire. Actually, I am currently writing a dystopian realistic fiction that has the final chapter already written, because the ending was genesis of the story.

Dreams of Hegemony (Christopher Reamy)
Click to Read an Excerpt

Please, describe your desk/workplace.
I have a desk and workplace in a small room upstairs. However, I usually don’t use it unless I am stressed out or pressed for time and need complete isolation. I am nocturnal by nature, and LOVE to be up at night. So, I usually write on the kitchen table or in the living room when my family is asleep. There is nothing better for me, than the silence of night to focus and write.

"Bringing your characters to life through conversation [...]"

What do you find easiest about writing? What the hardest?

By far, for me, the easiest thing about writing is coming up with great ideas for a story. Along with that, it is writing dialog between characters. If you have well defined characters, writing dialog between them shouldn’t be a chore, but an enjoyable experience. Bringing your characters to life through conversation is one of my favorite parts about writing. The hardest thing to me, is filling in the gaps between events and connecting ideas so that they are realistic and make sense within the world you have created. That is when it becomes work and not play. It`s almost like in process editing.

"[...] having others experience your ideas and characters."

What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
I have two greatest joy`s. The first one is the process of bringing ideas that come from your own imagination to life. Creating stories, and adventures that come from you, that only you could write in that way, in that style, with that voice. The process is very exciting for me. The second greatest joy is having others experience your ideas and characters. There is no greater feeling as an author than to hear other people tell you how much they enjoyed your work. I feel so blessed, and grateful for each and every person who takes time out of their day to read my work, or spends their hard earned money to give my writings a chance. It doesn’t matter how great someone`s art, music, book, movie, are if people don’t experience them. It does me no good to write a book and hide it under my pillow. Hearing back from others about their enjoyment in what I created is incredibly rewarding, and appreciated. I would love to one day be able to sit down with a large gathering of my readers and discuss the details of my books at length, sharing something we both enjoy together.

Are you working on another book project? Can you tell us a little about it?
Like I stated before, I am writing a dystopian realistic fiction about a family and their struggles under an oppressive government. It is an intimate tale with far reaching implications that delves into the harsh realities that people all over the world unfortunately have to deal with every day. It deals with darkness that is in man`s heart towards his fellow man, and the cyclical nature of oppression. It also deals with family and the near unbreakable bond between them. The second book that I have been working on for a long time now is the sequel to “Dreams of Hegemony.” But it looks to be a beast right now, and may even be split into two more books. It is roughly 50% complete, and almost as big as its predecessor already.

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?
I believe much like comic books, physical copies of books will always be printed. However, digital is the way of the present and the future. It just makes sense. Who is still walking around with a wall full of DVD/Blu-Ray`s anymore? It`s just more practical to use devices like hard drives to store information and download information at any time.

Tell your readers a little bit about who you are as a person. What motivates you? What are your hobbies? Likes, dislikes?
Anyone who knows me knows that I am a very upfront, direct, and honest person. I don’t say things that I don’t mean, and I am very open about how I feel. I enjoy being active in the community, serving in food banks, volunteering in hospitals, and generally trying to help those out in need. I am motivated by my family, my career, and my goals as a writer. I always want to succeed and do the best that I can in each aspect of my life for my family and for self-satisfaction in accomplishing what I set out to do. As far as hobbies, I LOVE history, especially ancient history. I will sit and watch hours of online college lectures about history for fun, something my wife can`t understand. I also love great screen writing, and would love to produce a script for a feature film one day, and God willing, a script for one of my books. I love dogs, and have a 155lb South African Boerboel named Nala. I like spending time with my family traveling. I have traveled all over the world, and I want my wife and son to be able to see what I have seen. I love to joke around, and can be extremely goofy. The Dad jokes…are real. I don’t like dishonest people, thieves, and bigots. I would rather have an honest enemy, than a dishonest friend.

"[...] being an Author it is extremely competitive"

Do you write full-time or do you have a day job? When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
I currently serve in the United States Air Force, and have for the past 15 years. My career takes a great deal of my time. Being in the Air Force is like being a full time student, while balancing your duties and family, not to mention deployments or flying missions. I would love nothing more than to be able to write full time when I retire. But being an Author it is extremely competitive, and selling enough books to make a living is not an easy thing.

How can readers connect with you?
I plan on creating my own blog soon. But until then, people can connect with me through Facebook, and Twitter @chris_reamy

Thank you very much for the Interview, Christopher.



About the Book Dreams of Hegemony

Dreams of Hegemony (Christopher Reamy)
Click to Read an Excerpt
The world of Peridell has been left ravaged after the seven-year war against a mysterious demon horde.

Left trying to collect the dust of the faded and once dominant nation of Athena is Cronos; a young, brash, immature, and emotional emperor, hell bent on returning his realm to it`s former glory. At night he is visited by strange, ominous, and eerily ambiguous dreams that he cannot decipher, nor shake. Struggling to piece together his mysterious night visions, they lead him down a dark path towards an epic and ancient confrontation.

He must reconcile his misguided beliefs to ally with his former enemies, or face complete annihilation.

- "Great book from this up and coming author. The cast of characters will keep you intrigued and wonder what's around the next corner. Dreams of Hegemony is a must read! Be on the look out for this book on the best sellers list." - Reader Review





Links to the Book

Link to the Paperback Dreams of Hegemony on Amazon

Link to the eBook Dreams of Hegemony on Amazon



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