W.R.: A lot of what inspired me to write were the things I felt were lacking: stories I could really love, with characters I wanted to read about. Since there weren’t as many of those as I wanted, I started to write them! The other part of inspiration is the things in life that are there: the people, the relationships, the weird, unexpected stuff that doesn’t quite fit in real life but makes a great story.

A.G.: Oooh that’s wonderful! Real life is such a great place to draw inspiration.

T.C.: Indeed! Once you have all your inspiration and have a story going, how do you overcome writer's block?

W.R.: Usually I start to think about the book and figure out exactly where I’ve gone wrong. Writer’s block, for me, is usually there because I’ve taken a character or a plotline in a direction that it either wasn’t meant to go in, or requires further thought to make into something that will satisfy me. Once I figure out where I took the wrong turn (or how to turn a wrong step into a right one) I’m back on track. I can find it hard to write sometimes due to being overwhelmed with Stuff and Things and People, but generally if I take a couple days off to do some photography, research weird stuff on YouTube, or catch up with a Kdrama, I’m able to feel refreshed and start writing again.

A.G.: Oh wow. That’s actually a really good idea on how to deal with writer’s block. I’d never realized that could be why I get writer’s block. What’s your ideal writing setting?

W.R.: Any place with a window and a great view is wonderful: better yet is somewhere that also has people, so I can look at them when I take a break from my writing. But I still need the window and the view. It’s why I loved writing while I was in South Korea: cafe culture is made for writers!

T.C.: Oooh that sounds wonderful- AG and I actually want to travel to South Korea, or live there eventually. We’ll have to try writing at the cafes, it sounds amazing. It sounds like you travel a bit and have been writing all the while. How long have you been writing?

W.R.: I’ve been seriously writing for twenty years now: I started seriously writing when I was in my early teens.

A.G.: Oh wow that’s incredible! I hope to eventually write as long as you have been writing. Do you have any words of encouragement for other young authors who want to reach the same goal?

W.R.: Very stereotypical ones: Write everyday. I know it’s tough, and I know you probably don’t have a lot of time, but if you want writing to be important in your life, you have to make it important. Even 50 words a day is working every day. It’s a job that takes discipline as well as talent: you’re going to need to be able to do both.

T.C.: Tried and true advice for sure!

W.R.: I have many. So many. Jane Austen, Steven Brust, Antonia Forest, Anthony Trollope, Suzannah Rowntree, Kate Stradling, Intisar Khanani…. SO MANY.

T.C.: Haha, that question is always so tough to answer.

A.G.: Definitely! You have written many different series that involve a vast range of characters, do you have a favorite character couple you wrote?

W.R.: I love Carmine and Fancy from the Shards of a Broken Sword. If I can be said to have a favourite couple, they just may be it. Carmine will tell you that it’s his shirtless charms that do the trick, but actually, I think it’s the way that Fancy handles a pair of swords….

T.C.: How could anyone resist a character who can wield swords like a boss??? A.G. has recently just published her novel (yay!) and chose to self publish which you also chose to do. Why did you choose to self publish?

W.R.: I wanted creative control, and I wanted to be paid a decent amount per book. I couldn’t have either of those things if I chose to be traditionally published. And when I was sending my work to publishers, the reply I got was: “we love the world, we love the characters, we just don’t know how to market it, sorry!” I figured I could learn that myself, and here we are….

A.G.: I totally get that- it was the same issue for me for the payment and control. It bothered me that if someone else published my book, I wouldn’t get to choose how all my hard work was presented. Any advice for authors who are debating what publishing route to take?

W.R.: Do your research. Even before you start publishing, research. Join boards and groups and see what the chatter is. Don’t be quick to comment and be seen; take your time to read what other people have written and listen to what they say. Measure it up against what others in the group have said. Learn how to do it well before you take the plunge. You’re going to make mistakes (we all do), but at least you can make sure your mistakes aren’t life-shattering ones.

T.C.: Wow, that is very eye-opening, I'll be sure to keep that in mind when I am ready to publish. One of your series consists of seven books with more coming, do you have any tips for authors who also want to write long series?

W.R.: I’m honestly not sure I’m the person to ask about that! My City Between series is long (ten books, by the time it’s finished) but I’m a pantser, and I wouldn’t really recommend that as the easiest way to write a long series! It’s working for me, but only because I was already half mad to start with so there’s not much difference now.

A.G.: Hahaha. What is your favorite thing about writing?

W.R.: Creating. The moment when all the little fibrous tendrils of the world meet up and make a chaotic, interconnected story that just needs to be worked out a little bit more to be really beautiful.

T.C.: Ooh that is a beautiful way of putting it.

A.G.: For sure! Thank you so much for joining us today W.R. Gingell!

T.C.: Yes, I hope you enjoyed it! Lastly, just for fun, and so the Readers can learn a bit more about you, do you have a favorite mythical creature?

W.R.: Hmm. I’ve always been really partial to dragons and selkies, but I wouldn’t say no to a pegasus flight!

A.G.: Awesome! Well, thank you again to the wonderful W.R. Gingell and all you Readers for stopping by, that's all we have for today! See you on the author side!

T.C.: Bye, see y'all next week!