Hi all!
Please help me welcome Author Saffron
Bryant to my blog today.
Here is my interview:
What is your name? Do you use a pen name
(if so, why?)?
My name is Saffron Bryant.
Tell me a bit about yourself:
I’m 22 years old and live in Australia.
I’ve always loved fantasy and science fiction and have been writing since I was
really young. I just graduated from an honours degree in Biomedical Science and
hope to start my PhD later this year.
What type of genre do you write?
I mostly write fantasy with a little bit of
science fiction thrown in, although I enjoy all genres of books and
occasionally experiment with writing other types.
What genre to you personally read?
Again, mostly fantasy and science fiction
but I read others as well. A good book is a good book no matter what genre!
Tell me about your latest?
I’m currently reading Stephen King’s Dark
Tower series. I’ve got to say, if you haven’t read it- go and buy it right now!
I know Stephen King isn’t for everyone but these books have got me completely
enthralled.
What sparked your passion for books and the
art of a good story?
I’ve enjoyed books and reading since I was
very young, it’s a hobby I’ve always enjoyed. But I think what really sparked
my love of fantasy in particular was reading the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings
as a child. The stories were so rich that I just had to have more!
Is there a particular book that changed or
affected your life in a big way?
I couldn’t pick a single book that changed
my life, I think all books teach you small lessons, whether you realise it or
not. There’s a little kernel of truth or change of perspective that alters how
we see the real world in every book.
Is there a message in your book that you
want readers to grasp?
The Fallen Star was written not only to
tell a great story but also to imbue readers with a sense of power. That even
the littlest of people can achieve great things.
What challenges have you faced in your
writing career?
The biggest challenge I have had to face
came at the end of 2010 when I was diagnosed with a massive brain tumour (a bit
bigger than a lemon). Needless to say the news devastated me and was followed
by many, many doctors’ appointments and 9.5hrs of surgery. The news and
subsequent recovery put my life on hold for almost an entire year but in a way
it was good for my writing career- I could do very little but lie down and sit
for many months- what else to do but write?! It was during that time that I
finished my novel and went through the process of getting it published. So
whilst it was an awful experience at least it gave me the time I needed to
focus on finishing The Fallen Star.
What has been your best moment as a writer?
There have been so many good moments, the
first would be receiving the first proof copy of my book- publishing a novel
has been my dream for many years and to be able to hold it in my hands, and see
my name on the cover was an experience that I’ll never forget. After that there
are all the other great moments that happen as an author: reaching best-seller
status, holding a book launch, seeing your book in stores and libraries. It’s
all just been a fantastic experience.
Who is your author idol?
Definitely J.R.R. Tolkien. The Lord of the
Rings and the Hobbit were what got me into fantasy in the first place and I
think the fact that they are still so popular is a testament to just how good
they are.
Do you see yourself in any of your
characters?
While I haven’t based any of the characters
on myself I’m sure there are bits of me in all of them. Sarin got some of his
cynicism from me, Laila got my blonde hair, Gorak got my dry humour- I could go
on… J
Do you feel like your dream has come true
or is there much more to do?
In a way my dream has come true- I’ve
published a book, a goal I’ve had since I was very young. On the other hand, I
still have to finish the series and I feel I still have a lot of growing to do
as an author. One day I’d like to write something as influential and
long-lasting as Tolkien, although that’s quite a lofty goal!
What does your workspace look like?
On a good day I have my desk, my jar of
pens/pencils etc and my laptop.. on every other day there are pieces of paper
and books, and my whiteboard spread across the desk with my laptop balancing
precariously on a corner… I guess it depends how much procrastination I’ve done
that day.
Have you ever had a day when you just
wanted to quit?
Definitely. Writing can be very hard, it
requires a lot of long term dedication and sometimes the results aren’t there
to see. If you’ve spent hours writing and when you go back to read over it, it
sounds terrible, you can be devastated. If you publish your book and it doesn’t
sell you feel like throwing everything out of a tall building. But the good
days definitely make up for it, and far out-weigh those ‘quitter days’
What do you do when you’re not writing?
I study biomedical science (honours) (well,
technically I just graduated) but by the end of this year I hope to have
started my PhD. Lots of people find it strange that I study such a ‘logic’
based and strict field and then write fantasy (and paint) but I see it as
having the best of both worlds!
What are the most important attributes to
remaining sane as a writer?
Discipline. If you can stick to your goals
then you’ll feel like you’re moving forward. If you let your goals languish
then you’ll start to get less and less motivated and before you know it a
decade has passed and you haven’t written anything! Second is the ability to
let your story go where it needs to, if you’re stuck or your characters aren’t
doing what you want, you have to be able to let them go ahead and do what they
want, you can always fix it up in the editing stage.
Did you have a moment when you realized you
were meant to be a writer?
That probably happened when I was about 5
or 6 years old. I had learned to read and write and began to write my own
stories. I would spend hours at a little desk, writing (my first novels were
about a cowboy and his horse, after that it was a group of children who go into
space). I enjoyed it so much and continued that habit throughout my childhood
and teenage years.
What advice would you give to aspiring
authors?
Don’t give up- you can do it, you just have
to sit in that chair and put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard).
Make your own story- it’s way too easy to
copy someone else’s, without even realising it (I’ve done it a bunch of
times!). So keep track of yourself and the originality of your story.
Learn to take criticism- No matter how good
your story is there will be someone who will criticise it. Just remember-
you’re the one that wrote a book, what have they done? Be proud of your
achievement, it’s something that so many people aspire to but never do.
After this book, what is next?
I have a sequel coming out this year called
The Herald of Darkness which follows
on from The Fallen Star. I’m really
looking forward to releasing the second book, especially with the experience
I’ve gained from the first. After that will be the third and final instalment
of the Lost Child Saga (I haven’t decided on a title for it yet). These books
will be my main focus for the immediate future although longer term I have a
collection of short stories I hope to publish. With writing and studying as
well as working it looks like a busy year!
Your website?
Your blog?
Other websites?
Where can your book be found?
Let’s thank Saffron for joining us today.
Check out her websites and a book too.
Keep Writing!
Jodie Pierce
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