Author Interview: Graeme Ing
We are excited to welcome author, Graeme Ing, to the nest today.
Andrea @ Reading Lark: How long have you been writing?
Graeme: Since I was a kid. I'm not sure when I wrote my first story but I was
younger than 10. I remember it still - it was about a kid that sailed around
the world on a schooner. The adventure books by Willard Price inspired
me a lot in my youth. Ever since then, I've been scribbling stories and half-
finished novels. About seven years ago, I decided to get serious, and started
writing Ocean of Dust, my debut book.
Andrea @ Reading Lark: Can you describe your novel in five words?
Graeme: Adventure, secrets, betrayal, courage, friendship
Andrea @ Reading Lark: Where did you get the idea for this novel?
Graeme: I had the idea for an ocean of dust years and years ago. Inspired by physics
and chemistry, I postulated how a powder could become so fine that it
flowed like a liquid. If oceans were made of dust instead of water, how
different would ships be? Where would water come from? What creatures
could live in that ocean? These are some of the questions addressed in the
book. I also knew that I wanted a young, adventurous and intensely curious
heroine. The rest fell into place from there.
Andrea @ Reading Lark: Which character is your favorite to write?
Graeme: Branda, the sidekick. Though I love writing about the curiosity of Lissa, the
heroine; Branda is just so cute and adorable. When Lissa meets her, she
is a tiny, elfin like girl, always bullied by the mean Alice. I had a lot of fun
with Branda's accent and her physical appearance. I'm thrilled that readers
have commented how much they love Branda.
Andrea @ Reading Lark: What was the road to publication like for you?
Graeme: My attempts at traditional publishing were a non-starter. I got a ton of
rejections and not a single manuscript request. Impatient to get my book
before readers, I abandoned the search after eight months, and self-
published. Yeah, I know I should have tried harder, but I believe that
stories should be read, not floating around in people's offices waiting for
the right person to find them. It's very tough to get known as a new author,
but I totally enjoy the direct connection with my readers.
Andrea @ Reading Lark: Who are three of your favorite authors?
Graeme: My fantasy is hugely inspired by Fritz Leiber and Steven Brust. My all-time
favourite author was Anne McCaffrey.
Andrea @ Reading Lark: What is your favorite bird?
Graeme: The hummingbird. I'm inspired by the enormous amount of energy such a
little thing uses to fly and hover. All in such a beautiful little package.
About the Novel
Fourteen-year old Lissa is snatched from her home and finds herself a slave on a trading ship traveling on a waterless ocean of nothing but gray dust. A feisty, curious and intelligent girl, her desire to explore the ship earns her the hatred of the cruel first officer, Farq.
Fascinated by the ocean of dust, Lissa becomes embroiled in its mysteries, sensing things that the crew cannot, while cryptic whispers in her head are leading her toward a destiny linked to the dust itself. Only one man aboard can help her make sense of her new talent, but can she trust him? All is not as it seems, and she must unravel the clues before it’s too late.
When a sinister plot casts her adrift on the barren ocean, her best friend is left in the hands of the treacherous crew. Everything hinges upon her courage, quick wits, and her ability to master her new talent.
Fascinated by the ocean of dust, Lissa becomes embroiled in its mysteries, sensing things that the crew cannot, while cryptic whispers in her head are leading her toward a destiny linked to the dust itself. Only one man aboard can help her make sense of her new talent, but can she trust him? All is not as it seems, and she must unravel the clues before it’s too late.
When a sinister plot casts her adrift on the barren ocean, her best friend is left in the hands of the treacherous crew. Everything hinges upon her courage, quick wits, and her ability to master her new talent.
About the Author
Graeme Ing is a writer of fantasy and SF novels, both adult and YA. His first novel, Ocean of
Dust is a YA fantasy.
Graeme is currently working on his second book, a horror fantasy hybrid, starring a cocky,
sarcastic necromancer in a world of vicious undead and political machinations.
Born in England in 1965, Graeme lives in San Diego, California. His career as a software
engineer and development manager spans 25 years, including the development of a dozen
computer games for consoles, home computers and online. He is also an avid D&D nerd,
armchair mountaineer, astronomer, mapmaker, pilot and general geek. He and his wife,
Tamara, share their house with six crazy cats.
Great interview! Branda is a wonderful character. I'd love to learn more about her.
ReplyDeleteThanks. :) I have future books planned that not only follow Ocean of Dust, but go on to tell Branda's story too.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Andrea, for allowing me on your blog :)