This week, I want to introduce you all to my friend, author Robert Sparks. Robert is one of the other authors who helped create and helps manage The Inkling Collective, a space for writers to share experiences, knowledge, and questions as we all work to get our books to readers.
Robert (and his lovely wife) are now dear friends of mine, who I enjoy talking to about many things beyond writing. Having this camaraderie as we work on writing and as we learn how to navigate the world of self-publishing has benefited me in ways I am very grateful for.
Robert has not published anything yet, but he is working on several projects that I know readers will enjoy reading. Among them, Robert is working on a YA fantasy novel, called The Wayward Alchemist, the first book he intends to publish.
• Robert, please give me a synopsis of your book:
Lillia is a teenage alchemist-in-training who has been studying in secret because magic is shunned. All she wants is to get away from her antagonistic family and apprentice under William, the man who saved her life two years ago. When William disappears, Lillia’s magic-fearing twin brother, Quin, discovers her secret and gains his own magical powers in the process. Together, they must search for William while avoiding the emperor’s forces, who have taken an interest in Quin’s newfound abilities.
•Tell me, what inspired you to tell this particular story?
I wanted to write high fantasy again. And I was inspired by a music video depicting two children running from a villain through the woods while protecting a powerful artifact. The story grew from there.
•Is the main character, or one of the main characters, inspired by someone you know in real life?
In some ways, Lillia is inspired by my journey. I didn’t intend for this to be the case initially, but I saw a lot of my experiences in what she was dealing with.
•Can you expand on this connection with Lillia a bit? Some example?
As an example, my own writing journey sort of mirrors her initial experience with alchemy. She loves doing it, but real life keeps getting in the way. Right from the start, she’s sacrificing sleep for her craft, and dreaming of the day when alchemy can be her life (I say as I write this at 5:30 am). And she’ll have to learn to adapt and keep pushing forward in pursuit of her goals while also trying to maintain some sense of balance in her life.
•As you continue to work on Lillia’s story, how has the story changed or morphed while you have been writing it? Does her story continue to shift unexpectedly?
This book spent a long time in the planning stage, so there have been all sorts of changes along the way. The biggest change was cutting the story in half, as I realized I was writing what would likely be a 300,000 word epic that was already split into two parts (although some of those events from part two have also been pushed further back in the series). Some of the characters have gone through some big changes as well. It took me a while to figure out Lillia’s arc, and even then, I have a “running notes” file on her so I can figure out some things on the fly. Whereas, her brother Quin (the other POV character) hasn’t changed a whole lot.
•Do you have an estimated release date for The Wayward Alchemist?
I’m aiming for late spring in 2024. My goal is to finish writing it by early November, and then start edits in December.
•Ohhh… That seems so far away. ::wink:: Of course, I have had the opportunity to read a bit of it, and am SO ready for the entire novel! Where do you intend to publish? What formats?
I’m planning to go wide, so it’ll be in as many places as possible. Initially, I’ll release it in ebook and paperback, but hardback is possible down the road. And I’d like to get into audiobooks, eventually.
•Where can interested readers best find you to get updates on The Wayward Alchemist?
Facebook is where I post the most, although I also have an Instagram. I’ll eventually have an official website as well. I keep my Linktree page up to date so people can find me: https://linktr.ee/robertsparksauthor
•Who do you hope will read your book?
YA fantasy fans who enjoy escapism and an emotional adventure with a balance of darkness and hope. I like books that hit me in the feels, and I aim to do the same.
•Now, about you as an author. How did you get into writing?
I read a lot as a kid. I especially enjoyed the Narnia series, and I found myself wanting to write and provide that same enjoyment to other readers.
•I also love the Chronicles of Narnia. I think a lot of YA readers (despite their age) also look to the Chronicles as a lasting favorite. Were any of the stories within the Chronicles particularly memorable to you? Why?
I really enjoyed the first book. The original cast was intact, and I enjoyed the magic of finding this portal to another world and exploring it, before they had it all figured out. That sense of wonder is something I love in stories.
•How long have you been writing?
25 years.
•25 years is a long time! Have you shared any of your writing prior to starting work on The Wayward Alchemist? If not, what prompted you to write this book as your first step into the published world?
I’ve mostly shared short stories (and the occasional novel) with friends. I used to write short fanfic pieces and post those on forums. But I haven’t publicly released a full book before. I had always written with an eye toward eventually publishing, but Alchemist was my current project when I learned about the world of indie publishing. I’ve also made a point to study storytelling over my time working on Alchemist, and as a result, I’m really proud of what it has become. Between the deep magic system, character arcs that hit me emotionally, and the “that sounds like a movie!” feedback I keep getting when I share the synopsis, I think this is a good starting point for my author career.
•Share a moment of inspiration that affected something you have written, even if it is not in your book.
When I was writing the initial plan for this book, I was listening to a playlist of epic music I had just found on YouTube. There was one eight-minute section of music that came up as I was writing, and a pivotal climactic scene (the one I mentioned earlier) sprang to life in my mind as the music played. I typed it as quickly as I could, and the events matched perfectly with the ebb and flow of the music. And somehow, I finished it exactly when this eight-minute section ended. I’ve had music inspire scenes before, but never like that. While that scene is no longer in the first book, it will still be a major turning point later in the series. And it’s still matched with that music.
•That is incredible! And I have so many moments like this! One of my favorite musicians to write to is Ludovico Einaudi exactly because there is something magical in his musicality. I find the internal imagery his songs inspire to be great jumping points, even in existing projects.
It’s absolutely magical to hear a piece of music and have a scene spring to life in your mind. That’s one of the best parts of being a writer, even with the mad scramble to write it all down.
•Music and videos can be powerful sources for inspiration. Do you also have a particular playlist or genre you listen to as you write?
It depends on the project and my mood. Sometimes music is a distraction, and sometimes it can make an entire scene spring to life in my mind. Each project tends to have its own set of music, too. For Alchemist, I’ve been listening to the soundtrack to Lord of the Rings (especially Fellowship), as well as epic trailer music from artists like Two Steps from Hell, Jo Blankenburg, and Audiomachine (whose track “Through the Darkness” inspired a pivotal scene later in the Alchemist series).
•As indie writers, we rely on many tools (books, apps, programs, etc) to write and prepare to publish. What is the most useful tool you use when writing or preparing to launch your book? Why is it so valuable to you?
Plottr changed everything for me. Its intuitive interface lets me plan a book however it comes to me without getting in the way. I’ve never plotted a book as quickly as I did using Plottr (this one for a different series). I had tried to create the same sort of thing within Scrivener before learning of Plottr, but it was awkward to use.
•While I know what Plottr is, I have never used it. I know a lot of writers use it. Particularly writers who like to have a stronger outline to work from. Is that how you write? With a strong outline? Can you give us an example of what your outline might look like?
I tried a strong outline with Alchemist, and learned that’s not really how my mind works. I write better with the basics, both for characters and plot. For instance, I’ll figure out my characters’ flaws, goals, motivations, and plans, and a few other things. I also come up with the key points for each plot line, loosely based on my two favorite story structures. Sometimes I won’t even have it all figured out when I start writing. This leaves a lot of room for me to improvise as I write. The good thing is, Plottr works well for a simple plan too. It’s just a great way to stay organized.
•Have you ever stumbled on advice or a tip that you found to be useful in your writing journey?
Every major character needs three basic things – a problem, a want, and a need. Characters were always my greatest weakness. I studied as much as I could about writing characters, but it was the beginning of Save the Cat Writes a Novel that finally made everything click for me with these three things. A character always has a problem or flaw that affects their life. They have a goal they want to accomplish that they think will fix their life (but it won’t), and they have something they need to learn that will actually fix their life. It’s a simple way to create deep and interesting characters who change over the course of the story.
•I have that book on my resource list. It’s been there for a while. I really should just buy it already, because I am sure my characters would benefit from this plumb line. So, would you say The Wayward Alchemist is character driven?
It is largely character driven, yeah. Especially the first book, as I put the characters in a situation that turns their world upside down, and they have to figure out how to deal with it. Meanwhile, the plot is developing around them, and they’ll eventually see how everything is connected (and that it’s far bigger than any of them expected). I am a fan of a good “save the world or die trying” plot.
•What is one thing you wish to express to readers who might enjoy your book?
Even when things seem dark, and dreams seem so far away, it’s important to latch on to hope and to pursue the light. This is what I hope readers take away from my work. Things can get better.
Even when things seem dark, and dreams seem so far away, it’s important to latch on to hope and to pursue the light.
~Robert Sparks
•Times like these, that is a message we ALL need to cling to! If you could give a shout-out to any fellow writers, now’s your chance. Give us their name, and a book by them that you read and enjoyed.
Daan Katz’s Death and the Maiden is the best book I read last year. I was hooked from the start, and the ending hit the spot so well that I had to go back and read it again. If I’m allowed more than one, Shami Stovall’s Frith Chronicles series is what got me back into reading after not doing much of it for years. Perfect for YA Fantasy fans who love adventure.
•Fantastic recommendations! Now, these next questions are just for fun.
What is the biggest challenge you face writing?
Getting my head into writing mode. ADHD makes concentrating difficult, and I’m still working on figuring out a way to more consistently get into that headspace.
•As challenging as it must be to write with ADHD, I know so many writers who turn out exceptional books despite that challenge. I find that incredibly inspiring, and hope future writers realize just how many authors overcome focus and concentration challenges to get those books to readers! What is the most fun aspect of writing for you?
Seeing a story develop right in front of me. This is part of why I like not doing too much planning – because when I’m not completely sure where the story is going, it feels like I’m going along on the adventure with my characters.
•Oh! Me too! I so enjoy watching the story unfold as I write. There is some sort of magic there, and it gets me every time! When you are not working/writing, what do you prefer to do to relax or unwind?
Video games are the biggest one, especially big open world RPGs.
•Do you have a favorite fantasy or science fiction movie or tv series?
The Lord of the Rings movies take the cake for me. I’ve seen them so many times, and yet I grow to appreciate them more with time and worldly experience. Those movies just hit all the right emotional notes while being ridiculously epic. And I love how well they show that men can be vulnerable too.
•Classic. And you are right – every time I watch them, it’s as if watching them for the first time – something always seems to hit a little different, especially on the emotional spectrum. If you could go on the journey with Lillia and Quin, what is one thing you would insist on taking on the journey?
Oh man, that’s a tough one. Maybe a map? Lillia and Quin are teenagers who have never traveled more than a day away from their hometown, and now they’re scouring the world looking for William. A map would be helpful.
•A map. ::laughing:: Yes. I bet that would be incredibly helpful! Do you have a favorite quote, or scene, you will share from The Wayward Alchemist?
(Here’s a piece of a scene – I cleaned it up, but please note this not the final draft.)
“Do you know how much pressure I’m under from our mother?” Quin asked. “Do you know what it’s like to have people constantly watching to see if you succeed?”
I had some idea.
“I’m the future of this family, after all,” he continued as he pulled things out of the cupboard. “I can’t fail. And I’m not letting you—what’s this?”
He turned to me, and I must have become ghostly white at the sight of the brightly glowing red gemstone in his right hand. I had never seen it before either.
“Lillia, what is this?” he said, his voice getting louder as he stepped toward me. “Is this magic? It’s magic, isn’t it?”
“I-I . . .” was all I could stammer. Even if I didn’t know what it was, I knew it had to be magical.
“This is why you didn’t want me coming in here!” he said, his voice echoing around the room. “You knew about this! William, the town doctor, playing with magic even though it’s forbidden. And you—what has he been teaching you!?”
“Quin,” I said, reaching for my pendant with a shaky hand, “please—”
“You know magic is evil, Lillia! You know what the goddess—aaaugh!” His shout turned to a pained scream as he fell to his knees, holding his right hand in his left. “Lillia, what did you—no, help me!”
I hurried to him and fell to my knees beside him as he shouted in agony. “Let me see! Quin, please let me see!” When I got close, I saw he was scratching at his right palm where the stone was. Already, the fingernails on his left hand were bloodied.
“Get it off, get it off! It burns!” I reached for his wrist to pull his hand away, but he wrestled his arm free and continued digging at his palm, drops of his blood dripping on the floor.
“Quin,” I said through short, panicked breaths, “I don’t know what to do! Let me help you!” I grabbed at his right hand, but he snapped the fingers shut around the stone. “Quin, let go!”
He pounded his right fist into the floor and screamed again. Whatever this artifact was, William had never told me about it. It seemed there was so much he hadn’t told me, but what could I do about that now? I had to help Quin. I had to.
Somehow, his shouts died down, replaced by labored breathing as he lay down on the floor, clutching his right hand again.
“Quin, are you all right?” I asked. Slowly his eyes opened and focused on me as he sucked in air through his open mouth, sweat rolling down his face. “Please, let me see your hand.”
Finally, he opened his right palm to show me. Somehow, the stone had embedded itself in his palm, still glowing red. I reached for it, and he flinched, so I pulled my own hand away. It was then that I noticed something just as curious—bit by bit, the shredded skin around the stone was weaving itself back together, healing as if I had used a healing potion on him. The stone’s inner red light pulsed, its glow gentle now rather than harsh.
•Wow! Thank you for that glimpse. Can we also see a sneak peek of your cover for The Wayward Alchemist?
•Looks like it is a beautiful cover! I can’t wait till you do the complete cover reveal! Finally, I know tons and tons about you, but share with the readers a bit more about your world.
I live in Texas with my wife Elizabeth (who is also working on a book). We have a dog and a cat who actually love each other, and that’s magic if I’ve ever seen it.
• Awe! How sweet! You are right, cats and dogs sharing affection for each other is true magic! And note to self: get an interview with Elizabeth sometime. I wonder what it is like to have two writers in the house!
Thank you so much, Robert, for taking time out of your busy schedule to tell me about The Wayward Alchemist, and for letting me dig into your writing inspirations and processes. I wish you all the best as you near completion on your book and as you launch it out into the world!
Readers: Thank you for joining me for another author interview. Please be sure to like and follow Robert Sparks on your favorite social media outlets below. You will not want to miss his news and updates as he gets close to releasing The Wayward Alchemist.
Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/robertsparksauthor
Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/robertsparksauthor/
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/robertsparksauthor
I hope you come back again next week for my interview with Israeli author Anat Eliraz, author of Jewels of Smoky Quartz.