We’ve been working with Alastiar for a few years too! Here’s what he had to say after Beyond The Withered Roots;
What drew you to writing your piece?
I had toyed around with a few other ideas for a dark fantasy story, one in particular being a steampunk style biomechanical horror. While I felt the story needed more work, one scene I had in particular was of a rain of blood. From this I wrote a short piece of a boy becoming possessed by the spirit of a demon in a blood magic ritual and this became the ending of Blood’s Call. From there I was interested in telling the story of what led to this dark ending.
Describe your writing process.
I normally start with a rough idea of the tone and general story I want to tell. From there I write a short piece to get a feel for the world and who my characters are. Then I will normally plan out the more detailed elements of the story using what has already been developed in the opening piece. Most of the time there is a defining element or phrase that I either think up or hear which helps set the tone of the story. In this publication it was slightly different as I began at the end of the story for my first exploration of the characters and world.
Why do you write? Why do you want to be an author?
I enjoy creating stories in my head and my writing is a way of telling those that I think people will enjoy to a wider audience. Through my Masters Dissertation I have also been seeing how authors can explore societal issues such as eco critical commentary in a novel I am writing.
What kind of books do you read and how does that influence your writing?
I normally read a lot of science fiction, but I have started to read more horror, mainly in the forms of short stories, in the folk and cosmic horror subgenres.
What do you eat or drink whilst you write?
I tend to just grab what’s around me while I write so it really depends if there’s anything in arms reach. Once I start writing I don’t tend to get up until I reach a point I’m happy at.
What is your preferred genre to write in?
My preferred genre is a mix of grimdark sci fi and cosmic horror although I have also enjoyed writing modern day and fantasy horror recently, particularly within this publication previously in Beneath The Poisoned Roots.
What comes first, the plot idea or character idea?
Normally a singular idea will create the tone and setting that the characters and plot develop from although sometimes there is a particular type of character that I would specifically like to write about so the plot and setting would be created around them.
Are you working on anything at the moment, or do you have any plans or ideas for future projects?
At the moment I am working on my Masters Dissertation project which is part of a science fiction horror novel although I am also working on a series of short interconnected horror stories.
Which is your favourite moment from the book as a whole (doesn’t have to be from your own work)?
My favourite part of the book is in my story where the daemon Olgirath possesses the body of Inior and the perspective shifts to its. As the reader has been following Inior from the beginning of the story. I believe sudden shift creates a shock for the reader who may have been hoping for a happy ending to the story.
Would you like to write more with the characters from your piece?
I would really like to expand both projects that I have worked on with Barnard Publishing as I have some interesting ideas as to where the characters could be led at the culmination of the current projects.
Who is your author inspiration?
One of my most influential authors has been Tolkien as I really love the way created a world that felt alive. I think that creating a world that feels lived in is one of the most important features of bringing a story to life. The Science Fiction Author Neal Asher has also been very inspirational to me as I really enjoy his style of storytelling and ability, like Tolkien to create a universe that feels interconnected and real across different stories and series.
