A.D. Trosper Interview

A.D. Trosper is the author of Dragon’s Call series and has just released the third book in the series, Ashes and Spirits.

For those not familiar with your Dragon’s Call series, can you tell us a bit about it?

Dragon’s Call is a completed trilogy about dragons, their riders and the enemies they must face. Each dragon color is tied to element of magic and which magic a person uses determines the color of dragon they will hatch.

You’ve just released Ashes and Spirits, the third book in the series. How many books will there be?

Ashes and Spirits tied up this part of the series, however I left a couple of doors open because there will be more from this world.

How do you feel your characters have evolved throughout the series?

They evolved quite a bit. There are six main characters. Each find their strength and their weaknesses as the story moves forward.

What is it with Dragons you find fascinating?

Everything. I have always loved dragons and truly think that if scientists are going to mess around with gene manipulation and such then some of them should focus on creating real, live dragons. Even if they are just small ones.

How did you start writing? Was there a particular book or moment in your life that spurned you on?

I’ve always written small stories, but it was my husband that got me to write books. He kept telling me I should write a book. So finally I sat down and decided to do just that.

Have you ever struggled between what you would like to happen to a character and what you considered more sensible to occur? Can you tell us when and what did you do at last?

I have struggled with it a couple of times although for me it’s a bit different. It’s more of a struggle between what I think should happen and what my characters want to do. In Ashes I thought a character should die. He and the others were very much opposed to that. In the end I gave up and let my characters have their way, but I did seriously maim him. As usual, my characters were right.

What sort of challenges, as a writer, might you have faced before your first book was published? Any insights you would be able to share for those aspiring writers seeking advice?

Learning the craft, learning to manage my time, juggling multiple points of view. It was all a big learning curve. My biggest piece of advice for aspiring writers is to write. Don’t spend all of your time second guessing or trying to perfect what you’ve already written. Keep writing until you have finished the story. There is plenty of time for revision later.

How do you develop your plots and characters? Do you use any set formula?

I have no set formula and I don’t outline. My characters tend to develop themselves as the story moves along. I did try outlining a plot once. My characters looked at it then laughed as they crumpled it up and threw it away. I went back to following them around and writing down everything they were doing.

You have written both for children and adults, which do you find most challenging?

Writing for children is more challenging. Keeping it short and trying to keep the vocabulary to something they understand while still providing new words to challenge them.

For your own reading, do you prefer ebooks or traditional paper/hard back books?

I prefer to read e-books. I love the ease of my e-reader, the fact I can lay in bed without the lamp on and still read. That instead of changing a very comfortable position to turn pages I can just tap the edge of the screen. That said, if I really like a book I order the paperback (or hardcover) and it goes on my Keeper shelf. Then I continue to read the book on my e-reader and keep the physical copy in pristine shape.

What kind of books do you read, any favourite authors?

I read across a wide range of genres. Fantasy, sci-fi, romance, action, thrillers, horror, etc. I enjoy authors from Stephen King, to Clive Cussler, Ken Follet, Christine Feehan, Robert Jordan, and R.A. Salvatore. A single favorite author though? I can’t pick just one.

What do you do when you’re not writing, any hobbies?

I raise a vegetable garden every year that I either can or freeze the produce from. I also have a flock of chickens that I adore and three geese that are a lot of fun (even if they are noisy).

What’s next, what are you working on now?

Right now I’m working on the second book in my YA/NA paranormal romance. After I finish that, I will begin the first book in my next fantasy series and start working on what’s coming next for my Dragon’s Call world.

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