TRM

Griffin’s Quill is proud to bring our third installment of the Featured Author Interview.

This FAI hosted the mysterious and serious TRM.  Crowned the Dark Lord by fellow Authonomites and members of the valiant Alliance of Worldbuilders, TRM certainly leaves his audience craving more.  See if you can unravel the mystery behind the man.  Just who is this Dark Lord?  While you’re pondering, check out our interview for clues, and don’t dare miss a fantastic read:  “The Ratter’s Tale”.  You can preview it in the interview.  What are you waiting for, a Scooby Snack!  Meddling kids, don’t forget to try the cake!

About the Author:

Hello, I am TRM. Yes, that’s a pen name. The main reason for the veneer of anonymity is that in real life I am a very serious person who does very serious work for very serious people sorting out very serious problems. The rather straight-laced nature of my profession (no, I won’t say, you’d run screaming for the hills) means I don’t want to publicize my name in association with my writing just yet. I still want Google to direct people to my very, very serious day job persona rather than to my frivolous, wannabe writer persona. Until I’m a best seller and Hollywood makes billion dollar films from my books, that is. Then I’ll jump out of the shadows.

I’ve been scribbling for thirty years now, for fun, for relaxation … for therapy, really. Letting off steam. Going postal on paper. The day job doesn’t leave me with much brain space at the end of the day, so the scribbles haven’t gone very far. Lots of wild ideas but not much in the way of a finished product. However, joining Authonomy almost two years ago has given me a spur and I am quite determined to get my tales ready to present to an audience. ‘Cos I think they’re rather cool.

I have somehow convened the Alliance of Worldbuilders in the meantime and drawn into my dark circles a vast array of people more talented and interesting than myself – so much so that the Alliance now has two discussion threads in Authonomy’s all-time top five. The Alliance goes from strength to strength, with a webpage, a Facebook page, and an anthology in the works. It’s a little powerhouse of creativity.

Oh if you really have to know, I live in Newcastle, England, but am not a Geordie. I’m half-French, which can cause problems during the Six Nations. I own a rabbit: Midnight, the Bunny of Doom, who is my unreliable assistant in my Dark Lordly duties. My wife and daughter constantly tell me to stop being so silly. They are my rock and my anchor, but both would kick me if I described them that way.

Style Sampling:

“Ternan didn’t know how long he had lain awake on his thin straw mattress, nor why sleep had deserted him; but the feeling slowly grew in the pit of his stomach that something was desperately wrong.

Whatever that thing was, it remained unseen.

From his bed, Ternan could see into each and every corner of his tiny room, as the moon poured enough silvery light through the bare windowpane above him to see as clear as day. His room was like a little box shoved away into the furthest corner of the attic until it was squashed under the rafters. Without leaving his bed, the boy could reach out and touch all four walls and the steeply sloping ceiling in turn.

So there really was no-where for anything untoward to hide in it.

Ternan stayed still for what seemed ages, straining to hear the ghostly echoes of the night. He even tried to quieten his breathing, which made motes of dust twinkle and dance in the moonbeams slanting above him.

There was a very faint sound. It was merely a suggestion of a scratching – a scuttling – a rumbling of a great many feet, far away and yet ever so near.

Ternan rolled over and propped himself up on his elbows, alert, his ears hissing with the effort of listening.

The sound faded away to nothingness.

He lay down again, one ear on the scratchy rolled-up blanket that served as his pillow and he pulled his other blanket closer about him.

There was the sound again. Much clearer. Nearer, this time. Ternan was sure he knew that sound, but he just could not put a name to it.

Whatever the sound was, it was coming from under his pillow.

Ternan set aside the rolled-up blanket and folded back his mattress, revealing the two loose floorboards under which he hid unusual things of value. Unmistakably, the looser of the two seemed to rattle in time with the rumbling sound. Stranger still, with each movement of the board, moonlight seemed to seep up through the cracks rather than fall from above.

Letting curiosity get the better of him, Ternan snatched up the floorboard and gasped at what he saw in the space beneath.

A torrent of black rats poured by underneath him.

They ran so fast and so close to each other that their myriad bodies, bobbing up and down with every stride, resembled the waters of a swift and pebbly stream churned by the stones in its bed. Their pelts shone as would moonshine on those restless waters. However, the light came not from the window above but seemed to cling to the beasts like a ghostly mist drawn along by the speed of their chase.

Ternan was astounded by the sight of so many of the horrible creatures; but all he wanted to know was how did such numbers get there.  As far as he knew, the space beneath the loose floorboards formed a closed box between planks and beams. That’s why he used it to keep things safe. On his hands and knees, Ternan lowered his face towards the opening, straining to see under the planks where the rats were going.

Suddenly rats were streaming all over him.

They ran up his back and launched themselves off his shoulders and his head, their claws scouring his skin and tangling in his hair.

Shielding his face with both hands from the rats flying past, Ternan tried to stand; but the press of the beastly multitude made him stumble forwards, tripping and tumbling onto his knees, again and again. He was buffeted and pummelled by the awful creatures as they swarmed past him and all over him, and it took all Ternan’s strength not to be thrown flat on his face.

He covered his face with one hand and reached out to the end wall for support with the other. Ternan’s hand waved in emptiness. There was no wall, nor was there a sloped ceiling. Shocked, Ternan peeked through his fingers.

His room had vanished.

Ternan now stood in a brilliant patch of moonlight in an ocean of utter darkness; but there was no moon above to pierce through the gloom.

The tide of rats surged through the bright space, paying it no heed. However many rats flashed through the light, many more ran past in impenetrable shadows on all sides. The roar of their feet and the clamour of their squeaks were now simply deafening. The little beasts crashed into Ternan’s legs with increasing weight, sweeping him along into a tripping, stumbling run, faster and faster but never leaving the patch of moonlight.

The rats seemed bigger than before. They were growing before Ternan’s eyes. He was now surrounded by rats the size of cats and now the size of hounds. More and more, the rats began to run on their hind legs as they grew, clumsily at first and then with lengthening stride and growing confidence; but as they straightened up, these aberrant creatures slowed to a brisk walk and, somehow, Ternan fell into step with them. Although the rats still jostled him, they no longer threatened to knock him to the ground. Now the beasts reached up to Ternan’s waist, and then to his shoulder, and then they were as tall as grown men and towered over him.

Their discordant squeaks changed as well, becoming more rhythmic and harmonious until the rats’ chittering turned into the chanting of human voices. Words emerged, suddenly clear, repeated again and again and filling Ternan with a strange exaltation tinged with dread.

‘All hail the one True Lord. All hail the one True Lord. All hail the one True Lord.’

The throng slowed to a shuffling pace and the rats squeezed closely together, almost like a congregation that had hurried to reach the temple doors before the service commenced and now was queuing to get in. Ternan couldn’t see where the crowd was leading him. The huge creatures still paid no notice to him; but Ternan was now filled with a terror of what these things might do if they suddenly noticed the intruder in their midst. Maybe joining in the chanting might delay his discovery, he thought; but those words chilled his heart and he could not bring himself to repeat them.”

Featured Author Interview:

Griffin’s Quill:  How did you began the Alliance of World Builders. Is it plotting to take over the literary world?

Author’s Response:  Well, let’s say it started to fill a gap that occurred when Kate Anne Jack’s critting thread for fantasy writers stopped. She took some time out from Authonomy and I thought someone had to pick up the torch. So I did, with a rash promise to give proper crits to all fantasy writers who would ask (I’m something like 100 crits behind at the moment). For whatever reason, that particular thread took off, mostly I suppose because it drew together a like-minded crowd, who would crit each other thoughtfully, comprehensively and honestly.

And yes, success went to my head. Clearly so, as fellow Worldbuilders unmasked me for the Dark Lord that I am. My minions and I have conquered Authonomy. Next, the world is within our grasp. Muaah haa haaa !!!

Griffin’s Quill:  Well, we’re certainly glad you did. The Alliance has proven to be a valuable guild for so many of us in need of mastering our chosen trade.

What can you tell the readers about this anthology? Is there sacrificing involved?

Author’s Response:  The anthology was inspired by the two anthologies that came out of the Flash Fiction Fridays thread on Authonomy, run by Splinker. Those were the anthologies entitled 416 and The Endz – to which I contributed of course (*ahem*). There was a feeling that the Worldbuilders should do the same, as they garnered quite some attention. We have a well organised self-publisher in our midst (Mimic) who will collate the works and produce an ebook or even a print book if things go well. Each of the Worldbuilders is invited to contribute up to one short (5,000 or so words) and two flash fictions (under 1,000 words) each. The idea is to showcase the talents of the Alliance, and to help each other develop a fan base.

Some of the stories might involve sacrifices. Needless to say, any innocent soul that reads the anthology (due by Easter 2012) shall become my creature for all eternity.

Griffin’s Quill:  It sounds exciting and a deserving candidate for a fast track to Authonomy’s coveted Editor’s Desk.  We’ll be watching.  Enough about Authonomy, let’s talk about the mysterious, serious man who would be Dark Lord.  Your introduction was very cryptic, leaving Griffin’s Quill wondering, who do you work for Mr. TRM?  The Prime Minister?  His secretary?  Hmmm, perhaps a mediator for the United Nations?  No?  Could you be the accountant for the European Union?  Or maybe, a cryptologist for MI6?  Are you Q’s go to man, Mr. TRM?

Author’s Response:  Aaah, now that *would* be telling. Nope, it’s nothing as interesting as that, sadly. I would have thought my dorsal fin would have given the game away. One thing I have noticed is that there are many of my profession who are writers and many in the fantasy genre – and many MCs share that profession too. Probably reflects the dour nature of our work and a yearning for a little more creativity. Feeding frenzies lose their novelty after a while, you know.

Griffin’s Quill:  The mystery deepens with a creatively crafted clue.  I think I have it, but I’m not telling.  Sorry, readers, but you’ll just have to follow TRM’s bread crumbs, and his work, until the mystery is revealed!  Now, on to the work!  Having read a number of your flash fiction and the beginnings of “The Ratter’s Tale” and “Darkened Voices”, all we can say is: we really like your style!  What made you choose to showcase “The Ratter’s Tale” over “Darkened Voices”?

Author’s Response:  Well, I have a number of projects on the go, generally in the epic fantasy genre. However, I constantly fall into traps of my own making, becoming engrossed with worldbuilding to the expense of plot and characterization – I go for complete cosmologies when the madness takes hold – which makes the projects fail, crumbling under their own weight. So, I’ll often ditch my work and start afresh.

The Ratter’s Tale is the older of the two. It sprung into my mind as a “simple” story that was intended to be more young adult sword and sorcery than epic high fantasy. However, the story has grown in the telling and a complete cosmology started to unfurl, so I backed off and left that alone for a while. Darkened Voices was again intended to be a simple romp based on a daft idea, but it too matured and turned into something I did not expect. There too, I had to take a step back. But both projects really nag at my mind. My MCs are far more fleshed out than ever before, and much more realistic. They demand that I tell their tales. Posting on Authonomy was a way for me to see if the “public” would respond to one or the other and give me a direction as to which one to pursue and complete. Both, however, have been well received, so I plod on. The Ratter’s Tale is, I think, the one most likely to be completed first.

I lack discipline when it comes to writing. Doing some flash fictions taught me something important: the value of finishing. So I am determined now: I will complete the Ratter trilogy. Darkened Voices has spawned a prequel, Entwined Voices, which sets the scene for the mayhem that follows. That too will be finished … one day.

Griffin’s Quill:  Here at Griffin’s Quill, we understand the difficulty of juggling the careers we’ve chosen with those we’re passionate about.  Having developed two stories to near completion, especially two received well in the annals of Authonomy, says a lot.  Is there anything exclusive about the Ratter trilogy you’re willing to share with the readers?  Given your Authonomy alter-ego of Dark Lord, do you see yourself as Ternan or the infamous One True Lord?

Author’s Response:  Ha! As is traditional with epic fantasies, the One True Lord will in due course meet a very sticky end. Although I have a lot of sympathy for him/her/it, I would not want to share the One True Lord’s fate. I will try to generate some sympathy in the reader too, for the True Lord will be very cruelly betrayed before the final, necessary downfall. I suppose there is a lot of me in Ternan too, but he will be going places I have never experienced. His is not an easy path.

I’d quibble with the “near completion” bit. I have a beginning, a middle and an end for both stories, but there’s a lot to do yet before I am satisfied, let alone an editor or publisher.

Griffin’s Quill:  Yes, it seems there is always tweaking to do. I suppose it never pays to be a dark lord.  What drives Ternan? Holds him back? Is there a manipulating love interest?

Author’s Response:  Ternan’s back-story is only just becoming clear in my mind now. He is no lost scion or anything like that, just a lad who happens to have certain abilities which are world-changing at the particular time he develops them. But he has inherited those abilities from his parents, and discovers that they had been involved in the game of gods and kings before they disappeared. Ternan’s destiny is to finish the job, but his path is barred with betrayal and shocks as that path has been trodden before. No-one is innocent in this tale and no friend is true, apart from his girlfriend Linzi. Her role has grown too over time, and she is now central to the plot as Ternan cannot exert any power without her. They are two faces of a magical coin. But Linzi doesn’t have all the baggage. She is a purer, wilder version of the magic and an outsider to the politics.

Griffin’s Quill:  Sounds excellent! We can’t wait until the follow up interview after publication. Now, back to you. What makes you tick as an author? Where’s your inspiration come from? And are you in control of your characters, or do they order you about the writing desk?

(Warning:  Spoiler Alert)

Author’s Response:  Ideas come to me in drips and drabs. There will be a specific theme that starts it all off. For The Ratter’s Tale it was rat catching: “what if the rats were the vanguard of a dark lord’s army?” For Darkened Voices it was voice-casting: “what would happen if there was a magic telephone exchange and the wires got crossed, revealing an evil plot?” Then the rest just builds, sweep after sweep, as I go through an iterative process of story building.

My characters never do what they are told. They always develop in ways I never expect and push the story off piste. Then, after a while and lots of head-scratching, things get back together, if via a totally unexpected route. That’s more than half the fun. For example, I never expected Darkened Voices to become a romance – the action part is still quite violent and gory, pushing towards horror – and I was completely stumped when it became obvious that Behran and Callien were going to fall in love and eventually free themselves from the Bond – ooops, sorry about that … And I never expected that the actual falling in love against the odds story would be as compelling to me or to my readers (so far). I mean I’m an epic fantasy kinda guy. You know, swords, sorcery, battles, monsters … me writing a love story? OK there’s death and destruction all around, but it’s a love story …

Griffin’s Quill:  Is there a special place you like to write? Do you have a charm of inspiration? A funky writing cap, perhaps?

Author’s Response:  I write on my cranky old PC in the home office, with my iPod hooked up to deliver prog rock sotto vocce. The PC’s sound card is shot, so some improvisation was called for. I must have music when I write, but not loud, as I always read my stuff aloud to help polish it. My latest toy to help writing is my Kindle: I keep uploading chapters and somehow typos and other defects are so much more visible than on the PC screen.

Griffin’s Quill:  I can relate to needing music while I write. Somehow it drowns out the background noise without becoming background noise. What has been your greatest hurdle in your writing? How have you overcome it?

Author’s Response:  Gosh, the hurdle that still daunts me most is finishing. I know the end of my stories, but I just seem to run out of steam long before I get there. I get bored, or frustrated with the difficulties, or bedazzled by new, fresh ideas. Perhaps, because I write for pleasure and release of Real World stress rather than write to feed my family’s empty bellies, I have been deliberately dilettantish all these years. Perhaps I am lazy, or perhaps even I am afraid of finishing and of ending my escapades in my imaginary worlds. The Raised Standard is a good pub to linger in. So is The Duellists, but no one on Authonomy has been there yet.

However, I now have a range of writing buddies to choose from within the Alliance and there are few excuses left. I will be writing “The End” soon.

There have been other hurdles, strange ones. Writing has led me to imagining experiences I have not had in real life. Some have been very scary, too close to home, and I have shied away, unable to continue. I have not overcome that as yet, but I have grown in the process and perhaps I will break through those barriers and produce my best work one day.

Griffin’s Quill:  Ah, deeper down the rabbit hole we fall.  It seems there is no end to the depths of your mystery.  You’ve been a great guest, and a worthy addition to Griffin’s Quill’s growing list of undiscovered talent.  We just have two more questions, something we like to ask all our featured authors.

First, if you were the Time Traveler in the 2002 movie adaptation of “The Time Machine,” what two books would you carry with you into the future, and why?

Author’s Response:  Hmm. Haven’t seen that one. Uh, Wisden’s Cricket Almanac to cause utter confusion (being a closet anarchist) and, uh, Hawkins Electrical Guide to have a chance of going home.

Griffin’s Quill:  Interesting choices, especially the last one.  Finally, we would just like to know what words of wisdom you have for our readers, and struggling authors everywhere.

Author’s Response:  Words of wisdom? Uh, enjoy yourself. Have fun. Persevere. That should cover all bases. Don’t forget to visit the Alliance, come and have some cake.

Griffin’s Quill:  You spurred another question:  What is the deal with the cake?

Author’s Response:  Now that really would be telling. Go on. Have a slice.

Griffin’s Quill:  Ah, an answer I should have expected from a notorious Dark Lord.  Oh well, don’t mind if I do . . .

TRM is also author of “Darkened Voices”.  Preview it and “The Ratter’s Tale” at www.authonomy.com