===========================================================
BRINDI E. LUNDBERG INTERVIEW
What inspired you to become a writer??
Writing is something I've always loved to do. When I was a kid, I’d actually stay in from recess to write little mini-books (nerdy, right?). This tendency gradually evolved into a hobby, in which I’d obsessively keep notebooks full of sketches, characters, and story ideas. During college, I had a hard time finding something I was passionate about, but it wasn’t for lack of trying. I went from Biomed Engineering to Religious Studies to Cosmetology to Japanese. I don’t know what I was thinking, but in the back of my mind I always felt that writing professionally was too good to be true. Could I really do something I already did for fun as a career? Luckily, trial and error worked in my favor, and I eventually, despite all inhibitions of turning hobby into profession, decided to start transforming my ideas into full-fledged novels . . . and here I am – loving what I do!
What is your favorite genre of book to read and/or write and why??
Definitely fantasy. I know it’s super cliché, but I love getting lost in what I read and write. For me, fantasy is a rare opportunity to go beyond what I experience in everyday life. It’s fun to look at life through eyes of wonder, and I find that I’m able to do that best after reading a great fantasy novel.
What aids do you use to write your books? Music?? Nature???
Music is a big help, for sure. I have my twenty favorite CDs in constant rotation while I write. Music, instrumental and otherwise, helps me get past the boundaries of the world around me and takes me to a place where good ideas happen. A hot cup of green tea also works wonders!
What character of your book(s) do you relate to the most??
That’s sort of a tough one for me to answer. I see little parts of myself in each of the characters I create, but none of them are very similar to me at all. As far as relating . . . hmmm . . . I guess I’ll go with Darch. He’s a side-character from Heart of Farellah: Book 1 (he takes a greater role in book 2, but since it’s yet to be released, I can’t say too much). Darch is really optimistic, but he’s optimistic even when optimism isn’t a good thing, and as such, he tends to blow over serious things when he really should pay them more mind. I can kind of relate to that because I don’t like accepting negative situations, but unjustified optimism hasn’t always served me well (i.e. hoping a leak in my apartment might just go away on its own).
What words of wisdom would you like to share with aspiring writers like myself?
Keep writing! No matter what gets in your way, keep writing. Unless, of course, you’re the thing getting in your way. If it ever gets to the point where writing is no longer fun, take a step back. Take a break, and you’ll realize how much you miss it. When that pull hits you, you’ll fall in love with it all over again!
How do you visualize your stories?? In pictures?? Conversations? Dreams?
Dialogue. For some reason, my scenes always start with dialogue. If I start a fresh chapter, I always hear my character interactions very clearly in my head (now, I don’t mean that in a crazy sort of way, but you get what I’m saying, right?). I close my eyes and think about the tones of their voices, the volume, the sarcasm or emotion behind them. From there, after establishing conversation, I start to visualize the rest of the picture. I don’t know, maybe it’s just in my nature to hear voices.
If you become a multimillionaire overnight, how would you use the money??
First, I’d pay off student loans. Next, I’d buy a DDR (Dance Dance Revolution) machine . . . but then I’d probably feel guilty about buying the DDR machine, so I’d have to donate some of the new-found money to a hospital or writing center or something . . . . In all seriousness, my husband is an audio engineer, and we’ve always had a common dream of traveling and recording musicians from underprivileged parts of the world. Millions would certainly aid in getting their music out there for the rest of the world to hear. Artistic talent should never be stifled because of circumstance.
How long did it take you to write Heart of Farellah?? What inspired this book??
Heart of Farellah: Book 1 was inspired by dreams. Lots of crazy half-dream bits. I came up with the main idea one night while listening to a particularly whimsical CD. From there, I wrote a handful of random scenes (about 20 pages in all) and put it away for an entire year. After a year, I came back to it and whipped it out in about two months. I’m not kidding. I was a hermit for two months, writing every chance I could, and getting like four hours of sleep each night.
If you could have dinner with someone dead or alive, famous or not famous, who would it be and why??
J.R.R. Tolkien. I’d like to pick C.S. Lewis too, but I figured it’s limited to ONE person in the scenario. The reason is simple: a mind capable of creating such epic fantasy certainly deserves a good picking. I would have loved to give him that picking.
Let's do something fun...write something about each of the next 5 words in 10 words or less.
Fantasy
Whisked away on a grand journey, surrounded by the incredible.
Books
Dusty, pre-loved ones are the best.
Chaos
Our annual family garage sale – utter chaos shared between relatives.
Energy
Something evoked by coffee and needed for spring cleaning.
Friend
Without them, who would you make s’mores with?
What inspired you to become a writer??
Writing is something I've always loved to do. When I was a kid, I’d actually stay in from recess to write little mini-books (nerdy, right?). This tendency gradually evolved into a hobby, in which I’d obsessively keep notebooks full of sketches, characters, and story ideas. During college, I had a hard time finding something I was passionate about, but it wasn’t for lack of trying. I went from Biomed Engineering to Religious Studies to Cosmetology to Japanese. I don’t know what I was thinking, but in the back of my mind I always felt that writing professionally was too good to be true. Could I really do something I already did for fun as a career? Luckily, trial and error worked in my favor, and I eventually, despite all inhibitions of turning hobby into profession, decided to start transforming my ideas into full-fledged novels . . . and here I am – loving what I do!
What is your favorite genre of book to read and/or write and why??
Definitely fantasy. I know it’s super cliché, but I love getting lost in what I read and write. For me, fantasy is a rare opportunity to go beyond what I experience in everyday life. It’s fun to look at life through eyes of wonder, and I find that I’m able to do that best after reading a great fantasy novel.
What aids do you use to write your books? Music?? Nature???
Music is a big help, for sure. I have my twenty favorite CDs in constant rotation while I write. Music, instrumental and otherwise, helps me get past the boundaries of the world around me and takes me to a place where good ideas happen. A hot cup of green tea also works wonders!
What character of your book(s) do you relate to the most??
That’s sort of a tough one for me to answer. I see little parts of myself in each of the characters I create, but none of them are very similar to me at all. As far as relating . . . hmmm . . . I guess I’ll go with Darch. He’s a side-character from Heart of Farellah: Book 1 (he takes a greater role in book 2, but since it’s yet to be released, I can’t say too much). Darch is really optimistic, but he’s optimistic even when optimism isn’t a good thing, and as such, he tends to blow over serious things when he really should pay them more mind. I can kind of relate to that because I don’t like accepting negative situations, but unjustified optimism hasn’t always served me well (i.e. hoping a leak in my apartment might just go away on its own).
What words of wisdom would you like to share with aspiring writers like myself?
Keep writing! No matter what gets in your way, keep writing. Unless, of course, you’re the thing getting in your way. If it ever gets to the point where writing is no longer fun, take a step back. Take a break, and you’ll realize how much you miss it. When that pull hits you, you’ll fall in love with it all over again!
How do you visualize your stories?? In pictures?? Conversations? Dreams?
Dialogue. For some reason, my scenes always start with dialogue. If I start a fresh chapter, I always hear my character interactions very clearly in my head (now, I don’t mean that in a crazy sort of way, but you get what I’m saying, right?). I close my eyes and think about the tones of their voices, the volume, the sarcasm or emotion behind them. From there, after establishing conversation, I start to visualize the rest of the picture. I don’t know, maybe it’s just in my nature to hear voices.
If you become a multimillionaire overnight, how would you use the money??
First, I’d pay off student loans. Next, I’d buy a DDR (Dance Dance Revolution) machine . . . but then I’d probably feel guilty about buying the DDR machine, so I’d have to donate some of the new-found money to a hospital or writing center or something . . . . In all seriousness, my husband is an audio engineer, and we’ve always had a common dream of traveling and recording musicians from underprivileged parts of the world. Millions would certainly aid in getting their music out there for the rest of the world to hear. Artistic talent should never be stifled because of circumstance.
How long did it take you to write Heart of Farellah?? What inspired this book??
Heart of Farellah: Book 1 was inspired by dreams. Lots of crazy half-dream bits. I came up with the main idea one night while listening to a particularly whimsical CD. From there, I wrote a handful of random scenes (about 20 pages in all) and put it away for an entire year. After a year, I came back to it and whipped it out in about two months. I’m not kidding. I was a hermit for two months, writing every chance I could, and getting like four hours of sleep each night.
If you could have dinner with someone dead or alive, famous or not famous, who would it be and why??
J.R.R. Tolkien. I’d like to pick C.S. Lewis too, but I figured it’s limited to ONE person in the scenario. The reason is simple: a mind capable of creating such epic fantasy certainly deserves a good picking. I would have loved to give him that picking.
Let's do something fun...write something about each of the next 5 words in 10 words or less.
Fantasy
Whisked away on a grand journey, surrounded by the incredible.
Books
Dusty, pre-loved ones are the best.
Chaos
Our annual family garage sale – utter chaos shared between relatives.
Energy
Something evoked by coffee and needed for spring cleaning.
Friend
Without them, who would you make s’mores with?
Find her here:Brindi Lundberg at Smashwords and on her BLOG
Buy her debut book: Hearts of Farellah at Amazon
Great interview Sister Earth!! I will add this to my TBR pile :)
ReplyDeleteSis Naughty Nattie
Brindi I love reading and getting lost in to the book :). I loved you comment about dusty books being the best. You are so right.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the interview Heather
Sisterly love Babs
Great Inteview! I also would love to have dinner with Tolkien. Just to pick his brain!
ReplyDeleteLisa
Great interview! Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteFun interview!! :-)
ReplyDelete@erin and darlene
ReplyDeletecan you let me know your email address??
please.
@darlene I have yours....but @erin I don't have your email address.
ReplyDeleteGreat interview. It's always fun to hear from fantasy writers and find out what makes them tick.
ReplyDelete