Today’s interview is with Natasha Bennett, author of War of the Soulites and its sequel War of the Soulites 2: Ouroboros. She shares with us her thoughts of the end of the series, how she helps others on the road to publishing and the rest of her 2010 in terms of writing.
LZ: What inspired the War of the Soulites series?
NB: Oddly enough, as a writer I always imagined myself writing a fantasy series first. However, at the time I was watching a lot of science fiction, and I noticed a lot of ideas not really explored. The actual series wasn’t created from just one idea, but rather five different plots woven together.
LZ: Have you, your writing or the series changed/taken a surprising direction since the first book?
NB: Absolutely. I had a very clear vision for a three-book series, and how it was going to end. However, after I finished writing War of the Soulites 2 : Ouroboros, a couple of ideas changed that were very important to the plot. As a result, I’m not quite sure how I plan to end the series.
LZ: Does it bother you not to know how it will end? Do you still plan to end it in three books?
NB: I’m actually glad that I don’t know how War of the Soulites 3 will end because it would be a boring book for me if I knew the plot from start to finish, and as a result I would be less enthused about writing it. I know what will happen in the first half, but I’m still thinking about the ending. :)
LZ: In the series, the Soulites are an alien race. Has there been a particular type of alien in a book/movie/game/etc. that has particularly resonated with you or inspired you?
NB: While I had a lot of inspiration for writing War of the Soulites in general, I honestly believe that the concept of the Soulites is one of the most original idea I’ve ever had. I’m trying to be spoiler-free since their origins are a big mystery in the first book, but suffice to say there is a lot of religious tones behind the creation of the Soulites.
LZ: What lessons have you learned about book publishing? What lesson has been the most valuable to you?
NB: The best lesson I learned is that my publisher is not going to do all my work for me. In terms of advertising and editing, I have to contribute my share as well, or my book isn’t going to make any sales. Another lesson I later learned was that no matter how good I think my grammar is, it can always be improved.
LZ: The first book of the series, War of the Soulites, is also your first novel. What was your initial reaction when you found out it would be published?
NB: Being published for the first time was honestly the best feeling I’ve ever had. But very soon afterward, I realized how much work goes into a book in terms of editing and promotion. So I was bubbling with happiness, yet had this crashing-down-to-earth feeling at about the same time.
LZ: Has that feeling subsided yet? If so, how did you cope with it?
NB: The workload actually doesn’t bother me too much, because that’s sort of been part of my life for the last five years with my writing/web design. I have two horror novellas that I’m currently working on, then War of the Soulites 3, then I’ll probably work on a fantasy series. I like to stay busy.
LZ: Your blog, www.tashabennett.blogspot.com, mentions you like to help others on the road to publishing. How do you accomplish this?
NB: On my blog, I sometimes give advice to other authors, and I spend a great deal of free time on www.absolutewrite, generally critiquing other people’s work and answering questions about publishing.
LZ: What are your writing goals for 2010?
NB: 2010 is a really busy year for me. At the moment I’m writing War of the Soulites 3. At the same time, I’m currently working full time while trying to find another job, and creating two Web sites as well. If I have any free time after that, there’s a supernatural novella that I am trying to finish, and I currently have some short stories being considered for publication.
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To purchase War of the Soulites and War of the Soulites 2: Ouroboros from its publisher, Lyrical Press, visit www.lyricalpress.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_23&products_id=122 and www.lyricalpress.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_23&products_id=225.
To learn more about Natasha Bennett, visit www.warofthesoulites.com.
