{"id":2165,"date":"2023-02-26T09:28:21","date_gmt":"2023-02-26T09:28:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wroteabook.org\/?p=2165"},"modified":"2024-03-31T19:17:12","modified_gmt":"2024-03-31T19:17:12","slug":"qa-with-j-r-martin-author-of-the-engineers-apprentice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wroteabook.org\/qa-with-j-r-martin-author-of-the-engineers-apprentice\/","title":{"rendered":"An Interview with J.R. Martin, Author Behind ‘The Engineers Apprentice’"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Today I had a great interview with J. R. Martin, author of The Engineer’s Apprentice<\/a><\/em>, an alternate history steampunk western and also his debut novel, coming out June, 20th 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

J.R. Martin is an IT professional with a degree in software development. He lives with his wife and two boys in Dallas, TX. He is also a Writers of the Future<\/a> honorable mention and he co-wrote a story with Cat Rambo<\/a> called Riders of the Endless Void in the Gunfight<\/em> on Europa Station Anthology<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I hope you will enjoy this interview with J. R. Martin!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>What inspired you to become an author?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

I loved reading books when I was younger. As a child, my favorite authors were J.R.R Tolkien<\/a>, R. A. Salvatore<\/a>, Piers Anthony<\/a>, Tananarive Due<\/a>, and C.S. Lewis<\/a>. I also loved reading all of the Hardy Boys<\/a> and Tom Swift Stories<\/a> as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the person that really got me excited about writing was Brian Jacques<\/a>. He would come by my elementary school every year when I lived in Germany and would read chapters of a Redwall story<\/a> he was working on. We would ask him questions about writing and what it’s like creating worlds and it was always super fascinating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I decided to start writing stories as I journaled in my English classes and eventually started writing stories. My teachers thought the stories were good and I got the chance to tell my stories when I would go to summer camp. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first time I did it was during a show and tell and the only thing I had was a story idea so I told it. The story kept the kids busy for so long that the counselors started including story time in the activities and I had to floor to myself for 30 minutes while the counselors took a break. Needless to say, I loved it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Please tell us more about the book in a few short sentences.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

This book started off as a steampunk short story in 2010. I decided that I wanted to do a steampunk detective story and thought I could get it done in a few 1,000 words. Needless to say I’ve added a lot more to the story over all and have come up with an entire series for this one, so it is well past its initial 5,000 words.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I decided to write this story because one, I love steampunk, it’s an amazing sub-genre of science-fiction. Two, I wanted to see more black characters in stories. I loved seeing Geordi La Forge or Benjamin Sisko on tv screens and wanted to read about characters like them in books. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the writing bug had nearly become all consuming I decided that instead of waiting for those characters to show up, it would be better for me to write them myself. That’s how the character of Issa Obasi was born.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I also love going beyond the norm and decided that I would add a little magic to this steampunk world and see how it works. After doing it in this story, I’ve been inspired to produce more mashups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In love with literature?<\/strong> Try audio books<\/a> or writing classes<\/a>
for free for 30 days.✨<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Describe a typical writing day.<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

A typical writing day for me includes me choosing the right type of music for the story I’m working on. I have a story, Vagabond Blues, that I wrote while listening to jazz music. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the people who read the story commented on how much they felt like the main character improvised like a jazz musician and that the vibe was very cool and slick, which is what I was going for. I have different playlists I listen to depending on the type of scene I’m working on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When I’m working on a novel I always make sure that the plot threads are tightened up before I get into the act of writing. I already know what key scenes I’m working toward and it’s just finding my way there. I always think backward from those scenes and ask, “where was my right before this major scene”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When working on a short story I do the opposite. I start with the thing and follow the path to its eventual conclusion. Those are the times I’m pantsing and sometimes I try to cram so much into those stories that they become novels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

When I’m not writing, I enjoy reading. I think every writer says that, but I don’t read as much fiction as I used to. I also love watching movies with the family or listening to my kids tell me everything going on with them. I also love hanging out with my wife and firing up the grill as much as possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond that I workout a lot. Definitely one of my favorite things to do alone. Fun fact, I used to box and wrestle back in the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What was the most challenging thing about writing this book?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Honestly there were a few things. I realized that I can’t pants a novel and have a coherent story. That was way too hard for me and kudos to anyone that does it. I started this story 13 years ago so I hope everyone understands that I did take breaks and work on other projects during that time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I grew my skills as a writer so I could continue to tell better stories. Eventually I got here after lots of workshops, conferences, and hard work. But I love it, writing is something I find so enjoyable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I also wanted to make the story as unique as possible so there are some surprises that I think haven’t been seen yet, or at least in a while in a book. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The last thing was trying to balance family, work, and writing. That proved to be the most difficult part and a lot of times I didn’t have support for my work. Eventually I got there and I’m glad I can show my kids that perseverance pays off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which part of the book is your favorite?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

It’s hard to say what part is my favorite. I love the story so much. I do love how a diverse group of characters come together and how the story is an adventure mystery. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There’s travel and exploration, and things are only going to get bigger in the future for Issa Obasi and Annie Sakdavong, the two main characters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do you develop your plot and characters?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

For this novel I used the time period, the characters names to inform on who they are and where they are from, and seeing what kind of fun we can have within the scope of the pages. I also believe that writing shares ideas and one thing I wanted to do was be conscious of the ideas I am putting out there. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

My goal was to show hard working, intelligent characters who differed from the stereotypes they get pigeonholed into. I wanted a plot that was character driven with personal stakes that eventual get revealed to be bigger than our characters imagined in the first place. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When creating the characters, I always asked them questions. Writing the things down that made the character tick helped create some consistency from page to page and book to book. I tend to know what ideas and the type of person I want the character to be, but the way the story allows them to express it can be surprising.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What do you think makes a good story?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

I think good characters and a story that means something. I feel like a lot of writing has forgotten that the best stories were always talking about something. Whether it was the silver standard in The Wizard of Oz<\/a> books, spirituality in The Chronicles of Narnia<\/a>, or the dangers of losing our humanity in pretty much anything by Isaac Asimov<\/a>, there is always a story within a story. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even Mark Twain<\/a> used stories as a record of the times. There was a purpose behind those stories and I think purpose makes for the best stories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do you do research for your books?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Mostly it’s Google and encyclopedias. I don’t shove everything I learn into the book but I do season the manuscript with words, phrases, and items to take you back to the time period. I also love researching old religions and seeing how ancient ideas can be used today in a way that makes them seem brand new.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tell us more about the publishing process behind the book. Have you reached out to anyone?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The publishing process has been interesting. Hiring an editor took the longest time. So many of them were busy, but I eventually found one, C. L. Clark<\/a> did an amazing job as an editor for the story. This is the first interview I’ve done so far and I’m looking forward to doing a few more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I went to Upwork<\/a> to find my cover artist. I also checked out Artstation<\/a> as well but most of the people there were very busy. I am doing a series, but I didn’t do a theme for the books unless the theme for all of the books. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When book 2 comes out I will probably use a different artist. The book is currently being submitted for awards, I’ll follow up and let you know if it wins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are some tools you used to write this book from start to end?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Scrivener<\/a> is my writing tool of choice. I don’t think it can be beat. The latest update for Windows is amazing and brings it more in line with the version for Apple. But even when I’m writing a script I use that software.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What authors inspired you into becoming an author yourself, if any?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

R. A. Salvatore<\/a>, Brian Jacques<\/a>, Tolkien<\/a>, C. S. Lewis<\/a>, Tananarive Due<\/a>, Octavia E. Butler<\/a>, and Stephen King<\/a>. Piers Anthony<\/a> and Isaac Asimov<\/a> as well. Their stories really spoke to me and made me want to tell my own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s funny how people talk about Ready Player One<\/a>, but has anyone read Killobyte<\/a>? That story was great.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your future plans and where can our readers find you?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The Engineer’s Apprentice<\/em> is book 1 of The Steam Engineer’s Saga<\/em>. There will be 5 books in total and once I’ve released this one I’ll finish working on the sequel. I also have a few more short stories I’m working on as well and you can check out episodes of The Scout Ship on Kindle Vella. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I’m also available on my social media so you can reach me on Twitter<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, and Facebook<\/a>. I love telling stories and talking about writing so reach out anytime with questions or comments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To reach J. R. Martin, make sure to also check out his website by clicking here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Have you enjoyed this Q&A with J. R. Martin? Let me know in the comments below!<\/strong> ❤️<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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