Today I would love to welcome Nathan Squiers, aka the Literary Dark Prince to my blog...Let us begin with a little blurb about the author.
Nathan Squiers (The Literary Dark Prince) is a resident of upstate New York where he lives with his loving fiancé and two demonic beings that have, for the time being, chosen to disguise themselves as cats (incredibly demanding and out-of-control cats). Living day-by-day on a steady diet of body modification and potentially lethal doses of caffeine, he often escapes reality through novels, comics & manga, movies & anime, and (of course) his own writing. When he's not immersed in the realm of fiction (be it his own or someone else's), he can be found in the chair of a piercing studio/tattoo parlor or reacquainting himself with the real world (more often-than-not against his will). Visit Nathan and find out more about him and his work at www.nathansquiers.com.
Who or what inspired you to become a writer?
I'd say I was inspired to write due to boredom. When I first started writing, I wanted to find an excitement that I wasn't getting from anywhere else, so I decided to make my own. I've since discovered a great deal to the world to enjoy, but I'm already hooked on fiction and these elements inevitably find their way into my work anyway.
As for "who" inspired me...I'd have to say that, while not directly inspired (per se) by any one person, a long line of brilliant and enthusiastic teachers and professors certainly had a strong hand in nurturing the desire.
How long did it take you to write Crimson Shadow: Noir?
Crimson Shadow: Noir is by far my longest-running project. In the 10 years I've been writing, about five of them have been dedicated to this project alone. A great deal of this was due to the book's content, however; while the project wasn't inherently difficult or time-consuming on its own, the material I was writing was often personal and I could only write it in bits-and-pieces. I'd sit, punch out a few chapters, and then try to distance myself from the project again to avoid becoming depressed. One chapter in particular hit me particularly hard and I ended up suffering a breakdown shortly after finishing it.
If I had not been constantly recuperating from the project in between takes, I'm sure it would've taken half of those five years, but I can't say with all certainty that I'd have made it through the process if I'd tried.
While writing how many times do you go back and rewrite a plot?
I'd like to say "once" and I'd be lying if I said "a lot". Truth be told it's never the same. Death Metal's plot was outlined once and I never had to do a thing to it (the characters saw some *ahem* revamping, but the plot as far as A-B-C remained as it was planned). For Crimson Shadow: Noir, it went through a few changes, but the main theme was constant (the process of getting Xander Stryker through the journey changed too often to say that the plot was "perfect" the first time). Usually, however, a piece sees ABOUT six rewrites as far as plot is concerned.
You run into a bookstore, where do you go first?
The bathroom. I take FOREVER in a bookstore and I hate to be interrupted by nature. Then it's free-for-all on the Horror, Sci-fi/fantasy, and comics/manga section.
How many books in a month do you tend to read?
Ummm... *counting on fingers*
A lot of it depends on the month and what I've got going on. I read more in the summer because I like to sit near the lake by my apartment and read (an average summer month will see ABOUT four-to-six books; sometimes less but usually more). During the winter--with school and holidays--I tend to do a lot more driving (and other motorists will be glad to know that I don't read while behind the wheel). I usually use winter to stock up on what will be summer reading and knock off about two-or-three books a month then.
In all the books you've read. Who is your most favorite character and why?
Cal Leandros from the Nightlife series by Rob Thurman because he's half-man, half-monster, and all badass.
State 5 random facts about yourself.
-My first word was "cat" and everything--EVERYTHING--I saw was dubbed as such.
-As a child I learned how to sew because my hunger for action figures was larger than my mother's ability to afford them and I took to making new toys by sewing costumes for my old ones.
-I'm a fat man and eat like one, but every now and again I "detox" with some sushi and a bowl of miso soup (just wait, in several years medical science will prove that miso can cure ANYTHING)!
-I was terrified of horror movies up until I was 14 when I dared my first solo-film: Jeepers Creepers.
-Favorite movie serial killer: Michael Myers.
Your favorite Genre?
Anything with vampires (but I LOVE vampires as action heroes).
What are you currently reading?
I'm currently in between novels at the moment and attacking a hefty stack of comics. Any suggestions?
What is the best book you've read?
There's no way I could answer that. Books are like music, they pertain to a frame of mind at a certain time. What I've LOVED in the past may not do it for me now. That said, Nancy A. Collins' "Sunglasses After Dark" certainly delivered all the goods and made a fan of me when I was in high school.
Any new projects coming up?
I'm currently working on book #4 of the Crimson Shadow series (there's seven books in total planned) as well as outlining book #2 for Death Metal. After that I've got a five-book series planned in ties to Crimson Shadow but with a new list of characters. There's a few other side-novels planned, as well as my comic books and short stories.
Here’s your chance to market your book. Describe it. And why readers should pick it up?
I wrote Crimson Shadow to be both an action/adventure piece as well as a psychological thriller. Outside being an out-of-control mashup of horror, fantasy, and anime-style "visuals", you get to "meet" Xander Stryker, a self-destructive young man-turned-vampire who discovers a connection to the world of supernatural creatures and a world filled with custom-tailored creatures of darkness (featuring more than three breeds of vampires and a fresh look at the werewolf legend). The book has been form-fitted to entertain any and all (if you're looking for supernatural romance--and who isn't these days?--then I ask that you be patient with me and Xander [trust us, it'll be worth it]). Aside from the entertainment value, the book is, at its core, an inspirational piece for those who sometimes feel like giving up and, along with the message between the pages, a portion of the book's proceeds will go to the anti-suicide and self-mutilation movement, To Write Love On Her Arms (TWLOHA.com).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My Review:
Release date: May 1, 2012
Published by: Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly Publishing
Genre: Young Adult, Action-Adventure, Supernatural
**This book contains mild graphic language that may not be suitable for younger readers**
The Story begins by introducing us to Xander Stryker, a teenager with the hunger for death. Every night he attempts to end his life, but death isn't ready for him yet. As his 18th birthday approaches, Xander is introduced to a supernatural world he didn't know existed. Soon he learns the truth about who and what he truly is, and realizes why death didn't come so easily. Forced to face his un settling past, Xander will have to choose to use his newfound strengths or give in to it and let it destroy him once and for all... As always I don't like to spoil endings or stories...so I will leave it up to you to read and find out what path Xander will decide to take....
Crimson Shadow was a great book! It's descriptions, plot and characters are likeable and intriguing. The Literary Dark Prince, did an awesome job in creating a supernatural world filled with creatures that both excite and fright the readers. The action scenes in the book were so vivid, I actually pictured it in my head and thought to myself, "Wow, this will make an awesome movie!" I can see the hard work and research the author used to make this book as awesome as it is. I highly recommend this book. You will not be disappointed!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Where you can find Nathan Squiers (The Literary Dark Prince):
* Facebook * FB/ Author * Twitter * Goodreads * Website * Blog *
No comments:
Post a Comment