KaraSkinner

The Darkest Sword by Samantha Kroese

Today’s interview is with Samantha Kroese, a dark fantasy writer who writes about resilient characters.

LQ: Tell me a little bit about yourself.

SK: I’m the author of five, soon to be six, independently published dark fantasy books. I grew up in a difficult situation so I like to try to write stories about people who might find themselves in terrible places or situations but are resilient enough to come through and find their way. While my books are fantasy with horror elements I try to shine a little light of hope in the darkness without being preachy or coming on too strong.

LQ: What does your writing process look like?

SK: My stories always come to me in the form of a character. I’ll get a random thought about some new character that shows up in my mind chattering away at me to tell their story. So as I’m writing I’m unraveling the mystery of who they are and where they came from and why they became what they are. I’ve never been able to use outlines, it will kill my story if I try to use one.

I do build one in my revision process if I have a lot of story paths to keep track of to make sure everything fits. I do all my editing after my story is finished because I’m a perfectionist who will not stop rewriting if I don’t. I will make playlists of songs that fit my character’s mood or situation and play them while I write. I’ve learned this helps me channel the character better, all I have to do is put that playlist on and it will break any block I am having and the words will flow again.

I can only write if I’m alone in a private place though! No coffee shop writing for me.

LQ: What was your favorite book to write so far?

SK: Oh, that’s a hard one. My favorite to write was probably Forbidden, the first book of my Fading Lights trilogy. That trilogy evolved backward. I  wrote Taboo, the last book, first. But then as I told my friends about that story and built on it they wanted to learn more and more and I ended up writing backward to see how Taboo‘s character had gotten there. That storyline just came along so well and I worked on it for ten years so it just became so familiar that it’s still my favorite.

LQ: Who is your favorite character to write about?

SK: I have two favorites. Durriken, who is the star of Taboo, book 3 of Fading Lights. I could probably write another dozen books about him. I think out of the thousands of characters in my head he will always be my favorite. But Rubei, the MC of Regret, my newest release, is a much older character and was my first favorite so I love writing about him also.

LQ: Who are your favorite authors? Have any of them influenced your work?

SK: Holly Lisle is my all-time favorite author. She hugely influenced my work. I used to be part of the Forward Motion Writer’s site that she and Lazette Gifford ran for writers. I learned so much there and from both of them. They try so hard to give back to the writing community. They’re just amazing. And I love Holly’s novels too.

I think the one that inspired me to be brave and publish, though ,was Brandon Sanderson with Elantris. Judith Tarr’s Kingdom of the Grail and anything related to King Arthur has always fascinated me as well.

LQ: How are you doing during the current pandemic?

SK: Well, I got very sick. I can’t say I had Covid-19 because they wouldn’t test me so I don’t know for sure. What I do know is I spent a very long week afraid I was dying because I was so ill. Because of this and the fact that I’m high risk for complications I’ve had to stay home from my day job until May at least. Other than that I’m doing well and doing my best to support others in this terrible dark time.

LQ: What are you currently working on?

SK: My next book is called Ladykiller. I’m about half-way finished with writing it and it follows characters introduced in my latest release, Regret, but it’s a stand-alone novel that’s set eighteen years after the events of Regret. It’s part of a planned set of four standalone novels (for now) of the different assassins from my world Dakaal.

I have two more planned for that set after Ladykiller is finished. I also write a side project, called The Darkest Sword, which is a very dark fantasy serial novel about a villain that is posted one chapter a week on my author website.

LQ: Anything else you would like to share?
SK: I’d just like to wish everyone safety and blessings during this dark time. And I’d also like to encourage people to read indie authors, not just because I am one, but because I’ve been reading them almost non-stop for the last 6 months and there are so many talented indie writers.

The industry is changing and if you’re willing to dig a little you will find some amazing stories that will blow your mind!