Wednesday, August 9, 2017

Interview with Christopher Draven


Now available in both print and eBook formats is the supernatural thriller Hunted: A Jonathan Harker Novel by Christopher Draven.


Slinging Spells with Broken Ribs Isn't Easy

Jonathan Harker, mage and life-long demon hunter, wakes to find himself tied to a chair and severely wounded. His captor, a demon in service to a summoner who wants Harker alive.

Armed with impossibly powerful magic and a gang of demon toughs, the summoner has snared Harker in a deadly trap. Nothing is ever easy, and being new in town has left Harker with few allies. However, with help from a Fortune-Teller named Clover and a self-described "Kitchen Witch" named Momma Dee, Harker fights back.

To prevail, Harker must walk unprepared into a pit of demons and black magic - and come out alive on the other side.

The author has taken a few minutes out of his busy schedule to talk about his new novel.



When did you become interested in storytelling?

From a young age, I loved reading and hearing stories. My mom would read to me each night, even when I was in elementary school – only she didn’t read me children’s books. My mom read out loud books by Terry Brooks, Anne McCaffrey, and others.

I grew up on tales of Allanon setting fields of grass alight with Druid’s Fire and Lessa’s quest to bring back the missing Wyers.

In the fourth grade, there was a local contest for children writers. My teacher led our class in the exercise of writing a short story. She submitted several of the stories for consideration, and I won the contest.

And then I was hooked.

The rest of my life, even my career choices, were guided by a desire to write and tell stories.

What was your first book/story published?

I have written several Non-Fiction books, under a pen name or as a ghost writer. Hunted: A Jonathan Harker Novel was my debut novel.

What inspired you to write Hunted?

Jonathan Harker was my inspiration. He is a vital part of the literary world, and yet he is often forgotten by pop culture. As I considered what would happen next for the character, the story grew up around him.

What character in Hunted is the most/least like you, and in what ways?

Without giving much away, I am most like Cresh. We don’t share the same pedigree (Demon Noble vs Small Town American), but we share a fondness for lawyering our way through a conversation – though the stakes are usually higher when Cresh is concerned.

What is your favorite part in Hunted?

The final showdown.

What was the hardest part to write?

The most challenging part is writing Clover. She is complex, and her past would have been insurmountable for most humans. However, she has not only endured, but found a way to thrive.

Clover is much more than the hot, mysterious gypsy girl troupe. While she was the most challenging bit to write, I’m very excited to tell her story.

What would your ideal career be, if you couldn't be an author?

Some sort of historian or researcher. As great as fiction can be, the history of mankind is just as varied and interesting. Spending hours and days chasing down a single, obscure point of a historical happening would not be a bad way to spend my time.

Do you read reviews of your books? If so, do you pay any attention to them, or let them influence your writing?

I’m a new novelist, so I don’t yet have a lot of reviews. However, I do read the ones I get. That may change over time, but right now I like to see the feedback. You cannot improve if you refuse to listen.

It is hard for most writers to consider readers as customers. However, in today’s instant-download reality, there is a major shift in the way readers view the content they consume. Writers are no longer brands that are created by the powerhouse publishers in New York. Social media and reader reviews are two ways an unknown author can be catapulted to sustainable success.

What well-known writers do you admire most?

Oh, wow…there are a lot of them. Top of the list is Terry Brooks. The first time I met him, I went total fan-guy. I stood there, staring and silent. I’d round out the ‘admire most’ category with David and Leah Eddings, Jim Butcher, Charlie Holmberg, and Kevin Hearne.

Do you have any other books/stories in the works?

Right now, I’m focused on book two, which is due out in October, 2017. The story picks up a few months after the events in Hunted. Jonathan is contacted by a friend who needs help investigate what happened to a beloved priest – who died in the middle of saying Sunday Mass.




About the Author

Christopher Draven has worked as an instructional designer, newspaper journalist, and ghost writer.

One soggy Monday morning, he committed to leaving behind the soul-stealing work of corporate puppetry and escaped to a meadow where he could concentrate on his passion. Since that fateful day, Christopher has focused on learning the craft of fiction.

Hunted: A Jonathan Harker Novel was Christopher’s debut, and his best friend said it was swell.

To learn more about the author, visit his website at: www.christopherdraven.com/

Follow the author on Facebook and Goodreads.

No comments:

Post a Comment

I adore reading reader feedback! I will, however, remove all spam and pointless comments.

Please take note that I have the right to delete comments from this site. Please only post constructive and respectful feedback.