Author Spotlight: E.C. Jarvis
Today I am pleased to introduce you guys to English author E.C. Jarvis, the writer behind the Blood and Destiny Series. The first book in that series, entitled The Machine, is slated to come out November 1st.
The Machine is a book that I am personally proud of because it was my first beta read with Rambunctious Ramblings Publishing. When I tell you guys that this book was great, I mean it. So much action, excitement, and twists and turns – you will not regret picking this book up, I promise!
But enough about The Machine, let’s discuss the lady behind the book. So without any further ado, I introduce to you E.C. Jarvis.
1. When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
It’s almost always been a desire in some form or another. I remember sitting in my Grandmothers house, staying up late at night, writing a story in bed, for no reason other than wanting to write. I must have been about 10. I used to want to be a journalist and almost applied to study journalism in London until I found out how competitive it was. I’ve been writing poetry and short stories for years and years, so it’s tricky to pinpoint the exact moment when the desire to be a writer took hold.
2. What inspired you to write The Machine?
I was searching through competitions on writing.com and found an interesting prompt from their ‘The Steampunk Authors Guild’. I wrote a two thousand word piece and won the competition (let’s not mention the fact that mine was the only entry…). I did receive a lot of good comments about it from others, and the most frequent comment was that it seemed like it was part of a much larger story. I agreed, and carried on writing. Here we are a few months later and I have a complete novel, book two is being edited and I’m writing book three. It has been my first ever introduction to the world of steampunk so I’ve been researching as I go to build some of the elements into my story. It’s been a joy to work on… mostly!
3. How long does it typically take you to write a book?
At the rate I’ve been working this year, between four and six months.
4. Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?
Classically speaking, I’m a big fan of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. For a more contemporary work I’d say either Sir Terry Pratchett or Lindsay Buroker. It’s the combination of world building and utterly memorable character creation that each of these writers have managed to achieve that leaves me in awe.
5. What’s more important to you: characters or plot?
Characters. The plot is important of course, but if an author can’t make the reader care about what’s going on, then the plot is irrelevant. The only way to build the connection to the story is through the characters.
6. Can you tell us a little bit about The Machine?
It’s full of action and intrigue, romance and heartache. It is fast paced and easy to read. A fun (and sometimes terrifying) adventure, where even the smallest element has relevance to the story. Larissa begins the novel as a naive girl who thinks she’s found love and happiness. What she really finds is something quite different and the changes she goes through during the journey turn her into a kick-ass heroine, without losing her charm along the way. It’s a steampunk setting but the steampunky elements aren’t the focus. I hope the readers will fall in love with the characters as much as I have – one or two of them in particular.
7. Did you learn anything (whether it be about writing, publishing, or even yourself) from writing your book? If so, what?
So much, too much to put into words. I put a lot of my thoughts into my blog on writing, watch out, here comes the obligatory plug – https://www.ecjarvis.com
8. What was the hardest part of writing your book?
The usual, lack of confidence. Moments when you think the entire thing is crap and no-one in their right mind would want to read it, let alone pay for it. Times when you have no idea what’s supposed to happen next in a scene and you sit there staring at the screen wanting to cry. It’s a lonely process. The step into approaching publishers and the wider world with your creation, your precious baby, your internal workings and opening all that up to the opinions of people who don’t care two hoots about upsetting you or tearing your work to pieces, is terrifying.
9.What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
Playing with my daughter, gardening, reading, gaming, drafting, sleeping.
10. Do you have any advice for other writers or anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
Other writers – stop procrastinating, just get on and write. To my readers, enjoy the ride!
