An Interview with Emilie Knight, author of Dagger and Scythe
Emilie Knight is a constant writer, and author of her debut Era of Undying. After years of reading fantasy and horror she combines them together into her own dark fantasy writing. Using her BA in Classical Civilizations and fascination in Ancient Greek mythology she blends it well into her fiction. Other then reading in her spare time she plays video games quite often.
What is your favourite Dragon in literature?
Oh that’s hard. I’d probably have to go with the classic Smaug from The Hobbit. He knows what he wants, and he mainly just wants to be left alone.
I’m not going to be reviewing your newest novel, but from your other published novels, is there one that is your own personal favourite?
Dagger and Scythe is probably my favourite. It was a blast to write, and to really get to know these characters as people. They’re been in my head since high school, but I never had a proper story for them until now. I’m glad it turned out the way it did.
Everyone has a ‘first novel’, even if many of them are a rough draft relegated to the bottom and back of your desk drawer (or your external harddrive!). Have you been able to reshape yours, or have you abandoned it for good?
My first “novel” was in high school and it will never see the light of day. It was an important stepping stone for my writing in general, and I love it, but no one else will ever read it.
Over the years, what would you say has improved significantly in your writing?
Character development. In my first novel, Era of Undying, the main character Pen doesn’t change that much. Which isn’t a bad thing, it fit her perfectly for that story. But Dagger and Scythe do change in a way.
Some authors are able to pump out a novel a year and still be filled with inspiration. Is this the case for you, or do you like to let an idea percolate for a couple of years in order to get a beautiful novel?
A bit of both, if that makes sense. I have enough stories and a good writing style to have each one be roughly a year or a year and a half apart, but it takes time to make a novel. A lot of time, and I do like setting it aside for a month or so after a first draft. It lets the dust settle so I can look at it again with new eyes. They overlap too, which is what I mean by my writing style. I’ve got book 3 in its editing phase, so I started book 4 in its drafting phase.
I have heard of writers that could only write in one place – then that cafe closed down and they could no longer write! Where do you find yourself writing most often, and on what medium (pen/paper or digital)?
I can write almost anywhere, which is good because I mainly write at work. I have a day job in a car dealership call center, so on my lunch I get most of my writing done then. A lot of my coworkers even know and ask me how the book is going now and then. And it’s always pen and paper for the 1st draft, I love the feel of it.
daveart
Before going on to hire an editor, most authors use beta-readers. How do you recruit your beta-readers, and choose an editor? Are you lucky enough to have loving family members who can read and comment on your novel?
I’ve got two awesome beta readers, one is my boss from work actually and the other is a lifelong friend. As for editors my criteria was how much will they charge. I checked up on their work of course, and I didn’t cheap out, but I had to go with two people I could afford.
I walk past bookshops and am drawn in by the smell of the books – ebooks simply don’t have the same attraction for me. Does this happen to you, and do you have a favourite bookshop? Or perhaps you are an e-reader fan… where do you source most of your material from?
I prefer physical books, but I’ve read a few in ebook form. There are a few bookshops in my city, the biggest one being Indigo now. There is a smaller local shop called Juniper Books which is adorable though. It has that perfect old book smell.
I used to find myself buying books in only one genre (fantasy) before I started writing this blog. What is your favourite genre, and have your tastes changed over time?
My favourites are also fantasy, but also horror and grimdark. I’ve wondered into the YA genre style now and then, but I always gravitate back to fantasy.
Social media is a big thing, much to my disgust! I never have enough time myself to do what I feel is a good job. What do you do? Does someone manage your profile for you?
Social Media is a big thing, and it’s like a necessary evil in a way. There are good aspects to it though. Like the writing community on Twitter are all good and supportive people. I haven’t chosen anyone to manage it, I do it all myself. I’m more in control that way, and it’s more personable for people.
I mainly use Facebook and Twitter, but I do have an updated Goodreads account. I have Instagram as well, but that wasn’t helping me as much. I spend maybe an hour or two a day, catching up on everything, updating what I need to. I don’t mind it though being an introvert it does get tiring sometimes. But like I said, it’s a necessary evil, and I do like talking to people through it.
Honestly, without social media I wouldn’t be able to promote anything.
Answering interview questions can often take a long time! Tell me, are you ever tempted to recycle your answers from one to the next?
I don’t think so, the last few about social media did blend together but that was about it. I do like to keep all answers separate and personable.
