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Tania Johansson Interview 11/10/2012 7:11:45 PM
Fantasy author Tania Johansson discusses her novels and the writing life! LTS: There are so many talented, engaging fantasy authors out there these days, but one that stands out in my mind is the lovely Tania Johansson, author of the Forgotten Gods series! I’d like to begin by having you share a little information about yourself with our readers, Tania. What do you enjoy doing when you are not writing?
TJ: First of all, thank you so much for having me today. Well, writing is my hobby. I work full time as an optometrist and pretty much any spare minute that I have, I use for writing – even during my lunch break at work! I do try to take some time out to read every day though, as my love of writing originated from my love of reading. Other than that, spending time with family and friends is always a priority.
LTS: Has writing stories always been a part of your life and becoming a published author a lifelong dream?
TJ: No, on both counts! I guess the closest I came to it was making up stories for myself when I couldn’t fall asleep at night when I was little. A waking dream if you like, but I didn’t ever write them down. I never thought I would be able to write a story. For the last few years, while reading I would try to figure out how the author would have gone about writing the story. It fascinated me. Then one day, I decided to try it for myself. I’ve been hooked ever since.
LTS: Your debut novel, Book of Remembrance is garnering some great reviews. What was the inspiration behind this story and can you tell us a little bit about your protagonist the orphan, Kadin?
TJ: Yes, I have been very fortunate with receiving some great reviews. I can only thank the readers for their kind words. My inspiration, not only for Book of Remembrance, but all my writing, comes from reading brilliant fantasy. I absolutely love losing myself in a fantastical world and I wanted to create that for my readers.
As an orphan, Kadin struggles with finding his place in his adopted society, the Tretakai. He is determined to prove his worth and earn his place and this desire drives him. He soon discovers that he has Talents: abilities that were bestowed upon his ancestors by the gods. We see him change from having a very narrow perspective on life, to learning about the world beyond himself. He is forced to grow up quickly and take on tasks that he feels are beyond him.
LTS: Without giving away too much, can you reveal what’s in store for the readers when they crack open Book of Remembrance?
TJ: Book of Remembrance is full of action, adventure and a host of original fantastical creatures – no vampires, werewolves or even dragons anywhere in sight. All this while a boy struggles to live up to what destiny demands of him.
LTS: The road to publication is difficult at the best of times. What made you decide to take the indie route and self-publish your series?
TJ: I started out with querying a few agents, but before I even got any replies, I decided to go indie. I guess on my part it was a bit of impatience. The lure of putting my book on amazon and having people read it proved too much. I am happy I did it as it freed me to move on to writing the next book (and now the third)!
LTS: What has been the best and worst part of self-publishing?
TJ: The worst part? Probably having to figure everything out for myself. From deciding on my price point to advertising, etc. It can be daunting at times. The best? Well, I get to control everything. From deciding on my price point to… Oh, I’m sorry, am I repeating myself?
LTS: What is the most important lesson you’ve learned on the road to publication?
TJ: To keep trying and never give up. It doesn’t matter if you are going indie or traditional, you are going to have many knockbacks. What will count is that you learn from them. You have to continually improve your craft as well as everything that goes along with being indie.
LTS: Excellent advice, Tania! Still on the subject of writing styles, are you a plotter or pantser? The readers would like to know if you tend to plot out your story line in great detail or if your writing is more organic with the characters and events unfolding as you write.
TJ: I am a pantser all the way! I started writing Book of Remembrance on a slip of paper, just scribbling some ideas down. This grew to typing up the first scene and starting an additional document to keep track of names and places, but apart from knowing where I wanted the story to end, I had very little idea of where I was going.
When I started writing Of Folly and Fear, I decided to try plotting the story. Although it worked, it didn’t feel comfortable. Whereas with Book of Remembrance it felt like I was telling a story that I remembered, with Of Folly and Fear, it felt like I was trying to look into a crystal ball to see what was going to happen. It was a good lesson for me though.
LTS: Some authors meditate, others need to fuel up on coffee or listen to music. Do you have any rituals, ones that can be shared with the readers, that you must do before you hunker down for a writing session?
TJ: I spin around five times while repeating, ‘You can do it, you can do it!’ Just kidding, you didn’t think I was that loopy, did you? I don’t have any particular rituals, although I do enjoy sitting down with a big cup of tea. Recently I have started a little tradition whereby I go to a coffee shop on my day off, order a massive cup of coffee – one of those where your cup has two handles – and sit and write for a couple of hours. Those sessions are always my most productive.
LTS: Actually, I spin around three times while chanting, “I must do it! I must do it!” lol At one time or another, most writers hit the wall and their work stalls because of the dreaded writer’s block. What do you do to get around or over this mental wall to resume writing?
TJ: I try to visualize the story up to that point. I search for the next logical step in the tale, getting right into my characters’ heads to see what they would do. Sometimes, I search until I find the unexpected turn – the broken cart wheel, the rainstorm, the attack that comes out of nowhere – that is needed at that point to bring the story to life.
LTS: Who is your favourite author and how has he/she inspired you to write or influenced your writing style or choice of genre?
TJ: I have to say Brandon Sanderson. His work is so original, it just grabs me. I get completely lost in his stories. His books, The Stormlight Archive in particular, played a part in inspiring me to start writing. I actually went to a book signing of his earlier this year and got a picture with him! It’s got pride of place on my website.
LTS: What do you foresee in your future over the next five years and do you hope to branch out from fantasy into other genres? Of Folly and Fear, Book Two of the Forgotten Gods series is published now. Can your fans expect a book three in the near future?
TJ: I’m not sure where I will be in five years, but whether it takes five years or fifteen, I will be working towards becoming a full time author. I doubt that I would go to other genres. Never say never, but fantasy is where my heart is.
I am happy to confirm that I am working on Book Three of The Forgotten Gods series. I am about 75% through the first draft and I am hoping to have it out early next year!
LTS: Thank you for taking the time to answer all these questions and giving us some insight into your writing life, Tania! I’ll catch you on Twitter!
For more information about Tania Johansson and her novels, check out:
Website: www.taniajohansson.co.uk
Follow Tania on Twitter: .TaniaJohansson
Where to buy the book: Amazon:
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/XmPB1A Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/K5ewvg
