Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Book of Spells is the first novel I have completed. Like most authors there is a trail of half completed rubbish that I suppose counts as my learning curve.
In my younger days I wrote for a number of fantasy role playing and wargames magazines, and even for a while edited a role playing fanzine called “Runestone”. To be honest the years have not been kind to this work. It looks and reads in a very dated fashion, almost embarrassing to be honest. Though if the text makes me shiver I’m still proud of the ideas and imagination that my early scribbling s tried to present.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Books of Spells is my first novel. I love fantasy fiction but have found that I now tend to the more drawn to stories that are anchored in the “real”. To this end I wanted to create an urban fantasy story that most people could relate to. The background and characters are very everyday – small town normal people; who find themselves drawn into a fantasy realm that itself is believable fantasy. I am not a fan of the lets use magic to get out of this plot problem style of fantasy.
Having read it again recently while trying to write a glossary for the forth coming website I was stunned to find how much of my friends and myself is written into the book. Anyone who knows me will probably be able to name the real people the characters, including the fantasy ones, are based on!
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really. I try to sit away from distractions and just go for it. Even if I am struggling I try to get words on a page. Sometimes it is better than expected and some times you face the facts and hit the delete key. It’s still generally better than just staring at a keyboard.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I suppose the biggest influence in setting a world was the late great Terry Pratchett. The Disk world novels had a world that I could see links to in my everyday existence.
More recently the Ben Aaronovitch’s Rivers of London series let me see the possibility of mixing fantasy characters in the modern world.
What are you working on now?
Currently writing the sequel to Book of Spells that takes expands the world and takes the characters into London.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
As with most first time authors this has been a very steep learning curve and in truth I’m still getting my head around this side of things.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t give up. Keep plotting and planning. Try to get some words down every day. A little and often adds up quite quickly.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t be afraid to rewrite. The first draft will be just that. Take a break and then edit (harshly). The book will be better for it.
What are you reading now?
Currently reading a mix of old Terry Pratchett novels and the latest Bernard Cornwell “The Flame Bearer” book.
What’s next for you as a writer?
A mix of working on the sequel and completing the Book of Spells web site as a place to dump all of the world material I created writing the book.
What is your favorite book of all time?
Erm!!!!
This is going to be a strange choice but probably the children’s book “A Winter Holiday” by Arthur Ransome. For some reason this book got into by mind as a child and has never left.
Author Websites and Profiles
Bill Lucas Website
Bill Lucas Amazon Profile
Bill Lucas’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile