The time period is so contentious and so well studied – not to mention written about – that I could not afford to be anything else but a world-class expert in the field.
Hunter Dennis – 2 May 2018
The Back Flap
The Crimson Heirlooms. One tangible – a priceless necklace called the Cross of Nantes. The other ephemeral – a secret hidden within the lyrics of a song. Each holds the power to change the course of history. But together, the price of ownership is death or salvation.
About the book
What is the book about?
An American student in Paris in 1832 is legally blackmailed by the highest court of France to search for the Crimson Heirlooms. Legally defined, there are two. The first is a priceless necklace called the Cross of Nantes. The second, as defined by the High Court, is “the words of the devil’s song as he danced across the blood drenched hills of the Vendée militaire.” The book alternates between the American student and the time of the Heirlooms, where we see two different but connected families at the time of the Heirloom’s forging.
When did you start writing the book?
It’s strange talking about writing. Writing is the quickest and, by far, the most fun part of a novel. For historical fiction, you are talking about research and outlining, especially for one of those “cast of thousands” type sagas. The time period is so contentious and so well studied – not to mention written about – that I could not afford to be anything else but a world-class expert in the field. I started research perhaps two years ago, continued research and outlining while writing, had about 80k words, went to France for a month exactly one year ago, and the novel came out on the 31st of January of 2018.
How long did it take you to write it?
Write write? Hmm… I would say a little less than a year.
Where did you get the idea from?
I have a friend named Daniel Rabourdin, who is from Lyon, France. He made a documentary called The Hidden Rebellion, which is completed and available to be viewed now. I highly recommend it, in fact, but there are spoilers if you don’t know anything about the Vendée. Anyway, I helped him with the writing and discovered a part of the French Revolution I knew absolutely nothing about. I began to realize that most of our modern problems, in terms of our world view and our politics, were created during this period. Marx and Hitler were poor plagiarists. Everything both men said was said somewhere by someone else during the French revolution.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
Coming from scriptwriting, I had no idea how long my chapters were going to be, or even how to proceed with the multitude of decisions regarding how to tell a story in such a loose framework. In a novel you have so many choices that must be worked out beforehand regarding things that seem very simple. You could write a book detailing a conversation between two people at tea. You could also condense it into a sentence. Knowing that, where are you on that scale? What are you dealing with, how do you communicate? Sometimes I did not show, but told, sometimes I showed when I should have told. I ended up writing approximately one act of my outline. Everyone will have to wait for future books to hear my whole crazy tale.
What came easily?
Action came easily, and dialog.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
Most of my main characters are fictional… and borrowed from people I know. Being historical fiction, many supporting characters actually existed.
We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?
I think the book that influenced me the most was Dune by Frank Herbert. The world was completely fleshed out to the extent of having multiple languages, history going back thousands of years, invented and competing philosophies and dynasties. It was exciting and fast-paced, smart and unique. I enjoy Tolkien for the same reason. I think that Dumas’s The Three Musketeers was also hugely influential as well as Charles Dickens.
Do you have a target reader?
Yes, unfortunately. Smart People.
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?
I usually start with a theme, believe it or not. I start with ideas that I think are important that I wish to convey. After that, I gradually begin building my characters, my setting and the action between them all. Everything seems to be in constant flux during this process, except when it suddenly turns to concrete.
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
I have a good memory and my outline would be considered the bare minimum because so much is inside my head. Whether it is written or not, you could say I am a firm believer in a good, basic structural outline. I don’t think a novel can be successful otherwise.
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
I constantly rewrite everything all the time. I push forward as much as I can but find it to be impossible sometimes.
Did you hire a professional editor?
My mother, who has extensive editing experience, as well as forensic, journalistic and teaching credentials, is my editor. She is the best in the world. If anyone criticizes anything in my novel, it is because I didn’t listen to her, or wrote it without her seeing it.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
I sometimes write with music and sometimes I do not. When I do, it is classical, movie themes, chant and classical-style video game music like World of Warcraft, which is excellent. There is an amazing adagio with a harp and cello on Burning Crusade that grips my soul. Don’t make fun of me. It’s actually amazing.
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
Excuse the vulgar but… hell no. You must understand something. Agents don’t want to make books, they want to make money. Make your book. If the agents can make money from it, they will crawl out of the wood work to get it. They aren’t the cavalry, they aren’t knights in shining armor. They are used car salesman, only deal with them if the car is magnificent and the price is right. Deal with them on your terms and only from a position of strength.
What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?
I never intended to submit Heirlooms to anyone who would prove to be any kind of a stumbling block to publishing. I was a scriptwriter, remember. Being a scriptwriter is constant torture via stumbling block. Part of the joy of self-publishing is the ability to just do it without anyone getting in the way.
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?
I had the cover done by Damonza, a European design firm specializing in books. They did a magnificent job. I did not feel qualified to do it, although I did all of the interior maps, illustrations and lay-out – which was amazingly frustrating and difficult.
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
I thought I had a plan but being in the battle ended up to be much different from the drawing table. Now I am winging it and trying to learn what works and what doesn’t.
Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?
Create the best work you can given your talents and abilities. Your books will be on your shelf forever. They are your true heirlooms.
About You
Where did you grow up?
I was a military brat. I lived everywhere and moved all the time. My favorite place was Spain, just outside of Madrid. I traveled all through Europe. It was amazing.
Where do you live now?
I live in Thousand Oaks, California and nearly by accident. If I had my druthers I’d live in a deciduous rain forest, like Forks or something. But all my friends and family are in the sunshine so I’ll probably be here forever.
What would you like readers to know about you?
Anything I write will be from the best effort I can achieve as a person. I will always leave it all out on the field. You will have all of me.
End of Interview:
For more from Hunter, visit his website, follow him on Twitter, and like his Facebook page.
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