Indie Interview: Ichabod Temperance (@MtrofTemperance), a Steampunk novelist
Meet Ichabod Temperance
Genre: Steampunk/Paranormal
Best Known for: The Adventures of Ichabod Temperance
Ichabod
Temperance is silly little fellow living in Irondale, Alabama with
his lovely muse Miss Persephone Plumtartt and their furry pack
family.
Thank you for joining us today!
How did you get started writing, and why did you want to write?
I have been involved with 'sports entertainment' for many
years. The physicality of this profession led me to landing a spot on
an independent film doing stuntwork. The film is a sweeping no budget
epic. The genre was something I had never heard of before,
'Steampunk'. After I got to do so many fun and amazing things in
conjunction with this indie film project, I felt that it behooved me
to look into this return to science fiction's roots. I was pointed
towards a facebook-like site called 'The Steampunk Empire”. Here,
folks are encouraged to develop a backstory and character for
themselves. This sort of woke up a dormant imp that had been lying in
wait within me. I have not been able to stop writing since.
What made you decide to go the "indie" route?
Kindle makes it easy. My style is a little quirky and I
might have a difficult time getting picked up by a traditional
publisher. As it is, I do not have anyone playing around with my
stories or beautiful covers.
Tell us about the books you have available now, and about those that
you're working on.
I have two novels on Kindle. These are a part of the
series 'The Adventures of Ichabod Temperance'. They are standalone
adventures, but with the ongoing story arc of the relationship
between the two main protagonists. When pitching the books to
reviewers, I describe them as 'Steampunk, paranormal, happily ever
after, action/romances told in a humorous fashion'. There is no
graphic sex or violence, though there is a lot of monster fighting.
The novels contain no strong language, and mild innuendo, but without
being vulgar.
Of the stories you have out now, which is your favorite? Do you have
a favorite scene or character that stands out?
I employ my friends in my novels. I find it much easier
to bring a character to life if it is someone I already know. I just
go ahead an make an idealized version of them. It is easy to make my
friends from sports entertainment into horrible monsters. It is fun
to put my friends into terrible predicaments and then find an
outrageous solution to the quandary. I love all my friends and their
portrayals, but there is a poignant moment in my first novel where my
character has to dig down and gain some courage. The weakest scene in
the book became the strongest. I tear up in a good way whenever I
read it.
What would you like to tell your readers? What would you like to say
to potential readers?
When I started, I tried to write the way I thought I was
supposed to write. I soon found that I was not comfortable with
violence, not towards people or animals. So as the books go along,
they become less and less violent. I also realized that I wanted to
bring an element of humor to the books. If I could speak to potential
readers, I would say that my books are safe from unnecessary gore and
will hopefully make you feel good.
There are many, many indie books and authors out there right now. How
do you work to stand out?
I think that humor and charm separate my books from
others. I do not try to shock my readers, but instead, I will tease,
and play along with them. I think that the characters who come to
life in these books are wonderfully charming and my readers will find
them so also.
I
am also very thrilled with my book covers! They are old-fashioned
looking in appearance, which works well with the Steampunk genre. In
my opinion, they stand out in this age of shock value.
What's your favorite part about being an author (both as writer and
publishing books), and what's your least favorite part?
It is so very gratifying to produce something that will
last forever! If an anvil fell on my head right now, the books would
survive and folks would still be reading and enjoying them. I am not
sure if I have a 'least' favorite part. It is difficult to promote
and market myself and my books. I guess that would be the down side.
Any parting words?
Yes! Thank you Bella, The Masquerade Crew, and everyone
else that is so fantastically supportive of indie books and writing.
Thank you, the reading public, for supporting indies. Thank you
Amazon for providing this format that allows little ol' me to write
books!
Thank you, Ichabod!
Bella
