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takeeachdayonebookatatime · 2 years

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About Gary Stringer

Scientist by profession, Gary gives real science concepts a fantasy twist in his writing.

While studying for his B.Sc. in Chemistry, he discovered the fantasy genre and he’s barely stopped reading since!

He lives in the seaside town of Blackpool, UK, and enjoys long walks and theme parks in the summer, and theatre shows in the winter.

His previous work includes the Majaos Trilogy available from https://www.obooko.com/free-fantasy-books/chosen-majaos-1-stringer rated 5 stars out of 5 across the 3 books. This work is a decade-long labour of love stemming back to his University days that turns familiar fantasy tropes on their heads.

(Laura8759)

Is there a special reason behind the title of your book/series?

(Gary)

Some books are easier to title than others. Shifting Stars was one of the easier ones, because it involved the main character’s quest for a book called Shifting Stars. A book that is rare, and relatively unknown, but is worth it in the end. I hadn’t consciously thought of it in meta terms at the time, but now I feel sure it must have been in my head somewhere.

The series title, The Salvation of Tempestria was just me trying to give it to my audience straight. These are the stakes: save the world.

I also like to give my titles have a double meaning, if I can.

(Laura8759)

Was there any inspiration behind your story/series?

(Gary)

The main inspiration for my series was to write fantasy with sci-fi time travel shenanigans at the heart of it because I’ve never read anything like that before.

(Laura8759)

Will there be any more books in your series?

(Gary)

Oh yes, there are plenty more to come. The first 3 books cover a lot of ground, but in many ways, book 3 is only the end of the beginning.

(Laura8759)

How many books have you written?

(Gary)

Written and published, Six total.

(Laura8759)

How many books are in your series?

(Gary)

In my current series, three so far. Book 4 to be released end of March.

(Laura8759) Double answer

What can your readers expect from your next book?

How does your next book fit in with your series?

(Gary)

I’m going to answer these two together. If Book 3 was the end of the beginning, Book 4 is the beginning of the middle. It’s the beginning of the Age of the Original Three Guardians of Time and Magic. Their first day on the job, a job no-one has ever done before, facing threats old and new. No rulebook, no backup, no-one to rely on except each other and a few friends.

(Laura8759)

What made you want to write?

(Gary)

Same reason as people who climb a mountain: because it’s there. Switching metaphors, I’m like an explorer. I’ve discovered a new land, a new world, and it’s up to me to tell people about it.

(Laura8759)

For people who have not read your books or series, what are they about?

(Gary)

First, in case anyone hasn’t guessed by now, the genre is fantasy with a blend of sci-fi elements for extra flavour. The overarching story concerns a young/old immortal girl who is trying to save her world through Time magic that is both illegal and dangerous. In each book (so far) she serves as an in-story narrator, presenting the major events in her world’s history that have led to the current crisis, all intended provide context and justification for her actions.

(Laura8759)

What are your other hobbies when not writing?

(Gary)

Aside from reading, I’m a PC gamer. Sports-wise, I enjoy tennis and netball, although I don’t play either because I couldn’t hit the broadside of a rhinoceros.

(Laura8759)

What is your favorite part of your book or series?

(Gary)

The parts I haven’t written yet. Since my books involve playing with Time, I feel a kind of future nostalgia about my writing. What I’ve already written is great, but – oh! – wait until you read what happens next. And even then, what happened after that – that’s my absolute favourite part…apart from the next part…

(Laura8759)

Do you prefer paperbacks or ebooks?

(Gary)

Paperbacks wherever possible.

(Laura8759)

Softcover or hardcover books?

(Gary)

Softcover, mostly.

(Laura8759)

Do you have a favorite book or series from when you were a child?

(Gary)

Far too many to list.

(Laura8759)

Favorite cd or artist to listen to while writing?

Silence is Golden…

I don’t mean the song; I mean I don’t listen to music while writing. While editing, on the other hand, I might have some background music. Classical/instrumental, nothing with lyrics. Other people's words would interfere with crafting my own.

(Laura8759)

What is one of the most important things your readers should take away from your books?

(Gary)

Thematically, I’d say this series is an exploration of following the rules versus doing the right thing, and what happens when those are not the same.

(Laura8759)

If you could, would you make any changes to your book or series?

(Gary)

There are always improvements, always things I look back on and feel I could have done a bit better, but there’s nothing major I would change.

(Laura8759)

What is your thought on outlines for stories/books?

(Gary)

Case-by-case basis, for me. I had very little for my Majaos Trilogy. When the characters put it all together at the climax of Book 3, that was me putting together. I simply trusted that I had all the pieces and completed the jigsaw puzzle on the spot.

Can’t imagine doing that for my Tempestria series, especially as I get closer to the end. But still, plenty of things happen that I don’t plan. Sometimes characters have lives of their own. Two of them decided to have a relationship together that was never in my plan, but who am I to deny them?

(Laura8759)

Paper, computer or typewriter what do you write your story on?

(Gary)

Given my illegible handwriting and appalling typing, using anything other than a computer is not going to end well.

(Laura8759)

What was the last book you read?

(Gary)

I’m going to be cheeky and mention the last two:

Sea of Shadows by Aino Lahteva

and Duplicity of Power by S. Lynn Helton

(Gary)

Both fantasy novels by fellow indie authors, and 2 of my favourite books of 2021.

(Laura8759)

Which one of your books would you want turned into a movie?

(Gary)

The first one, Shifting Stars. The rest of the franchise would naturally follow! ;)

(Laura8759)

Do you snack while you write?

(Gary)

Never.

(Finale question)

(Laura8759)

Current book you're reading?

(Gary)

Faith of the Fallen by Terry Goodkind, one of my all-time favourite authors. It’s a re-read, and it’s every bit as good as I remember.

(Laura8759)

Any social media pages our very few readers can find you at and where they can buy your books

(Gary)

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08...

Instagram: @tempestrian

#books #reader #read #reading #bookreviewer #betareader #interview #QandA

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