An Interview with Chris Bennett: Author of Windslash: The Last Elemental

Born and raised in the small town of Fakenham, Chris Bennett has always had an imagination and passion for storytelling. Now, as a published author, he creates tales of fantasy, drawing inspiration from his childhood memories and from everyone and everything around him. When not writing, he enjoys training, TV, video games, and spending time with others. Whilst looking for new sources of inspiration.

Tell us about your book.

It’s a Fantasy novel set 10,000 years ago in Atlantis, where an Atlantean Battle Mage discovers he can use forms of magic that the other inhabitants can’t. This marks the start of an extraordinary adventure as he learns the extent of his abilities. This is essentially his origin story. The events of the story will see him become part of the modern world.

Why did you want to write a book?

Because I’ve always had an imagination ever since I was a kid. I’ve always been coming up with stories from inspiration around me. Making side stories for different franchises. And ways to improve the stories of different franchises. I just needed to find my own story.

Why did you choose to self-publish?

I first tried the traditional route. I sent my manuscript to several publishers and literary agents, but none of them were interested except the hybrid publishers, and I didn’t want to go down that route. So, in the end, I decided to self-publish.

What tools or companies did you use, and what experience did you have?

With this being my debut novel, I had no experience. I went with a self-publishing company called Grosvenor House Publishing. Surprisingly, we managed to get the book published ahead of schedule.

Would you self-publish again?

Depends on the circumstances. If I manage to find a traditional publisher who would be interested in my future work, I’d probably try the traditional route. If not, I’d definitely self-publish again.

What do you think are the main pitfalls for indie writers?

Getting their books noticed by potential readers and being targeted by scammers during the process.

What tips can you give other authors looking to self-publish?

The book is the product. Once you publish it, you become a business. You are showing customers your brand. Your delivery creates interest, and the interest then leads to sales. If there are no sales, then there’s been no interest, and if there’s been no interest, then your delivery is wrong.

What was your steepest learning curve during the publishing process?

The hardest part comes after the book is published, not before.

As a writer, what is your schedule? How do you get the job done?

I prefer to work at night, when it’s quiet and I can concentrate better.

How do you deal with writer’s block?

If I’m unable to deal with it immediately, I take a break. I do something else and let the answer come to me.

Tell us about the genre you wrote in, and why you chose to write this sort of book.

Fantasy. I wrote in this kind of genre because the majority of the stories I’ve come up with are fantasy stories.

Who are your biggest writing inspirations and why?

In terms of other authors and franchises, there are several. Akira Toriyama (Dragon Ball), Cassandra Clare (Shadowhunters), J.K. Rowling (Harry Potter), Oliver Bowden (Assassin’s Creed), and many others. Despite their inspiration, everything is my own original story, not a cheap copy of another author’s work. These were inspirations for styles of combat and magic.

In terms of people. One person gave me more inspiration than anyone.

I started writing this book 13 years ago when I was 21. Unfortunately, the laptop I was writing it on got damaged, and I was only able to salvage so much of it, which destroyed my confidence, and it got put aside for years. However, I still kept imagining and creating ideas for it. Last year, my coach/instructor and I were talking; he was giving me one of those pep talks. “Where do you see yourself in 10 years time?” So, he convinced me to finish it. I managed to rebuild what I’d lost, then continued the story.

On April 27th last year, I was telling a woman I know about my book. Her face lit up with excitement when I told her about it, and she asked me if I was getting it published. So, I offered her and her dog a place in the story. I was having trouble with the story at the time because I was only thinking about what happens in battle. Yet, I couldn’t believe how my head started flooding with new ideas after I offered her and her dog a place in the story. A few of which we discussed, and she liked them, particularly the one about her dog being the first one Timaeus forms a bond with in a world unfamiliar to him. The inspiration that she and her dog (bless her) gave me was what I needed for what happens outside of battle.

I had no idea how to progress the story once it came to the modern world. This book was originally meant to be in two halves, but thanks to the inspiration she and her dog have given me, I was able to turn two halves into two books.

How do your friends and family get involved with your writing? What do they think of your book?

Don’t get me wrong. Over the years, when the story had been put aside, several people were saying to me I should finish it, yet despite continuously coming up with ideas for it, my confidence was still ruined. However, as I mentioned in an earlier question, one convinced me to finish it and publish the story, whereas another and her dog gave me the inspiration I needed to progress it once it came to the modern world.

Once I decided to finish it. I shared the first draft of the first chapter on Facebook, and many people were excited by it, saying they’d love to read the full story.

I asked my family’s opinion on the emotions that are tied to each form of Element Magic.

My sister helped me when I was trying to think of a Greek mythological creature related to water because I was having trouble finding one for the final trial when Timaeus goes to earn his Blue Element Stone.

I asked my uncle to proofread the manuscript, although he got through the first chapter, he was unable to finish it because he had work to think about. I also asked a couple of friends to proofread it, but because they too had other things to think about, they were unable to get through the manuscript. However, my sister asked her co-worker, who is a teacher, to proofread the manuscript for me, and once that was done, I started looking for a publisher.

As I mentioned in an earlier question, my efforts to find a literary agent or a traditional publisher proved in vain. During this time, it’s not that people weren’t supporting me; it’s that they couldn’t or didn’t know how to support me. This was when everything was still just words.

After I decided to self-publish, I was able to turn words into reality. Everyone was showing me support, even people who didn’t know about the book.

Aside from my proofreader, who has read the book. Although friends and family think that me having published the book is great. I don’t know how many of them have actually read it, so I don’t know what they think of the actual story.

What are your plans now your book is published?

Now that I’ve published my book, now comes the hard part. Doing everything I can to make sure it sells, so people can enjoy the story I’ve created.