If your story is written in first person POV, do your characters have any favorite words they use often?
The Newfoundlanders in Wild Nights, Hot and Crazy Days use the word "B'ye" often ("B'ye" is Newfish for "Boy". This is a real thing). The MC (me) is a mechanic by trade and so has an ahem colourful vocabulary.
In Finding Daecon's Way there are no particular favourite words, but they do use the phrase "I am what you are, and you are what I am" to identify themselves to other Shapeshifters.
What's the funniest chapter you've released so far? What is the saddest? What is the most romantic? Are any other scenes coming that will knock these chapters off their pedestals.
In WNHCD:
Funniest would have to be any chapter that had Mel in it. That man was real life comic relief. Barring that, some of the "specials" were pretty funny, too.
Saddest for me would be the chapter depicting Derrick's suicide. Others might find the chapter depicting the accidental drowning of two six year old children to be the saddest. Still more might think it was the accidental death of David in a structure fire.
Most Romantic, far and away, would be the one in which Troy and I share our New Year's 2000 kiss. That was when we declared our love for each other.
There are no more scenes coming, the story is finished.
In FDW:
Funniest would be when Daecon and Owen have their first conversation. Daecon simply does not take anything seriously, even after growing a pair of wings out of his back.
Saddest would be the death of Dionysius.
Most romantic would be when Daecon saves Evander's life (quite literally brings him back from death) and they confess their feelings for each other.
Time will only tell whether any chapters will top these, but I hope so (I'd hate to think I've peaked)
What is one moment that made you realize you still have a lot to learn as a writer/artist?
When I looked back at something I read and thought to myself "Boy, this sucks". I've since rewritten that part.
What are some parallels/similarities in your different series? what are some differences?
Similarities: (almost) Everyone's gay. Wall-to-wall queer.
Differences: In WNHCD, the MC dealing with being gay in a scary and unfriendly world is one of the biggest plot points - in fact it's the whole point of the story. In FDW it is not an issue at all. Everyone's gay and it's faaaabulous. Also, WNHCD is true, while FDW is a shapeshifter fantasy featuring magic.
What would you consider the main idea behind your story?
For WNHCD I've just mentioned it above, and I've driven the point firmly into the ground: It's the coming of age/coming to terms/coming out story of myself in 1980's suburban Nova Scotia. In FDW it is Daecon's personal growth as a person as he transforms from a vapid airhead without a care in the world into an intelligent, wise (no, this is not the same thing as intelligent) and caring leader.
Do any of your characters seem to write themselves?
WNHCD is literally my character writing himself. FDW is different, in that none of the characters really "write themselves", but I do find Evander to be the easiest to write.
What do you think is the best thing you've ever written, (and released) so far
Easily, WNHCD. This story is my life. I've poured my heart into it, and it shows. I realize it has some areas that are weaker than others (the "learning to drive" and "hunting trip" chapters are nowhere near as important as the rest, though they tie into the story and provide character development). That said, I think it's a very good read, though I say it myself.
Do you ever find your character's physical appearances changing over the course of the story? Not just when you're drawing them but even the way you visualize them in your head evolving as you write your novels?
Ooh, great question. WNHCD takes place over a time span of 20 years. The MC goes from being a 12 year old kid to an adult in his early thirties. Obviously a whole lot changed - even his (my) hair colour, which was so blond it was almost white but changed in his mid 20's to chestnut brown).
Here's his first appearance and his last:
FDW's Daecon's changes are little more subtle (his gaining the ability to change into animals and birds notwithstanding). He started out with blue hair and blue contacts in his eyes. The dyed hair was just his flamboyant way of hiding his naturally white hair, while his contacts hid his heterochromia. He ditched the contacts after meeting Owen and discovering he would not be returning to life among humans, and his hair reverted to white on his first successful shapeshifting. HIs taste in fashion has changed (as mentioned previously he has acquired a taste for 80's fashion), but more subtly, his hair has changed. He started out with a mullet (long in the back, short top and sides) but it has grown more uniformly long (over two days!) and he now ties the sides into long braids, which gives him a tribal look. If you read the story you probably won't notice it, but his hair makes this change gradually in the images
First appearance:
New look:
If you were to describe your story as a food or drink, what would it be?
I truly have no idea
What are the titles of some chapters you can't wait to share?
Haven't named 'em yet, so dunno
Which of your characters do you think are most like you? Which are the least like you?
In WNHCD it's pretty obvious which one is just like me... it's me! Least like me would probably be Mel. I only wish I could be as free-spirited as him. In FDW I'd say Evander is most like me (except he's much better looking). Owen is probably least like me because he is very strict and focused.
Which of your characters was the most hard for you to design and who is the hardest to draw? (or describe I suppose.) Do you ever find you start writing without knowing your character very well and then learn more about what they look like, behave like etc. over time?
Troy from WNHCD is the hardest to draw. When you husband is watching you draw him over your shoulder you'd bloody well better get it right!
