Meet Ken Lange, author of Accession of the Stone Born

Were there any difficult challenges or special subject matter you came across while writing this book?

Considering I’m average height, the whole six foot six thing was a bit daunting. I never realized that it was so hard to find clothes that fit or even a bed that was comfortable. The fact that the average door in the US is 6’9” tall, anyone 6’6” and above feel a need to duck most of the time. All problems I don’t have.

Tell us three things about you-the writer-readers wouldn’t typically know.

1.  I’m a big cat person for starters.
2. I work best in complete silence; the stories don’t like the outside competition.
3. Sushi is one of my favorite foods.

Where did you get the premise for this book?

I’ve always wanted to write a book based on magic and it sort of evolved from there.

What about this book would make us want to read it more than others of similar taste?

To be honest, I’m not sure. I think it’s a matter of style, I suggest reading a bit and see if it fits their expectation. Books are a lot like a good meal, I like my steaks medium rare while others love theirs well done and we will never agree. But that’s okay, a lot of people like their steaks medium rare. It’s just a matter of personal preference.

What is your book about?

It’s about a man who lost his way early in life. He left home after his parents died in an accident and went to work for the government as an enforcer for nearly thirty years. With the political shifts and changing views he became an outdated tool that was summarily dismissed.

Once he returns home, like many others, he isn’t sure what to do with himself. He’s clear on a couple of things, he doesn’t want to become a mercenary and he needs to get his feet under him. Of course fate has other things in mind when he’s introduced to the Archive and all its wonders.

He finds a new purpose within the Archive and strives to make the world around him a better place. As he says, peace is maintained by those willing to do great violence in its name. He’s a hard man and one that sees the world for what it is, even if he doesn’t understand it.

What do you hope readers will take away from your book?

I hope they enjoy the book for what it is, entertainment, but if they wish to take more away, then I hope they take a hard look at the people around them and realize that they’re not so dissimilar.

 

Please share a short excerpt 500 words or less.

I heard the quiet thud of soft-soled shoes rapidly pounding the sidewalk behind us. My body tensing, I grabbed Heather in my far arm, swinging her around me and holding her at arm’s length, which allowed me to spin around and face the runner. The small yet handsome Asian man barreling our way was barely five feet tall. The officer reached out for him, but the runner ducked and planted a palm into the man’s chest, sending him sprawling through the open gate where he landed hard on his back, slapping his head against the black stone walkway with a sickening crack.

The Asian man seemed at odds with himself, moving like a young man but appearing to be in his mid to late thirties. His bald head gleamed in the moonlight and his focus was on Heather. Increasing his speed, he pulled out a long silver dagger. He was fast, muscular, and most importantly, a threat.

Our attacker hadn’t anticipated Heather being spun around, several feet out of reach, and his blade pierced my coat and shirt, allowing its razor sharp edge to leave a long shallow gash across my ribs. It wasn’t life threatening, yet the warm blood trickling down my side was annoying and a little itchy. He pulled the blade back and flicked his wrist, and slamming the ridge of my hand against the man’s throat, I lifted him off the ground, propelling him several feet back.

He was unarmed now, the dagger seemingly vanishing from sight, and it registered in my mind that I hadn’t heard it hit the ground. Discovering the weapon’s whereabouts was secondary to handling the man who wielded it.

He fell back gracefully, pulling his knees up, rolling over his shoulders and neck back to his feet, prepared for a fight. He was dazed and slow, which was bad news for him. I sped towards him in a low footballer’s stance and he kicked out a foot, landing hard against my shoulder.

He wasn’t heavy enough to slow me down, and I grabbed the leg. Catching sight of the fence, I changed tactics. Forcing myself upright and pulling his leg along with me in a nasty twist, I heard it snap at the ankle and knee before I felt it give way as I pulled it from the socket. He lurched back as I swept a leg underneath him, forcing him around and allowing his face to plow into the wrought iron fence, which was forced downward with all his body weight and a good shove from me. A long black iron fleur de lis erupted from the back of the man’s head, causing him to convulse in an oddly rhythmic fashion for several seconds. Finally, the twitching stopped and he slumped against the fence with his knees on the sidewalk, resembling some sort of gruesome prayer to an uncaring god.

 Writing Style Questions:

 Are you a plotter, a pantser or a combination of both?

A little of both I suppose; I try to have it all plotted out but sometimes the story or the characters disagree. For example, Heather was supposed to die, apparently she had other plans. It’s a little weird but it happens.

What was your favorite part of the story to write?

All of it, mostly. I always start by writing the first couple of chapters and then the ending, so I can’t change it up too much.

Was there a part of the story that was difficult to write?

The ending was tricky, otherwise it flowed easily enough.

Do you have any quirky writing habits?

Other than the silence? I suppose, if I have to do anything else that day, writing is pretty much off the table. I need to be able to sit with the story and let it move onto the screen. Interruptions, be it errands, going out for lunch or appointments pulls me out of that space and it’s difficult for me to get anything done.

What advice would you give to other writers?

To be themselves and not try to be someone else. It’s a lot easier that way.

 

Book Description: Step into the strange and unusual world of the Archive with Gavin Randall, meet Lazarus and learn about the Stone Born. A necromancer is on the move and thousands of souls hang in the balance.

Links to the book on Amazon:

 

 

US: http://amzn.com/B01EMEIV1O

 

UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01EMEIV1O