This week I’d like to introduce you to the talented and hilarious A.S. Akkalon, aspiring author and blogger. Get a taste of her humor and read her exceptional short stories at www.asakkalon.com

A.S. Akkalon planned to run away and join the circus until the fantastical worlds of David Eddings, Katharine Kerr, and Raymond E. Feist inspired her to become a fantasy author.

By day, she works in an office where computers outnumber suits of armour more than two-to-one, and by night she puts dreams of medieval castles, swords, and dragons onto paper.

If life has taught her anything, it’s that the cat is always right.

1. Tell us a little about you and what you’re working on.

My name is Alecia and I’m definitely not obsessed with cats or dragons. Sorry, I can’t say that with a straight face.

As well as cats and dragons, I’m moderately fond of medieval castles, and manage to maintain my romantic illusions about them because I’ve never actually visited one. Nor have I visited a hobbit hole even though I live in Middle Earth.

I am working on making friends online with people I will never have to meet, ridding the world of coffee by drinking it all myself, and editing my high fantasy novel, which is still WAY TOO LONG.

I’m trying – and failing – to not judge you for the hobbit hole thing. Not that I’m jealous of you for living in Middle Earth or anything.

You As A Reader

2. When did you first fall in love with books?

I think I’ve always loved books. It’s possible in a past life I was a book.

3. What’s your favorite book from your childhood?

I loved so many books as a child, but one of my favourites now from back then is Winnie the Pooh because it’s cute, funny, and at least a little profound. I’m working on collecting it in as many languages as I can… and then learning the languages. Collecting the books has turned out to be easier than learning the languages.

4. Of the books you’ve read, which one changed you the most?

I left this question for last because it was the hardest. Is “the heavy one that I dropped on my foot, breaking it” a valid answer?

I can’t decide whether to roll my eyes or be impressed that you managed to break your foot with a book.

5. What’s the last book you read and your current favorite?

The last book I read was Catling’s Bane by D. Wallace Peach. I just finished reading it for the second time. The first time I was beta reading for Diana, the second time was just for fun. If you enjoy beautifully written fantasy I recommend you check it out.

Sorry, I can’t pick just one favourite book. The others might get offended and smother me in the night. Or maybe that’s the cat.

6. If you could meet any author, alive or dead, who would it be?

Shakespeare, because then I could say I met Shakespeare. Also, I could see if he talks as funny as he writes.

You As A Writer

7. When did you first know you were a writer?

I write every day, but I’m not convinced I’m a writer now. In fact, I’d rather not be.

There’s something about labelling it that feels limiting. If I’m a writer then I ought to be like this and behave like that, and I’m automatically *not* a whole pile of other things, like a vegemite sandwich. It’s easy to do both writing and vegemite sandwiching. It’s much harder to be both a writer and a sandwich.

8. Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?  If so, what was it about?

I’m not sure it was the first story I ever wrote, but I remember writing and illustrating a story about a pricess (not being able to spell “princess”). She started out as a little pricess and turned into a big pricess. Somewhere along the way she was captured by an arch-villain called the Big Thing. Don’t worry, she escaped in the end. And possibly was eaten by a plastic crocodile.

9. What has been the most difficult part of your writing journey?  The best part?

I find plotting difficult. It took me six months of planning before I started writing my current work in progress. Then there was the time my Roomba ate the index cards of my first draft. [asakkalon.com/wall-e-roomba] That was a desolate day.

I was horrified just looking at the pictures!

Every evening when I get to sit down and work on my book is the best part, except when my cat bites me for reaching over his back to type.

10. Of all the writing advice you’ve received, what helped you the most?

“Stuff happened” is not a plot. Even if it was exciting stuff.

11. Tell us about your current project and any others you’re working on.

Right now I’m editing my fantasy novel RAIN ON DRAGON SCALES, and today I love it. Tomorrow might be a different story.

The very short summary: An impetuous arena fighter must mend a powerful duke’s alliance with a clan of dragons if she’s ever to return home.

I’m also working on improving the very short summary for RAIN ON DRAGON SCALES, adding two posts a week of random humour and snippets of life to my blog, and writing a short story to give to people who sign up to my blog. The short story is called THE DRAGON’S APPRENTICE, and it’s about a human boy who is apprenticed to a dragon. It turns out I’m very slow at writing short stories.

Fun Stuff About You

12. Besides writing and reading, what are some of your other interests?

Reading about writing. Oh, and world domination.

Does your cat know? Because His Royal Fluffiness might have some objections.

13. If you could become an instant expert at any one thing, what would it be and why?

Learning! (And no, that’s not the same as wishing for more wishes.) Because then I could get to be an expert in anything else, obviously.

14. You’ve just won an all expenses paid trip to anywhere in the world.  Where would you go?

An isolated cabin in the snowy mountains somewhere, with a log fire and reliable internet.

Final Thoughts

15. How can people connect with you?

I blog at www.asakkalon.com, or you can find me on Twitter way too often (@AkkalonAS).

16. Anything else you’d like to tell us?

Thanks for having me here. It’s been fun! And cats are better than dogs.

Thanks for gracing my little blog with your unique flair.

If you enjoyed A.S. Akkalon’s answers as much as I did, leave a comment and let us know, then check out her blog for more hilarious fun.