A few years ago I was driving through the Cascade Mountains and imagined a small village in one of the clearings. I could see people living and working there in a 15th century fashion. I asked myself why they would be there and discovered they were hiding.
M.L. Gardner – 10 October 2014
The Back Flap
In the year 2075, freedom isn’t a God-given right. It’s a distant memory. After illness decimates the world’s population, those left are manipulated into a new regime.
Nicholi struggles with the pressures of his destiny as a third generation rebel and the new leader of the village his grandfather founded sixty years ago. He continues his grandfather’s legacy, training and building a resistance to the tyrannical city, all within the confines of a secret village hidden deep in the Sayan Mountains…but maybe it’s not so secret after all…Nicholi’s duties as village leader continue to rankle his jealous younger brother, Anton, who’s reckless behavior and selfish ways create tension within the village. And when Quinn, the latest recruit smuggled from the city arrives, she becomes a curiosity and distraction for Nicholi, igniting a passion for something other than war.
After learning his grandfather’s true motives, Nicholi must choose his own destiny and either accelerate plans to attack or break away and forge his own personal revolution.
About the book
What is the book about?
Sayan Knights is a dystopian novel about a young man who has just assumed the responsibility of a rebel village his grandfather founded sixty years ago.
When did you start writing the book?
April 2014
How long did it take you to write it?
Four months.
Where did you get the idea from?
A few years ago I was driving through the Cascade Mountains and imagined a small village in one of the clearings. I could see people living and working there in a 15th century fashion. I asked myself why they would be there and discovered they were hiding. Of course then I had to ask why they were hiding and suddenly the idea took a swing into the future, where the inhabitants of this village were planning a revolution against the tyrannical city. When I realized that the city and the village had living conditions several hundred years apart, it spiraled and blossomed from there.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
I struggled to figure out who Quinn was. I had a very concrete idea of who she should be and when she appeared on the page, she wanted to be someone completely different. Of course I had no choice but to let her do what she wanted.
What came easily?
The struggles Nicholi felt between living a life he was told he was destined to live and the desire to choose his own path. I wanted to show him struggling, but not have him appear weak or easy to influence. It was easy to relate to coming to a crossroad and having to decide what path would bring the most happiness.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
They are entirely fictitious.
We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?
Diana Gabaldon inspires me to expand the depth of a scene and create a rich, full world.
Nora Roberts inspires me to not be afraid of love scenes.
Louisa May Alcott created a lovely mix of character personalities in Little Women. She reminds me to let the characters develop naturally and trust that they will all blend well.
Do you have a target reader?
Since this is a new genre for me I am still defining the target reader for Sayan Knights.
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?
I start with an idea, (such as an imaginary village in the Cascade Mountains) and start asking questions. When I have the How, When, Why, and Where, I pitch a one paragraph summary to my best friend, who plots with me. If we decide it’s a viable idea, we expand that into a one or two page summary grabbing more details. Then, we bust that up into scenes. A book rarely ever sticks to those scenes exactly, once it starts breathing life. But it gives me a nice road map to follow.
Do you outline?
In the scene breakdown I will grab as many details as I can.
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
Both. I always sit down and read what I did the day before. I’ll touch up and edit, doing a bit of second draft and editing before I dive into the day’s work.
Did you hire a professional editor?
Yes. After second draft and my first edit, work goes through two rounds of editing.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
Yes, always. My musical tastes are all over the place. What I listen to depends on what I’m working on. I often make “soundtracks” for each book for my own personal use.
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
No, I haven’t. Don’t plan to.
What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?
It was an impatience to share my stories and wanting to have control over the process. I’m very happy being my own boss.
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?
All my covers are professionally designed by Monica Haynes of The Thatchery.
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
Our marketing plan keeps a focus on our overall strategy but our tactics are fluid based on current trends, what’s worked in the past and implementing new ideas as we go.
Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?
Hang in there. It’s hard but worth it. Learn everything you can. Know that at least half the advice out there is bad. Think for yourself and use common sense.
About You
Where did you grow up?
All over the country. I was a navy brat.
Where do you live now?
Northern Utah. The weather here can be spectacular. I’ve experienced some fantastic storms. The people are very nice and the economy is good, too. I think I’ll stay awhile.
What would you like readers to know about you?
I found my passion in life late. I started The 1929 Series in my mid-thirties. Before that I worked in a hospital laboratory. Writing started as a hobby, turned into a job and then a career. I work (in some capacity related to writing) twelve hours a day and couldn’t be happier.
What are you working on now?
The yet unnamed sequel to Sayan Knights and a prequel for The 1929 Series.
End of Interview:
For more, visit M.L. Gardner’s website, follow her on Twitter, or like her page on Facebook.
