Welcome to the blog tour for Wolf of the Tesseract by Christopher Schmitz. Delve into his mind and thought processes as he shares with us more about his writing processes and inspiration, with a few great hat tips to the 1980’s, in this exclusive interview. Then of course check out his book and download your own copy. You can get even more from his, plus reviews and sneak peeks into the book, if you follow the rest of the tour.
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What kind of research did you have to do for this book?
Wolf of the Tesseract jumps around on Earth-side locations. Most of my research had to do with places and settings (the same goes for the sequel.) Basically, places of reverence and perceived power (either mystical or religious—which often had structures built on or around them,) are gateways between the realms—which only open in conjunction with certain triggers. Some I’ve never been to, like Stonehenge and some cathedrals I’d never visited. Others, like the Native American cemetery on remote La Pointe/Madeleine Island, I’ve visited a few times.
I usually enjoy the research. I wrote an in-between-quel novella that happens amid this book and the sequel. In One Star, a character is tased. I considered asking the local police to zap me, but decided I wanted to keep writing instead; mainly for time concerns (I did talk to my sisters who’d both been tased in the police academy). Standing offer, though. I’m willing to try it… research is important!
Which character was your favorite to write?
One of my favorite all time characters (of any book I’ve written,) is Jackie, Claire’s best friend. She gets elevated from side-character to main character in book 2. Jackie is full of life and is a little off the wall, partly as a way to hide her uncertainty and self-doubt, but she’s loyal and tons of fun. I had one reader found me via email and asked if Jackie was based on a real person… and if she was—and happened to be single—if he could get her number. You can’t make that up!
To which character did you relate the most?
I think Rob/Zabe would be my man. He knows the right thing and is loyal, but often feels conflicted (and things usually fall apart on him.) Within the lore I establish, characters from the Prime dimension (like Zabe) have different aspects of their personalities represented more strongly throughout their copies on different dimensions (his counterpart, Rob). While Zabe is undercover as Rob, we see that the real Rob isn’t always as honorable as Zabe. Real personalities are always layered… often with parts of ourselves we wish to hide tucked below the surface.
What was one of your favorite scenes?
I’ve always loved intense battle scenes and fun scenarios; I’m known for writing action-heavy page turners. I loved the opening scene because it sets such a strong hook, but I think my favorite is the battle at the Nebraska Worldgate (the most powerful gate of the Earth realm is in the middle of nowhere.) I basically described my hometown (Verndale, MN—population 450,) as the setting for an interdimensional war on par with Tolkien’s battle of the 5 armies.
Will we see these characters again?
Book 2, Through the Darque Gates of Koth is new and out! I’m planning for this universe to conclude with a third book that wraps up the interdimensional side of the multiverse, but I’ve introduced some other events that are loosely tied to the events and occur in other stories. I mentioned One Star, which is referenced in a series of paranormal investigator tales I’m writing (some of which are complete) that follow my investigator character Vikrum Wiltshire; The Heptobscurantum and even Sh’logath (the big bad) are referenced in a 5 book series I’m currently writing (one down and four to go) that ties Merlin and Dracula’s real-life brother into the mix. I feel like I’m doing less story-writing and more “universe building.”
What do you hope people will get out of your book? How do you make yourself stand out in this genre?
Fast-paced page turners with a lot of action are what I’m known for. Thankfully, the 80s revival is upon us (I give credit to Stranger Things and Ready Player One). That has helped some of my themes stick: I have an undying love of Eternia and New Thunderra (Masters of the Universe and Thundercats) and the Prime Dimension of my series is much like those places. Advanced tech cohabitates alongside magic; swords are strapped next to blaster pistols and laser turrets sit atop castle walls. My worlds are very different… but also feel familiar.
I hope people will take away a memorable adventure. Hopefully, they will ask themselves questions about the unknown and about the nature of reality—especially when it comes to magic. The back cover says “Magic and science are two sides of the same coin.” There are rules to magic, and it can be understood, but usually only on its own terms. The schools of magic and science don’t always overlap in discipline until a person understands their connection.
I’m not writing anything as overtly allegorical as C.S. Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia, but I hope it opens peoples’ minds to the possibility that there is more to reality than we typically realize.
Tell us about your other published works.
During a televised interview a while back, I was called “Prolific.” My catalogue is pretty stacked. When I was a kid I read about a man with graphomania/hypergraphia and thought “I kinda wish I had that.” Careful what you wish for kids.
I write mainly SF/F/H and some nonfiction, but I have many different genres in my collections of novellas. I also write a high fantasy series I describe as Game of Thrones meets Narnia (The Kakos Realm) and a space opera series (Dekker’s Dozen) that has done well with Firefly and Dark Matter fans. I’ve also been helping aspiring indie authors with my Indie Author’s Bible and a freshly released Indie Author’s Bible Workbook to help them plot a course for success.
What are you currently reading? Up next on your TBR?
Writers need to be readers first. I often read and review books (lots of indie titles) at my blog. When I read for the most pleasure I read much slower (I normally read a book a week to review). Currently my slow-stack has Milan’s Dinosaur Lords on top, about half chewed through, and then Tolkien’s Beren and Luthien, followed by the next up in Jordan’s Wheel of Time series… I’m pacing myself and doing only a book a year so that I don’t “Netflix” the entire series.
When not writing, what can we find you doing?
I attend lots of comic cons where I do panels and introduce people to my books (I had a comic book prequel made for the Wolves of the Tesseract series.) My day job is with Youth For Christ. After working with youth for a couple of churches over a decade, I took an area director position with them in 2011 and it was a great fit. I also write for my local newspaper and run an afterschool gaming club for kids at our local coffee shop.
Thank you so much for your time!
Wolf of the Tesseract (Wolves of the Tesseract #1)
Release Date: July 2016
Black Rose Writing
Summary:
In a world underneath our own reality, magic & science are two sides of the same coin. After merging with her copy from an alternate reality, college student Claire Jones is thrust into a setting beyond imagine and must fight alongside Zabe, an inter-dimensional guardian. Together they must stop an evil warlock from shattering the laws of existence who, above all else, seeks Claire’s blood as the key to controlling the all-powerful Tesseract.
As they flee his wrath, Claire must decide what her romantic feelings for her protector mean… apocalypse-bringing sorcerers aside, Claire’s mission is to rescue the woman Zabe loves… even if Claire has likewise fallen for the selfless soldier.
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Purchase Links: Book 1 / Book 2
Join author’s mailing list to immediately get a free copy of the prequel comic book delivered instantly: http://eepurl.com/b6phYn
Read an excerpt and view the book trailer here.
About the Author
Christopher D. Schmitz is the traditionally published and self-published author of both fiction and nonfiction. When he is not writing or working with teenagers he might be found at comic conventions as a panelist or guest. He has been featured on cable access television broadcasts, metro area podcasts, and runs a blog for indie authors.
Always interested in stories, media such as comic books, movies, 80s cartoons, and books called to him at a young age—especially sci-fi and fantasy. He lives in rural Minnesota with his family where he drinks unsafe amounts of coffee. The caffeine shakes keeps the cold from killing them. His entire family is musically gifted, although he is, sadly, their only bagpiper.
Education: Schmitz also holds a Master’s Degree in Religion and freelances for local newspapers. He is available for speaking engagements, interviews, etc. via the contact form and links on his website or via social media.
Author Links:
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