An Interview with B.T. Robertson

With his first novel, Chronicles of the Planeswalkers: Part Zero, published in September of 2004 with LBF Books, B. T Robertson has introduced a new highly imaginative series for fans of the fantasy genre. With the recent release of book two in the series, Alliances, he has further wetted the appetites of those same fans.

Mr. Robertson was gracious enough to take time from his busy schedule of working on the third book in the Planeswalkers trilogy to answer a few questions about himself and the Planeswalkers series as well as share his thoughts on the publishing industry and the future of the fantasy genre.

Could you tell a little about yourself?

Where to begin? I'm 29 years old, a Cancer, German/Scotts-Irish mix; I've got brown hair, brown eyes, and work as a Senior Systems Engineer for an Information Technology consulting firm in Pittsburgh, PA. I started writing in 2003 out of the clear blue sky; I have no formal training as a writer (though I hope to change that someday). I have a ten-year-old daughter, Brittany, and have been married twice (currently married). I love all kinds of music except for hip-hop, but my favorite is metal in all its many manifestations. I recently discovered "Fantasy Metal", or Prog Metal as it's more affectionately known. I don't own much music in that genre, but it's growing on me. I play the piano...in fact, I'm going to be soon acquiring my piano from my parents' house. They're giving it to me, all I have to do is move it to my house. I also played the trumpet all through grade school and even a bit in college, and toyed around with guitar lessons (love the guitar). I love music very much, and consider it to be a huge source of inspiration for my writing.

When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

I don't know when it happened. Let me explain. I never set out to be a writer in life. My career path in school started out as pre-med with a focus on one day going to chiropractic school. That fell through when life threw me a different path, then I discovered computers. Through both curriculums I had to take writing courses and excelled at all of them, but I never fathomed becoming a writer. It's probably because I didn't realize the true beauty of the written word until much later in my life. Fantasy Role-Playing video games were the primary source of my inspiration, not literature. So, my focus was on computers and video games back then. It was 1998 when I picked up my first ever fantasy fiction novel: The Sum of All Men (Runelords book 1) by David Farland; that changed my life. Right after that I read The Lord of the Rings (haven't we all), and it changed again. I had already entertained thoughts of writing a full-length novel of my own before I read Lord of the Rings. That was late 2002 - January 2003 is when I started my own story. I guess you can say it was somewhere between 1998 and 2002 when I decided to write my first novel.

How did you come up with the idea for Chronicles f the Planeswalkers? Was it an idea you carried around with you for awhile or was it more of a sudden inspiration?

Sudden inspiration for sure. I didn't plan anything ahead of time, just had some visions of one or two characters - Aerinas and Aeligon - and took it from there.

Who are some of your favorite writers, and which ones have influenced your own writing the most?

David Farland, Terry Brooks, R.A. Salvatore, and George R.R. Martin to name but a few. As you most likely know, each of these fantasy fiction giants has a completely different style. R.A. has an uncanny ability to write action sequences designed to keep the reader engrossed. Plus, it's Drizzt...'nuff said. *smiles* Terry Brooks is more narrative than any of the others, which taught me a lot about epic pacing and story-telling, taking the time to "stop and smell the roses", so to speak. George Martin is able to entertain with a grit only found in his medieval world. His characters are the most memorable in all of fantasy, for sure. And last but not least, David Farland's entire universe is pure genius to me. His magic system is completely unique and original - you know the origins, where it comes from, the strengths and weaknesses. It's simply brilliant, and I'm honored to have had his quote on the cover of Alliances. All four of these writers have influenced me greatly only in the realm of finding the original, unique idea which will propel the series forward. Of course, no idea stands alone, I have also learned a great deal about making memorable characters, which is essential in fantasy fiction.

What are your thoughts on the fantasy genre in general and what direction do you see it taking in the near future?

A fellow author and I wrote a couple of articles (posted on my website) about this very question from opposing viewpoints. Generally speaking, I think the fantasy genre is headed for greater glory than it's ever garnished in the past. Sure, J.R.R. Tolkien set the stage, but the genre is taking off right now. Hollywood is helping out. I needn't mention the movies already released and those planned for release, all based on fantastic novels. I'm not sure I know what direction it will take in the near future, but I believe that the genre will occupy more than two or three aisles in the bookstores. *smiles*

How do you feel about the recent trend of popular fantasy novels being made into movies?

I applaud it, but we live in a very visual, digital world. I'm a movie buff at heart, but I've grown up from an era of books, tapes, and other forms of media which prompted thought and imagination to create the worlds presented to me. My fear, even for my own daughter, is simple: movies are replacing the unmistakable benefits of reading the old-fashioned way. It's a gray area, though, because there are more fantasy novels being purchased as a result of the movies, but in general more folks would rather see the movie - which ALWAYS falls short of the book - than read the book. This transcends fantasy, but there are more kids and teenagers into fantasy than adults, and I think it's a shame when these movies are replacing the novels. After all, as great as Peter Jackson and his team did with Lord of the Rings, it can't touch the books.

What is the hardest part about being a writer, and what is the best?

The hardest part, these days, is finding the time to sit quietly and write despite being tired or having my mind pulled in several different directions. When I wrote Part Zero and Alliances, I was single, living alone, and didn't have cable TV or other distractions. Now, my situation is completely different. I have recently forced the time to start writing book 3 because, quite simply, it needs written.

The best part are the fans. I wouldn't be where I'm at - which isn't that far, but... - without them. Every chat room registration confirmation I get from my website, every email I receive from a fan, every handshake, every gasp from people I work with and work for when I tell them I am published are all equally humbling and frighteningly gratifying to me. There's no better feeling in all the world.

What is the one thing aspiring writers need to know about the publishing business?

It's hard, it's a lottery, it can be a rather frustrating exercise in patience and many other virtues, and a lot of the publishing business is driver by what will sell, not what is good. I've experienced quite a few rejections in my short writing career, and NONE of them are fun. Even after getting published, the hard work doesn't end and the money doesn't just come flowing in. Quite the contrary. Money has an outward flow path when first starting out, meaning I've spent far more money to promote myself than I've ever received. It's just the nature of the beast, but to me there's nothing stopping me from stopping, so I won't ever complain about it. I'm fortunate, I'm published, I work hard...if it pans out for me, great; if not, I gave it my best. That's what's hard - coming to grips with the knowledge that failure is a microsecond away.

Could you elaborate a little bit about the pros and cons of being published by a small press?

Oh yes. *laughs* Pros: have a hand in most of the decisions, if not all, ranging from artwork to editing decisions; communication is much, much better (generally, it should be). Cons: distribution is harder for a small press; marketing budgets are typically small to non-existent.

What is the best advice about writing you have received, and who gave it to you?

Orson Scott Card. I saw him speak once at a Joseph Beth's bookseller store in Pittsburgh, and he mentioned to the crowd that he teaches a writing workshop, but suggested none of us take it! Why? He simply said: "The best way to write a novel is to sit down and write a novel." He then proceeded to point out that no class, not even his, will teach you how to sit down and write a novel because it's up to the individual to take it to completion. My motto is similar: "If you have an idea, sit down and write it immediately." People ask me all the time how I wrote the books, and the realization that all I did was force myself to sit down to write it astonishes them. I'm not a genius who has studied novel writing whatsoever, but I did have the discipline to write them nonetheless. That's what it takes, period.

I also believe Terry Brooks' memoir, Sometimes the Magic Works, is required reading for ANY aspiring writer. Read it; it contains some of the best advice you'll ever receive.

What are your plans for your wring in the future? Do you intend on staying within the Chronicles of the Planeswalkers realm or are you planning something new?

Not sure yet. The Planes are my unique and original idea, and they haven't been written about in the way I am anywhere. It might be foolish of me at this stage in my writing career to give them up and start something new. I'm not well-known right now, and by the time my third book comes out I don't expect I will be famous, so I want to stick with what is working with the readers. Plus, as I learn more about writing and my style, I learn how to write my characters better; they're so fun for me to write right now that I would feel like I was abandoning them. *chuckles* However, having said that, I am a reader-driven writer, so if there's a negative vibe surrounding the third book and the series as a whole, I'll move on to something new. I'll always write fantasy fiction, so I can promise you will most likely always see me in the fantasy aisle of your favorite bookstore.

What is the one creature comfort you can't do without when you're in a writing mode?

Coffee and a place to write OUTSIDE my home. I can't write at home unless there's no other choice. Too many distractions, especially now.

What kinds of advice would you give to those trying to break into the business?

Don't think of it as a business, think of it as your passion and hobby first and foremost and you'll always handle rejection better. I never thought I would get published, ever, but I kept writing, never gave up, and worked hard once published to prove to myself and others that I never took being published for granted. If you get stonewalled despite your best efforts, chalk it up to experience, move on, keep writing, and keep submitting. A lot of times it isn't your writing, it's just not what publishers believe will sell. It's a shame, but there's not much to be done about it. Pick up the pieces of your pride and stick with it.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Play video games (still love epic, fantasy, role-playing games), toy around with computers, play paintball, watch movies (do I sound like a lazy bum yet?), and read.

How often do you write? Do you have a schedule you follow or is it more like only when you're feeling creative?

Feeling creative is essential for me. I can't keep a schedule right now; it's just not possible with how I work and all the other things in life to pull me away. I write when I have the creative feelings and the time is there. If I can't get the time but have ideas, I record them in my voice recorder for reference later.

Further information about B.T Robertson and the Planeswalkers' series can be found on Mr. Robertson's website http://www.btrobertson.com. Mr. Robertson participates in a weekly chat and has a fan forum which can also be found at the website.

For those interested in purchasing either of B.T. Robertson's novels, they can visit his website or visit http://www.amazon.com.

B.T. Robertson will also be a featured speaker at the Mad Anthony Writer's Conference held at Miami University in Hamilton, Oh on April 21^st. Information on this the conference can be found at http://www.madanthonycbf.org.