Author Spotlight – E.G. Creel (THE IMMORTAL)
Storyteller at Heart
E. G. Creel is currently blooming near Fort Gordon Georgia. Vocationally a photographer, The Immortal is her first written work. Immortal Vikings walking among us? Be taken away on an adventure with The Immortal life or death, the choice is hers. Contemporary fantasy, dark fantasy, urban fantasy.
Welcome to the Hive E. G. Creel. Let’s start with the basics: dazzle us with an elevator pitch!
Why should readers check out your work
Escapism. My stories are great if you’re looking for an entertaining read which can easily be finished in a weekend. The Immortal is an action packed, dark fantasy.
Emma just turned forty and has finally decided to begin living her best life. She books a vacation at a resort on a French Polynesian island only to find herself on the dinner menu of an immortal Viking. If she keeps her wits, and with a little luck, maybe she’ll make it off the island alive. Spoiler alert: Don’t fall in love because the ending will rip your heart out. Lily is a novelette and has a crossover from The Immortal. Lily is only hours old and her shadow is already a killer. Find out what it means to be born with a shadow in this short and rich, action packed fantasy.
Tell us a little something about your writing process – do you have a certain method? Do you find music helps? Give us a glimpse into your world!
Most of the day I spend day dreaming and working out what comes next so when it’s time to type I’m ready to go and not staring at the screen. My worlds are based after the Viking realms, and I’ve only begun exploring them. Some hold magic users, others are filled with mist and dragons. Sometimes the realms merge briefly for dramatic effect.
Speaking of worlds, what inspires your worldbuilding? Do you have a magic system/s? If so, can you tell us a bit about it?
The Immortal was inspired by a bad dream. Learning about Viking mythology and history made my writing become a what if. What if Ivar the Boneless really was immortal? What would he be doing now? I wrote my fantasy with a realistic and contemporary approach. The more questions I asked, the faster my story flowed onto the pages.
What (or who) are your most significant fantasy influences?
My first introduction to fantasy was in fifth grade. My teacher made us read The Hobbit. It didn’t make me think I could be a writer though. I credit Neil Gaiman for that, well his master class commercial specifically. I’d listen to it almost every day as he’d talk about how there were no rules. It was okay to write whatever I wanted and not get caught up in all the, but you should of’s. I told my story the best way I could. The only rule I gave myself was don’t be boring.
As a self-published author, you have to encompass many roles yourself: what aspect of self-publishing do you find the most difficult? Alternatively, which have you enjoyed the most?
How do I make people care enough to want to read my book? Why should they? Who the hell am I!
I was surprised to find how little my friends and family supported me. The look of but why, and so what, from people I thought would be exciting for me was surprising. My support has mostly come from strangers. I suppose everyone has an idea of who you are. To them I was a mother, a photographer, but not a writer. Except for a select few, I’ve kept my current writing out of my profile and conversations. Also I don’t know how to sell, and I’ve realised, and I’m sure many of you have as well, talent has very little to do with actually selling the damn thing.
My favourite part is collaborating with fellow artists. Having covers and custom art made. I even had a singer songwriter on Fiverr turn one of my poems into a song.
The creating is definitely the best part.
Are there any fellow self-published creators whom you’d love to collaborate with?
I found one of my narrators on Fiverr, Anthony Lund. He’s a most excellent wizard.
Nele Diel is a custom artist I randomly met many years before I started writing. I’d taken a street photo of her kissing her boyfriend and shyly went up to her to ask if she wanted me to send her a copy. We stayed in touch via social media and it was amazing to be able to commission her for my book.
What is your process for choosing a cover for your book? Do you have a clear idea of how you want it to look, or do you give your cover artist full creative licence?
I’ve sold photographs for covers before through an agency so I thought I’d design my first cover with help from a friend. We made the hardback version. I supplied the bloody circle for the cover by using beet juice and a wine glass. But I had OliviaProDesign remake my paperback cover and I think it’s the strongest of the two.
Every writer encounters stumbling blocks, be it a difficult chapter, challenging subject matter or just starting a new project. How do you motivate yourself on days when you don’t want to write?
I’m a mother of two feral children. If I want to accomplish something I have to shift my mindset. It’s not a goal to write. Just like it’s not a goal to make them lunch everyday.
It’s the rule! Also I often picture my brain as a houseplant. If I’m feeling withered, I drink a glass of water and go for a walk. Water and sunlight are in their own regard, magical.
The world shifts, and you find yourself with an extra day on your hands during which you’re not allowed to write. How do you choose to spend the day?
I’d say, maybe I could finally get to some of the books in my to read pile, but I’d be fibbing. I’d take my kids to the beach. Water and sunshine are fuel for the creative spark.
One of our favourite questions here on the Fantasy Hive: which fantastical creature would you ride into battle and why?
A Rolldarc! The adults are terrifying looking beasties, if you can imagine a gorilla with tusks and stoney plates on its back you’d very much get the idea of what a Rolldarc looks like. If you’d like to learn more about this incredible beast, check out Lily on Amazon KU or audible. Nothing is more dangerous than a Rolldarc, nothing! Well, except maybe one thing…
Tell us about a book you love. Any hidden gems?
If you’re in the US, Amazon is running a beta called Kindle Vella. There’s so much talent on the new platform already. Check out Dark Family Secrets by Hoyt Hallford. It’s about an eighty year old grandmother who gets turned into a vampire.
Can you tell us a little something about your current work(s) in progress?
I’m posting an episode a week on Kindle Vella for my ongoing story, Gena. She thinks her daddy’s the devil but it turns out he’s something much older than that.
Finally, what is the one thing you hope readers take away from your writing?
There are NO rules. ((enter dramatic laugh))
Thank you so much!
Find out more about E.G. Creel here:
Thanks very much for the interview Julia.