Another accomplished and talented guy in my network is Malcolm Harris. He has created everything from Comic Books and Graphic Novels, to tabletop Role Playing Games, to High fantasy novels. He is very meticulous and dedicated when crafting his worlds and characters, and you will see the results of that when you read or play his work.
What inspires your writing?
I’ believe if you are a writer you must write. Life and living, in that case, become the inspiration and vice versa. As a wise man once said (Okay I’m actually quoting myself, so maybe not wises but.. you get it.) I’ don’t swing the hammer, the hammer swings me.
What is your process of developing characters?
I write short stories with them, I run scenarios in my mind and I build stories and lists of likes and dislikes. If you want to make a great character you should have info on them the reader will never know. Like every gift on every birthday.
Did you start with a story outline or did you make it up as you went along?
I’m one of those crazy people believe if you place the characters in a situation and let them run free in your imagination they will tell the story. It’s my job to write down and organize that story.
How much research did you need for your story?
My novel Adventures born: Taking the high road took a lot as I really wanted to give it a sense of history. The Nyumbani people in my world language is based on Swahili and lots of African cultures mixed with a lot of old African American culture. Also Aerix, the world of my novel is 19th century America if colonization and the history of the world was different… hint magic is the ultimate equalizer. So I looked at history and thought what would change if magic or actual miracle-based religion was in the mix. So yeah lots of research.
What researching methods did you use?
I read a lot, the internet and I have a host of friends and family who are historians who I can ask questions to.
Did you draw on personal experience?
Yes of course. Experience is a great teacher. With my graphic novels, I looked at people who I knew and interactions. With my novel, it was more personal. One of the main family in the novel is my family only in a fantasy setting. It’s the African American experience only with magic, lol
How did you publish?
Self Publish.
Why did you do it that way?
I control my content and I have a higher profit margin. Any mistakes are mine but so are the rewards.
How long did it take to land representation?
I’ve been represented for over a decade. It came right after my first graphic novel witch girls was optioned as a movie (never made) and I wrote the first draft of the script.
Who did your cover and marketing?
I did the cover on my Novel, my other books by various artist. I love working with artist and a big shout out to Ewelina Avionetca Mroczkowska and Abby Soto, to of the best artist around for a lot of Princess Lucinda and Witch Girls covers. As for marketing, That’s my agent and me. I love marketing, I spreading the word and doing signings and cons. A hint to would be writers, shyness is bad for success.
How many revisions did it take to get a publishable book?
Seven is my number. Although it depends on the book. The princess Lucinda Graphic Novels took three, but that’s because I wrote it first as a spec movie script. Then I did a revision as one graphic novel then as three.
How did your background in Role Playing Games help with creating your fantasy story?
Rules, as a game designer, I built the rules of my world, how everything works. My characters are stated on paper and in my head so their limits are defined as are the rules of the world. For instance, I know how much damage an injury does and how much a healer can heal or how a spell is cast and how its resisted… and so on. That kind of thing gives an order o a fantastic world. I also LARP with a group called Amtgard. Unlike most LARPs which are very “light” on combat, Amtgard is down and dirt and heavy on it. I swing my battle ax and you feel it, and you might land on your bottom. In fantasy novels, people have to guess how magic changes a battle or how it works. I don’t: I’ve “seen” it. That gives a unique visceral feel for the combat in what I write.
What are the differences between writing for comic books and writing regular prose?
Comics are is a visual medium so you work with the artist to use that for a better story. It’s also faster. With prose, I can take my time and build characters. Also the comic is a script while Prose isn’t.
What are you writing now?
The sequel to my novel, two tabletop RPGs and lots of short stories.
What is your advice to other writers?
Write, yeah that sounds obvious, but a lot of people are so afraid of failure or think they don’t have time. But simply put, if you do not write, you are not a writer, so write! Perfection is a lie and believing in it is a chain that will hold you down. Just do it, make mistakes, get better, do your best and “don’t be afraid be relentless “. (that’s me quoting myself again)
Be sure to check out Malcolm’s latest Novel, Adventurers Born: Taking the High Road!
