Question and Answer Series
Session 3 – Xerclipse, author of Epic Grim
Q
As a writer do you prefer using a pen name or real name?
Why?
A
I
would rather be called my pen name but just for curious people and a fact, my
name is Trevor. I prefer my pen name because it's something that I am used to
when I go online around the world, or through online video games. My inner
writer and online identity is named Xerclipse and my face to face social
identity is Trevor. Call me by whatever name you like, I wouldn't mind
Q
Which genre do you normally write? Are you comfortable
going out of your comfort zone?
A
I
usually write dark action stories. I use to write sci-fi but now i am more
towards fantasy. Sci-fi use to be my comfort zone. My writing contains a lot of
violence but I am more concerned about the story. Now can I go out of my
comfort zone? It's going to take time, but if I was going to do that, then my
next story would have less action but it would still be dark.
Q
How old are you? Male or female?
A
I
am 17 years old and male
Q
Do you like cats or dogs?
A
I
like dogs because they give back more emotion and love compared to cats. I have
a dog and he is really cool. I don't know if I could live with a cat.
Q
Tell me something about you that no one else knows.
A
Well
I can do five finger fillet. The game with the knife and the fingers.
Objective: try to stab between the fingers and not hit them. It's a skill I
admire and I have done it with a knife. I have made a few errors but I got
better. It takes a lot of focus and precision.
Q
Are you married, dating, or single? If you’re married or
dating; have you ever cheated on your spouse or significant other? If you’re
single; do you like to play the field?
A
I
am single right now, and no I do not like to be a player by dating multiple
people if that's what you mean by "play the field". I think it's
right to stick to one girl for me rather than be with many others. I believe
it's wrong to date many others for me. Sure I can have some girls that are good
and close friends, but never dating multiple girls at once. That would defeat
the purpose of dating one girl.
Q
Have you ever contemplated suicide? If so, why did you
feel that was your only option?
A
No
I never attempted suicide. I value my life and I know there is a lot more to
it. That's why I write my stories and draw. I have goals to make graphic novels
which is another backbone that keeps my motivated. I also do believe in hell;
meaning that people who take their own life go there.
Q
Have you ever been in trouble in school? At work? At home?
A
Well
a really, really long time ago at school, one time some kid tried to pick on
me. I never got into real fights but just one quick back fire or hit will
suppress those type of people. I was lucky the school understood me. I never
strike first, but I don't like to get revenge either. I am a forgive and forget
person. I don't get into trouble anymore now that I am mature.
Q
Did you have siblings growing up? If so, how many?
A
I
have an older brother that goes to college. he is out on his own, so we have
different futures and ambitions. We don't share the same goals but he will be
successful.
Q
Did you have siblings later in life? If so, how many and
at what age did you get them? Were they adopted?
A
I
don't have any more siblings. Just my brother.
Q
Where do you get your inspiration?
A
I
get them from many stories, literature, movies, manga, tv shows, you name it. I
got most of my inspiration from the best literature, but I got some ideas from
movies/stories I didn't like as well. I analyze why it was terrible, use the
idea and alter it around so that it becomes my own style. It should be more
complex. I craft my ideas in my brain for like a week or month, type it out,
edit it, then show it in Writerscafe.org for feed back.
Q
How do your approach your writing? Are more OCD? Plan
everything out with outlines and what amounts to storyboards? Or do you just
fly by the seat of your pants and work everything out as it comes?
A
I
actually just have a pretty big imagination. I have been told it's like a child
but it comes out professionally by the people that I show. I write it in one
copy without storyboards or outlines (which are only in my head). Since there
is no such thing as perfection, I go back and make sure it's close enough
before I publish it. I am not an OCD person, but I will periodically read my
writing as a whole then patch what doesn't sound right
Q
Do you like horror movies? Comedy? Pick your poison.
A
Out
of the two choices, I say I would like horror movies. But as long as they
have a great story! The Exorcist was the best film in my opinion. Nothing can
really top that for it's own genre. Great story and special effects. Comedy is
something I switch off to when I want a great laugh and I actually like it. I
still want a great story as well. However my biggest choice would be action and
adventure
Q
Do you enjoy certain types of books, but like to write in
another genre? If so, why?
A
I
enjoy dark action and adventure, just like the books I write.
Q
What are you currently working on? Do you have any novels?
A
I
am working on "Epic Grim". It's a book about a mentally unstable
exorcist who does his power by working through the mind of the possessed. Any
novels, no. My books are too short to be considered a novel, and they are
really written in script form (same for Epic Grim). However I do want Epic Grim
to be long as a novel to give readers more of a ride. I would appreciate
feedback but right now it is still a baby deer learning how to walk (that is
how young it is).
Q
Anything else that you would like to say before we end?
A
Sure,
well one thing about this site I know is that people would rather receive their
reviews of their own writing rather than to be kind and send them. I try not to
be the second type but I am usually busy doing artwork and making stories. Just
know this, if you have a really great imagination, a wide perspective towards
the world and people, and a great understanding of stories, then you will be
one of the awesome writers that will receive great reviews and be recognized. I
am sure you writers would love to get reviews but please do to others what you
want and be kind
