1. Tell us about your most recent project (written or published). What inspired it?
My current project is a three part fantasy series called Chaos Awakens. Book one, Servant of Steel, and book two, Crown of Steel, have already been published and I’m hacking away at the third book currently (SOMETHING of Steel). My goal is to have it published by the end of the year.
This series was inspired by my love of dark anti-heroes and epic conflicts. I really wanted to create a world that was gripped in the late stages of its own demise, and to tell the story of the people who became heroes not out of choice, but out of necessity.
2. What’s your writing process like? Are you a “pantser,” an outliner, or something in between?
I’m the sort of writer who likes to dive right into a project. I’ve tried outlining in the past, but I find that the process of outlining causes me to fall into formulaic story arcs. It’s far too easy to become systematic when you’re basically making a list of key elements of your plot. Instead, I build the story up in my mind, take notes on key points I want to include, and then start writing from the beginning. While I’m working I’ll reference my notes here and there, change them, rework plot details, and often scrap large portions of my original plans. Everything in service to the story.
When you’re reading one of my books you should never be bored. If I re-read something and it’s dull, I throw it out. It’s actually a chaotic process. I wouldn’t recommend it at all.
3. What’s your favorite kind of story to write?
I’m a huge fan of fantasy, but I really like to throw in elements of horror. I like to be scared, and I like to scare other people. It’s intoxicating.
4. Which character from your work do you most identify with, and why?
5. Which authors or books have most influenced your work?
Stephen King, Clive Barker, David Gemmell and Gene Wolfe. King and Barker were huge horror influences. I started reading their books when I was about twelve, and I read mostly horror until I was about sixteen and someone handed me a Dragonlance Kingdom book. I had never read fantasy before that. In fact, I had considered the entire genre to be nothing but fluff. Heh, well, I read dozens of the Dragonlance books, and then I couldn’t get enough of the genre. Gemmell showed me that heroes could be dark and gritty, and Wolfe showed me that fantasy and sci-fi could be elevated to a form of artistry beyond what was generally expected from the genre. I think my writing is closer to Gemmell’s than it is to Wolfe’s, but Wolfe gives me a level of prose to shoot for.
6. What’s the last book you read that you really loved?
7. Besides writing, how do you like to spend your free time?
8. Advice for other writers?
Writers write. If you want to get better, then keep writing. I’ve had quite a few people ask me how I managed to get my writing to the level that it is today, and the simple answer is that I practiced all the time. Even before I was making a living writing I wrote every single day. If you want to get better, you have to practice.
9. Where can readers find your work?
My work can be found on Amazon.com. Just do a search for “Heath Pfaff” and my work will pop up. You can also check out my Facebook fan group.
I frequently give away e-books, audiobooks, and sometimes even hard copies of books when I have them. Come join the fan page!
10. What’s your favorite thing about the furry fandom?
Check out Heath Pfaff’s member bio here!
Furry Writers’ Guild 