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Interview with William Tchatchou


He is the author of Hotel of Madness and a variety of short stories that may never see the light of day. He dedicates this first book to his upbringing in PG County, MD, and his love for the anime/nerd/geek community that surrounds it.


Q.1 Tell us something about yourself not many people know?
A.
Digimon Digital Monsters is what got me into the nerd/geek culture. Only like 3 people know that.

Q.2 Are we going to read more from you in the near future? Any new project you’re working on?
A.
Working on Book 2 of the Boy King Series along with a short story A Day in October which is recently released.

Q.3 What inspired you to write Hotel of Madness?
A.
I always wanted to write a more “supernatural” based zombie story, the kind of “hell ran out of room so the dead walks to the earth” type of thing. As opposed to the now more traditional mysterious zombie virus iterations. 

Originally, I had it set in an anime convention because why not but wasn’t satisfied with writing the average joe/jane main protagonist. So I borrowed the main character from a short story I never published and everything clicked into place.

Q.4 What is the most difficult thing about writing characters from the opposite sex?
A.
Writing flaws. I can make someone awesome to contrast with my main protagonist's more chaotic nature however writing in real flaws that people relate to and at the same time find enduring is a struggle.

Q.5 How do you develop your plots and characters? Do you use any set formula?
A.
Characters are generally based on aspects of my personality because writing what I know, which in this case is myself, is really easy. Plots are first come first serve, so I’m 200% a pantser.

Q.6 What draws people to horror novels? Why do we, as readers, like to be scared?
A.
I think what draws people to horror novels is that real life is scary enough. I have anxiety about a lot of things and I have a surprising amount of actual fears my wife teases me about. But seeing these fears that aren’t my fears but still pretty scary is exciting. Because you can experience the “fear” without the real-life trauma that would normally follow. Which is cathartic I guess.

Q.7 What was the hardest part of writing this book?
A.
The ending was probably the hardest. I had three endings in my head that never felt quite right to put on paper. Ultimately a fourth ending was decided and I’m proud of myself for that one.

Q.8 Imagine a future where you no longer write. What would you do?
A.
Try to make video games. And probably do an ok job.

Q.9 If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the lead role?
A.
Oh hell no. Most definitely not. I had Idris Alba in mind when I imagined this guy.

Q.10 Is it vital to get exposure and target the right readers for your writing, tell us about your marketing campaign?
A.
Well this is my first book. So marketing is a learn as you go kind of thing. Learning about getting reviews, getting interviews, getting your name and face out there is a lot.

Q.11 If you could be a member of any fantasy race, which would you choose and why?
A.
Dwarf. Short, hairy, and kind of ugly, but kind-hearted, loyal and don’t mind getting and being dirty.

Q.12 What is one stereotype about fantasy writers is absolutely wrong? What one stereotype is dead on?
A.
I’m new to this game so I don’t even know we have stereotypes… Gonna have to look that one up.

Q.13 If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
A.
Well don’t quite write in high school. Or in college. Or when you turned 24. How many times can I go back in time again?

Q.14 Among all the supporting characters in your book, who is dear to you?
A.
Susan B. Anthony. She evolved with the story and I’m rather proud of how she turned out.

Q.15 Who designed your book cover? How do you select him/her?
A.
Shout out to my Danielle Doolittle from Doelle Designs. My editor recommended me to her and I trust to people I work with.

Q.16 How do you select the name of your characters?
A.
Well I can’t remember names to save my life so the simpler the better.

Q.17 Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with good or bad ones?
A.
Of course, I literally have nothing better to do so why not? I mean a good or bad review just means I left an impression which is at this stage of my career is better than not.

Q.18 Which famous person, living or dead would you like to meet and why?
A. Megan Thee Stallion
.

Q.19 What is your favorite book from other authors and why?
A. K.A Applegate’s Animorphs
. A childhood favorite and really put the effort into the limits of what a “children’s book” is allowed to be.

Q.20 Share the experience of your journey so far?
A.
I turn to the phrase “living the dream” to describe how it's going so far.


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