E. C. Ambrose

answers the Usual Questions

E. C. Ambrose

American author E. C. Ambrose says, "I find that once I start reading history, science, sociology, I discover a dozen different stories hiding in the details".

Has your interaction with fans, for example, at conventions, affected your work?

I usually find that interacting with fans helps to keep me excited about writing - that sense that someone else is out there, on the other end of the line, interested to hear what I have to say - that I'm not just speaking into the darkness.

Is there any particular incident (a letter, a meeting, a comment that stands out?

I was on a panel with fellow author Carol Berg, talking about what I hope to achieve with character, how I want readers to feel about my characters - and a member of the audience said, "Your books do that for me."

When I'm having a rough time with writing or career stuff, I pull out that moment and treasure it, knowing that there is at least one total stranger out there who is moved by my work.

Do you have a favourite author or book (or writer or film or series) that has influenced you or that you return to?

This is tough - there are several. I usually first mention Mary Doria Russell's book The Sparrow, because it reminds me of what I aspire to. When I need to feel refreshed and renewed and capable of facing the next battle, I watch The Avengers or Lord of the Rings: Return of the King.

Who is the person you would most like to be trapped in a lift with? or a spaceship?

Brandon Sanderson. I'd really like to pick his brain about his writing process, how he completed the Wheel of Time, and how he organizes his writing life to be so productive. Yeah. I think the elevator would be sufficient, though, because then we'd both want to go home and write.

Who is the person you would most DISlike to be trapped in a lift with? Or a spaceship?

A politician. Almost any one of them. Either, we wouldn't agree on anything and it would set us both on edge the whole time, or the politician would readily agree with *everything* and I'd be suspicious the whole time. Either way - lemme outta here!

What would you pack for space? (Is there a food, beverage, book, teddy bear, etc that you couldn't do without?)

Seriously - I hope they already have Astronaut Ice Cream on board, because I love that stuff. Otherwise, I'd have to say I need my contour-foam pillow. It's sad that a pillow can make that much difference, perhaps, but a good night's sleep trumps a whole bunch of troubles.

What is the most important thing you would like to get/achieve from your work?

A constant sense of excitement, both for me, and for my readers. I want both of us to be looking forward to what happens next. If I can go to my desk every morning and think "Yes - I love this job!" that's where it's at. Though, like many writers, I think it would be nice to get paid enough for it, too. Then, I want to run into people who found something in my books that, however briefly, illuminated their world.

What is the special satisfaction of your work?

I love playing with historical detail, combining the real with the imagined to create something new.

submitted by E. C. Ambrose

30 September 2014

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Just the facts:
Born: Santa Clara, California
Resides: New England (yep, long trip across country)
Bibliography/Awards:
www.thedarkapostle.com/books

Web site:
thedarkapostle.com
ecambrose.wordpress.com
facebook/ecambroseauthor
twitter @ecambrose

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