Shadows of the Past - Book Tour and Giveaway

Hidden pasts don't stay in the shadows forever. What's done in the dark has to come to light.

Shadows of the Past
Journeys Book 1
by Drako
Genre: LGBTQ M/M Fantasy Romance

Landon Auberon seems like a normal black gay male. He's attractive and funny, a bit of a smartass, and is out and proud. He's got a boyfriend, a girl best friend, and a kid almost like a younger brother to him. But he's far more than he seems. A being from a magical race forced into the mortal life, his past isn't too far behind him. His king has returned to call on his service, and old foes and new team up to break up the monotony of his mortal existence. Can Landon protect everyone he loves and keep them around as what was donne in the dark comes to light?


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Drako was born in 1987 in St. Louis, Missouri. He is mainly a fantasy writer, though he also writes some poetry and general fiction. He is very active on both twitter and facebook and has his own website at www.drakosden.com which is frequently updated with news on his books and fun extras. When he isn't writing, he's busy taking care of his children, playing videogames, reading, promoting, and spending time with family.


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How long have you been writing?
Since fifth grade and I’m now 36 years old

Do the characters all come to you at the same time or do some of them come to you as you
write?
Most come to me as I write. Beyond the main character and love interest and those most necessary to introduce early, everyone else comes as I write.

What kind of research do you do before you begin writing a book?
I spend hours researching names now. I like to get names that mean something specific for my characters now.

Do you see writing as a career?
Yes, though I think one has to be fortunate to make it their sole career. It’s been shown to be possible but it certainly isn’t an easy path.

What do you think about the current publishing market?
I love the fact that there are more options for authors to get their work out now. I wish the market itself had more diversity in what’s marketed in the mainstream.

Do you read yourself and if so what is your favorite genre?
I read fantasy and paranormal romance, both queer and straight. SciFi as well

Do you prefer to write in silence or with noise? Why?
Noise, I need music or a movie, something. I don’t trust silence, I’m a parent. Even with the kids out of the house, I still don’t trust silence.

Do you write one book at a time or do you have several going at a time?
I have several going on at once right now. My brain is chaos and there’s really no calming it.

Pen or type writer or computer?
Pen. Ideas flow better with pen to paper for the first draft.

What made you want to become an author and do you feel it was the right decision?
Once I started writing so long ago, I found a love for it. I felt that I was good at it and most importantly, I found joy in it without having to force it. I will always feel it was the right decision, no matter how it ends up. I can always say to my children that their dad wrote and published these books, so they can work towards their dreams too.

Advice you would give new authors?
If you’re not comfortable with criticism, this is a rough path for you. You have to come in with thick skin. If you don’t have it, don’t ever read your reviews and avoid Tik Toks mentioning your book. There’s always going to be someone that dislikes or outright hates your work. Sometimes their reasons are valid, sometimes they aren’t. You have to be able to take that hit and keep going. Oh, and never respond directly to those negative reviews. You’ll always come out looking like the bad guy.

What is your writing process? For instance do you do an outline first? Do you do the chapters
first? What are common traps for aspiring writers?
I start out by naming the characters and deciding what they look like, what their personality is like, and what type of being they are (I write paranormal fantasy pretty much always). I do this for whoever appears frequently, including the main character and love interest, any siblings or friends, and the main antagonist or villain. I despise outlines because I can’t stick to them so this is as far as the planning goes for me.
Common trap, worrying too much about the word count. If you can tell the story in 50k do it. Don’t insist on writing this 100k word novel if you’ve already told the story in half that. Another common trap, only self-editing. As good as you are, you’re going to miss some typos and plot holes. Get an editor of some sort.

Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?
I try to be original. I write based off advice from my favorite author, Anne Rice. She essentially said to write what you would want to read. I cannot force myself to just write the same tropes others do, and they probably do it better than I would. I need to write in my own authentic voice.

How long on average does it take you to write a book?
Anywhere from two months to ten years. This book took ten years for me to reach a point of satisfaction with to release

Do you believe in writer’s block?
Yes, I suffer from it the most when I am depressed or overly stressed. I don’t have to be completely happy to write but if I’m overwhelmed then I have no inspiration.

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