Thought I'd do something a bit fun for Bisexual Visibility Month. Meet the rogue of The Serrulata Saga...

Full name: Roland Shallowbrook (he/him)
 
Age: 25
 
Occupation: thief; a traveler on the Thieves’ Road 
 
Hometown: Charm City
 
Likes: good tavern ale, warm beds (preferably occupied with a willing partner), coin 
 
Dislikes: the coppers, the White Riders, authority in general 
 
Tagline: “Always watch where you’re going before jumping out of a window.” 
 
Featured in: Gathering of the Four, Test of the Four, Book Three of The Serrulata Saga (in the works!)
 
Art by CrossRoadArt

Pen Name: Jaimie N. Schock
Pronouns: she/her
Book Series/Latest Book Published: The Wasteland Kings

Introduce your current favorite character – who are they and why do you prefer them
above all others at the moment?

My favorite character is Dakota Crossley from my first book The Pyre Starter. He has clinical
depression because I was dealing with mental health issues at the time. I relate to him the most
because of that, and writing him helped me work through some of my issues. He’s also very
protective of the people around him, which I relate to.

Who is harder to write – an interesting hero or an interesting villain?

Definitely an interesting villain. I often feature other kinds of conflict so that a villain isn’t as
necessary. When I do write one, I find it difficult to write them as rounded and interesting,
mainly because I never write from their point of view. It’s difficult to make them interesting
without spending a lot of time with them.

You’re trapped in an elevator with your main character. What are you discussing?

I chose Bast from The Wasteland Kings for this answer. I imagine we would discuss life in the
wastelands and how to survive it. OR, he might gush about his love interest, which would
depend on what part of the story he’s experiencing.

What is the most challenging aspect of writing for you? How do you conquer it?

The most challenging aspect for me is bringing happier moments into otherwise dark or
devastating storylines. I have to remember that the reader needs relief now and then from all the
doom and gloom. I usually use romance or found family moments to provide that relief, but
ideally, I should do it more and perhaps even include comedy where possible.

If you could write a cross-over with another book/series, what would it be and why? (Or,
if cross-overs don’t interest you, why?)

I don’t have a book or series in mind, but I would love to write something with Neil Gaiman. I’m
a fan of his graphic novels in the Hellblazer series, and I think working on a new project with
him along those lines would be wonderful. To be honest, I would be willing to write whatever he
wanted, so long as I get to work with him.

In your opinion, what is the purpose of storytelling?

I think there are multiple purposes to storytelling. For me personally, it is to share the stories that
develop in my head in a way that people may find compelling, interesting, or entertaining. For
readers, I think finding themselves in stories is very important, which is why representation of
marginalized groups is so essential. If I can write a book that people relate to, that gives them
hope or even just distracts them from life’s problems, then I have fulfilled one of the main
purposes of storytelling.

Ok, last but not least… Tell us a bit about what made you want to become a writer and
why you write what you write.

I started as a print journalist two decades ago. I wanted to spread information to the public and
get people thinking. In 2013, I could no longer be a journalist due to health issues, but I could not
sit still, and the idea of no longer writing made me upset. I sat around thinking, and eventually a
story began to form. It ended up being a seven-book series called The Talisman War (of which
The Pyre Starter is the first book).

I always had an affinity for fiction writing and even dabbled in fanfiction before I started my
series. The positive comments I got on fan workes encouraged me to write my own stories. I
write LGBTQIA+ and disabled characters because I can relate to them, and I am like them. I also
hope that others can find common ground with my characters the way I do.

Where to find Jaimie:
Website: https://www.jaimieschock.com
Facebook: @JaimieNSchock
Twitter: @Heroes_Get_Made
Instagram: @heroesgetmade

The Labor Day holiday has come and passed here in the States, which means it is unofficially autumn now. (It was even a bit chilly when I went out to walk my dog this morning! Unusual, but not unheard of here in the DC area.)
 
I was able to get a chapter and a half done over the long weekend. I’m now fully mentally back into author mode, and I can’t type fast enough. Book Three is going to be a wild ride!
 
I didn’t get as much reading done in August as I would have liked, but I was able to bid a fabulous farewell to this summer. 
 
Now to look forward to the release of Hollow Cry! The next installment of The Serrulata Saga is out September 25. There’s still time to pre-order: (Amazon) or (Other Vendors).
 
Also – don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter if you haven’t already. September’s is coming very soon!
 
Bennett’s Indie Book Reviews – August Wrap-Up
 
…with links to my Goodreads reviews:
 
Reality Check (Weight of the World, #1) – Dave McCreery
Comfort – Chace Verity