I had a lot of artistically inclined friends growing up, so I tried my hand at making comics, but I never graduated from drawing stick figures. So once I was in high school, I started writing stories and I felt a lot more comfortable and confident in doing that than any other outlet.
To answer if writing was something I always wanted to do is hard to say. I like a good story. I like storytelling, no matter if it’s in the form of a film, a tv show, a play, a video game, a song, a book or a graphic novel. I guess I always wanted to be a story teller, no matter how I get my stories across.
How do you come up with your characters or story ideas?
Coming up with a story ideas isn’t too difficult, especially when it’s a classic such as good vs. evil. No matter how you see it the idea is always two or more forces opposing each other over an ideal or desire. The hard part is coming up with characters for that story. What I’ve done with Chaos Company is draw from behaviors I see in people I come across. The hardest character to create was the primary antagonist Liam King. I’ve never met anyone who inspired me to create Liam. I came up with that character during a pretty miserable time in my life.
How do you get inspired to write?
Usually with some music that fits the mood to what I’m writing a scene where someone dies I’ll play something like Evanescence. If I’m writing a scene that has a lot of action and fighting in it I’ll listen to something more upbeat like Linkin Park.
What do you do while having writers block?
I’ll read a comic book or practice martial arts, or even pick up a video game. Doing any of those things really helps me break my writer’s block.
What kind of stories do you write?
Anything action/adventure related. I grew up on classic 80’s and 90’s action films and comics. From buddy cop films like Lethal Weapon to darker stories such as Universal Soldier. I love stories that pit two powerful forces against one another. I couldn’t see myself writing anything else.
Who’s your favorite author?
Anthony Horowitz. The author of the Alex Rider Series. His work was a real inspiration to me.
How long have you been writing?
Since I was in eighth, so almost twelve years now. I had the best English teacher in the world back then. Her name was Mrs. Citino. She regularly assigned her students to write short stories. Those assignments were so much fun to me.
What are your stories about?
The other stories I have written are short stories that I may try to publish some day. One is a story of a honest cop who steals money from a crime scene. Another is a short about a college boy with incredible powers who hides who hides who he is from the world as a final request from his late mother. I also did a short on two friends competing in a martial arts tournament together, as well as a farmer seeking revenge after fiancé was murdered.
What are you currently working on?
I’m actually working on two books right now. The first is a sequel to Chaos Company which is currently titled “War-torn Warriors”. The second is an action/adventure with a more serious tone to it. I’m keeping that story pretty close to the vest, at least right now until I finish the first draft.
What do you do when not writing?
When I’m not writing I like to exercise at the gym or by practicing martial arts. I also love to read comics and watch shows and films on Netflix with my friends. Right now we’re watching Californication and catching up on Orange Is the New Black.
Do you blog or leave reviews for other authors? Why or why not?
I do leave reviews for other authors if I read their book and like it. If I didn’t I won’t finish the book and not leave a review. I’m not one to bash another writer’s work because I understand how difficult it is to find success in such a competitive market.
I do not blog. I just don’t have the time for it. With work, martial arts, writing two books and trying to promote Chaos Company I know I wouldn’t have the time to tend to a blog often. Maybe one day soon I’ll find the time to blog. But as of right now it’s just not for me.
What’s your favorite thing about being published?
I do love that my book is published and I can now focus on writing other stories. But my favorite thing about being published is that I finally have other people taking look at my work. From book reviewers to casual readers it’s great to be able to share it with the world, especially when those reads are followed by some feedback.
About the author:
Christopher Slayton was born and raised in New Castle, Delaware. During Chris’ high school years he earned two All-Conference awards in lacrosse and three national awards in JROTC. Chris attended the University of Delaware, where he earned a B.A. in Psychology. While in college Chris was a UD ambassador, and wrote sketches for his school’s comedy show. Chris was a member of his school’s Tae Kwon Do team, where he earned multiple honors in nine tournaments. Chris has incorporated his passion for both martial arts and videogames into his writing, helping him finish his first ebook Chaos Company.
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So awesome you got to share this interview with us! I'm reading Chaos Company (and enjoying it) right now, so reading this was really cool :D
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