I am very new to being a published author, but I still get asked questions by readers that I’d thought I would answer.

I will answer the questions that have been asked first, and then I will answer any ones that I expect a reader might have.

Most common questions:

How did you become an author?

I have always loved writing and reading. Ever since I read Harry Potter, I have loved fantasy books. I was also inspired by some other books I read to try and write my own book. I would often write down bits of stories in notebooks, and draw comics to go along with them. I think I have always been an author. The only thing that is new to me is the publication of my books.

How long did it take to write Connection of the Worlds?

I started writing my book in 2016, and wrote about ten chapters in about two months. Then, I took a break for a few months, and wrote other ideas. Then I eventually came back to Connection of the Worlds, and I did a major edit. I fixed a lot of errors in my writing, and made the characters much more developed. I didn’t stop writing until I was done with the first book. I edited, got cover art, then used Kindle Direct Publishing to self-publish the first book.

Who are your characters inspired by?

This is a question that I definitely wonder when I read fiction books. My four main characters are based on me, on my different aspects and personalities, past and present. Of course, not all of the things about them are true to me. I mostly just got my inspiration from how I think my personality is.

Other questions readers might have:

What did you change in your book since you started writing it?

I mostly changed the dialog of the book, and fixed a lot of sentences that didn’t make any sense. I also changed a few descriptions of places my characters visited. One main thing that affects my story is the year it was set in. Instead of being set in 2016 like it was originally, I changed it to be 2017.

What kinds of research do you do for your books?

I do a lot of online research about places my characters go. Even though I have been to quite a few of the cities and places they have been, it really helps me to know more about things such as transportation, and how long it normally takes to get somewhere. I also have tons of books at home that I use for research. Most of these are history, and I have tons on Greece, Egypt and a few on China, Rome, Norway and World History.

Do you have notebooks you use for character information, or do you use a computer?

I have about three notebooks that are full of Connection of the Worlds character profiles, concept art, weapon descriptions and family trees. I also use a lot of loose notes. I basically write down anything related to the series that I think might be important. I also write down scenes that I might one day use, or that have good dialog. I do use the computer to store my really important information on my characters, in case something were to happen to my notes.

Conclusion:

I hope this was helpful and answered any questions you might have about the series. Please comment or let me know if you have any more questions you would like to be answered!

Thank you for checking out this website, and I hope you have enjoyed by book!

 

 

Connection of the Worlds Official Character Quiz: What character are you most like?

Question 1: If you were to choose a favorite season, which would it be?

a. Summer

b. Fall

c. Winter

d. Spring

Question 2: If you see a group of people fighting, you…

a. Join the fight

b. Try to stop the fight

c. Run away

d. Let someone else stop the fight, but stay in case things get messy

Question 3: Which of these weapons do you wish you could have?

a. A spear

b. A halberd or polearm

c. A dagger

d. All of the above

Question 4: Which two subjects are your favorite?

a. I love all school subjects!

b. History and English

c. Math and science

d. I hate school!

Question 5: Which personality description fits you best?

a. Bossy and intelligent

b. Considerate and Passionate

c. Serious and resourceful

d. Funny and determined

Question 6: Which genre is your favorite?

a. Historical fiction

b. Mystery

c. Nonfiction

d. Science-fiction and fantasy

Question 7: Which of these landscapes do you like best?

a. Countryside

b. Forest

c. Large city

d. Beach

Question 8: Which colors are your favorites?

a. Red and gold

b. Purple and blue

c. Black and grey

d. Green and orange

Question 9: If you daydream, it is usually about…

a. Heroic deeds

b. Music and books

c. Real-world problems

d. Food

Question 10: If you had to choose a mythological enemy, who would it be?

a. Eris, the Greek goddess of discord

b. Shen, a Chinese shape-shifting dragon

c. Set, the Egyptian god of Chaos

d. Loki, the Norse trickster god

Question 11: Are you a hero?

a. Most definitely

b. Maybe

c. No

d. I want to be

Quiz complete! Continue for results!

Mostly a’s: You are the most like Athena! You are highly intelligent, and can usually come up with a plan on the spot. You can be bossy sometimes, but your good friends know you are more than that. You are a very knowledgeable person, who can be relied on for information. You have a sense of regalness about you, and are a natural leader.

Mostly b’s: You are the most like Luna! You are extremely nice to everyone, and love to help people. You might be shy and quiet, but you have a lot to say when it comes to the things you like to do. You are a peacemaker, and can help very different people get along. You have a thoughtful outlook on life, and are always willing to help a friend in need.

Mostly c’s: You are the most like Seth! You are serious, and might not be very open about your internal feelings. But despite that, you are willing to do what others say, as long as you can share the leadership. With your closest friends, you can be yourself. You have a mysterious air to you, and always think about all the scenarios that could happen at the moment.

Mostly d’s: You are the most like Tor! You are very funny and humorous, and can often act as the comic relief. You are usually joking around. You always try to be the best person you can be, even if you are sometimes clumsy or messy. You are always willing to pitch in to a project, and love to share your ideas with the rest of the world. You are eager to help people, and are a great friend.

Thank you for taking the Connection of the Worlds character quiz!

Hello readers!

Today I thought I’d share some facts about my characters. If you read my book, you might know most of these, but I always love learning more about who I am reading about.

Personalities:

Tor Anderson:

Tor absolutely loves superheroes. He is actually very artistic, and draws his own comics. He collects action figures of the superheroes, and his collection takes up two long shelves in his bedroom at home. He also really enjoys surfing at the beach with his best-friend, Josh Robinson. He’s from California, and hates cold weather. Tor also enjoys making jokes, which don’t always have the best timing. Still, he enjoys playing the comic relief in times of crisis. Tor wishes he could have a power of his own. He doesn’t. Yet.

Athena:

Athena might be the most like me. She loves reading, reading and more reading. If she was a Harry Potter character, she’d be Hermione Granger. Athena talks very fast, while saying a lot of useful information. She also really likes being a goddess, and all the perks that come with it: flying, shape-shifting, reading minds, etc. She has a habit of muttering under her breath. Her favorite expression: “Mortals.” Athena has two magical spears, which teleport her to different places around the world. She’s always battling some sort of monster. Speaking of which, that gorgon just got out. Excuse me for a moment…

Luna Wong:

Luna is a very quiet person, and enjoys hobbies, like riding her horses, or writing letters to her brother, John. She is sometimes very shy, but can easily get along with lots of different people. Luna can also see well in the dark, a given, since her mother is a moon goddess. Luna uses a bag of Moondust, a special powder that obscures the vision of her enemies. Only she and her mother can see through the dust. Luna is a nice, friendly person, but she lacks physical strength. She is determined to get stronger.

Seth Frederick:

Seth is probably the most mysterious of my characters. His background is hidden from the others, and he lives in Chicago, homeless. He also likes reading, and enjoys learning about anything from biology, to mythological pantheons. He is stealthy, observant, and strong. His power is strength. Despite the pain that comes with it, the power of punching through solid materials like cement is a great one. Seth analyzes situations carefully, and tries to decide who to trust. He is cautious around other people. When he does answer questions, he’ll speak the truth, no matter how harsh it is. Sometimes, if you ask him a question, he won’t respond, but that’s because he’s trying to decide all your possible moves.

Analysis:

I love my characters.

I love what drives them, and what makes them unique. They each have individual aspects, and similarities.

Athena and Seth both love reading and clever strategies. Seth and Luna are both quiet and don’t speak up as much as the others. Tor and Athena are more comical characters, who tend to say funnier things. Tor and Luna are the nicest to strangers and random people.

While working on my first book, I realized some of my characters would talk almost identically to each other. I needed more distinction, so I wrote some revised profiles for them. This helped me figure out how to make them unique. The profiles talked about the characters’ lives before they met each other, and also what their personalities are.

When I wrote the profiles, I also transitioned away from what I called my first ‘draft’. (Really, it was the first half of the book.) I didn’t change that much, except different ways of saying the same thing. This made the book clearer.

Overall, I think my characters are good people: they try hard to do the right thing. I hope in the next two books, I will develop more backstory and character growth. From what I’ve written so far, I think I’m on the right track.

You can now get my book in paperback, on Amazon.com! I am looking forward to reading the reviews on the story, and thinking about what I should write next.

-Helena K. Hollander

 

Hi.

I never thought I’d publish a book. Why? Because maybe I was afraid I’d have a hard time getting a specialized editor. Perhaps I thought I wouldn’t find a publisher. The worst part was wondering if people would even read my book.

But yet, here I am.

I am a debut author, who is in the process of publishing my first book. It is written in my favorite genre, fantasy.

What it is:

Connection of the Worlds is a book about four kids, (Specifically Children of Myth.) who are all part of a destiny greater than anything they have ever known.

They each live in a different part of the United States, and have never met each other. That is, until one of them, a Greek goddess named Athena, travels around the country, on a mission to slay a woman called Medusa.

After many tests and trials, the four kids will have to decide: Will they group up to save the universe? Or, will they fight against each other, in a battle to end all time.

 

-Helena K. Hollander