Interview with fantasy novelist Hugh Fritz

Novelist Hugh Fritz chats with me today about his new fantasy, Anomaly Aftermath (Book 3 of the Mystic Rampage Series).

Hugh is doing a virtual book tour with Wow! Women on Writing. Feel free to check out his other tour stops… details are below.

Bio:
Hugh Fritz is a chemistry student who tries to find ways to work the topics he studies into works of fiction. He was born in Illinois and lived there until a job offer brought him to New Mexico. Over the past seven years he’s become accustomed to the transition from the Midwest to the Southwest, the most challenging part being learning to maintain a garden in a different climate. When not writing he enjoys playing music, mostly stringed instruments.

Welcome, Hugh. Please tell us about your current release.
This is the third book in my Mystic Rampage trilogy and a stark contrast to the previous installments. The first two books focused on a trio of main characters and the chapters cycled through each in a pattern. After the climax in book 2, I couldn’t continue the same format. For this book, I moved the previous heroes into the background and gave the sidekicks their moment in the spotlight.

What inspired you to write this book?
I wanted to reverse the dynamic I’d established in the earlier parts of this series. The first two installments followed the Genies, and their struggle was that they had limitless power, but lacked direction. They didn’t know what they were “meant” to do with their magical abilities, or if their lives even had a purpose in the first place. Anomaly Aftermath is about the human characters in the series, who struggle in the opposite way. They know their time is limited, but they’ve given it purpose. They know what they want to do with their lives, but unlike the Genies, they can’t achieve their desires with a mere thought. I felt it would make for an interesting twist and would make the world more personable.

Excerpt from Anomaly Aftermath:
He squeezed her hand tighter and relaxed as he looked out the front window, then turned his head back toward her. “How much of my story do you believe?”

“Well, I know what I saw, so I believe everything you said about Roy.”

“Does that mean you believe me about Liquid Soul?”

She drummed her fingers on the steering wheel. “Thank you so much for bringing that up.”

“I’m not sure I’m really the one that brought it up.” He studied her face. It no longer had the cheerfulness when their date began. She was stoic now, as if she had just walked into a meeting room. He had a feeling she’d intended to guide him to talking about Liquid Soul.

“Have you ever thought about studying it openly?” she asked.

He let go of her hand. “Don’t say that. And no, I haven’t.”

“Just think about it. This could be a big opportunity for you. And for the company.”

“It already is an opportunity for me. And in this case, what’s good for the company is terrible for the world.”

She reached for his hand again. “I don’t know how this stuff works, but anything that can bring back the dead can’t be terrible.”

“Yes, it can. Trust me. But all benefits aside, that’s not why I’m studying it. This isn’t about saving lives.” He patted his limp legs. “It isn’t even about healing myself.”

“Then what’s it about?”

Tyrell didn’t answer. He looked out the passenger window and watched other cars pass them.

“What’s it about?” Catalina repeated. “You don’t want to help the world? Or yourself? What other motivation is there?”

“Revenge.” He felt she’d taken her eyes off the road again but didn’t look at her. “I haven’t forgiven Flarence for what he did to my dad. And I’m not OK with him still being at large. I want him to suffer, but I don’t have the power to make it happen. So, the man who killed my father is still free, armed with the power to break matter down and reconstruct it at will. He can bend light and gravity with a thought. He has complete control of physical and chemical reactions.” Tyrell pointed to the sky. “Hell, he could make the sun stop burning if he wanted.” He’d spat as he spoke, and he wiped the window with his sleeve. He then turned to Catalina. “There’s only one power that I have over him.” He tapped his skull.

Her teeth flashed as she smiled at him. “I’ve never met Flarence before, but I don’t doubt you’re smarter than him.”

“Not smarter, just different. Flarence only uses his powers to fight. I use mine to grow.”

“Either way, don’t you think that going public would show him how much smarter you are? Or how different?”

Tyrell shook his head. “The more people who know about this, the more people Flarence can ask for help. I’m going to make sure I’m his only option. I used to be afraid of him coming back to me. I was worried that he’d be so desperate for answers that he’d try to beat them out of me. Now, I kind of hope he does. I want him to know that the properties of Liquid Soul are my secret, and it’s a secret that’s going to die with me.” Catalina’s face paled and he rushed to clarify. “Not that I have a death wish. It’s just, you wanted to know why I’m doing this. That’s why.”

What exciting project are you working on next?
I have a traditional fantasy that takes place in a make-believe kingdom and involves a dragon. A lot of it is already written because it started as a fanfiction. I’m excited to get back into it because I want to know if any publishers are willing to release it with that piece included. I’m not a lawyer and don’t know the details of copyright laws, but it would be fun to mix my own world with one that I used to like when I was younger.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
In high school, there were creative writing assignments in English classes, but there was also a writing club. I suppose I can consider myself a writer when I joined that club. Instead of writing stories only when a teacher told me to do so, I did it by choice and on my own schedule.

Do you write full-time? If so, what’s your workday like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
I don’t write full-time. I have a full-time job and I’m a part-time graduate student. Usually, the only time available for writing is at night. The temptation to shut down my computer and just go to bed is always present, but I can’t do that because I meet a group of authors weekly. We bring 1000 – 2000 word pieces and critique each other. Being with them is great motivation because if I don’t bring anything in I’ll be the lazy one in the group, and I can’t stand feeling lazy.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I was into tabletop and action-based card games for a while. It’s difficult to find time or people to play with but I like to imagine what features my characters would have if they were HeroClix figurines. Claire would have Leap/Climb, Flurry, and Blades/Claws/Fangs. Roy would have Super Strength and Hypersonic Speed. Tyrell would have Exploit Weakness, Outwit, and maybe Probability Control. Jocelyn would have Quake. Soleil would have Poison, obviously. Flarence would have Combat Reflexes and Charge. Of course, all the Genies would also have Regeneration and Toughness as well.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Like a lot of kids, I thought about being a musician. I practiced guitar for a while and played saxophone in a marching band. I’m an accomplished novelist now, but for some reason I always struggled writing lyrics. I’m not sure why this is the case, but all forms of poetry have always been a struggle for me.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
I’d like to give shout-outs to other authors I know who have been published. Next time you’re visiting Amazon, look up Marie Parks (Unrelenting), V.S. Ford (Time of Death), Michael R. French (Ghost With Two Hearts), Drew Overmier (Starved, Weighed, and Prodded), Tabatha Shipley (A Spark of Magic), Kat Rocha (Whispers From the Abyss), L.A. Mascone (The Moondead), Randy Lindsay (Battlementals), Rani Divine (Mynidd), Bryan Asher (The Assassin of Malcoze), Neal Holtschulte (Crew of Exiles), Mads Hennen (Escaping the Aventine), and Cassie Sanchez (Chasing the Darkness). They’re all different styles and you’re bound to find at least one of them interesting.

Links:
Website | Blog | Facebook | Amazon

Blog Tour Dates 

May 1st @ The Muffin
What goes better in the morning than a muffin? Join us at the WOW blog to celebrate the launch of author Hugh Fritz’s Anomaly Aftermath. You can read an interview with the author and enter to win a copy of the book. https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com/

May 5th HERE!

May 6th @ A Wonderful World of Words
You won’t want to miss Joy’s review of Hugh Fritz’s Anomaly Aftermath. Stop by A Wonderful World of Words today to learn more about this third book in the Mystic Rampage Series! https://awonderfulworldofwordsa.blogspot.com/

May 14th @ Word Magic with Fiona Ingram
Author Hugh Fritz recently released the third and final book in the Mystic Rampage Series,  Anomaly Aftermath. Stop by Word Magic with Fiona Ingram to hear from Fritz today as he speaks about “Advertising and Finding an Audience” and delves into developing a pitch as an author. https://fionaingramauthor.blogspot.com/

May 20th @ Madeline Sharples, Choices
Author Hugh Fritz recently released the third and final book in the Mystic Rampage Series, Anomaly Aftermath. Stop by Choices with Madeline Sharples to hear from Fritz today as he speaks about “Developing a Pitch for a Book-to-Film Adaptation”. http://www.madelinesharples.com/

May 24th @ Author Anthony Avina
You won’t want to miss fellow author Anthony Avina’s review of Hugh Fritz’s Anomaly Aftermath. Stop by Author Anthony Avina’s blog today to learn more about this third book in the Mystic Rampage Series! https://authoranthonyavinablog.com/

May 26th @ Nikki’s Book Reviews
You won’t want to miss Nikki’s review of Hugh Fritz’s Anomaly Aftermath. Stop by Nikki’s Book Review blog today to learn more about this third book in the Mystic Rampage Series! https://nikkitsbookreviews.wordpress.com/

June 8th @ Knotty Needle Creative
You won’t want to miss Judy’s review of Hugh Fritz’s Anomaly Aftermath. Stop by Knotty Needle Creative today to learn more about this third book in the Mystic Rampage Series! http://knottyneedle.blogspot.com/

June 10th @ Bring on Lemons with Carmen Otto
Hear from a teenager about Hugh Fritz’s Anomaly Aftermath. Stop by Bring on Lemons today to hear from Carmen Otto as she reviews the book and you can learn more about this third book in the Mystic Rampage Series! http://bringonlemons.blogspot.com/

June 12th @ World of My Imagination
Author Hugh Fritz recently released the third and final book in the Mystic Rampage Series, Anomaly Aftermath. Stop by World of My Imagination to hear from Fritz today as he speaks about “Returning to School to Seek an Advanced Degree”. https://worldofmyimagination.com/

June 13th @ Storey Book Reviews
Author Hugh Fritz recently released the third and final book in the Mystic Rampage Series, Anomaly Aftermath. Storey Book Reviews to hear from Fritz today as he speaks about “What to do When the Series is Over”. https://storeybookreviews.com/

June 14th @ The Mommies Reviews with Glenda Cates
You won’t want to miss Glenda’s review of Hugh Fritz’s Anomaly Aftermath. Stop by The Mommies Reviews today to learn more about this third book in the Mystic Rampage Series! http://www.themommiesreviews.com/

June 15th @ Lady Unemployed
You won’t want to miss Nicole Pyles’ review of Hugh Fritz’s Anomaly Aftermath. Stop by Lady Unemployed today to learn more about this third book in the Mystic Rampage Series! https://ladyunemployed.com/