The Infinite Expanse by B.C. Powell
(The Journals of Krymzyn #2)
Publication date: March 31st 2015
Genres: Fantasy, New Adult, Science Fiction
Evil lurks in the desolate Barrens of Krymzyn. For millions of Eras, predators with insatiable cravings have prowled the wasteland. When a traitor of the Delta enters their realm, the solitary beasts may finally have a leader to unite them.
As a new order emerges in the Barrens, Chase and Sash begin their lives together. While Chase fights to prove he belongs in Krymzyn, the power inside Sash flourishes in ways no one could have imagined. But a vengeance from the wasteland is soon unleashed upon them.
After Chase is trapped deep in the Barrens, his only escape is into the Infinite Expanse. Unaware of the deathly perils that take shape there, he may be lost forever. For Sash to return him from the endless wilderness, she’ll have to harness a mystical energy not seen since the beginning of time.
1. How long does it take you to complete a typical novel, from start to finish?
I spend several months just fantasizing about the story, following the characters through key scenes in my mind, and outlining the sequence of events. Once I sit down at my computer, it takes me about two months of binge writing to complete the first draft, but my first drafts aren’t very good. I actually spend more time on the second and third drafts as I rearrange scenes, convert “tells” into “shows,” perfect dialogue, and eventually incorporate editor notes. From start to finish, my process is about twelve months per novel, but I’m usually working on two novels at a time.
2. If you could live in the world created in any single book, which would it be and why?
My compliments on a fantastic question. For me as a reader, the characters are more important than the physical qualities of the world they live in. I think I’d have to go with Middle-earth for several reasons. More than any other book I’ve read, “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy gave me a vivid mental image of the world the story took place in. I felt like I knew the characters so well and developed such a deep empathy with them that I wanted to be at their sides during their journeys. Frodo, Gandalf, and Aragorn are the types of characters you can’t help but connect to and want to spend time with. But at every turn of the story, there’s a new, fascinating person to meet, ranging from Tom Bombadil to Galadriel. The world itself has such amazing contrast in scenery and contains all the intriguing creatures and magic you expect in a great fantasy tale that I can’t imagine a dull moment in Middle-earth.
3. Why fantasy? What is it that drew you to the genre?
As a young reader, my imagination was really sparked by books like “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” and “Dune”. Fantasy is obviously a wonderful form of escapism, but I believe the genre also allows an author to take the story to places that aren’t possible in a story set in reality. We have a chance to trigger the readers’ imaginations in ways that allows them to see things they’ve never seen before. More importantly, it allows character arcs and emotions to develop outside the realm of reality, possibly creating a stronger emotional response in the reader.
4. When did you realize you wanted to be a professional author?
I’ve wanted to write full-time since I was about twelve. I was always a daydreamer with a somewhat overactive imagination. After I read “The Chronicles of Narnia”, I knew I wanted to write stories that could take a reader on a journey into a world they’ve never been to before. Although I’ve written my entire life as a hobby, my focus for many years was on my career in the entertainment industry and raising my children. I’m now at a point that all my time can be devoted to writing fiction.
5. I like to ask authors one fun question in addition to more serious ones. So, if you were trapped on a deserted island and could only have one piece of technology with you, what would it be?
Awesome question! I’m going to assume there’s no cell phone signal or wi-fi on the island, ruling out a smart-phone. I’d have to go with a solar-powered tablet. That way, I could see pictures of the people I care about, listen to music, write fiction, and record my life on the island.
Powell has a diverse background, having held several creative positions in the entertainment industry, including executive roles at ABC-TV and Technicolor. In recent years, he’s authored several non-fiction works, primarily educational books and training programs for trading the financial markets. He dual majored in journalism and philosophy at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas.
Writing fiction has been his lifelong passion and goal. “The Journals of Krymzyn” represents, in his words, “finally finding the story I want to tell with characters that are able to bring that story to life.” He’s an avid reader and lists Ernest Hemingway, Frank L. Herbert, Stephen King, Jane Austen, and Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. as his favorite authors.
Brad, as he prefers to go by in personal communication, lives with his longtime girlfriend, three sons from a previous marriage, and their rescue dog and cat. He enjoys hiking, ocean kayaking, spending time at Southern California beaches, movies, and reading.
