Author Spotlight: W.H. Cann

6/11/2013

1. Tell us a little about yourself:
I’m married to a wonderful wife, have 2 fantastic children, both of whom have left home; my son courting and my daughter married with 3 beautiful children. I am a qualified aircraft engineer having trained and served in the Royal Air Force, but now work full time as a finance officer in local government. I love walking, preferably in the spring and autumn, camping, and gardening, (I just wish I had one large enough to do something in). I have a passion for genealogy, reading and of course, writing; I enjoy watching classic British sitcoms, crime dramas such as Agatha Christie, Lewis and Midsomer Murders, and have a large collection of films of all genres. Finding time to do everything I would like is hard, so it often requires a careful balancing act, although some things do get neglected at times, such as genealogy.

2. When did you start writing, and why?
I first started writing back in 1998 when I was off work following a back injury. Not being able to do much physically, including walking and driving, I thought I would pass some of my time away by writing a story. I did not expect to write much, but once I had started, the story just seemed to flow and I was hooked.

3. What do you write, and why? What do you enjoy about what you write?
My first version of my series of ‘The Guardians’ novels actually started off as science fiction with a slight supernatural element, but I was not happy with the finished manuscripts. So I put these aside to write in my favoured genre, Fantasy, having always preferred reading fantasy novels to science fiction. However, after having set aside my writing for several years to focus on genealogy, I decided to rewrite ‘The Guardians’ series into a Fantasy set in the distant future.

I suppose I would have to say I enjoy everything about what I write, from developing the characters, to evolving the level of magic involved in the story. I just love writing, and the genres of Fantasy and Science Fiction can give your imagination that little more freedom to explore beyond the accepted laws of science.

4. What is your latest book? Any forthcoming books?
My latest book was published as an eBook back in January 2013, ‘A Guardian Reborn’, the third book in the series ‘The Guardians’, however, I have also just completed a thorough revision of the first book in the series, ‘Path to Vengeance’, which I feel brings it more up to the level of books two and three.

I will soon be starting the rewrite of books four and five in the series, with a hope to publishing the book four later this year and book five early in 2014. I am also working on some short stories that will fit in and around ‘The Guardians’ series of novels. When all of these are completed, I will commence working on my fantasy epic series “The Chronicles of Ferantiana”.

5. "Welcome To My Worlds": Tell us a little about the world of your latest book:
The third book focuses primarily on the main character, Grogaan, and the story is set on several worlds and sectors of space, each having an important and profound effect on him and his future. The Guardians’ series is set in the distant future, where travel between worlds is at the speed of light, guns have been replaced by lasers, but human nature is still volatile and unpredictable. Magic has played a major part in shaping society across the galaxy, often with catastrophic effect. The galaxy is divided into four quadrants; the Gaashox, where the first book is set; the Ladorran, which features prominently in books 2 and 3; the Yeasson, which features in books 4 and 5, and avoided by most space farers and merchants of the Ladorran quadrant; the Neaffrox, only mentioned.

6. Introduce us to some of your characters. What do you like about them?
Grogaan Learman, one of the main characters, the son of a renowned fighter pilot, adept in magic, and destined to achieve great things. I like Grogaan for several reasons; he has an inner strength that helps him cope with everything destiny throws at him; he cares for his friends and puts as much importance on their welfare as his own.

Ellarna Rayshon, the eldest daughter of a Senator, intelligent and a gifted diplomat, who discovers she is adept in magic. She is another strong character with a kind heart, and puts the needs of others far above her own.

Pakrowask and Kopranton, both former Senators of their homeworld of Krelath, now Imperial Governors of the Hebradon Empire and powerful sorcerer’s. Although initially deceived, they show a surprising level of restrain in their dealings with magic and their Empresses.

General Sorann Taggash, Guardian Master, and hero of the ‘Confederation of Star System’s. Prone to rushing in to situations without thinking and getting into trouble, but underneath the appearance of immaturity, he bears surprising strength of character and compassion.

7. A fun fact you would like your readers to know about you or your book.
Sorry, can’t think of any fun facts about me, and there aren’t any about my books. [Kyra sez: the books themselves are fun enough!]

8. Blog/site link, and where your book is available:
Website: www.whcann.co.uk

Books available from:
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/whcann