TYRANNY'S WORLDS

Home of the Jo Wilkins & Richard Draude's Tyranny Series

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How did you get interested in writing?
A: Jo-I have always been interested in writing.  Being as shy as I was in my youth, it was the only way I could express myself.  I never showed my work to anyone until my husband entered a poem of mine in a county wide writing contest, judged by Orange Coast College, in California, and I won third place.


A:Richard- I read as a youngster and I always interested in telling stories. When Jo's husband David and I were talking one day he asked me to I look at the story his wife had written and suggested we collaborate.

Q: Where do you get your  ideas?
A: Jo-  This one is easy.  Everywhere.  I pull story ideas from all aspects of my life -- from everyone I meet – from every job I perform.
A:Richard- I look around, the world is full of ideas. You just need to look at things from a different angle. Part of the idea for my present series came while watching my daughters graduation cermony.

Q: What's it like to write with another person

A: Jo-Difficult at times. If you try this, you have to determine at the onset that the story you write will not ever be truly your own, nor can you exhibit any of your ego while writing it.  Both of these can be hard things to come to terms with.  But if you are lucky enough to pull it off like Richard and I have, you can find it a satisfying experience.  It is also a good way to experience the learning portion of writing a saleable manuscript by having your own, built-in, two-man writer’s group because you co-author is always there to critique everything your write.
A: Richard- Most writers start out solo then collaborate with another author.  For me I did this backwards. In 1991 I started out writing with Jo. I depended on her to get me through the roughs spots (two years worth). She is right about ego, lose it or you'll doom the relationship from the start. While a partners critiques can be brutal, they are always helpful. It wasn't until 1999 I first tapped the ideas into a computer for my own book.

Q: What is the one thing you've learned that has helped most in writing?
A: Jo- I would have to say it is how to distinguish correct and constant Point Of View. I heard an agent say once that the single most important mistake that keeps all new authors make is not having a consistent, stable POV.  He said it was the main reason most new writers are rejected.


 A: Richard- Not limiting yourself to your outline. While it is a guideline we let the charters tell the story. We try never to reject an idea because it is too far fetched. 

Q: Who's writing has influenced you the most?

A: Jo- I would have to say Isaac Asimov.  I think I have read more of his work than any other author.  I have his Science Fiction, some of his easier science journals, and a few of his mysteries.  I read them over and over, and I discover something new each time I read them.  I aspire to reach the intricacy of his ability to spin a tale.


A: Richard- A variety of writers. From early science fiction E.E. 'Doc' Smith Keith Laumer, Lee Hoffman (The Caves of Karst is a favorite). Fantasy fiction I enjoy Raymond E Fiest, Tolkin, Terry Brooks, David & Leigh Eddings, and Terry Goodkind.  Mysteries I like reading John D. MacDonald, Tony Hillerman,  Sue Grafton, and Patricia Cornwell.

Q: What about writing is the most satisfying?

A: Jo-Writing allows me to do things a shy woman would never have the courage to do,  and lets me live in places I know I will never see (other worlds) except in my mind.


A: Richard- Telling a story. I enjoy spinning a good yarn and creating a believable world that others can travel to and share the adventure with our charaters.