Ask the Author: T. Frohock
Answered Questions (3)
T. Frohock
Hi, Desdemona,
I had the most fun writing that story with Alex! I wish I had an easy answer for you, but frankly it's a bit complicated.
I'm not sure when it'll be available to purchase. Currently, between my day job and working on another manuscript, I don't have time to work toward self-publishing the story with Alex. Since we co-wrote it, I wouldn't do anything that would prevent both of us from being paid, so it's going to take a bit of research into ways that we can both be compensated. I also need to check with Alex and make sure he hasn't signed another contract regarding his characters, which would preclude the story from being self-published.
Hopefully, we'll be able to make it available again in the future, but I just can't say exactly when.
I had the most fun writing that story with Alex! I wish I had an easy answer for you, but frankly it's a bit complicated.
I'm not sure when it'll be available to purchase. Currently, between my day job and working on another manuscript, I don't have time to work toward self-publishing the story with Alex. Since we co-wrote it, I wouldn't do anything that would prevent both of us from being paid, so it's going to take a bit of research into ways that we can both be compensated. I also need to check with Alex and make sure he hasn't signed another contract regarding his characters, which would preclude the story from being self-published.
Hopefully, we'll be able to make it available again in the future, but I just can't say exactly when.
T. Frohock
Hi, Brianna,
Personally, I don't have a problem with hearing people including Deaf/deaf characters in their works as long as they've done the research and/or use someone from the representative community as a sensitivity reader. And I want to emphasize PERSONALLY. Others may feel differently. Emotions are like that.
Also, keep in mind that with Deaf characters, you aren't just portraying someone with a hearing loss, you're portraying an actual culture. That is, you're taking the responsibility of portraying an entire community of people, whose lived experiences are very different from someone like me, who is deaf. I lacked that integral support system of being with others that share my inability to hear, the shared sign language, and the other advantages of being part of group.
I also think it's important to remember that you can do everything in your power to write emphatically, portray the character realistically, utilize sensitivity readers, and still find yourself facing criticism. This is because it's impossible to take in the totality of everyone's experience and roll that collective experience into one character.
When you find yourself under criticism, all you can do is say: "I'm sorry, your point is taken. I'll remember it in the future." Then you, the author, should try to balance that point-of-view against your future characterizations.
I don't think any author should be afraid to write a character outside their personal experience so long as they write with empathy and understanding of their subject. Sensitivity readers are excellent in that they will see issues through their lived experiences that evade the author. I would caution you to be careful, and to lean heavily on sensitivity readers who will be honest with you and think deeply about your characters.
I hope that helps.
T
Personally, I don't have a problem with hearing people including Deaf/deaf characters in their works as long as they've done the research and/or use someone from the representative community as a sensitivity reader. And I want to emphasize PERSONALLY. Others may feel differently. Emotions are like that.
Also, keep in mind that with Deaf characters, you aren't just portraying someone with a hearing loss, you're portraying an actual culture. That is, you're taking the responsibility of portraying an entire community of people, whose lived experiences are very different from someone like me, who is deaf. I lacked that integral support system of being with others that share my inability to hear, the shared sign language, and the other advantages of being part of group.
I also think it's important to remember that you can do everything in your power to write emphatically, portray the character realistically, utilize sensitivity readers, and still find yourself facing criticism. This is because it's impossible to take in the totality of everyone's experience and roll that collective experience into one character.
When you find yourself under criticism, all you can do is say: "I'm sorry, your point is taken. I'll remember it in the future." Then you, the author, should try to balance that point-of-view against your future characterizations.
I don't think any author should be afraid to write a character outside their personal experience so long as they write with empathy and understanding of their subject. Sensitivity readers are excellent in that they will see issues through their lived experiences that evade the author. I would caution you to be careful, and to lean heavily on sensitivity readers who will be honest with you and think deeply about your characters.
I hope that helps.
T
T. Frohock
Hi, Eleanor!
First of all, THANK YOU! Both for reading Miserere and for your kind words.
The short answer to your question is: Yes, I do intend to eventually write the sequel to Miserere.
The long answer is: The publisher only purchased the first book in the series. Due to a long chain of unfortunate events, Miserere did not sell well when it was initially published. Nowadays, the first few weeks are a make or break proposal for a novel and/or series, so selling the second book was more difficult. I moved on to other projects.
So when will I write Dolorosa? Right now, I am under contract to Harper Voyager Impulse for my Los Nefilim series, which is doing well. Because I work a full-time job in addition to writing, it's more difficult for me to work on multiple series simultaneously.
However, Rachael, Lucian, and Catarina are all still very much alive in my imagination, and I hope to get a chance to continue their story someday.
First of all, THANK YOU! Both for reading Miserere and for your kind words.
The short answer to your question is: Yes, I do intend to eventually write the sequel to Miserere.
The long answer is: The publisher only purchased the first book in the series. Due to a long chain of unfortunate events, Miserere did not sell well when it was initially published. Nowadays, the first few weeks are a make or break proposal for a novel and/or series, so selling the second book was more difficult. I moved on to other projects.
So when will I write Dolorosa? Right now, I am under contract to Harper Voyager Impulse for my Los Nefilim series, which is doing well. Because I work a full-time job in addition to writing, it's more difficult for me to work on multiple series simultaneously.
However, Rachael, Lucian, and Catarina are all still very much alive in my imagination, and I hope to get a chance to continue their story someday.
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