PHOTO: Author Paul Cude, capturing moments of wonder and adventure, both on the page and behind the lens.

Unleashing Imagination and Chasing Dreams: An Interview with Paul Cude

Exploring the World of Mythical Creatures and Literary Inspirations

Join us as we dive into the mind of author Paul Cude, where dragons come alive and dreams shape stories. From late-night reading marathons to encounters with literary legends, Paul shares his unique writing journey. 

Paul Cude is a husband, father, field hockey player and aspiring photographer. Lost without his hockey stick, he can often be found in between writing and chauffeuring children, reading anything from comics to sci-fi, fantasy to thrillers. Too often found chained to his computer, it would be little surprise to find him, in his free time, somewhere on the Dorset coastline, chasing over rocks and sand in an effort to capture his wonderful wife and lovely kids with his camera. Paul Cude is also the author of The White Dragon Saga.

Have you ever skipped something important to stay at home and read a book? Details please!

Well of course there’s sleep. I’ve definitely skipped a great deal of sleep to read a lot of books, including most of the Star Wars expanded universe, not to mention the Harry Potter series and a lot of Terry Pratchett’s books. I do recall feigning illness to stay off work and read when I was a service engineer once, though that was a total one off.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I suppose the fact that every book I’ve written and the intricate details within them all come to me while I'm asleep. Whether it's the title of a chapter I've struggled to come up with, part of the plot development, or even a conversation, I find eventually it comes to me in the form of a dream. As I read this now, it does look a bit odd... but honestly, that's what happens.

Why dragons? Out of all the mythical creatures why did you choose them?

I don't think I chose them, they chose me.

What books and authors have impacted your writing career?

Terry Pratchett is my biggest influence. I’ve loved his books ever since my wife introduced me to them. My biggest book/writing regret is not going up to him on the few occasions I saw him in Salisbury just to shake his hand and tell him how much I loved his books. At the time I thought I would be intruding on his privacy, and I probably lacked the courage because I’m quite shy. If I’d known then what I know now, I wouldn’t have hesitated.

What kind of reader were you as a child?

Not a very good one. It wasn’t until my late teens that I really got into reading, at first discovering the Star Wars expanded universe, before going on to discover a love of fantasy, sci-fi, thrillers and steampunk.

You’re organizing a party. Which two authors, dead or alive, do you invite?

Terry Pratchett for sure; he’s my favourite author of all time. The other would have to be Tom Clancy. I love all his books because of the realism and intricate detail. Plus there’s plenty to learn from his writing style.

Blurb for the first book:

A Threat From The Past

Can you be heroic and naive?

For one young man, the answer is yes, despite his magical birthright.

Blissfully unaware of what's going on around him, for the most part Peter remains fully focused on blending in and keeping a low profile.

But fate and plain bad luck have other designs on him.

Not so bad, you might think. Until you discover the TRUTH!

Just like his friends, he is a... DRAGON!

Thrust into a life away from the underground dragon domain, disguised in a new, awkward human form in an effort to guide and protect humanity just like the rest of his race, all he has to do is uncover the diabolical deeds playing out around him.

With the help of his two young friends, a master mantra maker and a complete dragon stranger with more than a little history attached to him, will Peter manage to thwart the dark, devious scheme long in the planning?

Ever wondered how dragons use their supernatural gift to travel below ground at almost the speed of sound?

Want to know how they use magical mantras to transform their giant bodies into convincing human shapes?

Learn the true story of George and the Dragon, see if a prehistoric grudge turns into murderous revenge, and find out what to do if you meet a giant arachnid grinning at you when you're wearing nothing but your smile.

Lose yourself in this unputdownable fantasy adventure NOW!

Links:

Website: PAUL CUDE – Young Adult Fantasy Author

Amazon Author Page: Amazon.com: Paul Cude

Goodreads Author Page: Paul Cude on Goodreads

Facebook: The White Dragon Saga on Facebook  

Twitter: @paul_cude on Twitter    

Instagram: @paulcude