Connor Owens - Confidence, Epic Battles, and Powerful Friendships

Connor Owens grew up on Long Island, New York, where he spent most of his childhood in his art room drawing, writing, and sculpting which started from a very young age. In 2017, Connor graduated from the Douglas Education Center located in Pennsylvania and was enrolled in Tom Savini's Special Makeup Effects Program. In school is where he learned about monster and creature concept design which really fueled his creative interest in the fantasy/SciFi world. He also took a course in compelling storytelling using a combination of sculpting and digital programs. His experience in school was his inspiration in writing The Adventures of Abby and Friend. Connor is back on Long Island, living with his family, and is currently writing his second book to this series with more to come. As our Author of the Day, he tells us all about The Adventures of Abby and Friend.

Please give us a short introduction to what The Adventures of Abby and Friend is about?

The story takes place in the small city of Morgantown where you learn about a teen girl named, Abby. She lives a tough life as she grows up in the foster care system. She struggles to find a sense of identity while going through teenage years she faces adversity at school for being different. One fall night all she’s ever known has changed as she confronts a wounded creature in her bedroom wearing a suit, seeking her help. Attempting to reunite a bond that she doesn’t recollect. Since he has entered her life, the necklace she has always worn magically begins to glow blue along with a supernatural voice that speaks to her through her thoughts. The book has you jumping right into the story.

What inspired you to write this story? Was there anything that made you want to tackle this?

The concept for the story started with a conversation I had with my friend. The topic was that of friendship and how important it was to maintain support, loyalty, and companionship. But also, that friendship may look different for others. I walked away from that discussion with two lingering questions. What makes a friend? Which most can answer with ease, but what should a friend look like?

This one conversation got me thinking of the fun times I would have with old friends from school and on my dead-end street where I lived. Going back in time in my own life got me thinking of a story. I quickly started to create the story of Abby and Friend and would play around with their story for five years before seriously writing it down. I came across a time that was one of my darkest, just after graduating. The only way I was able to get out of my mental state was thinking of Abby and Friend, as an escape from my reality. I began to write the story as it became to be The Adventures of Abby and Friend.

Besides writing, what other secret skills do you have?

I like to draw and sculpt. When I came out of high school, I attended Pratt Institute. The experience was short-lived but knowing that I had enough talent to impress such an elite school is humbling. I also attended a special makeup effects school learning character creation along with sculpting 2D and 3D, molding, casting, and some robotics. Even though I don’t have as much time as I use to, I do sometimes go back and pick up a pencil or make something out of clay. One day I hope to make the time.

Writing can be an emotionally draining and stressful pursuit. Any tips for inspiring writers?

I think the biggest thing to take from being a writer is to make realistic goals because even I can struggle with this at moments. Having to stress about having a piece of work completed in a short amount of time that one creates is counterproductive. This will make any journey stressful and emotionally draining as it prevents the creative process and that is something that can’t be forced. With that said it's always good to have realistic goals that can be completed by certain due dates. This will allow one to feel more accomplished, get more done and allow for a fun and creative experience. Sometimes it’s easier said than done, but it’s a part of the process.

What drew you to fantasy as a genre?

What drew me to fantasy as a genre was the magical and supernatural elements which play a major theme within my book. Fantasy allows me to create a universe of imaginative possibilities. I enjoy this genre because it helps readers escape from reality making it easy to create unexpected twists and turns along the way. “

Do any of your characters ever take off on their own tangent, refusing to do what you had planned for them?

For me, this occurs when creating I’m at a part of writing characters development or during dialogue. I feel like it is the highlight of writing. Sometimes when I go off the cookie-cutter script that I intend for them, it feels unexpected and real. I don’t hesitate for my let my story go off-script. I see it as I am the one who writes the world for my characters, but it’s up to the characters still must tell their story.

What did you have the most fun with when writing this?

My favorite part of writing this book was telling the background stories of some characters and going back in time. It was fun to divert with some other stories that helped to develop the main plot of my book. Allowing readers to piece together the story and understand the character development between some of the main characters, and their relationships.

Cool cover. Tell us more about how it came about.

I wanted to make a cover that was mysterious and gave a clue of solving the unknown. When you finish reading the book or you reach a part within the book and look at the cover you would see the clues. So, when you finish the book and place it on your shelf then time passes and one day you stumble across the book again you will see the cover and remember the story that is inside.

Why did you make Abby befriend a monster?

I chose a monster because for Abby it was hard for her to fit in with people. I also chose a monster because at the time when I was creating the book, I wanted to answer the conversation that I had with my friend. The question of, what does a friend look like? I took that question seriously by having a monster that barely has a look to it that is unrecognizable to be human.

Do you have any interesting writing habits? What is an average writing day like for you? Favorite writing spot? Sources of inspiration?

I also start my writing with layouts checkpoints that are very vague at only telling the intro climax and ending along with a character list of names. After that I write and let the characters tell the story, letting them lead me to the checkpoints. I try to write or edit previous writings every day deepening where I am with the stories. I make my day-to-day life where my writing is with me everywhere. For example, on my phone, chapters are to be edited printed in a binder, or stored on my computer. I do like writing in my computer room most. It is where I get the most work done the quickest. I have a microphone that I talk and text in and write what I say. It helps me a lot since I am dyslexic, and my spelling is not where it should be.

What are you working on right now?

Right now, I am working on a few projects when it comes to writing. I am currently editing my next book that is a part of my Adventures of serious. It is a wild ride of a book that has similarities of Abby and Friend. Opening with suspense ending with endless possibilities. Characters they are mentioned in The Adventures of Abby and Friend will tell their side of their story of what happened to them. So, if you read Abby and Friend's story you may pick up on who I may be talking about.

The second book that I am working on is separate from the serious but placed in the location of the ending of The Adventures of Abby and Friend. Hint: The main character of this book is the person who speaks to Abby in the grocery store. Also, Abby is handed an invitation from a coworker that is the main plot of this book but is not a part of the Adventures of serious.