Writers with Heart: A.C. Bauer
- publisherynes
- Oct 12
- 4 min read
Welcome to the brand-new author interview series by Memento Vivere Press, Writers with Heart. Here we’ll explore writers’ journeys and immerse ourselves in the depths of their origins, inspiration, challenges, and victories, as we pull back the curtain and get a behind-the-scenes look at their books and writing practices. Discover the music that inspired them, their favorite writing snacks, and more! Sign up for our newsletter to stay in the know about new interviews, readings, and All Things Readerly.
One of the key aspects of Memento Vivere Press is that we publish stories with heroes that don’t live up to expectations, in good ways. How does this story challenge the norm?
I have a big heart for heroes whose backstories or powers look, on the surface, “bad” or “evil.” Conversely, the “good” powers being used for evil! This is set in the very first section of the text, it is no secret, but I believe there’s so much more room for nuance in both power systems and protagonists’ personalities than often makes it to a final draft. Felix could have very easily been the villain in this story, but his life has been shaped around a series of decisions to not feed that darker side of himself. (At least, not too much—he is still a killer for hire, after all.)
We know that Wildforged spawned from an earlier story that you had written several years back. Has the story changed since your first draft, and how?
So much! When I originally published it in 2022, it was several thousand words shorter and didn’t know quite how to express itself. It’s even changed a lot since my first rewritten draft: Felix and Moira are much less combative, the writing is tighter, and things don’t feel quite so dour. I realized as I was writing that I didn’t want this story to be dark at its core; despite it being about the oncoming end of the world; it’s about hope and community.
Where do you get your inspiration?
Sometimes it’s a conversation I overheard or a post I saw or even a leaf blowing on the sidewalk. Sometimes it’s music. Sometimes it’s the way someone’s eyes look in an old picture. My brain won’t stop finding inspiration in the mundane. But generally, something—no matter how small—evokes some form of emotion in me, and that emotion plus the inspiration tends to send my mind careening in all sorts of inspired directions.
What are the most important elements of writing?
I think the answer will (and should!) vary from person to person. For myself, the most important elements are—in no particular order—characterization, syntax, and the will to actually tell a story and not hamstring yourself because of potential reactions.
Are there any particular books or authors that have influenced your writing style?
Tamsyn Muir and Joe Abercrombie immediately come to mind. I don’t think my style really reflects Muir’s in a meaningful way, but The Locked Tomb really made me sit and think about how I write evocative and punchy description. Abercrombie was one of the first writers I remember reading and thinking, “oh, so it’s actually really fucking nice [for me] to read about main characters who are also unrepentant assholes.” I don’t always channel but The Locked Tomb really made me sit and think about how I write evocative and punchy description. Abercrombie was one of the first writers I remember reading and thinking, “oh, so it’s actually really fucking nice [for me] to read about main characters who are also unrepentant assholes.” I don’t always channel that, either, but reading Best Served Cold ages and ages ago blew the “must be likeable” seal off of my jar of characterization tips.
Do you have a favorite fandom?
You would ask me to pick a favorite child? Cruel. I’ve been really into The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater the last month or so, and before that it was All For the Game by Nora Sakavic. I promise I read more than YA novels but unfortunately Ronan Lynch and Kevin Day grabbed me by the throat and refuse to let me go.
What is your schedule like when you’re writing a book?
Long weekend writing bursts. My day job often leaves me exhausted during the week, so my weekdays are usually reserved for thinking about The Character or sitting with plot points. On the weekends, I actually sit down to put those thoughts to paper. My writing sessions are often 4–6 hours long; I work better in marathons rather than sprints.
Do you listen to anything during the different stages of your process? For example, is it a metal mood when you’re brainstorming, more of a pop vibe when you’re writing, or do you need silence to concentrate?
It really depends on what I’m writing! For me, it’s less of a genre thing and more of a “this one song captures the vibes so perfectly I’m going to listen to it until I’m done with this scene/story/project.” Generally, it’s something instrumental or in a different language, but even that runs the gamut from single-voice acapella to epic orchestral music. I do also have my fair share of softer, more intimate songs in English that I’ll throw on loop. I do need music of some variety to concentrate, no matter what it is. When it comes to the brainstorming phase of things, that’s where my listening gets a bit more eclectic, because I tend to build my settings around specific song vibes as well, and there’s much more variety needed there.
What’s your favorite writing snack?
Anything that fulfills the two most important food criteria: crunchy, salty. My go-to is usually Cheez-its, but I will slam a bag of kettle-cooked chips in a pinch.
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