Insight Into The Creative Mind of Alexander Baxter Scott.

Author of supernatural LGBTQ fantasy Trem & Trem Exiles!

Alex, the author of Trem, shares with us a little about his books, his writing process and some advice he would give his younger self.

First off, tell us a bit about yourself.

Hiya, my name is Alex Baxter Scott, I am a 25 year old writer from northern England! Interests include musicals, Sci-Fi, anime and others, all of which have helped inside and shape my work. I co own a book and coffee shop with my mother, so as far as business partners go, one can’t ask for a better fit! In-between all that I do some amateur voice acting on the side for various projects online, dabble in writing fan scripts and composing music, incidental scores and nothing lyrical… Yet! So I do like to keep busy!

“Never give up! The arts is a sector
that requires a lot of bravery,
and it’s a big leap to push the publish button.”
Alex Baxter Scott

Can you tell us about your latest book, Trem Exiles?

Trem Exiles is the second book in the Trem series, which follows the young Gabby Morgan who stumbled across a haunted house when she was a child and since then has formed a relationship with the titular Trem, a ghost summoning magic user from a world that has remained hidden from Humans. Exiles continues this story and introduces new characters, such as a trio of indoctrinated assassins who form the main antagonists. Many new mysteries are encountered, requiring Gabby, Trem and their allies to fight hard to stay alive and uncover the identity of the illusive figure who has been hiding within Gabby’s dreams.

What did you do with your first paycheck from Trem?

I’m not sure but I reckon one of two things… Either I spoiled myself and my mum or spent it on something I would have had my eye on! Collectables, CDs, DVDs, that sort of thing! Nothing too special!

How did publishing your first book change your writing?

I was really fortunate to get some very honest feedback with book 1, all fair and constructive which really helped. It highlighted a lot of faults in Trem that I was really happy to see brought up. I feel like pacing, prose style and other smaller details are slowly being tightened up, a lot of the creases ironed out. Beyond that, it certainly gave me the confidence boost to keep going! It proved to me that I felt somewhat comfortable putting my work out there and that it was good enough for folks to read!

How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have?

So far no half finished books thankfully! I have quite a few books in the world I created for Trem & Trem: Exiles, with directions I can go for more unique tales! Beyond that, I’d say there are between three to four really strong ideas in my head I wish to one day write! Not sure when, I know due to the recent pandemic, an idea regarding people getting superpowers from experimental vaccines may have to be put on hold for a good long while, curses! But some unique spins on old concepts are on my mind and I will see when in the future it feels right to start them! Till then, it’s Trem and the associated novels therein!

Do you try to be original, writing what you want or do you write what you think readers want?

To me, Trem and Trem: Exiles are very personal to me. The themes of love and loss, especially loss of family and how friends and loved ones help us through the woes resonate deeply with me, given the deaths in my family over the last seven plus years. As a result, Trem has always come from that familiar place, and while I would hope my work could one day bring a bit of help to someone going through such woes, I admit it might not always be the most mainstream thing in the world. LGBTQ leads in a same sex relationship coupled with magic, ghosts and strange new worlds is not a combination that often go hand in hand, and while I’d love to say I’ve gone through the same magical journeys as Gabby has, I regretfully cannot! So while the combination itself is a rather ‘out there’ one, which has resulted in several readers stating it isn’t their usual fare, I cannot imagine this plot, these characters and this story without it. So long story short, unique all the way baby! At least it’s something folks aren’t likely to find in large demand!

If you could tell your younger writing self (aged 22 or 6) anything, what would it be?

I’d say this with the greatest amount of emphasis. Don’t grow up too quickly, be kind to yourself and enjoy every second of the greatest days. Also, don’t let people walk over you, whether they be classmates or teachers. One day this spotty, shy kid is going to grow into something he would be proud of, hopefully anyway!

How many hours a day do you manage to write?

Depending on the day, sometimes I can spend a good hour or two, other times I get a few lines in. Bad, am I right?! But honestly, I’m not one for the ‘You have to write 500 words a day’ kind of person, I feel my best work is when I’m properly motivated for such things!

What did you edit out of your latest book but wish you had managed to keep in?

My plotting method is very meticulous, by that I mean I am very pushy with myself about plot progress! I’m not a writer who flies by the seat of their pants, if I don’t have every chapter properly plotted, I don’t start writing, it does wonders to negate writers block! As a result, there’s very little that does get cut! The most is during the proofreading process and that is mostly tightening chapters, removing some clunky dialogue or sentences that don’t flow correctly. Yet to have anything drastic like cutting out whole chapters or characters!

What is your favourite childhood book and has it had any influence on you as a writer?

In my room, under twelve layers of dust is the complete Thomas The Tank Engine collection, and this may surprise you but yes, yes it has! Now, the unfortunate thing is Trem is German for train, which is a bit eerie to me! But has it influenced my writing? The answer may surprise you! Wilbert Awdry’s work is the kind that is child friendly, but not one to talk down to children. As I always intended for my work to remain family friendly, but also have a sprinkling of dark themes, why not look to the writer who chose to re-enact The Cask Of Amontillado with a talking train?

Is there anything else you would like to share with the world?

I’d like to say something to all the budding creatives, the writers who have yet to finish that first novel or the composers who’ve yet to record that magnum opus… Never give up! The arts is a sector that requires a lot of bravery, and it’s a big leap to push the publish button. But deep breaths, silence the doubt and do it! You all got this!