Special Guest Interview with Craig R. Hipkins, Author of Clement: The Templar’s Treasure

Available at Amazon US and Amazon UK

Clement & Dagena return for another action packed adventure. From the cold and dreary shores of Greenland to the fabled land of Vinland. The legendary treasure of the Knights Templar awaits.

I'm pleased to welcome author Craig R. Hipkins to The Writing Desk:

Tell us about your book

My book Clement: The Templar’s Treasure is a sequel to Clement: The Green Ship. It takes place in the mid-12th century and tells the story of Clement, a 14-year-old noble boy and his friends who travel from the shores of Greenland to the fabled land of Vinland in search of the lost treasure of the Knights Templar. Clement has a good idea where the Templar’s hid the treasure a dozen years earlier, after he finds a journal found on a ghost ship off the coast of Portugal gives him tantalizing clues. Of course, he must first get to Vinland. When he finally arrives, he finds more than one problem that gets between him and his objective.

What is your preferred writing routine?

I prefer to write at night in my library with a steaming cup of coffee. However, since I have a regular day job, I write whenever I get the chance. 

What advice do you have for aspiring writers?

The best advice that I can give to an aspiring writer is to keep plugging away and honing your writing skill. The more you write the sharper your skills become and it gets easier for your thoughts to flow. 

What have you found to be the best way to raise awareness of your books?

Raising awareness of my books is always the tricky part. I have tried book promotions in the past. Some of them work and some of them do not. I find the best way to do it is to advertise on social media and other venues. Also, Comic conventions are a good outlet for YA books like the Clement series. 

Tell us something unexpected you discovered during your research.

My research for this book led me to study the indigenous inhabitants of early New England. Unlike the better-known Aztec and Mayan empires that were flourishing at this time, not much is known of the Wampanoag or Nipmuck peoples until the English colonized the region in the early 17th century. I also found out that there are quite a few words from the Algonquin language that have managed to find their way into the English lexicon.

What was the hardest scene you remember writing?

The hardest scene that I remember writing had to be at the end of the book when Clement faced Sven the Terrible in single combat. I wanted the scene to be realistic but at the same time, not too bloody or shocking since the book is YA. I do believe that I managed to accomplish this.

What are you planning to write next?

I am currently writing another YA novel. The name of the book is Bandy. It takes place shortly before the attack on Fort Sumter in 1860. It tells the story of a young boy whose only friend is a passenger pigeon named Bandy. He helps a young slave girl escape from a wicked slave master in rural Virginia. It is a little different from what I normally write but I am thoroughly enjoying the work.

Craig R. Hipkins

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About the Author

Craig R. Hipkins grew up in Hubbardston Massachusetts. He is the author of medieval and gothic fiction. His novel, Adalbert is the sequel to Astrolabe written by his late twin brother Jay S. Hipkins (1968-2018) He is an avid long-distance runner and enjoys astronomy in his spare time. Find out more at Craig's website www.hipkinstwins.com and follow him on Facebook and Twitter @CraigHipkins