David Annandale has written three books in two months

I've been writing stories since I was very young, and so the impulse to inhabit imaginary worlds and share the adventures that occurred therein have always been part of my life.

—David Annandale, writer

David Annandale is a horror and science-fiction novelist. He teaches literature and film at the University of Manitoba and he lives and writes in Winnipeg.

Annandale epitomizes the word prolific. The year 2013 has barely begun and he's already finished writing three books.

SCENE decided to ask Annandale a few questions about his work and (no surprise) he wrote back immediately.

How do you juggle different plotlines and characters as you're working on different stories? 

This is a challenge, but in the best possible way. If I could go back to the younger, struggling writer of my past, and tell him that he would one day be asked to write two very different books in close succession, he would have exploded with joy. Which is pretty much what happened when the Black Library asked me to write the novellas Yarrick: Chains of Golgotha and Mephiston: Lord of Death back to back.

Both books are in the first person, and take place in the Warhammer 40,000 universe, but the two characters are very different. One is an ordinary man who forces himself to achieve the extraordinary through iron will, while the other is superhuman who has become so distant from his origins that there is barely anything human left in him at all.

It was very important, then, that the two voices not resemble each other. Writing Mephiston in the present tense helped me create what I hope is a cold, somewhat disconcerting narration. But the most important tool, for me, is a full, detailed outline. That way I always know where I am at, and who is doing what.

Do you ever get writer's block?

I do, though (touch wood) it rarely is a long-term problem. The outline is key. Once I have one in place, I always know where I'm going. Some modifications during the actual writing process are inevitable, but there's never a sense of going out on a limb, or down a blind alley.

Where block can be more of a challenge is at the beginning, during the outlining process, when I'm sorting out the broad strokes of the plot. When I get stuck, my go-to remedy is a long walk. That seems to be what I need to start my mind down the paths I need it to take.

What is it you love about writing so much?

The telling of stories, I think. I've been writing stories since I was very young, and so the impulse to inhabit imaginary worlds and share the adventures that occurred therein have always been part of my life.

I'm very fortunate in that I have been given the opportunity both to create my own universes, most recently with my horror novel Gethsemane Hall, and to play in a pre-existing one as vast and rich as the Warhammer 40,000 galaxy, as is the case with my latest novel, The Death of Antagonis (which is being released February 26). There were times, when I was writing Antagonis, when I was actually cackling with delight. That's a wonderful experience to have as a writer.

What is a day in your life like as a prolific writer?

During the university terms, my writing time is usually weekends and late evenings (often very late). I try to keep to a schedule that averages out to 1,000 words a day. In the summer, when I have more time, I target 2,000 words a day.

What is your #1 tip for aspiring writers?

Read and write as widely as possible. Learn from pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. The more versatile you become as a writer, the stronger you will become in your chosen field.

David Annandale releases The Death of Antagonis on February 26. It will launch at McNally Robinson on Wednesday March 6.