Andrew Hurd is a self-published writer currently living in Aberdeen, Maryland. His first novel in his “The Path of the Celts” Series was released in April of 2022, and even though it took 13 years to perfect, he’s immensely proud of the story he’s created. Future sequels are in the works. When not writing, Andrew works full time as an HR Professional and is supported by his wife, Maggie, cat, Guinness, and their son Liam, who will be born later in 2022.

Where are you from?

I’m born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States.

Why do you write?

For me, writing is an escape from the tribulations of life. For this particular story, it’s rooted in fantasy and magic, but when you peel back that element, it’s deeply personal in my own life and experience with the religions I discuss.

What do you write about?

My series of novels revolves around various mythologies from around the world while dealing with the sensitive subject of religion and how no matter what we may believe to be true, it’s okay to disagree and still be loving and tolerant to each other.

Do you have a specific writing style?

I tend to describe myself as a storyteller and not a traditional writer. The characters that I use come from myths that have been told orally for generations. I try to honor the past and keep the deities I use honored for the future.

What are obstacles that come in the way of writing?

Since I write with characters that are used in mythology, I have to make sure I’m not making things up about their characteristics or traits. Therefore, I have to do a lot of research into the mythos of the deities I use in my story to make sure I’m portraying them accurately.

How long have you been writing?

I’ve been telling stories since I was a kid. I recall in my 6^th grade English class I told the story of “The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time” for an assignment. I’m sure it was awful, but my teacher smiled at said: “I LOVE “The Legend of Zelda.” Little did I know then what exactly she was supporting.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I take inspiration in non-traditional media. Most writers will say their favorite author is Tolkien, or they love the poetry of Percy Shelley. I learned how to tell stories through video games like Final Fantasy and the Legend of Zelda series and that comes out in my writing.

Do you have suggestions on how to become a better writer?

I learned this from Neil Gaiman’s Masterclass. No matter what you are writing, finish it. Even if it’s terrible. It took me 13 years to finish a novel but there are at least 10 drafts that most will never read because they were not good. With each draft that was terrible came learnings and new skills to get just a little bit better until you finally have something you can be proud of.

Do you see writing as a career?

As a self-published writer, I have to keep my full-time job to pay bills and support my family. If my series ever gets big, we’ll see. It is a dream that is for sure.