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The audiobook version of There's No Such Thing as Dragons is now live. But what transpired during its initial processes? Before the book became an audiobook. Before the words were published on a page. Before we were introduced to our courageous protagonist, Alex.
It was an immense switch, a brave leap of faith, balancing two boats: one boat rowing from a decade of software development, and another toward pursuing a creative passion. Bootstrap Publications author William D. Sandwich shares his insights, struggles, and victories from his debut novel, There’s No Such Thing as Dragons.
When asked about the reality and history of his creative process, William was able to encapsulate these in a metaphorical manner, “it’s like an architecture.”
William spent decades developing software, rooted in systems built on logic, structure, and precision. It was a huge shift having to work in a rigid, technical, structured field, then describing an adventure, a fictional world, where a young girl takes the lead. When asked whether writing the book felt like an extension of his programming mindset, this is what he had to say:
“A lot of the analytical side of programming comes through when building my set pieces. The battle at the bridge scene, at the end, was built as I actually described in the book: What are my assets? Now let’s go make a plan (Alexandria says a similar thing in the story). I do that all the time when writing. “What pieces do I have lying around, then how can I use them - it’s like an architecture, be it software or story. “Another thing: I find that when writing code, you add lines to get it right. In writing stories, you remove lines.”
There are writers who seem to have been more comfortable with living a life that is exactly in tune with their writing career. But William was a unique force, having to juggle between writing codes and anecdotes, from designing softwares to describing fictional characters. Perhaps it is indeed some sort of architecture: technical, but grand. Rooted in structure, but still a product of a creative mind.
The book was supposed to be a game. But instead of it being played by many, what made him pursue it as a written masterpiece instead? Here’s what William said about its history.
“It never would have been my game. It was an employer canvassing suggestions that got me writing the beginning of a game. Once he sold his company, I was freed but didn’t have the resources to build such a game, so I just kept writing. “Somehow, and this was over ten years ago, I found myself watching book reviews on YouTube even though I rarely read books anymore. So I had the start of a story and decided to just keep writing to see what I could do.” He said, “See what I could do.”
His protagonist, Alexandria, was a heroine of courage. Perhaps it was a direct extension of the courage William has.
William’s book is deeply rooted in themes of unexpected strength and bravery. When asked about how such themes emerged during his process, and whether any part of Alex’s journey mirrored his own as a first-time novelist, he said he was going for a reality-based story.
“I’m really bad at introspection but I’ll say I did want to convey in Alexandria, and the whole story, a no-nonsense, reality-based story. This comes through (I’m hoping) in Alex’s belief in dragons and fairies, and where that gets her.” Plus, a little sneak peak into his work, “Her brother is kind of mean to her, but, spoiler alert, sometimes the a-holes are right. Alex will have more time to reflect on things in book 2.”
Lastly, William was an established force in his field, a creator used to building things people use. As a debut novelist, he does hope readers can “interact” with his book, he said he just wishes to make “There’s No Such Thing as Dragons” a page-turner, one where people can be hooked enough to keep wanting to know what’s going to happen next.
He envisions a book where readers can interact with it imaginatively.
Codes. Programming. Technicalities, then there came a courageous little girl. Some writers can do it all, William is a testament to it. He builds programs and medieval worlds, creates high-demand softwares, and one fictional heroine.
It shows that in the middle of it all, sometimes, our hearts hold on to timeless imaginative pieces we built in our heads. We care for it, nurture it, and protect it from life’s toughest days.
Soon, when the right time comes, we get to write it out and share it with the world.
There’s No Such Thing as Dragons Audiobook out now!
Written by William D. Sandwich
Narrated by Tim Dalgleish
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