Perils of the Past by Kane Williams
What led you into writing?
I’ve always loved a good story, from books and movies to those told around a crackling campfire (ideally with marshmallows toasting). It helped that my mother was a teacher and a librarian, and my father was a born storyteller, always with a yarn to spin. (Yes, the fish was “this big”—now stretch your arms wide… no, wider.) They too came from a line of storytellers.
I was in primary school when I dreamt of writing a novel of my own and putting it out into the world. Given my favourite books at the time—The Hobbit (by J. R. R. Tolkien, of course) and Ice Station (by Matthew Reilly)—it was to be an action-packed fantasy novel. That dream became a reality this year (2025) with the publication of my debut, Perils of the Past.
Also, as with many artists, I’m compelled to create. There’s a force pulling me to the keyboard. There’s a story begging to be told. There’s a passion that wakes me up in the morning and that keeps me up at night.
How does a typical day look?
I find my creativity is bubbling and words flow most freely early in the morning. So, on weekdays, I look to write before heading into the office. I enjoy a larger block of writing time on the weekend.
In what ways do your characters test your abilities?
Each character is different. It takes time to understand who they are, where they have come from, what they want, what they fear and, especially, how they will react in a certain situation. As you may have heard from other writers, sometimes you get to a scene with a plan and the character has other thoughts (which I’ve found are certainly worth exploring).
Perils of the Past has three point-of-view characters: a warrior, a seer and a mage. Of these, the mage (called Zanth) was the most difficult for me to connect to and write. It was fun, but challenging, to write someone so hell-bent on revenge.
What’s your setup?
Put simply, a desk by a window and a computer. Since publishing my debut, I’ve added a giant print to my wall.
While this small space is where I do most of my writing, I like to mix it up on occasion (for example, writing in the park or with a friend in the library), and I always have my phone or a notepad to hand.
What lasting effects have your favourite authors had on your writing and style?
As I mentioned earlier, Tolkien and Matthew Reilly were two early, powerful influences. Through rich worldbuilding, epic quests, relatable characters and powerful themes, Tolkien’s stories are timeless. Matthew Reilly (a fellow Australian) writes with a relentless pace and explosive action (often literally), leaving you wondering how your favourite character could possibly survive the impossible.
The next major influence has to be Raymond E. Feist. In my teenage years, you’d often find me reading the Riftwar Cycle—which spans thirty novels and five wars in Midkemia. The Empire Trilogy, which he co-wrote with Jenny Wurts, is fantasy of the highest tier. I suspect it’s one of the reasons my debut novel has a female lead.
More recently, I’ve devoured the books of Rebecca Roanhorse, Wesley Chu, Jay Kristoff and many others. Each have influenced me in different ways, making me a better writer.
What do you do for inspiration?
I stay open to inspiration, whenever it may strike and wherever it may come from. Of course, books and movies can be a great source. But so too can everyday interactions, nature (the world is rich in strange plants, unique creatures and fascinating phenomenon) and science. In fact, part of the magic system in Perils of the Past was inspired by how an MRI works.
What repeating themes do you find yourself pulling into your stories?
By continually raising the stakes and throwing my characters into deeper and deeper peril, I ask them to find their inner strength, push beyond their limits, and realise crucial truths—who they are, what they truly value, or whether they’re defined by their past. Often, this pairs perfectly with the power of friendship, and an exploration of the complexities of good and evil.
How do you wind down?
Writing and reading, of course—diving into strange worlds, putting myself in different character’s shoes.
BookTube, as well. Too many to list here, but a few examples include Petrik Leo, Merphy Napier, Andrew Watson, Mike’s Book Reviews, Abel Montero, Already Overbooked and The Bearded Book Beast.
And exercise (running & gym) helps to keep me sane.
What sort of challenges do you regularly overcome while designing your world/setting?
The world is no mere backdrop. It needs to feel lived in, link with the plot (as one often informs the other) and suit the themes. At times, this can be very challenging.
In Perils of the Past, I created a unique world with its own plants and creatures (which I had a lot of fun inventing). Humans don’t sit at the top of the food chain. Instead, they cower in their naturally defensible cities—at the top of a mountain, on a lake island, within a crater, etc. The quest takes my characters far beyond these.
What are you reading at the moment?
I just finished The Soft Touch by Daniel Polansky, which is published by Grimdark Magazine. Such an immersive novella and an absolute page-turner. The story kicks off with Wren returning to Low Town after 15 years. The syndicates are feuding, and the city is on the brink of rebellion. The setting was dark and gritty. My wallet wouldn’t survive an hour in Low Town, and I’m not sure I’d make it through a day. I appreciated the optimism injected by Wren, contrasting wonderfully with all that was grimdark about the story. “Anyone can be a pessimist. It costs nothing, and you’re usually right. But the future belongs to those beleaguered few ambitious enough to dream.” The dialogue was up there with the very best! It came in all forms, e.g. spirited, funny, philosophical, and bad-mouthed. I had a lot of fun with this one.
What’s the most useful advice you could give to an aspiring author?
Immerse yourself in the book community. Writing can feel solitary, but being an active part of this community provides inspiration, support and connection. There are so many ways to do so. Options include one or more of your preferred social media platforms, YouTube, Discord, writing associations, writing groups, conferences, conventions, author events and more.
Various highlights come to mind, including monthly group writing sessions, traveling to Canberra to see Matthew Reilly speak, meeting Baptiste Pinson Wu at a café when I was holidaying in Japan, and having Petrik Leo unveil the cover of my debut novel.
Tell us about the book you’re promoting.
Perils of the Past follows a young woman on a desperate journey to find a cure to save those she cares most about, all while confronting the unsettling truths of her reincarnation. In a race against time, her past may hold vital clues—or offer only deeper peril.
This epic fantasy standalone is packed with action, adventure, high stakes, mysteries, beasts and flawed characters you can root for (or against). If that sounds like something you may enjoy, I hope you give it a go.
Thanks so much for having me.
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