Author Moment: An Interview with JR Vikse - Part The Second

Good Evening Humble Readers...

I hope you've all had a great Monday.  Or at least as good as a Monday can get.  My day has been wonderfully productive, and now I get to come and hang out with you fine folks!  Yay!

JR Vikse

Today I am privileged to bring you the second part of my interview with my friend JR Vikse.  His new book, The Keeper Chronicles: Playing With Fire, released earlier this month, and after I got a chance to read it, I fired a bunch of questions at him.  He was generous enough to share some insights into his process of creating a fantastical world, peopled with numerous races, intriguing characters, and power-hungry villains. 

On a personal note, I was blown away by this book.  As I told JR, in reading his book I became profoundly aware of the fact that I will never be fit to write fantasy.  I am already harassing him for the next installment.  If you enjoy young adult fantasy, you will LOVE this story.  I don't want to spoil anything for you guys. 

Many authors can pinpoint when or where an idea first came to them.  How did Tranthaea first come to you?  It's true, sometimes there is a moment, or an image, or an idea that you just know is going to be special. Tranthaea, and the stories that are encompassed within it, was one of those ideas for me. It originally came to me as a picture in my head. I had the idea of a warrior riding a silver, floating animal, both horse-like and fish-like, but at the same time like nothing ever seen before. The warrior and creature were slowly and silently weaving through the trees of a dark forest. 

A simple enough image, but one that held a great fascination for me, and quickly grew more detailed in my mind. This, thankfully, was expanded upon to great effect, and eventually the story and the world that you read about in The Keeper Chronicles: Playing with Fire came about. For you watchful readers, that conceptual image did make it into the book, so keep an eye out for it (although many other original ideas did not, but that's another story!).

How much of this story, and Tranthaea itself, was inspired by your time in Australia?  (If any)

Very little of the story itself (plot, etc.) was inspired by the years I lived in Australia, but some of the characters were. One old and wise character in particular (not to give too much away, though if you've read the book, you might just know who I mean!) was inspired by a neighbour of mine, and plays an integral part in the story of Tranthaea. I actually have a picture of said neighbour on my website in the Author's Blog section, for those readers who are interested in a sneak peek!  I have been fortunate enough to live in some of the most beautiful countries in the world, traversed continents and hemispheres, and seen many sights, and though I have not purposefully based any locations in the book on places I've visited, I'm sure that similarities abound. After all, we write what we know. We shall see if the next book reflects my new home in any way!

The relationship between the natural world and the peoples who inhabit it becomes a large part of the story (rather Tolkein-esque, in my opinion 😊).  Was that intentional, or did it sneak up on you? An intentional happiness. I knew early on that I wanted to start the trilogy with a very segregated group of societies, and for me those groups were naturally constructed based on their environments. A large part of my pre-production for the book was the creation of characters, peoples, societies, and creatures that would feel like they have a long and strong history with the world they live in, and with each other. I really wanted to give the feeling of a fully developed world with its own challenges and beauties that has a history outside of its interactions with Humans. I'm very glad that came across in the reading! 

You said previously that writing Jingwei’s character was ‘incredibly freeing’ and a ‘pleasure’.  She certainly isn't shy about stating her opinion.  Were there other surprises from your characters?  Characters who were harder to control or make do your bidding?  I think each character I write is surprising to me in the end. There is some unknown point in the writing of a book when the characters begin to have more input into what happens to them, and the personalities that you've created start to affect the storyline and the other characters in ways that you didn't expect. Certainly there were characters that I fell in love with that I didn't intend to, and other characters who simply decided to write themselves a bigger part than they were originally intended to have! Callum Swift (the other lead character, along with Jingwei Li) was a pleasant surprise for me. When I started the writing process, I wasn't sure if I was going to like him as much as Jingwei, (not that I disliked him, but against such a strong personality, it would have been easy for him to disappear) but he grew on me very quickly, and is now a favourite of myself and my readers!

I'm in awe of the breadth and depth of your cast of characters.  Were there any races that were more difficult to envision or create?   Thanks very much! Yes indeed. The design process was an extremely fun and challenging part of the writing of the book, and  and I knew very early on that I didn't want this to be "just another fantasy series," so I steered clear of placing any elves, dwarves, or unicorns in my world. As I mentioned before, the peoples and creatures that I created were meant to show connection and history with the environment around them, so as I designed the races, their place in the world, both figuratively and literally, helped create their physical appearance as well as their political affiliations. The gru'Esh and the Aru Faylen were a couple of tricky species to work with, because once their... unique physicalities were decided upon, some common actions, such as talking or breathing, became very difficult for them. Figuring out the solutions to these little challenges was a great deal of fun, and paid off with some intricate and interesting ideas and details that really bring the races a depth and personality that translates well in the book.

The conflict that arises in Tranthaea, while based in the immediate, stems from some pretty major decisions made in the past.  Will those decisions, made by past leaders continue to haunt the Keepers and the peoples of Tranthaea?  Will we get to learn more about Tranthaea’s history in the rest of the trilogy?  Ahhh, a very astute observation. Yes, the past is extremely important to the events of the first book of the trilogy, and will continue to be so in the next two books. I have a very thorough chronology that details major events in Tranthaea's history, going back hundreds of years, which I often refer to as I write. Tranthaea's history is long and rich, and the decisions that have been made, the baggage that has been carried, and the effects that those have on the present are driving forces in the trilogy, as you have seen, and will see again as the next two books are written and released.

I hope that you all are intrigued, Humble Readers.  This book is a wonderfully entertaining read, and creates a new and exciting fantasy world for us all to escape into. 

The Keeper Chronicles: Playing With Fire is available from Amazon.  And don't forget to check out JR Vikse's website to learn more about Playing With Fire, The Lazy Postman, and his other projects. 

And, Humble Readers, I am offering you a chance to win a copy of Playing With Fire.  Tell me in the comments what your favourite fantasy series is, and why everyone should read it.  Giveaway winner will be announced on September 29, 2013. 

Hobbit-ish Potpurri: Oh My Aching...

Hey Humble Readers...

Thank you so much for your words of encouragement on my last post.  I managed to get out for my walk yesterday (bigger bandage on my blisters) and actually got 6km in, plus I did my squats and abs & arms workout.  And by bedtime last night I could hardly walk.  LOL.  My... well, my glutes were aching.  Still are today, so I skipped my walk this morning and did a bunch of housework and grocery shopping instead.  Didn't get all my steps in, but I'm okay with that.  I also found a tip for stretching my new shoes, which I did today.  Tomorrow will be the test. 

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I meant to post this yesterday, but the day got away from me.  The winner in my giveaway associated with my interview with J.R. Vikse is Good Timing!  (Had my Beloved do the 'pick a number' thing.)  I'll be in touch soon GT, to arrange for you to get your copy of The Lazy Postman.  The second part of my interview with J.R. will be posted during September's ICLW. 

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So, other than a to do list a mile long for tomorrow morning (including packing), I'm feeling very ready for this trip.  I know it's just a couple of hours down the highway and only for the weekend, but I'm almost as excited as I was when we went to NYC.  Almost.  We agreed that we are only going to eat at restaurants that we don't have at home... little local places mostly.  Actually, most of the ones we've chosen have been featured on You Gotta Eat Here (the Canadian version of Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives).  And we have a few fun adventures planned that I'm looking forward to telling you all about next week.  My MIL will get here in the early afternoon tomorrow and then we are off!  Hooray!

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Pinterest find of the week:  Ok, actually I found this one a while ago, but I only implemented it about a month ago.  Instead of using shaving foam or soap when you shave your legs, use baby oil.  This is genius!  My legs feel so soft!  I add a step, using a sugar scrub on my legs first, then the baby oil.  I find that I don't have to shave as often, and the baby oil is also supposed to make your blade last longer. 

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Tomorrow, Friday, is my Beloved's birthday.  I am so very blessed to have him in my life.  He's a wonderful husband, an amazing father, and my best friend.  This trip is partly to celebrate his birthday, and I also have a big dinner planned for next week, the menu for which is a surprise for him so I'll have to tell you all about it later, just in case he pops on here. 

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Well, I'm off to bed.  I want to get a walk in tomorrow morning, and it's going to be a busy day.  Have a great long weekend everyone!

Sunday Night Chit Chat: This & That

Howdy Humble Readers...

Miss Ginny at the park

Pippin hangin' out in the front yard 

I hope you've all had a great weekend. 

(Before I forget... J.R. has released a sneak peek of his upcoming book release on his website.  Click over to check it out, and if you don't know what or who I'm talking about, go here to read my interview with author J.R.Vikse and enter my giveaway!)

Things in the hobbit-hole were hoppin' yesterday.  My Beloved and the Wee-lings left for Little Town To The South at around 8:30 in the morning.  I got to work on painting the bath and hall by 9:00.  I was still at it when they got home at 8:00 last night, but I was doing extra, unplanned painting in our front entryway.  It wasn't until ten o'clock last night that I was able to take a shower and scrub off all the splatters and splotches.  I was hoping to have before and after pics for you all, but there are still a few details (like a new mirror, which won't be getting purchased until next weekend) that need to be installed.  Overall, I'm happy with the results.  It's much brighter, and feels a bit more spa-like. 

Today has been much less productive, in large part due to a lousy night's sleep and aching muscles.  I managed to get myself to Wa.lma.rt to buy myself some new walking shoes.  Hopefully they last longer than the last pair (not from Wally World, but from a chain shoe store). 

Something I learned yesterday (beyond the fact that painting a bathroom sucks)... I don't handle separation from my family well.  Specifically, me being at home by myself, with them out of town.  It was surprising and honestly a bit upsetting to discover that I was very anxious as they were leaving.  Off and on throughout the day, waves of uneasiness would wash over me.  It's odd, because I've never had this issue before, like when I've gone to Big City To The North with the girls.  I'm hoping it's just a phase. 

And speaking of phases... I say this in a whisper, as I don't want to jinx it, but it appears that Ginny is coming out of her "I don't want to feed myself" phase.  She's very proud of herself when she finishes eating in a timely manner, and when she hasn't needed any help from us.  One thing that may have helped is that we are now allowing her to have a cup with a bit of water at dinner time.  She's one of those kids who would fill herself on a drink and not eat, so the rule has always been that beverages come after meal time.  Now, at dinner, she gets a special cup half full of water, and she's allowed to take sips after every few bites.   I don't know if there's a correlation, but I'm happy nonetheless.

Onto this week's chit chat.  Here's what I'm...

Reading...  Mistress Of My Fate by Hallie Rubenhold.  The jury is still out on it.  Parts of it makes me think of a regency era Twilight, but other parts are quite good.  We'll have to see how it comes together at the end.  Not sure what's on deck, as I am at the top of the wait list at the library for the Robert Gailbraith (aka JK Rowling) novel.  We'll see if I get a call from them in the next couple of days. 

Watching...  A Mythbusters marathon.  I love those guys. 

Listening to...  my Beloved mutter to himself as he studies for his next CGA exam. 

Cooking/Baking...  Tonight was pretty tame.  Steaks with compound butter, mashed potatoes, and roasted carrots and broccoli.  I had some of my no sugar added, lactose free maple walnut ice cream for dessert (it actually tastes a lot better than it sounds). 

Happy I Accomplished This Week...  Ummm, well I painted the bathroom, the hall, the entry way and coat closet.  While I actually gained back a few pounds, I discovered I HAVE A COLLAR BONE!  You can see it, a little.  It's been missing for the last decade or so. 

Looking Forward To Next Week... This week is going to be a challenge.  Lots to do, and a short time to get it done.  But it's all for a good reason... VACATION!  My daily to do lists are a little crazy, but I am adamant that I won't leave anything in the hobbit-hole for my MIL (who will be here to care for the Wee-lings) to clean or reorganize. 

Thankful for... That my family is safe and sound, under our roof.

***Bonus Question*** Are you sad that summer is coming to an end, or looking forward to the fall months? I have always loved autumn.  It's always been a season of beginnings.  My birthday, the start of the school year (which I have always loved, even when my life hasn't been defined by school), the lead up to the holidays, the cooler weather after the heat of summer.  All of it breathes new life into my soul. 

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This is posted as a part of Carla's Sunday Night Chit Chat.  Pop over and check out what the others are chatting about tonight. 

Hobbit-ish Potpurri: A Tale Of Two Dressers

Howdy Humble Readers...

First and foremost, if you're here from ICLW, check out my introductory post here.  And if you are looking for my interview with up & coming author, J.R. Vikse, check it out here.  Don't forget to enter for the giveaway of J.R.'s debut novel The Lazy Postman (and don't forget to check back next month for the second part of my interview with him about his new book, The Keeper Chronicles: Playing With Fire). 

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I'm taking a break from my prep for the painting I'm going to be doing this weekend (sooooo sick of plaster dust from filling dings and holes), just so I can come chat with you fine folks.  The hallway is completely prepped now... holes filled, sanded, and trim/doorframes are taped.  Bathroom is almost ready to go.  I need to tape the trim and take down the medicine cabinet (I hate the thing.  It's going into the dumpster).  Other than just painting, I'm completely reorganizing our little bathroom, so I stocked up on storage containers for under the sink at the dollar store.  I also bought hooks for our towels (not enough room for towel bars for all four of us), a new towel ring for the hand towel, and a shelving unit for over the toilet.  My Beloved and the wee-lings are heading down south to my MIL's place for the day, so that I can have the hobbit-hole to myself.  Yay!

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It's a hazy warm day here in the Shire, I think from the wild fires burning south of the border.  We've actually had a really nice stretch of weather the last week or so.  Warm but not too humid, and cool at night so we can sleep.  A nice change from the majority of the summer, which has either been soggy or muggy.

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I'm in a quandary, Humble Readers.  My Beloved and I decided that for our birthdays (his at the end of the month, mine is the middle of next month) we are going to buy new dressers for our bedroom.  Since before Ginny was born, my Beloved has been using a laundry basket for clothes storage, because we stole his dresser and painted it for the nursery.  The dresser I have is a cheapo-pressboard-piece-of-junk that's falling apart.  For quite a long time I have been fixated on a dresser from Ik.ea...

Hemnes 3 drawer dresser - $149.99
image courtesy www.ikea.com

I actually really like the bigger version, the one with 5 drawers, but two of those is not an option budget-wise.  While I was on their website, I came across this...

Tarva 5 drawer dresser - $139.99
image courtesy www.ikea.com

It's bigger and actually cheaper than the three drawer unit above.  I like the general style of it, but it's natural pine, which means I would have to stain it or paint it.  I have never stained anything before, so I'm not sure how good I would be at that.  Painting would probably be a better option because I have done that in the past... but then the issue of where I would paint them, and keep the wee-lings away from them while they dry. 

Any thoughts?  Suggestions?

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I have to report that the lack of exercise over the last several weeks due to the lingering crud has taken its toll.  I have gained back a few pounds (of course, I'm too pathetic to record that on my tickers).  Gah!  And to add insult to injury, the new walking shoes I bought  back in June are already headed to the trash.  The insoles are shredded and there are already holes in the toes.  Grrr... I spent a decent amount of money on them.  And the only other shoes I have to walk in are my Sha.pe Up.s, which hurt my toes.  Not exactly motivating.  I am going to have to get a new pair of shoes, it's just dang frustrating. 

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Pippin just got his one year vaccinations on Wednesday, only three months late.  He's doing pretty well with them, only a bit of a fever yesterday and some general grumpiness.  He's over 25lbs now, and 32.5 inches tall.  He's catching up to Ginny so fast.  Too fast.  I talked to the nurse about his lack of talking, and she told me not to be concerned just yet.  Because he's a second child, and a boy, it's very common that speech can be a bit delayed.  She gave me some suggestions to help him strengthen the muscles in his face and how to encourage him to talk.  It's apparent that he understands much of what we are saying.  He responds to most directions and comments directed at him.  He dances to music, and he likes to laugh, squeal, make lots of little boy noises.  I guess I just need to be patient.  The nurses also suggested that we hound Dr. B to get Pippin in to an allergist, given the extent of his eczema.  Most doctors around here like to wait until the little ones are closer to two years old before they go the allergist route. 

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Well, I should get back to work on the prep for painting.  Pippin has just crashed in his playpen, and Ginny is snoozing in the nursery, which means I have about an hour of uninterrupted work time.  Woohooo!

Author Moment: An Interview with J.R. Vikse (Part The First)

Hey Humble Readers...

Today I bring you something different from my usual ramblings about life with an ent and two wee-lings.  I think it's actually pretty special. 

A friend of mine, a blogger, actor, fellow bibliophile, and author is getting set to release a new book next month, the first in a fantasy trilogy for young adults called The Keeper Chronicles: Playing With Fire and he has agreed to let me pick his brain, not once but twice, about his work as a writer.  The second half of this interview will be posted during September's ICLW. 


J.R. Vikse

Before we begin, I want you to imagine someone who is a combination of Harry Potter, Niles Crane (from Frasier) and Eric Forman (from That 70s Show) in both looks and personality, and that's my friend J.R. Vikse.  He's funny, smart, creative (who else could come up with the most excellent game called "Most Likely To...") and is the reigning champ of our "Six Degrees of Separation" tournaments that helped to pass many slow winter afternoons in the bookstore where we both worked.  I can genuinely say I knew him way back when... :) 

So J.R., why don’t you tell my readers a little bit about yourself?
I was born, as so many are, as a baby.  From that point on, a variety of events happened which had a variety of consequences and eventually led me to this interview.  In the meantime, I grew up in the medium-sized city of Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, where I earned my degree in history and met and married my incredible wife, Krista.  We then moved to Victoria, BC, where I wrote my first novel, The Lazy Postman, and spent a great deal of my free time onstage, as a theatrical actor and director.  In my non-free time, I worked in a plethora of bookstores, which afforded me the opportunity to read an absolutely ridiculous amount of books, as well as meet and work with my friend Mrs. Gamgee, the gracious host of this blog.  My wife and I currently live in Melbourne, Australia, where I have been doing more writing, acting, and directing, all while surrounded by people with funny accents. 
 

When and why did you start to write?

As is so often the case, my love of writing began exactly where it ought to: in the library.  I was an early reader and as a child was encouraged by my parents to read lots and read often, developing my imagination through the power of the written word.  It even got to the point of being used as my punishment (no quiet times for me; if I was a bad boy, I was grounded from reading!).  In high school I had an English teacher who encouraged us to write a little every day in class.  So we had fifteen minutes to write whatever we wanted to write: poetry, stories, journaling, etc.  And there began my love of writing (thanks, Mr. Issler!) as a purely entertaining activity.  I didn't start writing short stories with the aim of actually finishing them until six years later, but once I started, I couldn't be stopped!  Now my brain no longer turns off, but continues to send stories to my fingers, forcing them to dance on the keyboard like authorial marionettes.  I am a huge proponent of the idea that concepts can best be taught through fiction, and that storytelling is THE method of passing on culture, ideas, morality, social conscience, etc.  After all, they're called heroes for a reason, right?


Available at Amazon.com
Paperback and Kindle editions

You’ve published a book prior to this new one (The Keeper Chronicles: Playing with Fire).  Can you tell us a bit about The Lazy Postman?
The Lazy Postman was an accidental novel.  It was meant to be a short story, and then grew out of control until suddenly I had a full book on my hands!  The story details two weeks in the life of Jordan Melville, a recent high-school graduate who is, for the first time, living on his own in a new city.  Everything is going swimmingly until he realizes that he is receiving all the mail for his entire housing complex and is forced to deliver it to his new neighbours.  As he meets them and is introduced to their eccentricities, he discovers that the world outside of his childhood bubble is more complex, and more hilarious, than he'd ever expected.  Soon, Jordan is inserting himself into their lives, reading their mail, and getting into situations that make him confront the reality of relationships in all their complicated glory.  The Lazy Postman is a book about connecting with people, and all the hysteria, hilarity, and heartache that can result. 

 

This new series is significantly different from The Lazy Postman.  What made you go in a different direction?

Like I said before, The Lazy Postman was a bit of an experiment.  I wanted to see if I could write a full story in an extended format.  It turns out that I could, and so I decided to put my mind to a more complete and intentional project.  The Keeper Chronicles is the extension of that decision.  It's really been about me maturing as a writer and being best able to give the reader an incredible experience.  Once the idea for this story presented itself to me, I invested my time and energy into a full pre-production process, scribbling pages of notes in my own chaotic version of an encyclopaedia.  I even sketched a few designs and maps which will never see the light of day, as I am not an illustrator of any kind!  For me, this project has been about aiming to bring order and discipline to the passion project that writing has always been for me.  The entire trilogy, not just Playing With Fire, is mapped out, with full characters and plot points ready to go.  The writing experience has been very different because of that.  The fact that it's fantasy, and therefore one of the most creative of all literary styles, in my mind, is the icing on the cake.  I've always loved youth fantasy, and it has been a pleasure to delve into this side of writing and pursue the creative with the safety net of actually knowing what I'm doing this time!  I am very excited about this project, and about Playing With Fire particularly!

Is there anything you can tell us about the new book to whet our appetites?
Ooooh, you're a naughty, naughty girl for asking that!  This project has been wrapped up in more secrecy than a J.J. Abrams film!  I have released a blurb that will adorn the back jacket of the book, which I will post again here:

Under the guidance and protection of the Keepers, the world of Tranthaea has been at peace for five hundred years.  But all of that is about to change...

Callum Swift, a fifteen-year-old pickpocket, and Jingwei Li, a sixteen-year-old environmentalist, are just trying to live their lives as best they can. The challenges of school, work, and awkward relationships are all that they have time for each day, and every night when they go home; Callum to the dirty streets of London and Jingwei to an uncaring foster home in L.A., each of them wonders what it would feel like to be wanted. Until, that is, they discover they may have unexpectedly developed powerful new abilities.

When they are transported to the strange and unfamiliar world of Tranthaea, they have no idea what is expected of them, and even less of an idea of what's in store for them. Tested by shifting allegiances, incredible creatures, and powerful enemies, Jingwei and Callum are asked to defend the world from an unknown attacker with an unknown agenda. But are they able to accept the responsibility, or will their new powers be too much for them to handle? Faced with impossible decisions, Callum and Jingwei are forced to rely upon one another to find the courage they'll need to survive.

I won't be giving to much more away before it's published, but what I can tell you is that over the next couple of weeks I will be releasing some excerpts from the prologues of Playing with Fire on my website (JRVikse.com), so check it out and you'll get a sneak-peek at the two lead characters, Jingwei Li and Callum Swift. 

In the meantime, I can say that contained within the pages of this book are some of my favourite characters of those that I have written.  Jingwei Li, especially, was a true pleasure to write.  She is a very strong, forthright girl, who refuses to take any nonsense from anyone else, and more often than not speaks her mind, often to hilarious effect.  She was incredibly freeing to write, and I would often laugh out loud (and still do) at some of the things she says, and the inopportune times she chooses to say them.  In one scene, when she is being presented to a person of no small importance, she introduces herself and Callum.  The other party notes: "You speak for him.  Is he your servant?"  Jingwei responds, "Not yet... but we've only just met."  I look forward to introducing her to the readers with great anticipation. 

 

Writers are quirky folks.  Do you have any idiosyncrasies when it comes to your creative endeavors?

Certainly more than my wife wishes I had!  I do have the tendency to require absolute silence to write.  The noise of traffic, a dishwasher running, or even loud birds (of which there are many in Australia, I can tell you!) can knock my brain off-track.  This means that my most creative moments are often in the middle of the night/early morning when I jump out of bed to write down my newest, greatest idea before it fades into the dream from whence it came.  Of course the irony of this is that I am told that I am a very noisy writer; I mutter, click my tongue, pop my lips, tap my fingers, and hmmm and haw audibly.  As so many other writers do, I also always have to have something handy to jot down notes in; my phone will do in a pinch.  Inspiration will strike at the most inopportune moments, and I'll often interrupt dinner, a walk, or a night out with friends to jot down whatever brilliant thought hit me and is threatening to fly away, unexplored.

 

I also need a pen close at hand.  Preferably one that can come apart into multiple pieces.  If it can be put back together again as well, all the better. 

 

When does Playing With Fire hit Amazon?

I'm hoping for a release date of September 9, 2013.  This is, of course, dependent on how quickly the Amazon folks do whatever technological magic they need to do to make sure it's up and available on time, and perhaps even more dependent on the final editing drafts going as smoothly as possible, but barring any natural disasters, September 9 is the target date. 

 

Thanks for taking the time to hang out with us today, J.R.!  I'm very excited about Playing with Fire and can't wait to read it. 

 

And Humble Readers, I have a little bonus for you.  I'm giving away a copy of J.R.'s book The Lazy Postman this week!  It's a fun read, and there just might be another give away with the second part of my interview with J.R. next month!  To enter, just leave me a comment and tell me about the your most recent new-to-you author that you've started reading.  The winner will be announced on August 28th! 

 

And if you don't win the giveaway, you can always go to Amazon to get a copy for yourself!