DLC:Let me introduce everyone to J.L. Rowan author of the fantasy novel Arnon. Welcome. Tell us a little bit about yourself.
JLR: I’ve been a legal resident of three states in 2010 (Maryland, Washington, and Michigan), so I’m not quite sure where to call home! Currently, I reside in Michigan. I moved here to help take care of a parent with a very serious type of cancer. I am currently unmarried, and I recently graduated with my Master in Library Science from the University of Maryland. My specialization is in Archives, but my practical training and passion is in rare books and manuscripts.
DLC: That's too cool. I have to say I'm a huge fantasy fan having grown up reading Tolkien and Brooks. Your book looks interesting. What's it about?
JLR: Arnon tells the story of a man caught in the grip of oppression and transition. Arnon is a simple farmer from Talithia, but an unexpected attack on his people has forced him into a position of leadership with the Guardians, Talithia’s leaders in the form of massive black panthers. The Guardians make some of the other surrounding kingdoms nervous, and after a brutal attack, the people of Talithia are forced to flee their land and seek refuge with a friendly king. But that king has problems of his own, and all he can offer them is the opportunity to sail across the sea to uninhabited lands where they can start over. Now Arnon must decide if being part of Talithia is worth the cost.
DLC: Fantasy at it's best. Sounds great. So what inspired you to be a writer?
JLR: I’ve been creating new worlds and writing stories since I was a child, though I spent more time reading than writing when I was young. It wasn’t until I was in high school that I really started to write with a passion. Over the past decade or so, I have focused on creating the world of Talithia and writing stories and novels within it.
DLC: Sounds like a lot of heart went into writing Arnon. For upcoming writers who have their hearts set on writing a novel, what advice would you give them?
JLR: Read. Read. Read. And then read some more. The better reader you are, the better writer you will be. And I need to take my own advice on this one. My favorite reading material is the literary classics, especially Shakespeare.
DLC: To Read or Not To Read...is not in question. =) Sorry couldn't refuse. What sources do you draw from when creating a new story?
JLR: I draw from a variety of sources. Sometimes, it’s deliberate, but sometimes, I don’t think I realize what I’m drawing from, i.e., it’s not a deliberate choice, but something that comes from my subconscious. I find inspiration in the world around me, my studies, stories I hear, etc.
DLC: Who are some of your favorite authors?
JLR: I do have favorite authors, and they’re all from the classics: Shakespeare (I love him), Alexandre Dumas (my favorite continental author), the Bronte sisters, Edith Wharton (The House of Mirth is my favorite American novel), Tennyson, etc.. There are so many that I love.
DLC: Ah yes Lord Tennyson...good stuff! OK I want to check out your book. Where can I go to read more?
JLR: My website is at http://jlrowan.wordpress.com/. I have a bio there, and links to free stories, as well as Arnon, and a list of all my works, many of them in progress. Caring for my dad is my priority right now, so I only update periodically, but I am working behind the scenes, and have some exciting things coming up.
JLR: I’ve been a legal resident of three states in 2010 (Maryland, Washington, and Michigan), so I’m not quite sure where to call home! Currently, I reside in Michigan. I moved here to help take care of a parent with a very serious type of cancer. I am currently unmarried, and I recently graduated with my Master in Library Science from the University of Maryland. My specialization is in Archives, but my practical training and passion is in rare books and manuscripts.
DLC: That's too cool. I have to say I'm a huge fantasy fan having grown up reading Tolkien and Brooks. Your book looks interesting. What's it about?
JLR: Arnon tells the story of a man caught in the grip of oppression and transition. Arnon is a simple farmer from Talithia, but an unexpected attack on his people has forced him into a position of leadership with the Guardians, Talithia’s leaders in the form of massive black panthers. The Guardians make some of the other surrounding kingdoms nervous, and after a brutal attack, the people of Talithia are forced to flee their land and seek refuge with a friendly king. But that king has problems of his own, and all he can offer them is the opportunity to sail across the sea to uninhabited lands where they can start over. Now Arnon must decide if being part of Talithia is worth the cost.
DLC: Fantasy at it's best. Sounds great. So what inspired you to be a writer?
JLR: I’ve been creating new worlds and writing stories since I was a child, though I spent more time reading than writing when I was young. It wasn’t until I was in high school that I really started to write with a passion. Over the past decade or so, I have focused on creating the world of Talithia and writing stories and novels within it.
DLC: Sounds like a lot of heart went into writing Arnon. For upcoming writers who have their hearts set on writing a novel, what advice would you give them?
JLR: Read. Read. Read. And then read some more. The better reader you are, the better writer you will be. And I need to take my own advice on this one. My favorite reading material is the literary classics, especially Shakespeare.
DLC: To Read or Not To Read...is not in question. =) Sorry couldn't refuse. What sources do you draw from when creating a new story?
JLR: I draw from a variety of sources. Sometimes, it’s deliberate, but sometimes, I don’t think I realize what I’m drawing from, i.e., it’s not a deliberate choice, but something that comes from my subconscious. I find inspiration in the world around me, my studies, stories I hear, etc.
DLC: Who are some of your favorite authors?
JLR: I do have favorite authors, and they’re all from the classics: Shakespeare (I love him), Alexandre Dumas (my favorite continental author), the Bronte sisters, Edith Wharton (The House of Mirth is my favorite American novel), Tennyson, etc.. There are so many that I love.
DLC: Ah yes Lord Tennyson...good stuff! OK I want to check out your book. Where can I go to read more?
JLR: My website is at http://jlrowan.wordpress.com/. I have a bio there, and links to free stories, as well as Arnon, and a list of all my works, many of them in progress. Caring for my dad is my priority right now, so I only update periodically, but I am working behind the scenes, and have some exciting things coming up.
DLC: I pray for health on your dad and look forward to seeing your stories on the best seller lists. =)
Blessings,
Daniel L Carter
Author of The Unwanted Trilogy
Nice interview, and the offer of free stories will get me following a link any time. Nice to meet you.
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