Q. Describe the development of Eyes of War. How closely does the finished product resemble what you’d planned?
A. Originally the plot was completely different but as I wrote, it slowly began to change into the novel it is now. I didn’t consciously change the plot line, it just happened. I would say that the finished product is a vastly different book. There are barely any similarities between Eyes of War and the book I began.
Q. What do you think were the influences that changed the direction of your story?
A. The strange thing is I have no idea. The story evolved.
Q. Most fantasy has a component of good vs. evil. How does your story differ from other such fantasy stories? Does it have similarities to other fantasy novels?
A. My story differs in the good versus evil from others in that the point of view comes from both sides almost equally. Both sides have relations with the other on personal levels like Eside and Cobrau, characters who are attracted to each before the war but who chose a different side. Another example is the gods are constantly intervening for both sides. It’s similar to other fantasy novels in that it does have good versus evil, where the evil is so horrible that it must be destroyed and if the evil is not destroyed the world will fall into Darkness
Q. Your character development is vivid and powerful. Who or what inspired you with your characters? There are only three characters who were inspired by people I know. The others, you could say, are a combination of everyone I’ve met. There is something about everyone that is special and I use those traits in my characters. The men, in particular, each have a trait (expect for Raxsen) that I find appealing in men.
Q. You mentioned traits you like in men, what about the women?
A. Many of the women have traits I like to find in my friends. However, there are a few of the female characters who are the opposite when it comes to people I usually spend my time with.
Q. You are publishing and selling this book as a senior project for your high school. Tell me about the senior project idea. What does a senior project entail and why did you choose self-publishing?
A. The idea of a senior project is to get seniors involved with something they love or have always wished to do. It teaches them how to work on their own, how to organize large projects and how to manage time. My parents came to me with the offer to help me self publish my book as long as I did it as a senior project. Of course, I couldn’t refuse. A senior project is something with a large learning curve which this project is doing for me! The chance to self publishing gives me the opportunity to learn everything about publishing from choosing the best printing company, to marketing and selling the book.
Q. Also, as part of your senior project, you are giving some of your book profits to the American Red Cross disaster relief. Tell me about that decision.
A. When the tsunami hit just over a year ago, I donated some of my college savings to the relief fund. It was at that time that I realized I was a citizen of this planet and it’s my duty to help others who are faced with circumstances such as these. I know I would appreciate it if something like that happened to me.
I want to give to people who are in need and the tsunami and hurricanes have shown us there are a lot of people in need. So, 10% of my book profits will go to the Red Cross for disaster relief.
Q. Why do you write?
A. I began writing to escape but as I grew older it became more of a drive to tell a story, to depict a certain lesson or point, and to let others (not just myself) enter a world of dreams.
Q. Eyes of War is a trilogy. Have you been writing on the second book? How will the second book differ from the first one?
A. I’ve finished the first draft of the second book only recently. It will differ from the first by highlighting more characters that I introduced in the first but who had no real story of their own. The second book also tells certain secrets that were kept in the first and shows why the war is being fought.
Q. As a 17 year old you have many years ahead of you to continue writing if you so choose. What are your future plans?
A. In truth all I really want to do is write (at least at this point) but as we all know, writing is a difficult business to get into and do well in. So, knowing that, I plan on attending the University of Montana and earning a bachelor’s in Anthropology and my masters in Archeology with a few creative writing courses on the side. All three fields can help me in my writing. One can improve it of course, but the other two can help generate ideas.
Q. What have you learned from your writing and marketing of your book?
A. I would tell you every detail but then I would end up writing another book about that! To keep it short, from writing I’ve learned there is so much more to people than what is on the surface. Creating characters and making their personalities strong can be hard to do. You need to study people and see what’s beneath them. It’s a challenge! In marketing I’ve learned many things from how to print a book, how to get people interested in my works, how to work in Page Maker, the costs of self-publishing and all the events you must give if you want your book to be successful. Since I’m just beginning the marketing process, I have a lot more to learn.
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