What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write The Fate of Our Union (The Fate Series Book 1)?
My love of traditional cultures inspired The Fate of Our Union. It began as a story about Sunu, a Saxon warrior-poet famed in his village for slaying a giant white bull. A journey was set for him, guided by a god’s chosen horse, to gain the wisdom to break the spell of an unseen enemy, dethrone its kings, then slay the greed-inspiring enemy when it is seen. From this starting point, the story developed into something greater because, as I delved deeper, I discovered that my warrior-poet’s culture shared a common origin with many other cultures (Indo-European), despite their surface differences.
Thus, I added a Roman, grounded in Stoic philosophy, to contrast Sunu’s fame-seeking ambitions and further developed a Sarmatian priestess, a mysterious character symbolic of their common origin. As Sunu the Saxon poet, Rufus the Roman Stoic, and Keresaspa the Sarmatian priestess are taken on a journey by a god’s seven-headed flying stallion, they learn more of their cultural commonalities—especially the parallel gods and monsters in their myths. They strive to stay together while encountering divided tribes and countries fighting one another, where they must use the new knowledge of common origins to unite the clashing sides so they can all overcome their common enemy—a force of greed that threatens to destroy their world.
The divisions we witness in the United States and other parts of the world and the inherited customs from ancient peoples influenced The Fate of Our Union. We have many commonalities among our cultures, and nature’s design made us fundamentally the same. When we lose sight of this sameness, when we forgo the gift of reason, when we fail to detach from external factors, we fall into irrational divides that only benefit those who wish to conquer.
If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of The Fate of Our Union (The Fate Series Book 1), what would they be?
“Warriors of the World” by Manowar — “Brothers everywhere, raise your hands into the air. We’re warriors, warriors of the world!” “Wind of Change” by Scorpions, and “Well Done” by The Afters.
What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?
I like thrillers as much as I like fantasy. If I were not writing fantasy, I would probably write a thriller.
What books are on your TBR pile right now?
I would like to read Dan Davis’s Gods of Bronze Series (Historical Fantasy) and Dan Brown’s Origin (Thriller).
What scene in your book was your favorite to write?
The scene where Sunu rides the mountainous thundering bull, steering him by his long golden horns, is my favorite because he saves his village from being stampeded and saves his brother by throwing himself in front of the bull’s horn before it impales him leaving a blood-gushing wound. The scene shows Sunu’s determination in an act of self-sacrifice.
Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)
No.
Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?
The Stoic motto, “Live in accordance with nature,” which advises us to optimize the gift of reason, follow the laws of nature, and accept the workings of Providence.
If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?
Keresaspa’s prophecy, “I tell you this, take it to heart, there’s a spiritual path born of the chaos, where many seemingly disparate people can naturally live in peace.”
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