Why not?
But isn’t it for kids?
In part, I suppose you could be mistaken for thinking that. Though my style and tellings are certainly not child-friendly (but I’m sure I could write child-friendly content for sure). You're right in thinking that we all, more or less, start out by reading Fantasy, but some of us never stop!
So why do you write Fantasy?
For the enjoyment of it, of course! Though also at the same time, for the thrill of creating, and building worlds from the foundations up. For the fun of imagining what it would look like and whether or not it would be transformed in any other media. How cool would it be to see your work taken and adapted for stage, or film, or TV, or even Video Games…a Radio Drama perhaps?
Fantasy has always been for me, and many others I know, a way of comprehending the vastness of our world, and the evils, and the loves, and the politics. It is escapism in its truest form, and will always pause the busy day-to-day for a chapter or two so you can wind down.
Do you think anyone will read it?
Of course they will…I mean, someone will...I hope. Some people already have. Though I think you mean, do you think it will be a success? In which case my answer is, it doesn’t matter. I want to be an Author. No one has to say that I have to be the best Author in the world (though, you can say that all you like, please and thank you). But I love to write, even if I don’t as often as I should or even want to.
I want to feed people’s imaginations with new places, new characters, turn stereotypes on their heads. I want to create intrigue, and sadness, and fear. I want people to celebrate when characters win, and mourn when they die. And I think if you’re passionate enough, you can do all those things, and still be the best Author.
And even if I don't achieve those things, to see my work in print, and to show my wife, my daughter, my family, that I made it as an Author then I'll feel a success nonetheless.
Where did it all start for you?
Everyone’s got one of those stories where things clicked into place and you knew what and where and how, and what the smells and sights were. But for me, and I think my memories are probably distorted, there was a Radio Play of The Lord of the Rings, adapted by the BBC. My father would play that to us, my Sister, Brother, and I, on long car journeys, or even the ride to school, and needless to say I was hooked. The adventures of Frodo and Samwise, and all the Fellowship, entranced me. I’m not sure if that’s the moment, but if you’re looking for a story of inspiration, that could be one for sure. If you don’t know the Radio Play, you should definitely check it out (HERE). I had the privilege of listening to it via Cassette Tapes originally.
It’s always been Tolkien then?
Not always.
I think it’s safe to say, Tolkien is dense. But that density isn’t something I appreciated when I was growing up. Being a dyslexic child and staring blankly at a thousand-page book was very disheartening and off-putting, which is why I love other mediums of writing so much. They make them more accessible to a wider audience.
You’re dyslexic, does that make things difficult for you?
Not really. Spelling is one thing. Re-reading lines is another. And writing is a third. With the advent of technology, spelling stuff correctly has become obsolete with auto-correct, even if my spelling is very good. So that means the words can flow...when I have the flow! The trickiest thing for me is reading. Reading puts me to sleep, makes me yawn. I should add that it’s not boring me, it’s just a part of the dyslexic condition. Dyslexic Fatigue is a thing, and it’s just because our brains are wired differently.
Not everyone has it, but reading, it would seem, requires a lot of brain power, and therefore energy. So if you’re having to re-read lines, paragraphs and pages to figure out whats going on then you can take that initial energy and double or even triple it.
You don’t read then?
Not as often as I would like to, but that’s not to say I don’t consume my books in another way. My preferred method is Audible, but there’s dictation software available that’ll read my own words back to me if I’m feeling particularly yawny.
And finally, is there something you want to let anyone reading this know?
Hi, my name is Tom and this was a vain attempt at a get-to-know-me. I’m a very friendly person and I enjoy writing and reading Fantasy stories – as I’m sure you can tell by now. My current work is based in and around my world Palurin, and I’d love for you to hear all about it, and tell me what you think of it. You’ll like my world, if you like dark, gritty, adult fantasy with a rich, immersive world, and realistic characters…to an extent.
If you want to keep up with me, I'm on the Socials, and I have a Newsletter! (Go to the Homepage to find out more.)
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