Author Interview with Aaron-Michael Hall

Yes. It’s been a while since my last blog, and I apologise. It’s been a pretty rotten week to be quite honest, most of it I won’t speak of on here. I am alright, just one of those weeks. Today I have decided while I’m preparing my latest gaming blog-piece (On some old and new games I’m playing and yet to review!) I would like to give you guys an author interview I’ve had. This time it’s with a very good friend of mine, going under the pen-name Aaron-Michael Hall. An excellent writer and a great friend of mine, the Rise of Nazil series is so far one of my favourite indie titles. A huge world to rival my own, deep character development and excellent world-building skills, all right up my alley! It is frankly, an honour to interview this author.

I am still taking requests for interviews, but due to health issues it may be a little bit longer. I shall put up a post at some point on either my personal/author Facebook page in the coming days/week to figure it out. For now, I have several interviews to post! Here it is, and give a warm welcome to Aaron-Michael Hall.

Interview

1. First of all, tell me about yourself! What do you write?

Hello and thank you for having me. My (pen) name is Aaron-Michael Hall. My current novels are Speculative Fiction which include, Epic Fantasy (with an edge) and Science Fantasy.

2. How do you develop your plots and characters?

As with my first novel, The Rise of Nazil, I create the story that I desire to read and cannot find. It was that “frustration” and deluge of sameness that began this process.

The characters are an integral element of my novels. Whereas some stories are plot based with minimal detailed character development, my trilogies, and duologies are quite different. The plot and the characters are well-developed and multidimensional.

3. Tell us about your current project.

I am currently crafting a prequel to The Rise of Nazil and The Shifter trilogies. Both trilogies are set in the fantastical lands of Faélondul, and many of the MCs are featured throughout. After receiving many emails and much thought, I decided to write a novel exposing some of the deeper truths with not only Faélondul, but also the protagonists and differing species.

I am also completing the Mehlonii dictionary. Mehlonii is a language that I created while writing The Rise of Nazil. The link below is a sample of that language. If readers are interested, I have also recorded the passages from book I. They are categorized by page number and uploaded on my website.

Mehlonii Sample The Rise of Nazil Samples

4. Who would you say is the main character of your novels? And tell me a little bit about them!

Truthfully, there is more than one. However, I would name Pentanimir Thaon Benoist as the MC of The Rise of Nazil. He is the First Chosen of the elite guard of Nazil. This honor was held by his father as well.

Pentanimir struggles with the roll the Nazilians have asserted in Faélondul. What his position demands of him is incongruous to who and what he is. He feels trapped by his heritage while coping with ghosts from his past.

Part of his latter conflict emerges when he discovers Brahanu Ravenot near the city. The edicts of his position demand that he turn her over to the Zaxson. Brahanu is human, and the Nazilians enslave them. However, he makes a different choice. That choice has consequences that will have a ripple effect throughout the lands.

5. What advice would you give new writers on how to delve into creative fiction?

The most important advice would be to write. Follow your heart and write the story that moves you. There will always be naysayers telling you what will not work and will not be well received. Tell them to pound sand. Sure, you WILL need a great editor (or two) and some others you trust. But the initial creation is within your heart and mind. Nourish and develop that. After its completion, then, you will have professionals to help you polish your creation whilst leaving the essence intact. Write.

6. What real-life inspirations did you draw from for the worldbuilding within your book?

Real-life inspirations would be the nature of our species, both benevolent and malevolent.

7) What inspires you to write?

Anything can present a plethora of fascinating ideas. Once one captures my attention, I grasp hold and will not release it until the idea is expressed in words.

8. What was the hardest part of writing this book?

Finding the time to create the story the way I see it.

9. What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?

It was a part in the middle (that was written first) where I answer a question that has been posed numerous times. Yes, I smiled as I typed it…broadly.

10. Did you learn anything from writing this book and what was it?

Actually, I learn from each of them and continue to grow.

11. It’s sometimes difficult to get into understanding the characters we write. How do you go about it?

It is actually a natural process. I have already seen and heard them in my mind. They are not put upon paper until that relationship has matured. Until that time, they are but interesting thoughts that have captured my attention.

12. What are your future project(s)?

The first novel of The Shifter trilogy (Blood of Oisin) releases February 2017. That is in the final editing stage now. The two subsequent novels will release six months apart. They are all complete.

I will also be releasing the first novel in my Science Fantasy duology, Rites of Heirdron in 2017.

13. If you couldn’t be an author, what ideal job would you like to do?

I have a 9-5 and will always write. I have been writing since I learned how to construct letters. It is a part of me.

14. What is your preferred method to have readers get in touch with or follow you (i.e., website, personal blog, Facebook page, here on Goodreads, etc.) and link(s)?

I would love to connect via email, Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Amazon, or my website. If they have a question or comment, I am always pleased to respond.

Thank you, Michael Baker for offering me a spotlight on your blog. Faélondul Awaits!

You are most welcome! I may have another author interview in a few days. I wish to first get back on with my own writing, maps and maybe upload/write my gaming review post I am planning. Hope you guys enjoy, like/comment/share and ask any questions you want 🙂

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