The Quest For Freedom – Book Tour and Giveaway

Can you, for those who don’t know you already, tell us something about yourself and how you became an author?

I’ve always loved creating stuff, and I started writing because of boredom. I had nothing to do, so I opened up Notepad and started writing. My first work (if you can even call it that) was awful to say the least. But I enjoyed it. So I wrote and wrote. Eventually, I got better until I decided to see how good of a writer I was. I wrote my first ever work and learned so much from it. But it still needed work. However, I believed I was ready to create my magnum opus, and thus, Conquest w­­­as created. I put more time and effort into The Quest For Freedom than all other works combined.

Where were you born/grew up at?

I grew up in the great USA in IL. Nowhere special, just a small town that most people would drive through without a second thought.

What do you do to unwind and relax?

Video games. I’ve played them since I was a kid, so they’re something I’m familiar with and can always count on to wind down.

Describe yourself in 5 words or less!

Ambitious.

Do you have a favorite movie?

LOTR, The Return Of The King.

What can we expect from you in the future?

Currently, I’m working on the second book in the trilogy, then I’ll move on to the last book in the series. After that, you’ll have to wait and see!

Do you have any “side stories” about the characters?

Not at the moment, but I have thought about it, and I do intend to add side stories/bonus stories once I finish the series.

Can you tell us a little bit about the characters in The Quest For Freedom?

I’ll be honest: there are too many characters to cover them all while also giving them the descriptions they deserve. But I’ll give a description of my two favorite characters. Fletcher Rush is the main character of Conquest and the leader of the rebellion. Like all humans, he starts as a slave. However, unlike others, he doesn’t plan to stay one. From the moment he was put to work, Fletcher vowed to change Affer forever. Training his body and mind, he prepares to escape enslavement until the day finally comes. After he becomes free, he quickly proves that he is a natural-born leader. He rallies his men behind him and strikes fear into all who face him. Even when the odds seem insurmountable, Fletcher still charges headfirst into them. No battle is too large for him, and nothing will hold him back from freeing mankind.

Ji is Fletcher’s first ally and his right hand. Having helped Fletcher escape from Titanan, he has been aiding him since the beginning. Ji might not be as strong as Tor, as smart as Crystal, or as capable a leader as Fletcher, but he learns quickly and is

always the undisputed voice of reason. As they conquer city after city, Ji becomes more resilient and a better leader, worthy of standing by Fletcher’s side. He still has a lot to learn, but he plays a crucial part in the human army.

Where did you come up with the names in the story?

Many of the names for the characters just came to me, but for some, I looked through a list of names and picked out one I liked. The names for the cities, creatures, and the unique names were harder. The way I did it was to pick a letter that I wanted it to start with and play around until I found something I liked.

Did you learn anything during the writing of your recent book?

Every time I write, I learn. I always strive to give everything my best, and with writing, I tend to get better and better with each story I finish.

Anything specific you want to tell your readers?

If you enjoy fantasy, I can guarantee you’ll love The Quest For Freedom.

What is your favorite part of this book and why?

I can’t say too much, otherwise I’ll spoil it. But, the fourth battle of the book is undoubtedly my favorite. It’s a massive part I build up to, and it came out even better than I had hoped for.

Convince us why you feel your book is a must read.

Now here’s a question I really like! Conquest was made to go against the grain. It encapsulates the brutality of war, which I feel is often overlooked in fantasy. The world and characters are both meant to feel as real and lifelike as possible, while still keeping that fantasy spark. From the Yoxtoll Forest with pale white trees towering into the sky, to the scorching Argon Desert, it feels like a place you could visit, and the characters are no different. Each person and each species has something unique about them, while also keeping to the traits of their species.

Conquest redefines what fantasy is capable of by going where others won’t.

What did you edit out of this book?

More than I even remember. I do have the unedited version saved, but I haven’t looked at it in ages. Some parts sounded great when I wrote them, but coming back with the final edit and reading over everything made me see them in a different light. The beginning had the most changes, but every part of the book was touched after I had “finished” it.

What are your top 5 favorite books/series?

LOTR is an easy first. It’s a timeless classic, and it shaped fantasy into what it is today. Next is The Inheritance Cycle. The first time I read it, I wanted to keep reading and would spend hours doing so. Harry Potter is in third place. I’m not as big of a fan of magic, but Harry Potter does it better than anyone else, and the fact that the series is seven books long but doesn’t ever become boring or stale is incredible. Coming in fourth is Macbeth. It’s not a normal book (I know technically it’s a play), but the way Shakespeare is able to tell a fully fleshed-out story in 17,000 words is insane. Lastly, is Percy Jackson. It’s a completely different take on fantasy and was one of the first books I read in the genre.

How long have you been writing?

About three years.

Do the characters all come to you at the same time or do some of them come to you as you write?

Most come to me as I write. In fact, most of my writing style consists of creating as I write. I have a baseline and an ending in mind (normally), but the bulk of my story comes to me as I write.

Do you prefer to write in silence or with noise? Why?

It depends. Sometimes I can concentrate better in the quiet, but putting on some music to write (especially if it’s an epic scene) can definitely help create the picture I’m trying to portray.

If you could have been the author of any book ever written, which book would you choose?

My books. I’m proud of what I have written and created.

Pen or type writer or computer?

Pen for info about the world and story, computer for the actual book.

Advice they would give new authors?

This isn’t just advice for new authors, it’s advice for life. Set a goal for yourself and work towards it. You’ll trip and fall many times, but as long as you get back up, you’ll never lose. Your dreams might seem impossible now, but if you never try to reach them, you’ll never know what you’re capable of and the life you can be living.

Writing is the same as everything else. At first, you won’t be good at it. But if you enjoy it and keep doing it over and over, you’ll become better.

The only thing that separates a loser from a winner, is that a winner stands back up when he gets knocked down.

Describe your writing style.

I try to make my writing style as realistic and entertaining as possible. I don’t sugarcoat anything and try to show the real consequences of actions. For Conquest, the main focus is freedom. Many times the cost of freedom is overlooked, but not in Conquest. Battle is around every corner, and each one, regardless of whether humans come out victorious, has a price that is paid.

As for the entertainment part, I try to keep you on your toes the whole time. Of course, every part can’t be action-packed, but I try to make every part exciting and worth reading.

What makes a good story?

This will vary from person to person. For me, I love detail and a story that feels alive. I want to be immersed in the world and feel what the characters experience. I don’t like when pucnhs are pulled and everything is all happy-go-lucky. Life is a blessing, but it’s also filled with pain and sacrifice; a story should reflect that. However, that’s just me. If you enjoy something more relaxed most of this won’t apply to you. But for me, it’s that raw grit that makes a story great.

What are common traps for aspiring writers?

Following rules. Find your writing style and stick to it. Too many books sound the same. Stand out, be different, be you.

Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?

I try to create something others enjoy, but I also make sure to stay true to myself.

If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?

Nothing, he’ll figure it out.