Interview with Creator Joel C. Flanagan-Grannemann

Twitter

I’m thrilled to have interviewed creator Joel C. Flanagan-Grannemann, who shared with us particulars of his writing life, his e book ‘Talia: Inheritor to the Fairy Realm‘, which was launched on twenty eighth August 2020, and answered a couple of enjoyable questions. This put up accommodates affiliate hyperlinks.

Joel C. Flanagan-Grannemann has been writing since childhood, and has a B.A. in writing from the College of Pittsburgh at Bradford in Bradford, PA. He has lived in Columbia, SC for greater than twenty years along with his spouse and editor, Jay-Jay Flanagan-Grannemann, and a coterie of cats.

Joel has a day job in backroom operations at a serious nationwide retail chain the place he has labored in numerous capacities since 1995.

 

I wrote all via highschool and school, however stopped after commencement as a result of life bought in the best way. Work, married life, transferring, all of it pushed writing out of my life. It grew to become a supply of despair in my life, however I couldn’t discover a break within the cycle. So, in 2019, my spouse and I had been on a seashore trip, and since there’s little or no to do within the evenings, we had been watching films. One of many films we watched was Maleficent. We had been occurring a cruise in October and the second Maleficent film was being proven on the ship, so we figured it was time to observe the primary one. It was an excellent film, however I used to be caught very strongly by the motherly relationship between Maleficent and Aurora.

The film was going for the entire ‘Fairy Godmother’ vibe, however because the credit rolled, I assumed, ‘This is able to be a greater film is Maleficent was Aurora’s mom.’ I went to mattress and was half asleep all night time excited about this concept. I had simply taken on a brand new position at work, and I used to be in a significantly better headspace, so within the morning, (on the brand new laptop computer I had simply gotten) I wrote a short define of the story, the world and the characters. Then after diving into the unique Sleeping Magnificence tales, I discovered the identify Talia, and I used to be off and writing.

From that authentic define, I had the start, a couple of scenes initially and a tough framework to the story. As a discovery author, I simply adopted the characters. There a couple of guideposts and significant moments I wanted to hit, however relaxation is found as I write.

Many of the scenes, I work out in my head first, or no less than the primary few paragraphs, or a dialog between characters. I’ll jot down notes in my telephone as scenes, or phrases, or concepts come to me, or on put up it notes, if I simply have a fast thought I must get down. My co-worker bought used to me out of the blue stopping to scribble one thing down, then return to what we had been doing.

I had the title, Talia: Inheritor to the Fairy Realm, from the very starting. As a result of, that’s who Talia is, the daughter of the Fairy Queen, and the subsequent Queen. The Inheritor, is how most Fairies confer with her. It additionally units the expectation that Talia has an necessary future, and the drama of the story is that push and pull between her responsibility and her coronary heart.

Talia got here from one of many authentic Sleeping Magnificence tales. As soon as I noticed that identify, I knew it was excellent. I knew precisely who she was, and what she would do. Not that Talia doesn’t shock me typically, however I had the framework for the character. Different names are nods to different variations of Sleeping Magnificence. Flora, Talia’s maid and second mom, for instance. Merry-Climate, the Majordomo of the Fairy Courtroom, and Flora’s mom, is one other.

Bastile, the Inheritor to the Human Realm, comes from Giambattista Basile who wrote the “Solar, Moon and Talia,” one of many first Sleeping Magnificence tales, and in addition the place I first noticed the identify ‘Talia.’ One other creator, Charles Perrault, turns into a villain in e book 2 “Talia: On the Shore of the Sea,” and has an even bigger position in e book 3, “Fairy Courtroom in Exile.” Talia’s mom, Zellandine, is one other pluck from the Sleeping Magnificence mythos.

I put on my influences on my sleeve for different names. Elanor, and Goldberry come from Tolkien. Willow is from Buffy, regardless of what we now know concerning the creator, she’s an necessary character to me. The Fairy Troopers all have preventing, armor, or weapon bases names; Spearhead, Shieldbreaker, Harpoon, that additionally match with their character and position. The lethal former spy and murderer, Raven is a mix of a whole lot of influences. Different fairy tales influenced different names. Talia’s uncle Oberon and his spouse Titania are fairly apparent.

After which there are names that I identical to, or strike me in the meanwhile I would like them. The twins, Silidin and Nidilis make me grin.

I learn a number of the previous Sleeping Magnificence tales and skim synopsizes of others. For the Fairy ceremonial magic, I referred to historical warding and divination practices. The web usually helped me with weapons and armor.

I’ve at all times liked fantasy. The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings had been early obsessions of mine, so there was little doubt that I’d set these books in a fantasy world.

When my spouse and editor, Jay-Jay began studying and critiquing what I had written, we determined that it was too lengthy for one e book and spit it into two. The primary “Talia: Inheritor to the Fairy Realm” was printed on August twenty eighth of 2020. Guide 2, “Talia: On the Shore of the Sea”, was publish on April twenty fourth 2021. Guide 3, “Fairy Courtroom in Exil,” was publish on September 22 2023. The subsequent e book, Title not but launched, is deliberate for Fall of 2024.

Epic fantasy quest

Balancing being inventive, with the logistics of the story, after which the advertising of the e book. Discovering these readers who will completely join along with your characters and getting the books into their arms.

This isn’t your typical fairy story. My fairies are passionate, honorable, however nonetheless flawed people. Talia desires to do one of the best for her folks and her Realm, however private emotions can get in the best way. Its not a typical fantasy, stuffed with lengthy winded descriptions, and lore dumps, my focus is on the characters and their conversations and relationships. You uncover the world of the Fairy Realm via them, little hints and experiences at a time.

 

Enjoyable Questions

Roosevelt Franklin, our black cat likes to take a seat on the again of my chair after I write, or on my arms after I’m making an attempt to edit. Then there’s Sammy. He’s extra of my Twitter buddy. At all times lurking someplace, with a foolish comment or begging for some bread.

I used to have the ability to write in the lounge with my spouse watching television, however no extra. Now I would like quiet, no less than for the drafting. Generally I’ll have instrumental music on. That appears to assist with very quick handed scenes, or very emotional scenes.

Proper now, it’s my chair in the lounge or the mattress room. No image, it’s too cluttered.

There’s a scene within the Fairy throne room after a vital occasion early on within the e book. I’d be one of many Feather-winged Fairies serving to Merry-Climate maintain the group beneath management.

‘I like the Feathered-wing Fairies and the way they’re one of the best flyers, however you want extra owl illustration. I’ll put you in contact with my parliament and we’ll work on getting some sensitivity readers and consultants arrange. And also you want extra Feather-winged Paramounts. Those right here appear to be all Iridescent-winged. Once more, I’ll discover you an excellent advisor. Variety in birds is what you want.’

---

Creator hyperlinks

Twitter
Goodreads
Web site

---

An enormous thanks to Joel C. Flanagan-Grannemann for sharing his writing life with us and for an exquisite interview.

The above hyperlinks are affiliate hyperlinks. I obtain a really small proportion from every merchandise you buy by way of these hyperlink, which is at no additional price to you. If you’re excited about buying the e book, please consider using one of many hyperlinks above. Thanks.