Fantasy Authors Unplugged: Michael Davies

 

 

This is continuing feature on Archer’s Aim – Fantasy Authors Unplugged. I hope to frequently share an interview with a fantasy author. If you have authors to suggest and/or questions you’d like to see answered then leave a comment or send me an email. If you are a fantasy author and would like an interview please let me know and we’ll plan one that fits your schedule. Today, I’m joined by Michael Davies whose new book, Path of the Warrior, is due out in just a few weeks.

Please share about your new book.

Path of the Warrior is book one of my World of Pangea series. It is set against an extensive mythological backdrop and begins as a coming of age story before quickly exploding into an epic conflict between light and darkness. In this first novel you discover the nomadic people of the ancient Silures tribes, learn about strange and fantastical creatures while also exploring the darkest areas of humanity. We touch upon power, treachery and revenge as well as some of the more sinister events of our history such as genocide.　

I like to think of it as a combination of classical fantasy and modern. I stay away from elves and dwarves, but do delve into the pantheons of gods and life of immortal beings. It is sometimes swashbuckling and at other times emotional, while definitely fitting nicely into the genre of epic fantasy.

What are the inspirations for the story or characters?

Scenes of the novel were conjured in my imagination from all over the world. I remember flying into Vancouver international airport and dreaming up the island training school found within Path of the Warrior while I had my breath taken away by the beauty of the islands I saw there upon the ocean. The story arc is derived from my fascination for ancient history and Greek tales, along with an exploration of spirituality.

The characters are another matter entirely. I think they embody a combination of characteristics and charm that I associate with a good many heroes that I’ve enjoyed learning about over the years. I know I certainly have wanted to show the effects of true evil not just upon a large society, but on a very personal level. I like to pose the question; just what does it take to overcome such atrocities and darkness?

What got you into writing fantasy?

I’ve loved fantasy since I was a child. I grew up reading Roald Dahl and C.S.Lewis as well as countless other stories that I would devour upon visits to the local library. As I became older I progressed to Arthurian myth and legend, thanks namely to my grandparents, and then discovered some of Stephen Lawhead’s writings and those of Tolkien. I remember thinking, what if I can create my own world of adventure where anything can happen? I suppose you can say this is my best shot at doing just that.

Who are your favorite authors?

Goodness, there are so many. I respect Paolini for what he managed as he struck out at such a young age. I love Lawhead’s Pendragon cycle, and the Belgariad, but I tend to read around quite a bit. Then of course, there’s the authors I loved as a child such as Lewis and Blyton.

What are your future writing plans?

In the next two years I plan to finish the Pangea series. I have a publishing contract for this and expect it to be accomplished in a timely manner. Afterwards there are several ideas sitting in my notebook, including a dystopian future that examines death, and an urban fantasy novel set in the present. Within the next 10 years I hope to write and publish each of them.

Do common tropes in fantasy bother you? If so, which ones?

I think the only one that bothers me is common not just to fantasy but a great many other genres as well. I hate that nobody who matters ever really dies. I think that if you go on an epic quest to save the world, or fight through one of histories bloodiest wars then you can expect to probably die. There are some that deal with this quite well and laugh at themselves, having their protagonist survive by sheer luck and making it obvious to the character that it is luck, but there are others where it just seems cliche. Death is a natural part of life, it allows for great exploration in any genre.

Fun question – think old west – Darth Vader and Valdemort are in a gun-fight. Who wins?

I imagine them lining up, Darth Vader breathing heavily while Voldemort looks at him quizzically. Both will then toss their guns aside, deeming them of little use against such an opponent. That’s when the real fight begins and probably ends in mutual extermination. Can we throw the Dalek’s into the mix?

Bio:　

Michael was raised in northern England. At age 19 he moved to the U.S.A. and currently resides in Fort Worth, Texas with his wife Heather, and their daughter Elianna. Growing up he used to write short stories for his younger brother while immersing himself in the fantasy realms of Middle Earth and Narnia. In college he penned his first idea for a full length novel, one which eventually became Path of the Warrior, the first book in the “World of Pangea” series.

Michael has had news articles and poetry published in several anthologies and magazines over the last decade, including an interview for BBC Manchester over his role with the refugees of Hurricane Katrina.

His experience working with the Native American Navajo tribe, and visiting places throughout the southern U.S.A. has helped shape his writing.

Michael also enjoys reviewing other novels and interviewing authors.

Book 1 in The World Of Pangea trilogy, Path of the Warrior, is out May 15th.

Pre-order Path of the Warrior Today !

Book Blurb:

WHAT CAN ONE MAN DO AGAINST THE GODS?

“Where the sacred rivers meet,
Beneath the shelter of the Keeper of all things.
There lies the hall of the beginning,
The ruler of the world before the Kings.”

Pangea is shaken. The past has become the present. Ancient myth has awakened, and legends walk amongst the living. Idris has always known the path of the warrior was his to choose. Now, as war strikes at the heart of Pangea, he must wrestle as a mortal thrust into the wars of immortals. It will take more than his training to face the chaos as darkness strikes deep into the life of his people, and Idris’s own inner demons threaten to destroy him before the battle even truly begins.

Thanks to Michael for sharing his new book with us today. Please take a look at Path of the Warrior and give this author a boost! If you’re a fantasy author and would like to be interviewed for “Fantasy Authors Unplugged” just contact me via email or one of my social media channels and we’ll set one up.

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