I recently attended a book-signing event hosted by our local community and here’s what happened. Close to a dozen people showed up, some who have read, The Adamantine Jewel, and some who have not. I talked briefly about how the book came about, my writing process, and some insights I gained during that journey. Here are some of the questions and answers from the event:
Q: How did you come to write this novel?
A: Fifteen years ago I had a dream about writing this book. I wrote the first 20 pages then. It went on the shelf as life got busy. Last year (after I retired), my wife suggested I finish the novel. So I joined a national writing group called NANOWRIMO.ORG and took the 55,000 word challenge (write 55,000 words during the month of November, 2023). I did it! The novel was born.
Q: What was most challenging about writing this novel?
A: Editing. Although I had friends and family read the manuscript and offer suggestions, I recognized I needed an experienced editor. Luckily, I know a guy who happened to have worked in the editing field for decades.
Q: Did you have any interesting experiences while writing the book?
A: Yes. I discovered how easy it is to give up social media, including television and emails, for a month. It freed up so much time (hours each day) to write. Plus, my concentration improved dramatically! Additionally, I wanted to not only write a compelling story, but also turn it into a work of art. Thus, there are twenty-three carefully-crafted illustrations that enrich the storyline, a beautifully chosen font for headings and drop caps, and a captivating fantasy map at the beginning that sets the tone for the story.
Q: Who are your favorite authors that have influenced your writing?
A: Paulo Coehlo who wrote The Alchemist, James Redfield who wrote The Celestine Prophecy, C.S. Lewis who wrote The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Dan Brown who wrote The Davinci Code, Angels and Demons, and The Lost Symbol, and J.K. Rowling who wrote the Harry Potter books. I also like Clive Cussler, Dirk Pitt novels.
Q: Any words of wisdom you would like to leave us with?
A: We are all on our own hero / heroine journey through life. There are things in this world we cannot explain like parallel spiritual realities, telepathy, spirit guides, synchronicities, etc., but know them to be part of our reality. Trust in the magic and mystery of life. And remember, dream of the world you want to live in – the life you want to experience – and one day you will.
