What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write The Next Goldlighter?
A few things, really. In short, I wrote a story I would want to read, but I did it in a way that is rarely found, in the hope I might get more people excited about reading and fantasy. I wanted to combine my love for martial arts, magical stories, and pop culture, blended with folklore inspiration, into one work, and I chose a modernized Excalibur sort of tale to expand upon. King Arthur pulls Excalibur from the stone and becomes the destined king, and in some tellings, he is unbeatable in battle. I included themes of power and what it really means to be a leader versus a ruler. I also drew a little inspiration from Thor when it comes to a couple of abilities and an artifact or weapon choosing to bond with its wielder, like Mjolnir. Combining Arthur and Thor, Opren inherits the golden sphere, which becomes a sword and empowers the wielder only if they are chosen or worthy and of a certain age to bond with the magic. But I also wanted to make it my own—not simply a new wording of the old stories, as I’ve seen before.
I have always enjoyed the battle between light and dark, and I wanted to make that an internal battle as well as a literal one. I also wanted to explore when dark is not evil and when light or power can be wrong. I imagined one of the worst nightmares I had as a teenager as the inciting incident of his parents’ murder by monsters right in front of him. What would that grief and anger do to someone? Let’s explore that. Let’s explore how that tragedy is secretly a manipulative tactic, because sometimes greed or power corrupts, and Opren’s inheritance is coveted like the Holy Grail or Excalibur—but beyond rule, into a magical superiority more powerful than most, something legendary. Let’s have corruption physically embodied as living beings or demonic enemies, too.
And as a man, what might help me during such a struggle? Or who? That’s where Emerald comes in. I wanted to create a woman—even if she were not an elf—who could almost outdo the most powerful male characters in the right ways: to temper, support, and guide the protagonist. Not just in physical strength, as is so often done for a “strong female character” who may be literally strong, but what about being authentically female beyond appearance and strong at the same time? Too often I see other male authors missing that mark. I wanted to write a story both men and women would enjoy. I also wanted to write in a way that’s accessible for new fantasy readers but still has the depth, character complexity, and world-building that adult fantasy readers have come to expect. I hope I succeeded.
If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of The Next Goldlighter, what would they be?
Oh boy, music is another passion. You know that meme scene from Deadpool & Wolverine where Gambit (Channing Tatum) says, “You know how long I’ve been waiting for this!”? That’s about how I feel with my 200+ song playlist for this very situation. Let’s see if I can do EPs for Opren and Emerald.
Opren Mix: “When Legends Rise” by Godsmack, “Until the World Goes Cold” by Trivium, “Whatever It Takes” by Imagine Dragons, “Unbreakable” by Kingdom Collapse, “End of Me” by Ashes Remain, “Fight” by All Good Things, “My Champion” by Alter Bridge.
Emerald Mix: “Heroes Rise” by Tommee Profitt and Sam Tinnesz, “Guiding Light” by Mumford & Sons, “Wherever I May Roam” by Metallica, “Emerald Princess” by Two Steps From Hell and Thomas Bergersen, “Élan” by Nightwish, “Amaranthine” by Amaranthe, “I Got You (Acoustic)” by Bebe Rexha.
What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?
Fantasy has been my major go-to for reading, but I also love thrillers and sci-fi, and go on kicks with those.
What books are on your TBR pile right now?
Red Rising by Pierce Brown is something I just started (I’m late to the whole series), The Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter, Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros (Fourth Wing ended in a way that makes you need the next book, but I got so busy moving states, unfortunately—then Red Rising caught me), Throne of Glass (because my sister-in-law said so), and The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie. There’s more, because I’ve been behind on reading while working on my own stuff, but those are off the top of my head.
What scene in your book was your favorite to write?
That’s a tough question. As someone into martial arts who gets praised for action scenes, it’s easy to say any of those, but I’ll go the less obvious route with Opren’s initial experience in Avarinnia. It’s really multiple scenes: meeting Emerald’s family, observing the beautiful city and Elven culture, and all of that. I hope readers enjoy that experience as much as I enjoyed creating that place and those people. Also, one line during introductions just seems to get people…
Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)
I think a lot of authors do the playlist thing while writing, so that’s not really quirky. Maybe I like to act out scenes sometimes—at least the dialogue and conflicts. I think of myself as an actor and pretend to be the characters to flesh them out. And sometimes this happens in the shower or on the toilet.
Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?
Quotes and mottos are something else I like to collect (which reminds me, I intend to add some from my lore to my books for others to enjoy if they like to do the same), and a few are always prominent in my mind, including: “I never lose. I win or I learn.” — Bruce Lee; “If you’re going to do something, do it right or don’t do it at all.” — my grandfather, Bill Marz; “Be the change you want to see in the world.” — Gandhi.
If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?
Anyone can accomplish great things with enough persistence, even when things look bad; never give up on anything that truly matters. Make your own destiny.
