Interview with Daniel James, Author of Fort’ess Lost

What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Fort’ess Lost: Book 1 of the Spiral Flame Saga?

The origin of Fort’ess Lost traces back to a character I created for a Dungeons & Dragons campaign—Elrich. As I developed his backstory, it began to grow into something much larger: a world shaped by memory, betrayal, and ancient power. One symbol kept reappearing in my notes and research—the spiral. It fascinated me, not just for its visual simplicity, but because spirals appear in nearly every ancient culture. They’re found carved into stone, painted on sacred walls, and woven into the fabric of myth. The spiral became a metaphor for memory, for cycles of betrayal and redemption, and for the idea that history doesn’t just repeat—it remembers.

That tied naturally to another ancient force: fire. In many traditions, fire wasn’t just a tool or a weapon—it was alive. A keeper of stories. A sacred part of nature believed to hold echoes of the past. That connection between flame, memory, and the repeating spiral inspired the core of this story, and the Spiral Flame saga was born.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Fort’ess Lost: Book 1 of the Spiral Flame Saga, what would they be?

Elrich Song: “Way Down We Go” – Kaleo
Why: A slow-burning anthem of burden and inevitability. Elrich carries his father’s legacy and the valley’s hope—but fears what it will cost.

Malana Song: “Castle” – Halsey
Why: Fiercely powerful, strategic, and aware of the glass walls around her, Malana plays politics like war. This track reflects her role as a mother, leader, and would-be unifier.

Varek Song: “The Sound of Silence” – Disturbed (cover)
Why: Varek’s arc is one of slow erosion—loyalty chipped away by doubt and silence. The haunting tones mirror his isolation and inner storm.

Seyra Song: “Dynasty” – MIIA
Why: Regal, resentful, and aching with ambition, Seyra views herself as the overlooked foundation of power. This theme echoes her manipulation and buried vulnerability.

Kaelarion Song: “Breathe Me” – Sia
Why: A seer lost in the patterns he’s sworn to read. There’s fragility in Kaelarion beneath the mystic persona—and a growing fear that no one’s listening in time.

Ghost Song: “Saturn” – Sleeping at Last
Why: Ethereal and ancient-feeling, Ghost’s Spiral connection is mystical and intimate. The song’s themes of memory, wonder, and identity fit his awakening perfectly.

Korran Song: “Brothers in Arms” – Dire Straits
Why: The last of the old guard. Korran’s loyalty to the valley is unwavering, but it aches with the knowledge of what’s being lost. His code is forged in battles long past.

Alyas Song: “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” – Lorde (cover)
Why: A strategist surrounded by false alliances and quiet ambition. Alyas sees the game clearly, but risks losing herself in its edges.

Kaenah Song: “Running With the Wolves” – AURORA
Why: Wild, half-silent, and touched by prophecy, Kaenah embodies the untamed wisdom the Spiral hides in children. Her visions echo through every choice yet to come.

What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Historical, Mythology.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

The very first scene—the emergence of Elrich’s world—was my favorite to write. That was where everything began to breathe. It was the moment when the mist, the mountains, and the fractured valley took shape around him. Writing that scene felt like stepping through a threshold—not just for Elrich, but for me as a creator. The tone, the mystery, the quiet weight of history pressing down on him… it was the spark that lit the Spiral Flame. From that point on, I knew this wasn’t just a backstory—it was a world that demanded to be explored.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

Lucky coffee mug. Oh, and my dog.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

He who opens a door to the past must be ready for what still walks through it.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

That memory matters—even when it hurts. Fort’ess Lost is a story about what we choose to remember, what we try to forget, and how those choices shape who we become. I want readers to walk away understanding that history isn’t just written in stone or scrolls—it lives in people, in oaths, in fire. And sometimes, to move forward, we have to face what’s buried beneath the ashes.

Daniel James is the author of the new book Fort’ess Lost: Book 1 of the Spiral Flame Saga

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