About the author
Tell us your story? What made you start writing?
My path to writing was a fun one. It all started in 8th grade when our class was tasked with a project; write and illustrate your own children’s book. I was excited, and decided to make one about my friend Eric and I trying to stop another friend of ours, named Ryan, from destroying the Earth. I got 110% on the project and was told I had a wonderful imagination.
So I started running with it. By the time I was 17 in 2004, the first book I ever wrote, “Erift’s Journeys: Secrets of The Sealed Forest” was published through Iuniverse. I was young and didn’t know what I was doing. I paid for it to be published and let it sit and rot. No surprise it went nowhere. 2016 rolled around and I redid the story, but I again, let sit, save for some posts on Twitter. The reception was okay, but by 2019 I wanted to turn writing from a hobby to a profession. I wanted readers, especially younger ones, to be taken on an epic adventure like I always wanted to as a child.
That’s why I write. I write because I want to take readers on a fun, epic adventure and for them to grow with my characters over the course of the series.
What’s your favorite family tradition?
My favorite family tradition is how every autumn, we go out to a local farm and pick out pumpkins together. I always make sure to pick out the biggest and most oddly shaped one. They have the most personality. Halloween is just awesome.
What celebrity would you like to meet at Starbucks for a cup of coffee? Describe the encounter.
If I could have met any celebrity at a Starbucks, it would have been Robin Williams. The man was not only an amazing comedian, but he was also a gamer. His daughter’s name is Zelda, after all. I’d walk in, shake his hand and thank him for all the inspiration he’s given to so many…and then join him for a coffee to talk about his favorite games. He was actually the inspiration for Professor Benjamin Thessit; a character that couldn’t be restrained because of his own enthusiasm.
If you were ruler of your own country what would be the first law you would introduce?
If I ruled my own country, first of all, I’d be a nervous wreck. Anxiety and command over people wouldn’t exactly mix well together. I can feel myself sweating just thinking about it. However, my first law would be taken from Bill and Ted, which is to “Be Excellent to each other.” Seriously, it’s the only thing we need to do for one another in this world and yet people have a hard time doing it!
About Erift’s Journeys: Secrets of The Sealed Forest
What would you do if you were given the chance to embark on a real life adventure? Would you take the plunge, or let it pass on to the next person?
After being lured halfway across the globe with the promise of an exclusive video game event, Joseph Erift is pushed on a journey by a coffee-addicted professor that will forever change his life. He never thought magic could be real. That it was just an element found in fantasy stories and games. Airships and magic spells that create fire and slow time don’t exist in our real world.
However, if that were the case, then why is he seeing these things, and why are him and his best friend being sent on a quest to stop a misguided young man from awakening an ancient power?
Erift’s Journeys is a contemporary fantasy for ages 12+ with very mild language and fantasy violence. It features action and adventure, magic, and coming of age themes and is heavily inspired by RPG video games and anime. It follows a young protagonist overcoming incredible odds while meeting new friends during an unexpected trip that leads to a long road of self-discovery.
If you are looking for a full on adventure story that takes you to undiscovered places, secret labyrinths and a magical forest you’ve just found your next read. This story will take you to places unimaginable and flies you to the edge of the world.
Tell us a little about the book. How did you come up with the idea for Secrets of The Sealed Forest?
Secrets of The Sealed Forest, and the series as a whole, were largely inspired by video games such as Final Fantasy. I played a lot of games growing up and still do. As a kid, I always pictured myself going off on adventures with my friends and being the ones to save the world, even though we had no idea what we were doing. I took a lot from that, and wanted to show a chosen one who didn’t know what they were doing; a reluctant hero that was forced to just do his best until he could find his own footing.
Do you have a favourite scene from the book? Something you enjoyed writing the most or think came together well?
My favorite scene is easily the beginning during Joseph’s first dream. I feel it sets the entire theme of the series as a whole. Serious, but laced with lighthearted moments featuring characters of all types. You have the cautiously driven Joseph, the act first, think later Eric, and the stern girl in his dreams trying to get him to take things seriously. Don’t forget the fetch quest chicken.
If you were a character in the book, who would you be and why?
If I were a character, I would be Eric. I have a lot of passion and drive for what I do. Often times, I act before fully thinking things through and can get overly excited. However, I’m always there if my friends need me.
If you ever got to meet professor Ben, would you let him attempt to awaken whatever magic resides in you, knowing that most of his methods are far from harmless?
If I were to ever meet Professor Ben, I’d react much like Joseph did. I might be as excitable as Eric in real life, but I’m also cautious. I don’t know if I’d let a man inject me with a magic solution or stick me in a carnival ride he claims “will awaken magic powers in me.” Though, I’m older now. If I had been their age when it happened, and I was asked to go on an adventure with my best friend? I might have taken the plunge.
About writing
What are your writing habits? Do you keep a schedule or is it chaotic, when inspiration hits kind of thing?
My writing habits are VERY chaotic. I go through long periods of time where I don’t write for months. Yet when inspiration strikes, I can sometimes knock out 10,000 words in a single day. Music is a great way to get my groove going.
What challenges did you face when writing Erift’s Journey?
My greatest challenge when writing Erift’s Journeys was my lack of experience and knowledge. I started it for fun as a child. When it came time to take it seriously, it felt too late. Agents won’t look at your work if you were previously self-published, no matter the reasons. So it forced me to take the self-publishing route and run with it in full. I’m still learning and always will be.
What’s your favorite and least favorite part of publishing?
My greatest challenge when writing Erift’s Journeys was my lack of experience and knowledge. I started it for fun as a child. When it came time to take it seriously, it felt too late. Agents won’t look at your work if you were previously self-published, no matter the reasons. So it forced me to take the self-publishing route and run with it in full. I’m still learning and always will be.
When can we wait for the sequel? Is there anything you can say about it without any spoilers?
You don’t have to wait long for the next book! “Erift’s Journeys: The Dark Messengers,” is already written and with my editor. I can say that you should expect MANY new revelations in the second book, especially when it comes to the drive behind many of the characters. Joseph Erift, Professor Ben and Ryan Morter have some powerful moments in the second book and I expect it to launch Fall of 2022!
Surprise question
Everyone always thinks they’d be royalty or a knight if they were born in Medieval times, but let’s be honest, you probably wouldn’t be. So, what kind of peasant do you think you’d be if you were born in medieval times?
If I were a peasant in medieval times, I’d be a stable boy. I’ve never minded doing the dirty work most people don’t like doing. Someone has to do it, right? Besides, never know when that princess might swing by and need saving. It’s all about aspiring to be something greater than we currently all. Never stop chasing those dreams.
Thanks for your blog, nice to read. Do not stop.