literary_equine (literary_equine) wrote,
literary_equine
literary_equine

Seven Questions for the Horse - James D. Maxon


1) Who are you?

I'm Batman. Just kidding; he has more money than I do. Seriously though, this is a good question as I doubt many people would know the answer. If someone were to bump into me at a local grocery store, I’d likely get a few grumbled remarks or a waved off apology. Stephen King or JK Rowling, on the other hand, would instantly draw a crowd. That’s me, the guy in the crowd, shouting and waving my book, hoping for a few heads to turn my way.

Recently, I was described as having a whimsically sarcastic personality. Add dork to the mix and that just about fits. Picture Garfield the cat mixed with a little Jon Arbuckle. Humm . . . I guess that would make my wife Liz and three-year-old daughter Nermal.

2) What do you do?

In college, I studied Graphics, Web, and Multimedia design. Been following this career path for the past ten or so years. It’s very helpful when designing book covers and promotional websites. In my free time, I like to read, play video games, watch anime, mess with my daughter, and rollerblade with my wife.

3) What is your mission in life?

To be creative while touching the lives of others along the way. Besides design, I’ve dabbled in electronic music, poetry, and various forms of visual art. I believe there are many tools for creative expression, but for some reason or another, writing storybooks has stuck with me the most. As a former troubled youth, I find it very important to reach out to them, and storybooks are an effective way to do that. The great power of fiction is that it gives us a reach into the lives of individuals that would otherwise be but a closed door.

4) Do you have an unusual talent?

After watching an episode of Kung Fu starring David Carradine, I wanted to be able to put out candles with a forward thrust of the hand. Oddly enough, I developed a technique that worked. I can put out the candles on a birthday cake from over a foot away . . . assuming they aren’t those annoying relighting kind. But what does that have to do with my books? Nothing other than the fact that my fantasy novel is about a fifteen-year-old boy who wants to be a wizard. His name is Traphis, and he has the ability to control fire.

5) Speaking of your fantasy novel, can you tell us a little more about it?

What, you mean listening to my life story isn’t all that interesting? Fair enough. After all, that’s not what I’m here for. People want to know why they should read my stories. So here goes: because they are good. OK, done. Wait, don’t go away. I’m kidding, I’m kidding. The book’s name is Traphis: A Wizard’s Tale. Written for teens and young adults, basically, the Harry Potter and Eragon crowd. It tells of a young man who has been forbidden from learning magic, even though his father was a great wizard. A year after the death of his father, Traphis comes across books containing secrets to the mysterious and magical world of wizards. Yet the road ahead proves to be a greater challenge than he ever imagined. Messages of hope, faith, redemption, and truth are weaved throughout the dynamic storyline. I’ve been told that the characters are wonderfully engaging, and the story itself is a page turner. For a sample, visit here.

6) What are your other writings?

My first published work is a fairytale written to children, ages 7-12. The Cat That Made Nothing Something Again is a story about a cat with no name. He becomes bored with the dullness of everyday life and goes in search of a way to restore the life-giving moisture to the land. I released the sequel, The Cat That Tamed a Flame, a few months ago. It too follows the adventures of the same cat, only this time it’s a forest fire that threatens the land. He travels with an unlikely companion, a wolf, in hopes of stopping the fire before it’s too late. The idea for this one came from my nine-year-old niece, who absolutely loved the first book.

I have a few projects in the works, including a Science Fiction about a cynic who casts off his humanity to become a digital entity. Yet goodness presents itself to him in the form of a twelve-year-old orphan boy. To stay updated with my current projects, visit me at my Facebook account.



7) Any parting thoughts you’d like to leave us with?

Artists help us view the world in a new light. To see the common as uncommon and to take a fresh breath of renewed passion. Those who are writers, continue to share your gift. Those who are reads, never stop. Those who don’t consider themselves either, give it a try sometime and you just might discover a magnificent world you never knew existed. Don’t know what to read? Give Books For Youth a look—there are many detailed reviews of speculative fiction and you just might find something you like.

Keep writing, keep reading, and keep the faith.

Lotsa Links!
Subscribe

  • Post a new comment

    Error

    default userpic

    Your reply will be screened

    Your IP address will be recorded 

    When you submit the form an invisible reCAPTCHA check will be performed.
    You must follow the Privacy Policy and Google Terms of use.
  • 1 comment