The Living Weapons by Landon Freeman

3/26/2023

Debut fantasy author Landon Freeman introduces us to “The Living Weapons”:
Young, dashing, and a bit too daring, twenty-one-year-old Aldwyn Bloodworth is living his dream in the kingdom of Haven, happily following in the footsteps of his beloved mentor, the legendary and pugilistic privateer known as George the Fist. Accompanied by his beautiful young wife, Sarah, Aldwyn routinely uses his ship, The Timely Pugilist, to take the fight to many of the sea’s deadly, dastardly villains, effortlessly defeating most before taking their possessions for his own. However, Aldwyn isn’t just a privateer, and his many victories weren’t earned with bare hands. Chosen by a magical, mysterious, and strangely sentient knuckleduster, he’s also an incredibly rare living weapon wielder, permanently bonded to one of an ancient civilization’s many living weapons.
Not long after meeting Mazu, a kind, loving, and desperate slave goblin, the privateering couple uncovers traces of a scheme that could potentially threaten Haven and all the world. Desperate to get to the bottom of things, Aldwyn makes it his mission to unravel the secrets of a conspiracy, ultimately leading him to the shadowy figure behind everything. But will Aldwyn prevail? Will he find out exactly what is being planned, and will he be able to stop a mastermind who’s equal to him in almost every way?

This book is special to me because it has a positive angle. There are many gritty moments but they are dealt with in a heartwarming manner. The characters seem quite genuine because they are a realistic mix of good and bad. Some focus on the bad and others focus on the good.
I love this world the characters live in and the idea of mixing magic and technology is very fascinating to me. There is swashbuckling aplenty and adventure for all. I hope the author writes more!

You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Living-Weapons-Landon-Freeman-ebook
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/the-living-weapons-landon-freeman

You can follow the author:
https://twitter.com/LivingWeapons
https://twitter.com/Landonauthor
https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Living-Weapons

Tags: epic, fantasy, action, adventure
Copyright @ 2023 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction

55 Comments

Landon Freeman link

3/27/2023 04:00:55 am

Thanks for having me on! I'm so glad you liked my debut book, and I'm really looking forward to this interview!

Mark

3/27/2023 08:45:06 am

Welcome to the Word Refiner channel, Landon. I am glad you are here and look forward to sharing your writing and publishing journey with the rest of the Writing Community.

Here is the first question.

Please, tell us more about yourself. Perhaps something a little bit beyond your bio.

Landon Freeman link

3/27/2023 02:02:15 pm

Sure! Now where to start...

I'm currently twenty-seven, and I've been writing off and on since I was around seven or eight. And like I said in my Twitter bio, I'm a big video game enthusiast (I particularly love role-playing games) and I've even made "mods" for certain games. Mods are changes made to a game, such as creating a new character, new weapons, new quests, etc. It's kind of like writing a book, but with a game instead.

What I didn't mention in my bio is that I've been involved in Christian apologetics for a long time. I'm the creator of the Facebook group Evidence for Creation, which has grown rapidly over the past year. We're now nearing 50,000 members!

And as my bio states, I'm also really into music. My favorite genres are alternative rock and new wave.

Mark

3/27/2023 02:58:39 pm

Thanks for explaining about 'mods', I have never played a role-playing game. The concept is interesting and I can see how it might involve a lot of writing. Another way to tell a story, a book is far from the only format.

I read my first game-lit book several years ago, "The Fight of the Elves". I enjoyed the story quite a bit. I reviewed it elsewhere on my website.

Christian apologetics are important to me also. I have read a lot in the far past. My wife and I met Duane Gish several decades ago at a lecture he gave. He explained the intricacies of the bombardier beetle. Quite a miracle!

New question.

Are you a full-time or part-time writer?

Landon Freeman link

3/27/2023 03:20:55 pm

I've definitely heard of Duane Gish, and I think the bombardier beetle is a good example to use when arguing that organisms are designed.

To answer your question, I'm currently a part-time writer, though I eventually want to write full-time. I work a regular job during the week, so I really only have time to write on the weekends. And even then, I often go the entire weekend without writing anything. But I do try to make time for it, and I prefer to write after I've received "bursts" of creativity. When that happens, I take advantage of the situation and start typing.

Mark

3/27/2023 04:33:25 pm

So many writers are in your shoes. They want to write fulltime. Who wouldn't want to? I want to read fulltime, and I have nearly achieved that now that I retired from construction.

You are younger than a lot of authors and the more books you write the closer you will get to your goal.

New questions.

What kind of work do you do since you are a part-time writer? Feel free to skip that question, if you would rather not answer.

Does your work have any influence on your writing?

Landon Freeman link

3/27/2023 05:09:11 pm

Yes, hopefully one day I'll be able to write full-time. Writing is my main passion, and as you said, who wouldn't want to have a career in writing? Who wouldn't want to get paid to create their own fantasies, worlds, characters, and lore? Make no mistake, writing can be hard work, but it's fun and rewarding!

To answer your first question, I'm currently working as a material handler in a warehouse setting. As you can probably guess, the work is quite repetitive, but in a way, I like that kind of work. I also work alone, which is something I enjoy.

Regarding your second question, my job doesn't have any direct influence on my writing, but since I work alone, since I'm left alone for long periods of time, I have plenty of time to think. Plenty of time to come up with new ideas for my stories.

Mark

3/27/2023 06:16:11 pm

I have done a lot of repetitive work also in both of my previous careers. Most recently more than 20 years in construction and almost 20 years in retail. That kind of time to ruminate about any matter in the back of your mind is very worthwhile.

New question.

What inspired you to write this book?

Landon Freeman link

3/27/2023 06:59:10 pm

That's a great question!

Several things inspired me to write The Living Weapons. For one, I simply enjoy coming up with stories. It's just something I've been doing off and on my entire life, and I don't plan on stopping any time soon!

Interestingly, video games were another major source of inspiration, more so than other books. For instance, I love the fantasy world of The Elder Scrolls series, and playing its fifth entry led me to desire a fantasy world of my own. The goblins in my book were inspired by the orcs of Tolkien's universe, as well as a Lord of the Rings game called Middle-earth: Shadow of War. Weirdly, I've always liked Tolkien's orcs, even as a little kid, and they inspired me to create my own goblins, with their own lore. Another inspiration is the Dishonored series. They're stealth games with magic and steampunk elements.

Lastly, my Asperger's was a huge source of inspiration. Asperger's is a mild form of autism, and people with it tend to have narrowed interests, obsessing over certain objects, phenomena, that sort of thing. Well, I just happen to be interested in weapons, particularly fist weapons, such as brass knuckles and the cestus (think of it as an ancient Greek & Roman boxing glove).

When I play video games, I'm always a fist-fighting character, and inevitably, my interest in pugilism merged with my desire to write. I wanted weapons to be a large part of my universe's lore, and I wanted the main character to fight with his fists. Hence, Aldwyn Bloodworth was born, along with the rest of The Living Weapons universe.

Mark

3/28/2023 08:53:51 am

Tolkien's series was my introduction to epic fantasy when I was in the eighth grade. I love it so much I read LOTR three times before graduating from high school.

A fellow member of the Inklings, Clive Staple Lewis, wrote a few books also. He is very famous for The Chronicles of Narnia and a lion called Aslan. Lewis also wrote a science fiction trilogy called Out of The Silent Planet, not nearly as well known as Narnia. Lewis patterned the protagonist after his close friend John Ronald Reuel Tolkien.

New question.

Have you ever done any martial arts such as boxing or taken boxing lessons?

Landon Freeman link

3/28/2023 02:50:10 pm

Tolkien is a huge influence on modern-day fantasy works. And I do remember The Chronicles of Narnia (The Magician's Nephew is my favorite out of the series). But until you mentioned it, I had never heard of the Out of the Silent Planet trilogy. It's interesting when authors switch genres like that, though fantasy and science fiction are closely related. My story's a fantasy, but I do think it has some science fiction elements.

To answer your question, I actually haven't done any martial arts such as boxing. For awhile, when I was twenty, I playfully boxed with my little brother (who was thirteen at the time), and I sort of studied fighting methods online, but I never actually took lessons for any martial art. I suppose the door's still open!

Mark

3/28/2023 03:01:53 pm

You are right. We get used to reading one genre from an author and miss more of the good stuff. Quite a few authors write in different genres and some even use a different pen name for each genre. I think it's easier to use only one pen name but there are good reasons for using more than one, I am sure.

I hope you make the time to read Out of The Silent Planet. It is certainly not a book for children.

New question.

Is there anything unconventional about your writing technique? Why is that?

Landon Freeman link

3/28/2023 04:47:31 pm

I wouldn't say my writing style is that unconventional, because I think other authors (but not all) write similarly. When I get an idea in my head, as well as a "burst of creativity", an urge to write, I start typing and go from there. I also tend to think while writing, coming up with new stuff sporadically as I type, fueled by those creative bursts. I've been doing this for awhile, as when my third grade teacher was discussing me with someone I don't remember, she remarked that, "he thinks and he writes".

Usually, I go with my gut, and when I get a gut instinct to write and include something specific (such as one of those sporadic ideas), I do it. It usually turns out well.

After writing everything down for the first draft, I later go back and edit it, refining it, and making any changes that need to be made.

Mark

3/28/2023 06:53:01 pm

Your process sounds quite conventional. Your gut instinct or muse drops a gem in your lap and you run with it. After completing the first draft the real work begins. There has never been a perfect first draft, many of those that try to create a perfect first draft frequently lose touch with their inspiration or muse. The first draft's primary purpose is to get the idea onto paper so it can be edited and improved.

New question.

How has writing changed your life?

Landon Freeman link

3/29/2023 04:01:43 am

Great question!

Well, to start, I believe that writing is quite therapeutic. Just as painters express themselves through a brush, writers express themselves via words. To put it simply, writing allows me to speak my mind by incorporating my thoughts, feelings, desires, etc. into stories, in one way or another. For instance, if I feel frustrated about a certain topic or a specific subject matter, I can incorporate my feelings into a story and "speak my mind" that way, all while making the narrative deeper and more interesting.

Another way writing has changed my life is that it allows me to unleash my creative spirit, tell a story I want to tell, and then share it with the rest of the world. It's nice and rewarding when you can show people the worlds, lore, and characters you've created. It's even nicer when they adore your creations just as much as you do!

Mark

3/29/2023 09:26:01 am

You nailed that! Sharing the fruit of creative endeavors is fun and rewarding. When people appreciate your work so much the better, the bond between the creator and the consumer is strengthened.

Something new is created each time a person reads a book because they bring their personal frame and interpretation to the story.

New questions.

Who designed the cover of your book? Feel free to drop a link if appropriate.

How many drafts did the cover go through?

Landon Freeman link

3/29/2023 02:13:13 pm

The cover art was drawn by the wonderfully talented Carlos Bobadilla. Here's a link to his page on Fiverr (where we found him): https://www.fiverr.com/carlosbobadilla

If you include concept art that was done by my brother and one of my wife's friends, the cover art went through eight drafts before it was finally complete. Once Carlos began drawing, the basic layout was in place, but I did request that he change a few details here and there. The finished product looks amazing, and my wife and I are thinking about putting it on shirts, mugs, etc. in the near future. We're really wanting to sell merchandise related to the book.

Mark

3/29/2023 02:37:19 pm

The cover is nice and includes many elements from your story.

You have a good idea about merchandising elements from your book. It can help diversify your income streams and you can't have too many of those.

I hope you know Johnathan Fesmire, he has written several books in a steampunk zombie western genre and I find his writing to be quite enjoyable. He is doing what you want to do and using a 3-D printer to create figurines from his books and dice towers. He hand paints them and sells them on Etsy, look for DiceHarbor. I think you might enjoy his stuff.

New questions.

Was it hard to come up with the title?

What was the process?

Landon Freeman link

3/29/2023 03:08:58 pm

I actually hadn't heard of Johnathan Fesmire, but it's really cool that he's creating his own figures like that! Maybe I can eventually do something similar, using a 3-D printer to bring my characters to life. I've even imagined what the characters would look like as Funko Pop figures (Pops are a popular type of figure right now).

Coming up with the title was both easy and tough. It was easy in that, early on, I knew the book would be called The Living Weapons. It's just a simple title that describes what the book is all about. Nothing else would've worked.

What I struggled with was whether or not to include a subtitle. For awhile, I was planning on calling it The Living Weapons: Genesis, due to it being the first in the series. However, I eventually decided against it, believing The Living Weapons to be simpler, catchier, and possibly more marketable. But as for future Living Weapons books, I've decided that they'll all have subtitles.

Mark

3/29/2023 04:28:21 pm

Glad you are interested in what Fesmire is doing. I think it would work well for you.

Leaving 'Genesis' off was probably a good idea. It leaves you free to use it in a prequel if you write a book or series about the ancients and their technology.

New question.

Were the character names difficult to develop?

How did you choose them?

Landon Freeman link

3/30/2023 04:15:20 am

Interestingly, it was rather easy for me to come up with the the characters' names. When I thought of a name for my main protagonist, I quickly decided on "Aldwyn", and this was because I had been familiar with that name for some time. Back in 2019, I wrote part of a fantasy story that I never finished or published (I finished everything except the end). It was arguably a "proto-Living Weapons" novelette, featuring a character named Aldwyn, who was the leader of a mercenary group. He wielded a magic ring that allowed him to treat a sword hilt similarly to how living weapons work, in that he could throw the hilt like a boomerang, it would hit his enemies, and then return to him. With the ring on, he could also call the hilt to him at will, at any time. While writing that story, I discovered the name Aldwyn by looking at a list of Old English names online. I simply liked the name and ran with it.

Mazu's name was inspired by Mozû, a randomly-generated orc I "befriended" in the video game Middle-earth: Shadow of War. Interestingly, after looking up "Mazu" on Google, I learned that Mazu is a Chinese goddess who is said to look after sailors. I thought that was a weird coincidence, seeing as that Aldwyn is like a sailor, and Mazu is his close companion.

As for Sarah, I simply like that name. And "George the Fist" (George Costello) was named after George Harrison and Elvis Costello, two of my favorite musicians.

Mark

3/30/2023 09:03:10 am

I love those stories about the names. Names are important in a book. They must fit the texture of the book because they carry a lot of weight and information about each character as the author reveals the information.

For authors that are writing period-specific or location-specific stories names become even more important. Those authors are very likely to consult a website with lots of names, many times going back for multiple generations. Some of them draw from birth records to find the 10 most popular boy and girl names by year or decade and region in some cases.

New questions.

How many books are you planning for the series?

Any side stories also?

Landon Freeman link

3/30/2023 02:29:08 pm

From the start, I knew The Living Weapons would be the first in a series, not a standalone book. Originally, I was thinking about writing a trilogy, but after some thought, after some new ideas came to me, I decided the series will probably have four books in all.

And I have thought of writing side stories set in The Living Weapons universe, though if I do something like that, it'll probably be after the main series has concluded.

Mark

3/30/2023 03:27:40 pm

Your fans, while they may be few now will one day be legion, will thank you for all of that output. With your rich panoply of characters, you could be writing/mining this vein of ore for a long time.

Stories about the Ancients could be fun also and a complete series with side stories also.

New questions.

Are you planning for more than one series?

Landon Freeman link

3/31/2023 02:08:49 pm

At the moment, I'm not actually planning on writing a second series. I feel that if I were to write a second series in the near future, it would be too similar to The Living Weapons, since I like to write about what interests me. Because I like fist-fighting, action, that sort of thing, I feel like I'd end up writing The Living Weapons in space, or in a realistic, modern-day setting.

With that being said, I do know me, and how I love to write. I think it's quite possible that I'll eventually write a second series or a standalone book, but that'll probably be years down the road.

Mark

3/31/2023 02:15:47 pm

That makes sense. I am sure you will have ideas for a separate series by the time you finish this one.

New questions.

Have you done any public speaking?

If so, will you be doing more in the future?

Landon Freeman link

3/31/2023 02:30:29 pm

I haven't done a lot of public speaking in my life. The only two examples I can think of are when I was in my elementary school talent show (doing a ventriloquist routine), and when I was giving speeches in college, because the class required them.

If my book gets big, I anticipate having to engage in a great amount of public speaking, mostly at events. I'd also be meeting lots of people, lots of fans, autographing books, that sort of thing. But other than public speaking related to my book and author career, I don't anticipate me publicly speaking about any other topic. That could change though. You never know.

Mark

3/31/2023 03:56:06 pm

That makes sense.

A lot of people list public speaking as one of their top fears. I did also in my youth. I stuttered quite badly whenever I was nervous which was most of the time. I was the second smallest kid in my class and that was not much fun in the small town I grew up in.
In my late twenties I took a Dale Carnegie course in public speaking and won an award for most improved.
I learned an important secret about public speaking and that was to only speak about something you are very knowledgeable about. That was fairly life changing and it has worked well for me ever since.
Now, I enjoy talking in small groups or large under the proper circumstances.

Being willing to speak about your books in public puts you ahead of many other authors.

New questions.

Have you entered any writing contests?

Have you won awards of any kind for your writing?

Landon Freeman link

3/31/2023 04:51:08 pm

I actually haven't entered any writing contests, though for years, my mom has sent me links to them, thinking I'd have a good chance of winning. I suppose I could enter one in the future. It would be interesting to see how well-received my work would be, and whether or not I'd win.

And no, I've never won any awards for my writing, though I've never actually sought awards. On top of that, prior to The Living Weapons, most of what I wrote was fan fiction, which I believe is disqualified from most contests.

It would be nice to enter The Living Weapons in a contest to see if it could win an award of some kind. If it did happen to win, that would help establish my status as a trusted author, as well as increase the book's popularity.

I do think it's possible my book could receive an award at some point, but I'd need to enter it in a contest first. I might look into it.

Mark

3/31/2023 07:03:04 pm

There are many kinds of contests and for different kinds of writing. Some provide feedback and some don't. Some cost money and some don't. Most are legit and some are frauds.

Here is a blog about writing contests from one of my favorite bloggers. It's copy-and-paste time or use the search box below: Beware Bogus Writing Contests! Look for These 8 Red Flags. https://annerallen.com/2019/05/beware-bogus-writing-contests.

New question.

I noticed that your book is not in Kindle Unlimited. Is there a reason for that?

Landon Freeman link

4/1/2023 04:38:54 am

Thanks for the link about writing contests!

And to answer your question, the main reason The Living Weapons isn't on Kindle Unlimited is because I want to have complete control over where and how I sell it. I just don't like handing over the book's rights to other parties, and this is one reason why I didn't repeatedly try to get it published via a publisher.

I like always having the option to branch out and publish the book on other sites, such as Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, etc., and I believe that gradually branching out is a better long term strategy than sticking with Kindle Unlimited (which I see as more of a short term strategy). The way I see it, I can slowly build my reputation and spread awareness of the book, and eventually publish it on other sites, so readers can choose where they want to purchase it from.

I've yet to directly publish The Living Weapons on any other site, though I believe I will if it really begins to "take off".

Mark

4/1/2023 09:20:53 am

I think that is a great reason not to be on Kindle Unlimited. However, it might be worthwhile to post a novella or short story from Aldwyn's universe on KU to help those readers find your other books in the future. As long as your other books are not compromised in some way.

Keeping control of your intellectual property is very important! The copyright on your books lasts for 75 years after your death, playing the long game is very smart. Some authors get very discouraged when the first book or two doesn't sell as they expected or hoped. With more than a million books being published each year, for quite a few years now, it is difficult to be noticed quickly. It's a long process and the more books you write the more people will find your work. Going wide, as some authors call selling beyond Amazon's website, is an important part of that process. Getting your book on as many different platforms will help also. Some people refuse to shop on Amazon, they shop on other platforms and there are many.

Here is another copy-and-paste link that might be useful for you: Aggregators just might be an author's best friend! https://www.kotobee.com/blog/everything-need-know-aggregators/

New questions.

Have you ever gone through the query process?

Were you seeking an agent or submitting directly to publishers and why did you choose that path?

Landon Freeman link

4/1/2023 04:36:08 pm

I never actually sent out a query letter to anyone. And I did flirt with the idea of reaching out to a literary agent but I'd been told that getting one to accept your book is tough, and I had a suspicion that if one were to accept the book (which was definitely a possibility), there was a chance that they'd want me to change the story in some unnecessary, trivial way. I just ended up not wanting to fool with it.

I directly sent the book to one publisher, and the owner of the company got back to me just a few days after submitting it, claiming he'd read all of it. He provided an appraisal of the book, going over what was good, what needed be changed, things like that. And while he thought there was a good story there, in his analysis, he got several plot points wrong (such as stating that Tenpenny was a professor, when he's actually an archaeologist). In fact, he got so much wrong that I'm convinced he just skimmed through the book. He also wanted me to change details that weren't objectively bad or wrong, such as Aldwyn's name, and wanting me to have fewer fantasy creatures.

This experience confirmed my suspicion that someone would want me to make trivial changes to the book before it would be accepted. And wanting complete control over The Living Weapons, I ended up going with self-publishing. I believe that self-publishing is like moving up a mountain, slowly but surely. And once you get to the top, you'll see that it was all worth it.

Mark

4/1/2023 06:17:32 pm

You are right, agents and publishers will usually ask for changes. Some small and some large. One client after 6 successful books queried a publisher and she was asked to rewrite the story out of the series. She started and sent an email to clarify a few points. They never got back to her, so she abandoned the project and continued self-publishing. She did not regret that decision.

Publishers are struggling to stay afloat. Many are one failed book away from the lights going out. The traditional publishing business has collapsed and many have disappeared or been bought out by a competitor. All of this can be attributed to Amazon. Bezos overturned the applecart and smashed it into tiny pieces. Agents are not in any better shape. They don't get paid until the author signs a contract. Then they get a cut of the small advance if there is even one and a cut of all sales by the contract.

New question.

How do you think your book compares to a book published by a major publisher?

Landon Freeman link

4/1/2023 06:43:47 pm

I agree, Amazon has really shaken up the publishing industry. Things will never be the same in that regard.

Hmm. I think content-wise, my book is comparable to many other books published by major publishers (such as being a fantasy story set in another universe). It also went through the same process as those books, for the most part, being revised, proofread, edited, all that stuff. However, relating to what I said previously, since The Living Weapons is self-published, I'm able to include details that some publishers might've asked to have removed. In other words, when you read my book, you'll know that every character, every place, every story detail is there because I want it to be there. Nothing was removed due to executive meddling, because there were never any executives in the first place.

Another distinction is that while publishers handle the design of the books' covers, the promotion of books, etc., for me, I have to handle all those things myself. I'm essentially acting as both author and publisher, and I actually like that. Like I said, I do prefer to have complete control over my book.

Mark

4/1/2023 07:12:27 pm

So true, Amazon has transmogrified the traditional publishing industry.

Traditional publishers used to do a lot to promote books. Now, because profit margins are so slim, they do as little as possible unless it's a big-name author.

Yes, you are the executive of your self-publishing empire. Here is another worthy blog about being in charge. Copy-and-paste time or use the search box below: https://www.janefriedman.com/why-self-publishing-authors-should-consider-establishing-their-own-imprint

New question.

There are many unethical practices in publishing, which one is the most unbearable in your mind?

Landon Freeman link

4/1/2023 07:45:15 pm

I'm going to be honest, I'm not familiar with all the unethical practices involved in publishing. I guess this can mostly be attributed to me being a new author, and not researching the publishing companies in depth. If you want to elaborate on these practices, you can in your next comment. It's something I'm very interested in!

However, with that being said, I do believe it's unethical for agents and publishers to request that authors alter their books in significant ways, especially if they're wanting to hijack the authors' books in order to incorporate their own agendas and ideologies. I'd also argue that it's unnecessary for them to request small, trivial changes. In other words, they shouldn't put words in the author's mouth, and should only request changes that absolutely need to be made.

I can also imagine some publishers trying to manipulate new authors into signing misleading contracts that could result in the author getting significantly less royalties or having very little control over their book. If I had ever been presented with a contract, I wouldn't have signed it unless it was agreeable, and that I completely and fully understood everything it said.

Mark

4/1/2023 09:00:33 pm

Despite your disclaimer you do know something about unethical practices.

There are a lot of scammy publishers out there. They do everything in their power to empty your wallet. There are also many good and honest publishers. For the good publishers, their business model treats a book as a product that they can sell to make money. They want to maximize their chance to make money, thus they might have lots of ideas to improve your book so they can make more money. The worst scammers will take not just your money, they will also take your intellectual property rights. Your copyright will be assigned to the publisher forever. The good publisher will have a contract clause that will enable the author to revert the IP rights back to them at a defined point.

I encourage authors to get a lawyer knowledgeable about IP rights before signing a contract.

New questions.

Is there a book that causes strong emotions to come up no matter how many times you read it?

Do you ever read a book more than once? If so, which one?

Landon Freeman link

4/2/2023 02:48:37 am

I don't actually read very often, which is weird, considering that I'm an author. I do like reading, it's just that I'm often busy with other things, such as work, writing, and doing tedious, day-to-day tasks. I've found that as you get older, there's not enough time in the day to do what you need (or want) to do.

Reading chapters (or parts of chapters) from My Hero Academia: Vigilantes tends to bring about the emotion of excitement with a hint of nostalgia. "Vigilantes" is a manga series set in a universe where about 80% of the population has a super power, and heroes are licensed to fight crime. The vigilantes fight crime without a license, and as such, are treated as criminals. One of the vigilantes is a middle-aged man who has no power, but fights with a pair of brass knuckles. With me being me, I really liked his character, and the series is fun to look back on.

The Magician's Nephew and The Lord of the Rings also bring about some level of nostalgia. We read The Magician's Nephew in fifth grade, and I found I liked it more than The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. And The Lord of the Rings reminds me of my college days, when I was really obsessed with Tolkien's lore.

And to answer your second question, I don't typically reread books, though as I previously stated, I've gone back and reread parts of Vigilantes.

Mark

4/2/2023 07:07:38 am

You're right, most authors read quite a bit. They keep up with trends in their chosen genre and frequently find inspiration reading the works of others. I also encourage authors to read outside of their genre. Much can be learned that way.

I have read through The Chronicles of Narnia more than once with our children when they were young. Now I want to go back and re-read The Magician's Nephew because I don't remember it at all. The last time I read it was in the last century.

New question.

What book has changed your mind about any particular topic?

Landon Freeman link

4/2/2023 04:07:21 pm

Just as The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is reflective of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, The Magician's Nephew is comparable to Genesis, Adam & Eve, and the fall. It also seems to have some Tolkien influence, with magic rings playing a part in the story.

And speaking of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, the book didn't really change my mind on a topic, but it did kind of change how I viewed Christ dying for us. The gospels describe Christ dying for us all, but I believe The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe really helps readers to realize that Christ died specifically for them, and knew who they were when he was dying. It accomplishes this with its allegory, with one innocent character dying for another who's done wrong. The book helped me realize that I'm not just another face in the crowd. God had me in mind before time began, during the creation week, and as he was nailed to a cross.

Mark

4/2/2023 04:27:33 pm

Yes, HE certainly did have you in mind. HE had me in mind also. HE had each person in mind as he hung innocently on the cross to pay for our sins. Just as you said.

New question.

Do you have a favorite book by another author or just favorite authors?

Landon Freeman link

4/2/2023 05:12:42 pm

I'm going to be honest, it took some time for me to decide on what my absolute favorite book is, but after some thought, I have to go with The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien. I feel that The Living Weapons wouldn't be the same without it, as Tolkien's universe was such a major influence. And it's not only that. Tolkien's story is brilliant, and he truly revolutionized the fantasy genre. His dedication to his universe was unparalleled, with him going as far as to create a whole new language for his elves to speak. So yes, out of admiration and out of necessity, I have to list The Lord of the Rings as my favorite book.

Mark

4/2/2023 06:05:08 pm

I confess, LOTR is my favorite fantasy story also! I was introduced to fantasy in the eighth grade because my bio dad gave me the three volume set. I devoured it and read the series two more times before I graduated from high school. Unlike some people, I enjoyed Peter Jackson's adaptation to film. I feel it is the best book to film adaptation I have ever seen.

New question.

If you could ask every person, who has read your book, only one question what would you ask them?

Landon Freeman link

4/2/2023 06:21:58 pm

Hmm. There are several prominent questions I'd want to ask those who have read my book, though if I had to choose one, I feel that the simplest, broadest, most important, and most open-ended question would be, "How did you like it?"

I want to know if my universe touched my readers in the same way it touched me. I want to know if they formed a special connection with the book, as I did, growing to love the characters and the world they inhabit, eager to return to the land of Haven once more. Of course, I'd also want to know if they liked my writing and the story itself. All these things could potentially be answered just by asking readers how they liked the book. In other words, the answers to my one, chosen question could contain answers to other questions I have.

Mark

4/2/2023 07:50:59 pm

That is probably the best question to ask.

New question.

Does writing have a spiritual or healing component for you, does it energize you or make you feel tired?

Landon Freeman link

4/3/2023 02:01:34 am

Writing does have a certain spiritual component for me. I feel that my Christian faith permeates my writings, and I truly enjoy incorporating Christian themes into my work (much of The Living Weapons is rooted in biblical concepts, and inspired by real, biblical events). I also feel that, since humans are created in God's image, they tend to want to create things. It's just a natural drive that people have. I create through my words, while others create in a variety of other ways.

Writing also has a healing component, in that through writing, I can truly and deeply express myself, let stuff out, say what I want to say, that sort of thing. In a similar vein, writing allows me to vent, though this venting can be subtle and go largely unnoticed.

And interestingly, writing can both energize me and make me feel worn out. Typically, when I get a burst of creativity, I feel quite energized, eager to write. And for awhile, while writing, I maintain that mood and energy. But after typing for quite some time, I tend to get a little fatigued, and when that happens, I usually stop for the day, knowing my writing energy has been exhausted, and that it's time for a break. I don't usually write for more than two hours a day.

Mark

4/3/2023 07:55:16 am

Creativity is an innate part of human nature. It is one of many ways we reflect the nature of God, whether we are connected to God or not.

I think my spirit recognized the Spirit of God in your writing. I was lifted up while reading your book. It wasn't an obvious thing but it was definite.

New question.

Why is it important for writers to tap into the emotions of the characters?

Landon Freeman link

4/3/2023 08:21:56 am

I'm so glad that you recognized the Spirit of God in my writing! If God used me to get a message across, to glorify Him, then I'm thrilled. Truly.

It's important for writers to tap into their characters' emotions because, to write a compelling story, you need compelling characters. Compelling characters require a certain level of depth, reflective of how people operate in real life. This means that the characters should have their own individual histories, motives, drives, hobbies, likes, and even fears. They should also display a variety of emotions, such as happiness, sadness, love, and anger. If a character doesn't have many of these typical, human traits, then they won't be seen as very realistic. But if they have everything that makes us human, expressing the same emotions that we express, then we can perceive them as actual humans, even though they're not.

Mark

4/3/2023 09:38:44 am

You provided a great answer to that question! The readers must be able to identify with the characters and all of those things you describe enable that process to be successfully completed.

I read a book a couple of years ago about a psychopathic assassin. He had no connection to other people and had no compunction about killing them according to the contract. In the book he discovered that others were trying to kill his target before he could and decided he needed to protect the object of his contract. He was planning on retiring after this contract and wanted it to be spectacular. He was doing the right thing for dubious reasons and that process was the whole book. It was written in first person and was quite good. Though I am not a psychopathic contract killer the character was easy to identify with.

New question.

Have you ever done NaNoWriMo, National November Writing Month?

Landon Freeman link

4/3/2023 02:57:35 pm

The book about the assassin sounds interesting! I've always liked antiheroes and characters who are morally conflicted or morally ambiguous. Their mix of good and bad traits make them more compelling, more interesting.

And to answer your question, I've never done National November Writing Month. Up until now, I had never heard of it. I did look it up, however, and it sounds like it would be an interesting challenge, writing a 50,000 word manuscript in as little as a month.

Depending on how much I've written up until that point, I suppose November would be a good time for me to try to finish my second Living Weapons book, or at the very least, attempt to finish much or most of it. We'll see what happens!

Mark

4/3/2023 03:23:59 pm

The book I was referring to is "Superego" by Frank J. Fleming. I bought it in May of 2020. I hope I remembered it fairly well.

NaNoWriMo has turned into a big deal on Twitter. Lots of people join groups for mutual encouragement and fun. Sometimes prizes are awarded to winners. Anyone who writes 50k words of a first draft in 30 days is declared a winner. Writers who are plotters spend October working up their outline and doing any necessary research before November. That way they can hit the ground running. Those that are pansters just start writing on the first of November.

I hope you can use that opportunity to get a big part of that manuscript complete in 30 days.

Last question.

Which is more fun to write, the protagonist or the antagonist, and why?

Landon Freeman link

4/3/2023 05:19:10 pm

In my opinion, the protagonists are more fun to write. They're the heroes of the story, they're usually on the right side of things, and they're who the readers are supposed to root for. I just tend to find it more fun to create good guys because they're good, and because readers are typically expected to connect with them on a deeper level than with the villains.

With that being said, I do enjoy writing villains, and even though they're the bad guys, I still want them to be complex and compelling, fun and intriguing. After all, their presence helps to drive the story, and I want my readers to find them likable, and even sympathize with them, to an extent. It's fun to have villains who still possess hidden or suppressed shreds of human decency. And when the villains express these positive traits, readers may begin to grow attached to them, potentially even rooting for them, under the right circumstances.

Mark

4/3/2023 07:30:20 pm

I agree. I am somewhat tired of villains without any redeeming qualities. Few people are wholly one way or the other. I like the main characters to be complex just as real people are complex. A well written villain is the hero in the story if he or she were writing it.

Thank you, Landon, this interview has been most enjoyable. I have another promotion starting tomorrow so this promotion must come to an end. Thanks for writing such a good story. I wish you success and keep on writing.

Landon Freeman link

4/3/2023 07:44:47 pm

I want to thank you giving me this opportunity! This interview has been a whole lot of fun, and it's been nice discussing my book with you, as well as talking about my author/publishing journey. I'm really glad that you enjoyed The Living Weapons, and I hope many others will as well. I'll definitely keep on writing, and hopefully I can do another interview with you in a year or two, after my second Living Weapons book is released.

Thanks again, and God bless!

The Living Weapons by Landon Freeman

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