I guess it was spawned from me reading a lot about metaphysics, string and M theory at the age of 11, and I thought, “Wow, wouldn’t it be neat to make a magical system using that?”
J Leigh – 22 June 2014
The Back Flap
Twelve Ways create a thousand tangled paths.
Hatched from an egg but unable to shift into dragon form, Jathen is a Moot among the Tazu. His rightful throne is forbidden him because of his transformative handicap, and neither his culture nor his religion offer acceptance of his perceived flaws.
Driven by wounded anger, Jathen strikes out across the vast world beyond Tazu borders, desperate to find a place where he feels accepted and whole. Though he travels with the most trusted of companions, sabotage and conspiracy soon strike his quest. Jathen and his allies must struggle against man and magic alike, at the mercy of forces beyond their ken.
As Jathen presses on, his questions of belonging are surrounded by more of identity, loyalty, and betrayal. Where will the path of his destiny lead, and will he follow or fall?
About the book
What is the book about?
As an author, I always struggle with the question, “What is your book about?” It’s like trying to sum up the Mona Lisa, or Starry Night. You could say the basics like “It’s a woman” or “It’s a night scene”, but that only scratches the surface. Tangled Paths, on the surface, is about a boy born different who’s trying to come to terms with that in a fantasy setting which has a little fusion of sci-fi mixed in. It’s an elaborate world with an extremely detailed magical system. But, as I said, that really only scratches the surface. The book, like our main character Jathen, has considerably more going on, and to try to sum that up has always proven to be extremely difficult for me. In the end, it’s about adventure, intrigue, plot twists, and engaging characters, with a sprinkle of humor. Oh, and there’s dragons.
When did you start writing the book?
Well, the world that Way Walkers is set in was started at the tender age of 11. This particular incarnation, however, was started back in January 2010 when I wanted to take what I’d been doing in a bit of a different direction.
How long did it take you to write it?
Again, the world-building has been going on for about twenty years at this point. Tangled Paths, however, took about two years.
Where did you get the idea from?
Honestly, I don’t know. I guess it was spawned from me reading a lot about metaphysics, string and M theory at the age of 11, and I thought, “Wow, wouldn’t it be neat to make a magical system using that?” As far as Jathen and Tangled Paths go, it’s actually the fourth novel I’ve written within the world, and it came about because I wanted to create an agnostic character in a world where magic was so palpably real, just see what happened to him.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
Tangled Paths was the first book where I took it to a single character’s point of view, so it was really difficult to nail down the tone of Jathen’s narrative. He’s also interested in a lot of things that I’m not personally familiar with, like architecture and engineering, and researching those was a lengthy process. I’ve also never been very good at combat scenes, though that’s getting better.
What came easily?
The characters themselves. I’ve always had a natural knack for spitting out dialogue. The characters are always very real to me in my head, and they’re always very vocal about how they want to sound.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
Yes and no. I kind of made a promise to not reveal which characters are based off real people, but it probably isn’t which ones you’d expect.
We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?
Tolkien, of course, Feist, Jacqueline Carey, a touch of J K Rowling, Laura Joh Roland and a lot of Shakespeare. Honestly, I couldn’t tell you how each of them specifically influenced me, but they all just sort of became part of my inner monologue.
Do you have a target reader?
Not particularly. As a reader, I don’t limit myself to one genre, so as a writer I can’t imagine myself limiting my work to a specific type of reader. Basically, if you like interesting characters in a creative and detailed setting, you’ll like this.
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?
I always hate trying to sum up my “process” because it’s rather convoluted. The only real consistent thing I do is I start almost every book and every scene with the dialogue. It’s all about the characters in the end. It starts with them, it ends with them. Everything else just grows out from there, like a big tree.
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
Outline? What’s an outline? I’ve heard of these outline things, like the faintest whispers of myth and legend. In all seriousness, though, I tried outlining once. My characters took it from me and had it beaten severely for insolence, and then purged by fire. I’ve not tried it since.
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
I have to do editing in layers. It’s not something I “do as I go”, but it’s not something I put off until the very end either. It’s mostly because I’m dyslexic and I can’t take the time to sit and fuss over every misspelling or quirk in grammar immediately in the moment, but if I leave it for too long, I’m left with an indiscernible mess that even I can’t interpret. So in the end, it’s a little bit of both.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
Yes. Music or, surprisingly enough, television. I have to always have some sort of white noise going or I can’t write at all. To be honest, just about anything will do. When I’m “in the zone”, it almost doesn’t matter what’s on because the focus is completely on the book. That being said, the Food Network, HGTV, a hodge-podge of paranormal ghost-type shows, and all types of metal music (except hardcore stuff), are my go-to favorites.
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
Yes, I currently have an agent. One I’m rather fond of.
What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?
Well, it was a combined decision between myself, my agent, and the slowly growing fan base I’ve built through some of my smaller Way Walkers publications. Ultimately, we just wanted to get the books out to the fan base sooner, and the smaller indie publishers were much more capable of that.
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did it you do it yourself?
Red Adept took care of it. Streetlight Graphics did an amazing job, although the original sketch for the Way Walker star was my design.
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
I’m a writer, not a marketing professional. I leave things like that to my publisher and my agent. Aside from that, I do really, really enjoy talking to my fans in the Way Walkers Facebook Fan Club and my blog.
Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?
I’m terrible at giving advice. It’s ultimately your decision and your choice. I happen to really love the level of individual care that Red Adept has given me, so basically, I have no regrets.
About You
Where did you grow up?
Southern New Jersey, not far outside Philadelphia.
Where do you live now?
Same area. I like it here.
What would you like readers to know about you?
That I’m just as big of a fantasy fan as they are, and that I’d love to hear from them. Really. Best part of my day is answering questions and talking to fans with similar interests. I’m easy to find in the Way Walkers facebook Fan Club, on our facebook page, or on my blog.
What are you working on now?
The sequel to Tangled Paths, and several other Way Walkers-related novels and games.
End of Interview:
For more from J. Leigh, visit her website.
Get your copy of Tangled Paths from Amazon US (paper or ebook), Amazon UK (paper or ebook), or Barnes & Noble.
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