Ask the Author: Daniel Phalen
Answered Questions (7)
Daniel Phalen
Hi, Megan, and thanks for your question. The answer in a nutshell is found on my website, danielphalen dot com under "References/Sumerian Bibliography." My own fascination developed 25 years ago. I read some or all of every book listed there, as it was pre-internet (1993-97). I included links to Amazon for each. Samuel Noah Kramer's books are particularly fascinating reads. The book that started it all was "When God Was A Woman" because it caused me to consider ancient matricentric societies as a possible theme. Gimbutas writes dry academics, but she was still an amazing scholar.
As a woman, you may find Eisler's perspective worth a read. Some of her goddess revelations may have crept into my work.
Certainly read about the Sumerian pantheon and their attitudes towards deities. To them, the divine was very personal and anthropomorphic.
I find the web an interesting combination of gold mines and dreck. The pseudo-anthropologists and religious fanatics have a fascination with any mystery unexplained and don't hesitate to spread blather. On the other hand, for example, one young man has undertaken to learn spoken Sumerian and videotaped two episodes on youtube. On my site you'll see several links to animated studies of Sumerian history, incredible graphics enlightening people like you and me.
I could go on, but it's really heart-warming to find you're another Sumerology fan--aficionada.
I'm wrapping up a prequel, "Eden's Promise," right now and plan to finish the trilogy during the next three months. Join my mailing list on the site if you haven't already. And welcome!
As a woman, you may find Eisler's perspective worth a read. Some of her goddess revelations may have crept into my work.
Certainly read about the Sumerian pantheon and their attitudes towards deities. To them, the divine was very personal and anthropomorphic.
I find the web an interesting combination of gold mines and dreck. The pseudo-anthropologists and religious fanatics have a fascination with any mystery unexplained and don't hesitate to spread blather. On the other hand, for example, one young man has undertaken to learn spoken Sumerian and videotaped two episodes on youtube. On my site you'll see several links to animated studies of Sumerian history, incredible graphics enlightening people like you and me.
I could go on, but it's really heart-warming to find you're another Sumerology fan--aficionada.
I'm wrapping up a prequel, "Eden's Promise," right now and plan to finish the trilogy during the next three months. Join my mailing list on the site if you haven't already. And welcome!
Daniel Phalen
The trick is to listen to what's going on around me. Whether it's a comment in the supermarket line, a TV show, maybe a line from an ad, or a remark on an online forum, something said triggers an idea for my current project and I run with it.
Writing fiction is a craft, not an art. Good writing requires diligence to the elements of plot and structure. Great writing demands respect for the reader. Some days it feels like a job--I jump in where I left off yesterday and examine whether it's ready to make the next step. Other days the writing just flies by, and I don't question the source of inspiration. I just know when it's at work and try my best to flow with it.
Writing fiction is a craft, not an art. Good writing requires diligence to the elements of plot and structure. Great writing demands respect for the reader. Some days it feels like a job--I jump in where I left off yesterday and examine whether it's ready to make the next step. Other days the writing just flies by, and I don't question the source of inspiration. I just know when it's at work and try my best to flow with it.
Daniel Phalen
Creative freedom? Yes, but no. Being master of my own destiny? That's nice too, but best is knowing I can entertain a stranger, someone I will never meet. My creation will give that person pleasure in ways I can't imagine, perhaps never intended. That reach is awesome to contemplate, because it's an example of how connected we are as human beings.
Daniel Phalen
It's a myth. I've learned to push past ennui because the result invariably is positive. At this stage in my life the ideas spring forth faster than I can write them down.
Daniel Phalen
Learn story structure and how it fits reader expectations for plot, conflict, character arc, and pace.
Daniel Phalen
The prequel to Eden's Bride.. It will be called Eden's Promise, a full-length treatment of the childhood and adolescent life of my protagonist.
Daniel Phalen
It started with a book by Merlin Stone, When God Was a Woman, about historic goddess cultures and religions. I asked myself what if ancient Sumer created a matricentric culture before it went nutso with kings and wars? How would men and women cope in a world of complete role reversal? What if I placed an empowered woman on the cusp of such a transition?
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