Ask the Author: Jason Bishop
Answered Questions (8)
Jason Bishop
Honestly, sometimes I just go back and read a chapter or two from a previous book in the series we're working on. First, it reminds me how far we've come and how much good stuff we've already accomplished. Second, it refreshes me on character development progress; characters who don't evolve, grow, change, mature, etc., are just as two-dimensional as the paper they're on. And third, it reminds me of sub-plots, previous side characters, and other threads I might want to touch on or weave back into the current timeline! All good things!
Jason Bishop
We have a blog we post to regularly, containing a TON of advice that may be of benefit to new writers. And they're entertaining as well! Check them out at www.cyrradon.com!
Jason Bishop
Ha. Without question, I would go to the world we created: Cyrradon. For one, we know it better than anyone. We are its chief archaeologists. We know its tricks, its treasures, its legends and lore. We know where all the dangers lurk, and whom to trust. But moreso, we know the people of its lands, their wants and desires, their skills, their knowledge. We more than any would know how to survive and thrive there.
I would find Hawk and Hans, and sit down with them for hours upon hours and buy them round after round of hearty Haonite ale (tea for Hawk, he's like that), and hear tales of the Five. I would sail the Reaver Sea, see the Emerald Isles, run the Maw, glide gently into the idyllic Port of Alloyis, and tour the magnificent Aerken of the Gotlander nation. I would learn magic at the Tower of Aetorin, and spend insane amounts of gold at the Lifespring Market in Granite Hedge. I would sit gladly at the table of the Silverstaff home in Asterhof, enjoy Alera's wonderful cooking, and then settle in around the fire, snuffing on a pipe whilst leaning in against Hawk's hounds as Hans told yet another tale of adventures past. In short, I would follow in the footsteps of the heroes and heroines we have come to love as part of our family, and probably be choked up the entire time!
I would find Hawk and Hans, and sit down with them for hours upon hours and buy them round after round of hearty Haonite ale (tea for Hawk, he's like that), and hear tales of the Five. I would sail the Reaver Sea, see the Emerald Isles, run the Maw, glide gently into the idyllic Port of Alloyis, and tour the magnificent Aerken of the Gotlander nation. I would learn magic at the Tower of Aetorin, and spend insane amounts of gold at the Lifespring Market in Granite Hedge. I would sit gladly at the table of the Silverstaff home in Asterhof, enjoy Alera's wonderful cooking, and then settle in around the fire, snuffing on a pipe whilst leaning in against Hawk's hounds as Hans told yet another tale of adventures past. In short, I would follow in the footsteps of the heroes and heroines we have come to love as part of our family, and probably be choked up the entire time!
Jason Bishop
Our inspiration for the series began long ago, over twenty years, in fact. It must seem a bit cliché that our world of Cyrradon and the storyline of Storm's Rising had its humble beginnings around a small coffee table littered with character sheets, gaming references, figurines and multi-sided dice. Yes, we were hardcore tabletop RPG gamers back then. Rose and I would sit for long hours, each playing two or three characters at a time, enjoying the unique escapism of immersing ourselves in a universe of our own choosing, battling whatever twisted overlord, power-hungry monarch, or ancient evil we could dream up. From these common beginnings, though, arose some uncommon characters who ascended beyond the stats on their character sheets, and set into motion the formative events the Storm's Rising series is all about.
In the years that followed we dreamed, wrote stories, and world-built. We vacationed, saw amazing places in this world and drew inspiration for the world of Cyrradon. We raised children and introduced them to tabletop RPG, which was huge, because there is no dungeon master in the world who can contend with the imagination of a pack of children! Some of the characters they role-played to life are now the heroes and heroines of the series, and the music we listened to as we played continues to be our background inspiration as we write. So cool.
But then of course, as with most authors, when confronted with the demands of life itself the book took a back shelf to necessity, buried beneath daily doses of have-to-dos instead of want-to-dos. Finally in 2020, with the pandemic upon us we decided it was time. We had constructed the framework of an 8-book series, with book 2 in rough draft and book 1 near final. We dusted off the first one, put a final serious edit into it, solicited some beta readers, created some maps and cover art, and launched The Call into the universe! Since then it's been full steam ahead, with The Ascension released in October (thanks in no small part to the heaps of extra free time given to us by COVID lockdowns), and The Tome of Wyrms released in March 2021!
In the years that followed we dreamed, wrote stories, and world-built. We vacationed, saw amazing places in this world and drew inspiration for the world of Cyrradon. We raised children and introduced them to tabletop RPG, which was huge, because there is no dungeon master in the world who can contend with the imagination of a pack of children! Some of the characters they role-played to life are now the heroes and heroines of the series, and the music we listened to as we played continues to be our background inspiration as we write. So cool.
But then of course, as with most authors, when confronted with the demands of life itself the book took a back shelf to necessity, buried beneath daily doses of have-to-dos instead of want-to-dos. Finally in 2020, with the pandemic upon us we decided it was time. We had constructed the framework of an 8-book series, with book 2 in rough draft and book 1 near final. We dusted off the first one, put a final serious edit into it, solicited some beta readers, created some maps and cover art, and launched The Call into the universe! Since then it's been full steam ahead, with The Ascension released in October (thanks in no small part to the heaps of extra free time given to us by COVID lockdowns), and The Tome of Wyrms released in March 2021!
Jason Bishop
So glad you asked! In short, an epic/high fantasy adventure series featuring young heroes drawn into a war between kings, mages and gods that stretches back to the making--and breaking--of the world. Knowing little of the world, or of the legacies laid down for them by their predecessors, the heroes find themselves wrapped up in a prophecy-driven, politically-charged power struggle between the elder gods and the powerful mortals who serve them. In the Inner Kingdoms of humankind, High King Taurez Drakken has unnaturally lengthened his life through dark magics, but even these gruesome rituals are beginning to fail. In his desperation he seeks the assistance of Armondus the Inquisitor, a creature of infernal lineage who has served the High Kings since the rending of the Veil in an event known as the Reavening. The Call begins the story of their conspiracy to grant Drakken immortality, and of the coming together of the heroes to stop them. But of course, there are other forces at work as well, and plans rarely turn out as intended…
To find out where the subsequent novels, The Ascension, the Tome of Wyrms, and our current work in progress The Codex, take our heroes...well, there's only one good way to find out.
To find out where the subsequent novels, The Ascension, the Tome of Wyrms, and our current work in progress The Codex, take our heroes...well, there's only one good way to find out.
Jason Bishop
For me, it's getting to live out this dream, this adventure, with my one true love, my wife Rose. We are at our best when we do things together, and writing this story is a perfect example of that. When I hit a wall or need inspiration, she puts things in such crystalline focus that I am ashamed I didn't see it that way before. And likewise, when she needs a nudge, sometimes I can get her moving with excitement and energy again. We're symbiotic like that. I can't imagine writing any other way.
Jason Bishop
I love this question! It's a huge one, but one which I think has a different answer for each person. The block is very personal, and has to do with the author's mindset, what's going on in their lives, what's heavy on their minds, other pressures and stressors, and a litany of potential other factors. What works for me isn't necessarily what will work for you. But if you want to know what works for me, and learn a little more about me in the process, I invite you to read a blog post on our website, where I talk about this specific topic! Enjoy!
https://www.cyrradon.com/post/how-to-...
https://www.cyrradon.com/post/how-to-...
Jason Bishop
I don't have a huge amount of time for casual reading in my life right now (*gasp*). I know, I know. Most of my spare time is spent working on our series in progress, Storm's Rising, or other pursuits such as fitness, fly fishing, and whatever other adventures my wife and kids might dream up.
I am, however, budgeting some time for some 1-for-1 reviews in the very near future, so I'll be culling the wait list for likely candidates and adding them to my "want to read" list!
I am, however, budgeting some time for some 1-for-1 reviews in the very near future, so I'll be culling the wait list for likely candidates and adding them to my "want to read" list!
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