The Page Turners discussion

Our next Q&A is with Demethius Jackson, author of The Realmsic Conquest: The Hero of Legend.

Here is the synopsis:

From its establishment, the Realm, has remained the only magical kingdom in existence. As a result, it has never known peace. Although the kingdom has never fallen, it must now defend against the Warlord Damian – a brilliantly merciless conqueror who uses history as a weapon. Rallying those resentful of the Realm’s magic, Damian has amassed a Legion of Warriors – the largest military force ever assembled.

The Kingdom’s defeat is imminent!

Maebus, the Realm’s newest King, has only ruled for six days. Yet he must now lead the magical Realmsic Kingdom through its most perilous conflict ever.



Please post questions by October 8.

How did you begin to write?

You have such an/interesting name! What is the origin?

Do you have any advice for future writers?

How do you overcome writer's block?

How often do you write?

What is your favorite aspect of being an author?

Here are the responses!


How did you begin to write?
Soooo, I’ve given this a lot of thought in the past, and I actually can’t pinpoint when I began writing. It’s something I’ve always done. When I was a kid, I used to keep a journal and write fan fiction about my favorite television characters. And while many people have described reading as an outlet, for me, writing became my personal escape from reality.

You have such an/interesting name! What is the origin?
Thank you! Demethius is actually my middle name. My birth name was a collaborative effort between my mother, my grandmother, and my aunt. I’m not too sure how they came up with it. But I do know that it a Roman name.

Do you have any advice for future writers?
Yes. Write! Write! Write! I know it’s very difficult to manage a daily work/family schedule and find the necessary time to write. But even if you can jot down just a few sentences a day and stick with it, you’ll soon develop a routine and you WILL complete your manuscript!

Are any of your characters based on real people?
I try not to base characters on real people I know. But it doesn’t always work out that way. For example, I didn’t realize it until after Realmsic was completed, but many of the major characters are just different aspects of my own personality! King Maebus is over-analytical, which at times I’m guilty of. On the other hand, his best friend –Grand Wizard Kelm, is less critical and believes in destiny and karma, as do I also. I like to think of it less as contradictory traits, and more of a yin-yang thing.

How do you choose settings for your books?
Typically, I start with a situation, or a scenario. Then, I develop the main characters. As their backgrounds are revealed to me, it creates the setting for the book. However, in the case of the Realmsic Conquest, the setting was derived from a question I asked myself long ago… What if magic only existed in one place on earth? What would that be like?

What's the most challenging part of being a writer?
For me, it’s accepting that not everyone’s gonna love what you write. And that’s ok! Writing is something that’s very personal and many times it may feel like your very soul is being poured onto the pages. Therefore, it’s understandable to be sensitive to what people think or say about you. But as a professional writer, you can’t take things personally. You have to accept that words can be interpreted in many different ways. Use compliments as an affirmation of your writing ability, and take criticism as an opportunity to further grow.

Where do you get your inspiration?
In the shower! It’s one of the few places I can totally relax. So of course, my mind wanders and comes up with all types of ideas.

How do you choose character names?
This may sound crazy…. but when I’m writing, it feels more like a story is being revealed to me, more so than I’m creating a story. And in that specific world, the characters already exist. I’m simply meeting them and writing about their lives. How it works is I dedicate a space of time per day (or per week) where I make myself available and open to writing. And then within that space, I write down whatever comes to me. So basically, I don’t make up their names. The characters tell me their names. Spooky?

Who is your favorite author/role model?
I’m actually a really big fan of Anne Rice. Before vampires became mainstream, she created a universe that blew my mind! She made me want to be a vampire, hahaha.

How do you overcome writer's block?
Writer’s block is inevitable. During those times, you have to do something else, something not related to writing. Allow yourself some space, and allow your mind some time to recover. Then afterwards, try again.

How often do you write?
It really depends on if I’m working on a project or not. If so, then I tend to create a writing schedule and stick with it. Even if nothing comes of it that day, the routine is still important to maintain. During times when I’m not working on a project, I tend to write more sporadically. I may journal still, or write down a paragraph or two about an idea I had. But the point is to always be writing. It keeps you sharp and helps you grow.


What is your favorite aspect of being an author?
Meeting other authors. It feels like you’re part of a club!