"I enjoyed the subtle humor of the main character, as well as the innate reticence, perhaps better labeled "old-fashioned-ness." The realistic description of a possible budding romance was fun. It was surprising to find a male writer that didn't throw the pair of them into bed at first opportunity." - Matt, Goodreads
Slinging Spells with Broken Ribs Isn't Easy
Jonathan Harker, mage and life-long demon hunter, wakes to find himself tied to a chair and severely wounded. His captor, a demon in service to a summoner who wants Harker alive.
Armed with impossibly powerful magic and a gang of demon toughs, the summoner has snared Harker in a deadly trap. Nothing is ever easy, and being new in town has left Harker with few allies. However, with help from a Fortune-Teller named Clover and a self-described "Kitchen Witch" named Momma Dee, Harker fights back.
To prevail, Harker must walk unprepared into a pit of demons and black magic - and come out alive on the other side.
MB's INTERVIEW
1. Who is Jonathan Harker and how did he get in your novel from Dracula’s claws? Or it’s just a name coincidence?
I’m happy to get this question. The protagonist of my novel is indeed ‘that’ Jonathan Harker. However, there are several modifications to the story – I have taken some liberties; the most obvious being that ‘Dracula’ is not a vampire, but instead a Demon Prince known by another name.
The character of Jonathan Harker was never given his due, in my opinion. In pop culture, if he is mentioned at all it is always in a dismissive manner. Storytellers have focused on a fabricated love story with Mina and Dracula. What they fail to realize is that Jonathan is the main character, and he is the one who slays Dracula in the end.
I thought he deserved a better telling. His character, devotion, intelligence, and willpower is what saved the day in one of the greatest thrillers ever written; and yet, even the most studious literature students have trouble remembering his name.
2. There is an “afterlife” for paranormal/urban fantasy genres after Ann Rice, Tolkien, G Martin…?
No, there is no afterlife for this genre, as it will never die.
I think there is a common misconception of the ‘urban fantasy’ genre being something new. Anne Rice was not the first, by a long shot. Edith Wharton and Lord Dunsany wrote urban fantasy in their day. The Greeks told stories (modern at the time) of men facing fantastical beasts and evil wielders of magic.
Folklore with a supernatural edge has a keen and enduring degree of interest from readers of every generation.
3. What does it take to obtain a great story from the combination of a thriller and urban fantasy?
The first step is to make the story believable. The ability to suspend disbelief is the core requirement to successfully write a thriller or urban fantasy. Once you get a reader’s consent that the story has merits based on the believability, then you can take him/her on a wild ride which crisscrosses a lot of boundaries.
However, if your premise strikes as contrived or unbelievable, then the reader will resist you the entire way.
4. What are the similarities and differences between creating an origami and a story?
What an interesting question. Kudos for doing your research!
As in any craft, there are skills you must learn to master origami. Sure, you can fold the paper in random directions and hope for an artistic end-result. However, to be successful every time, there are steps you follow to fold a perfect crane.
It is the same in writing.
5. How the ghost feels about being removed from the “ghost writer”? What is next in the world of the published author Christopher Draven?
It is frightening and invigorating all at once. Now that I am using my name, I get the credit and the criticism. If someone disagrees with something I’ve written, there isn’t a shield to hide behind.
As for what is next, I am working on finishing book two of the Jonathan Harker series. It is due out in October 2017. I have an outline drafted for book three, and a few short stories are in the works.
About the author:
Christopher Draven has worked as an instructional designer, newspaper journalist, and ghost writer.
One soggy Monday morning, he committed to leaving behind the soul-stealing work of corporate puppetry and escaped to a meadow where he could concentrate on his passion. Since that fateful day, Christopher has focused on learning the craft of fiction.
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