Goodreads'synopsis of The Oathsworn Legacy:Rawley and Baelin make a living the only way they know how—protecting the people of Centrum by slaying the dark things that stole their childhood: Monsters, and everything evil. Though the work never ends, and there’s plenty of coin to go around, Rawley and Baelin discover a sinister secret hidden deep within the crevices of Centrum’s past. Centuries of lies and deceit unravel before them, and they soon shift from mere mercenaries to a force that will last generations. At least, that’s their hope. Dwarves in the west, Wroughtmen in the north, Elves in the east, and a tyrant king ruling with an oppressive fist, Rawley and Baelin balance on the precipice of total chaos. Will everything they’ve accomplished be enough to save them from the shadows rising, or will a plot that’s generations old finally drag everything into the abyss?
1. What is the genesis of “The Oathsworn Legacy”?
The Oathsworn Legacy was never meant to be a novel. About five-or-so years ago, I stumbled upon an online short story contest and decided to enter. I’ve always had this vague idea about a story of two monster hunters being tricked into doing something vile, but only then did I ever write anything down. After submitting that story and ultimately getting rejected, I found myself wanting to write more stories like that. So, I did. I wrote a second story, then another, and another. By the time I was writing my fourth, I had developed a full vision of what I was writing; an episodic tale of two brothers going up against evil, all of these random stories woven together and building toward a grand, epic conclusion. This explains the structure of The Oathsworn Legacy, where the first half feels more episodic and the latter more like a traditional novel. Four years later, I submitted The Oathsworn Legacy to SPFBO-X and was accepted as a finalist, placing fifth place in the final ranking system. Fun fact, that first short story I wrote was The Storm on the Horizon (the second chapter in The Oathsworn Legacy), though it is a very different version than what was originally written!
2. Did the title come first to you or the plot of the story?
Definitely the plot. The Oathsworn Legacy is all about discovering that there’s always something worse, so I had this idea of a title Shadows Rise or Shadows Rising, but it didn’t feel totally right. Tbe Oathsworn Legacy isn’t just a monster-hunting story, it’s about inheriting a legacy from those who came before and carrying it through the ages. By the time I was wrapping up my first draft, I realized The Oathsworn Legacy felt more fitting.
3. What was your inspiration for writing “The Oathsworn Legacy”?
My love of fantasy, which I know is a vague and unfair answer. The truth is I get inspired by many things. There’s no question that The Oathsworn Legacy has some Witcher vibes going on, which is the monster-slaying aspect, but I also wanted a brotherly journey like the TV series, Supernatural. I also wanted a complex plot threaded across all the stories, much like readers will get when reading Michael J. Sullivan’s Riyria series. Throw in some nasty villains and monsters similar to what a D&D campaign offers, and you’ve got The Oathsworn Legacy. My biggest inspiration has always been my wife, though. I’d have given up long ago if it weren’t for her. She has helped push me through my frustrations during the writing process, critiqued my stories, brainstormed, edited, and listened to my ramblings. If it weren’t for her, this story would never have been finished.
4. Did you have any writer’s block with “The Oathsworn Legacy” and how did you overcome it?
Any author who says they’ve never had writer’s block is either inhuman or a liar. Sorry, just needed to get that out there. Yes, I have and still experience this. Actually, I experience this now more than I ever have because my dozens of ideas generally conflict with one another. My writing process is slow in many ways, mostly because I have a full-time job, but also because I can get hyper-focused on something so small it impedes my progress. I’ll find a line that just doesn’t convey quite what I want, or a new path opens up before me and I have to decide what the best route is for the story. Then there’s the reality that you have good and bad days of writing. Some mornings I’m crushing it, and the next it’s like I’m a toddler trying to shove the wrong shape into the wrong hole—it just doesn’t work. I love writing, but it’s a very daunting, exhausting process that can suffocate you with doubt. It can shut me down for weeks until I finally manage to give it another shot. The best thing I can do for myself to get over writer’s block, I’ve found, is read a book. Reading the final result of a well polished, edited version of a story always seems to get me back on my feet.
5. What are your thoughts on your book being compared to The Witcher and Riyria Revelations series?
The Witcher comparison I can understand, with all the monster hunting, but Riyria? The Riyria by the Michael J. Sullivan? Clearly I’m a fan, so to say I was dumbfounded and shocked is an understatement. Honored, obviously, but feeling unworthy. There are just some stories that stick with you forever; ones you’re constantly recommending to other readers. That’s Riyria for me.
6. What do you want readers to get out of reading “The Oathsworn Legacy”?
A broken heart. Kidding… Well, only a little. I want them to get kicked in the feels. Hard. I want their anxiety to sky-rocket when they’re up front in the chaos of battle. I want their skin to crawl when they hear fiends whispering behind closed doors. I want to leave them scratching their heads when trying to piece together the overall plot. I want them roll their eyes, to laugh, cry, hate. I want them to feel anger and hopelessness, but also love and warmth. I want them to feel everything. Whether they like/dislike this story, if a reader has felt these things, then I’m chalking it up as a win.
7. If (or perhaps, when) “The Oathsworn Legacy” becomes a movie or TV series, what scene would you like to see on the movie or television screen?
I would love to see House of Doors and Mysteries of the Skyward Soul on film. I think with the setting, the bickering between characters, and what’s discovered in each of these stories would be fun to see. A cabin hidden the woods with endless hallways and countless doors? A lodge where you’re destined to die of old age? Sounds awesome! Without treading into spoiler territory here, I’d also love to see Baelin’s “flashback” experience in Grace of Faelor. There are a lot of pinnacle moments in The Oathsworn Legacy’s narrative, where the characters piece just enough together to understand the true evil they face, but this is probably the most important moment in their journey. I’d love to see it on screen. I’d also love to see small moments, too, like when Danial discovers his furry friend Paws, or when our crew is discussing why they joined the Oathsworn.
8. In the film/TV adaptation, would you like to make a cameo?
If I were to be a cameo in this, it would probably be someone comedic, like a passerby during the scene when we discover Helgatha’s infatuation with pickles. That, or I’d be a victim of my own chaos and get torn to shreds by harpies or Ravagers. Some epic scene where an audience would say, “Damn!” and then move on to better things. I’m not sure I’d play a good Schuetsy, but I’d be willing to give it a try.
9.Silly-Game question: From “The Oathsworn Legacy”, could you please leaf through the pages and point at a random place. What is the full sentence? And what is the page number of this random sentence?
Well, the first one I did was an absolute spoiler, so I’ll go with my second attempt. For context’s sake, I’ll include the entire dialogue: “Poor you,” Rawley said. “Look, I don’t know what the hell you’re rambling on about, but I do know I’m bored with this conversation. How about you free us, and we’ll see if you can still run that mouth when you’re missing a jaw?” The Caravan, page 255. Yeah, Rawley can be kinda feisty.
10.Which character from “The Oathsworn Legacy” gave you the hardest time during the writing process? And why?
Danial was probably my most difficult character to work with. He’s not only complex but I really wanted him to have an impact. With how little screen-time he truly gets, I wanted people to respect and value him as much as I did. Each of his scenes needed to be perfectly executed, each line of dialogue essential in conveying who he is and why he’s there. He’s the type of man who would sacrifice anything and everything for the greater good. Not only did I want to show what he was sacrificing, but why and how.
11.What is your favorite book-to-movie adaptation? And why? Shutter Island! It’s not often I’m able to appreciate an adaptation, but that’s truly one that is just as good as the book. And that ending! It’s absolutely insane… You see what I did there?
12. What was your favorite book as a teenager?
Growing up in Minnesota, I spent 90% of my free time outside doing hooligan things with my hooligan friends. I was way too busy shredding it on my skateboard to sit down and read a book. I’ve always loved films, but reading? Nah, sounds boring. That was until a friend of mine convinced me to read John Connolly’s, The Book of Lost Things. To say I loved this book is a colossal understatement. I truly did not know a book could do that to a person—that eventually your eyes just float across the page and scenes flash through your mind. That book changed my life, and I’m not just saying that. I’ve been an avid reader ever since, chasing that euphoria only a good book can offer. It was the first book in my collection, an obsession I hope to carry for the rest of my life. Another fun fact, The Book of Lost Things is one of the very few books I’ve ever read more than twice.
13. What is your favorite line from any film?
My wife can attest to this, but I’m the type of hubby that sings obnoxiously around the house and throws out random movie quotes from time to time. Some are from films I haven’t seen in years. Do I have a favorite? No, there are just too many. But one that comes to mind is from The Dark Knight Rises, when Bane sets his hand on that snobby rich guy’s shoulder and says,
“Do you feel in charge?” No, Bane, I absolutely do not. Now excuse me while I faint. I do have a line that I’ve always loved from a book, though, which I know is a cheating answer but, hey, it’s my interview! In Dead Man’s Steel by Luke Scull, one of our protagonists is reflecting on the perspective of life and says, “Hell is defined by the limits of imagination—and imagination is defined through the limits of experience. True hell cannot be known until it has been lived.” I think there’s some power in that line, and it’s always stuck with me.
14. Do you have any hidden or uncommon talents?
Last time I checked I can chug a bottle of water in less than four seconds. If that’s not a hidden talent, I don’t know what is.
15. Last question, which book (excluding yours) do you recommend everyone to read before he or she dies?
So many. I can’t limit the amount of great stories I’ve read, but here are a few that have, and always will, stick with me. The first would be Best Served Cold by the infamous Joe Abercrombie. I’m a huge advocate for revenge stories, and this just blew me away. Shivers is by far the best fictional character I’ve had the pleasure to read about. Would I get a beer with him? Absolutely not. He’s scary. But there’s no better friend I’d rely on to have my back. Obviously, anything Riyria by Michael J. Sullivan. The character arcs and threaded plots are fantastically done, and Royce, Hadrian, and the rest of the gang are just plain awesome. I couldn’t get enough. The Faithful and the Fallen series by John Gwynn. What an absolute masterpiece! One of the best epic fantasy series I have ever read. And, of course, I think everyone needs a bit of Wax and Wayne from Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn saga. A perfect blend of just about everything fantasy can offer.
