Today I'd like to welcome D.L. Jordan, author of “The Erlonan Tales: The Curse of Imperia” to The Thursday Interview. Before we get started, a quick intro!
Dominique Langston Jordan is the author of Teen Help and Information, and The Erlonan Tales series. As a graduate of East Georgia State College and Georgia Southern University, he is an educator working in today's school system who believes in the future of young people. Imagination is the key to a wonderful future and that idea is something he instils in the minds of his students every day. He has always loved the craft of writing! Knowing that lives can be greatly impacted by a few carefully chosen words in a book, article, etc., is truly a wonderful thing!
OK - HERE WE GO !!
1.) Would you break the law to save a loved one? ... why?
Absolutely! When our loved ones are in any sort of trouble, I believe it's just a natural instinct to protect them in any way we can. There is an old adage that says, "Blood is thicker than water", which essentially means that we're supposed to be most loyal to those who are related to us. Do I believe it is right to break the law? No. Do I think we must suffer the consequences that come with not abiding by the laws that govern our lives? Certainly. However, I can see how it would be possible not to adhere to the law in order to protect those who mean the most to us.
2.) What is the difference between being alive and truly living?
In my opinion, being alive means not living life to the fullest. It's living everyday in a pessimistic funk and not treating everyone around you, and yourself, with the utmost kindness, love, and respect. Truly living is the complete opposite of that. Truly living means experiencing everything life has to offer. It's living in the moment and having hope in the possibility that tomorrow will be better.
3.) What motivates you to write?
Knowing that people will be motivated or inspired by what I have written motivates me. The whole reason why I loved reading when I was younger was the fact that the words in a book transported me to different worlds that were so different from my own. Books stimulate our minds and encourage our imaginations, and that's all because of the words on each and every page. Those words, ultimately, came from the mind of the author. That is what motivates me to write. As writers, our words have the power to either create or destroy. I simply choose to create.
4.) Why do humans want children?
There are a myriad of reasons why people would want children. I work in education, so I've been around young people enough to know that they can be angelic, caring, and mischievous all at once. However, I believe humans want children simply because most people have a need to procreate in order to "leave a legacy" for the future. They want to leave a piece of themselves that will endure in their children even after they are gone. By having children, or even adopting a child, I believe some people have a need to say to the world "Look what I've done". Also, I believe they simply want to care for and nurture children. As far as adoption goes, I think it's very noble for someone who has the means to do so to want to care for a child. All any child ever really wants is someone who will love them and let them know that they're special, and that people care about them. I don't think that's wrong.
5.) What was the biggest challenge in creating your book "The Erlonan Tales: The Curse of Imperia"?
While I was creating my latest book, The Erlonan Tales: The Curse of Imperia, the biggest challenge was how I would continue the story of the protagonist - Dean Richardson, who is a young African-American teen proclaiming his destiny in the mythical world of Erlon after he was taken from his own world when he was younger. The Curse of Imperia is the third book in my Erlonan Tales series and I was really trying to find a new challenge for Dean to face. Throughout the series, I've made the poor guy fight giant monsters, nearly fall off a cliff, solve riddles, and swim for his life. Those are some instances of the many adventures and confrontations he's had. After a while, you have to really get creative and "keep the fire going" as they say.
6.) What is the most important thing you have learned in life so far?
Never give up! It's taken me such a long time to realize my dreams as a writer and to figure out just what I wanted to do with my life. I'm not saying I'm perfect or that I'm a finished product, because that would be a lie. No one is perfect and no one is a finished product. We're all still learning new things on this journey called life every single day. I've faced many obstacles in my life, too many to name, that have made me want to give up on myself and my dreams. But I continued to remain hopeful and strong because I always believed that I deserved better than that. I also prayed and, to me, that has a lot to do with my strength as a human being as well. I never gave up on myself or my dreams. This thing called life is like a race - if you fall down and decide to stay down, then you've already lost. The only way to finish the race is to get up and keep on going, no matter what!
7.) How did you come up with the title "The Curse of Imperia"?
I wanted the main character Dean Richardson to face a new challenge. Throughout the series, he's had to face the maniacal tactics of a relentless villain named Xanire. I have a lot of strong, positive female characters in the novels and I thought it would be a fun change for once to have a female villain who was just as ruthless, if not more, than the evil Xanire. Imperia shakes things up in a big way, but you'll have to read the book when it comes out on July 7th to find out how!
8.) How do you handle personal criticism?
I don't let it get the best of me. You're always going to have "haters" no matter what you do. However, there's a difference in constructive criticism and criticism that's simply hateful. With constructive criticism I'll listen. But if it's hateful criticism, I just tune it out!
9.) Why should people read your book?
It's a VERY wild ride. Lots of twists and turns in this one that are very different from anything I've ever created for the characters in The Erlonan Tales series!
10.) Why is there something rather than nothing?
Something is very exciting! Nothing is boring. I'd rather have a lot of something than nothing at all!
Thank you Dominique :)
For taking the time to answer my questions
& the best of luck with your new book!
Chaos and uncertainty await Dean Richardson in this third instalment of The Erlonan Tales series!
In The Curse of Imperia, Yailon's future is in jeopardy once again - challenged by a domineering figure that threatens the city's future. This figure is named Imperia, and her wrath is unforgiving. As Dean and his cohorts continue to maintain peace in the city of Yailon, they are unaware of the danger being stirred in the jungles just beyond the city's borders. A new enemy named Imperia seeks to destroy the city of Yailon and its citizens, and she means to carry out her plan with the help of menacing and ancient creatures from the jungles. Also, the possible return of the evil Xanire looms over the city and the mysterious Imperia seeks to make sure he returns with a vengeance.
Can Dean and the Rulers of Yailon stop Imperia and her minions from carrying out her plans? Find out in this third instalment of The Erlonan Tales series!
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