Author Interview with Herman P. Hunter

Today I’m switching things up a bit to share an interview with the up-and-coming Christian fantasy author, Herman P. Hunter.

Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

A:

It’s a bit ironic that I’ve become an author. I was never much into reading. Looking back, it may have been my undiagnosed autism and attention deficit disorder that were the prime causes for this. In addition to being extremely uncomfortable in social situations, I have some pretty deep issues with communications. Verbal communication then, as now, is difficult at best. In mt youth, reading was hampered by an innate boredom and a mind whose thoughts could go off onto deep tangents with the slightest of stimuli. Even now, I contend with these issues, though my ability to write is unhindered by these apparent deficits of my nature.

Public school was a struggle. My siblings were A-students. I was a C-student at best. While my siblings went to college, I went to vocational school, eventually moving up into community college. It was in community college where I actually learned how to write. And when I finally understood the fundamentals of the English language, it was as if a switch just suddenly flipped on.

It was the birth of my oldest son where I discovered that I may have been autistic. He, like I, suffered from the same social and communicative issues. He was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome (a high-functioning flavor of autism) and attention hyperactive deficit disorder. It was then that I realized why I was the way I was.

Where I floundered in the public educational system, I exceled in vocational training, and eventually college. While it took many years, interrupted by a diagnosis of cancer in my mid twenties, I obtained an Associates Degree. During this time, I worked for a while in the field of electronics, moving – at one point – into the field of Computer Science, where I remain today. It was during that time I got the writing bug.

Q: When did you decide you wanted to be a writer?

A:

It started when, about ten years into my software career, I started writing articles about software development. This led to a book deal (a book which is long out of print). That’s what got me hooked.

To be frank, I really didn’t want to make a career or a sideline out of writing about software. Technology changes too quickly and – like the software I write – doesn’t have much of a legacy. I was always attracted to Science Fiction and Fantasy. So, I tried my hand at writing a fantasy story. It was fun, but the story itself was awful. It has been long since deleted.

The seed of the story, based on Tolkien’s Beren and Luthien, did not really go away. I eventually used it as a foundation for a character named “Frankie.”

Now that my first book is published – The Revenant and the Tomb – and another one is near release – The Wizard’s Stone – I find that I’ve fallen in love with both writing and production.

Q: What makes your story/s unique?

A:

I don’t think my stories are unique. I’m sure others have written the same tales, albeit with different characters and different settings. If they differ in any way, it is because of my distinct literary voice, and my view of human experience.

If there is anything unique about my works, it is that I do not view them as others view them.

I only write stories that I want to read. I try to blend language, Christianity, and the long forgotten Romantic Fantasy of the past. Not the “romantic” that conjures Fabio riding on a white stallion, sword in hand. Fiction from the Romantic era – Lewis, Tolkien, Wells, and the like. It’s something that I feel is lost in today’s current offerings.

Those that have read my works praise my descriptions, as well as my ability to immerse the reader in the story. One even praised my “elevated use of language,” while giving me a 2-star rating. Yes, I was scratching my head at that one…

The reviews for The Revenant and the Tomb say it all, though I will say that I don’t truly understand the immersion aspect. I write what I write, detailing images from my head, later making sure the language and the presentation are to my liking. Now that I know what people like, I find myself obsessing over providing the same experience in my follow-up book.

If there are other ingredients to this alchemical mixture, they are Christian philosophy and a dark, unfiltered look at evil. Some have described my work as dark and gritty. I see these as horror elements bound into a Fantasy tale. My view is – and probably always will be – that if you are going to talk about good and evil, you had best illustrate (to the best of your ability) what those concepts truly are. Good isn’t always someone who is well mannered and polite. Nor are people with firm understandings of good and evil always someone you’d want to have over for tea (or beers, depending on your frame of mind). Good stands against corruption and menace, often taking hits while still moving ahead. Evil is corrupt, filthy, rebellious, perverse, pitiless, and vile. When they meet, it’s isn’t always a genteel Moriarty and Holmes battle of wits. To take up the Cross sometimes means staring into the abyss. So it is, I strive to contrast good and evil with bold, unflinching color.

Q: Who’s your favorite character (in your own work?)

A:

I really don’t have a “favorite character” outside of my work. Even now, try as I might, I can’t really think of one that I was able to relate to or identify with. Maybe Bilbo Baggins? I’m not 100% sure.

Inside my literary world, my absolute favorite is a character named Frankie. He was the first character I created for a series of books that are partially completed and have yet to be published. Frankie’s journey was the first book of fiction I actually completed and attempted to get published.

Frankie is one of those “Life’s losers,” who finds himself adrift in modern society. Circumstances, however, land him right smack-dab in the midst of an adventure, the likes of which he cannot fully comprehend.

Everything that I am writing and publishing now has connections to Frankie and his journey, in one form or another. His story is what I’m writing toward, though – hopefully – not the final destination.

Q: Who would enjoy reading your book?

A:

Anyone, really. There are semi-graphic descriptions of gore. I try to avoid sex and sensuality altogether. I strive for readers 16 and above.

I write what I’d want to read. I like action. I like horror. I’m a fan of people like J. R. R. Tolkien, Robert E. Howard, and H. P. Lovecraft. Think of my works as a blending of the three, with a little C. S. Lewis thrown in, and a good healthy dose of Old and New Testament to round out the formula.

Men seem more interested in my books than women, though my wife is my biggest fan. The beta readers for The Revenant and the Tomb were both women. There are a good number of “strong women” included in my stories, through it’s not heavy-handed. However, if you are looking for romance, my books ain’t it.

People who like old-timey Fantasy like that of Tolkien seem to be the biggest fans. While I try to provide happy endings for my characters, they are dragged through the mud until then. It’s not what I’d call light-hearted fare.

Q: What would you like readers to take away from your book?

A:

First, I want them to be entertained.

Second, with the exception of The Revenant and the Tomb, I usually include a message or two that I’m writing toward. The Revenant and the Tomb was just supposed to be a fun little adventure. Nothing heavy or introspective.

Third, that Christianity – and by extension, Judaism – are deeper than laws and prayers. In many ways, the characters I write about struggle with conflict between actions and beliefs, much like normal people do every day.

Q: What inspires you to write?

A:

I often say that I’ve been living in my own world for as long as I can remember. Writing allows me to make money from that.

(This is, of course, a joke.)

After reflecting on this question, I don’t think the answer I have is easily defined. I don’t have anything concrete to point to.

Like all writers, I have something to say. I weave moralistic elements into my stories, raise questions and sometimes answer them.

There are a number of elemental components that drive my writing: dreams, music, art. I’m a thinker and a dreamer in many regards. I was always fascinated by Dungeons and Dragons, as well as the Bible. Writing allows me to tap all of these things and mix them into a tangible product.

Ambition plays a part. I’ve always been ambitious and passionate about certain subjects. Ambition was and is one of the things that prods at me in my software career, driving me to take on large and more complex projects. Creating a fantasy world from scratch, writing, and producing books certainly fits that bill. I’ve definitely acquired a love of writing and all of the aspects of getting a book to market. Seeing the cover artwork for the first time. Feeling the rush I sometimes get when I’m on a roll, my fingers barely able to keep pace with the words flowing down from my head. Doing that last revision before I call the book complete. Seeing good reviews. This is a big part of what inspires me.

Having fans. Hearing their feedback. Hearing what they like and don’t like – that’s inspiring in itself. It lights a fire underneath me and forces me to create more stories.

Perhaps writing is what God always intended me to do? I’m not really sure. But using the gifts he has given me to their fullest extent always plays a part.

Perhaps one of these explanations is greater than the other, or maybe they are all equal? I’m not quite sure which.

To learn more about Herman Hunter or check out his books, you can find him on his website and Goodreads.