A Chat With Guest Author Nathaniel Danes

Nathaniel Danes is the author of The Last Hero trilogy from Solstice Publishing. The first book enjoys quite a following. I was privileged to get an interview with Nathaniel now that his second book The Last Revenge is out.

Thanks for joining us, Nathaniel. Let me ask a few things about you first.
Q: Your website nathanieldanes.com shows that you and your family live in the D.C. area. Where are you from originally?

A: I am from a small town in north central Iowa. I grew up on the family farm 3 miles outside a town of 350 people. Here in the big city, folks are shocked to think people can survive in such small community, but it really is the best place to raise a family.

Q: The info says that you're mostly blind. This is like Beethoven writing music after he had gone deaf. What sort of condition is causing you to lose your vision?

A: It’s a genetic disorder affecting my retina, causing my light sensitive cells to die. It sucks, but thankfully there is some great research going on with gene therapies and other advances.

Q: As such, how does writing work?

A: Technology is the key. I have roughly 10 percent of my vision left, but I can still work with a computer screen because the letters are backlit and I can adjust the size. As it get worse, I will continue to adapt more tech to make up the difference. There are some really cool tools out there to help the blind and even high resolution artificial retinas that are going through the clinical trial phase of development.

I certainly hope for the best, and will pray that a treatment or tech aid helps you continue writing for as long as you live.
Q: What does your wife do?

A: She stays at home with our daughter who makes it a goal in her daily life to driver her mother completely batty.

Q: How does she put up with a man who spends a lot of time looking onto other worlds?

A: I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t an issue. She can get frustrated with me when I’m not talking. I’m not trying to ignore her, I’m just busy inside my own head imagining I’m somewhere far cooler. It really is an escape to create worlds where I don’t have any limitations.

Yes, that is an issue for a lot of authors with our spouses. We have to spend time in those other worlds and time in front of our keyboards to share what we've seen.
Q: What do you like to do with your free time?

A: Between my day job, family, and writing I really don’t have much time to spare. But when I can relax by myself, I like to read, watch TV and keep up on the latest NFL news.

Q: You admit you're a sci-fi junkie. Who are your favorite writers?

A: My favorite Sci-Fi book is The Forever War by Joe Haldeman. It's what got me to start writing my own. While that is my favorite book, I’m not into his other works. These days I am reading a lot of Vaughn Heppner, B.V. Larson and Jay Allan. They all have great modern science fiction series works underway. 
Q: You're writing a military science fiction trilogy- The Last Hero. Book 1 is named such and book two- The Last Revenge just came out. What's your military connection?

A: All I ever wanted to be while growing up was an Army officer, and I studied military history extensively to prepare myself for such a career. As you can guess, I was medically discharged from the service once my condition came to light. Those passions still run deep in me and my knowledge of military history impacts my imagination. I write what interests me so I write military science fiction.

Q: Are there any people you've honored by representing them as characters in the books?

A: Certainly, the most prominent one is my daughter.

Q: Authors use experiences to draw on for stories. That's why we have to get out and do some volunteer work and travelling and such. What experience helped you put something together in this story?

A: I’ve always had a very active imagination, allowing me to paint detailed new universes but they lacked heart and passion. The birth of my daughter was the most important event in my life that guides my writing. She taught me about true unconditional love and her presence in my life is what adds depth and meaning to my words.

Q: I read the sneak peek of The Last Revenge on your website. I'm going to ask you to give some details.

A: It picks up right where book 1 left off... One key difference from the first book is the darker tone it takes. Circumstances have sent Trent into the pit of his soul and a grimmer version of himself surfaces. Plot twists abound as well.

Q: The prologue opens with character Nathan York on another planet. I assume he's the protagonist?

A: That’s part of the plot twists in book 2. Nathan is a totally new addition to the series and helps add another layer to this universe. He plays a key role in book 2 and will again in book 3.

Q: How far out in space is this other star system?

A: You know, that is something I really haven’t given much thought to. The series takes place in a universe without an FLT drive but ships can jump to distant points in space through dark matter gates which naturally occur at various spots. It can take weeks, months or years to get from gate to gate and those are the distance/time references I focus on as once there, the distance of the star system isn’t really relevant.

Q: The opening shows earth people working to discover the technology left behind by an advanced alien civilization. Is this a race that has since perished?

A: Now I can’t go too far into that here without entering into dangerous spoiler territory. Let's just say, yes and no. How’s that for a direct answer?

Q: That's as evasive as a starship pilot's defensive maneuvers. But about these aliens, do your heroes, or villains, encounter any? 
A: Absolutely, there are three races in this universe; humans, bearcats (a warrior race) and kitrights (a race of pacifists)

Q: Now for my discerning readers. I ran across the "A" word a couple of times in the first two chapters. I'm sure you want to reflect reality in the way enlisted people speak to each other. What's the language like throughout the book?

A: I’d say pretty tame. It is a military sci-fi novel so there are a few f-bombs here and there as one comes across in every day life. I make it a point though to just do enough to make it real, I don’t want to make my readers feel uncomfortable.

Q: York mentions making a conquest of his escort to the work facility. Are there any sex scenes?

A: Yes, but again tame. I don’t go into graphic details, nothing remotely close to what one would consider erotic.

Q: In chapter 1 we find Trent at a funeral. Was the relationship with the deceased important in book 1, The Last Hero?

A: That relationship was the cornerstone of book 1. The loss rocked him to the core.

Q: The Last Revenge is the second book in the trilogy. Now that it's out, how long do we have to wait for the third?

A: I am 2/3 through with the first draft of book 3. I’m aiming for a realistic release date sometime in January.

Q: Without giving away important story facts, is there anything you can tell us to look forward to in the third book?

A: Action, action and more action. It will have by far the most action of the three. The battle to save the galaxy will play out in climatic fashion.

Jonra: Well then, anyone who hasn't read the first book The Last Hero has plenty of reason to grab a copy of that before getting into your current release The Last Revenge. We'll certainly look forward to your third book in the new year.

Nathaniel: I hope folks will give the series a shot. It has something for everyone. Battle scenes keep this interesting and lively, but there really is an emotional core to the series that has impressed several female reviewers.
Jonra: That's great. Here's a link to both books on your website I wish you the best of success with book 2. Thank you again for being a guest on JonraSprings.com. We hope to hear from you in the future.And thank you for dropping in - Jonra Springs