Mike Taylor
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
Mr. Sullivan, I happened on First Empire as my beginning into your world and am just gobsmacked. Your characters are so flawed, and interesting. I mean that in the best way. I just love the variations on a theme, your writing style (including release dates THANK YOU!). What are your favorites in the genre? btw, as a history teacher I identify with Malcolm way more than I should!
Michael J. Sullivan
Hey Mike, Thanks so much for the very kind words. I'm so glad you are enjoying the Legends of the First Empire series. As for my favorites in the genre - they generally have a deep emotional connection to my path of becoming an author.
Tolkien's Lord of the Rings - was the second book I ever read, and not only did it turn me into a lifelong reader, but it made me want to be an author. When I was just 9 or 10 I started writing a sequel to this tale (more of fanfic really) before I realized that was a dumb idea, so I started writing down my own invented stories.
Richard Adam's Watership Down was a book I recommended to a 17-year-old girl who used to come to my Friday night Dungeons and Dragons sessions. Yes, I was the DM. I ended up "dropping by her house late at night as she was known to stay up late studying and we bonded over that book and then she introduced me to the Stand, which we also talked late into the nights about. As of June 2nd of this year, we've now been together for 40 years with is 67% of my entire life. I'm not sure what I did for the first 33% when Robin wasn't by my side.
J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter was something I picked up for my 13-year-old dyslexic daughter who was having problems with reading. I started reading it with her and remembered how fun a great fantasy tale with characters you love and would like to have as your friends could be. At the time, I had left writing for more than a decade after writing (and failing) with my first 13 novels. But, reading Harry Potter, made me break my vow of never writing creatively again and hence my 14th book (The Crown Conspiracy) was penned and later published. The "publishing" part had nothing to do with me. You see, when I started writing again, it was on the condition that I wouldn't seek publishing (which was just too painful). After reading the third book of my series, my wife (see #2 above) made it her mission to get the books "out there." It's been over 12 years now since the release of that first book and 19 books later, I still have more stories to tell!
Tolkien's Lord of the Rings - was the second book I ever read, and not only did it turn me into a lifelong reader, but it made me want to be an author. When I was just 9 or 10 I started writing a sequel to this tale (more of fanfic really) before I realized that was a dumb idea, so I started writing down my own invented stories.
Richard Adam's Watership Down was a book I recommended to a 17-year-old girl who used to come to my Friday night Dungeons and Dragons sessions. Yes, I was the DM. I ended up "dropping by her house late at night as she was known to stay up late studying and we bonded over that book and then she introduced me to the Stand, which we also talked late into the nights about. As of June 2nd of this year, we've now been together for 40 years with is 67% of my entire life. I'm not sure what I did for the first 33% when Robin wasn't by my side.
J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter was something I picked up for my 13-year-old dyslexic daughter who was having problems with reading. I started reading it with her and remembered how fun a great fantasy tale with characters you love and would like to have as your friends could be. At the time, I had left writing for more than a decade after writing (and failing) with my first 13 novels. But, reading Harry Potter, made me break my vow of never writing creatively again and hence my 14th book (The Crown Conspiracy) was penned and later published. The "publishing" part had nothing to do with me. You see, when I started writing again, it was on the condition that I wouldn't seek publishing (which was just too painful). After reading the third book of my series, my wife (see #2 above) made it her mission to get the books "out there." It's been over 12 years now since the release of that first book and 19 books later, I still have more stories to tell!
More Answered Questions
Trine Lise
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
Hi Michael :) As a mythology-buff, I wanted to ask a few questions about the gods of Elan. Were you inspired by any mythologies when you made the creation story and deities, did you simply develop it to fit the story or was it primarily based on the redemption theme the Riyria books have? And, if it’s not considered some sort of spoiler, did Erebus ever manage to collect all the feathers and be forgiven by Muriel?
Jan
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
Hello Michael, the Riyria Chronicles are a blast, exactly what we needed to fill the void left in our hearts after finishing the Revelations. The latest book in the series, The Disappearance of Winter’s Daughter, was amazing and fun. Can you give us an update on the next book in the series – Drumindor? Can’t wait to read more! Thank you so much and cheers from the middle of Europe.
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