Last month, I participated in the hashtag #FantasyIndiesNovember on BlueSky. (BTW, if you haven’t checked me out on Bluesky, please do so. Get off Twitter while you still can and join us all in bluer skies!) The trending hashtag was created to help indie authors of fantasy like myself promote our work.
I decided to write two threads that month. One thread was for my current WIP, The Light Prince: Prelude to Destiny. The other thread was for my main novel, The Light Prince Grail.
Below are the answers I provided for my thread on The Light Prince: Grail. If any of these tidbits pique your interest, feel free to get your own copy of my book!
1. Introduce Yourself & Your WIP
My name is JC Alexandre (he/him). My debut novel is The Light Prince: Grail. It’s a portal fantasy about a girl who visits the magical world of Arden and learns to use the legendary sword Grail to defeat an ancient evil. (Trite, I know, but still fun!)
2. Snippet Saturday: The Beginning
You want a snippet of my debut #fantasy novel, The Light Prince: Grail? I can do you better. You can read the first two chapters on my website. Give it a read!
3. Who does your MC rely on?
My MC Amber relies on her mentor, Johanna the elf, for guidance, both through the world of Arden and in learning how to wield a sword.
Johanna is an unabashed “strong female character” in strength, personality, and faith. (What chuds call a “Mary Sue”!)
The best way for me to describe Johanna the elf is that she’s a lot like Galadriel from Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power, only if she were an original character and not ruining an already existing established character through her own existence. 😂
Okay, that remarks demands clarifying.
For the record, I do not hate Rings Of Power. And I do not hate the main female character. I think she’s rather cool. Real kickbutt!
I simply do not like her as Galadriel. Because she’s not Galadriel.
Really hope I didn’t tick off any LOTR: Rings Of Power fans out there.
Point being, if you like the female MC (not calling her Galadriel) from that series, you’ll like Johanna the elf from mine.
4. WIP Lore Fun Fact
Originally, The Light Prince: Grail was going to have two versions: one where the MC was a boy, and the other where they were a girl.
I decided to make them a girl because 1) less work for me, and 2) the fantasy genre has enough male MCs.
Also, originally, Amber was going to be a white girl with flaming red hair. (Think Merida from Brave.)
I decided to make her black because the fantasy genre has been whiter than crustless white bread in a blizzard for too long.
5. WIP Setting
The setting for all of my “Light Prince” books is the magical world of Arden.
Fun Fact: The name “Arden” was inspired by the Forest of Arden from Shakespeare’s play, As You Like It.
In the play, various characters find themselves traveling to the Forest of Arden.
During their stay there, they change as characters, and eventually return home, leaving the forest different than when they first arrived.
I read the play during my junior year of college for a class on Shakespeare. I was writing the rough draft of my story at the time.
I loved the symbolism of the forest so much that I used it for my fantasy setting: Arden.
6. Who Would Your MC Invite to a Feast?
Well, my MC is Amber. She’s not the real social type, especially after her move, and especially upon entering a strange fantasy world. So, she’s not really the person to invite anyone to a feast. She’d just eat with anyone if hungry.
7. Does Your MC See Themself as a Hero?
Does Amber see herself as a hero? No, she does not. She’s a rather reluctant hero. She’s terrified at the prospect of using a sword and having to fight an evil wizard. Fortunately, she has Johanna the elf to train her.
8. Favorite Writing Snack and Drink
Favorite snack: jalapeño potato chips and Sour Patch Kids.
Favorite drink: Mountain Dew Baja Blast
9. Snippet Saturday: Mistake
Partway through the first part of the book, Amber’s friend, Tyler, certainly allows his anger to get the best of him, and lashing out the way he did was a real mistake:
Tyler clenched his teeth as he watched the fire burn. He then eyed a large rock lying a few feet from him, and he climbed out of the dugout toward it.
Amber reached for his pant legs.
“No! What are you doing?” she hissed.
Tyler escaped Amber’s grip and ran to the rock. He bent to pick it up with both hands, then staggered toward the nearest goblin, raised the stone above his head, and dashed its skull. The creature shrieked and fell to the ground, dead.
The horde had barely left the gulley when they wheeled around to see Tyler standing over their fallen comrade, lying in a pool of blood. Their eyes blazed angrily at him. Lilith, likewise, glared at him in irritation, yet also in curious intrigue.
The young lad heaved with heavy breath, soon realizing the mistake he had made.
10. Words You Tend to Overuse
Now that I think about it, I do tend to have characters “raise” or “cock” an eyebrow as an action beat.
LOL!
Is there a better way to show a character expressing confusion?
11. Your Favorite Tropes
Tie between the “Moral Event Horizon” and “Save the Cat.”
The latter makes you root for the hero all the more, while the former makes you root for the hero to send the villain six feet under all the more.
12. Where Does Your MC Want to Travel?
My MC, Amber, has to travel across Arden to learn how to use Grail. She wants to travel back home to our real world, but she can’t do that without saving her sister, her friend, and Arden first.
13. How Does Your MC Make a Tough Choice?
Amber has to learn to use the magic sword Grail by having faith in herself, her new friends, and in something greater than herself. Essentially, her character arc is about overcoming her self doubt and having faith.
14. Are You A Plotter, Pantser, or Plantser?
“Plantser” is the best way to describe me.
I have a vague idea of what happens from start to finish in my stories, but I never write an outline. Instead, I follow the outline in my head and flesh it out on the page.
15. Post a Selfie with Your Book
Here’s the author pic from the back of my book:
16. Snippet Saturday: Journey
Here’s a selection from my novel where my MC, Amber, and her new fairy friend, Fiona, rides the pegasus Hermes for the first time:
Hermes sat on his rump as Amber approached. She carefully
climbed onto his back. Once astride, Hermes stood upright.
Amber leaned forward and clasped her hands onto his neck and her knees against his side. Fiona flew to her friend and sat on her shoulder. Hermes trotted around the glade, then galloped forward before leaping into the air, flapping his wings, and taking flight.
Amber closed her eyes. Fiona tugged on her collar.
“You need to open your eyes to see the view,” she said. “It’s beautiful. Trust me!”
Amber pried her eyes open to a squint. The majestic land
scape sprawled beneath them as Hermes soared high above the treetops. Her eyes opened wide, the scenery was captivating.
Amber was enthralled yet frightened. She clung tightly to her steed’s neck and clasped her knees against his side, and yet she remained ensorcelled.
Hermes soared, his wings spread wide, tilting ever so slightly with the air current. He flapped his wings every so often to gain altitude and speed. As he flew, the land below rose and sank like waves upon the ocean.
17. Transportation in WIP
Normally, the characters travel on foot. They also fly on a pegasus. And halfway through, they travel by wagon in a caravan of refugees.
18. What Do You Hope to Read and Write before the End of the Year?
Fingers crossed, I hope to finish up Volume 3 of Prelude to Destiny, though that’s not a guarantee. I hope to have that book published sometime next year. 🤞
As to what I want to finish reading by the end of the year? Honestly? I started reading the first few chapters of Mere Christianity by CS Lewis last month, but never finished it. Should probably do that.
19. Do You Listen to Music While You Write?
Yes, I do. Depends on what I’m writing. Usually, when I write fantasy, I focus on fantasy-inspired music.
I especially love the music created by Derek & Brandon Fiechter. So enchanting!
But my favorite instrumental music has to be from Kingdom Hearts.
Seriously, name a video game with a better OST. I’ll wait.
20. MC’s Favorite Place
Honestly, my MC Amber doesn’t have a favorite place, either in Arden or in the real world.
She used to live in NYC, but her family had to move to rural Virginia. She misses the Big Apple.
21. What Are Your WIP’s Subgenres?
The Light Prince: Grail is a portal fantasy novel in the same vein as Narnia.
No, that doesn’t make it an Isekai because Isekai is a Japanese term for Japanese media and my novel isn’t Japanese. LOL!
22. Favorite Adventure Movies/TV Shows
Favorite show? Avatar: The Last Airbender. Hands down.
I’d be more shocked if another millennial-aged fantasy writer wasn’t somewhat inspired by Avatar, or at least hadn’t seen it.
It’s so influential and good!
Yes, I did watch the live-action Netflix show. I stopped halfway though cause, like…
…this ain’t it chief! It just ain’t. 🤦♂️
23. Snippet Saturday: Thankful
24. Shout Out an Indie with a Book Releasing Soon!
Sorry, but I’m going to have to skip 23 and 24 because I can’t think of many good selections where my characters are thankful, and I don’t know any indie authors with books coming out soon.
Again, sorry.
25. How Have Your Characters Changed?
Amber certainly changes a lot in the book. She starts off from being a timid teenager who balks at the idea of being a “chosen one” to overcoming her fear and self doubt.
26. MC Bucket List
Not sure Amber has a bucket list. She’s only 15 years old. She has her entire life ahead of her.
Maybe one wish she has is to be able to visit her hometown of NYC again. Even if it’s just for a visit.
27. Why Do Your Characters Need Therapy?
Well, Amber certainly needs therapy. Her mother died and she had to move away from her home in NYC.
Oh, and she has to fight against an evil wizard to save a magical fantasy world. That would require therapy, too.
28. What Are You And Your Characters Grateful For?
If Amber is grateful for anything, it’s having someone like Johanna the elf to help her through the magical world of Arden and to train her to use a sword.
29. Free Friday
For Free Friday, I’d like to share this particular passage from one of the later chapters, where a character argues for why free trade and immigrants are good, actually.
I…feel it’s especially relevant now:
“What people can assume to achieve greatness on their own without the cooperation of any one else? No one person or one people is an island in and of themselves. They cannot expect to provide for themselves on their own. For they are all part of a much larger world, and they must cooperate with the other people in it to achieve their desired goals. Only through trade with others can they seek to be great.”
“Indeed. Our world is great because we embrace each other and cooperate with one another. I’m afraid I cannot say the same about your world and its people. From what little you have told me, I can only assume they are barbarians. Only fools build walls where wise men build bridges. That is what has made us great, that is what makes everyone great, and your people and world would be wise to consider that.”
I’d also share this passage from an earlier chapter, where a character argues why helping refugees is a good thing, actually.
Again, it’s something that feels especially relevant now:
Amber turned to Johanna. “How do you know the people of the city will welcome you?”
“Because,” Johanna replied, “only a heartless and cruel city would deny sanctuary to those whose lives have been uprooted by war, disaster, and catastrophe. No civilization that turns away refugees deserves to be called such because turning away refugees is uncivilized.”
30. Monthly Wrap Up
And to wrap up, allow me to share the preface, which presents two quotes that underline the story’s overall theme:
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. – Hebrews 11:1
Faith has to do with things that are not seen, and hope with things that are not in hand. – Thomas Aquinas
Anyway, if you’re interested, The Light Prince: Grail is available on Amazon in paperback and e-book.
J.C. Alexandre 