Sunday, April 13, 2014

Author Interview: Dean F Wilson: The Call of Agon: TAP Educational Award Winner from Trinity College Dublin

He was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1987. He started writing at age 11, when he began his first (unpublished) novel, entitled The Power Source. He won a TAP Educational Award from Trinity College Dublin for an early draft of The Call of Agon (then called Protos Mythos) in 2001.

He has published a number of poems and short stories over the years, while working on and reworking some of his many novels. The Call of Agon is his first published novel.

Dean also works as a journalist, primarily in the field of technology. He has written for TechEye, Thinq, V3, VR-Zone, ITProPortal, TechRadar Pro and The Inquirer.

Thanks Dean F. Wilson for accepting this invitation and sparing out your valuable time for answering below questions. Welcome onboard!

Your real name and pen name?
Dean F. Wilson. Some people ask what the F. stands for. It's Francis.

Please share some of the best memories of your childhood.
I think the best memories of my childhood are most of the times I spent with my sister, from playing in sand dunes to playing tennis, from giggling at nothing to discussing all manner of things.

About your education:
I had a typical public school education in Ireland. After that I tried Animation Drawing Studies, discovered it really wasn't for me (lots of drawing circles), and then did Audio Visual Media. In the end, however, I pursued a career doing what I always wanted to do: write.

What career did you plan during your education days?
I really wasn't sure what I was going to do throughout college. I have a wide range of interests, and I'm always curious about trying new things, but ultimately writing was what I felt compelled to do. It was simply a matter of finding out how to get paid to do it.

What languages you can speak and write?
English, Irish, German, and Hebrew.

What is your biggest source of inspiration in life?
I don't think there's one single source of inspiration for me. I am inspired by the basic humanity of most people, by art, music, and literature, and by a belief in something greater than us.

What hurts you most in this world?
The behaviour of some people, who show pettiness, vindictiveness, or downright evil. That said, I always make sure to recognise that while people like this exist, there are many others who do good deeds, and sometimes they go unnoticed.

What is your favorite genre and why?
Fantasy, because it allows both the writer and reader to explore things he or she could not otherwise explore, from the most outlandish to the most mundane. In fantasy we get to experience the lives of others vicariously, so the genre offers an escape from reality, while also letting us experience reality more fully, since difficult issues can be dealt with in fantastical ways. It is also possible to communicate on multiple levels, from the surface storyline to the deeper layers of symbolism beneath. In this way fantasy is the modern day continuation of ancient mythology.

When did you start writing?
I started writing when I was around 11. Initially I began a film script, but I quickly shifted to the medium of the novel. I was always very curious about language and storytelling, so I think this was a natural development for me.

What is the purpose of your writing?
My writing is intended to first and foremost tell a story, and thus be entertaining. Beyond that, however, there is usually a message, or multiple messages. Sometimes it might be as simple as “don't give up,” but things like that often have to be communicated on a different level if they are to be truly meaningful.

Which of your work has been published so far? Would you like to share a synopsis of your work?
Two of my novels have been published so far, The Call of Agon and The Road to Rebirth. They are both part of the Children of Telm series, which follows the story of Ifferon, one of the last in the bloodline of the dead god Telm, who imprisoned Agon in the Underworld with his dying breath. Ifferon has attempted to hide away from his duty to ensure that Agon does not escape his bonds, but certain incidents leave him with little choice—and so the story begins.

What are your forthcoming writings?
The third novel of the Children of Telm series is currently in the works. It will resolve the story of the first two books. I also plan to delve further into the world of Iraldas I created for these books, as well as a new world I created for another series also in the works.

What four top most things you take care of while writing a book?
In no particular order: character development, world immersion, suspense/tension, and a compelling story.

Your dream destination on Earth?
At the moment I am happy to live in Ireland, but I certainly would love to see more of the world, particularly locations with a rich history and intriguing mythologies.

Your favorite time of the day? Night.

Your zodiac/sunsign? Gemini.

Your favorite color and why? Blue. It is vibrant and deep.

Your favorite book and why? I have a hard time choosing a favourite book, as it largely depends on my mood. I do, however, love Tolkien, the Gormenghast trilogy, and Charles Dickens. I am on a bit of a Dickens reading binge at the moment.

Your favorite celebrity and why? Probably Joseph Gordon-Levitt. He has proven to be consistently talented, and has a lot of potential.

Your favorite food? I like variety, so it could shift from Chinese to Italian to bog standard Irish cuisine. I like flavour and sauces. I generally dislike dry or overly plain food.
Sun or Moon: Moon
Laughter or Smile: Laughter
Morning or Evening: Evening
Coffee or Tea: Tea
Mountain or Sea: Mountain
Long Drive or Short Drive: Short Drive
Silence or Conversation: Conversation
Water or Fire: Fire
Air or Earth: Air
Mars or Jupiter: Jupiter
Tulip or Rose: Rose
Red or Blue: Blue
Left or Right: Left
Glance or Stare: Glance

What three words come to your mind for each -
Technology: Advancement, Helpful, Essential.
Life: Growth, Potential, Wonder.
God: Unknowable, Indescribable, Illimitable.
Humanity: Divided, Good, Evil.
Terrorism: Insanity, Apathy, War.
Racism: Illogical, Damaging, Learned.
Childhood Abuse: Horrific, Scarring, Soul-destroying.
Love: Open, Embrace, Vulnerability.
Parenting: Gift, Learning, Nurturing.
Old age: Wisdom, Achievement, Guidance.

The last line of your autobiography would be...
“He achieved all of his goals, and more, and he will be remembered for all that he contributed to the world, through his life and his works.”

Links:

The Call of Agon: http://amzn.to/WSLRmt

The Road to Rebirth: http://amzn.to/L8ub4k

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