Br. Benedict Dyar OSB Author Interview

The Flame of Telbyrin follows two elves on a thrilling quest to find out why the Flame of Telbyrin is going out. What served as your inspiration while writing this book?

As a young boy, I enjoyed the works of J.R.R. Tolkien and also many fantasy movies. The inspiration was mainly wanting to compose a story full of light with some light theological concepts and messages. As a Christian monk I value this and also believe that fantasy adventure can be a channel for these concepts.

The Elves, Orilin and his wife Larilyn, are intriguing and well developed characters. What were some driving ideals behind their development?

I’m flattered that Orilin and Larilyn were well liked. I must confess they are like my children! I love them and want to see them succeed. Some of the driving ideals behind Orilin were both the classic ideal of a fantasy hero and a troubled soul looking for redemption. Larilyn is my favorite character in the book. She is modeled off of the Biblical character of Ruth. “Where you go I go. Where you stay I stay.” I wanted to make it clear that Orilin and Larilyn love each other very much.

The mythos and in this world is deftly created. Was this designed before writing or did it develop organically while writing?

The design of the world of Telbyrin was mainly designed before writing. The character development was done as the story went on. The theology and mythos of Telbyrin was also improved on as the story went on.

What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?​

The next book: The Vicar of Telbyrin, will be the story of Orilin and Larilyn’s son. Hopefully it will be available for readers no later than early of next year.

Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon

The Eternal Flame of Telbyrin has existed since the foundation of the world. All the peoples of Telbyrin venerate it as the symbol of all creation’s prayers that go up to the Creator — all except the dreaded Meldron, a race hidden within the Mountains of Black with a supposed secret knowledge of dread power.

As two young married Elves make their way towards the Flame on annual pilgrimage, they discover that the Flame is going out. All of a sudden, these two Elves are caught up in an adventure of discovery of why the Flame of Telbyrin is going out and who or what may be behind it.