Orphan’s Quest is a coming-of-age fantasy where a red-eyed orphan named Chip rises from obscurity to heroism, guided by pain, power, and the timeless lessons of inner strength. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

I originally wrote the first book for my children as a pure fantasy embedded with life lessons. Maxims or truths are best explained in the form of a story or parable. It became an Amazon fantasy bestseller in four countries (the U.S., the UK, Canada, and now India). I wrote it using simple names so you don’t have to learn High Elvish to understand. I wanted the emotional struggle to shine through. I have wanted to write a fantasy story ever since I read The Lord of the Rings at the age of eight. Terry Brooks’s The Sword of Shannara was another great inspiration from my childhood. My opening scene, where the orphan, Chip, is standing on the edge of the valley gazing at the kingdom below, is reminiscent of the opening of The Sword of Shannara. I have been influenced by Tolkien, Feist, Rowling, Jordan, Eddings, and Goodkind, among others. I desired a classic, pure fantasy from the old days, using all the tropes (themes). Some authors want to change the tropes, but for me, the idea of a spurned orphan rising to face an ancient evil is a classic tale that I love.

Chip is an intriguing and well-developed character. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?

Chip is the consummate underdog. Born with red eyes and abandoned at the gates of the small kingdom, he is immediately shunned for being different. This speaks to everyone who feels different, and we’ve all experienced it in some form or another. He starts with nothing, made worse by ostracization. His suffering is brutal, yet all problems can be overcome with the right mindset. Suffering can become a catalyst to personal growth if the “problems” are rephrased as “challenges.” There is even a point where his mentor, the weapons master, says people should thank everyone who wronged them, for that forces us to grow stronger. The story shows us that even the lowest among us can rise to the challenge and become our greatest heroes. The book can be inspirational, and I receive no greater joy than seeing someone else’s life improved. We are all in this together. Having said that, it is also an epic, action-packed fantasy full of magic and wonder. Many who read it say they cannot put it down. Each successive book becomes more immersive, and by the end, it will be longer than The Lord of the Rings.

What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?

I’ve included most of the classic fantasy tropes: a young protagonist who rises from nothing to try and save the world, a wise wizard, a mentor who teaches timeless lessons to the young boy searching for his place in the world, the budding romance between the orphan and the princess, the cruel king and prince, the medieval setting, the hidden magic, and the inevitable quest. Throughout it all, additional themes of personal growth emerge, including viewing life as a challenge, recognizing that freedom is a result of self-discipline, and, above all, never giving up.

What can readers expect in book two of The Great Forget Fantasy Series?

The first book is short and only 99 cents, allowing readers to see if it’s the right fit for them. It’s an introduction to the series, which gets progressively longer. Book two is a race by the main characters to warn the inept king of impending doom. An ancient evil has broken through its prison and is coming for the small kingdom that stands nearly defenceless against the evil hordes. Yet, nothing can prepare them for what is about to happen. Hang on for the ride!

Visit my website below for a free prequel short story (I recommend reading Orphan’s Quest first) and other gifts.

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