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A Hero’s Journey
“The Imposed Path” is an electrifying tale of a small-town girl, Emma, who, along with her allies, must transform from battling school bullies to saving Earth from a relentless cosmic threat while navigating love and loss. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
A: The primary focus of The Imposed Path, and the entire series is the physical and emotional impact of being a hero. I wanted it to have a realistic feel to a heroes journey. Most stories show the hero experiencing really traumatic incidents, but they are fine after, or have a brief emotional experience. I’m sorry but seeing dead people, almost dying repeatedly, having to take a life; those stick with people, and will change them. My characters experience a wide range of some really intense scenes, especially since they are young. I give them a couple nicer experiences where they save people in the beginning. But Chapter 9: Reality; that chapter sets the tone that this is not your typical superhero story. I love when stories of any kind touch on these subjects, and I wanted to make it the focus of my story.
Your protagonist, Emma, goes through a massive transformation. Can you explain the inspiration behind her character development and the journey she undertakes?
A: Emma, is a very unique girl; who has parts of me, my kids, and others all mixed in. I can’t say that there is any real single inspiration; she was the character I decided to tell the story through. I am very attached to her; and I find myself thinking about her character a lot, even when I am not actively writing. I do feel really bad for her also, because of the focus of the series; she endures so much. The Imposed Path is probably the easiest on her in the series. I tell my family and friends I am not nice to my characters; and Emma is at the center of it. I get emotional writing parts of her life. The moment you meet her she is burying her father. She moves to a small town, can’t enjoy her only hobby, and sticks out like a sore thumb. I give her Natalie, which is completely new to her. She never thought she would like a girl; but the way I wrote it, was the way she had envisioned finding love. But even that relationship brings her new kinds of hardships. Then they get their powers and find out they are supposed to save the world and universe. I have sat at my computer and thought, ‘Can I really do this to her?’ when I am writing a scene. She will carry these incidents with her throughout the series. Everything I put her and the others through have long lasting effects, that will pop up throughout the series. I know there are some sensitive subjects in this book, but they are not for shock and awe purposes; they all have a purpose and have an impact on my characters development. Emma is what I believe a real person would experience, if faced with everything thrown at her.
The novel has a unique blend of personal struggle, alien invasion, and teenage romance. How did you balance these diverse elements to maintain the narrative’s pace and coherence?
A: I think because of the focus of the book, these all blend together naturally. To show the impact of the alien invasions, superpowered enemies, the worst of human nature; the personal struggles prior/during/after are the focus. The romance piece is her greatest tool to deal with them, along with her family and friends. The action and drama sequences are awesome; but the real story is what happens around those sequences. The story puts six girls with powers on the front line of a cosmic war. All the Gem Keepers before them had died fighting this war. That is an unimaginable weight on their shoulders, and I try my best to have my readers feel it.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
A: Currently I am getting the second book in the series, “Tribulations”, ready for release. It is with my editor, and the book cover is almost complete. Hopefully it will be published either September or October. The third book is drafted, and I am halfway done with the fourth.
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My name is Emma, and this is my life now. I remember tales about heroes as a kid; full of excitement and fantasy endings. But those are just stories. When I got my powers they seemed exciting and fun; but then reality hit. Cosmic war, invading alien fleets, and the Stone Keepers; these are my reality. Those, and other atrocities caused by our own species, overshadow the hero’s path. Atrocities I’m compelled to act upon, which leave everlasting scars – others can’t see. Myself, my partner, and my new friends, are the latest chosen as Gem Keepers. All of the Gem Keepers before us have fallen to a powerful evil. Now, Earth is thrust into a timeless war, against an unimaginable enemy. We must somehow unite our world, or it will all be lost. The ones I love, those who bring me a sense of happiness, will perish. I refuse to let this happen.
So call me a Hero, call me whatever you want. Just understand this was an Imposed Path, and it’s just the beginning.
The Imposed Path is the first book in the Gem Keepers Saga. It follows Emma through her eyes, as she and her new friends are forced into a cosmic war. Powerful enemies, invading alien fleets, and the dark side of human nature; is what she must face. Emma’s new found love, and friendships; will be her strongest tools in overcoming these challenges. This series will dive into the dark aftermath of Emma’s many experiences – the physical and emotional impact of being a hero. Pain, sorrow, and terror fill this journey; will love and friendship be enough. How much can a hero endure? Will she be able to keep her promise to the one she loves, and Never Let Go.
The Imposed Path, The Gem Keepers Saga Book 1
With the arrival of The Stone Keepers, a formidable and potent force that seeks out their enemies with relentless determination, the stakes have never been higher. Their latest objective: Earth. The protagonist of Timothy M. David’s novel, The Imposed Path, is young Emma, a girl grappling with her father’s loss and the isolating circumstances of her small-town existence. Her comforting anchors are her mother and newfound love, Natalie. Yet, life has more in store for her; she is tasked with the enormous responsibility of either saving her world or witnessing the annihilation of all she cherishes. This novel is a riveting, action-filled saga that takes readers through Emma and Natalie’s transformation from dealing with high school bullies to becoming the universe’s saviors.
David’s storytelling prowess shines through in his creation of an engaging and diverse ensemble of characters. Each member of the six central figures, the Gem Keepers, is imbued with their own distinct traits and characteristics, making their interactions and dialogues genuinely pleasurable to follow. The universe of the Gem Keepers is richly textured, filled with intriguing lore and complex world-building. However, there are moments when the sheer volume of information can be daunting. Readers might find themselves struggling occasionally to assimilate the intricate details while keeping pace with the rapidly evolving plot. It’s worth highlighting David’s admirable endeavor to include LGBT+ themes in his narrative – a gesture still relatively uncommon within the science fiction genre. The novel not only welcomes queer readers but also acknowledges and celebrates their identity.
The Imposed Path is an excellent choice for aficionados of science fiction who appreciate fresh and broad-ranging concepts. While those new to the genre might find it initially challenging to fully immerse themselves in this carefully crafted universe, the endeavor is rewarding. Despite instances where the characters’ emotions felt somewhat superficial and disconnected, the overall reading journey was an immensely enjoyable one. It has left me eagerly awaiting the opportunity to delve into David’s future works.
Pages: 432 | ASIN: B0C2M2J2J7
LITERARY TITAN 