Some thoughts with … Aaron S. Jones
The Author/s
Aaron S. Jones
Born in the area of Birmingham that helped inspire Tolkien’s Middle Earth, Aaron S. Jones grew up with a love of fantasy. Inspired by his father’s interest in Lord of the Rings, Jones caught the fantasy bug and read anything he could get his hands on. Moving to the Middle East and beginning a teaching career, Jones experienced a different world away from the green of the UK and has been able to mix in his experiences around the world with the time he spends in other worlds to write his debut fantasy trilogy – THE BROKEN GODS which includes: FLAMES OF REBELLION, PATHS OF CHAOS, and END OF DAYS.
More recently, he has written HISTORIES FROM THE WORLD OF BROKEN GODS, and MEMORIES OF BLOOD AND SHADOW.
The Interview
1. What are your main sources of inspiration?
The main sources of inspiration: Books – The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss. The First Law trilogy by Joe Abercrombie. I started writing the book during the pandemic. I had just moved back to England from the Middle East and I was inspired by meeting so many amazing people and making friends in the Middle East. I wanted to write a book full of diverse characters as they struggle through tough times.
The Broken Gods trilogy was about people standing together and overcoming adversity. I find it more relevant today than ever. It is about the little guy standing up against those in power. The main theme of my books is finding people who you connect with and changing the world for the better.
2.- Is there any resemblance between Alfara and any real-world place?
Alfara is influenced by no single place. Alfara is a place of contradictions. There is love between people but it is a place that is warped by leaders who promote messages of hate and cause division within their city. Unfortunately, I see many places like this in the world. Nationalism causes division and hate of the ‘other’ and this is something that I was trying to critique in the book.
3.- What we can expect from Aaron S. Jones in the future?
I have four books on the go! The sequel to Memories of Blood and Shadow is being written which will surprise some people. I also have short stories from the world of Memories of Blood and Shadow ready for the end of the year. I have a couple of other books that are nearly complete. One is an orc murder mystery with a dwarf detective and the other is about a Prince who loses his kingdom and fights to regain his power.
I also have a grimdark book that I have just started writing that I am in love with...