Some Thoughts with … Connor Jackson

Welcome to my favourite section of the blog, taking a time to talk with the authors. Today, we are accompanied by Connor Jackson, whose novel The Bindings of Woe has surprised md and whose future is promising.

Let’s dive in!

1.- The Bindings of Woe is your debut novel, why did you decide for the self-published route?

I wanted to have more control over my book and series. I didn’t want some traditional publishing agency taking the rights and leaving me with nothing, so I went self-publishing for now so that I own everything at the start, and can work from there.

2.- Which aspects of writing did you find more difficult to deal with?

The inspiration and motivation. I find it very hard to stay focused and motivated lots of the time. I want to write more often, but so often I feel in a bad mindset and can’t get myself creative or motivated to start.

3.- What inspired the world of Gaia?

My love of video games, fantasy, and history inspired Gaia. I wanted to make a story for video games for a long time, but realized I would be better at writing it than doing a game, and my love of history influenced a lot of the ideas for the book and the different cultures within.

4.- I find the nomenclature of places kinda classical, could you tell us a little bit more about the process of it?

I certainly went for a sort of classical approach. My favorite time period is the Ancient Roman Empire and early human civilizations like Greece and Persia, so I tried to have my names and places have a bit of style like that. But I also just went with names if I liked them too.

5.- Soreveigns are an interesting part of the novel, what could you tell us about them?

Without getting into spoilers, I can say that they are a powerful race who lord over the world with great authority and strength. If that leads to good or bad, you’ll have to read and find out.

6.- Which character became your favourite and why?

I can’t choose a favorite. I have a close connection with many of my characters, especially Carver, Helena, and Aellia.

7.- I didn’t expect how the focus shifted from Carver to Helena as long as the novel passes, was it intended?

Yes. I wanted Helena to have a lot to do in this book and not be a side character. Helena is an important and big character. She and Carver are a team in this book and I wanted to show that by giving her a lot of her own protagonist time.

8.- Aellia became my favourite character, due to how she has to balance between different forces, what inspired you to write her?

My inspiration for Aellia was that I wanted an antagonist who was interesting and complex. I wanted people to see her side and root for her at times, even though she is against Carver. It leaves people not knowing who they like more and giving two great characters to the book who work against each other.

9.- Finally, what we can expect of Connor Jackson in the future?

You can expect me to be active on Twitter and Goodreads with the writing community. I will also be working on the sequel to The Bindings of Woe, hopefully having it out in around 2 years.