An Interview with Debut Fantasy Novelist "Just B. Jordan"

Always on the lookout for a good fantasy book to read (for I consider myself a picky reader) Marcher Lord Press's feature on their new release caught my eye instantly. Never To Live by debut author Just B. Jordan (yep, a pen name, but we'll learn about that in the interview). First, here is a blurb for her novel to whet your appetites:

Imprisoned, Elwyn endures torture so horrific she drives herself insane to elude true madness. 

When she finally escapes, unless her broken mind is playing another cruel trick, she discovers she is turning into the monster she despises most of all.

If you love a good fantasy story, folks, you have got to try this one. I got the Kindle sample and now I am hooked. I am going to purchase a copy for my bookshelf.

I contacted the authoress, Jordan, and she graciously answered my interview questions. Here is the interview:

Thank you for taking my questions today! I found your novel Never to Live on Marcher Lord Press's website and my first thought was "Wow! A Christian Fantasy novel with a great cover that catches my eye!" I immediately downloaded the Kindle sample onto my iPad. Commendably, your prose is very solid and the story feels original rather than pieced together from well-known novels.

Q: What inspired you to write this story? And how long did it take you to finish the manuscript?

A: Initially it started with a scene in my head that I couldn't get off my mind, and it grew from there. I had always thought a lot about the bad life stories I heard others share and how it took forever for them to realize they didn't have to let their past shape them. Those stories stayed with me. I found myself writing that type of story into my world; a character who was told she was horrible and had horrible life experiences, yet she wanted to be something different than what she was told she would be and already was. Originally I thought this story was going to be very different from the story it became. While I was writing it, the song "Set Me Free" by Casting Crowns became some of the inspiration that shifted it to what it is now. As time went on I even started thinking of it as Never To Live's theme song.

The manuscript was finished about two and a half years after I started it. I only dabbled around with it in that first year. Most of it was written in the second year, and it was finished up in the months after that.

Q: Would you like Never to Live to be a stand-alone novel, or the beginning of a series?

A: I hope for it to be a series. I have ideas for at least 7-8 other books in this series circling around in my head. We’ll see where it goes.

Q: Why write fantasy? Did you read fantasy novels as you were growing up?

A: Actually, what I read most of growing up was historical fiction and classical literature. The fantasy novels I did read stuck with me though. I almost became obsessed with some of them. I think the reason I chose to write fantasy was because it can be so magical and unreal, and there are no boundaries to what a story can be or where it can go. The possibilities are endless. I like that.

Q: Now, the other thing that caught my eye about you was the pen name that you chose. Do you mind revealing what led to the decision to use a pen name?

A: From the time I started writing I knew I wanted to use a pen name. I didn't like the idea of my real name floating around in cyber space, I guess. I also wanted a name that would catch people’s attention and that would (hopefully) be remembered. Sadly my real name isn't very memorable, so a pen name was the way to go. I knew I still wanted to incorporate my first and middle name into it, though. One morning my mom hunted me down and said that she had woken up in the middle of the night with an idea: Just B. Jordan. (I had always been worried about being myself around people, so my mom would say “Just be Jordan!”)  The pen name uses my real name and my middle initial “B”, so I feel like it is still my name, with a twist. :) I thought it was a little odd for a pen name at first but it quickly grew on me. And it stuck.

Q: Do you plan to make writing your career?

A: I certainly hope so. :)

Q: Marcher Lord Press has been established as one of the go-to markets for Christian speculative fiction. Did you initially intend to seek out publication there? Tell us a little about your journey from writer to published author.

A: Originally my plan was to self-publish my novel. I knew my manuscript wasn't anywhere near being publishable yet, so I began looking to hire a freelance editor. I looked up lists of recommended editors and rifled through their websites. Among the dominating swarms of romance editors I found a link to Where The Map Ends. I read through some pages on the website and noticed that this guy also ran his own publishing company. I thought that was cool, but I didn't give it much thought. I was still planning on self-publishing my book. I hired Jeff for a 4 page editorial review. He came back with 17 pages and an offer for a publishing contract. At first I was going to decline the offer. I was pretty set on self-publishing. But then my gut intervened and I knew becoming a MLP author was what I should do. So here I am.

Q: What is your favorite novel (that you have read of course!)?

A: Oh dear. That's always a question I dread. I have way too many favorites! But I think I have to say it's Just David by Eleanor H. Porter. It's not a well known story and it's not a fantasy, but that book is connected to a lot of good memories for me.

Q: I have to ask the question that everyone is probably curious about: What other books are you working on that are 'in the pipeline' so to speak?

A: I have started working on a book that's in the same series as Never To Live. The MC in this one is the character named Jasper in Never To Live. His story isn’t quite what people might expect it to be. I'm really happy with how it’s turning out so far.

LEARN MORE ABOUT "NEVER TO LIVE" AT THESE LINKS:
Author's Website: http://www.justbjordan.com
Publisher's Website: http://www.MarcherLordPress.com
Facebook Fanpage: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Just-B-Jordan/478299992225683

Diminished Christianity

I wanted to write a note of spiritual encouragement:

There are so many religions in the world and such confusion on what is morally right and wrong. Many young people of my generation have embraced the lies of the world. I find this sad, especially because we live in a time when a plethora of information is available to those who are willing to research and study out the philosophies we are encountering.

Jesus Christ is the stone over which which everyone stumbles. A short time ago I had a religious discussion with people at work. Represented were the Catholic, Protestant, Mormon, and Muslim faiths, as well as an agnostic. Everyone united on certain points, but as soon as I expressed conviction that everyone must accept Christ or suffer eternal damnation I was roundly rebuked by the other faiths.

The civilized western world grew out of the faiths that sprang from Abraham's sons. But if you accept the truth of Christ you can't avoid the fact that there is only one way to enter God's rest, and that requires repentance and faith in Christ. This is offensive to other faiths. They turn and look at us Christians with disgust. If you hold to the truth in the public workplace I am certain you know what I mean because you, too, have been in those conversations with coworkers.

But too many of us get wrapped up in the arguments as to "how we know the Bible is true" and "how we can prove it."

All we need prove is Jesus Christ. As the apostle Paul stated, without the resurrection our faith is vain. The resurrection is a validated historical event, thus proving Christ's deity, which proves the authority of his teachings, and when his teachings are proven valid then the sources he referenced are valid (namely the laws of Moses the teachings of the prophets).

It is all so simple, so why is it so hard?

We are sinners and finite human beings. We don't want to accept full accountability to a holy and righteous God who must have vengeance on the wicked. And it is not our definition of wickedness that matters, it is his. He is the authority.

My advice: ignore the push for psychology and instead look for wisdom. People are hung up on the way that people are born. Well, we know that we are all born into a sinful world and we all fall into it, but we don't have to be casualties in this spiritual war. "Work out your salvation with fear and trembling."

The Devil is alive and well, Christian. (Yes, he is). But I am guilty of neglecting that facts. He is the prince of this world, working constantly to deceive us.
Truth does not relate to the way we feel about it. It is true whether we want it to be or not.

So let's not be discouraged or go on the defensive. Remember who the enemy is. It is not the people we encounter. Our enemy is not fleshly, but spiritual.

Warm up your digital reader!

Lord Ostincair's child is waiting for you in the wild forests that grow along the Eiderveis River...

At long last Neverqueen is ready for your Kindle and Nook readers! Look for it on Amazon and Barnes & Noble websites.

Print edition coming next!

Neverqueen will reveal...

Among the characters revealed in The Sword Of The Dragon series are three who will have appearances in the new fantasy series Neverqueen.

Enlightenment (the prophetess) is an intriguing hermit. She lives on the banks of the river Eiderveis. Previously she hosted the albino dragon's daughters and now she takes the orphaned Violet under her roof.

Besides her will be an appearance by Albino (the dragon prophet) and Patient (the shepherd).

The Neverqueen books will focus on the adventures of a new character Violet and her companion Valor. At some point in the next few years I plan to draft a Specter series as well, to expand upon the story after Key of Living Fire. More on that later!

Coming November 5th 2013

Introducing the dark fairy

In my upcoming novel Neverqueen a new villain enters The Sword of the Dragon story world. A dark fairy by the name of Genj.

Do you remember Hermenuedis, the Art'en wizard? If so, you will find this new entree fascinating. He was the wizard's right hand, as thoroughly corrupted as the Art'en himself. But after an absurdly long time has passed this dark creature has latched on to a new master, none other than Turser. In Swords of the Six we watched Specter slash Turser's face with the scythe blade, and now it is time to reveal Turser's later fate.

I do love creating memorable characters, and in Genj I believe I have accomplished that goal.

Look for Neverqueen to arrive on your Kindle, Nook, and in Print on November 5th!

Why I love writing

Often the question is posed to me: "When do you find time to write?" or "I don't know how you can do that. I could never finish something so large."

But the truth is I love to write. It is part of my soul. If I don't write, all of my emotions bottle up and I feel trapped. My imagination and my creativity hammer at my mind telling it they need to be let loose.

I love to write because I know that after I am dead and buried future generations of readers will come to know me and my convictions. I hope to leave timeless stories that will make people think and strive to be the best they can be spiritually and to their fellows.

...That's all I have to say for now. TTFN (-:

BTW... Don't forget NOVEMBER 5th 2013 is the date for the NEVERQUEEN book release! Hardcover, nook, and kindle, with more formats to come.

The shift in American culture

In my experience in the general workplace I have found that people expect more of a Christian, even demand it. Unfortunately this also comes across as an attitude of belittlement and scoffing. I am appalled at the lack of respect for the name of Christ and for those who follow His teachings.

Don't people realize that the freedoms they enjoy in western civilization come directly from the teachings of Jesus?

They think that they can live without God. They don't need Him and He doesn't matter to them or (in their opinion) doesn't exist. I am weary of the way in which people so liberally talk about sin, treat it as if it is not wrong, and constantly belittle those who are conservative and especially those who are homeschooled.

But this is the battle that we have signed up for when we accept Christ's call to repentance and salvation. We must work out our salvation with fear and trembling, knowing that the cost in this life may be the companionship of those around us, alienation from society, and even sometimes humiliation. But if those things are taken in the cause of Christ they are worth enduring.

The secular work environment is rapidly degrading and so many Christians are now caught in the middle. The things we say are used against us as "non-inclusive" and the actions we take are re-interpreted as coming from selfish motivations. They want everyone to be like them so that they can feel good about themselves. They HATE their morals being questioned.

I just witnessed the filthiest conversation that I have been unfortunate enough to hear in a long time. I had to walk away because it bothered me so deeply. A few guys were swapping jokes and stories revolving around individuals being taken advantage of sexually and they really seemed to think them funny.

What has our society come to when people think those things are acceptable jests? They are hurtful and sinful.

I want to encourage my fellow Christians to stand up in the workplace, especially you men out there. The people in this country need to hear the voices of reason and righteousness that demand God be heard. But if we sit quietly by the Devil is eagerly waiting to pour in more filth and greater damnable acts. And the more we are surrounded by it, the easier it is for the world to corrupt our minds and those of our children.