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| Robert Penner, Author DARK MOON SHADOW |
Robert Penner
writes fantasy to give readers an escape from reality. It’s also his favorite
genre to read. His just-released book, DARK MOON SHADOW, includes wizards,
evil, and a sap farmer hero. It is his first full-length fantasy novel. Prior
to this, he has written Young Adult (YA) fantasy and paranormal stories.
Penner describes
himself as “low-key” and enjoys spending his non-writing time with his wife and
daughter – and reading as many fantasy books as time allows.
Q: Why do you
write fantasy and paranormal stories?
Robert Penner: I write
fantasy because I love to read it. I feel life is full of stress and
responsibilities that a nice escape of adventure in a fantasy is a great way to
relieve some of that.
Q: How do you
create credibility in your fantasy and paranormal worlds? Is believability
relevant?
Robert Penner: Believability
is totally relevant, but not probability. Fantasy is not real, but the reader
must believe it is, in the context of the world he/she is reading. Strong world building is key in
accomplishing this.
Q: Tell us about your latest book, the
epic fantasy, DARK MOON SHADOW.
Robert Penner: DARK MOON SHADOW is the first in a series of three
novels set in the Protectors of the Realm universe. It is my first full-length
fantasy novel.
Q: How do you engage readers to embrace
your characters?
Robert Penner: I like to make my characters relatable,
or likable either good or bad. There has to be something that the reader can
hang on to in a character. They can sympathize with the character in some way.
They can say, "I know where he is coming from," or "I understand
why I hate that villin."
Q: Do you feature heroes and villains in
your stories? What makes a good villain? Do you need a villain to have a hero?
Robert Penner: There are
several heroes in Dark Moon, but one main character’s storyline. Sub-heroes are
weaved throughout the story. There are villains. My story would not be a good
one without a villain. Although you don't always need a villain to have a hero,
but in this tale there has to be.
Q: You write
both YA and adult stories. What do you do specifically to target youth readers?
Robert Penner: In my YA
stories I tried to have a moral to each adventure that dealt with YA topics;
something that a YA could learn from in the adventure and maybe apply to their
own life. Magic always seems to be a good avenue to bring in the young adult.
Q: Do you write your stories primarily to
entertain, or do you also write to educate or deliver a message?
Robert Penner: In YA to
educate as well as entertain, but in Dark Moon it's strictly to entertain. I
don't feel like delivering a message here, nor should I. Most people want to be
entertained not preached at. Even though it's hard to write a tale without
having some take on the world and relationships that can come across as a
teachable moment. I can't deny that, nor help it, but my goal is to entertain.
Q: Do your characters push you around and
make you write what they want? Or are you in control?
Robert Penner: This is the beauty of writing. Even
though I outline my adventure and try to stay on track while I write, I can
never do that. Often, I find my characters coming to life and indeed making
their own way at times. I sometimes need to grab hold of them and guide them
back. I like to know my point A and B in each chapter, but in-between I never
know how my characters are going to fill the gap.
Q: What’s next?
Robert Penner: Tears of
Duranthidil is next. This will be a sequel to Dark Moon and tie up a lot of
loose ends. In the meantime I will release a Free 3 chapter back-story for Dark
Moon to help people generate interest. I will also post it on the website.
Q: Tell us
about Robert Penner. What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
Robert Penner: I spend most of my other-time working
and spending time with my wife and daughter. Writing time is what I actually have to fight for. I also
spend my time before bed reading Fantasy. I know that doesn't shed too much
light about myself, but I'm actually pretty low-key.
About Robert
Penner
“I
love to read and write Fantasy and have been writing seriously since 2005. Dark
Moon Shadow is my first full-length novel in Fantasy. I have written and sold
e-books in YA fantasy and Paranormal. Dark Moon Shadow is the first in a series
of three novels that take place in the Protectors of the Realm universe. Tears
of Duranthidil is the follow-up of Dark Moon. A third, stand alone, will
hopefully follow.
“My
venture as an Indie Author was sparked in 2004 by listening to a podcast called
Dragon Page Cover to Cover. This podcast no longer exists (sadly), but I
learned from the host of that show that I could bypass traditional publishing
and make my own path. The hosts Michael R. Mennenga and Michael A. Stackpole
were the first to really pounce and cover the emerging title-wave of e-books
and the changing of traditional publishing. I credit this podcast for inspiring
me to write, build a website, and produce quality e-books for everyone to read.
Currently I work full-time and write on the side.”
About DARK MOON SHADOW
Before...Wizards
protected the land from danger with an awesome display of light and power.
Before...they went into hiding.
Then
Darkness...
A
terrible Dark Moon Shadow shrouds Elberoth as Elkzier pillage the countryside
in search of those unchanged by the Dark Moon Magic. With much of the land under the Black Wizards control, he
seeks to destroy the Wizards of old and absorb their power.
Timson,
the son of a simple sap farmer, is among the few who have not succumbed to the
Dark Moon Magic, and is devastated by the destruction of his village and
family. In search of the Green Wizard, he learns of his true heritage while
teaming up with Mantier, a gritty, seasoned soldier from Harkton. Timson and
Mantier embark on a journey of life and death in an effort to save their
homeland from the evil that holds it captive.
Twitter
@pennerstories
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