I just finished reading a review by the president of my writers club on my first book “Rise of the Fallen” of the mythological trilogy The Chosen One of Allivar. She made some very astute observations of the first book of my mythology. She compared my main character to a combination of Jesus and Moses. Well, Moses I definitely agree with, but Jesus – no. Arimar, the protagonist is chosen because of his line to prophets to lead a journey of self discovery and to confront a king to free the beings of seven races. Yes, that is basically the story of Moses. This was intentional on my part. Of the three major religions, there is already knowledge of the story of Moses. This was done to connect to a large ratio of the reading population. It brings familiarity to the story quickly.
My story was influenced by “Paradise Lost” and thus has to do with the fall of grace from the creator. This again is to define good and the introduction of evil into my mythical creation. So immediately she has connected with knowledge of previous stories – the Old Testament and John Milton’s masterpiece poem. From that point forward there are other similarities to these stories, if a reader cares to look closely enough. There is also influence of Tolkien’s “Silmarillion”, Dante’s “Inferno” and a host of other stories and movies.
Often in my writing quest, I read time and again that I needed a hook at the ending. Although it may appear anti-climatic in her review, it was intentional on my part. Why? In my thinking, each subsequent book had to be more exciting than the previous one. If you have such a fantastic ending in book one of three, there is a high probability of reader let down. I gave just enough energy and narrative to garner the reader’s interest to check out the next part of the story. Where is the journey going? What happens to Arimar? What happens to his companions? Does he fall in love with Elissia and she with him? Nothing is worse than to read a story that has no sequel yet leaves us with unanswered questions. So that is my hook. Not a narrative of the imagery of a massive battle, but of unanswered questions. Here is an excerpt of her review:
The first 125 pages make for an interesting companion to Arimar’s story. Greenlee has developed a complex fantasy world and interesting characters that you can’t help but like. If you hold on through those first pages, you’ll find yourself on a harrowing journey toward a final confrontation. The end was a bit anti-climactic in comparison to the rest of the book, but not to such an extent that I don’t want to find out what happens next in Arimar’s journey.
Notice a few things: “Characters you cannot help but like”, “a harrowing journey”, “what happens next in Arimar’s journey.” From these comments, my goals for the first book were achieved. The reader connected with the characters, found interest in the journey, and she is interested to find out what happens next.
In Book Two “Bound to Forbidden Lands”, now with the basis for the mythology out of the way, the story moves much faster and has an ending that should easily define “hook.”
Book three “Last Stand of the Living” presents the climax and final confrontation of good and evil, light and darkness. I held the best for last, sparing nothing, including your emotions. In this book all of your main questions are answered and the mythology comes to an end. Combining aspects of some of the greatest stories ever told into an original composition was my main objective. And yet, the story does not end here. For those seeking more detail of the compressed history and a different point of view, the upcoming chronicles will be just as exciting.
A couple of readers also commented:
I’m a huge J.R.R. Tolkien fan, but I have to say that this was 100 times better than the Lord of the Rings, the Hobbit, and the Silmarillion combined! (Of the complete trilogy)
This book is incredible! I laughed, I cried, I cheered, I was mad, I was COMPLETELY surprised. (Of the last book, Last Stand of the Living)
