Fantasy author Russell Pike joins me today to chat about his new novel, Journey of Seven Circles.
Welcome, Russell. Please tell us a little bit about yourself.
A child of the eighties, I grew up in southeastern Idaho. Living in a rural state gives you plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. There’re a thousand beautiful trails to hike, natural hot springs to find, and caves to explore. I’m happy to camp just about anywhere there are enough trees to hang my hammock. Quiet places far from cellphone coverage are a fantastic place to do some thinking.
My mother owns a competitive sled dog team, and it’s become a family initiative to help train and race the dogs. You can’t help but fall in love with such hardworking and dedicated animals. They also help generate plenty of good stories to tell, even when (or perhaps especially when) things don’t go exactly as planned.
I graduated from college after studying economics. Admittedly, that’s a far cry from an English degree. But Economics isn’t really about money. It’s about understanding how humans make decisions, and I feel my education has helped me better explore my characters’ choices and motivations.
Please tell us about your current release.
Journey of Seven Circles is a tale of dedication, sacrifice, and compassion. The narrative centers around Kryn Darien, a wizard who has amassed vast power, granting him one chance to reshape the universe but at a cost no less dear than his life.
As a young priest, Kryn never dreamed such responsibility would fall to him. He only wished to live a life in service to those he loved. However, the world is a more complicated place than he realizes. Through war, loss, and betrayal, he learns of a conspiracy older than humankind. If he wishes to remain true to those he loves, he can’t look away, no matter how dearly the decision will cost him.
Of course, his enemies are no less determined than he is. Standing between him and his goals are bloody battlefields, murderous magic wielders, and inhuman foes steeped in godlike power. Kryn doesn’t get any easy choices, but he’s never been able to turn his back on those in need.
The book just launched, but we’ve already been positively reviewed by several bloggers, social media influencers, and editorial reviewers.
What inspired you to write this book?
First off, I’ve loved fantasy and science fiction since I was old enough to read. There’s something sublime in spending an afternoon visiting worlds far stranger than our own. And it’s that ability to ask “what it” that I love about this genre. By leaving reality one step behind, fantasy can explore ideas, provoke thought, and indulge in metaphor with a purity enjoyed by few other types of writing.
There were plenty of thoughts which helped form “Journey of Seven Circles.” One of the central ideas was a desire to create a morally good character, then heartlessly toss him into an intentionally morally difficult scenario, one which will strain his devotion to the upmost. Not only do such situations provoke character growth but also force the character to carefully consider what he believes, what lines he’s willing to cross, and which actions he can’t turn away from no matter how much he would wish to.
What exciting project are you working on next?
My next book is (probably) going to be titled Dreams of the Old Explorer. It’s a tale of two old tricksters engaging in their final battle of wits. We begin with Mikhail the Horizon Seeker, a man famed for his travels and his nigh-legendary cleverness. When he hears word of an ancient and powerful artifact resurfacing after being lost for centuries, he’s off to hunt for it. After all, a young man’s life hangs in the balance. The trouble is, Mikhail’s rival is on the trail too. In all his many years of trying, Mikhail has never managed to beat his rival when it counted, and this time it’s a matter of life and death.
The manuscript is all but complete and should be off to the proofreaders sometime in the next few days. Check out the blog on my website (or sign up for my newsletter) for more details regarding the release.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
That’s a tough one. About five years ago, I had the good fortune to meet David Farland, one of the most influential authors and mentors in the fantasy/sci-fi community. I sent work to him off and on for about five years before he passed away in 2022.
I’ve often described David as the world’s gentlest drill sergeant. The first time I sent him a writing sample, he quickly told me how good it was, right before eviscerating every line with his red pen.
After digesting the many lessons contained within, I tried again only to be graciously told how much I’d improved right before another red pen reaming. This process went on for years, each time improving my technique only to be kindly reminded I still had a long way to go.
The last time I emailed him a piece of work, I was expecting more of the same. Imagine my surprise when he emailed me back telling me he thought I was finally ready. I’m not sure if that’s the day I decided I was a writer, but it was the first time I felt like I had a shot.
Do you write full-time? If so, what’s your workday like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
I still have a day job. I’m not a pharmacist, but I do work at a nuclear pharmacy where we compound radioactive drugs and deliver them to hospitals. I handle quite a bit of the decay side of the job, ensuring that all used materials are properly disposed of.
I live frugally, which allows me to work four days a week instead of five. The remaining three days are writing days. I wake up early with a word count goal for each day, ensuring I do nothing else until I’ve hit that number. My back yard has often suffered thanks to this schedule, but I have maintained a consistent level of productivity for years.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I’m a bit of a crazy cat gentleman. It isn’t anything intentional, but I simply can’t turn away a stray. Some days I figure I must have a sucker sign on my house written in cat. Regardless, I’ve learned quite a bit about socializing feral cats over the years, along with a few scars gained rescuing wild cats who needed a hand.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
During grade school, I took a job aptitude test that told me I should be either a doctor or an author. Considering how much I enjoy writing, I think that test had me pegged pretty well.
Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
I have a long-standing love affair with fast cars. It started when I was three. One day my mother was taking me home from the supermarket when we passed a golden Corvette. I threw quite a temper tantrum when we had to go home in the family sedan instead of the far cooler sports car. While I still don’t own a golden corvette, I do enjoy a trip down to the racetrack every now and again.
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