Blogside Chat: Robert Cano, author of The Dark Archer...

Back once again with the Chat behavior. Today, we've got Robert Cano, author of The Dark Archer, coming out on July 26th. So let's get into it, and see what Robert has to say...

-So this book of yours, The Dark Archer. Tell the folks at home a little something about it. And really sell it, get them clamoring to attain a copy!

Well, The Dark Archer is focused on Bene, who we last saw at the very end of The Suffering.  Bene was once a captain of the guard, highly ranked in the Kingdom of Preju.  He held a high station, and he was charged with the protection of the princess whom he helped to raise when she was sent away to neighboring kingdom.  What came of that, we see in TS.

However, what I really wanted to do with TDA was expand out the world.  I wanted the world to start getting much bigger, and not only for my characters, but for my readers.  So often, we find ourselves contented to live out our day to day lives, in our small little corners and neighborhoods, many times never leaving the cities in which we grew up.  Sometime we never leave our neighborhood.  This tale is not about that.  It’s about both the beauty and the danger of everything we rarely, if ever, have the courage to see.

I have long believed that the things most worth fighting for, the things we find most beautiful in our world, are often the scariest, or most dangerous.

In the end, the story is about Bene.  But what we get to see through his eyes, as he sees it...well, I hope it takes your breath away.

-What got you into this whole madness we call being a writer? Were you rummaging around in your grandparents’ attic and discover a strange, dusty old leather tome called “1,001 Weird Fantasy Plot Ideas?” Or did you just think, “Hey, that’d be really cool to do?

Madness is right!  So, my writing began with poetry, at the ripe old age of 19.  Now, I’ve long had the gift of writing, I’d argue, but to think I could actually pen something worth reading?  I think that’s a way different beast.

My imagination is always running.  I remember being a kid in middle school, where I spent the majority of my time grounded, in my room, without even being allowed a book to read if it wasn’t for school (my parents knew reading for me was an escape, a passion, so they could never use it as a punishment).  And so, because my time was spent staring off into the blankness of four walls, I had to conjure a way to make it through… and that’s exactly what I did.

-What got you into fantasy? Did a wizard show up at your door and make you cook for a bunch of hungry dwarves? Did an owl drop off a mysterious letter? Did a dragon steal your lunch money? What are the deets, man?

Definitely the wizard.  That doggone Maia came at me bro.  I fell in love with The Hobbit at a very young age, thanks to my mom.  That led to reading everything I could by Tolkien, and this led to a lifelong love of fantasy.  

However, I read all sorts of genres.  Some of my favorites being The Vampire Chronicles, by Anne Rice, particularly those stories where we go back in time, like Blood and Gold, or the Vampire Armand.  I love Thomas Harris, Steinbeck, Hawthorne, and many others.  And I would have to say that each of these authors have contributed to my writing in one way or another. But fantasy is the one thing I always came back to.  I read through Tolkien’s works every year.  I enjoy Sanderson, Brooks, Jordan, McCaffery and many others.  I love comics, where the idea of superheroes really lends itself to thinking big.  And then there is one of my first loves, mythology.  The myths and legends of our own world are so rich and diverse and extraordinary, that using them just made sense.

-If you could form a dream team of fictional archers, who would get the nod and be drafted by Team Cano?

First one?  Bene.  Hands down.  The bow and arrow isn’t necessarily his only weapon, as he’s proficient in many weapons, but with his skills as a wraith… he don’t miss.  Second would have to be Green Arrow.  Then Legolas.  And then Sylvanas Windrunner, of Warcraft fame.

-What would your ideal Writer’s Fortress of Solitude look like? A lonely room at the top of a tall castle tower? A roadside inn? A nicely appointed cave in the middle of the Fae forest? Paint me a word picture.

I’ve always dreamed of having a tower with a view.  With tempered glass making the walls of the tower, up to a circular office space with 360 degree views of the world around me, complete with a decent balcony all around.  Perhaps one, perhaps not…  But that would be amazing.  And this tower can be jutting out of the top of my home, resting above the second or third floor, depending on what I decide to do.

-If you could go live in the fictional world of your choice, where would we have to forward your mail to?

Obviously, Arda is on that list.  For those who aren’t as massive Tolkien lore nerds as I am, that’s the world where Middle Earth can be found.  Valinor is the other huge continent, which is also called the Undying Lands. 

I also wouldn’t mind GRRM’s world, as long as I’m not too far north.  Or a part of a major family.  Or in the politics at all.

I hope you and many others will want to adventure in my world of Arduil.  In The Dark Archer, we get to see a glimpse of Tylirion, which is one of the continents (one which we will get to see more of later), and we spend the most of our time in Aariad.  Even with expanding the world, there are great swathes of land we will yet have to get to.  Tales coming.

-Apart from being a writer, what’s something that the folks at home and out there in Webland should know about you?

I am actually an archer myself.  I’m a father, a job I take super seriously, and I enjoy probably more than anything.  My girls are my world, and some of my biggest fans, even if they can’t read my works just yet.  I also love to teach both poetry and writing, and I do a fair bit of editing.

I’m pretty easy-going.  I just love to live life, enjoying my time with my girls.  While I would say I have a good number of friendships I’ve cultivated over the years, people I’ve come to love and admire, it is like pulling teeth trying to get me out of my house.  I much prefer to be behind my screen, writing, or watching a good movie, or just having a quiet night, uneventful and without craziness, or, much like you, escape to books, since reality sucks.  The addled life of an introvert.

-When those wicked, tricksy and false Doubt Hobbits steal your One Ring of Inspiration and hot-foot it towards a volcano to chuck it in, what are some of the things you do to cut those nasty little flat-foots off at the pass and get your mojo back?

Simple answer?  Live. Let me explain.  I’ve found that when the well runs dry, it’s either from doing too much not associated with getting my creative juices flowing, or it’s from running out of things to write about.  So I go out and live a bit.  I taste the world again.  I chase down those nasty hobbitses and have a riddle battle with them, maybe enjoy some potatoes with them. 

Our world, our universe, is all the inspiration I really need, but sometimes us writers get stuck and forget to go visit the world beyond our windows.  So I’ll take time off from writing.  I’ll learn, I’ll live, I’ll put it all together and figure out how to better myself.

-If we were to give you the bow of your dreams, what would you want? Old English longbow? Mongol Warbow? The God Gorgon of Brave Raideen? Choose your weapon, sir.

I’d probably go with the Crimean Tatar bow.  It was a composite bow, recurve design.  There were other types of recurves, but the longer design of this particular recurve allowed for more kinetic energy.  The kinetic energy output from a bow is different from the speed.  We’re talking about penetration power vs pure speed. 

Compound bows are okay, but they’re created for speed.  What I want is for my arrows to shatter bones, should they come into contact with them.  With the right broadhead, my quarry will bleed out in short time with just a decent shot...doesn’t even have to be perfect.

And I’ve won tournaments with my shooting skills.  hehehe.

-Do you listen to music while you write, and if so, what’s your favorite writing playlist?

Yes!  I kinda have to.  I have ADD, and the music helps me focus.  With that said, I usually pop on YouTube and listen to the Mixhound Chillstep 24/7 livestream.  Most of the time the music is exactly what I need to get my fingers flowing. 

Specific artists that I love include: Ferven, Michael FK, AK, Phaura, Skrux, Headphone Activist, and many others.

-What can we look forward to in the future from your fingers and brain?

Well, I have this series I’m working on, with the sequel to TDA, The Shadow Cult, coming hopefully next year.  The Shadow Cult continues the adventures of one or more of our heroes from TDA, and it explores in more depth the darker elements that had left us with only questions at the end of TDA.  

Also coming from that world are:  

The Fall
The Great War
Aurelle
Reyvyn’s Dance
Reyvyn’s Song
Reyvyn’s Sorrow

From my science fiction series:

A Mother’s Love
A Daughter’s Hate
Death’s Widow

-Lastly, let the folks know where they can find you on the InterTubez.

You can find me on my blog at www.shadowyembrace.com

Twitter and Instagram are both @shadowyembrace

And feel free to follow me on Facebook, at www.facebook.com/RobertECanoII/

Awesome. Thanks for being here, Robert! Remember to check out The Dark Archer on July 26th. And thanks to all the folks at home for tuning in and checking out another Blogside Chat. Hehe. Until next time...