TELL US ABOUT THE GENESIS BEHIND TALES OF THE DIM KNIGHT.
The story started around the idea of a parody playing with the conventions of the superhero genre. When I wrote the first draft, I went for the gusto and hit as many of the classic superhero plots and situations as I could fit in a reasonably sized book.
STARTING OUT, WHO WERE THE AUTHORS WHO INSPIRED YOU? WHO ARE THE WRITERS WHO INSPIRE YOU NOW?
Frank Peretti and C. S. Lewis both were inspirations as they showed what could be done with Christian work in speculative fiction. I also admire great television writers like Bruce Timm and Ben Edlund. Nowadays, I’m most inspired by the writers from the golden age of radio and television such as Jackson Gillis. The best of their work had excitement, fun, and a sense of humor, and I hope that those traits characterize my work.
WHICH OTHER WRITERS/STORYTELLERS WOULD YOU COMPARE YOUR BOOKS TO?
The book is a parody, which puts it in rare company, but alongside the superhero antics, it also has a strong Christian element and a marriage in trouble. So Dim Knight is a blend of The Tick and Fireproof. Though the exact mixture is a trade secret.
AFTER ONE OF YOUR BOOKS COMES OUT AND YOU SEE THE REVIEWS AND COMMENTS, DO THEY MAKE YOU RETHINK HOW YOU APPROACH THE NEXT BOOK?
One thing that surprised me was the number of requests we had of parents who wanted the book for their kids. While we tried to keep the book clean, some things were not written with kids in mind, such as the troubles in our hero’s marriage. One thing the reviews have made me think about is whether to target any future superhero stories to a younger age group.
WHAT ASPECT OF GOD DO YOU MOST HOPE READERS GET FROM READING YOUR WORK?
I hope they walk away from Tales of the Dim Knight with an appreciation for God’s mercy and our need for grace.
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU’RE NOT WRITING?
I work in a call center and host three old time radio podcasts. I also currently serve as President of the Idahope Writers.
The story started around the idea of a parody playing with the conventions of the superhero genre. When I wrote the first draft, I went for the gusto and hit as many of the classic superhero plots and situations as I could fit in a reasonably sized book.
STARTING OUT, WHO WERE THE AUTHORS WHO INSPIRED YOU? WHO ARE THE WRITERS WHO INSPIRE YOU NOW?
Frank Peretti and C. S. Lewis both were inspirations as they showed what could be done with Christian work in speculative fiction. I also admire great television writers like Bruce Timm and Ben Edlund. Nowadays, I’m most inspired by the writers from the golden age of radio and television such as Jackson Gillis. The best of their work had excitement, fun, and a sense of humor, and I hope that those traits characterize my work.
WHICH OTHER WRITERS/STORYTELLERS WOULD YOU COMPARE YOUR BOOKS TO?
The book is a parody, which puts it in rare company, but alongside the superhero antics, it also has a strong Christian element and a marriage in trouble. So Dim Knight is a blend of The Tick and Fireproof. Though the exact mixture is a trade secret.
AFTER ONE OF YOUR BOOKS COMES OUT AND YOU SEE THE REVIEWS AND COMMENTS, DO THEY MAKE YOU RETHINK HOW YOU APPROACH THE NEXT BOOK?
One thing that surprised me was the number of requests we had of parents who wanted the book for their kids. While we tried to keep the book clean, some things were not written with kids in mind, such as the troubles in our hero’s marriage. One thing the reviews have made me think about is whether to target any future superhero stories to a younger age group.
WHAT ASPECT OF GOD DO YOU MOST HOPE READERS GET FROM READING YOUR WORK?
I hope they walk away from Tales of the Dim Knight with an appreciation for God’s mercy and our need for grace.
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU’RE NOT WRITING?
I work in a call center and host three old time radio podcasts. I also currently serve as President of the Idahope Writers.