Author Chat: Charlie Freelander, Writer of the “Legacy of Wrath” Series

This is B.C. Johnson, your indie author locked in an Angelic War for Paradise, and today we’re sitting down with Charlie Freelander.

About the Author

Hi, I am Charlie and I write what I have dubbed “literary fantasy.” It means that while the books are epic fantasy, they lean heavily on psychological and philosophical themes, eternal questions if you will. They are also peppered with references and Easter Eggs for people who are interested in literary fiction, philosophy, and mythology, but that is in no way required. There is also plenty of sword and sorcery mayhem!

Recently, I have also experimented with magical realism, but it will be a while yet before any of that will be published.

The Questions

1. Do you have a writer you idolize?

Idolize is a strong word, but I love Fjodor Dostoyevsky, Victor Hugo, Herman Melville, William Shakespeare, and Charles Dickens to name a few.

Of contemporary fantasy authors specifically, I like Andrzej Sapkowsky (of “The Witcher” fame), Joe Abercrombie (Mister Grimdark), Robin Hobb, and yes, G.R.R. Martin (dude really should finish what he started, though).

2. What are you reading right now, and how is it?

Robert Graves’ I, CLAUDIUS. It is an excellent historical novel, a sympathetic portrayal of an emperor that his relatives considered mentally deficient because of his physical infirmities. It is written in first person (something I’m typically not terribly fond of, I prefer multiple point-of-view sweeping epics), as “autobiography”. I enjoy historical fiction even more than (most of) fantasy. 

3. Which video games have inspired your writing the most?

The original Baldur’s Gates. After all, my books evolved from a fan fiction. Dragon Age games, Neverwinter Night games, and Witcher 3 are also in the same vein.

4. Is there a genre you haven’t written in yet that you’d love to try?

Well I’m experimenting with magical realism right now, though it could be argued that it is a form of fantasy. Nevertheless, fantasy that takes place in our world. That is not surprising given how much I enjoy historical fiction. Would I want to write that? You never know—but right now I prefer being able to just make stuff up, have magic, and change historical accounts into what would make a better story.

5. What does your editing process look like? Has it changed over time?

Each round of edits feels like being a sculptor adding more details to his work, honing every little fingernail to get it just right, when you started with only a vision and lump of marble. Or alternately, you find something awesome (?) buried in the ground, and with each round of edits you remove some crud to reveal that buried Maya temple, or something.

I enjoy editing very much. It is the first draft I hate and procrastinate to avoid—the void of the empty blinking screen and the clumsiness of the first attempts to express something.

6. How do you approach marketing? What’s your philosophy?

I’m still trying to figure that part out. I don’t believe my potential readers even hang out online much, so I have to try to scavenge them one by one, throw spaghetti against the wall and see what works. Hopefully it will grow into a loyal readership. I have an email list and run an occasional discount site email campaign.

7. What do you do when you’re not writing?

Walk, explore my environment, read, think, meditate.

Watch TV shows with my husband, play video games (though there hasn’t been one I would have liked much in a very long time). I used to volunteer at ships (both at deck and the engine room, mostly refits but also a marine conservation campaign at sea), but had an injury a year ago that has put that to a hopefully temporary halt.

8. Has a character or plot twist you’ve written ever surprised you? 

Oh yeah. That happens when you mostly pants.

9. Where do you write?

If the weather is nice, I may take the laptop out and write on the balcony. If not, the living room it is.

Where to Read Charlie Freelander’s Work

My next book, the second one in the Legacy of Wrath trilogy, is an unapologetic redemption story. It will be available December 8th.

Link:
https://books2read.com/b/49qa0J

Blurb:

“Baldur’s Gate meets Paradise Lost in this deeply emotional novel of literary fantasy, drawing from mythology, classical tragedies and psychological and philosophical introspection.

If you don’t like redemption stories, you are going to hate this book.

Velimir and Peri, progeny of a fallen celestial, were mortal enemies. They are “the wildcards of fate”- they were never supposed to survive the ritual infanticide intended to trigger the celestial’s ascension to godhood. Peri, the free spirit, was sheltered by a loving stepfather. Velimir, the creature of will, clung to life out of sheer tenacity.

They were enemies. Now they are allies.

Will they be able to find redemption? Or will they burn together with the world as their monstrous sire ascends?

Familiar figures from Norse mythology make an appearance.”

Where to Find the Author

Website: https://charliefreelander.com/index.html

Threads is the only social media I’m (somewhat) active at: https://www.threads.net/@charliefreelander

---

See You Thursday

This is BC again, thanks for stopping by! We’ll be back Thursday with another author to palaver with.

You can subscribe to my blog to get updates as they arrive, or follow me on Threads where I’ll be posting them as well.