Today’s special guest is
novelist Dhesan Neil Pillay to chat with us about his debut fantasy novel The Anmorian Legends: Wrath of the Exiled
Welcome
Dhesan. Please tell us a little bit about yourself.
My name is Dhesan Neil
Pillay and I was born 3rd September 1989 in Durban, South Africa.
The son of two teachers, I was introduced to the magic of words and stories at
a young age. Initially my writing found its way onto walls around the house. To
curb the defacement of our home, my parents (who had started a small printing
company at the time) began giving me small booklets made from offcut paper.
These books became my personal treasures and would contain lengthy stories
accompanied by sketches of adventures of insects in the garden, the shenanigans
of favorite action figurines and sometimes my own takes on favorite movies.
However, my real
interest in writing whispered to life in grade 7 when we were offered the
opportunity to enter a writing competition by my teacher at the time. I reveled
in being able to create an entire world to populate with crazy aliens and
bizarre happenings. The bug had found me. Over the next few years I began to
toy with different ways to introduce magical beings into the world I had
created, and in Grade 10 I conceptualized the story that would become The
Anmorian Legends: Wrath of the Exiled.
Over the next few years
I continued to grow my world and the characters, slotting writing between
homework, exams and sporting activities.
In 2008, I left home to
study medicine at the University of Cape Town. Here I continued to develop on
the adventures of Rezaaran Valhara as he traversed the realms of Anmor in his
quest. During the journey of studying medicine, there were several life
experiences that shaped thoughts and characters throughout the story.
My passion lies
predominantly in medicine, and I have viewed my writing as a creative outlet to
help keep me balanced as I journey through this richly rewarding but oft
demanding path. Over the years I have enjoyed the fantastic escapes offered by
the likes of J. K. Rowling, Douglas Adams, J. R. R. Tolkien and Terry Goodkind,
cringed at the suspense of Stephen King and enjoyed the rich story telling of
the intriguing Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle. I wrote the Anmorian
Legends initially as a means to create a fantasy world of my own to explore and
serve as a personal holiday destination from the reality in the wards and hope that
it offers my readers the same mystic intrigue.
Please
tell us about your current release.
The Anmorian Legends:
Wrath of the Exiled, is the debut in a
planned series. It follows the adventures of a young Zenorian boy who’s spurned
by fate to the manacles of despair in an ongoing civil war. However, he soon
learns that his destiny lies beyond slavery, for he is the last great War Mage
of the Vokarii Order. His journey is one of a boy trying to find his role in
the scheme of greater events unfolding around him, learning to shoulder the
burden of great power and the attached responsibility, to let go of the past
and embrace love in the present. With his command over the mystical power of
the Vaux he is the only being able to contest the might of the Archlords,
magical creatures who serve as war machines for the Obsidian Dominion, and
ultimately the leader of the Dominion, Lord Silvermire. The trials he faces
ultimately takes a toll on him that he could not prepare for and his greatest
battle will lie within.
What
inspired you to write this book?
I think part of this lay
in my fascination with the elemental pantheon of Greek and Roman gods during my
high school years. In time experiences with different patients and moments at
work inspired some events in the story and shaping of the characters.
Excerpt from The Anmorian Legends: Wrath of the Exiled:
The shuttle landed
within the palace grounds, settling near the dried out basin of a great lake.
Once it had brimmed with sparkling waters. Now it was desolate, like the fallen
great kingdoms of Zenor. Torn banners and skewered skeletons lined the floor of
this dusty chasm, a reminder of the war that was lost here a century ago. Yet
one Zenorian had returned with the hopes to reclaim his home.
Rezaaran looked into the horizon, surveying the distant landscape
he had left almost a century ago. An angry sun glowered upon the land, serving
Zenor with a wave of heat from its throne in the bloodstained sky. Smoke and
ash billowed from the crest of the distant mountains, choking the once pure
air.
The mage stilled his mind, hoping to feel the echoes of any who
still inhabited this scorched world. He had expected only the large beacon of
the Archlord’s presence, which lay deep within the planet’s heart. Yet, to his
surprise, there were numerous smaller echoes resounding from within the palace.
All he had for company was Harkenathor with Kashari’s spirit and the hordes of
enemies between him and the Archlord. Folklore spoke of a day when Zenor would
awaken to bloodshed so great that it would wash the skies and force the planet
to mourn the loss of her children. It was a day that had lasted a century too
long.
What exciting story are you working on next?
The Anmorian Legends:
Legacy of the Sentinels, a
sequel to Wrath of the Exiled. Rezaaran will return to battle the Exiled
and protect Anmor from the encroaching shadow of the Obsidious. But this time
he will be fighting alongside Lord Salvidawn’s secret and most powerful band of
champions.
When
did you first consider yourself a writer?
I considered myself a
writer after I sold the first copy of Wrath of the Exiled.
Do
you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do
other than write and how do you find time to write?
I work full time as a
medical doctor, currently serving my internship time. I either write in the
early hours of the morning before work or a few hours in the evening when I’m
free and not recovering from a night on call.
What
would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I like listening to
instrumental music while gazing at the lava lamp my girlfriend Melisha gave me
as a gift. I usually visualize a scene in these moments and mull over the
details while drinking coffee or snacking on chocolate. I have also recently
developed a liking for Oolong tea during these brainstorming sessions.
As
a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I always wanted to be
involved in a science discipline. I sometimes considered being an astronaut
(but which kid doesn’t?) but marine biology was a strong favorite for a long
time.
Anything
additional you want to share with the readers?
Thanks for taking the
time to read my interview with Lisa. Feel free to check out the social media sites
and I hope we get to stay in touch friends.
Links:
Thank you, Dhesan!
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