Welcome to The League of Scribes!

Each week, The L. Palmer Chronicles unites the Three Orbs of Galactic Wonder to open up a portal through the universe to bring you a member of The League of Scribes.

The League of Scribes is a legendary group of authors who write grand adventures in the realms of science fiction and fantasy. They are able to write rich, compelling stories while keeping content in the PG –PG-13 range.

If you have been on a quest to find clean sci-fi and fantasy novels, you have reached the right place.

This week, we present:

Arthur Daigle

Arthur Daigle was and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois.  He attended the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign and earned a biology degree, which in his defense seemed like a good idea at the time.  He has worked in such diverse businesses as The Brookfield Zoo, the Morton Arboretum and grading high school essay tests. To date Arthur has written two books, William Bradshaw, King of the Goblins and William Bradshaw and a Faint Hope, with more on the way.  These books were probably inevitable since the author has been a fan of science fiction and fantasy since he was old enough to walk.

Arthur Daigle’s Books:

 

Desperate for work, William Bradshaw makes the mistake of accepting a manager position from the law firm of Cickam, Wender and Downe.  Too late he realizes that his job is to “manage” the goblins on the world of Other Place as their king.  His goblin followers are short, stupid, mildly crazy and set traps for a pastime.  They consider his orders well intended suggestions and follow them only when they feel like it.  Will’s only hope of scape is to find a loophole in his king contract, a nightmarish document of byzantine complexity.  Forty-nine other kings escaped their contracts, so it can’t be that hard, right?

Getting home soon becomes the least of Will’s problems when he accidentally starts a war with a neighboring human kingdom and their fashion obsessed monarch, Kervol Ket.  Kervol’s army of foot soldiers, archers, knights and siege weapons is on its way, a serious threat when one human is worth ten to twenty goblins.  Worse, the goblins haven’t won a war in recorded history, and they have no interest in winning this one, either.

The only way Will is going to live long enough to get home is by leading his goblins to victory.  That’s a tall order, but he’s got troll bodyguards, a defective fire scepter, a foul tempered magic mirror and teeming hordes of idiot goblins.  It’s going to take stealth, subterfuge and a seemingly limitless supply of exploding outhouses, but Will is determined to win.

Interview

Who would love your books?

My books are blend of fantasy and comedy suitable for the whole family, from twelve on up. These stories show what it’s like to be the little guys in a fantasy story rather than the heroes, wizards and rogues. Running away is a valid tactic when the other guy is twice your height and has a glowing sword. Instead of suicidal mass charges, my goblins use stealth, wits and traps to make the hulking knights look like idiots.

What was the inspiration for your latest book/series?

I took inspiration from the works of the puppeteer and filmmaker Jim Henson and the artist Brian Froud. Both men showed the ability to make worlds so complete that you almost believe you could find them if you looked hard enough. There’s also a gentle humor to them both, where monsters aren’t necessarily evil and heroes can be just instead of merciless.

If a movie of your book were made, what movie(s) would it be most similar too?

I mentioned Jim Henson as a source of inspiration for me. His movies Dark Crystal and the Labyrinth would be the most similar to what I’m trying to do.

Do you use music while writing? If so, what music do you use? Is there a theme song for your book?

I can’t write and listen to music at the same time. I end up focusing on one or the other, and it spoils things for me. I do listen to rock and pop when I’m coming up with ideas prior to writing. Classical is good, too, provided it’s loud and fast.

What authors or books inspire you most?

 

 

I enjoy Terry Prachett’s Disc world series. He can be a bit elitist at times, but there are great ideas and good jokes in his books. Robert Asprin’s MYTH series is another favorite of mine. The first seven books in Piers Anthony’s Xanth series are also great reading with funny jokes and good stories.

If you were called in as an impartial ambassador in a war between ninjas and pirates, how would you create a peace treaty?

Pirates live by battle and looting, and ninjas by assassinations and sabotage. Point them both in the direction of a common enemy and let them work together to bring the foe down.

When did you decide to be a professional writer?

There was no real decision involved. I started writing as a hobby while I was in college. It was so fun I kept at it until one day I’d finished my first novel length work. Friends and family urged my to get it published and I did. I’m still not sure I am a professional writer. I have two books done and more on the way, but I have a day job to pay the bills. When I can live off my writing then I think I’ll be a professional.

Are you a planner, a discovery writer, or a hybrid?

Planner. I take long walks to help me think, and during these walks I come up with the ideas for my books. They’re like scenes from movies running in my mind. Once I have enough of these scenes in my head to write the book I sit down and start typing. I create some of the book while I’m writing, but only about ten percent.

Are you traditionally or independently published? Why did you choose this path?

I started out traditionally published with a small publisher in Canada. For a variety of reasons that didn’t work out and we parted company as best as could be expected. I looked for a new publisher for my book, but found no takers. Publishers don’t want to republish a book on the grounds that if it didn’t do well once it likely won’t a second time. I wasn’t willing to give up on my book, so I self published through CreateSpace. Things have gone reasonably well and I can’t complain.

What is your number one piece of advice for aspiring writers?

Read.  Read constantly and on as many topics as you can. Read inside your genre to see how the people who succeeded did it.  Read science books to make your world more believable. Read biographies to help you develop well rounded characters and read histories to see just how bizarre the real world can be. Read ten pages for every one you write.

Where do your books fall on the Rating Scale of PG to PG-13 Content (1 = How To Train Your Dragon, 8 = The Dark Knight, 10 = Borderline R-Rating).

I think I’m comfortably in the PG zone. There is violence, but no swearing, no gore, no sex (and you wouldn’t believe the complaints I got on that last one!). I do deal with some serious issues like racism and environmental degradation, but I think I do so in such a way as to not offend a reasonable person.

What would you choose as your magical/technological steed, vehicle, or other mode of transportation?

If this is for me, I want an Imperial Star Destroyer. Travel the galaxy fast and heavily armed.

To explore the world Arthur Daigle has created, check out the books below:

• William Bradshaw, King of the Goblins
• William Bradshaw and a Faint Hope

To Interact with Arthur Daigle online, check out the links below:

• Email: Mantid400@att.net
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Booksie: ArthurD7000
• Wattpad: ArthurDaigle
• Goodreads

Readers:

• Do you have any more questions for Arthur Daigle?
• What is your favorite satirical/humorous fantasy book and/or author?
• If you could have a Star Wars or Star Trek vehicle, which would you choose and why?
• Do you prefer Labyrinth or the Dark Crystal, and why?

If you would like to join the League of Scribes, please e-mail lpalmer@lpalmerchronicles.com