WORDS / KODY FORD

Few people have a firm sense of direction in the their teenage years. Adam Bolander is an exception. Over the last few years, the 21 year old northwest Arkansas native, has penned a three novels:  The Slayer and the Sphinx and two books in his Legends of Saloli series—Approaching Storm and Vengeance & Mercy. His prolific output is quite a feat and Adam partly credits Asperger’s Syndrome for his creativity. Adam recently chatted with The Idle Class to discuss his work.

IC:  So you’ve been writing for a few years to some success.  How did this come about?

AB:  I’ve always been really into books, but it took a while for me to decide to take up writing.  There were several failed attempts to write when I was a child, but it wasn’t until my junior year of high school that I actually buckled down and began taking it seriously.  I was bored in class, and simply decided to pull out my Alphasmart (the best tool a writer on the go can have, in my opinion) and write a story.  I’ve never been sure what it was that was different about this particular story, but something just clicked and I’ve been doing this ever since.

adam bolanderIC:  What books have influenced you as a writer?

AB:  Way too many to name, so I’ll only tell you the most influential ones.  Erin Hunter’s “Warriors” series had a huge impact on my first two books, “Legends of the Saloli.”  My new trilogy, “The Slayer and the Sphinx,” was largely influenced by Harry Potter and Percy Jackson.  And though it’s not a book, my new online serial, “Trevor Dune: Storywalker,” has more than a little Doctor Who in it.

IC:  What attracts you to writing fantasy?

AB:  I just find fantasy so much easier to write.  You can make your conflict as big as you want, and the only rules you’re required to follow are the ones you set yourself.  I read and write to escape from reality, so the last thing I want is to be reminded of the real world when I’m doing so.

IC:  Tell me about your the process of writing your first novel from idea to final draft.  What were some challenges you faced and how did you overcome them?

AB:  The biggest obstacle I faced when writing my first novel (and remains a huge obstacle for me today) is my lack of focus.  I love writing stories.  The only thing I like more is to write NEW stories.  I’m forever beginning stories that never go anywhere, and the ideas that form in my head but never reach my keyboard are too many to count.  Focusing on my current idea is the key thing I’ve always needed to improve on.  If I can do that, I have very few problems with things like writers block.  The only other big problem I have is editing.  I hate editing!  It’s time consuming, it’s monotonous, and it keeps me from moving on to the NEW stories I’m so eager to start working on.  It’s all worth it, though, in the end when someone leaves a review saying that they really enjoyed reading the final product.

IC:  You’ve had quite a bit of creative output over the last few years.  Do you have any techniques for your productivity?

AB:  Not really.  Honestly, I just tend to wing it.  I’ll begin my story with very little idea where it’s going to go, and allow it to develop itself as it progresses.  That’s how I wrote “Legends of the Saloli,” and until I got about halfway through the second book in “The Slayer and the Sphinx,” I wasn’t sure at all how that story was going to end either.

IC:  You mentioned that you have Asperger’s Syndrome.  How has this affected you as a writer?

AB:  I think it’s benefited me in more ways than it has hindered me.  I’m an introvert by nature, which means I spend most of my time alone in my thoughts.  This gives me ample time to think about my stories and characters, no matter where I am.  It also affects the way I think.  I’ve been told by many doctors that people with Asperger’s practically live in another plane of existence.  This, in effect, allows me to think outside of the proverbial box and come up with ideas that other writers would not think of.  On the other hand, it is also the cause of my lack of focus, which makes it difficult to dedicate myself to a single project.  And because I’m such an introvert, it is oftentimes very hard to advertise myself, since it’s much easier to just blend into the background.  This is a problem I’m doing well in overcoming, though- this interview is one such example.

IC:  What are your plans for the future as a writer?

AB:  Keep writing!  I’ve never understood the writers who are content to only write one book.  My head is so full of ideas, and I’m always coming up with even more that I can’t imagine ever stopping!  Lately, I’ve been intrigued by the idea of building an world from the ground up for one of my stories, and hope to try that out someday.

IC:  Is there anything else you’d like to add?

AB:  My books are available in print on Amazon.com and in every ebook file on Smashwords.com!  Check them out, you might just enjoy them!

Check out the synopses of Adam’s novels and click here to learn more.

Legends of the Saloli: Approaching Storm

When a dark threat arises, a single boy must become a man by becoming a squirrel. Jeremy Lander wanted nothing more than to relax during his summer break, but a Saloli tribe looms on the brink of war and is forced to look for help outside their own species. Facing the threat of never being human again, Jeremy must serve his new tribe, even to the point of death, all while keeping his human past a secret. The stakes grow higher every day. The upcoming war could affect far more than one measly forest, and he just may be the deciding factor.

Legends of the Saloli: Vengeance and Mercy

The stars shine brightest when the night is darkest. Haunted by the deaths of his friends, the former human being, Blaze, sets out to make sure that those close to him are never harmed again. To do this, he must gain new strength from his creator, Valde Abbas, who has plans for him beyond what he could ever imagine. Secrets within Icefire’s ranks begin to surface, secrets that will change Blaze’s life forever. The stakes rise higher as the forest begins to fall under Goliath’s control. If they are to survive, Icefire has only one hope. The Sword must be found.

The Slayer and the Sphinx

Porter Collins is a Slayer with no mercy. Sarah Heisen is a sphinx with no freedom. Brought together in a life altering accident, they find themselves hopelessly lost in the wilderness. Once mortal enemies, they must now rely on each other if they wish to survive. Going against everything they’ve ever known, they travel together, beginning a journey that is destined to change the world.

 

 

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