Interview With Author Alex Faircloth
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Alex R. Faircloth, born in Tennessee, attending Tennessee Tech University for a degree in Biology health science. Awardee of the Bartoo Scholarship for for being the most outstanding senior biology major. A second degree black belt in Taekwondo and has experience in judo and Gundo as well. Efficient with nunchucks until swinging them into his own forehead. Believes the world doesn’t wait for us to mature before throwing us into the flames of life, but others were cast right beside you. No one has to suffer alone if they reach out. It is our flaws that attract others to complete us like puzzle pieces snapping together allowing us to see a picture bigger than our individual selves. We may not seem like much until we match our talents with the friends we make along the way. Friendships are the most important things in life, and I would never have reached this far without my caring family and friends. Characters such as Clemency, Arzone, and Basil learn how we depend on the relationships they form in their unique encounters with strife.
Sacrifice is a major part of life, but you have to learn what it is to lose something before you understand why we fight so hard to protect what we have.
I have currently completed one book, Frostbound Destiny, and am working on the sequel Frostbound Falling to The Shadows.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Frostbound Destiny, I have been fascinated by the concept of empathy and compassion despite the immense endeavors, we as individuals, face throughout our lives. Clemency Divine embodies this altruism that we all strive to preserve while the world tests our innocence every step of the way. Kindness can tame beasts much older than itself. If I had to say one major theme encompassing the whole book, it would be humanity is a task of perseverance, an ability to withstand temptation to giving into our selfish desires.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I prefer to blast metal and rock music while I am setting moods. In less than joyful moments, I’ll switch to a more melancholic melody. I even write songs for particular characters to have a better feel of what they represent if they were to go mute and their actions alone speak to our hearts. For example, I composed Torman’s lament to express his grief and rage switching throughout the elegy. Whereas Clemency’s theme orients itself around a bouncy major chord progression.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Several philosophical compositions have provided insightful perspectives. One of the best lines I have heard (NOT MY WORK) ” What happens when the light burns so painfully bright it becomes worse than the dark?” The implications of a hero depending so tightly on their own moral rules out of fear rather than virtue sets a stage for infinite character possibilities.
What are you working on now?
I am working on achieving my third degree black belt and in the final semester of my premed degree nearly two years early. It is my passion to be able to construct the theme of Frostbound Falling to the Shadows. Several characteristics of our lives people find taboo to talk about will occur in this book. From severe instances of bullying to envy out of control.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I seek out people personally who might be intrigued by the prospect of these themes.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Trust in your own mind, AND the talents of those around you. Seek proof readers who are honest and willing to tell you when something needs enhancement. Seek help promoting your book.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
” Everyone needs a friend. More than anything, some people desperately wish someone would love them.” This sole piece of advice helped me begin seeking out longer lasting, meaningful friendships.
The second best advice I have received comes in a question: “Does a song truly lose its value because it is no longer sung?” It isn’t worth going out of tune and miss out on finishing our own symphony. The best harmonies compliment each others’ instruments, not drown them out in senseless noise.
What are you reading now?
Name of the Wind has a special place in my heart for its wonderfully crafted characters and cogent analysis of logical implications. The author himself had to possess a certain intellect to conjure a character of that caliber.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Once I complete the sequel, continue to make the trilogy I have plotted out.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The bible, Hatchet( survival book), Storm Light archives, Drizzt