BooksChatter: ℚ Joshua and the Arrow Realm: Joshua and the Lightning Road [2]

Today we have the pleasure of meeting up with author Donna Galanti to talk about Joshua and the Arrow Realm (30 August 2016, Tantrum Books, 278 pages), a Middle Grade Fiction Fantasy Adventure, book two of the Joshua and the Lightning Road series.

“Fast-paced and endlessly inventive, Joshua and the Arrow Realm is a high-stakes romp through a wild world where descendants of the Greek gods walk beside you, beasts abound, and not everything—or everyone—is as it seems.” ~ Michael Northrop, New York Times bestselling author of the TombQuest series

“New friends, new enemies, new questions, and new betrayals! Fast-paced and engaging, JOSHUA AND THE ARROW REALM not only challenges Joshua’s faith in himself and others, it challenges readers to pick out the secret allies among the traitors. Or is it the secret traitors among the allies?” ~ Dianne K. Salerni, author of The Eighth Day series

Author Q&A | Synopsis | Trailer | Teaser | The Series | About the Author | Giveaway & Tour Stops

A very warm welcome to Donna Galanti; thank you for joining us on BooksChatter!

What was the inspiration for Joshua and the Arrow Realm?

"A contract and a deadline! LOL. I had no idea for continuing the series at that time but as ideas came to me, I wanted to further test Joshua, the main character of the series. I knew then I would have to throw him into some dastardly situations!

With the story set in the Arrow Realm ruled by Queen Artemis (Greek god of the hunt), I wanted a great hunt to be part of the story. From this, grew an entirely new subculture of the Wild Childs who live in trees to escape the hunt. Many ideas DID come on my walks and I spent many hours audio recording scenes in the woods – about scenes IN the woods!"

How much of yourself is reflected in this book, and how?

"Storms have always fascinated me and I vividly remember being nine years old when my intrigue with lightning began. I felt so small in the world under that giant black sky – until it lit up with white fire power and sucked me into its energy. I would sleep out on the screened-in porch to watch the big show, and smell the rain and electricity in the air – and I’ve never forgotten that smell.

When I got older the movie War of the Worlds fascinated (and terrified me!) with how the aliens rode blasts of lightning. I thought “wouldn’t it be cool to travel a lightning road to another place?” And the idea for Joshua and the Lightning Road was born. I imagined a road of lightning that didn’t burn you but a road you could surf on to another world – a road that connected worlds.

I’ve always been a science fiction fan eating up shows and movies like The Twilight Zone, Star Trek the Next Generation, Stargate, and Star Wars, so the idea of a portal for transport between worlds was already rich in my imagination. This is where the Lightning Gate came into play as a doorway connecting the Lightning Road between worlds and realms."

Can you tell us something quirky about Joshua and the Arrow Realm, its story and characters?

"Joshua calls his grandfather, Bo Chez, which stands for the Big Cheese–and what my godfather is called by his kids. Bo Chez is like my godfather, big and strong with a booming voice.

I also envision Leandro, a mysterious cloaked dude, as my hero in Lord of the Rings, Aragorn. Long before the movie came out, I even dressed up like Aragorn for Halloween of what I thought he would look like. Long hooded cape, boots, long hair. No one knew who I was but me!

Joshua’s sidekick, Charlie, is from France and often spouts off French phrases when they get in tense situations. I grew up learning French and when I lived in England, visited France several times. It was fun for me to put a French speaking character in the book!

And then there is Joshua, who is based on my own son, Joshua, although the character is a lot like me. I grew up an only child just like Joshua and moved around – living in nine places by the time I was nine! You can meet Joshua from the book here in an exclusive interview!"

Why do you like to write?

"When I write, I return to the magical worlds of my youth, where monsters and faeries roam the land. Through my stories I can become these characters, and wield their powers. My mother even made me a prairie dress outfit to pretend I was Laura Ingalls. When we owned a campground we had hogs and chickens that I got to feed just like Laura!

I’ve always wanted to be a writer since I wrote my first screenplay, a murder mystery, at seven years old and acted it out with the neighborhood kids. I went on to write my first fantasy story when I was ten about Dodo birds, wizards, and a flying ship. I’ve been writing fantasy ever since!"

What is your writing process?

"I always have at least a synopsis even if not heavily plotted. My ideal book to write is one that has an outline but where the magic of organic discovery takes place. That being said, I always know the end and often can write an end scene first!

I try to write early in the morning and sometimes set the alarm for 4:30 to write. This is my quiet time of the day before my brain gets busy with publishing and promotion details.

It takes about 6-7 months to write that first draft but it’s nowhere near done when you first write The End. The beauty of a book comes out in the revision when you peel back the layers to enrich your story. And I LOVE world building, especially drawing maps to go along with my world."

What is in store next?

"More mayhem and mystery is in store for Joshua in book three!

Currently, I am writing a teen fantasy about a culture on a floating island that is ruled by inherited memory and involves a secret that could make or break their kingdom. Super fun!"

And as a final quirky thing, to get to know you a little bit better... do you have a pet or something that is special to you that you could share with us?

"Here are my brother cats, Gregory and Star. We rescued them off the streets of Philadelphia. They came with their names and they so fit! Gregory is chubby and plods along like his name and Star really is like a shooting star! He jumps over my computer and knocks books off when I’m not paying attention to him."