I am interested in reading - and writing - books that have some meaning, some impact; that do not just entertain, but make us into better people. Fiction has great power to change us: we take the hero's journey with them, and so stories can lead us deeper into the truth of who we are.
I have always loved fantasy, but as a born cynic I would ask myself, 'Isn't this unrealistic? Why does good always triumph over evil?' But I have learnt to find this truth in fantasy: good always triumphs over evil because this is an inevitability. The story follows our inner journey, the one each of us must take over our lifetime: a journey from darkness and struggle that always holds the potential for light. Each one of us has that potential to conquer our inner demons and find our own enlightenment; that potential is indestructible, and the darkness within our mind is only a temporary obstruction. So, good will always triumph over evil, in the end.
The novels I write will, I hope, be one little spark to illuminate and encourage that inner journey.
I live in a Buddhist community in the middle of nowhere. I walk in the woods every day, and would probably be happy never to go into a city again (as long as I have access to online shopping).
There is a lot of insight I have gained through meditation in my writing - but my books aren't Buddhist books. I just try to inspire everyone to be good and kind and happy.
