Interview with Author S.S. Segran

Today we're talking with S.S. Segran, author of Aegis Rising

FQ: Does the word 'Aegis' have a special meaning?

SEGRAN: 'Aegis' is the name of the shield that the Greek god Zeus uses to protect himself. I used it to symbolically portray the five protagonists as they eventually assume the role of ‘protectors of the world’ as the planet descends into chaos.

FQ: Were there any stories or legends about the Pacific Northwest that assisted in sparking the inspiration for this story?

SEGRAN: Not particularly, but when I was younger I was fascinated with Native American culture, especially their connection with nature and wildlife. I find that there is something almost mystical about that connection. Our ancestors lived directly off the earth and had a special connection with it. They nurtured it as it nurtured them. There was no technology back then, no gizmos that pulled us into a virtual plane. I'm certainly not complaining about technology - I'm quite a frequent user of it! But that idea of going back to the roots of our humanity, if you will, to what surrounds us, is what intrigues me and prompted me to use it as a main setting for Aegis Rising.

FQ: The maps at each part of the book provided a great visual. Was this something you planned to include from the beginning?

SEGRAN: I did intend to include maps, yes. A few novels that I've read had maps to help the reader navigate through various locations in a particular story, and I found it very helpful. Having understood the scope of the story in Aegis Rising. I figured that maps would be beneficial to my readers as well and from the feedback I've received so far, it seems that integrating them was a good idea!

FQ: What do you see as the benefits of writing a story with many perspectives as you did with Aegis Rising?

SEGRAN: The way I imagined it, the main benefit would be getting into the thoughts and actions of different characters in a given scene or a sequence with certain clarity and uniqueness. I was hoping that it would give readers a rich variation in perspectives and show that, just as in real life, there are many angles to a story and there may be a number of conclusions that people can draw from a situation. I also hoped that it will allow readers to connect with the characters in way that is real as opposed to simply following one character's thoughts or point-of-view and possibly relegating the other four protagonists to the background.

FQ: What places have you traveled to in the Pacific Northwest that inspired the setting for this book?

SEGRAN: I live in British Columbia, Canada, so I'm very lucky to be surrounded by gorgeous bodies of water and forests with tall, ancient trees. There are mountains, waterfalls and great wildlife, and it all combines to spur my imagination. Just by looking out most of the windows in my house I can see beautiful trees and mountains in the distance. I have also travelled by road and air across BC, as well as by boat into enchanting inlets and bays along its coast. It's very inspiring!

FQ: In many books the elder characters are distant but with your story they are actually quite relatable and approachable. Was this how you intended the elders to be?

SEGRAN: I did! I find that for novels which contain a mentor-apprentice theme, there's sometimes just too much of a barrier between the mentors and the pupils. For the Elders, I didn't want them to be aloof or distant from the teenagers. They needed to be seen as human beings who genuinely care for these five youths who were unexpectedly dropped into their lives. A struggle also had to be shown depicting how they felt knowing that they had to assign these kids a huge responsibility that the five never asked for. I wanted it to vaguely resemble a parent-child kind of relationship.

FQ: The character Hutar was shown to be given a second chance, could this possibly lead to a more positive role for him in future novels?

SEGRAN: Love the question! However, I am unable to say too much for now except yes, Hutar will return. I've always wanted him to stick around with the story for a while plus, I can also say this, he will have a significant role in the future. I certainly didn't want to him to be a one-time character that disappears after the first book. In short, he will return, though whether for good or bad will have to remain a secret for now ?

FQ: Living a simple, purpose driven life is something that can be hard to find in today’s society. Is this what helped to prompt you to write about a community that strives to do just that?

SEGRAN: It's exactly that. Thanks to my parents, this was the kind of ideal that I grew up with - there's no real need for fame or excessiveness. I believe that helping one another and doing the right thing is what betters us as human beings, and that in turn would create a much happier and safer world. The Dema-Ki community in the story strives to do just that. Yet, they are realist who will use their special abilities if the need arises to maintain peace and the well-being of their people and the valley.

To learn more about Aegis Rising, please read the review at: Feathered Quill Book Reviews.

Book Review - Aegis Rising

Aegis Rising 

By: S.S. Segran
Illustrated By: Eric Newport
Publisher: Inkmagination
Publication Date: November 2013
ISBN: 978-0-9910813-0-1
Reviewed By: Kristi Benedict
Review Date: June 3, 2014

For five teenagers, Kody, Jag, Tegan, Mariah, and Aari, a plane ride into the forests of the Pacific Northwest sounded like a grand adventure. However, that thought is quickly dashed after their plane flies into the middle of a terrible storm and goes crashing to the ground, surrounded by fiery flames. When these five regain consciousness they find themselves in a strange community surrounded by odd but accommodating villagers. Of course their first thought is that of escape but as their caretakers and the elders of the villagers began to tell them of a prophecy they are believed to fulfill, their minds slowly begin to change about the idea of escaping. Especially after almost being devoured by ferocious wolves with their first escape attempt, the five friends decide that staying with these people would be the best choice.

Soon after deciding to stay, these five begin their training one on one with an elder assigned to each of them. Before too long specific inner powers begin to immerge from each of them and they quickly discover that they have been destined for much more than any of them ever thought possible.

A bird engulfed in flames falling from the sky was the first sign the elders of the village believed they would see when the five destined to fulfill the prophecy arrived. Soon after seeing this sign the five teenagers are brought to the village, making them the obvious answer to the upcoming prophecy. Some in the village, however, are not convinced because they believe the five in the prophecy should come from their own people rather than strangers from an outside land. However, as the elders spend more and more time with these five friends they become convinced that these teenagers are the ones they have been waiting for and come to believe that they will be strong enough to face all of the challenges ahead of them.

Up in the mountains the head of a mining expedition named Ajajdif is under strict orders to extract a special kind of ore in a matter of weeks. When the project started it was thought that this would not take more than two months but unfortunately more time is needed and Ajajdif is feeling the pressure of the approaching deadline weighing down on him. Ajajdif believed that these mountains did not have anyone living in them, but after arresting four trespassers who obviously dwelled within these mountains, his belief was quickly shattered. These were not just simple mountain dwellers either but skilled and intelligent fighters who are giving Ajajdif more problems than he wants to deal with. If need be Ajajdif will go to war with these people to keep the mining expedition on track and if these villagers continue to cause problems he knows that will be his only choice.

From the very first page this story had me transfixed and I ended up absolutely loving this book! Everything from the landscape, the characters, the plot, and the different societies was so well described and were brought together to form an epic adventure. Being able to see the perspective of many characters was also something that I truly enjoyed as I don’t think I would have been able to grasp the plot of this book without seeing it from every angle. It was agonizing knowing that a battle was coming and then having to wait for each character to come to the realization in their own time. Each part of this book had me hanging on the edge begging to know what comes next and how the five heroes would stand up to the challenges that would soon be thrown their way.

Quill says: This is an absolutely thrilling story that grips onto the reader and never lets go! 

For more information on Aegis Rising, please visit the author's website at: www.sssegran.com