Author Interview with Joan Campbell

Give a warm welcome to Joan Campbell, South African author of The Poison Tree Path Chronicles.
Book 3, Guardian of Ajalon is set to release in September (Click here to preorder). In the meantime, you can check out Chains of Gwyndorr (review or purchase) or Heirs of Tirragyl (review or purchase).

The Poison Tree Path Chronicles are traditionally published through Enclave, a small Christian publishing house. What made you choose this route of publication? What makes it challenging or rewarding?

It wasn’t so much that I chose this route as that this was the door that opened for me. I had approached some publishers in South Africa, but the Christian book market is quite a small one and there wasn’t an interest in niche fantasy books. The bigger Christian publishing houses in the States also weren’t interested because I didn’t have a ‘platform’ or following. But Steve Laube of Enclave liked the manuscript and he was the one who finally offered me a contract. My biggest challenge is probably that I live so far away from my main audience in the USA. It’s difficult to do book giveaways with cute prizes, like so many other authors do, or meet up with readers and fellow writers at conferences and events.

 How did growing up in South Africa influence the Poison Tree Path Chronicles? Do you have other life experiences that influence your writing significantly?

A theme that emerged in the books (particularly the first book, Chains of Gwyndorr) is that of class division and discrimination, and also the resentment and hatred that this could foster in the victims thus perpetuating the cycle of hatred. These are very much elements that I see playing out in my own society. I guess a lot of my own personal struggles also play out into the lives of my characters. For instance, the way Shara is drawn to using the alluring Cerulean Dusk Dreamer rock to discover more about her past reflects some of my own temptation to fill the empty places inside myself with the things of the world. 

How does your faith play a role in your writing? Do you ever struggle to balance storytelling and faith? 

My Christian faith and the joy I find in my relationship with God is a large influence in my writing. I see now that this is the bedrock of many of my stories—God’s love for us and our incredible worth in His eyes and the great lengths that He goes to in order to draw us into a relationship with Him. At times I have struggled with the balance of storytelling and faith. I don’t want my writing to feel contrived and forced to impart a specific—Christian—message. First and foremost I want my books to be great stories, which readers can enjoy whether they discern a deeper meaning or not. In this I had to learn to trust myself. My beliefs are such a core part of who I am that they will come through in my writing – I don’t have to force it.

What's your writing routine/habit like? (Do you have a certain time or way you like to write, or just write as inspiration strikes?)

I’m a pretty slow writer really. Somehow late afternoon has turned into a good time to write. So on days where I’m free (I aim for at least 3 afternoons a week) I make myself a coffee at about 4pm and sit down (usually outside) with my laptop and read the last section I wrote. This gets me back into the flow of the story. Then I just immerse myself in the story and begin to write, seeing where it takes me. I don’t do all much planning, although I do have a broad idea of where I want to take my characters. But I enjoy being surprised by my own plot and characters – that’s what keeps the writing fresh and interesting for me. I don’t like writing under pressure which is why NaNoWriMo would never work for me. Rather, I love the slow, gentle and creative unfolding of a tale – the artistry and magic of storytelling.

And finally, if you found yourself alone in a dark, scary alley, what fictional book character would you summon to help you and why?

Without a doubt it would be Lohlyn, my character from Heirs of Tirragyl and the secret protector of the queen. She has incredible reflexes and, in one scene, takes on a whole unit of soldiers. Her father was one of the Charab (King’s assassins) who are known to have unrivaled skills with bows, knives and pretty much anything sharp. He trained his daughter to be as good as—if not better—than the male assassins. So Lohlyn would be fantastic to have at your side in a scary situation!