S.P. Joseph Lyons Interview: “I have been writing stories for as long as I can remember”

Author of The DRUX Series S.P. Joseph Lyons answers my questions on his books and what’s next for his writing.

Tell me about how you came to define your writing style. What drew you towards darker fiction?

I’ve always enjoyed stories that move quickly and don’t drown you in detail. When I began to write professionally, I emulated this in my work. As a result, I have been described as an author who is fast-paced with intense action and emotion. I had not set out with a particular style in mind, but when I wrote about what I loved, the way I loved, my style developed itself around me.

I find that in fantasy fiction one has an endless canvas on which to express themselves. Though true love is always my favourite motivation for putting pen to paper, tragedy, revenge, and triumph can be very expressive, and when needed, very dark. Often the darker side of a character or story helps balance the tender moments of magical connection.

What is your background in writing and how did you get in to writing darker science fiction?

I have been writing stories for as long as I can remember. In the tales we tell, we have a real opportunity to explore the many aspects of ourselves, and share parts of our heart we could never do without our own carefully crafted words. Sometimes, telling a story is the only way we can share an otherwise invisible but powerful part of what makes us who we are.

Fantasy leaves the creative door wide open. We are free to create an entire universe out of nothing at all, and manipulate that universe as we see fit. It also offers no limits or rules other than what we place on ourselves. This means that we are in full control of our entire story. For me, I needed a place where I could dig deep into the heart ablaze with love, or one twisted into a darkened nightmare, and fantasy allows me this.

Tell me all about the DRUX series. What was your inspiration?

If I had to describe the DRUX series in short, I would say it’s Lord of the Rings meets Romeo and Juliet. But for a longer description, I would tell you that it is mostly a tale of loss, overwhelming odds, and the triumph of love over those odds. A demigod is sent back into the universe as the only one who can stand against an overwhelming enemy. In an ongoing tale of impossible love and crippling obstacles, a lineage of five mortal-DRUX children stand against enemies greater than any mortal can tackle alone, and love more fiercely than anyone ever has.

When I was very young, I was taken from my family and placed in foster care. Alone, scared, and needing to survive, I began to create a safe place in my mind. It was there that the basics of what would become an eighteen book series sparkled to life. For me at the time, the only way to make sense of the tragedy around me was to create a safe place to tackle in fantasy what I could not control in reality. With many years of floating in and out of my universe, I knew I could finally take what was once very painful, and make it into something beautiful.

What books do you like to read and how do they impact on your own writing?

I love a good tragic romance, or really anything where true love prevails despite whatever stands between them. Sci-Fi has always been a favourite, even as a child, and many journeys I have taken are through the rich and vast worlds of fantasy.

I’ve found that a strong love interest with a complex world is a great place to build upon. As I love dialogue and action driven stories, I place a lot of my focus there. But when it comes to falling in love, nothing is more exciting to write about.

If you could collaborate with anyone, living or dead, who would it be and why?

I would love to work with C.S. Lewis. His worlds are so immersive and his writing, though quite complex at times, has a smooth flow that pulls you right in.

Have you done any other work that you are particularly proud of?

Though I cannot speak in detail about it, I have had the opportunity to ghost-write a number of short stories and full length novels. None were in my genre so I had the great opportunity, and challenge, of weaving my craft into unfamiliar territory. I’m quite proud of how they turned out.

What’s next for the DRUX series? Have you got any exciting plans to develop it that you can share with us?

The DRUX series is a six book universe that was picked up by Waldorf Publishing with the first in the series launching to the world on July 17^th, 2017. Having your work recognized by a publisher is an incredible step. With the launch of the DRUX series, a sequel and prequel series are in development tentatively titled ‘The NEXUS Series’, and ‘The GUARDIAN Series’. There is a lot in this universe to share.

Are there any new books or writers that you are looking forward to later in the year?

As much as I would love to dive into a new book, I’m dedicating myself to fulltime writing and promoting for the next couple of years. I want to ensure I give my work the dedication it needs. I am a sucker for a classic though so may find myself slipping back into the Narnia Chronicles, or The Hobbit. I may even reread To Kill a Mockingbird.

Anything you’d like to add?

If you are interested in a fast-paced story that puts you in the shoes of our hero and takes you through intense action, passion, and emotion, I’d encourage you to pick up ‘The DEMOND of Legend’ from my website www.thedruxseries.com Nothing can stop the power of true love.

Secondly, I’d encourage anyone and everyone to chase your dreams, as cliché as it may sound. To quote Jim Carrey – “You can fail at what you don’t want, so you might as well take a chance on doing what you love.”

Thanks for taking the time, it’s been great to hear more about your work.