Interview with J.J. Thorn, Author of Apocalypse Assassin

What’s the story behind the story? What impressed you to jot down Apocalypse Assassin (System Orphans: Claire)?

The story behind the story is that I used to be caught in a tiny condo with my girlfriend (on the time) in Toronto throughout COVID and I used to be bored out of my thoughts haha. We’d been caught inside for a bit, and I might spend most of my days doing the identical issues: studying fantasy tales, watching television and films, or enjoying video video games. At a sure level, I noticed that I wanted to do one thing completely different and for many of my life I’d all the time needed to jot down one of these tales of my very own. So, for a month straight, I wrote each evening and pushed out what would change into my first ebook: ‘Heavy (The Weight Of It All)’. The ebook had points, however it was mine, one thing I’d created and are available up with from scratch. Even now, I can’t consider I did it.

And although I cherished it, the problems have been shortly identified. I did my finest to place out a tremendous sequence with six whole books, however I couldn’t shake the sensation that the primary ebook didn’t meet the standard from some of the later books within the sequence. And so, someday whereas working by way of a block on ebook 5 in my first sequence, I wrote the primary chapter of Apocalypse Assassin. It was a taster and a distraction, however the concept caught as I completed The Weight Of It All. And finally, a 12 months after writing that chapter, I got here again to it.

The story I’ve put out is one small half of what I’d like to supply sooner or later, however producing Claire’s story was a serious achievement for me. It’s a first-in-series that I’m very proud of, and I consider Claire is essentially the most ‘real’ character I’ve ever put to paper.

If you needed to choose theme songs for the principle characters of Apocalypse Assassin (System Orphans: Claire), what would they be?

I envisioned Claire like an equally decided, youthful, and extra angsty John Wick whereas writing typically, so I’d choose some of that soundtrack for Claire. I additionally fell into love with Paramore once more whereas writing Claire’s story, so I really feel like she’d love some Hailey Williams as her backing observe.

What’s your favourite style to learn? Is it the identical as your favourite style to jot down?

I’m a die-hard fan of LitRPG and development fantasy tales. Generally, these are tales that use fantasy settings, however add emphasis on the principle character progressing by way of tougher obstacles, equivalent to you may see in a recreation. They are sometimes characterised by seen cues exhibiting the character’s progress, equivalent to screens or tables. I write on this style, utilizing minimal screens to indicate development, whereas making an attempt my finest to concentrate on the characters, the setting and the plot.

In my view, LitRPG and Progression Fantasies are finished finest when these issues are saved as the main target, with out dropping sight of what makes LitRPG a lot enjoyable: seen cues that present how the character is progressing by way of the story.

What books are in your TBR pile proper now?

Portal to Nova Roma 2, All the Skills, Legends and Lattes, Battlemage Farmer 3, and The fortifier.

What scene in your ebook was your favourite to jot down?

The finish of the ebook ends with a pair giant climaxes, which change the setting fairly a bit. These have been lots of enjoyable to jot down, and early suggestions about these scenes has been superb. I hope to some day have fan artwork made about every of these scenes. The scenes in query, with out giving something away: The brother trolls and fiery lightning in opposition to the bronze god.

Do you could have any quirky writing habits? (fortunate mugs, cats on laps, and so forth.)

I’ve a really snug chair that got here with the home after we purchased it haha. One of my favorite issues to do is sit in that chair on a Saturday, placed on my favorite radio station (bbc radio 1) and attempt to get down some phrases. Sometimes it really works, typically it doesn’t, however it’s a peaceable approach to dwell on a Saturday 🙂

Do you could have a motto, quote, or philosophy you reside by?

I believe I’ve had many in my life, however as you develop and your life adjustments, I’ve discovered to not follow anybody mantra or philosophy. Ultimately, I select to be sort.

If you might select one factor for readers to recollect after studying your ebook, what wouldn’t it be?

Claire. I spent lots of time serious about and crafting who Claire was, and the way she could be. To me, she turned an actual particular person, with ideas, faults, feelings and wishes. I benefit from the plot of my story, however I hope individuals be taught to understand Claire, even when she isn’t all the time essentially the most nice!