OBS reviewer Annabell speaks to author Aaron Patterson about his book Ariel, the first in the Ariel Saga he co-authored with Chris White, what it was like to write with another author and his upcoming projects.
Annabell: Why did you decide to write a story connected to the tale of the fallen angels? What was so alluring about the fallen angels story that would make you want to create your own tale around them?
Aaron Patterson: It came from a story in the Bible Gen 6:1,2. Most fallen angel books are about the ones who fell from grace and they are seen as bad. This story was about the ones who left because they fell in love. So they left for love and even though it was wrong they chose to leave. I liked the story and have not read anything from this point of view so decided to give it a go.
Annabell: What made you decide to add Kreios’s story? Why did you decide not to just make his tale into its own book?
Aaron Patterson: Because Kreios and his connection with his daughter was what made the Airel story so powerful. Most YA books are from one POV and everything I write is not. I did not want to change how I wrote just because it was how everyone else did it so it ended like it did. Once you read the ending and it all comes together the story of Kreios makes it mean so much more I think.
Annabell: Ariel explores many dark themes: murder, kidnapping, a scene where Ariel slices up her hand. Why did you decide to invoke dark themes into your story? Is there a certain type of message you were hoping to get across to your audience?
Aaron Patterson: I guess it is just that she has so many important things going on in her life. She is not your flaky not a care in the world girl and I wanted that to come through.
Annabell: The book is written from Ariel’s point of view (outside of Kreios’s tale). Why did you choose to write from her view point and how did you feel writing through a female’s eyes?
Aaron Patterson: I liked trying to look through the eyes of a teen girl. It was fun and I felt a lot of freedom to play. I had a lot of girls read through it with me to make sure it was on track so that helped a lot.
Annabell: What can fans expect from the next installment, Michael? When does the book come out?
Aaron Patterson: It comes out this Spring and you will find a lot of action, more heated between Airel and Michael. She really comes into her own and I must say, she is one Bad a#$ chick!
Annabell: What was the best part about writing a book with another author? Did you guys ever disagree over a certain scene?
Aaron Patterson: I liked having another view point. We work well together and most of the time we saw eye to eye. I can’t think of a scene we really fought over. It was smooth. I also love the first draft part of writing and so I get to do that and Chris gets to polish.
Annabell: Which character from Ariel do you relate to the most and why?
Aaron Patterson: I think Airel, she is a part of me in so many ways and I kind of think of her as the perfect girl, IMO. But that is only because her flaws make her perfect.
Annabell: Who are some of your favorite authors? And which book are you reading now?
Aaron Patterson: I am reading the Book Thief, and the MystBorn series. I love Ted Dekker, Bill Myers and Robin Parrish.
Annabell: If you could be angel for the day, what would your angel name be and what kind of power would you want to have?
Aaron Patterson: Super strength and I would be of no name, none could say my name as it would kill them to utter it aloud! lol
Annabell: Aside from The Ariel Saga, what are some other future projects you would be willing to let your friends be privy to?
Aaron Patterson: I am working on a Legal Thriller series with a woman DA who goes and murders her client, and thinking of doing another YA series with s guy as the lead.
Annabell: Thank you to both authors Aaron Patterson and Chris White for giving me the chance to read Ariel. Thank you to Aaron Patterson for taking the time out to answer some of my questions. To learn more about both Aaron Patterson and Chris, check out: http://theworstbookever.blogspot.com/ (Aaron Patterson) and http://www.jammyadventures.com/ (Chris White).
