Interview with Ben Hale, author of The Fragment of Water

What can you tell us about your new release, The Fragment of Water?

This is a new book series for me, and the most challenging to write for several reasons. The principle character is Draeken, a very powerful person that shatters into five fragments. Each fragment possesses a single type of magic and their own identity, but they can still merge into one person. On top of that, this is an origin story of a villain, so the question remains, which of the fragments will turn against the others? Although challenging, I love where this story is going. We all have different aspects to our identity, and sometimes those are in conflict with each other. What would happen if your anger or your compassion became its own person? That’s what I wanted to find out.

What or who inspired you to become an author?

I’ve always loved to read, and up until ten years ago, never wanted to write. But I had been thinking of a story for some time and my wife suggested I start writing. Four years and three books later I published my first book. Books inspired my creativity, my wife inspired me to write. That’s why she gets the credit for all I do. Thanks beautiful!

What’s on your top 5 list for the best books you’ve ever read?

Not necessarily in any order, because I can never pick a favorite, I’d say Harry Potter (whole series but number four especially), The Elfstones of Shannara, Zucchini Warriors, and the Night Circus. I’ll leave the five slot open, because I’m always ready for a new book to join the list.

Say you’re the host of a literary talk show. Who would be your first guest? What would you want to ask?

Anyone? I’d go with J. K. Rowling, because I’ve always wanted to ask her if the cat, Crookshanks, was intended to be an animagus. Reading Harry Potter as a writer has been very enlightening, and I would be awesome to chat with her about her literary choices.

What’s your favorite thing about writing?

Creating a story, new characters, and a world, requires the utmost of creativity, and every books starts the process again. Although the physical act of typing is the same, the flow of a narrative is always unique, taking me from windswept deserts, to damp underground caverns, to bloody battlefields. In writing the story, I’m living the adventure, and for that reason every book is a challenge. And I love a challenge.

I also love to inspire other writers. Last year I wrote a book series with a co-author, the renowned Honoree Corder. We wrote a book called Write Like a Boss to inspire those that dream of writing to go after their goals. Seeing writers believe they can do what they love is a true pleasure, and one of the best aspects of my job. When possible, I speak at schools and events, and relish seeing those who doubt, begin to dream.

What is a typical day like for you?

I try to write two chapters every day, about 4,000 words. Aside from that I spend breakfast time with my family, and usually lunch with my wife. I manage marketing and post to facebook. When I get stuck I’ll play a video game or watch movie trailers, both of which work well for me to come up with new ideas. The best part of being a writer is when I get that flash of inspiration that connects all the other ideas together.

What scene in The Fragment of Water was your favorite to write?

At one point in the story, three of the fragments merge to become Draeken, and writing from the perspective of such a powerful person was awesome. He crafts a giant suit of fire, which he uses to battle a dragon with his bare hands. It’s epic.

Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?

“The heights of great men reached and kept,

Were not attained by sudden flight,

But they, as their companions slept,

Ben Hale is the author of the new book The Fragment of Water. 

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