Tuesday, April 7, 2015

The Creator’s Eye by R.N. Feldman Interview




The Creator’s Eye: Mover of Fate, Part I

The Creator’s Eye
Book I
R.N. Feldman

Genre: Science Fiction/ Fantasy
Date of Publication: November 26, 2014
ISBN: 978-1501083617
ASIN: B00O705KD6
Number of pages: 270
Word Count: 58,401
Cover Artist: R.N. Feldman and Caroline Miller

Book Description:


On a hidden archipelago, people known as Movers manipulate matter with their minds while strange Folds in space transform the landscape into wondrous and often deadly anomalies.

When a young Mover named Michael Edwards discovers that he is descended from a long line of beings who can not only Move matter, but actually Create it, he finds himself at the center of a cosmic struggle for power.

Manipulated by friends, family, and an ominous prophecy, he allies himself with a host of strange creatures and characters as he fights to become Mover of his own destiny.



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About the Author:

Mover of Fate is the first novel in The Creator’s Eye series by author and artist R.N. Feldman. Feldman lives and works in Los Angeles, CA where he teaches at Otis College of Art and Design and spends as much time hiking through the local mountains as he can. Art, metaphysics, useless scientific trivia, and extensive backpacking treks throughout the world have all been major influences in his work.

Follow him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thecreatorseye

You can also see his latest paintings on www.RoniFeldmanFineArt.com



Twitter: @RNFeldman


Interview:

How did you come up with the story?
I actually began this process when I was only six years old. I was inspired by video games like Legend of Zelda, Faxanadu, and Final Fantasy. My friends and I started creating games for each other on paper. We drew monsters and designed levels and then had each other play them. Before I fell asleep at night, I thought about my game and imagined myself in it with a host of characters. Of course, it was about as deep and complex as you might imagine a six year old’s imagination to be, but eventually the characters took on a life of their own, and I dreamt about their ever-expanding adventures every night for the next twenty-seven years until they became the story it is today. 

Did you ever think about turning The Creator’s Eye into an actual video game?
Its first iteration was actually supposed to be one.  I wanted my audience to be active participants.  I even had some ideas for fight sequences that were pretty ahead of their time.  I story boarded it out and when I was twelve I even arranged a meeting with a small local video game company.  They kindly entertained my pitch, perhaps intrigued by what my ideas might imply about their target demographic, but afterward, I decided I would rather be a kid for a while longer and returned the story to the private vault of my brain for the next few years.  When I came back to it in my early twenties, my ideas had been surpassed by the latest technology.  I turned to writing a novel as I could have more creative control and it could more easily be reshaped into other media.

Mover of Fate contains a number of allusions to mythology and creation stories.  Where does that come from?
I am a cultural omnivore.  I devour anything that may be good for me or I store it away in a mental squirrel hole to be used during a summery drought of ideas.  At its essence, my story is a creation myth, but it doesn’t come from one particular source.  There is wisdom to be found in many cultures and religions and they have all seeded ideas in my work.  

Fate and self-determination play conflicting roles in your book.  Tell us about that.
I always believed that if I worked hard towards something I desired, I could achieve it, but I have also learned from the times that I failed that I must listen to my intuition.  During the process of writing Mover of Fate, I went through a rapid series of career and relationship crises.  I was devastated at the time because I had put so much effort into those things.  It actually led to a crisis of faith in myself, but also galvanized me to try new things, including finishing Mover of Fate.  The book may not have happened otherwise.  I learned that sometimes there are better things out there than what I want or wish for, so it is vital to listen to my heart and keep an open mind.  

What inspires you?
Everything from taking fencing in college to backpacking the Lost Coast has benefited this story.  I am always trying new things, because I never know what will be useful, but on a practical basis, I find that being in nature is particularly helpful.  Whenever I get stuck, I take a hike in GriffithPark.  By the time I get to the top of the mountain, I have a pretty good idea of where the story needs to go.

How has being an artist affected your writing?
Art helps me imagine scenes more vividly.  Each of the illustrations I created for the novel were images I held in my head for years, but otherwise, they are very different activities.  I can rarely paint and write during the same day.  Writing is also an incredibly slow process.  I used to think assembling enough artwork for a solo exhibition was a great undertaking, but that can be accomplished with a few months of devoted studio time whereas Mover of Fate took at least four years at my keyboard.

The Creator’s Eye involves people who can create things with their minds.  Is that a metaphor for your artistic practice?

I’m just going to sit here with my arms crossed and a wry grin.

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