The Knife's Edge (The Ronin Saga #1) by Matthew Wolf
When legends come to life the world trembles from a single name. Ronin. Once-heroes from a different age, they wield elemental powers… wind, water, fire, stone, forest, sun, moon, flesh, and metal.
At the same time, a young man discovers his best friend with a sword in her stomach, and dark wings sprouting from her back. Guards rush onto the scene, accuse him of the act, and he is forced to flee.
In a new world without his memories, Gray must find his way amid legends and darkness, as he wrestles with an elemental power inside himself.
A power all too similar to the infamous Ronin…
Website: www.roninsaga.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/roninsaga
Twitter: https://twitter.com/roninsaga
--The Twitter version: tell us about your book in 140 characters or less.
Ronin, once-legends, are destroying the world. A young boy with a strange sword muststand against them, but with no memories and in a new land, where will he turn?
--How did you get the idea for the story?
Well, long story short it just kept evolving. The original idea, like a tadpole, was just randomly conjured one day in Oregon on a walk. I’d say the true inspiration was just too much time alone and an obsession with fantasy. Otherwise, the elements like the nine Ronin are without a doubt influenced by Arthurian lore, and Japanese culture, including even the movie the Seven Samurai, among many other things.
--Which character would you most/least like to have dinner with?
Most:Kail, but I’d fear for my life. That’s a tough one honestly—I’d probably resort to the safe choice of Mura, the affable hermit with a mysterious past. Except he might gripe at me the whole time, but I’d enjoy it.
Least: Vera or the Kage. That’d be one awkwarrrrrrrd dinner. Or it might just be very short… for me.
--Do you have any other works in progress? Any teasers or release dates?
Currently 200 pages into book two of the Ronin Saga, with the working title “A Fallen Hope.” It’s looking like if all goes according to plan (which it never does and I ALWAYS overestimate the speed of my editing skills) then it should be done in the next 5 months.
--What book(s) is your book’s “cousin”? (Similar kind of read, set-up or style)
Wheel of Time or Sword of Truth.
--What are some of your favorite books? Do you still have much time to read?
First book was Wizard’s First Rule and I fell in love with books solely because of that. I see its faults and oddities now, but I still love it. I read more lately, mostly fantasy, but for the past few years writing has been my beautiful time sink. And I am of the belief that writing, good or bad, affects my own and I risk adopting hints of other’s voices if I read too much. And if I try to write in Melville’s voice, I’m going to have a bad time.
--If a fairy godmother told you could be put into the world of your favorite book for 24 hours, which book would you pick and why?
--If a fairy godmother told you could be put into the world of your favorite book for 24 hours, which book would you pick and why?
Such a good question! Too many. But the easy, almost cope-out answer is middle earth, and I’ll go with that for now.
--Do you need anything to write (music, coffee, etc)? Are there any songs on your playlist- songs that inspired you or that were playing while you wrote?
--Do you need anything to write (music, coffee, etc)? Are there any songs on your playlist- songs that inspired you or that were playing while you wrote?
Alas, I’ve taken to coffee more and more of late! It’s too necessary. I do love a good beer, headphones glued to my head listening to a band like Emancipator, and caffeine flowing through my veins. Granted, too much of a good thing is never actually good; so while my writing when relaxed and confident is the best, too relaxed and the characters end up pontificating about the nature’s of the universe.
--If you could have any superpower what would you choose?
The ability to be in multiple places at once. I’m too often late, or there’s too much to do. If I could be a socialite anda writing hermit, I would be so happy and a tad more balanced. Or the power of flight. Probably flight.
--Besides writing, what do you like to do in your free time?
--Besides writing, what do you like to do in your free time?
--What is one thing you would tell your 15 year old self?
--Is there anything else you want to add or say to your readers?
--Is there anything else you want to add or say to your readers?
Thank you so much for your support, those who have read and enjoyed the book, and those who will read it—each reader and fan means the world to me, and every review is so important. I would love to hear from each and everyone of you, and I mean that. So always feel free to shoot me a line, and I’ll do my best to respond. Otherwise, stay tuned because, modesty aside, this Saga is destined to live up to the genre and get truly epic!
Lightning round: this or that?
Vanilla or chocolate?
Vanilla.
Edward or Jacob?
Both. Twihard4life. But really, neither.
Hockey or soccer?
Soccer.
Ebook or paper?
Paper. But I eventually want to use sales for reforestation. My guilt is too heavy.
Salty or sweet?
Savory.
Beach or mountains?
Beach.
Phone call or email?
Phone call.
Early bird or night owl?
Night owl.
Dog or cat?
Both. I love all animals. I own a Komodo Dragon. Minus the Komodo. Not really, but I can dream.
Messy or neat?
Both. I’m all or nothing. Super clean or pretty darn messy.
Ninjas or pirates?
Ninja pirates.
Guest Post / Interview with Matthew Wolf
Q: Hi Matt, first and foremost, thanks for doing this and perhaps you can tell us a little more about yourself. Who is Matt Wolf?
A: Oh my, such an existential question and so early in the morning. I can handle this. I am a twenty-seven-year old male who has just recently published an epic fantasy book called The Knife’s Edge. It’s the first book of a series entitled The Ronin Saga. Otherwise, he is just a young man who enjoys the simple things.
A: It sounded good. Really, I enjoy fast cars, yachts that can hold smaller yachts, and goose liver. (Not really, just kidding.) I actually enjoy writing, oddly enough. But beyond spinning epic worlds of might and magic, I enjoy wood crafting, hiking, the beach, hanging with friends, and I am a martial arts practitioner.
Q: Martials arts, that’s awesome! What type might I ask and has it influenced your writing at all?
A: Kung Fu, and yes! I was actually a Kung Fu instructor part time until I had to let it drop for a while to pursue the series full time. But I love martial arts, and there is a heavy amount of sword fighting in The Knife’s Edge. I try to implement my years of training and knowledge into all of the fight scenes. I get nitty-gritty with the technical aspects of sweeping, joint-locking, grappling, sword-play and all that goodness in the book; however, I hope to keep it quick and simple enough for those non-sword wielding geeks like me, but knowledgeable enough to give a greater depth to every move and scene. Okay, stop me before I keep ranting about this!
Q: Before we go too far, can you give us a quick blurb about the book? How would you entice someone in less than a sentence?
A: Well I have this really cheesy line very “cached” line, but I dig it. It goes: The Knife’s Edge is Lord of the Rings meets Knights of the Round Table with a Japanese twist, and a main character with a Bourne Identity Complex.
Q: Very intriguing. I’m hooked. You mentioned “spinning epic worlds,” mind taking us through a typical day of writing?
A: I would love to, but it comes with a forewarning: I can be fairly eccentric.
Q: We can handle it. Shoot!
A: Well, to be tame, I wake up around 6 am, then again around 6:30, and one more time around 7:30. Then I’m up and I literally stumble towards my computer, put headphones on, play some moody music that inspires or is appropriate to the following chapter I’m writing and I just… write.
Q: No offense, but that doesn’t sound entirely eccentric. Where’s the eccentricity?
A: Well, it’s in the details. I have a wall. Well, four walls (like most rooms), and on most of the walls I’ve taken down my pictures and tacked up long sheets of butcher paper. One sheet has a drawing of the entire world—a land of magic called Farhaven. The others are filled the point I’ve nearly begun to write on the walls with character names (possible and current), plot points, cities, landscapes, trees, flora, fauna, magic principles, landmarks…. *takes a deep breath* And, well, a lot lot more.
Q: Wow, sounds… that’s a tad impressive. I imagine it’s taken you sometime then? The book is only the first in the series, correct?
A: Well the first book has taken me eight years, but those notes are recent. I’ve only written them in the past month or two. Correct, The Knife’s Edge is only book one of The Ronin Saga. And, fingers crossed, I’m hoping this next one won’t take eight years.
Q: How far in are you?
A: 200 pages currently.
Q: How long are you planning it to be?
A: Well, book one was 426 pages, but there’s a lot more to unfold in book two. It’s looking to be around 600+ pages at this rate. Hopefully not too long, but enough to really dive into the greater world of Farhaven, and explore the depths of the some of the characters we had only a brief chance to see in book one.
Q: What else have you done for the book, marketing and promotion wise?
A: Well the book is self-published, so I’ve had to learn a lot on my own. Even just getting it off the ground felt like I deserved a medal, but if I did it would go to all the fantastic people who’ve helped me. The cover art, map art, book design—I’ve had an amazing group of incredibly talented people at my side. I can only take credit for tracking them down. Otherwise, my greatest claim to fame and my second favorite thing next to writing would be the talks I’ve done.
Q: Talks like local speaking events?
A: That, and a signing or two at local bookstores. But my favorite bit has been the local schools. I’ve gone and talked with both middle schools and high schools about the book and about following my passion in the effort to spread the word and hopefully push others to follow their dreams. And each time, I get the coolest response. The questions are great, the kids are smart and responsive and supportive. And in the end, it’s just a great experience. In fact, I think they have inspired me to write more than I’ve inspired them.
Q: Well, thanks so much for you time Matt, and for letting us know a bit more about The Knife’s Edge.
A: No, thank you!
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Love the Q&A! Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteAh, yes, I've definitely heard a few more eccentric writers talk about their routines. This is like, tame in comparison.
ReplyDeleteRonin are so fascinating, I really want to learn more. Thanks for sharing this, I am intrigued.