Arigale: Spite in the Spirit
by Denise O. Eaton
Genre: Dark Epic Fantasy
Judith and Chit are called to the lonely tower outside their city with little explanation. The one who summoned them is an old Elven wizard named Maleth, who will send them on a quest to lower their floating city of Arigale to where it once resided. Maleth is intrigued by Judith's strange form of necromantic magic, yet he is also certain of the anxious young man training to be a spearman and scholar.
Judith, a bubbly yet mysterious young woman, is eager to accept. Chit remains withdrawn and cautious, a remnant of being raised by the Order that presides over their land. Soon, both discover their meeting with the wizard carried dire consequences. Can they accomplish what has been asked of them and save Arigale by exploring the land below, no matter the lengths they must go to?
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Denise O. Eaton grew up in a small town in southern Missouri, and from a young age, she chose fantasy literature as a means to broaden her horizons within her rural community. Following this passion and wishing to give back to others, she went on to earn a degree in Creative Writing from Webster University in December 2014. The Arigale series is her first foray into publishing, and she has been working on it since 2019. When she isn’t writing she enjoys meeting with her Dungeons and Dragons group, watching fantasy and anime shows, practicing tarot, or planning her next cosplay costume.
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GUEST POST
What book do you think everyone should read?
The Giver by Lois Lowry is something I think everyone should read. This book wasn’t required when I was in fifth grade for nothing. The Giver holds you and makes you question a lot of things, especially when read at that age. This book opened me up to a lot of new ideas and helped me form more of my sense of self. Don’t watch the movie. Read the book.
How long have you been writing?
I’ve been writing since I was eight years old. It all began in second grade when the class was assigned a short story project and given dragon-shaped printouts to color and write on to make our own little books. I made a book titled ‘Mike the Dragon’ and got to read it aloud at assembly one day with parents and all in attendance. I didn’t know much about wordplay at the time, but I had a double entendre at the end of my book that made everyone laugh while I stood there confused and worried. It’s cute looking back on my little origin story. My dad kept the story in a frame, but I don’t know where it is now. I loved writing and getting reactions so much I continued to write from that day on.
What kind of research do you do before you begin writing a book?
I tend to do all my research as I write. Considering the fantasy story is all in my head, I look up whatever comes up I’m not sure about. My worst google search so far was about burn wounds. I needed to know what a deadly burn could look like to describe it accurately, so I looked up a number of pictures despite my turning stomach. For one who writes a lot of grotesque imagery in battle scenes, I have a weak stomach when it comes to actual visuals.
Do you see writing as a career?
Yes, writing is my career. I may not make much income from it right now, but I hope to in the future.
Education can help, but I know it’s not the end all be all. I did receive my BA in English with an emphasis in Creative Writing in 2014. I feel like I learned a lot, but at the same time, that much of the time was not worth it. Everyone has their own style, and that may not always agree with standards. This is why I decided to self-publish.
Writing is what I have an interest and talent in, and it doesn’t put a lot of strain on me physically. I have an undiagnosable chronic condition that keeps me in pain and makes me tired and sick easily. My doctor is not sure what else to test or do about it, so we are pretty sure it is genetic and they just don’t have the DNA markers yet to pinpoint what it is and give the disease a name. I can’t hold down an everyday job without causing myself massive pain.
Do you read yourself and if so what is your favorite genre?
Yes, I do some reading, but I wish I did more. I’m a slow reader ever since college. I burned out for a while when I had to read like three Dickens-level works in a single week and write reports on top of a part-time job. That’s years ago now, and I’m slowly gaining back my old love of books. Fantasy will always be my preference, and I tend to lean toward YA novels.
Do you prefer to write in silence or with noise? Why?
Oh, I have to have music playing on my headphones as I write. The music I pick always goes with the character or scene and helps me feel and bring about those emotions in my own work. If I have no music, I get distracted by little noises from nearby apartments or even the wind passing the windows.
Do you write one book at a time or do you have several going at a time?
I write only one book at a time. I also write chronologically, though it can be difficult and time-consuming, it’s the only way I can keep proper track of events.
Do you have any advice to offer for new authors?
Write what you want. Even if you want to write to trends to make money, most will burn out fast if they don’t have a degree of passion for what they are doing. Writing is hard work. You’re signing up for years of work in the shadows where getting feedback can be difficult, but once you do it’s the most rewarding thing there is.
Describe your writing style.
My style is similar to older epic fantasy authors, but with a twist of more modern styles and speech patterns to appeal to a larger audience. I enjoy writing from multiple points of view through omniscient storytelling. With this approach, I can allow the reader time in each character's head in order to create a strong sense of connection for each one. My goal in my style is to weave all these storylines and character perspectives together until it feels like you know each character personally and can see how the web of intrigue luring them all into the main plot is spun. Scenery and description are also a great focus of mine. I use these descriptions to great effect so that the reader can see the world inside my head as clear as if it came out of their own.
What makes a good story?
In my opinion, a good story revolves around the characters. The plot is a must, but I think it should never be at the forefront. I want to read about the characters' lives and experience things at their side.
What are you currently reading?
I’m currently reading Bloody Spade by Brittany M. Willows. I adore her catboy protagonist so much so far. He’s seeming to be that rough and tumble but nougaty soft center kind of character I adore. I love all the characters so far at the halfway point, even the couple of characters that annoy me. The world and magic system are so easy to fall into and understand without overtly explaining too much in narration. I’m excited for when I find a good chunk of time to dive back in and finish.
Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?
I don’t research at all into what readers want, since it changes all the time anyway. I just want to write what I find to be original and interesting.
What’s the most difficult thing about writing characters from other genders?
I don’t think any of it is difficult. Regardless of gender, characters have certain drives and habits. I focus on writing the characters as rounded beings. Men can be feminine, women can be masculine, it doesn’t really matter. I think the only thing I may have trouble with is when I get to sex scenes if I take some from the penis-having perspective.
How long on average does it take you to write a book?
On average, a book seems to take me about a year and a half to get it fully together. I hope I can speed that process up soon.
Do you believe in writer’s block?
Yes, I do believe in writer’s block. I’ve suffered due to it many times. I equate it mostly to burnout in my own experience. Creatives need time to recharge, and I’m bad at doing that because even when I step away for a while I can’t stop thinking about my characters. Sometimes, it’s really just pressure that stops me in my track. The thought of strangers reading your work can be daunting no matter how exciting it is at the same time.
Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
$20 Amazon gift card – 1 winner (WW),
Swag Pack with a signed paperback of Arigale: Spite in the Spirit, a mug, tea, baked goods, candles, a notebook and bookmarks - 3 winners!
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