Interviewing Author John Royce

MacFin interviews "Promise" from John Royce's trilogy Eclipsed by Shadow | The Legend of the Great Horse ~ Book I of III

MacFin: Welcome readers and horse fans! We all know it’s the horse behind the human that provides the inspiration to our authors …

Today we have an interview with the main equine character of the award-winning Eclipsed by Shadow, the first book of a fiction trilogy called The Legend of the Great Horse. The book's description says it is about a “journey though the ages when horses were everyday companions in work, war, sport and spectacle.” Wow, that sounds like quite a trip!

Maybe we could get started if you'd tell us your name?

Promise: I have borne many names.

MacFin: Oh, that's clever! Umm … how about giving us your current name, just so we have a transcript.

Promise: I come as Promise, and I am the Traveler.

MacFin: Oh, the traveler, I see … goes with the journey thing, yes. No relation to General Lee's white horse, we can assume … little joke there. Now, the first book of your trilogy was Eclipsed by Shadow and I see it won several national awards. I bet helping to win the Eric Hoffer Book Award for Young Adult Fiction was your pride and joy!

Promise: I know Joy; I do not know Pride.

MaFin: Really! Who knew? So where are you from and what is your breed?

Promise: I am an incarnation of the Creator's hope for mankind. I was the First Horse, and have returned to Man many times.

MacFin: I see … that sounds very special. Your actual breed, however … which is it?

Promise: I have come to Man in countless lives and become many.

MacFin: Many, uh, breeds. Okay … I see here you started out as a Thoroughbred … oh, my, a palomino it says. Is that right?

Promise: I have been many.

MacFin: Yes …it would help if you wouldn't repeat yourself, makes it more interesting for the reader. I'll put you down as a Thoroughbred. So, where do you live?

Promise: Great Horses live in the imagination.

MacFin: Really, now? That's a touch vague, but we'll let that one go. We'll just put down California. Now, what is your relation to the author, Mr. John Royce?

Promise: I am a friend of Man.

MacFin: But are you friends with the author,John Royce, particularly?

Promise: I am a friend to all Mankind.

MacFin: Very well, I'll take that as a 'yes' … let's see, did he do an accurate job of showing the real you?

Promise: I am many.

MacFin: That's - well, I'll take that as a 'yes' too. I take it you were the inspiration for the book?

Promise: I am inspiration.

MacFin: No, no, are you “the” inspiration. For the book, you see.

Promise: I have brought inspiration to Men throughout history.

MacFin: Which would include this book, of course. Another 'yes'. I wonder if we can keep our hooves on the ground a bit, Promise. What is YOUR favorite book?

Promise: Mind is the realm of Mankind.

MacFin: Yes, yes. Horses don't read. They don't talk either, however I'm doing an interview and would appreciate some cooperation. We'll put down Black Beauty and move on … what do you do for entertainment? Are you a Twilight fan? Harry Potter? Nintendo might be hard with your hooves, you'd destroy the console, haha.

Promise: I enjoy Motion.

MacFin: Motion? Did you say … motion?

Promise: I am companion to the Wind.

MacFin: It seems difficult for you to speak about normal things, Promise. Let's just say you like, um, hulu hoops and jogging. Let's try to finish up … does the author ever complain about “writers block” to you? Do you try to help him?

Promise: I am favorite of the Muses. I am inspiration.

MacFin: Oh, yes, that again. Not so helpful, really. If you don't wish to answer the question, just … whinny twice or something. What is the best part of living with an author … and the worst?

Promise: I have chosen to be a partner to Mankind and have seen the best and worst of Man.

MaFin: Ummm … of course you have, Promise … let's just skip that one too and get down to the end. We're almost done. Do want to share some advice with other horses who knows someone thinking of becoming an author?

Promise: Write for truth and ride the wind of imagination.

MacFin: Oh, that's just fine. Totally helpful. I'm sure that will be appreciated.

Well, that was our Great Interview with Promise, the time-traveling horse from The Legend of the Great Horse. See her perform in the first book of the trilogy, Eclipsed by Shadow, and don't miss Book II: The Golden Spark, available this Fall 2010.

I see Book II is coming out during the World Equestrian Championships in Kentucky this October … One last question, Promise, will you be playing yourself in the sequel?

Promise: My spirit is in all horses.

MacFin: Yes. I see … and all horses have promise! Get it? Oops, we’re out of time. We hope you enjoyed meeting Promise and will love reading Eclipsed by Shadow and the rest of The Legend of the Great Horse trilogy.

Hope all of your Trails are Happy, and see you next time!

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For more information please visit: TheGreatHorse.com

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Copyright © 2010 John Royce