Welcome to the author interview with Terrance Niedziela Jr., as he shares about his book, Tales of Aras: Becoming Fire and Lightning, the first book in his Tales of Aras series!
Blurb
Sometimes God leads us through fire before revealing the lightning within.
Dr. Michael Jenkins thought his greatest battles were behind him. After surviving a terrorist attack that changed his life forever, he returns home determined to heal and reconnect with family. Instead, he is pulled into the mysterious realm of Aras, a world unlike anything he has ever known.
There, danger lurks in the shadows, powerful forces stir, and the line between courage and fear grows thinner with every step. As Michael struggles to survive in this unfamiliar land, he begins to understand that his scars may hold purpose, his trials may carry meaning, and his faith may be the key to something far greater than he imagined.
Tales of Aras: Becoming Fire & Lightning is the first installment in an exciting, clean speculative fiction series designed to entertain, build rich and memorable worlds, and introduce unforgettable characters who remind readers that God is always at work, even in the most unexpected places.
Adventure awaits. Purpose calls. Faith endures.
Ready to learn more about Tales of Aras: Becoming Fire and Lightning and the author behind it? Keep reading for our interview with author Terrance Niedziela!
Author Niedziela, thank you so much for taking the time to speak with Scribbles about your book, Tales of Ares: Becoming Fire and Lightning!
Q: Author Niedziela, what was your inspiration for Tales of Ares: Becoming Fire and Lightning?
Author Niedziela: I had a plethora of inspirations for this book. The first and foremost was the Bible and my relationship with God. The lessons God’s been teaching me over the decades are woven throughout the book.
For sure author Niedziela, your Christian inspiration shines brightly throughout Tales of Ares. So readers who are looking for that particular element as a reason to pick up your book will definitely find it.
Author Niedziela: Next are the books, movies, and shows I grew up with that were filled with good triumphing over evil and chivalrous knights. Star Wars was an inspiration. The El’esh are a bit like the Jedi, and the Umoni are a bit like the Sith.
As for the Star Wars inspirational element to the book, it’s not quite as blatantly obvious. However! We will say this, that now that we know that is part of it, we see it more subtle manners in the novel and the characters.
Author Niedziela: My scholarly background also helped because I have found very few stories where the main character is a scholar who is transported to another world. Normally, there’s some scrawny kid in need of character building or something like that. But having a scholar who is a willing hero is rare in most stories and movies. Michael, one of the main characters, has a PhD in ancient Jewish history, which is what I had originally wanted to become when I started writing the story.
That is very true author Niedziela, and we think that is something that readers will appreciate! Scholarly type characters don’t usually get to be front and center, so it is quite the refreshing take for you to have Michael hold that position, creating quite a unique background for him. So by already establishing a decent character background for Michael, it allows him to be developed a lot faster, quickly engaging readers!
Q: How did you decide on the cover for you book? Were there other covers that you considered before you ultimately settled on this particular one?
Author Niedziela: I drew a bit of inspiration from some of the fantasy books I read as a kid, which had the characters in a scene or clustered together. It took quite a bit of tweaking, but we got a cover I like.
Okay! That makes sense. It creates quite the interesting dynamic to have a group of characters all there grouped together. It piques the reader’s curiosity to discover who they are, and who are the good guys and who are the ones they must battle.
Q: Why did you decide to use a pair of siblings to be the primary protagonists in Tales of Aras: Becoming Fire and Lightning?
Author Niedziela: This book was originally a short story for my youngest sister. She and I are nine years apart. It was to be a seventeenth birthday present. We were close when I started writing the story. I wanted the main characters to have a close relationship that took a hit and needed rebuilding, as ours did.
That’s very sweet that you originally wrote this book as a short story for your youngest sister. So, in essence, the story holds some connections to real life in the relationship between Michael and Cassandra, and you and your youngest sister. That’s very interesting that you decided to take that particular inspiration and apply it to your story.
Q: Tales of Aras: Becoming Fire and Lightning has quite the dynamic cast of characters. Why did you choose to keep the focus on Michael and Cassandra?
Author Niedziela: They are the fulfillment of the 2,000-year-old prophecy. I had considered changing the point of view, but I felt I was supposed to keep it the way it was.
Totally understandable, knowing that that is why you decided to have Michael and Cassandra be the focus of the story. Since they are fulfilling the prophecy, you of course have to keep them center stage since most if not all of the major drama will play out around them.
Q: Early in Tales of Aras: Becoming Fire and Lightning you have Eίmai playing a heavy role in engaging with Michael and Cassandra. Why did you choose to write the story this way?
Author Niedziela: Eímai is God in this world. For those who allow Him, He plays an active role in their life by guiding their decisions, thoughts, and words. He wants to be active in all our lives because He loves us.
Michael and Cassandra’s ability to fulfill their mission is directly linked to their relationship with Eímai. The more they know him, his Writings, and walk in a relationship that acknowledges his constant presence and direction, the more powerful they will become. In addition, Michael and Cassandra don’t know anything about anything they are now facing. They needed teachers. Since none were available early in the book, it was necessary to have the creator of that world guiding their steps. As a teacher, I will never give an assignment to a student before I walk them through the process. If I care about my students enough to do that, how much more does God, the ultimate and best teacher, do that with His children?
Your explanation really helps to bring things into perspective for our readers and us. Especially when you point out that as “outsiders,” Michael and Cassandra are going to be ignorant of exactly how things work in this “new world” and will be in need of guidance.
(a) Were you at all concerned about how readers would take it with you having Eίmai so involved with the thoughts and decisions of Michael and Cassandra?
Author Niedziela: No, I was not concerned at all. Yes, some will not be used to a divine character closely guiding and directing characters. It is possible that they don’t have that kind of relationship with God. But I am modeling what our relationship with God is supposed to look like, as shown in Scripture. I hope that readers will desire to have the same kind of relationship with God.
It’s an interesting position to take for your sure with your story. Especially in light of the fact that we are told that God has given us free will to choose. So, it almost seems like that is lessened with Eímai being so direct in navigating their paths.
Regardless, we understand the intent behind your choices and the way that you’ve written your story.
Q: How did you come up with the various characters you spotlight throughout Tales of Aras: Becoming Fire and Lightning?
Author Niedziela: The tiger warrior Captain Ragnar first appeared in a short story I wrote for a graduate degree assignment. As I developed his character more, I realized he would be the perfect teacher for Michael. The Dragon named Lady Achima also appeared in that short story, and given her political background, she was the perfect mentor for Cassandra.
The enemies Vold, Lusare, and Ba’rel appear in other works that will be published in the upcoming years. Every story and book I write is connected to those before it. It helps to show the continuity of the timeline and how everything is a tapestry; other than that, everything that comes after it.
Very interesting that each of the characters are interconnected from previous works weaving together to create such a unique story. It’s nice to know that you have such a strong foundation for your stories to grow and develop as you continue them forward.
Q: What was the inspiration behind the evil tiger, Vold? Is it him who is depicted on the cover?
Author Niedziela: Vold is Captain Ragnar’s great-grandfather. He was an El’esh who fell to the corruption of the evil Dragon Ba’rel. A few years ago, I took part in National Novel Writers Month, which is in November, and I started writing Captain Ragnar’s story.
I tell how he became cursed with immortality and what happened afterward. It was while writing that book that I fleshed out Vold’s rise and fall. I can’t get too much into it because that would give spoilers for the book that I plan to release in a few years.
In answer to the second question, the tiger on the cover is Captain Ragnar.
Q: We have to say that we absolutely love Michael’s armor. So frequently, we readers are teased with armor like his on a cover, but it doesn’t translate into the story like it’s depicted. Why did you decide on making Michael’s armor the way that you do?
Author Niedziela: The inspiration for his armor started with the song “The Vigil” by Kemper Krabb. The album walks through a knight’s time of prayer and fasting before going on a quest. There is a line in the song about burning with holy fire after drinking from a cup of fire. I loved it and decided to model the El’esh armor and weapons on it.
Such a unique origin story for Michael’s armor! We’re definitely glad that it helped inspire you to take such a creative take for your character.
Q: In the story, you don’t keep Michael and Cassandra together as a traveling pair. Why did you make the decision to write the story this way?
Author Niedziela: In real life, we walk for a time with friends and family, and eventually our paths separate and go in different directions. Cassandra needed to learn to live her own life outside of the shadow of her brother. This is one of the themes of the trilogy.
Very well put, author Niedziela! It would have been quite interesting to read about their “adventures” together, but it makes sense to separate them so that they each can grow and develop on their own. Especially Cassandra, as she constantly feels that she “lives in her brother’s shadow” because of his achievements.
Q: What was it like creating the world of Aras? Did it take you a long time to come up with it? Or did it come to you quickly?
Author Niedziela: Creating the world of Aras was a blast. It still is a blast. I thoroughly enjoy creating the history, cultures, races, traditions, religion, crazy creatures, all of it! This world has developed over time, and I’m still coming up with things. It even has a different way of telling time because there are 32 hours in a day and two suns.
Author Niedziela, your enthusiasm for your story definitely shines through in your answer. It is also definitely reflected in the fact that you have dedicated so much time to this book and characters and you still enjoy delving deeper.
Q: Why did you decide to write a clean speculative fantasy novel with Christian elements?
Author Niedziela: I have read tens of thousands of books, literally. Most of those were in the speculative fantasy genre. Unfortunately, a huge number of books in that genre are not clean. So here I was, an elementary, middle school, and high school student, reading books filled with graphic violence and sex. Not exactly the best influence on a young mind.
So I wanted to write books that had all of the elements of well-written fantasy and science fiction without all of the trash. This way, all my readers will be able to relax and enjoy the ride without having to be alert for sudden sex scenes or things that don’t need to be in there. I included the Christian elements because I am a disciple of Jesus, and that relationship influences what I write.
We have to say that we find it quite surprising that books with such content would be found in a school library, especially. We’re sure that many will understand and appreciate your desire to create clean fantasy that is appropriate for readers of most ages.
Q: Was there any particular character that you struggled with writing and developing? If so, why?
Author Niedziela: I struggled with writing Cassandra because I have never been a 17-year-old girl. I had a lot of help with writing her character and making sure she was not annoying.
LOL! Well, that makes a lot of sense that you would struggle writing from the perspective of a young female. Especially in light of the fact that teenagers tend to have rather fickle personalities. So, it’s good that you had help writing her character.
Q: In Tales of Aras: Becoming Fire and Lightning, you put and leave Captain Ragnar in quite a situation. There is a hint from a later character that he’ll be fine, but will we see him again in the next installment to the series?
Author Niedziela: You’ll have to read the next book to find out.
Okay! That’s fair. LOL!
Q: Throughout Tales of Aras: Becoming Fire and Lightning, you have multiple evil characters. We’re curious about King Tarin. Will we be learning more about him as the series progresses, and how he came to be the way that he is?
Author Niedziela: To be honest, I am not sure. I haven’t decided what I’m going to do with this character yet.
Well, we hope that you give King Tarin some serious thought. Especially in light of the fact that he has had quite a bit of influence on the people of Aras. It would be good to give readers more about him to better understand him and why he is the way that he is.
Q: When this book ends, you leave readers on quite a cliffhanger. Why did you decide to leave the story this way?
Author Niedziela: I took a page out of some of the superhero movies and linked the character Michael meets at the end to the standalone book scheduled to release next year.
Well, readers will definitely be anticipating the next book. Though it’s interesting that the next book will be a standalone instead of a direct sequel which would be what most expect. We’re sure that regardless it will be worth the wait.
Q: As you were writing Tales of Aras: Becoming Fire and Lightning, did you know from the beginning that this book was going to be the first in a series? Or did it come to you the more you wrote?
Author Niedziela: Once I realized that the short story was going to become a book, I planned on making it a trilogy.
So, what you’re saying is that initially there was no intention for a series, but as the story developed, you saw the potential and ran with it. It’s always a cool thing when a story, and the characters show you just how far things can go.
Q: We know that you just released the first book in this series, but we have to ask…Do you have a specific date in mind for when the next installment to the series will
be released?
Author Niedziela: Early 2027 at the latest is when I plan on releasing the second book in the trilogy.
So readers will have some time to wait, but they’ll have plenty of time to really take their time and enjoy Tales of Aras: Becoming Fire and Lightning.
Q: Do you know how many books you are looking at doing for the Tales of Aras series? Or are you just going to let the series run as long as you are inspired to write on it?
Author Niedziela: Since I created a world that has 80,000 years worth of history, I could write for the rest of my life and never run out of material. I plan on writing until I transition into the eternal.
Wow! Talk about being truly inspired and having a lot to work with! One thing is for sure, readers who enjoy your book(s) will appreciate the fact that they will have a lot of content to look forward to!
Q: What book would you recommend for readers after they finish reading Tales of Aras: Becoming Fire and Lightning while they wait for the next book in the series?
Author Niedziela: James R. Hannibal’s Lightraider Academy trilogy is a perfect read. Hannibal writes a lot as I do and is a major influence on my writing. He’s an excellent author and a great guy.
Sounds like an author worth checking out then! Especially for readers who are looking for clean fantasy with inspirational elements to it.
Q: It’s a bit early to be asking this, but we’re curious to do it anyway. Is there any potential for spin-off series or novellas for specific characters who don’t get the spotlight in the Tales of Aras series?
Author Niedziela: Yes! There are going to be tons of novellas, novels, and even some anthologies.
Awesome! Lots to look forward to then! We’re sure that our readers will be looking forward to delving deeper into the series as the stories roll out.
Q: We know that it’s still early, but is there any teaser or snippet that you could give our readers to keep them looking forward to the next book in the series while we all wait?
Author Niedziela:The Saga of Miklos is the next book to come out, and it deals with how another scholar turned El’esh. Miklos races against time to find a mountain that appears to have vanished. Miklos has a mysterious past, and he doesn’t know why Ba’rel’s Legion is hunting him. So, with time running out and agents of Aras’ king and the Legion working to destroy him, he must rest in Eímai’s power and wisdom to fulfill his quest.
Thank you for the teaser! This will definitely whet readers’ appetite for what’s to come next in the Tales of Aras series. It definitely sounds like it’s going to be quite the interesting story coming and we’re looking forward to checking it out!
Author Terrance Niedziela Jr. we appreciate you taking the time to share with us here at Scribbles and our readers about your book, Tales of Aras: Becoming Fire and Lightning. We look forward to reading more of your work in the future! Thank you so much for your time today!
We enjoyed and appreciated the opportunity to read and review Tales of Aras: Becoming Fire and Lightning and you can check out the review here.
About the Author:
Terrance Niedziela Jr. grew up in Wisconsin, USA. He started writing books in the 4th grade, and that passion continued into adulthood.
He received his BS in Ancient Middle East History with a minor in Creative Writing at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and an MA in English and Creative Fiction Writing at Southern New Hampshire University.
His fiction has earned a first-place Foundation Award at the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference, a Fiction Carolina Christian Writers Award, and a second-place Florida Tapestry Award.
He enjoys spending time with his wife, watching cartoons, reading, being in nature, and seeing his students’ light bulbs turn on. He currently lives in South Carolina with his beautiful wife, Shauna, and their dogs. He teaches English to middle schoolers, writes speculative fiction as well as devotions for The Man Cave blog on Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes’ website. In 2024 and 2025, his devotions were included in published devotions.
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