Interview with Juan Carlos Galicia, author of “The Wolf of Dorvomond”

Interview with Juan Carlos Galicia, author of “The Wolf of Dorvomond.”

By Eva Fraile.

While writing a novel you don’t think about everything that will come after. Especially if you manage to publish your book. This was the feeling of Juan Carlos Galiciathe author of the new fantasy saga The Wolf of Dorvomond. But now that it is on the market, Juan Carlos is clear about his intention: That when he finishes his book, readers have the feeling of having entered a great story.

1- How do you imagine the balance between promoting your book, now that it is on sale, and building an image as a writer? What would you like readers to remember when they think about him and you?

I imagine it will be a challenge, before I had to divide my day only between writing and my work, but now I also have to dedicate enough time to promoting it and, in addition, building an image, which to be honest is something I never thought about. I always looked forward to publishing my first book, but I never sat down to reflect on what kind of image I wanted to convey, and I think it is still too early to decide, I think my actions will define it over time.

What I would like readers to remember is just one great storythe emotions they felt the first time they read the book and the connection they made with it.

2- I know that for you publishing a novel is something completely new. What fears do you have regarding it?

Well, I think that all of us who publish start with the same fear: that our book will not be the success it always was. However, opportunities do not come alone, they have to be sought and fought for. Thinking this is the only way I can overcome that fear. If an opportunity does not arise, I will strive to find others.

3- However, despite the fears, here you are and The Wolf of Dorvomond also. What is it about this story that has made you fight for it?

In writing I found a way to express not only my feelings but stories that were running through my head all the time. The Wolf of Dorvomond That’s it, a story that has been in my head since I was playing with my toys and that I previously believed that was the only way to tell it, but when I found writing I decided that the story deserved more, an opportunity to be known by more people. . I would like to say that I am close to finishing it, but there is still a long way to go and I think that will be good for those who decide to enjoy my book, because they will have a lot of material to read in the future.

4- Who are your literary references? If you had to compare The Wolf of Dorvomond With any other saga or book, what would it be?

It would be pretentious on my part to compare my book with that of great accomplished authors who also have many more works than me and who, in fact, have served as inspiration to me, however, what I would like is for someday my stories or As a writer, I myself can be on par with JRR Tolkien, George Martin, Brandon Sanderson or Santiago Posteguillo, who, by the way, are also my favorite authors.

5- Tell me about the world (setting) that surrounds The Wolf of Dorvomond.

Like many fantasy stories, everything takes place in a medieval setting. There is an old continent completely destroyed by its inhabitants, divided by hundreds of years of war and where the remnants of magic or magical races have already been erased by the same hatred.

6- As a writer, Juan Carlos, although this is something more intimate, do you think there is something that you still need to strengthen or improve?

Yes, of course, the reader himself will be able to detect it when he reads it, although I promise you that I am already working on improving to deliver the quality product that anyone would expect.

There are many things I have struggled with throughout my experience, but fortunately I have found great lessons in books, reading other authors always gets me out of trouble and teaches me how to move forward when I have a block.

First I write, then I review everything again, basically I could say that I rewrite it and, once rewritten, I do a final check to refine points such as spelling or improve the rhythm, things that are not essential to the story. Sometimes a new idea emerges that seems essential to give more meaning to the text, as if it were a necessary final adjustment. However, when I read the next paragraph, I realize that I had already applied that idea in a previous review, almost without realizing it. It is in that moment when I feel that my “past self” and my “present self” are aligned. That coincidence gives me peace of mind that everything is in its place, and that it does not need any further modifications. To me, that’s a clear indicator that the job is done.

7- Tell me some things that are going to happen (without spoilers!) in The Wolf of Dorvomond.

In this first book we will be able to see a small example of what has led this continent to destroy itself, the suspicion and hatred born between allies, what people are willing to do to obtain power and, why not? , we will see the events that will lead us to the beginning of a new era on the continent. But, as in all stories, in order to create something new, you must destroy everything that has passed. There will be Woldrent, Linora and their loved ones taking an elemental role (without them or the reader knowing it) in this first stage, being thrown into a completely unknown world in which they will have to adapt quickly.

8- And in its continuation?

We will be able to see how the lessons that the characters learned in the first stage will resonate more strongly than expected and how, even without wanting to, they will assume an important role in a much broader panorama than they could ever imagine.

9- Any character we are going to fall in love with?

Gahaeris without a doubt, I think that those who have already read the book were able to put a face to this character and, in general, we will all be able to identify him with someone we are fond of, be it your best friend, your guide, your brother,… Also Linora, a character with great development and plot.