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Interview with Author JT Bailey: Rise of the Dark Whisperer, Captivating Fantasy Series with Meaningful Life Message
Author JT Bailey takes us on a journey to a richly imagined world in his new book, Rise of the Dark Whisperer.
The story is part of a fantasy series filled with magic and real-life lessons and follows the life of the main character, Seth Loyer.
Seth discovers his family holds a legacy that makes them the target of the Syndicate of Dark Voices and that magical powers have been given to him to fulfill an ancient prophecy.
Though the story is fiction, author JT Bailey’s thoughtfully crafted characters are relatable to readers.
Rise of the Dark Whisperer explores self-discovery, finding hope during adversity, and how to grow stronger through challenges. The story has an underlying message of finding courage in the face of fear and celebrating the power of family and friendship.
Parts of author JT Bailey’s new book are based on experiences in his own life. During an interview with him, JT Bailey talks about what it was like to be adopted at a young age and move from West Africa to America, a fundamental shift that would change the trajectory of his life.
He tells us how reading fantasy series such as Harry Potter and listening to his mother’s imaginative storytelling during childhood inspired him to become a writer.
Author JT Bailey hopes his work not only gives readers an escape into an exciting fantasy world, but also gives them a sense of courage to face difficulties in life.
Tell us a little bit about your background. Where are you from, and what brought you to the United States?
I’m from Liberia. It’s in the western part of Africa. I came here about 17 years ago with my little sister when we were adopted into an American family. It was a lifesaving opportunity.
Do you remember much about your life in Liberia?
It was hard, that's for sure. It was difficult and wasn't easy. The stereotypical living in a mud hut, you know. And the transition from never seeing cars or motorcycles to coming to America, where you can go to stores like Walmart and Safeway. Seeing all the food and the different transportation was a lot to get used to at first.
My family that I got blessed into helped me adjust to American life and school. They encouraged me to learn, grow, and try different things, like sports.
All of this was very new to me, but I enjoyed it. I'm grateful for the opportunity to come here.
Did your childhood experience shape you as an author? Does it inspire quite a bit of your writing?
Yes, I would say so. It helped me craft a world where things are easy and difficult, similar to my life. It was natural to write about characters with backgrounds of difficulty who must overcome adversity to become who they're destined to be.
The main character of my story, Seth Loyer, is an ordinary kid trying his best to navigate life. He deals with challenges such as loss and death, which is somewhat like my own life.
Recently, I lost my grandma, So, it was easy to write about grief and loss. These experiences helped me become a better writer because, like a phoenix, I was also able to rise from the ashes.
Tell us more about your new book, Rise of the Dark Whisperer.
It follows the life of the main character, Seth Loyer. He used to live a normal everyday life, which abruptly changed when he came home from school one day. His family was gathered in the living room, and he could feel the energy was different. He could feel the agitation.
His family told him they were being hunted by this secret group that was trying to destroy their bloodline, and they had to leave to be safe.
They had to flee to this place called "the sanctuary," where whisperers, this group I invented, learn how to grow their powers, hone their magical skills, and ultimately prepare them for their enemies trying to destroy them.
So, that was big news that Seth Loyer received on his 18th birthday.
While teenagers don't quite face this daily, they can relate to the aspect of change that Seth goes through. Seth experiences change in the most unlikely situations, and it really helps him grow as a person, as a young adult, and as a character.
The book goes into how Seth learns to live in this new world and control the power he has been given that he never knew he had.
He also deals with the death of his father, which happens prematurely in the book, and the story addresses how he deals with that.
What inspired the book, and have you always been interested in fantasy writing, or when did that come about in your life?
That's a really good question. When I was young, my family read the Harry Potter series. We loved The Lord of the Rings Movies.
Growing up with all those different fantasy backgrounds really helped put my mind in a place where I could craft a world similar to those books.
It helped me have that train of thought - I could see different situations in everyday life that I could incorporate into my stories and craft my own world of magic, mystery, and retreat.
What do you hope readers will take away from the book? What message do you hope to get across?
I hope the story will provide readers with an escape from the real world. Also, I hope readers grasp that despite hardship and trials in life, you have the power to overcome anything.
My book addresses the love of family and friendship and how, if we stay true to those bonds, we can overcome any demons or monsters, real or not.
Rise of the Dark Whisperer also deals with depression and grief. I believe that nowadays, there are so many people who deal with mental health struggles. I know that's a big topic to tackle.
Watching how some of my family members overcame challenges helped me write a narrative in my book that showcases their strengths, which readers will likely be able to relate to.
Why do you think it's important to openly speak about depression and grief?
I feel like it's a topic that's kind of taboo. Most people don't want to talk about it. It's like the elephant in the room. Everybody knows it's there, but I feel like we don't want to address it as a society.
I know that many people struggle with it, and what better way to address it than through books, where people can focus their attention and realize they're not alone. Even though this book is fiction, the struggles and situations are real, and people can connect with the characters.
I hope readers realize they have the power to find help and ultimately be the hero of their own story.
What advice would you give to another author? What’s your writing process like?
The best advice I have is to trust yourself and trust your process. If you like to meditate before you write, if you like to go for a run before you write, or if you want to watch a show or write with a glass of whiskey in your hand - whatever makes you feel comfortable, do that.
Writing can be fun. And always remember why you decided to write in the first place. The hardest part of the journey is not just picking up a pen and writing things down. It's the daily discipline and consistency.
As a writer, you will sometimes wonder if your story is good enough or if you're wasting your time. When that happens, reach out to people who have completed their first book and pick their brains to see how they did it.
Just believe in yourself and keep moving forward because the worst thing you can do is quit and think you don't have the talent. So, stay true to your course and see what happens. You'll likely accomplish something that most people haven't because you put the blood, sweat, and tears into it.
Readers can find author JT Bailey’s latest work, Rise of the Dark Whisperer, on Amazon and Kindle, and the book will soon be available in audiobook format.
Rise of the Dark Whisperer is the first book of a fantasy series, and the second book will be released next year.
The series will be a continuation of the main character Seth Loyer’s journey through each stage of his life from young adult to manhood.
The first book primarily focuses on Seth’s high school and freshman college years.
Website: WhisperingWorld.com.
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