I had the privilege of interviewing the UBER talented Benji and Ila Woolet authors of The Hunter The Bear and The Seventh Sister. Check it out!
Synopsis:
Jackson is a quiet
Midwestern teen who enjoys the solace of the woods and the splendor of
stargazing. Beloved constellations come to life when he is thrown into Arcas, a
mystical planet with ancient ties to Earth. Jackson and his stellar companions
embark on an epic adventure to combat a rising evil threatening the future of
both worlds.
Excerpt:
Jackson crouched
low, hiding behind Otava’s branches. The river flowed quickly enough that
little effort was required to move the wooden canoe forward. The Hunter softly
guided them to the middle and occasionally steered away from rocks, branches,
or logs obstructing the smooth path forward.
The jungle around them remained still with only the sounds of birds and
small, scampering creatures echoing within. It was peaceful and calm, but the
companions felt watched, like at any moment some danger would bound out at them
from behind the green, leafy shadows. But it was not from within the woods
where the dangers truly lay. Danger lurked within the waters where little
torrents of ripples slowly penetrated the surface, increasing in size, speed,
and number. The canoe gradually began to sway lightly until the front and back
end rocked up and down, not in a rhythmic, parallel motion but in a jagged,
chaotic tumult as if an ominous war was waging underneath the water, and the
heat of the battle was moving up from the deep toward the canoe. The Hunter
turned his gaze from the woods and the curvy bend ahead to the waters
underneath and then glanced behind him.
“Hold on!” The Hunter commanded.
“What’s happening?” Jackson gripped the sides of the canoe.
“Ursa Major! I knew I should’ve brought my harpoon!” Otava grabbed a
spear instead and searched the water for a target.
Merope was close now. She sprinted out of the tree line onto the shore
just behind the increasingly warring waves thrashing onward toward the
powerless travelers. By the time she recognized exactly who she was following,
it was too late to warn him. As The Hunter stood, facing a beast, Merope cried
out—first softly in recognition and then loudly in warning:
“Rigel? RIGEL!”
Check out this super interview:
So tell us a little about yourself?
I guess you could say that we were high school sweethearts, even
though Benji was technically in college when we “officially” were a couple.
We’ve been married for 10 years. We have 3 girls and a baby on the way!
Tell us a little about your book.
In The Hunter, the Bear,
and the Seventh Sister, a teen from Earth—Jackson—gets thrown from his
predictable Midwestern life into the world of Arcas. He, along with an unlikely
band of heroes, embarks on a journey to save Earth and Arcas from a rising
evil. All of the characters and creatures from Arcas come from constellations,
stars, and deep space objects.
What is the hardest thing about writing?
Patience. Like many others, we have day jobs and family life and
are involved in our local church. We had to learn to be content writing a
little bit at a time when we had the energy and a spare moment to work.
What comes easiest to you?
The easiest part is actually that we are working together. Now,
we didn’t always agree on where to go with characters or scenes, but we always
have had someone supporting us, giving immediate feedback, and challenging the
direction of the story.
When writing which character is most like you?
Ila: I feel like Merope and Andi both reflect parts of me. I
share a love of singing like Merope and hold deep connections with people I
care about though I don’t always voice it. I relate to Andi because I was quite
the care-free Tomboy growing up. I would try to do everything that my brothers
did whether it was climbing a tree, chasing a snapping turtle, or jumping off
the tree house into a pile of leaves. Ouch!
Benji: When I was a teen, my personality was a lot like
Jackson’s. I was a quiet, nice kid, but I was a bit awkward and fearful of new
or uncomfortable situations (like anything dealing with girls). My wife thinks
I’m more like Arcturus now, but you’ll learn more about him in books two and
three.
Which one was the hardest to write?
Sulafat was difficult to write just because he is so vile.
Everything about him makes our skin crawl. It was hard to think in the mind of
someone so evil.
Which one was the most fun to write?
Otava, the bear, was the most fun to write. He’s a burly,
powerful creature but is quite paranoid of others. He’s a bit of a “prepper”
who’s obsessed with both weapons and the culinary arts. Everything about him
makes you want to give him a giant bear hug, but such a gesture would make him
oh-so-uncomfortable!
What is your favorite scene in the book?
Ila: I love the scene with Mira the Wonderful from the
constellation Cetus. It’s a unique mythical creature with songs and interesting
legends written about it in the book. After they encounter the beast, we gain
new insight and depth into the heroes’ internal battles.
Benji: My favorite scene is when Jackson and Merope meet Queen
Cassiopeia. Queen Cassiopeia is just fascinating.
Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
Don’t think of writing as a solo sport. We reached out to a
close group of friends and family throughout the process. Some helped us with editing;
some just encouraged us to continue to writing and would ask us frequently
about our progress. Find people who will support you and encourage you, and
distance yourself from those who tell you it can’t be done. And lastly, shop
around to hire talented free-lance professionals for cover design and editing.
It’s well worth the money!
Quickfires
Favorite color
Benji: green
Ila: blue
Favorite Food
Benji: pizza
Ila: tacos
What's your sign?
Benji: Aquarius
Ila: Capricorn
Favorite writing snack?
White Cheddar Cheese-It’s
Thing you absolutely need when writing
Computer (We would have hated writing before the digital world!)
Tall glass of water
DreamCar
Benji: Charger
Ila: Mustang
Ila: Mustang
Dream vacation
Maui – What other place has desert, tropics, mountains, and
ocean so close together?
If I won the lottery the first thing I would do
Pay off our mortgage! Donate to The Beacon, an old empty bowling
alley in our town that is being converted to a community center.
Favorite Song?
We have a passion for all types of music, so we really can’t
name just one or two. But about 1/3rd of our list of favorite songs are
from the Beatles.
Favorite childhood memory?
Ila: My dad is a veterinarian, and I always loved jumping in his
truck with him to go to farms and work on people’s horses.
Benji: Playing out in the woods with my brothers.
Why I love to write
Can anything be grander than creating worlds and peoples and
heroes? It gives you a small sense of how God must feel about His creation.
B. I. Woolet (Benji & Ila Woolet) is the author of The Hunter, the Bear, and the Seventh
Sister, the first book from the World of Arcas series. Benji studied Music
Composition leading to a Bachelor’s in Music, and Ila studied English leading
to a BS in Education. When they aren’t working, writing, or chasing their three
little girls around, they are active in their local community and church. The couple
enjoys creating lyrical and literary arts, playing music together, and
exploring nature. They are happily married and live in Indiana.
Author Links:
Twitter:
@worldofarcas
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