In Writing The Amulet:

Journey to Sirok

Book I of  THE ELIAS CHRONICLES.

An interview with E.G. Kardos-  Be true to yourself. It is only when we follow our hearts that we may truly know who we are and how we should live our lives. As Socrates said, "know thyself". We all have dreams, but those dreams may be misguided. By listening to our hearts, it can make all the difference.

Tell us about the book.

Elias takes the reader on a hero’s journey. Elias, a young artist, agonizes over his 

preordained future. His grandmother, Nattymama, sends him on a journey of discovery that takes him from his village into a supernatural world. Here, he faces powers and mystical beings standing in the way of his treasure. While he strives to understand some, others he is forced to battle. With help from Zoltan, a sorcerer, he finally confronts the Sarkany, a three-headed shapeshifting dragon that tries to stop Elias at every turn. It's how Elias navigates these encounters that make the difference.

Who did you write the book for?

As always, I write what’s meaningful to me, but I also want to share the story of Elias with young readers. Like me, young at heart readers will enjoy and appreciate this quest. If you have ever been in a position where you were afraid to take that next step -- to be who you really are-- you will love taking this journey with Elias.

What inspired you to write this book?

People.  Courageous people who know what’s most important to them and live their life to the fullest. Many of us do not follow our hearts for reasons of conditioning, of guilt or fear. We can fear both our failures as well as our successes and it takes courage to step out of our comfort zone and make a difference in not only our own lives but a difference in the lives of others.

I understand you have gained an appreciation for storytelling. Please tell me a little about that.

I am an avid “student” of Joseph Campbell and have read and studied the many books Campbell wrote. It fascinates me that the “hero’s journey” is so embedded in all cultures for thousands of years. THE ELIAS CHRONICLES are true to form of Campbell’s hero’s journey, as I explore what’s most important in our lives today with the mythology and magic that are the fabric of who we are as a people. The book THE POWER of MYTH, in which Bill Moyers interviews Joseph Campbell truly inspired me to write this story. Through his direct and exacting style, Moyers masterfully helped bring clarity to the vastness and time complexity, of mythology. My story puts a new spin on an ancient way of storytelling.

Do you have a favorite character in the book?

That’s a difficult question for any writer. I love all my characters, but if pushed, I’d have to say the main character, Elias is my favorite. He endured attacks from all sides and weathered them well.  Nattymama and Zoltan are important to Elias’ quest, but throughout it all, they refused to give him answers but made him think and act. 
 

Was this based on real-life or made up and why?

Part of me and those I meet all show up in my stories, but this story is a work of fiction. I love fiction. Unfortunately, I think many adults lose a significant amount of their imagination and this is a real shame. To see life is to see more than what is staring you in the face. To ask, “what if…” and “just think if…” and questions like this, keep magic alive. We all need magic in our lives.

Do you have a specific writing style?

The simpler the approach the better. I want the readers to feel what the characters feel and see what they see. I don’t want distractions. I want the reader to be on the same path that Elias took.

Who influenced your writing the most?

Authors, C.S. Lewis, J.K. Rowling, and Paul Coelho write great stories full of fantasy with messages for which we all yearn. I would say their approach to storytelling has been influential to me.

What book would be similar to The Amulet: Journey to Sirok?

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is similar in that the main character begins to recognize the omens along his path and learns to follow his dream. 

Are the characters pure fiction or based on people you know?

My characters are usually based on a compilation of people I know, or know of, to a great extent. I modeled Elias on a young man I knew many years ago. But he and many of the characters in this story are fresh. I can’t really pinpoint who or how I came up with some of their personality, traits, and the true essence that makes them original.

Is your story driven by your characters or driven by your plot?

My characters always move the story. Plots, many times, are used over and over again, but the characters give the plot color and life. Without strong and unique characters, the story would be more like reading an article in the newspaper.

What do you want to accomplish with your book?

If I can inspire a young person to enjoy reading and writing, and if I can get “grown-ups” to soul search, it would bring me a great deal of satisfaction. If readers tell me that they enjoyed the adventure, I’d be very happy as well.

Who should read this book?

Young people who enjoy action and adventure. I can see older readers buying it for young readers but wanting a copy of their own—I think the story reminds us that in our busy day we eventually come home and when we do, we come home to ourselves. We’ve got to be happy with who we are well before we can be happy with others.

Where can we buy the book?

The book is available on Amazon or at any online bookseller worldwide in both e-book and in trade paperback. Ask about it at your favorite books and mortar store.

The Rings: Journey Beneath Sirok

Book II is now available! Here