MEET THE AUTHOR ERIC FRIESEN~
 Eric's
writing experience spans seven years as a copywriter for a small
publishing house and serving on a story team for the comic book
series, Welcome To Holsom. Elfin is his first novel.
AUTHOR INTERVIEW~
Talk about the creative process you
went through for the book.
The inspiration for Elfin came
from a discussion among friends. We were all at a point in our
lives where we could feel our talents being tossed into a corner
in the interest of simply making it day by day. We soon realized
this trading bits and pieces of ourselves for a paycheck—for an illusion of security—was
draining us of something vital.
The three of us were all professional creatives.
Individually we’d fostered the hope of someday creating something apart
from our commercial obligations—something wild and unfettered,
for us alone, but the urgency of everyday living always seemed
to frustrate our efforts. We all had talent, it was just a matter
of bringing it to bear on a project and seeing it through. And
so the idea was born to attempt collectively what we had failed
to do individually.
We went out and found some interesting characters
who seemed ready for an adventure. Together we began exploring a
newly risen world—a
world that became increasingly reflective of our own common experience.
As the writer, I was responsible for escorting our new-found friends
through their world, occasionally screaming for help whenever I discovered
myself dangling from a cliff edge. I can’t count how many bottomless
bogs and curdling cauldrons we narrowly escaped along the way, but
somehow we managed to riddle our way past the dragon and return with
a completed book. And after finally catching the breath to actually
read it, I rather think it was all worth it. Truthfully, it puts
me to mind of adventuring for another . . . |
What are some of the themes of Elfin?
Plenty of young adult fiction covers the process of growing up and the losses
that come with it. Elfin, however, is about the importance of
clutching a handful of childhood magic to your breast through the sneering
portals of adolescence and into adulthood. Magic, in this case, is not
only defined as innocence and potential, but more specifically, the passions
and talents that make you unique.
As we grow older, we often trade this magic away
for things we feel are important at the time (for example, a decent-paying
job in an uninspiring field). But whenever we make these bargains
(some of which are indeed necessary), we lose something vital,
leaving us older and hollow. Rare are the individuals who manage
to cling to their magic—their dreams and talent—much
less make a living from them. Those few who do, tend to live extraordinarily
satisfied lives, regardless of whatever wealth or status they may
or may not attain. Elfin shows us the importance of keeping
(or rediscovering) your magic and using it to not only enrich your
own life, but that of others.
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