Today: Interview With Aiden of Oren Author, Alan St. Jean

 

Alan St. Jean is a children’s fantasy author, as well as a writer of music. Aiden of Oren is his first book, and the next two in the aiden of Oren series are due to be published sometime in 2005 and 2006.

 

Jason: Hi Mr. St. Jean. How are you doing?

 

St. Jean: Doing very well. Guess what?

 

Jason: What?

 

St. Jean: The publisher received a phone call on Friday from a company that does audio books...they are buying the rights to Aidan of Oren. They do BIG books...like all of Michael Crighton's books...and many others.  They love the story!

 

Jason: Congrats from mom, and from me.

 

St. Jean: Tell her thanks...this may give the book tremendous publicity.

 

Jason: Shall we get started, so I don't keep you up all night?

 

St. Jean: Ok - ready!

 

Jason: Tell us a little about your childhood. i.e. talents, hobbies, likes, dislikes, etc.

 

St. Jean: I've written music and told stories since I can remember - I'm a big Pittsburgh Steeler fan - hate NBA basketball - always loved math.

 

Jason: Wow, most kids hate math. I hate math.

 

St. Jean: But, I wasn't good at anything mechanical.  Couldn't build ANYTHING to save my life. Don't hate math...it's good for you.

 

Jason: I know. It's also vital to my future career.

 

St. Jean: Then, you better hit the books...look at it as a challenge.

 

Jason: Who was your hero as a kid?

 

St. Jean: You won't know who this is...Ultra Man.

 

Jason: You're right, I don't know.

 

St. Jean: It was a very early Japanese show, kinda like Godzilla...only with a boy who holds this microphone thingy up in the air and becomes this giant warrior for good.

 

Jason: Never heard about that one

 

St. Jean: I was too young to know they were dubbing in the language.

 

Jason: I know about AstroBoy.

 

Jason: You mentioned once that you are a storyteller. How is that different from being an author?

 

St. Jean: An author is a story teller, and a story teller is an author. The story teller just doesn't write the story down...it stays in his head.

 

Jason: How did you get started writing?

 

St. Jean: I had started a doll company, and wanted to write a book to bring the dolls to life.  Actually, I started the doll company to give me a reason to write a book...something that I've always wanted to do.

 

Jason: Who or what most inspired you to start writing in the first place?

 

St. Jean: The expression of joy, fear, surprise, or laughter that I get when I tell kids about my story, or I read it to them.  I am VERY motivated by the reaction, or potential reaction of the reader.

 

Jason: Who is your favorite character in your book?

 

St. Jean: My favorite character is Aidan...but that's because I know what he's destined to be.

 

Jason: Do you ever talk to your characters?

 

St. Jean: Actually, and you may think this is crazy, I talk LIKE my characters...as they have conversations!  I take each viewpoint and characteristic traits, and 'we' talk.

 

Jason: It makes perfect sense. What inspires you to write?

 

St. Jean: Everyday occurrences seen through the slanted lens of an overly creative and twisted mind.

 

Jason: Do you have any pictures, music, things that you use for ideas and inspiration?

 

St. Jean: No...inspiration comes from things, events, people, already there yet constantly in motion.

 

Jason: What was the hardest thing about writing Aiden of Oren? The funniest?

 

St. Jean: The hardest...getting started.  The funniest...reading the chapters as they developed to the neighbor kids.

 

Jason: Tell us a little about your book, without giving any answers away to the readers.

 

St. Jean: Well...it's a book about three children who live in a medieval country.  They are orphans in a way, neither of them have ever met their parents.  They bond together, and one day find out that they are children of destiny...and, they start out on an incredible journey, the journey of a lifetime!

 

Jason: How did you start writing music?

 

St. Jean: By playing chopsticks.

 

Jason: Did you take any music lessons as a kid?

 

St. Jean: Yes, one year...but the teacher didn't like my creative style.  Told me that I should NEVER make anything up...rather, that I should stick to the notes on the paper ONLY.   Such bad advice.

 

Jason: What do you do in your spare time?

 

St. Jean: Play the piano, spend time with my wife and kids, watch football!

 

Jason: Thanks for the interview.

 

St. Jean: Thank you for the interview, too.  It was a lot of fun.