Heather’s Bookshelf: Author Interview with Brendan Corbett
Book Title: The Thief and the Historian
Released: 06/17/23
Genre: YA Fantasy
Interview by Heather L. Barksdale
What inspired you to write “The Thief and the Historian”?
Corbett: I grew up in a military family, and we moved constantly. Books were my escape, friend, and comfort through the instability. Books such as Brian Jacques' Redwall series offered worlds I could explore without judgement and with characters I could connect with and would not lose the next time we moved. As an adult, I found myself in a different position, where my career has been interesting and fulfilling in its own right, but rarely allowed me to express myself artistically. Combining these two drove me to craft a story of my own.
How did you come up with the names of your main characters?
Corbett: Names are hard! I look everywhere for inspiration, whether a street sign, graffitti, or a brand of food. I really do mean everywhere - there's a character in the third book whose name came about from me misspeaking and my son cackling about it.
Is there anything that you want readers to know about you, your writing process or your book?
Corbett: I am grateful for the interest in my work! This is the first book in a four book series, with the plot, themes, characters, and narratives for the entire series complete. As the story is already set, please don't worry that you might start a journey that won't be finished!
If "The Thief and the Historian" was adapted into a movie, who would you like to see cast to play your lead characters?
Corbett: There are a few characters I developed with actors in mind, such as one character in the second book who is in part inspired by the Korean actor Ma Dong-seok. However, for the two main characters we spend the majority of time with, I would love to see unknown actors.
When you encounter writer’s block, what do you do to break yourself out of it?
Corbett: My most important approach is tapping into variety. With writing, I segment each book into rough narrative development, outlining, detailed outlining (which may be 1/4 to 1/3 the length of the final book), writing, then multiple phases of editing. If I find myself hitting a snag in any of those stages, I pivot to another phase of a different book, if only for a day or two, to keep myself moving forward.
Are there any tips that you would like to share with other aspiring authors?
Corbett: Don't be afraid to tap into your inner child. I spent years trying to suppress my imagination, and I felt embarrassed for having this whimsical side. Society often tries to steer youth and young adults away from their imagination, placing higher value on 'maturity' and 'growing up'. I would encourage authors to reject that notion and instead tap into their inner child and run free with creativity.
What is your favorite genre, book, and/or author?
Corbett: Perhaps obvious given my first book is a YA fantasy, my favorite genre is high fantasy. That said, The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien is actually a close second to my favorite book, Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. Pip's journey was profoundly impactful on my youth, and I believe it is one of the greatest, if not the greatest, coming of age stories ever written. It's long, it's detailed, it can be intimidating, but what an incredible book that is still relevant today.
What are you working on next?
Corbett: Delivering the next three books of the Runetree Chronicles! The second book is in final editing, I've started writing the third, and the initial outline for the fourth is complete. I'm striving to finish writing by late 2024 or early 2025; if you'd like to know when the books arrive, you're welcome to join my mailing list on my website or follow me on Instagram!
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