Jukebox California recently got a chance to interview Shawn F. Parker in regard to his book ‘The Crimson Spire.‘ We got insights into his book, his source of inspiration and much more.
Q. Welcome to Jukebox California. The Crimson Spire features a unique magic system tied to ancient spires. What inspired this concept, and how did you develop it?
I come up with a title before anything else. The common writing process, as far as I’m aware, is book first and then title. I do things a little differently. I was brainstorming a title for a fantasy book that sounded incredible. The kind of name that piques the interest of a reader hungering for an epic fantasy. So the title popped into my head and then everything else flowed from there.
As for the magic system, I’ve always been obsessed with the idea of magic only working in regions. Thus, the Crimson Spire blesses magic to Tamaria. Other Spires have other magic systems we’ll explore in later books. For now, I didn’t want to overwhelm the reader with too many magic systems.
Q. With multiple POV characters, how did you balance their voices and arcs? Were any inspired by real people or personal experiences?
I write with a question. How each character answers that question tells me their personality. My question for this book was: is duty worth the sacrifice?
Characters each answer that one question very differently. It’s not always a simple yes or no. For some it may be an adamant “yes”, for others a hesitant “yes”. This helps me differentiate the character’s voice based on how they react.
I like to write chapters or scenes in my books that come from personal experience. Something will occur in my life and I’ll think to myself how could I write that? How could I put a spin on it and observe that real life event in a fantastical setting, perhaps even in a viewpoint completely dissimilar from my own.
Q. Who are your favorite authors, and did any specifically influence The Crimson Spire?
Patrick Rothfuss and Brandon Sanderson. They both created incredibly rich worlds but their characters are what stand out to me. World building is an incredibly meticulous and difficult task but character is what gives a book its heart.
Q. If you could claim a Spires tower’s magic for yourself, which power would you choose and why?
I would choose the Wind. The Flame can certainly be the most intimidating, but the Wind can have substantial visual effects when it scales. You can read that in the back half of my book.
Q. What’s the most challenging part of writing epic fantasy—research, pacing, or something else? Advice for aspiring authors in the genre?
Pacing is certainly the most difficult. Coming up with ideas for chapters is very easy for me. Figuring out how long to stay there is the difficult part for me.
My advice would be to work on the timing of your chapters. Make sure each chapter has room to breathe and allow the reader to marinate inside of.
Q. Beyond writing, what fuels your creativity? Any unexpected sources of inspiration?
The Bible fuels my creativity. There’s a lot of poetic verbiage used in it that can really inspire me and provoke my thoughts. Especially the King James Bible. God’s Word is always a blessing and has helped me immensely.
Q. Lastly, as we ask all our guests on our platform, do you have any closing thoughts that you would like to share with the world and our readers?
The book is obviously titled ‘The Crimson Spire’ and it’s cover features the Spire but the book is about so much more than that.
It’s a story about two kingdoms at an uneasy peace with one another—one kingdom having magic, while the other does not. It’s about a prince discovering a new magic. It’s about a guard captain repelling a foreign threat. A princess watching her father’s kingdom slip away. A prince trying to drown out his past. It’s about a man trying to fulfill his duty no matter the cost. And finally, yes, it is about The Crimson Spire.
About the author: Shawn F. Parker is a storyteller driven by faith, perseverance, and an unyielding imagination. A 21 year old senior at the Warrington College of Business at the University of Florida, Shawn’s life has been a testimony to God’s grace and power from the very beginning. Born prematurely as a twin and overcoming a heart condition miraculously healed at age five, he understands that every journey—whether real or fantastical—is written by the hand of God Almighty. Beyond writing, Shawn enjoys time with his family, golfing, playing chess, volunteering at church, and mentoring students at Dunedin Academy. No matter the story he tells—whether a thrilling fantasy adventure or a lesson in faith—his ultimate mission remains the same: to glorify God in all things and help others know the life-giving power of Jesus Christ.
About the book: The Crimson Spire is an epic, multi-POV fantasy novel set in a fractured realm where power is drawn from ancient Spires—mystical towers that bestow unique forms of magic to those within their reach.
