THE CELESTIAL FLAME received a 4+ star review, making it an IndieReader Approved title.
Following find an interview with author S.R. Watts.
What is the name of the book, and when was it published?
The name of my book is THE CELESTIAL FLAME, and it’s the first in a planned series called THE DIVINE SAGA. It was published on July 11, 2023.
What’s the book’s first line?
“Serenity was a rare state of mind for Harius—one he only ever experienced in flight.”
What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch.”
Certainly! THE CELESTIAL FLAME is about a young warrior named Harius who has struggled to find peace ever since a technological revolution threatened to destroy his primitive race of winged humans. Everything changes, though, when he is chosen by his spiritual order to guard a mystical key capable of unlocking humanity’s divine potential. Harius vows to protect the key from all who would destroy it. However, while training to wield divine powers in the key’s defense, he soon finds himself in the middle of a global conflict, running from a mysterious adversary who will stop at nothing to destroy him.
What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event?
Having grown up with several challenges related to mental illness, the only things that kept me from taking my own life were the many fantasy stories I read in my youth. The heroes of those stories taught me the importance of exhibiting courage in the face of adversity and developing the resilience to overcome obstacles even when it seemed like all hope was lost. By the time I was in college, I wanted nothing more than to create an epic fantasy that would help readers discover their true worth, leading me to play with different concepts until I came up with what ultimately became my debut novel, THE CELESTIAL FLAME.
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
If I had to give readers a reason to read my book, it would be this: While some fantasy novels only offer a temporary escape from the harsh realities of life, the world found within THE CELESTIAL FLAME was designed to take you, along with the hero, on a journey to discover the truth about your innate worth. Not only will you explore a vast, rich world filled with complex characters and engaging plotlines, but you will also gain a greater sense of what life is all about, giving you the confidence to tackle whatever problems you may face in the real world.
What’s the most distinctive thing about the main character? Who-real or fictional-would you say the character reminds you of?
What makes Harius so distinct from other protagonists in the fantasy genre is his love for all things spiritual. He longs to know the secrets behind the meaning of life, hoping it will help him and his loved ones find peace in a chaotic world. This serves as his primary motivation for doing everything he is asked to do by his spiritual leaders, even if it places him in more danger than he is comfortable with.
This may be a cliche answer, but Hairus reminds me of Frodo Baggins from J.R.R. Tolkien’s THE LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy. Like Frodo, Harius longs for a peaceful life, yet he rises to the challenge when he’s called upon to do hard things. And, Like Frodo, he is willing to endure great pain if it means he can save his world from a terrible fate.
When did you first decide to become an author?
I initially decided to become an author when I was in high school, but I didn’t fully commit to it until I was a sophomore in college. I first needed to overcome my fears concerning whether I had the talent to make a decent living writing fantasy novels. I’ve always wanted to have my own family someday, and before deciding to follow my dreams, I had to convince myself that my books could bring in enough money to support a wife and children.
Is this the first book you’ve written?
THE CELESTIAL FLAME is my debut novel. However, I should probably note that I was writing it in conjunction with the other four books in THE DIVINE SAGA, with books two through five currently being at various levels of completion.
How much time do you generally spend on your writing?
I try to dedicate a minimum of ten hours each week to working on my books. It all depends on whether I have fulfilled all of my other obligations first.
What’s the best and the hardest part of being an indie?
The best part of being an indie author is the creative freedom you get to have with your stories. You never have to worry about an editor of a publishing house shooting down your vision for the story or having to check with them should you want to make any changes to it. Of course, that means you are also responsible for all the other aspects of writing and publishing your book, forcing you to wear several hats, from proofreader to marketing director. Honestly, it’s wearing all of those various hats that is the most challenging part of being an indie author.
What’s a great piece of advice that you can share with fellow indie authors?
The number one piece of advice I can share with my fellow indie authors is this: Success in this industry will come down to whether or not you are willing to go the distance. It’s been said that the only difference between a professional author and a novice is that the pro never gives up, so be prepared to persist if you are hoping to stand out among the millions of other authors striving for the same goal.
Would you go traditional if a publisher came calling? If so, why?
Honestly, I probably would go the traditional route if I could maintain a certain level of creative control of my work. I just want more time to focus on writing my books, and if a traditional publisher can take care of everything else, they would be taking a massive burden off my shoulders.
Is there something in particular that motivates you (fame? fortune?)
Legacy is the one thing that motivates me more than anything to succeed as an author. I want my DIVINE SAGA series to inspire readers worldwide with its message of faith and how overcoming one’s demons can help us achieve our divine destiny. Put another way, neither fame nor fortune will be the metrics by which the success of my books will be measured. It will be by the number of lives that are changed for the better due to the story’s positive effects on readers.
Which writer, living or dead, do you most admire?
J. R. R. Tolkien. My brother introduced me to THE LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy when I was only nine, and I immediately fell in love with the world and characters Tolkien had created. Reading his books showed me just how much joy can come from crafting an intricate lore that can set the stage for a truly epic story.