C.W. Phillips Stormbringer: A Relic of Lost Atlantis

 

Interviewed & Written by Aaron Robinson - Editor 

Imagine crafting a world of characters through your writing where the central character flourishes as a hero. Meet C.W. Phillips, the author of Stormbringer: A Relic of Lost Atlantis, a novel where he takes the readers through an amazing plot twisting adventure. This page turner is a must read for fantasy novel readers.

I (Consciousness Magazine) had the opportunity to interview C.W. Phillips. Here is what he has to share to readers about his new and exciting novel and much more.

AARON ROBINSON: Briefly, tell us a little about C.W. Phillips’ Stormbringer: A Relic of Lost Atlantis.

C.W. PHILLIPS: The story centers on a Black farming family, unaware they are descended from the ancient Kingdom of Kush in Africa. The Kushites ruled Egypt. They were the 25th dynasty and their reign lasted for approximately a hundred years. The family possesses a mysterious crystal talisman from Atlantis that has been passed down through generations. The protagonist, a young boy, inherits this crystal and must learn its secrets.

AARON: Where did the inspiration come about to write this amazing novel?

C.W. PHILLIPS: As a boy, my two sisters and I spent our summer vacation on our grandparents’ farm in Michigan. My grandfather would often go hunting in the forest behind the farm, and whenever he picked up his rifle, I would ask him to take me with him, but he never did. So, one day I decided to go by myself. I walked to the edge of the trees and then stopped and peered into the forest. It was dark in there. I felt like the trees were watching me, saying, “Well?” Sometimes I wondered what I would have discovered if I had kept going, so I made up a narrative about it and wound up in another dimension. When I first started the story, I wasn’t sure how far I wanted to take it, but then it became a challenge. I wanted to find out what I was capable of.

AARON: Was writing always a passion of yours?

C.W. PHILLIPS: No, my first passion was photography. I was an avid reader. I had boxes of comic books, and stacks of fantasy and sci-fi novels. As I got older, I read more widely. I had a professor in college who told me I had potential as a writer and encouraged me to pursue it. I didn’t think much of it at the time. I didn’t see that as a viable career. So, I joined the corporate world. However, I didn’t forget what that professor said, and I’ve taken writing courses. Writing and photography are closely related because they both tell stories. And I saw more chances to be heard as a writer/photographer than as a photographer alone. I found that I loved writing because I could tell a story with my imagination. So, my path to becoming a writer has been a winding road.

AARON: How can an individual begin to come up with such amazing content by creating a world of characters of its own to write a story and publish a book about it?

C.W. PHILLIPS: I would say you start by thinking about something you’re interested in and want to share with the world. Or, it could be something that you saw or heard about that you think would make a good story. In my case, I’m interested in ancient civilizations and what they knew that we have forgotten. So, then you take that kernel of an idea and work with it, play with it, think about it while riding on the bus, while washing dishes, while walking the dog, or while working out at the gym. I wouldn’t bounce my idea off anyone, because while the idea is new, it’s vulnerable to outside influences. After that, your idea will gain momentum. And at some point, you will see that it has become magnetic and draws in similar ideas. Then it’s a matter of listening to your intuition, developing the ideas that come to you and starting to write. And before you know it, you’ll have the first draft of a manuscript. The more you do it, the more you can do.

AARON: This novel is based on the life of a young man who wants to be an athlete and who has psychic abilities, later inheriting a mysterious crystal from his grandparents. Regarding generations of family history, I also see truth or reality in the story as oppose to it only being a myth. Would you like to elaborate on this?

C.W. PHILLIPS: Yeah, the best fantasy and sci-fi novels tell stories about real-life issues that the author feels need to be looked at and make you think about what’s possible. In my novel, a young boy sees the adulation and fame that his older brother gets from playing basketball, and he wants that too. But that’s not his path. He’s built for something else, like, uhm, saving the world. It’s a narrative about not automatically conforming to society or your family’s values and expectations about who you should be, and what you should do with your life. When you don’t go along with the program, then good luck; you’re on your own. It’s scary, but the rewards are undeniable. You’ll leave the stands, step onto the field, and join the game.

AARON: What words of encouragement would you share with young men looking to find their true calling or gift(s) in life in hopes of belonging in society?

C.W. PHILLIPS: The first thing is to go back and think about the things you liked to do when you were a child - before you came under the influence of other voices. Besides that, there’re a lot of resources available to help you. There are career coaches and counselors who use various methods. Some are spiritual, while others take a more traditional view. There are vocational tests that are free online. The color test, https://my-personality-test.com/true-colours is intriguing. I would say the most encouraging thing for young men to know is that they are important. They have their own brand of genius, and the community desperately needs to hear from them to thrive. We all have a responsibility to light a candle in the darkness. That’s when you find your place in the world.

AARON: Once readers read this fascinating novel, what would you like for them to take away?

C.W. PHILLIPS: On one level, the story is a coming-of-age tale. A young boy embarks on a quest of self-discovery, ultimately embracing his own power. On a higher level, the protagonist is the community itself. Through its journey, we find the ancient kingdom of Kush, located in what is now known as Sudan, which shared the Nile River with Egypt. This African civilization, which had served the world as slaves, rose up to conquer Egypt and crowned themselves pharaohs. It is one of the most improbable events in history.

The Kushite empire was one of the most powerful on Earth, ruling a vast territory stretching from Sudan’s southern border to the Mediterranean Sea. They built pyramids, developed a written language, and were known for their astonishing art and deadly archers. I think it’s important for African Americans to learn this story and others like it, because our ancestors did great things in the past, and these things can inspire us for the future.

AARON: Do you have any inspiration or words of encouragement for an upcoming writer or author?

C.W. PHILLIPS: If you want to write a novel, it means you can, so go for it! It takes a lot of hard work, and you’ll have days when you want to throw your work in a box in the basement and never look at it again. But you can’t ignore those little nudges; if you do, the idea will move on to someone else. And one day you’ll be relaxing, watching TV, drinking beer, eating chips, and then see a commercial about a movie based on your idea.

The journey might be slow, difficult, and frustrating. That’s okay as long as you don’t stop. One of my favorite quotes is from Maya Angelou.

“If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, you must write it.”

AARON: Where can your novel Stormbringer: A Relic of Lost Atlantis be found or purchased?

C.W. PHILLIPS: It can be purchased on Amazon books.

AARON: Would you like to add anything in conclusion that we haven’t talked about?

C.W. PHILLIPS: Yes, while the novel is primarily an adventure story for black boys, with mighty warriors battling evil sorcerers. It’s for girls too because there are powerful women in the novel-Amazons, oracles, and priestesses-who are central to the tale.

Also, I think that a lot of times what holds someone back from writing a book or chasing their dream is they don’t think they can make any money from it. I would say do it anyway, because even if it doesn’t make a dime, by pursuing your passion, you’ll develop abilities you can take anywhere. Like intuition, imagination, and creativity. That can lead to other things - things that A.I. can’t do. Then again, you might make a lot of money. Everything is another step on the path. There is no point at which you can say you have arrived. There’s always more. So, believe in yourself, believe in destiny, and believe in life.

Purchase your copy of Stormbringer: A Relic of Lost Atlantis at: https://www.amazon.com/Stormbringer-Relic-Lost-Atlantis-Phillips/dp/B0FDLK51ZR