Author: Michael B Koep
Series: The Newirth Mythology (Part 2)
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Suspense, Fantasy
Publisher: Will Dreamly Arts
Release Date: June 2015
Formats Available In: eBook & Print
Blurb/Synopsis:
Psychologist Loche Newirth becomes hunted when he sees a painting that opens a window onto the afterlife. An ancient order of men seeking to control the art pursue him across the world, through centuries, into madness and beyond.
What research went into writing the Newirth Mythology Trilogy?
THANKFULLY, Mark Twain issued the foundational dictum giving we fiction scribblers at least
one starting scenario when faced with a blank page: “Write what you know.” At least we’ve got
that. Of course, the imagination has a lot to say about what goes on the page also, and its content
is rooted in mainly lies—all of that wonderful made-up stuff. And there’s the magic trick—one
must incant a tale with some plausible believability (and reveal some human truth), while lying
one’s ass off. Simple, right? Thus, we research.
As the The Newirth Mythology plot began to unfold and the pages piled up, I started a list of the
story’s subject matter: mythology, poetry, the lifestyle of a portrait painter and his craft, the dayto-day
of a clinical psychologist, medieval Europe, overseas travel, the 70’s rock scene, good
scotch, fatherhood, writing, and of course, sword fighting. I wasn’t too terribly surprised to see
that the list closely resembled a menu of my personal obsessions and pursuits. So, sure, I am a
rock musician and I’ve toured all over the world, I’m a lyricist, I’ve published some poetry, I’m a
painter, I know a little about psychology, I’m a dad, and a writer that loves the occasional dram,
and yes, I co-founded a sword fighting consortium. Write what you know, indeed. A few chapters
into Part One, The Invasion of Heaven, however, I discovered that I wasn’t writing what I know,
but rather, I was writing what I wanted to learn more about, which makes research my favorite
part of the scribbling process.
Of course there are volumes written on research method—qualitative craft and strategic
procedure—and I’m certain that my humble approach is nothing new. But the best pieces of
advice I received on research were collected at different times in my life. My dad said Ask, my
uncle said Read and my dearest friends say Do.
1. ASK. My dad always says, “If you don’t know, ask someone and talk about it.”
When I didn’t know how to work out a particular problem in school, Dad encouraged me to ask
my teacher. A teacher himself, Dad had a lot of experience assisting with the how to questions.
The advice stuck with me. Working through Part One, The Invasion of Heaven, I engaged in
daily conversations on mythology, medieval history, science and psychology with college
professors, professionals, artists and friends. For what conversations are better over breakfast or
a glass of scotch than those examining the relationship between art and psychology, or the
possible existence of an afterlife, or the strides toward immortality through genetics? Talking it
over and keeping good notes has provided me a working vocabulary, a wider point of view and
some relatively provocative story ideas. What’s more, I’ve had the opportunity to spend time
with amazingly talented and smart people. The best part, I think, is that this research hasn’t
yielded as many answers as it has questions. Thankfully, there will always be more to ask about.
2. READ.
My uncle Stan encouraged a healthy diet of books. Another habit built in childhood. Through the
influence of my college professors I was exposed to the books that would become the stepping
stones for my own work. Classical mythology, medieval literature, and poetry both old and new,
seduced and transported me. Because the Newirth Mythology’s plot parallels historical events, I
also delved into the history books.
The wonder of the internet, too, was extremely helpful in learning specifics I could not find in
texts, as well as allowing me to keep up with the latest scientific advances. Sections in Leaves of
Fire are dedicated to genetic engineering and DNA research.
Most importantly, I let the style and expertise of my favorite authors wash over me. Like
listening and watching my favorite musicians, reading the books of the authors I admire always
teaches craft, voice and structure. Their story telling magic is just outside the scope of research.
The old suspension of disbelief bit. Magic a little difficult to catch if you’re trying, and seemingly
simple if you forget you’re holding a book. That telling the truth while lying thing they do so
well.
3. DO. If you don’t know, go do. Friends are the best instigators. (However, do the stuff that
won’t get you into trouble--or at least, not too much trouble.)
The five senses—the best research.
When my dear friend Monte brought two swept hilt rapiers to my house one winter afternoon,
long ago, he made this introduction, “I’ve never fenced with these before—I thought it would be
fun if we gave it try together.” So my study of fencing began. Since I was a kid with a branch for
a sword and trashcan lid shield, I’ve loved the idea of swords and sword fighting. I had not
entertained pursuing it in adulthood until Monte’s gift.
It’s one thing to discuss the idea of being caught up in a sword fight—yet another to read about
characters in a famous duel. But to actually feel the sword hilt in your hand, the weight of the
heavy armor, the ache of your legs and the burning in your lungs as you struggle to keep your
opponent’s blade from stabbing into your body—well, there’s nothing quite like it. The real
research. Sure, everyone loves a good sword fight, but until the point of a blade is thrusting
toward your eye, all of that talk and all those books are mere shadows. Several times while
writing a particular sword fight I would choreograph the exchange with another fencer. Not only
fun, but it’s incredibly informative, and it reveals a view into true-to-life duelist movements.
The Newirth Mythology challenged me to do a lot of things well out of my comfort zone. To
understand more about the story’s portrait artist, Basil Fenn, I’ve took up oil painting after years
as a watercolor artist. I’ve traveled to countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea as the ghosts
in the stones and ancient temples appeared in the narrative. Main character Loche Newirth, at the
beginning of the tale, falls fifty feet into ice cold waters. I made myself try that, too. Okay, so
maybe it wasn’t quite fifty feet (and it was summer), but still, it was a little scary. The notes I
scribbled about the experience made it into the book. The icy waters and the terrible height was
where the lying came in.
Then there’s the return to my personal day-to-day. My experiences as a rock musician informed
the 1972 backstage, rock concert scenes in Part Two, Leaves of Fire. Watching my son grow
from a toddler to a little boy defined the characters of young William of Leaves and Edwin
Newirth. Relationships, stories from friends, things people say, and more—I try to catch as much
of it as possible.
I like to think that Mark Twain’s write what you know really means share the things you learn.
It’s an invitation to we scribblers to go out and know something. Ask questions, read about it—to
get in there and experience it for yourself. And then, we get to do what we love to do, write it
down. Ultimately, the research going into The Newirth Mythology serves a higher goal. A goal
not surrounded by facts or figures, but rather, the infused magic of fiction. The thing our favorite
authors conjure for us—how they transport us—deliver us. Through all of the conversations,
books and experiences we use as a foundation, we scribblers are really working toward knowing
how to write magic into our tales, and become better liars
Michael B. Koep is an avid world traveler, educator, an accomplished visual artist, award-winning poet, swordsman and a touring rock musician. He is the author of The Invasion of Heaven and Leaves of Fire. A dynamic character, Koep is a Renaissance man through and through. (In fact, he won’t sign books for fans unless he has his quill and ink on him!) Known for his creative ways to showcase his novels, he makes a point to mirror his literary fantasy world when in front of an audience by doing everything from dressing like the characters for book signings– or even reading aloud near a busy bus stop. He lives in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho with his wife and son. Read more about Koep and his books on his website: http://michaelbkoep.com/
Places to Find Michael
Places to find Leaves of Fire
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I would love to hear your thoughts. :) HAPPY READING !!!!