PHOTO: Author Jason P. Crawford brings passion, creativity, and thoughtful storytelling to speculative fiction while balancing life as a father and teacher.
The Creator Behind The Dragon Monarch Tetralogy
Jason P. Crawford discusses his creative journey, balancing life and writing, approaching challenges, crafting inclusive stories, and sharing profound insights into speculative fiction, all while inspiring aspiring writers.
Jason P. Crawford is not just a prolific author; he’s also a high school teacher and a dedicated father of four. Despite such diverse and demanding roles, he has managed to carve out an impressive writing career spanning multiple genres of speculative fiction. In a recent interview with Reader’s House Magazine, Crawford shared insights into his creative process, inspirations, and the challenges he faces along the way. Here’s a closer look at the mind behind the stories that captivate readers far and wide.
Crawford’s latest achievement is the completion of the Dragon Monarch tetralogy with the release of Dragon Empress. This riveting fantasy series unfurls the story of Amalia, a protagonist faced with daunting adversities as she battles physical, political, and divine challenges. As Crawford reflects, his approach to world-building and character development allows readers to immerse deeply within his narratives. “I write books from beginning to end, without jumping around or editing as I write the draft. This allows me to really integrate with and understand the characters, getting inside their perspectives and allowing them to do what they would do in a given situation without interference from me,” he shared. For instance, he revealed that the blind-readable writing system Amalia utilizes in the story wasn’t planned; instead, it emerged when the story required it, showcasing his flexible, organic method of creating detailed universes.
Jason P. Crawford excels in blending imagination, authenticity, and inclusivity, crafting stories rich in complexity and emotional depth.
When asked why he chose to write Dragon Princess, the first book of his series, from the perspective of a blind protagonist, Crawford revealed it was a deliberate challenge. “I always try to challenge myself with my writing, working on something new. I decided to write Dragon Princess with a blind main character as practice in using the other senses in writing.” This strong focus on inclusivity and accessibility makes his works unique in the world of speculative fiction.
Crawford also discussed the complexities of balancing his personal and professional life alongside his passion for writing. For him, the key lies in valuing his craft as much as his other responsibilities. “It’s a challenge! I have to find moments between activities for writing, but also value my work and my time. What I’m doing when I write is worthwhile, and so I can give myself permission to use some of my time on it.”
“I always try to challenge myself with my writing, working on something new.” – Jason P. Crawford
As a writer with a wide-ranging portfolio, Crawford has explored genres including Fantasy, Paranormal fiction, and Sci-Fi. When asked about his preferences, he admitted his passion for speculative fiction comes from its ability to explore the impossible. “I like writing speculative fiction because those are things that couldn’t happen in real life. It allows me to delve into mystery and magic, something that’s lacking in a lot of ways otherwise. I’d say I probably prefer writing fantasy for my novels and science fiction for my short stories.”
Marketing, he admitted, is the most challenging aspect of his career as a self-published author. While writing is a labor of love, reaching readers requires a different kind of effort. His most successful strategy has been personal connection. “My best strategy is in-person conventions and sales. If I can tell people about my book in person, they understand my excitement and become excited themselves.”
In addition to Dragon Monarch, Crawford’s work includes The Samuel Buckland Chronicles, a series that thoughtfully explores themes of faith and destiny. While tackling such delicate topics, Crawford says he strives for balance and respect. “Faith is always a very personal thing for people, and I wanted to respect that. The Samuel Buckland Chronicles don’t proselytize; I’m not a theist myself, so I’m not trying to convince anyone of any perspective. Instead, I treat monotheistic beliefs (Judaism, Christianity, Islam, etc.) as just as valid as polytheistic ones that are commonly taught as mythology in schools. They work on equal footing in this series…at least to start.”
For aspiring writers, particularly those venturing into self-publishing, Crawford’s advice is succinct and empowering: “Don’t be afraid. Your first writing will be difficult, and will not be the quality you wish it was…but it can be. You have to write it first, get feedback, and correct it…many times. It’s like learning a sport, or chess, or anything; get it wrong so you can get it right. If you never put the words down, you’ll never have a story.”
Fans of Crawford can look forward to the sequel to Dragon Princess and the climactic conclusion to the tetralogy, Dragon Empress. With themes of political intrigue, epic battles, and divine encounters, this final installment promises to be a thrilling end to Amalia’s journey.
Crawford’s inspiring journey demonstrates not only the power of persistence and creativity but also the importance of passion in storytelling. With a world of characters and adventures still waiting to be written, readers can expect much more from this extraordinary writer in the years to come.
(Source: Interview with Reader’s House Magazine)
