Get ready to dive into the enchanting world of Max Moyer, the debut author of “Zodak – The Last Shielder.” In this exclusive interview, Max shares the journey from childhood adventures and tabletop games to becoming a novelist.
Explore the immersive setting of “Zodak,” uncover the themes that drive the narrative, and learn how Max’s diverse interests fuel his creativity. Discover the emotions he experiences as the book’s release date approaches and the deep connections he hopes readers will form with his captivating story.
But First, Who is Max Moyer?
Max Moyer‘s childhood was a blend of urban adventures on the streets and exhilarating escapades in the deep, dark forests of Washington D.C. He gained a reputation for causing chaos among neighborhood wildlife and subjecting his brother Eli to a variety of club initiations. Today, he resides just outside D.C. with his beloved wife and their four children, affectionately known as the “Treehouse Gang.” This lively crew remains Max’s most dedicated supporters, enthusiastically embracing his passion for writing and boundless creativity.
During the day (and sometimes into the night), Max leads Triumph Law, a boutique corporate law firm, where he partners with visionary founders, assisting them in building, expanding, and selling inspiring companies. In his rare moments of free time (though scarce due to his law firm responsibilities and active family life), he loses himself in the realm of writing.
Beyond his professional and literary pursuits, Max enjoys a range of activities, including skateboarding, trampolining, fishing, skiing, and indulging his passion for classic motorcycles. His creative spirit extends to woodworking, drawing, painting, savoring great movies, and engaging in board games with his cherished family.
Max Moyer’s Books
- What sparked your interest in writing, and how did you decide to embark on the journey of becoming an author?
When my brother, Eli and I were young, I discovered something called Dungeons and Dragons at my best friend’s house. As a kid, details weren’t really my thing, so when I got home and excitedly shared this cool new game with Eli, I omitted details like dice, boards, and the 200-page rulebook filled with maps, characters, monsters, and instructions. Instead, we played the game with a couple of pads of paper and a pencil, one person leading the adventure and the other playing the game. So Mind’s Eye was born. (That was before the re-brand. Initially, we called this game that always started with a character walking down a hall…wait for it… “Walking Down a Hall.”) In college, we decided it would be cool to turn “Walking Down a Hall” into a tabletop game and create maps, chronologies, and other world-building elements.
One simple task I had was to create a “starter story” to get a character going. It was supposed to be 8-12 pages. When mine reached 100 pages, I realized I might be writing a novel (oops). So began my writing career, Zodak and the World of Mind’s Eye.
2. Regarding your Book “Zodak – The Last Shielder.” Can you provide a glimpse into the overall atmosphere and tone of the book without revealing specific plot details?
This a classic hero’s journey starring a 16-year-old orphan who finds himself thrust into the middle of a treacherous plot to end the world as he knows it. It takes place in Yiduiijn (yid-wee-YIN), the world Eli and I created, which is a fantastical, but low-magic epic fantasy setting. It has strong Lord of the Rings tones and tells a story of dauntless courage.
3. Your debut novel introduces readers to a world where ordinary life intersects with the extraordinary. What inspired you to create this rich and immersive setting?
(see #1 above). The world-building process has been an exciting and joyful collaboration between my brother and me. The more we built on it, the more we wanted to explore the world ourselves, including its history, races, and struggles of the inhabitants of the world.
4. Beyond the mystical elements, are there specific genres or themes that you believe readers will find particularly intriguing in “Zodak”?
Aside from the basic good and evil/ light and dark themes, some of the more nuanced themes include decision-making. A number of characters throughout the story (and in the sequels to come) have to face hard choices and live with the consequences of those choices. Some good, some bad. I also touch on tragedy, despair, and true and false identity.
5. As a debut novelist, what challenges have you faced in bringing “Zodak” to life, and how has the process of writing this book differed from your previous works?
Writing your first book is a completely different animal than really anything I’ve done before. I would consider myself a pretty good technical writer (I write for a living), but when you shift to creative writing, and a novel in particular, that’s a new exercise. There is sentence structure, but there’s also the art of storytelling.
At the same time, you inevitably put on new author rose-colored glasses and get caught up in the story and the beloved characters you’ve brought to life. As I’ve heard many seasoned authors say: most newbie authors are convinced what they’ve created is “really great,” and it probably isn’t. As I go back and look at some of the first draft materials, it truly makes me cringe. I suppose I had the benefit of putting the book in a drawer for a decade while I was swept up in a legal career and rearing young kids. When I picked it back up again, I was fortunate to find some terrific editors to help whip it into shape. (Note: we’ll find out soon if I’m still wearing those glasses 😉
Self-publishing then introduces an entirely new required skillset to bring a book to life and promote it. Like all indie authors, I’ve had to build a website, create a mailing list, work with editors, designers and supporters, create marketing materials, learn writing and formatting software, learn facebook ads, learn the publishing industry and more. It’s a lot.
6. Your writing style has been described as immersive. Can you share any techniques or influences that have contributed to creating the world of “Zodak”?
In Zodak, I tried to begin the story in a relatable setting. An agrarian village with a few hints here or there that it’s not quite the world we know. As the story evolves, so does the reveal of the worldbuilding. Intentionally, I bring the reader along with Zodak as the curtain is pulled back on the wonder and vastness of the world. The goal was to have a relatable setting that’s accessible to any reader willing to suspend his/her disbelief a bit, without requiring a degree in dungeon design or spell-casting.
7. Outside of the fantastical elements, are there specific real-world inspirations or experiences that have shaped the narrative in “Zodak – The Last Shielder”?
Sure, lots. At the end of the day, I think any good story is about relationships, and I find stories centered on redemption to be some of the most powerful. I’ve been fortunate to have lots of examples of both in my life. The people in my life and my faith are core parts of me and influence how I tell stories and which stories to tell.
8. Beyond writing, you lead a busy life running a law firm and raising a family. How do you balance your professional life, personal life, and your passion for writing?
Balance is always tricky. Everyone works differently, but I find that necessity and passion fuel my productivity. I’m passionate about my role as father and husband. I’ve always been a builder: whether in a wood shop, a treehouse, on paper, or of companies. I consider myself very fortunate to have found a path where I can combine that love of building with my legal profession.
Leaning into what I love and what matters is how I manage to balance. For writing, that has usually meant waking up really early a few times a week and banging away on a story. However, if something is really clicking and I’m excited about a chapter or section, I’ll often squeeze it in at other times.
9. In addition to writing, you have diverse interests such as playing board games, woodworking, and riding motorcycles. How do these activities contribute to your creativity, and do they influence your storytelling?
My brother and I talk about “serious play” as a fundamental part of our creativity. There is something sacred in the act of creating for its own sake. Woodworking and rebuilding an old motorcycle can be their own forms of creativity. And Board games have always been a way to unlock joy in play with people I love.
10. The release date for “Zodak” is approaching. What emotions are you experiencing as the launch date draws nearer, and what do you hope readers will take away from the book?
I must admit, it was surreal to open the package with the first draft copy of Zodak in my hands. I first put pen to paper on that story soon after my daughter, Ella was born, and as of this writing, she’s a freshman in college (!) I love the story, and my ultimate hope is that it powerfully connects with readers. I have themes and beliefs and a worldview that have all influenced the writing, but one of the magical parts of writing and reading is that everyone connects with a story in their own way. I’m very excited to see and hear how people connect with the story I’ve written and the world Eli and I have created.
In closing, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Max Moyer for sharing his captivating journey as an author and providing insights into his forthcoming book, “Zodak – The Last Shielder.” We’re eagerly anticipating the release of this epic tale and the opportunity to delve into the rich world of Yiduiijn. We wish Max the best of luck as he embarks on this exciting new chapter of his writing career. May “Zodak” find its way into the hearts and imaginations of readers everywhere, just as Max’s storytelling has enriched our own. Thank you, Max, for taking us on this incredible adventure!
Leave a Reply