Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Top Lies of Odin and Thor - Worthy of Song and Story by Neal Chase






Me (Neal Chase): It’s not every day that I get to talk someone who knows what it’s like to be a Viking. Someone who didn’t study it, but actually lived it. Well today, I have with me a very special guest, Stian, from the new book Worthy of Song and Story.

I know you have limited time with the book just coming out, but is there anything you want to tell our audience? Anything really important they should know?

Stian: Yes, Odin and Thor are liars.

Me: *jumps back in my chair and looks around for a lightning bolt* What?

Stian: Oh yeah, they lie a lot. 

Me: How so?

Stian: Look at how they blame the end of the world on Loki. Like they had nothing to do with it. The way I saw it, most of it was their fault. Yeah, I know the world being destroyed but still here is a little confusing, but I promise I’ll cover that in one of my later adventures. Anyway, trust me, it’s gone and it’s their fault.

Me: *scratches my head* Okay, that’s a little too complex for me. Let’s keep it simple and focus on the supposed lies of Odin and Thor. What else can you tell me?

Stian: You know how Thor walks around and says he’s the only one who can lift his hammer, right? I’ll let you in on a little secret, he can’t lift it without his special belt which gives him extra strength. I bet if I had his belt, I could lift it. Not like I would want to though. I don’t think Thor ever washes his hands, so the handle is probably pretty gross.

Me: Remind me to never shake his hands. Anything else?

Stian: This one is my favorite. I’m not sure how they did it, but the Aesir somehow convinced people that they were immortal. What a joke. I mean one of them was killed by mistletoe. What kind of immortal can be killed by a plant? Not even the whole plant, just a little branch of it. Don’t get me wrong, they’re still tough, but immortal? What a complete joke.

Me: You’re right, that doesn’t sound like immortal to me, but maybe gods have a different view of immortality. It’s not like I’m going to tell them they’re wrong.

Stian: Don’t worry, I will. Just like I say this whole Loki and Thor are brothers thing is a lie. It was made up by Odin to make Loki look worse. Sure, Loki and Thor were friends, but brothers, no way. Loki didn’t set foot in Asgard until he was an adult.


Me: Wow, that’s quite a lot to take in. So, before we get killed *looks around to make sure there aren’t any  large men with weapons* I think we should call it a day. Thank you Stian for setting the record straight. And if anyone in our audience has a question for Stian, please ask and I will get it answered for you.

Worthy of Song and Story
Stian the Viking Series
Book  One
Neal Chase

Middle Grade Fantasy

Publisher: Fiery Seas Publishing

Winter 2016

 Book Description:

Twelve year-old Stian’s plans to be The Greatest Viking Ever appear to be over before they even begin. He’s captured by Dahlia—a dark elf and a girl. If that wasn’t bad enough, he discovers he may be the son of Loki, the greatest enemy of the Viking gods and the one foretold to bring about the end of the world.

Knowing he is meant to be extraordinary, Stian decides to discover the truth for himself and free Loki from the clutches of Odin. Only then, will he discover who he is and what he is meant to do.

Stian must out-think, misguide, and defeat Thor’s children. To do this he will need the power of Gram—a sword with magical powers. There is one catch, only one pure of heart with the desire to help others, is worthy of wielding it. If Stian succeeds, he will become the world’s most famous Viking, but if he fails he will fall victim to the gods’ merciless justice.


About the Author:

Neal Chase lives in San Antonio, Texas, with his wife, two children, two dogs, and a bird, which strangely has the same name as his dad. He is a member of SCBWI and the Writers’ League of Texas. When he is not writing and reading, you can find Neal coaching football or adventuring with the help of his PlayStation.


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2 comments:

Roland Clarke said...

Stian, now I like your style, but then I'm writing a book with a character called Stian Migisi, whose ancestors settled in Vinland and stayed, with the encouragement of the goddess Skaði. Hope you get on with her, even if she is a jötunn - but she's a great skier. (Book is in fact about Stian's descendents in 2017, but heroine is a Skaði follower).

Neal, going to have to read this. How much research on the Vikings did you have to do? I've been fascinated by them for decades.

Neal Chase said...

Roland, I spent a lot more time researching Norse mythology than I did Vikings, since the mythological part is more important to the overall story. My main research focus on Vikings had to do with their daily lives: foods, clothing, locations around 800-825. beliefs, etc. There are some things which aren't historically accurate, but I try to stay close to it unless the story dictates otherwise (or Stian does something different than I wanted him to do).