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Nexus
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Have you ever thought that you had a greater purpose?

Title: Nexus
Author: David Compton

ISBN: 1413706665

Publisher: Publish America; (January 2004)

Genre: Fantasy

Paperback: 320 pages

Price: $24.95

Rating: Highly Recommend

nexus.jpg

June 24, 2004

 

In living out our sometimes-mundane lives, some of us ask ourselves if we have a greater purpose. In the shadow of some of our misgivings and mistakes, we may ask ourselves if there is really a place in the world for us. Jaan-Mikael Warrington has often wondered where he belongs and what his purpose is. He finds the answer to these questions in the Nexus a magical connection that binds time and space.

 

Jaan-Mikael Warrington is a typical college student. He struggles to complete his course-load while making an attempt to have a normal social life and a normal girlfriend. While researching a topic assigned to him by his professor, he stumbles upon a book that seems to be fairly interesting. In his struggle to decipher and read this book, he is drawn into another time and dimension. It is there that he realizes who he really is or who he was.

 

In the blink of an eye or during a nap, he is drawn into a time of wizards, sorcery, cannibalistic trolls and a ghostlike race of beings called the Shadowface. In another blink of an eye he may find himself in the Vermont State University library nursing actual wounds that were received in that other dimension. With this "evidence" he realizes that what he thought was a dream was real.

 

Using modern-day science and reason he is the solution to an ancient problem that coincides with an ancient prophesy. With a beautiful clairvoyant by his side, "Jami" Warrington becomes the legendary warrior who will destroy evil, even if he doesnt really know that yet.

 

Nexus is an excellent read with a well thought out plot. The writing style has a very smooth flow with a realistic edge. I enjoyed this book and I am certain that you will as well.

 

Reviewed by Tyrone Vincent Banks

Purchase

An Interview with David Compton

 

 

To start this off, why don't you give an idea of what the book is about?

 

Nexus is "historical" fantasy. A graduate student comes across a book in a university library that's in a language no one recognizes. It will ultimately draw him into a conflict in a parallel world, one in which hes supposed to be the fulfillment of a prophecy no ones really sure of. This parallel world is very close to 13th century England, but with a number of frightening differences.

 

 

Where did you grow up and was reading and writing a part of your life?

 

I spent my childhood in the Midwest: Illinois and Indiana. Reading has always been a huge part of my life. I was one of those kids who wanted to stay in and read rather than go out and play.

 

Who were your earliest influences and why?

If you mean which people influenced you the most? I'd have to say my parents, of course. If you're talking about authors, it would be the science fiction authors of the golden age. (I wont mention the comic book writers and illustrators.)

 

How long have you been writing and in what capacities?

 

I actually started to write fiction about fifteen years ago. Before that, I'd written several textbooks, because I was always dissatisfied with whatever the school was using.

 

 

Which is more difficult to write - Fiction or nonfiction and why?

 

Fiction. Not only do you have to make up an entire world and populate it, but you have to make sure all of the details are consistent with themselves and whatever world you've brought to life. On the other hand, non-fiction may require quite a bit of research, but that's beyond the writing part.

 

 

What is the hardest part about being a writer?

    

Living up to the reputation others have created for you.

 

 

Do you have any hobbies? What are they? How do they enhance your writing?

    

I enjoy trains (real or model) and winter sports: cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Up to this point, I haven't used any of these activities in my fiction.

 

 

What question do you get asked more than any other?

    

How did you get started?

 

 

Whats the coolest thing a reader has said to you?

    

It would be my unblinking recommendation that (Publishers name withheld) sign Mr. Compton and publish (name of book withheld).

 

 

Do you think that as a writer you are more prone to watching what goes on around you and observing behaviors than most people are?

    

Absolutely. Many of my characters are composites of people of known or watched.

 

 

Who are some of the authors you consider to be "don't miss"?

    

James Michner, Jean Auel, Albert Camus

 

 

If one were looking to start his/her own career as a writer, what would you suggest his/her first step to be?

 

Read. A lot. Constantly. Everything.

 

 

What kind of movies do you enjoy?

 

Romantic comedy or those with a serious message, but I don't care for horror or gratuitous violence.

 

 

What is your favorite city to visit, but one that you wouldnt want to live in?

 

Boston

 

 

Whats the best part of being a writer?

 

Bringing something to life, be it a story or a character.

 

 

What's next?

 

I'm working intermittently on a semi-documentary history of a New England prep school. Various documents (news articles, private papers, diaries, etc.) are interspersed with first- or third-person accounts of life at such an institution. I've also written a couple of pieces for what I hope will one day become a threaded novel, to, which different authors contribute.

 

Betsie's Literary Page thanks Mr. Compton for this interview, we wish him great success with his book and future works.