04/11/2022
Local Author Profile - RJ Hanson
RJ Hanson is an accomplished local author from Bowie, TX who writes epic and gritty sword & sorcery fantasy novels. You can find out a lot more about his work and about the team behind publishing it at: https://www.bloodlinesreforged.com
Mr. Hanson began his love for all things fantasy at the age of 5, in 1978, when his mother bought him the Rankin & Bass production of The Hobbit, a 24 page read along with the record children's book. His imagination opened to a new world. Reading Tolkien, R.A. Salvatore, Terry Brooks, and even Stephen King, RJ began constructing worlds and characters of his own.
RJ began writing around the age of 12. The inspirations to put pen to paper found their genesis in the B (and C) movies of the late 70’s and early 80’s. “I remember thinking, ‘that character wouldn’t do that,’ or ‘that’s dumb, that character should do this instead.’ When I realized I could make that happen if I was the one writing the story, I immediately took up my pen.” However, it would be about thirty six years later before he actually put in the work to publish his first book.
In his youth, RJ worked as a cowboy having grown up on a small ranch in north Texas. He has remarked that a number of people have asked him what someone from small town Texas knows about writing fantasy. To that, he typically responds by citing the works of Robert E. Howard (creator of such characters as Conan and Solomon Kane).
RJ plays in a weekly pen and paper RPG game (Rolemaster) with some close family and friends and some of the characters played have been around since 1996! His adult children like to joke that some of the characters are older than they are.
Mr. Hanson and his wife, Michelle, live on a small ranch where they maintain a modest herd of cattle, a variety of barn cats, and a Great Dane princess by the name of Pinker.
"Hanson's very visceral writing style captures the breathtaking excitement, terror, and wonder of fantasy adventure that I've found in roleplaying, computer gaming, and classics of the genre...but is so often lacking in contemporary offerings. The mental world inhabited by his characters is very well developed. Combat scenes are invariably creative, well-thought, and realistic in a way that will please purists while remaining fast paced enough to satisfy others. And it is an intriguing blend of high and low fantasy: while inhabiting a gritty world and hardly infallible, the protagonists are high-minded people trying to do the right thing in an often complicated and confusing world. If you're uncertain about your next fantasy read ... just get this one."
– Award winning author Jon Black
The Bloodlines Reforged Saga is an epic sword and sorcery tale consisting of the series 'Heirs of Vanity', 'Lords of Order and Chaos', 'Orphan’s Blade' (to be announced), and 'Templar’s Rebellion' (to be announced). RJ projects the total run of books in this saga to be a minimum of 20 with no real limit. “I think this saga will continue to grow as long as I’m around to write. There’s just so much to explore and so many untold adventures out there.”
For more information about the Bloodlines Reforged Saga, you can check out his website at: https://www.bloodlinesreforged.com
or the fan sponsored wiki page at: https://obrswiki.baskervillearchive.org/wiki/Official_Bloodlines_Reforged_Saga_Wiki
The first trilogy of 'Heirs of Vanity' and the first trilogy of 'Lords of Order & Chaos' are available now in paperback, ebook, and audiobook and can be found on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B07PWFYKC3
The Bloodlines Reforged Saga is recommended for all ages. The romance is kept at a strict ‘PG’ rating, although parents may want to review the level of violence and gore to make sure it’s right for their children. That being said, the stories have received glowing reviews from readers ages 9 to 72.
In terms of branching out from the fantasy genre, RJ has also written a play with his son, Alex, which is also available on Amazon. It is an historical fiction piece set in 1960 Texas titled 'Fatherland' and can be found here:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09M7K95X1
Check out this upcoming RJ Hanson event:
https://www.facebook.com/events/947202589205727/
“I am continually surprised by the characters that people latch onto as their personal favorite. I know one fan who I communicate with on a weekly basis that loves one of the ‘bad guys’ (character name withheld to prevent spoilers) and maintains the innocence of the ‘bad guy.’ I have another fan, a super straight-laced guy, who absolutely loves Rogash (a half-ogre half-dwarf), the Warlord of a band of monsters that plague the countryside and maintains a loose alliance with the drow (dark elves) and a vampire.”
When asked if he had any advice for aspiring authors, Mr. Hanson said, "Decide why you want to write, and then write primarily for that reason. Do you want to make money? Then research what genres are selling the best, study them, and write an excellent story in that genre. Do you have a story you NEED to tell? Then tell it. Don't let anyone else tell you how to tell your story. Tell it your way. Regardless of the reason you want to write, you must decide at the outset to stick with it. It will be disturbing, depressing, discouraging, daunting, and... well, I can't think of another word that begins with 'd' off hand, but you get the idea. Remember it's a marathon, not a sprint and you're only racing against yourself. Do NOT make the mistake of comparing yourself to other authors, or, more importantly, to the success of other authors. Write at your pace, your way. And don't be afraid to learn along the way. You'll find that the majority of the author community is a generous one. Ask questions, pay attention, and do your grunt work."
