LDS science fiction writer draws on beliefs

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LDS science fiction writer draws on beliefs
June 19, 2010
Sharon Haddock
Mormon Times



OREM, Utah — Author Greg Park insists he's not writing Mormon fiction.

His five-book Earthsoul Prophecies series is "fantasy, first and foremost."

That doesn't mean, though, that his testimony of and membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints aren't influencing the story and the character development in his books.

"The influence of the (LDS) gospel? It's huge," Park said in an interview with the Deseret News from his classroom at Timpanogos High School, a classroom covered with charts, lists and pictures from his three finished books.

"Anyone who's LDS will pick up on the allusions. Elison Brey raises the Title of Liberty. The 2,000 Stripling Warriors are there. Gideon is my Elijah, a warrior who is a prophet. The whole Earthsoul character was inspired by verses in the Pearl of Great Price when Enoch hears the world groan," Park said.

Jase Fairimor, the hero in Park's books, is trying to head off irreparable damage to the Earthsoul, who is dying because of corruption and evil. Brave, good men die for the cause and it takes faith and sacrifice to stand against those who follow Maeon, the Satan of their world.

"You try to teach religious truths without blurring the lines," Park said. "If I'm able to teach through my writing, I'm pleased."

But Park is committed to creating a world and a story that's readable without being sappy or ordinary.

He has a complex flow chart worked out where he keeps track of the storylines, the creatures and the many characters, what they look like, what they do, how they talk.

"I spend a great deal of time on the characters. They need to be flawed to be believable," he said. The creatures — from shadowspawn to refleshed K'rrosha to Darklings — need to be strong enough to present challenges to the heroes, but they can't be invincible. "I want it to ring true."

To that end, Park enlists his wife to help him shape the feminine characters. "I bounce ideas off her, and she proof reads for me," Park said.

The creatures mostly come from some of Park's nightmares, he said. Some are pretty scary, so Park suggests those picking up the books be seventh grade and up. "I have had kids as young as 8 and 9 read them. It depends on the maturity level and the reading comprehension level," he said. "There are a few parts that are a little intense."

Bladestar Publishing has just released "Children of Ta'Shaen" and Park has the final two books outlined.

"I have written the endings for books four and five," he said.

Although he can't give away the conclusion, it's pretty much a given that good will triumph over evil. However, Park said book four is the "dark before the dawn."

Fans — many are students who've had classes from Park — will have to wait about two years for "Death's Third March" and at least four years before the final book is finished.

Park is busy as a full-time English and Japanese teacher, and he has a family to care for as well.

He's currently scheduled to appear at the Orem Library on June 22 at 2 p.m. for a Young Reader event.

The books, including "Veil of Darkness" and "Cleansing Hunt," are available at Amazon.com and at Borders, Barnes and Noble and currently at Costco. They can also be purchased from Park's website.