Books don't always end happily ever after. But Tyler Dhensaw, 17, was sick of reading books with endings left unfinished. So he wrote his own fantasy novel, called The Nine Moons of Adjemir.
"Every fantasy novel I read didn't end the way I wanted it to, so I wrote one that ended the way I wanted it to," he said. "I wanted something that fit into place and with all the loose endings tied up."
The book started as an essay for his Grade 9 English class. His teacher liked it, and it slowly evolved into the novel. The first several chapters of the finished book came from the essay. He finished The Nine Moons of Adjemir just before he turned 15, and spent several years editing it and attempting to get it published.
His father helped him edit, and mailed the manuscript off to publishers. It ended up being published by AuthorHouse, a self-publishing company.
"I was pretty excited. It's not everyday a 14-year-old writes a book and it gets published," Dhensaw said.
The book is a "basic fantasy novel," he said.
It takes place in ancient times and is full of magic, dwarves, elves, humans, krugs, good versus evil and has a posse chasing people.
Dhensaw's favourite character is Bobbiur, a tall, dark and handsome hero, who needs a reason for killing someone.
"He's young, but matures as the book goes on," Dhensaw said. "Bobbiur tends to evolve, but you expect that to happen with the burden he has to carry throughout the book."
The book, being a fantasy novel, came from Dhensaw's imagination. He created the characters personalities, characters and situations from things that don't exist.
"Names are hard, but the imaginings just come naturally. It's easy to make things up."
The physical manifestations come out of the characters identity. Bad guys are ugly or mean, and the hero is not.
"A guy like Bobbiur is obviously handsome because he's very dedicated," Dhensaw said.
Writing the novel took time and dedication. Dhensaw battled writer's block by taking up a new hobby.
"I learned how to rollerblade if I had had writer's block," he said.
While he likes the finished product, he has evolved, and so have his writing skills.
"Being more mature, now I find it oversimplified."
And he said he's not too happy with the cover. But he's already completed a second novel for the trilogy.
The second novel takes place 30 years later, with some of the same characters, although some have died.
"I like it better actually - it's more entertaining, better story telling," Dhensaw said.
The second novel still has to go through some editing and through the publishing process, but Dhensaw plans to start the third novel after Christmas. "I'm thinking I've got to get on that third one so I can get the trilogy done."
He may switch genres after he complete the third book.
"I've decided I want to write other things, but I haven't decided what," Dhensaw said. "I want to at least finish this trilogy."
Whether or not he continues his writing career full time after he graduates from Howe Sound Secondary school in June is still undecided. He plans to go to Kwantlen University College to take a 911 emergency course, and pursue writing as a sub career.
In the meantime, there are 120 copies of The Nine Moons of Adjemir floating around in Squamish. Copies can be purchased at Mostly Books, or online at www.amazon.com or www.authorhouse.com.
