New York Times bestselling author John Flanagan talks about his popular ‘Ranger’s Apprentice’ series in Newport Beach visit
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NEWPORT BEACH — John Flanagan, the New York Times bestselling author who created the “Ranger’s Apprentice” fantasy-adventure series, encourages his readers to embody friendship, courage and a willingness to stand up for what they believe.
On Oct. 7, Flanagan visited the Newport Beach Public Library as part of an author speaker series and talked to fans about his New York Times bestselling series. He gave a brief presentation on writing, talked about what inspires him and discussed his newest book, “The Royal Ranger.”
The event was held in cooperation with A Whale of a Tale Children’s Bookshoppe in Irvine.
Flanagan, of Australia, was part of a three-author series at the library. Trudi Trueit, author of the new National Geographic Explorer Academy fiction series along with Zoltan Takacs, a National Geographic explorer, spoke at the library last month.
Sarah Mlynowski, author of the middle-grade series “Whatever After” and “Upside-Down Magic,” and several teen novels in addition to four titles for adults, will be the last author to speak. She is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 2. Mlynowski will talk about her latest book, “Whatever After: Seeing Red.”
Flanagan came onto the literary scene more than a decade ago with “The Ruins of Gorlan,” the first novel in the pre-teen to high school “Ranger’s Apprentice” series. The 12-book series concluded in 2013.
Flanagan talked with the Orange County Register about being a children’s author and what inspiration he hopes his audience takes from his work.
Q. What do you like most about writing children’s books?
A. I love the level of involvement and the enthusiasm that kids show. To my mind, it’s so much more rewarding than writing for adults. Kids are always ready to tell you what they like — and what they don’t like — about your books. I get great feedback from them.
Q. Why do you think the “Ranger’s Apprentice” adventure series has become so popular?
A. They’re well-paced and they keep moving along, without bogging down in long passages of dull prose. There’s a good mix of action, excitement and humor in the books. And the characters are people who are easy to like. I think a lot of readers can identify with the problems and challenges that the characters face — and overcome.
Q. How do you make the medieval time period relevant and interesting to young readers who are so immersed in technology?
A. Maybe it’s precisely because the books are set in a simpler time. Things were more straightforward — and at the same time, challenging. It’s because there’s less reliance on technology. My characters have to use their own wits, abilities and courage to solve the problems they face. And there’s a definite sense of romance about the period that appeals to the readers.
Q. Have you used actual people to inspire the creation of your lead characters?
A. Oh yes. Will is based on my son Mike. Halt was based very heavily on my sixth-grade teacher — although at the time, I didn’t realize it. It all came from my subconscious. Other characters are based in whole or in part on people I have known.
Q. What do you want readers to take from your series?
A. A sense of values — friendship. Courage — physical and moral. And a willingness to stand up and speak out when they see something they know is wrong.
Q. What is the most surprising question you’ve been asked by a reader?
A. It actually happened the other day in San Francisco. An 11-year-old boy asked, “Are you related to Kitty Flanagan?”
Kitty is my daughter and a very well-known comedian in Australia — although not in the United States. She appears regularly in several shows on Australian TV. It was the last question I expected to hear. Apparently the boy watches her on YouTube and cable. I was gobsmacked when he asked me. I might expect that question in Australia, but never here. Goes to show how the world is getting smaller every day.