Aurora: What was yours and Michael Dante’s inspiration behind the series, and your most recent novel?
F.C. Lee: I can’t speak for Michael, but the inspiration I had for the Kyoshi novels was the Kyoshi he introduced in the series who had such defined and iconic personality. You had a sense of how different she was to Aang, which really drove home the fact that the Avatar isn’t necessarily the same exact person as their past lives. It implied an extensive, living world history because each generation of the Avatar would have seen different challenges that shaped their personalities. I wanted to explore how someone could have changed to become the adult Kyoshi we see, rather than show a younger, static version of that character
What character do you most relate to and why?
I relate to Yun (the guy who everyone thinks is the Avatar at first) because there were definitely periods in my life where I felt entitled to a certain identity, but neither the facts or my abilities justified such beliefs. Coming to grips with reality was as painful for me as I’ve tried to depict for him.
Why do you both feel books with powerful and relatable characters are so popular and have such a voice right now?
I think in these times it comforts people to read about characters who have power but also the empathy to use it well. At least in fiction we can trust that heroes who shape the world will remain on the side of justice, and that they will drive stories forward instead of sitting back and saying “there’s nothing that can be done.”
Please describe the content of The Rise of Kyoshi and what can readers expect from the read.
The Rise of Kyoshi is about the search for someone who can solve the world’s problems going horribly wrong. It’s about the wounds the past can inflict on the present, and how unbelievable effort is the cost paid by future generations to set things in order. Readers can expect to see Kyoshi’s journey to master all four elements and assemble her iconic characteristics, but they’ll also see the formative experiences that explained her interactions with Aang. They’ll see some history filled out regarding Avatar lore and the Four Nations. And hopefully they’ll see thrilling read!
What’s next for you in the book world?
I’m working on the sequel to The Rise of Kyoshi, titled The Shadow of Kyoshi. The consequences of book one need to be dealt with, and Kyoshi needs to complete her arc as a young Avatar.
Who is your favorite writer right now and why?
Michael Schur and the writing team he’s assembled as a showrunner. Every piece of info I find indicates that they’re not only talented, but they’ve also created a superb professional work environment. I’m very interested in both the creative things they do, as well as the best practices of managing teams.
What can fans expect from you and Michael Dante at the Miami Book Fair 2019 appearance?
From me, fans can expect support and advice in their own creative endeavors. Conventions tend to draw a lot of aspiring creators, and I want to see people reach their artistic and professional goals. If meeting Mike for fans is anything like the time I met him at SDCC, then they can expect talking to one of the coolest, nicest, master storytellers around.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.