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CLINTON TWP. --
Paul was a freshman when he began writing the novel, which he calls a fantasy story in the vein of "Lord of the Rings." Set in an Earth-like world at the end of one war, "The Magarisse" tells the story of two men -- a sailor and a prince of a kingdom -- who try to prevent another war from beginning. The fictional planet has a different geography, but the people look, act and think like humans.
The main difference between Earth and Paul's planet is "a tree that gives off energy which is the source of life in (that) world." It is "quite similar, but not exactly the same" as the tree on Pandora in the film "Avatar," Paul said.
He won't say what threat his fictional world faces because that would give away too much of the story. He did mention that the novel has a love interest, however. "In one way she's a very ancient spirit and in another sense a very young woman."
"Being the author," Paul said, "I think that anyone would like it," although he admits that it's not a children's book. "It's good for teenagers and young adults."
The idea for the novel grew out of something he had been working earlier and from various ideas he's encountered in things he's read. Paul has written "lots" of poetry and short stories, he said. At North, creative writing was "a good class," but not his favorite.
Paul has been involved in a number of theatrical productions -- at North as an actor and as an assistant director -- and is president of the school's Thespian Troupe. He's also involved in community theater. He's been a member of the fencing team and swordplay is depicted in the novel's opening. He plans to study creative writing and theater in college, hopefully at Rutgers Mason Gross School of the Arts, but he hasn't heard from the school yet.
The young author's favorite series of novels is "The Wheel of Time" by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson. He shares a birthday with Harry Potter and the character's creator, J.K. Rowling.
Not many of Paul's friends have read "The Magarisse" yet, Paul said, but those who have, told him it's very good. "It's nice to hear," he said.
The book -- $20 paperback, $30 hardcover -- is available online through Barnes & Noble and Amazon. It's $10 as an e-book. An excerpt and more information about Paul is at the book's website, themagarisse.com." - The Hunterdon County Democrat, 2011
