Matthews-Mint Hill - Carolina Weekly Newspapers

CommunityAct of ArtShakespeare expert to discuss his new work in south Charlotteby Alison Wooalison@matthewsminthillweekly.comFor some, it might be enough to bea preeminent Shakespeare scholarand teach at the University of NorthCarolina at Charlotte. But best-sellingauthor A.J. Hartley’s creativity craved anew way to express itself and now Hartley’sday job is lending inspiration to hislatest fantasy/history paperback, “Act ofWill.”Hartley, who credits “Hamlet” and“A Winter’s Tale” as his favorite works,said the Bard is a phenomenal author todraw inspiration from.“Shakespeare remains for me theFInd out moreAuthor A.J. Hartley will be discussing“Act of Will” on Sunday,Aug. 22, at 2 p.m. at Park RoadBooks, 4139 Park Road in southCharlotte. To learn more, visitwww.ajhartley.net.supreme author, the most adept at blendingcompelling stories with extraordinarilycomplex characters, along sideastonishing subtlety of thought andinsight on all manner of subjects,” Hartleywrote in an e-mail interview whilevisiting England. “Every time I read aplay of his, or see it on stage, I catchsomething new, something I’ve neverquite grasped in this way before, be thatintellectual, emotional or aesthetic. Heseems to adjust and grow as we developas a culture and as we do as individualreaders and play goers. It’s remarkable.”The story of “Act of Will” follows thetales of young actor Will Hawthornewho lives in a world a lot like ElizabethanEngland. The young actor joinsa group of young men who fight andcarouse, but when they come underattack by another group, loyalties offriendship and courage are tested – allto a delightful ending.Hartley says he’s been working on theplot for more than 20 years. “I had beenplaying role-playing games with myCreate a Mary PoppinsMAGICAL UMBRELLA!DisneyCAMERONMACKINTOSHDon’t you wishyou had a magicalumbrella to flythe skies likeMary Poppins?What would yourumbrella look like?brother, and one of them gave me someof the plot points of ‘Act of Will’ but thestory didn’t really take off till I discoveredthe protagonist,” he wrote. “It’s hissnide and cocky voice that is the story.The events of the story are important,of course, but even though I’m workingin a fairly high fantasy world – swords,magic and everything – I wanted it toBack ToSchoolCOUPON$5 OFFany purchaseof $25 or moreoffer expires 9-4-10New & Gently Used Children’s ApparelWide Variety of Children’s AccessoriesNew 2 YouChildren’s Boutiquefeel a little like ‘The Catcher in theRye.’”Hartley has successfully blendednovel writing and his day job before.His previous three books (“Mask ofAtreus,” “On the Fifth Day” and “WhatTime Devours”) were mystery/thrillersand landed him on the New York Times’best-selling list.How does he find time to juggle it all?His different roles offer him “the chanceto escape from each into the other,”Hartley wrote. “(Each job) informs eachother a little, but they are both differentenough to provide a real break when Ineed to switch hats. As to how I manageboth, I have an impulse to be productiveat all times.”Readers who love “Act of Will” onlyhave to wait until next month for thesequel, “Will Power.”“The world of the second bookcontains the same core characters ofthe first, and is more like that of theLord of the Rings: strange creaturesand moral absolutes,” Hartley wrote.“Will, who is worldly cynical, findsthis even greater strain on his capacityto believe what seems to be goingon around him. The conflict gives mea chance to explore some of the conventionsof fantasy in what I think areproductive and interesting ways.” q4512 Potter RoadStallings704-821-1323CAROLINAS’ PREMIERE! • AUG. 25 – SEPT. 19BELK THEATERENTERTO WIN4 TICKETSTO OPENINGNIGHTDecorate, bedazzle, and embellish a magical umbrella and send us thepicture of your creativity. The winner will receive a family four pack of ticketsto the Opening Night performance at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center.Submit entries to:marypoppins@carolinaweeklynewspapers.comor mail to:Carolina Weekly NewspapersAttn: Mary Poppins1421-C Orchard Lake DriveCharlotte, NC 28270ENTER TO WINHOMER’S FAMILY FOUR PACKCarolina Weekly Newspaper Group has teamedwith the Charlotte Knights to offer Family Four Packsto deserving fans for each Sunday home game.Congratulations to Knights fans Garry Case and Brian Long,winners for the Sunday, August 22 game @ 2:15 against theGwinnett BravesRegister to win Sunday game tickets @www.carolinaweeklynewspapers.comSee promotions & buy tickets @www.charlotteknights.comPage 20 • Aug. 20-26, 2010 • Matthews-Mint Hill Weeklywww.matthewsminthillweekly.com