Sometimes my ideas don’t lead anywhere, but, every now and then, I find a source of inspiration that takes on a life of its own, evolving into something entirely unforeseen.
-M. J. Gallagher
I recently had the pleasure of meeting and chatting with writer and author M. J. Gallagher on the subject of Final Fantasy, mythology, and ancient religion. These are topics for which Gallagher and I share a lot of interest. Both of us appeared on Sector 6’s The Big VII series and took interest in each others’ thoughts. You could say it was a match made in Seventh Heaven.
He was kind enough to send me a copy of his recent book that brings those ideas together into one volume, the culmination of nearly a lifetime of passionate enthusiasm: Norse Myths That Inspired Final Fantasy VII. What better way to celebrate and commemorate the successful launch of his book than put together an interview with the man himself? I put forward 7 questions (of course) and Gallagher accepted them with pleasant modesty, hoping his answers weren’t too “shambolic”. You’ll find they aren’t even nearly a mess.
I’m glad to have the opportunity to explore, however briefly, the mind behind the words!
What prompted the writing of Norse Myths That Inspired Final Fantasy VII?
I’ve had a keen interest in global mythology for a number of years. A focus of this has been Norse mythology as it ties heavily into an original fantasy novel series I’ve been working on (called Axtelera Ray). For my own research and content creation on social media, I started writing blogs on mythology, which evolved into articles exploring the mythical references in Final Fantasy games. Once I had a chunk of material, I realised there was enough to form the basis of a standalone book.
Do you have any formal background in myth or religious studies, or is it something you’ve pursued as a hobbyist? What conceived the interest in the subject?
I have no professional or academic qualifications in this area. I was introduced to Greek mythology as a kid because my dad was interested in it. I also had a vague understanding of Norse myths thanks to some lessons in junior school. In my early teens, I developed an affinity for high fantasy through the Lord of the Rings films, going on to enjoy the works of Tolkien and George R. R. Martin, etc. When I got the gig to author Axtelera Ray, I found it pretty easy to transition from fantasy to mythology. That has been my primary source of reading/study in recent years.
Why Final Fantasy VII?
FFVII has been my favourite game for as long as I’ve owned it (summer 1998). It had such a profound impact on me in my formative years that it helped shape a fair amount of my personal beliefs and philosophies. My interest in writing originated from me reproducing scenes from the game in prose as part of English class assignments. I’ve studied the Compilation in minute detail for almost 20 years, so combining FFVII with what I’d learned from my interest in mythology was an obvious choice for me. It also really helps that many elements of the game were genuinely inspired by Norse myths.
Have you ever considered exploring other games and how they draw upon and incorporate myth?
Like I mentioned, the concept for my Norse myths book stemmed from me writing articles about how various mythologies influenced the different Final Fantasy titles. Despite my obsession with Final Fantasy, I’m actually not a massive gamer (mainly because I’m a father of four and have to invest my spare time in writing). Aside from Final Fantasy VII, I’d only feel comfortable tackling FFVIII or FFIX. Before settling on my next book, Greek Myths That Inspired Final Fantasy VII, I had contemplated doing one covering the Norse myths in FFVIII.
What are, say, the top 3 mythologies you’re interested in, including or excluding Norse?
In recent years, number one has definitely been Norse lore. If I had to choose another three, those would probably be Greek (due to the volume and complexity of the stories), Egyptian (because I’m fascinated by their beliefs, particularly the workings of the afterlife), and Native American/First Nations (because I spent a lot of time as a travel writer learning about the beliefs of the peoples of the Pacific Northwest). However, I have studied a fair bit of Celtic, Baltic, Persian, Mesopotamian, Chinese, Japanese, and Polynesian lore.
Who are some of your favorite writers on the subject of myth?
In terms of study, there are two that I have relied heavily on: Kevin Crossley-Holland for Norse mythology and Robert Graves for Ancient Greek. From a storytelling perspective, though, I can’t recommend Neil Gaiman (Norse) and Stephen Fry (Greek) enough. I’m also currently familiarising myself with the work of Joseph Campbell, specifically through The Hero With A Thousand Faces.
The subject matter may not interest someone at a glance, so what would you say to the person who is only casually interested in mythology? Is there any value to discussing the stories our kind has told for ages? Is there anything to learn from them today?
That’s quite a difficult one to answer. I guess any value in the context of modern life really depends on the recipient and area of mythology. I personally find comparative mythology vastly interesting because it allows you to see how two independent cultures interpreted the same natural or social phenomena, then to consider a contemporary equivalent.
A good example might be Hestia, Greek goddess of the hearth. In ancient times, the hearth was a social place where family, friends, or travellers would come together to share warmth and company. Nowadays, many homes have central heating and people can communicate instantly in a virtual environment. So, is Hestia obsolete, or does she now represent social media or a household’s communal TV, etc?
As for what I’d say to someone who is casually interested – anyone who has ever read Tolkien’s works will see how they inspired Game of Thrones, World of Warcraft, Dungeons n’ Dragons, etc. Mythology helps you use these ancient stories to better understand the cultures they related to, but also to view all forms of modern entertainment through a unique lens, and the underlying influences you discover at times can be quite remarkable.
Thank you for your time, M. J. Gallagher!
If you’re interested in these topics or you find yourself a general fan of Final Fantasy, I highly suggest you pick up Norse Myths That Inspired Final Fantasy VII, available on Amazon in ebook or paperback. Also, be sure to follow Mr. Gallagher on Twitter @FFVIINovels.
Red formerly ran The Well-Red Mage and now serves The Pixels as founder, writer, editor, and podcaster. He has undertaken a seemingly endless crusade to talk about the games themselves in the midst of a culture obsessed with the latest controversy, scandal, and news cycle about harassment, toxicity, and negativity. Pick out his feathered cap on Twitter @thewellredmage or Mage Cast.
