Author Interview: Kay L Moody

Kay is the author of the fantastic Elements of Kamdaria series, which I personally love. She has very kindly agreed to an author interview. So without farther ado, here we go.

1. You say in your goodreads profile that you believe in happy endings, what is the best happy ending you have read?

I love the ending in Jane Eyre. It’s my favorite book, and a lot of that is because of the happy ending. I love it because things happen a little “conveniently” in order for the happy ending to come. However, those “convenient” things only happen after Jane has continually chosen to do the right thing even when it’s hard. I truly believe life is like that sometimes. When we keep trying to do the right thing, everything will eventually work out.

2. Which of your characters do you think is most like you?

This is an easy question to answer, but unfortunately, I haven’t yet published the book featuring this character. But I will someday! Her name is Rose, and she’s a spy for a rebel group against the government. At her core, she is kind and loving. But she has also been through a lot of difficult experiences that caused her to put up walls. She has a rough exterior that very few people get through. She’s also extremely smart and highly dedicated to her cause. Actually, she’s a lot cooler than me, but I guess you could say she’s who I aspire to be.

3. If you could have any mythical or fantasy creature as pet, what would it be? And what would you name it?
I wish I could have a pet phoenix! Ever since reading Harry Potter, I have a deep fascination for them. I love the idea of life being reborn from ash. I’d want a yellow phoenix and I’d probably name him Lemon.

4. What gave inspiration for the The Elements of Kamdaria series?

Several months ago, I was browsing a stock photography site and looking for some inspiration for a short story I had to write. In my search, I came across this gorgeous blue crown made of water. My mouth dropped, and it was love at first sight. Then, I had a thought. What if the crown started as water, but then, turned into ice?

Then, I had another thought. What if someone melted the crown? And what if there was a competition? And some scary bad guys? And a school where students learned to manipulate the elements?

The ideas kept flowing, and soon, I had way too much for just a short story. I had an entire series-length of ideas full of court intrigue, elemental magic, enemies to lovers romance, epic sword scenes, trials, escapes, battles, and a seriously awesome main character.

By the time I wrote the short story for my website, I already knew I had to expand it into an entire series. That’s how The Elements of Kamdaria was born.

The book cover designer actually used that crown on the cover of the first novella, Ice Crown. I love it because it fits the story perfectly and because it was the inspiration for the entire series!

5. Was the Truth Seer trilogy the first series you wrote or have you written some that are not yet published?
The Truth Seer trilogy was the third series I wrote. I have two other series I wrote beforehand that I intend to publish someday, but probably not for several years. One series takes place in an alternate universe. In a world where people are judged for their usefulness, a girl who is mute struggles to prove her abilities both to the professors in her new school and to the young man who supposedly loves her.

The second series takes place in the future in an imaginary country. It features a rebel spy who loves her country. She knows everything about combat, politics, and intrigue, but when it comes to making friends or falling in love, she’s clueless.

I also wrote one other book I haven’t published. It’s historical fantasy. Basically, a servant girl falls in love with the prince, and it leads to all sorts of romantic shenanigans.

 

6. Do you have a notebook full of ideas or do you only focus on one at a time?

I have sooooo many ideas. It’s pretty ridiculous to be honest. It’s not just one notebook either. I have about twenty notebooks that contain anywhere from a few pages of dialogue to fully outlined novels. I’m pretty good about only writing one thing at a time, but I’m always adding new story ideas to my ever-growing pile. In my heart, I want to turn all those ideas into completed books, but I don’t know if I’ll live long enough to do it. Plus, I keep adding ideas, which doesn’t help.

7. How many more books do you plan to write in the Elements of Kamdaria series?
The Elements of Kamdaria will have a total of twelve novellas. There will be three groups of four, and each group will feature a different area of Kamdaria.

The first four novellas take place in the inner ring (the Crown), but the next four novellas will take place in the middle ring (the Gate). The last four books will take place in the dangerous outer ring (the Storm).

Along with the twelve novellas, I will also have three large paperbacks that include four novellas each. The first paperback will have all the Crown books (novellas 1-4), the second will have the Gate books (novellas 5-8), and the last will have the Storm books (9-12).

 

8. If you could have any character from any series as a best friend, who would it be?

I would be best friends with Cinder from The Lunar Chronicles. I love how she’s down to earth and kind, but also a little spunky.

9. Have you ever found yourself thinking “Did I really write that” whilst editing?

I have thought this exact thing so many times! Sometimes it’s because the writing was incredible, but usually it’s because the writing was terrible. 😉 Luckily, I go through several revisions before I ever send it to an editor, which helps a lot. I also have amazing editors who help me spot plot holes and tighten up flowery sentences.

10. What is your favourite part of the writing process?

The best part is being able to read what I’ve written. Sadly, the actual writing part is not nearly as fun. I always feel like I have this incredible mountain range of ideas in my head, but when I try to put it into words, it turns out more like an ant hill. Getting the first draft down is always a little painful.

Luckily, I do enjoy revising a little bit more. Once the words are down, I have the freedom to spend fifteen minutes choosing the perfect word in one particular sentence. When I’m writing that first draft, I try to write as fast as possible just to get the story down. I’m always afraid I’ll forget some of my ideas because I didn’t write them fast enough.

11. Who is the first person who gets to read your books?

My husband reads everything first. After our kids go to bed, I often make him read anything I wrote that day. Luckily, he loves my Kamdaria series, so he’s always really excited to read it. My oldest son also gets to read my books before they are published. He loves them, but he thinks I kill way too many people. He still hasn’t forgiven me for a certain someone’s death in Ice Crown.

12. Do you plan to only write fantasy or do you have ideas to write in other genres too?
I love writing fantasy, but I also love when fantasy and science fiction collide. I have a thing for cool technology and awesome tech gadgets. I also love it when fantasy has dystopian undertones. I’ll probably stick to those genres for a long time, but maybe someday I’ll venture into something new.

Thank you Kay for your very full and interesting answers. I had a great time reading them.

If you fancy checking out the Elements of Kamdaria series, click on the picture to take to the goodreads page.

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Author Interview : Maram Taibah

I’ve recently had the pleasure of reading Weathernose and speaking to the author Maram, she very kindly agreed to this interview and to my great pleasure she had fun and answred in detail and glee. She is not only an author she writes for films.

1. Where did you get the inspiration for Weathernose from?

I was bored. It was summer. The days were long. One afternoon, I saw an image of a thin gangly man with a straw hat standing, confused, on the shore of his island. And I went with it. That was the conception of Tart Morning, the lead character in this book. Cypress, on the other hand, came as a fresh surprise. She was supposed to be a woman who would challenge Tart but suddenly I saw her as a self-satisfied ten-year-old girl and I laughed. That was where the fun began!

 

2. Out of all the characters you have written which is most like you?

Tart because I’m an introvert (I’m not grumpy though). And Sari.

 

3. If you could give any advice to Cyrpress from Weathernose, what would it be?

Be yourself but be nice!!!

 

4. If you could have any fantasy or mythical creature as a pet what would it be?

I’ve always wanted Morwen’s talking cats. The witch in the “Enchanted Forest” series by Patricia Wrede. They’re smart and very companionable. Unlike real cats.

 

5. What book is currently on your bedside table?

The Map of Salt and Stars, by Zeyn Joukhadar.

 

6. If you could sit down with any author, dead or alive, who would it be?

Mmmm VERY hard question. Charles Dickens. J.K.Rowling. Definitely Elizabeth Gilbert.

 

7. Have you read any books set in Saudi Arabia, do you think the setting is protayed actruately?

Yes I have. The books that I’ve read by Saudis were morose. The books I’ve read by westerners tend to have an orientalist lens, which is contemptible. 

 

8. What language do you write in? Can you speak more than one language , if so do you translate your books yourself?

English. I speak Arabic and English and a little bit of French. Nope. I’ve never translated any of my books. I wouldn’t do it myself though if I were to have them translated.

 

9. Which do your prefer writing books or films?

Mmmmm…REAALLY hard question. They are two different experiences entirely. But if I absolutely had to do only one, I would write books.

 

10.When you think of a story do you instantly know which one you will write, a film or book, or do you try writing both and see which works best?

Yes. Books and films have different essences. I can usually tell if something is begging to be a book or a screenplay. And very often it doesn’t work when I try the story in a different medium. For me, since I had a hunch about the medium, it rarely works when I change it.

 

11. If you could have any character from any book, as a best friend, who would it be?

Anne Shirley. Or I’d want to be one of the Ingleside clan. (L.M.Montgomery universe)

 

12. Do you plan more books in the weathernose universe?

YES! I’m planning a sequel.

 

13. Have you ever visited a real life place which has inspired you to write a fantasy world?

YES. All the time. Istanbul has inspired a large part of the Fantasy novel that I’m currently working on. Malaysia may have inspired the Cerulean Universe a little bit. I’m adamant about visiting places. A producer was once wanted me to write a script that took place in Ethiopia and I insisted on visiting it. He asked “Why don’t you just hop on Google?”. No comment!

 

14. Do you do research for your books?

Yes. Definitely. It’s one of the most fun phases of writing a book. I had to research hot air balloons for Weathernose, for example.

 

15. Do you have a favourite place to write?

My bed. I usually get the most writing done on my bed. It does change though. I can be a bit nomadic, fixating on different spots at different times.

 

16. Do you listen to music whilst writing, if so, what kind?

YES! I’m a big believer that music is a part of the process. Before I write each piece, I look for the musical tracks that express the world that I’m going to be spending time in. And then I listen to that soundtrack every time I sit to write and it instantly takes me there. It’s a bit Pavlovian!

 

17. Who is the first person you let read your creations?

Maybe my cousin? Definitely my best friend at school.

 

18. What was the last t.v. show you binge watched? Were you sad when it ended?

A Series of Unfortunate Events. I watched it this summer. I was so enamored by it because it was so well-done. It was fresh and funny and bold. It was better than the film in my opinion. Yes, I was sad that it ended…especially since, unfortunately, I didn’t like the ending.

 

19. What is your favourite type of fantasy to read?

YA and children’s fantasy. There’s still a child in me that is reveling inside a chrysalis of old-fashioned magic.

 

20. Are you a Harry Potter fan, if so who is your favourite character?

ABSO-EFFING-LUTELY. I was one of those kids who had to wait for two years on edge between the fourth and fifth book (remember that period? Ugh!). Favorite character would have to be Dumbledore. I love old people in Fantasy books.

 

21. What is the last book that kept you up late?

Phillip Pullman’s “The Amber Spyglass”.

 

22. Whilst writing do you ever forget ot eat or sleep?

Sometimes. The image of a writer writing into the night is often romanticized. I don’t like to write until burnout. I find that it disturbs my creative balance. I often get up for water breaks or coffee breaks. There were times when I’ve written into the night but I generally honor my sleep.

 

23. If you could have one person read your books, who would it be?

Elizabeth Gilbert or J.K.Rowling.

 

24. Have you ever written a part of a story that afterwards you wish you could change?

Well my previous novella “The Road to Elephants” was published in 2015. It’s about two children in 1920’s Saudi Arabia who run away from their abusive nanny to join the circus. Many readers found the ending in the book pretty jarring. Looking back at it now, I’m wondering if I built up the ending in a way that makes it justifiable. Also, I would probably go in and break up the linearity of the narrative.

 

25. Do you snack whilst writing, if so what?

Yes haha! I look for excuses to get up and snack. I also drink a lot: Coffee. Tea. Water.

 

26. If you could live in any fantasy world, where would it be?

I’m still waiting for my Hogwarts letter.

 

I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I did. If you fancy buying her book Weathernose, check amazon Here.

Happy reading

Emma

Kelli A. Wilkins Spotlight and Interview.

1. When did you know your passion lay in writing?

I’ve always been interested in writing, but my professional writing career began in 2000. Growing up, I read every book I could get my hands on, and eventually I started writing short stories. I took creative writing classes in high school and college, but I didn’t try to get anything published until I took a commercial writing course. I got a lot of great feedback from the instructors and other students and began submitting my stories.

I started writing because characters, plots, settings, and story ideas kept popping into my head. One way for me to deal with them was to write the story (or idea) down. I’m still inspired by ideas that come to me from out of nowhere, the Universe, muses, or by something I see or hear at random.

2. Do you write the same genres you like to read?

Yes. My romances are very diverse and vary in heat level from mild to super-spicy and cover nearly every subgenre (historical, gay, contemporary, fantasy, and paranormal). To date, I’ve written more historical/fantasy romances than any other genre. I like history and learning about how people lived hundreds of years ago — but I make sure my historical romances are anything but boring. They’re filled with the same sort of situations (falling in love, learning about yourself, overcoming problems) that are found in contemporary romances.

3. What authors inspire you? Who are your three favourite authors to read?

I read everything, so in a sense, every book I’ve read (or author) has influenced me in some way. I did read a lot of Stephen King growing up, and I’m a big fan of The Twilight Zone, so I was introduced to the world of speculative fiction and great storytelling at a young age.

Right now, my two “go-to” authors are Stephen King and John Sandford. I read a lot of books in different genres (mystery, thriller, suspense, non-fiction, horror), so my third person is whoever is next on my books-to-read shelf!

4. You’re obviously really good to your fans, what’s the nicest comment you have gotten about your books?

I’ve had fans tell me that they’ve just ended a relationship and they’re devouring all kinds of romances to get over their heartache. Most of the comments say that they fell in love with the characters and loved the twists and turns in my books. I enjoy hearing from readers and am always thrilled to learn that they love the stories I’ve created.

5. What are your hobbies other than writing and reading?

When I’m not writing or reading, I like to spend time with friends and family, travel, visit haunted/creepy historical places, and go to flea markets and garage sales.

6. What’s the strangest thing you had to research for your books?

When I wrote my paranormal shifter romance, Beauty & the Bigfoot, I had to do a lot of research about Bigfoot. I went to the library and took out every book I could find on the subject. The librarian gave me strange looks!

7. Out of all the books you have written, is there anything looking back you wish you could change?

Yes. When I revisit any of my books I always find something I’d like to change – usually it’s a small edit. I generally want to revise a few paragraphs, add extra details, tighten something up, end a scene earlier, increase the tension, etc. For the most part, I’m happy with all of the scenes, the plots, and the characters in my books. I’ll be re-releasing several of my Amber Quill Press romances in 2016, and I’m giving each one a read-through and a fresh edit, so I can change any little details I find.

8. If you weren’t a writer what would you be doing?

Ironically, my day job also involves writing and editing, so I’m always surrounded by words. If I had to pick a non-writing-related activity to pass the time, I’d probably paint and learn to play the drums.

9. Where’s your favourite place to write?

That depends on the season. When the weather is nice, I like to write outside in my back yard. In the winter, I’m forced to write inside. When I do, I sit in a comfy chair in the living room.

10. Do you listen to music while writing, if so, what kind? And do you think it influences your writing?

Yes, I’m always listening to music. What I listen to depends on what stage of the writing process my book is going through. If I’m writing a rough draft, I listen to tranquil New Age-type music (instrumental or Enya). If I’m typing the book (or editing) I’ll listen to pop, rock, disco – anything from A to Z.

Music has played a big part in two of my books. In Trust with Hearts, the hero is a country music singer (and the heroine hates country). All kinds of music themes run through that romance. In A Perfect Match, I used songs on the radio to enhance the hero and heroine’s relationship.

11. Which of your characters, from any of your books do you most resemble?

I think I put a little of myself into all of my characters, both the heroes and heroines. I see a lot of myself in Shauna (from Dangerous Indenture) and Odaria (from The Viking’s Witch). Prince Allan (from The Pauper Prince) and Ev (from A Secret Match) have the same type of odd sense of humor that I do.

12. Do you only have one story in your head at a time or do you have many and just focus on one?

I get new story ideas all the time, so I’m always thinking about more than one plot or set of characters. For example, I’ve been in the middle of writing a book and had the entire plot for a new book jump into my head. When that happens, I take a break from the book I’m writing, make an outline and take notes for the new book (so I don’t forget anything), then go back to the first one. I can only write one book at a time, so the new title has to wait in line until I’m ready. I think that’s why I’m able to write so many books – I always have the next one (or two) lined up.

13. How long does it take you to write a book?

That depends on the book. Some of my romances are shorter novellas (Ultimate Night’s Delights, A Secret Match) and others are longer full-length novels (The Viking’s Witch, Dangerous Indenture). Obviously, the longer the story, the longer it takes to write, revise, edit, etc. I generally take about a month to write the first draft of a novella and anywhere from two to four months for the first draft of a full-length novel.

14. Is there any genre other than romance that you would like to write?

In addition to my romances, I also write horror stories. My horror stories are more psychological/creepy than gory. I’ve always been a horror fan, and I started out writing short horror fiction before I wrote romances. I like switching between the two genres because I get to explore different types of plots, settings, and characters in horror that I couldn’t write about in a romance. I published two horror ebooks in 2015: Dead Til Dawn and Kropsy’s Curse. I also wrote a non-fiction book about writing: You Can Write—Really! A Beginner’s Guide to Writing Fiction. It’s a “how to” guide for anyone who wants to write, and it’s filled with fun writing exercises and writing tips.

15. What do readers have to look forward to in the future from you?

I have a very busy 2016 ahead of me! This spring, I’ll be re-releasing two historical/fantasy romancetrilogies. These novellas were previously published by Amber Quill Press and will be getting a re-edit (with a few added scenes) and new covers.

I was with Amber Quill Press for ten years, and I published 16 romances (in all genres) with them. These are great stories that I don’t want to see vanish forever, so over the course of 2016–2017 I’ll be re-releasing all of them on Amazon and other platforms. (Stay tuned to my blog and social media for more information and updates.)

My third Medallion Press historical romance, Lies, Love & Redemption, will be published in September. This Western is set in a small Nebraska town in 1877 and blends spicy romance, humor, and danger. It was a lot of fun to write and I think readers will enjoy it.

Thanks for letting me share my thoughts with everyone. I welcome questions, comments, and feedback from readers. You can contact me on social media or via the email address on my website.

Happy Reading,

Kelli A. Wilkins

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kelli A. Wilkins is an award-winning author who has published more than 95 short stories, 19 romance novels, and 5 non-fiction books. Her romances span many genres and heat levels and yet she’s also been known to scare readers with a horror story. Don’t miss her horror ebooks, Kropsy’s Curse and Dead Til Dawn.

Her writing book, You Can Write—Really! A Beginner’s Guide to Writing Fiction is a fun and informative non-fiction guide based on her 15 years of experience as a writer. It’s filled with writing exercises and helpful tips all authors can use. Kelli posts on her Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKelliWilkins and Twitter: http://www.Twitter.com/KWilkinsauthor. She also writes a weekly blog: http://kelliwilkinsauthor.blogspot.com/. Visit her website, http://www.KelliWilkins.com to learn more about all of her writings, read book excerpts, reviews, and more. Readers can sign up for her newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/HVQqb.

CATCH UP WITH KELLI

Here are a few links to find Kelli & her writings on the web

Website: http://www.KelliWilkins.com

Blog: http://kelliwilkinsauthor.blogspot.com/

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/kelliwilkins

Newsletter sign-up: http://eepurl.com/HVQqb

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKelliWilkins

Twitter: http://www.Twitter.com/KWilkinsauthor

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1123678.Kelli_A_Wilkins

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/KWilkinsAuthor/

Fancy checking out some of her books? Click on the covers and they will take you to the goodreads page.

 

Alana Albertson: Author Interview and Giveaway

Alana Albertson, is an American author who likes dogs, watching T.V. and watching T.V. She used to be a professional dancer and it shows, in how she writes dance scenes, the passion shines through. She has written a number of romance novels including a few which are about dancing. I was lucky enough to get to review one such novel and she kindly agreed to do an interview and giveaway. Here’s the interview.

1. What made you want to be an author and what gives you inspiration?
I was an English major in college, and I always wanted to write a book. I get inspired by real life crime, celebrities’ stories, and literature.

2. When you are writing dance scenes, do imagine yourself doing the dance moves?
Yes! Sometimes I even choreograph the entire dance and try it out. My three-year-old son makes a great dancer partner.

3. Who is your favourite author and which author would you most like to read your books?
Great question! Hmm. Favorite dead author is Oscar Wilde. Living would be J.K Rowling. Most like to read my books: Anne Rice.

4. Where is your favourite place to write?
A coffee house. Lofty Coffee in Encinitas, California. My dream is to make a pilgrimage to Edinburg and write at Elephant House, where J.K. wrote Harry Potter. I have a painting of the café in my kitchen.

5. As you are a professional dancer, which is your true passion, writing or dancing?
Wow—these are so great and though provoking. Dancing. My soul is on fire when I dance. I miss it greatly. I did ballet from the time I was 3-19. And then Ballroom/Latin from 19-30. I love love love writing, but when that music plays and I put on my ballet or ballroom shoes, I am at peace.

6. Which of your characters is your favourite and why?
Hmm. Bret from Love Waltzes In because he is like my husband. From Snow Queen – it would be Mikhail. He’s misunderstood. He just wants to dance and have true love.

7. Do your characters change halfway through the book and have you ever had to go back and change certain parts?
Always. Yes. I write a horrible first draft. Then I go back and intensely edit my book.

8. What’s your ultimate goal with writing?
I want to write in many genres – YA, historical, Cozy mystery, paranormal, NA, romance. I hope that I can transport readers to a different world.

9. Do you become attached to your characters? And do you dislike writing about bad things happening to them?
Yes! I cry. My husband makes fun of me. He’ll say, “What’s wrong?” “It’s Nieves, she’s in trouble.” He will say, “Uhm you know she doesn’t exist, right?”

10. Have you ever written a character that you truly dislike?
Yes – the pimp in my new book, Invincible. But generally I try to have humanity for all of my characters, even the villains.

11. What’s the nicest comment/review from a fan you have ever gotten?
A nice lady on facebook wrote me the other day and said that she spent an entire day trying to find the first chapter of my book because she was obsessed with it. It made my day.

12. How long does it take you to write a book (roughly)?
I write fast. I can write an entire book in two weeks. Then edit it in two weeks.

13. Do you plan meticulously, or do a rough plan then start writing?
I plan but I never stick to it. My characters have minds of their own and don’t often do what I want them to.

14. Do you have trouble of letting your characters go, when you start another book/ series?
Yes. Which is why I plan series for all my books.

15. How many books do read a week and do read more than one at once?
I read a book a day usually. And yes I read more than one at once. Sometimes for pleasure and sometimes for research.

16. I saw on your blog that you are a coffee fan, is there any favourite types you like to drink whilst writing?
😀 Best question!!! I like to drink a non-fat Mexican Mocha. It has chocolate, cinnamon, chili powder, nutmeg and cayenne pepper. I get extra happy when they make the foam into a picture.

Alana I am proud to say that I can do that, I can make pictures in coffee, no foam, all from how I pour the coffee. Not perfect but getting there.

Would you like to know more about Alana? Why not head over to her blog and check it out 🙂 Here.

Ready for the giveaway? You can win a copy of The Snow Queen by Alana Albertson.

Five years ago, Cambridge Ballet’s Sugar Plum Fairy vanished after performing The Nutcracker. Despite extensive city and statewide searches, no traces of her, besides her ballet slippers, were ever found. Every year since, another member of the cast has gone missing after closing night: a Spanish Hot Chocolate, an Arabian Dancer, The Dew Drop Fairy, a Flower. Nieves Alba, who as a thirteen-year-old played Clara in the first ill-fated performance, is now cast as the Snow Queen. On closing night, every police officer in Boston surrounds the theater, determined to catch the perpetrator whom they’ve dubbed “The Nutcracker.” Can Nieves break the curse or will she be the next victim of America’s favorite ballet?

I am proud to say I have a copy sitting on my armchair and it looks beautiful.

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Not sure if the widget will work so here’s the link in case.

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Happy reading.

Author Interview: Parvathi Ramkumar

Parvathi Ramkumar is an excellent author who I have the privilege of being friends with on Goodreads. I read and reviewed her book The Grove of the Sun review here.

“The Grove of the Sun” is the story of Order, Chaos, and one man’s quest to save his land from destruction. Chimera is Ildanis’s home, the only home he has ever known. Order rules Chimera, and Chimera relies on Order, and its elemental forces of Water and Earth. But Order cannot keep itself away from Chaos forever, nor can it avoid confrontation with Eventide, wielders of Chaos. Chimera cannot understand, does not want to understand, the forces of Fire and Air. But Ildanis sees what is hidden from plain sight – that Order and Chaos were separated through man’s folly, and neither Order, nor Chaos, are as they claim to be. (Synopsis from Goodreads).

Here is the interview she very kindly agreed to do.

1. Which author inspires you the most?

I read quite a bit, and I’ve found inspiration in nearly every book I’ve read. So many authors have new and exciting ideas! If I had to choose among English language authors, though, I’d say J.R.R. Tolkien, Jane Austen, Brandon Sanderson, Daphne du Maurier and Robert Jordan. I’m also inspired by the poetry of Samuel Taylor Coleridge.

2. Who is your favourite author and which of theirs is your favourite?

Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott and The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R Tolkien are my favourites. I also enjoyed Jamaica Inn by Daphne du Maurier.

3. If you could choose to be on the side of order or chaos, which would it be?

Chaos, I’m sure.

4. Do you have any plans for any more books?

Yes, I’m working on a couple right now.

5. Where is your favourite place to write? And why?

My desk, next to a large window. It’s a cheery place for me. In the mornings, you can hear the birdsong and the rustle of the wind in the trees, and feel the golden sun.

6. Do you listen to music whilst writing or do you write in silence? If you listen to music, what kind?

I listen to music occasionally when I write. Usually, they’re videogame soundtracks. I like music from the Elder Scrolls games, especially Skyrim and Oblivion. But I prefer silence whilst working, lest I get distracted.

7. If you could meet any author dead or alive who would it be and what would you say to them?

Perhaps Virgil. I’d like to know why he wanted the Aenid destroyed.

8. How long did it take you to write your first book?

The Grove of the Sun took over seven years to write.

9. Have you ever read a book and thought, “I wish I had that idea, it was amazing” if so which book?

Most books seem to have that effect on me! I’m impressed by so many writers.

10. Do you plan out your story meticulously before writing or do you do a rough plan then jump straight in?

I think up the skeleton of the plot in advance. The rest of it is filled in as I go along, but later I rework entire scenes if they do not fit into the overall scheme of things.

11. Which of your characters do you think you are most like?
There’s a bit of me in everyone, I guess. A little here, a little there.

12. If you could visit any fictitious world, which would it be and which character would you like to meet most?

Enid Blyton’s Faraway Tree is fascinating! As for characters I’d like to meet…maybe Smaug from The Hobbit.

13. What’s the hardest thing about writing a book, for you?

The editing. It’s painful. I’m used to it, but it’s still quite the task.

14. How many drafts did you write before your book was ready to be published?

I’ve worked through several drafts. More than eight, I imagine.

15. What’s the nicest comment you have had about your book and how did it make you feel?

Someone told me they couldn’t stop reading, and that they didn’t want it to end. That made me feel blessed.

16. Who was the first person you told that your book was being published?

I told quite a few people, actually. Friends and a few relatives, as well as my editors in the newspaper I write for.

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Happy reading, until next time.