Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a writer, a daydreamer, and an avid reader and book lover. I absolutely adore Elves, and I am genuinely distressed that they do not exist. I love hand-writing letters, and I am a firm believer that receiving said letter is one of the best forms of therapy available. I love physical books, none of this newfangled eBook stuff. I love vinyl records and Jameson (neat). British Comedies are my main form of visual entertainment, though The Lord of the Rings and Notre Dame football finish a close second. I am an avid ballet dancer, and I am convinced that if everyone took ballet, the world would be a much more joyous place.
If you couldn’t tell from the above paragraph, I am a fantasy writer, mostly epic/high although I’ve started a series of short stories that’s more of the dark fantasy side. So far I’ve published two books and one short story.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The title of my latest book is Silevethiel. It is about an exiled princess who must rise above the frail, dependent woman she was raised to be in order to stand against a terrifying evil threatening to rule the world.
I’m a huge lover of animals and wanted to incorporate the bond many people feel with their pets in my writing – just on a larger, magical scale. I came up with the idea for the Protector/Guardian bond where elf and lion can sense and speak to each other through their magic. The characters of Irewen and Silevethiel were born, and I began writing. Initially, it began as a short story but morphed into a book.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I must hand-write everything out first in my notebook before I type it up, which isn’t necessarily unusual, but I must – and I repeat – I MUST use the same pen. When the ink runs out and I don’t have the exact same pen to replace it, my world ends – especially if it’s a different color. I can’t even begin to express the trauma this brings to my life. I also must take notes in pencil and absolutely have to sharpen it before I throw it away.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’ve always been drawn to Sci-fi/Fantasy and was actually introduced to the Fantasy genre by Terry Brooks and his wonderful world of Shannara. I fell in love with him immediately, and he continues to be my favorite author and greatest influence. Other fantasy authors I enjoy and who have also impacted my writing are Philip Pullman, Mercedes Lackey, Juliet Marillier, and Anne McCaffrey, to name a few.
Surprisingly, the two authors my work is repeatedly compared to, J. R. R. Tolkien and George R. R. Martin, have not influenced me one bit. I don’t particularly like Tolkien’s writing style (please don’t hit me with a stick!) and have not read anything by Martin.
What are you working on now?
I am currently working on the 2nd book of The Dragonath Chronicles titled Awakening, which will be released in 2014.
Book Blurb!
With the aid of Andillrian, Ipzaag, Selantia, and Anarra, Darrak continues his fight to save Earth and Dragonath from the destruction of Halla Magic. But after the appearance of a dragon who could change the tide of war in their favor, Darrak learns that not everyone’s oath to protect him was genuine. Deserted by two of his companions and facing a cunning and powerful army, Darrak realizes the enemy forces no longer answer to their former master.
A darker power has emerged from the shadows.
Payton Niemel has returned, and his intense hatred for Darrak’s ancestors remains. He will stop at nothing to finish what he began centuries before; to destroy the Keera bloodline and claim dominance over all of Dragonath. And this time, he has the power to see it done.
I also recently published short story, Redemption, on Kindle. It’s the first of the dark fantasy series, The Legacy of Ilvania, which follows the main character’s journey from prisoner to revered leader.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
So far I haven’t really discovered anything that I would call the ‘best’. Everything I’ve done has worked pretty well, but nothing’s blown me away. I’m still discovering new avenues and it’s too early to say how they perform. Giveaways definitely generate interest. I mean after all, who doesn’t like free stuff? Especially books!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Be yourself. Don’t write for money or fame. Write because you have a message you want to share. Write because you want to inspire your readers, whether they be 2, 2,000 or 2,000,000. Most importantly, write from your heart and never stop.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Keep writing. When nothing sounds right and you’re so frustrated you want to stab yourself in the eye with a pencil, just keep putting words on the page. It’s probably not as bad as you think it is, and if it is, that’s what editing is for.
What are you reading now?
I just started reading Time of the Twins by Margaret Weis and Traci Hickman. And by ‘just started’ I mean I’m on page 5, so I can’t really give much input as to my opinion!
What’s next for you as a writer?
The immediate future brings finishing/publishing Awakening. After that, it’s on to the 3rd/final book in The Dragonath Chronicles and writing the last 2 books in The Vaelinel Trilogy. Once both of those series are finished, I hope to write other series within both worlds. I also want to continue with the short stories in The Legacy of Ilvania. Other than that, it’s up to where my imagination will take me!
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I’m going to choose 4 because the more books the better!
Witch Wraith by Terry Brooks
The Measure of Magic by Terry Brooks
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
Shadowfell by Juliet Marillier
Author Websites and Profiles
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