What can you tell us about your new release, Sentinels?
Sentinels is the first of a series made up of seven books called The One True Child Series. This first and second book, Carling, are both historical fantasy, set in Roman era Britain, and the last five in more modern times. It follows the story of Carling, who discovers she is no ordinary child of The People and the path she must now tread is a long and at times arduous one.
The series tracks her spirit as she struggles to deal with an ancient evil, Chaos, who is determined to have the world bow down to him. Carling's very existence was created by the being called Order to help protect the world from Chaos.
It is the struggle of good versus evil; of Carling accepting her destiny and finding a way to deal with being used as the staff and sword of Order. Which at times goes against everything she has been taught growing up. It is also about love. The great love of her foster-family and how they wish to help and the love of Galen, who's love she cannot literally live without.
What or who inspired you to become an author?
I have always enjoyed writing, making up stories and getting lost in them. I remember writing a story at school for English as part of a test. It was about a hermit crab and his quest to find a new home. I never got to finish the story, but I do remember the comment my teacher made on it. She said she was disappointed she would never find out if the crab did find a home.
Growing up, my brother's and I would play what-if games; what-if this happened, or that. It developed our imaginations, even if it did make a mess of the house. But our mother and father never curbed our adventures, until it was time to clean up. I also remember being read to. Books were wonderful and a great escape.
So I don't think any one person inspired me to become a writer.I think it was a natural developement of an over-active imagination and upbringing that has brought me to this point. The small encouragements along the way that helped to mould my mind and actually have the courage to not only write, but allow others to see what I write.
What's on your top 5 list for the best books you've ever read?
This is a hard one, in no particular order..
The Belgariod Series by David Eddings would have to be on the list. It was the first fantasy series that I ever read. Which led me to his other amazing work.
The Daughter of the Empire series by Jannt Wurtz and Raymond E Feist. This series showed me that a woman could be a strong main character in the fantasy genre. The descriptive way they unfolded the strange and sometimes alien world of Kelewan caught my attention. It also led me onto my next pick.
Raymond E. Feist's Rift War Saga. When I first read Magician I was hooked and it still remains a favourite of mine. I love his style of writing and world building.
Robin Hobb's The Farseer Trilogy is incredible. I'm in the process of playing catch up, but I keep coming back to Fitz and Nighteyes. Her world is just amazing and compelling.
Of course my list would not be complete without the great works of JRR Tolkein. I knew about Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit, but must confess to only reading them before the movies came out.
Lastly, just to prove I don't always immerse myself in lands of fantasy; Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. Actually any of her work. I studied P&P in school and really enjoyed it. Again a stong female main character, as all her characters are in one way or another.
There are so many more authors I love to read and reread and the genres range greatly from action and adventure, to romance and historic fiction. I wish I could list them all, but it would be a very long list.
Say you're the host of a literary talk show. Who would be your first guest? What would you want to ask?
My first guest would have to be Jane Austen. I think I would ask about what life in her time was like for a single woman author. It can't have been easy to shun the social norms of the day and follow her passion.
Following which, I would love to find the truth behind the suppositions that have been gleaned from her personal letters and her work itself. So questions about some of the scandals she is associated with would have to be asked.
Lastly I think I would ask what she thought about the many adaptations of her work, both literary and cinematically, and the fanfictions that continue the Pride and Prejudice story.
What's your favorite thing about writing?
It would have to be getting lost in my imagination. Writing allows me to keep up the what-if games of my childhood and gives me an outlet for all my fanciful thoughts. I love listening to my character's stories and sharing them with the world. It is both exhilarating and terrifying letting someone else read what amounts to my personal thoughts.
What is a typical day like for you?
A typical day for me is getting up early and seeing my family off to work or school. Then breakfast, feeding the dog and doing a quick round of housework before sitting down at my laptop. At the moment I firstly check for edits, then a few hours of revising the next in the series, before sending it to my editor. After lunch, it's opening my notebook and writing my current wip. Each story process is different, some I can write as I type, but other stories prefer the handwritten treatment. Then as the family all come home it is catching up with their days and cooking dinner. After which is spent relaxing, either watching tv, reading or if I am suddenly inspired, more writing.
What scene in Sentinels was your favorite to write?
Ahh, this could give away some of the plot. In Sentinels one of Carling's foster-brothers has a special ability that allows him to talk to animals and he becomes bonded to a female wolf. Carling helps Loc to transition from being a human into his natural form, a wolf. I am not sure exactly why that scene stands out, but it was exhausting to write. I hope I have conveyed to the reader the emotion and the energy that it took to make the change on Carling's part, and the pain and reaction of Loc during the process. It all comes down to the underlying message that love, in its many forms, is important.
Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?
Love is stronger than hate. It is a belief that by rejecting hate and all the horrible vitriol that goes with it, and by allowing our naturally bred love for our fellow man to take over, that the world will be a better place. We are all born to love; we have to be carefully taught to hate.
