Sydney Williams's Blog, page 2

Sadie's Spotlight Book Interview

What enspired you to write this book? Or tell a little about how this story first came to be. Did it start with an image, a voice, a concept, a dilemma or something else?
Wen I was in grade 12, I took a history class where I had to pick a country to study, and I chose Wails because of my heritage on my father's side. It was during the course that I was introduced to my main character. From the moment I read about him I knew that one day I would write his story. It took several years for me to figure out how best to write the story, but then one day I met someone who encouraged me to finely write the story and I am so happy that they did so. At first my plan was to write the whole story into one book, but it became clear early on that it would be much better to split the story into three books. Each beating about a different part in the life of my main character as a ruler of Gwynedd Wails.
What, if anything, did you learn when writing the book?
When writing my novel, I learned about how to structure a novel and how organising my notes into an outline helps with the writing process over all. I learned how to edit my work to a certen extent as well.
What surprised you the most in writing it?
I think what surprised me the most while writing my novel was how much fun it was.
What does the title mean?
The title, Princes and Kings, states what the book is about. In the 13th century in which my book is based in, the rulersof England were known as kings and the rulers of Wails were known as princes. My book is about the relationship between the rulers of Gwynedd Wails and the king of England.
Were any of the characters inspired by real people? If so, do they know?
Several of the characters in my novel are based on real historical figures who lived many years ago in the 13th century AD.
Do you consider the book to have a lesson or moral?
I didn't write the novel with a lesson or moral in mind and don't feel that it has one to it, but I suppose if someone wanted to find one in it they could if they looked hard enough.
What is your favorite part of the book?
This is a hard question to answer because I like so many parts of the book. But if I had to pick one particular scene it would have to be when King Henry's best knight, Sir Stanley and the main character, Llywelyn have a conversation after Sir Stanley takes down the entire reading party led by Llywelyn had attacked him and tried to take his horse. In the scene you get to see who Llywelyn really is.
Which character was most challenging to create? Why?
I think the hardest character to create was Llywelyn's youngest brother, Rhodri. There wasn't much about him in the history notes I was working with and so I had to try and imaging him as a small child and what it must have been like for him as the youngest of four children.
What are your immediate future plans?
I am working on the first draft of the second book in this series. When this book is finished I plan to publish it and then start working on the third and final installment in the series.

This has been an interview from the book blog, Sadie's Spotlight and will appear on that blog on November 17th as one of the stops on my blog tour.

How I Became An Author

Ever since I was a child, I have enjoyed a good story.
I have always loved how it can be so easy to disappear into another world with a good book.
When I was old enough to write on my own I took my love for stories and began to write my own.
I have always had a big imagination and have tried my best to use it to create compelling writing.
My novel, Princes and Kings, is my first published work as an author.
I have enjoyed the writing process and the chance to share my love for a good story with others and plan to continue to write for many years to come.
During the writing of my novel, I learned how important it is to have a good outline to work from.
So, to any aspiring authors, I can not stress enough how much a good outline can make the writing process so much easier in the long run.
It helps to organise your thoughts and the plot of your story and it will make you look much more professional as an author.
Also, write from the heart.
If you write what you know then your passion will come out in your writing.
For myself, I like things like life, love and history.
Love can come in so many forms as well.
There can be the love of family, friends, a job or life itself.
I find that in any good story love for something or someone is what drives the main character to do what they do.
I think this is true in life as well.
Even to hate we need to love first.
Remember to keep reading as well.
Through reading, we can find what we like and don't like and then take that and use it in our writing.
This has been the story on how I became an author and my thoughts on writing.
If you like what you have read here, or have any questions, let me know.
I would love to hear from you.

Sydney Williams

Princes and Kings

In the year 1240 AD, the land of Gwynedd Wales found themselves without a leader when their king, Llywelyn the Great, died at a ripe old age. The natural successor to the king was his son Dafydd, who took on the job of ruler after his death. Soon after taking on the job he was forced to sign a treaty with the king of England and send his brother Gruffudd and his nephew Owain to England to be imprisoned in the Tower of London in exchange for keeping his land and title.

His other nephew, Llywelyn, became the new head warrior after his father’s imprisonment, travelling the country and patrolling the borders to the north and the south. After four years imprisonment in the Tower of London, Gruffudd died while attempting to escape from his tower cell, and his son Owain was released by the king himself. He wanted Owain to help him start a civil war in Gwynedd. Meanwhile, after finding out about his brother’s death from a letter sent by his nephew Owain, Dafydd declared war on England, prompting Owain to escape Winchester Castle, where he had been recovering from his time in prison to find his brother Llywelyn and help him in the war between England and Gwynedd.

During the course of the war, Dafydd was killed in battle, leaving the Welsh army without a leader. Being the brave and noble man that he was, Llywelyn called the men to him and, with his leadership, they managed to send the English packing. With the new weight of responsibility thrust upon his shoulders, Llywelyn rode home at the head of the army to find that his world had changed. Now not only was his father gone but his mother as well, and the land of Gwynedd was once again without a leader. It became clear that the best man for the job was Llywelyn himself, and he decided that there was nothing else to do but become the new ruler. He would do anything to keep his people safe, even if that meant taking on a responsibility that he felt he was too young for. He would never abandon his people for anything and let the English take everything from him.