Anne Elisabeth Stengl's Blog, page 37

Fantasy Authors of Tomorrow: Hannah Williams!

Many of you faithful readers will recognize Hannah as one of the regular commentors on this blog. She always brings insight and cheerfulness, not to mention her love of books and gift of art! Many of the fan art pieces to be found on the various Goldstone Wood web pages were done by Hannah . . . and they are all, without exception, beautiful. What you might not have known is that Hannah is also a talented storyteller! She signed up for my mentoring program a few months ago and impressed me with a vivacious writing voice, full of lively expression, wit, and charm. But a dark thread weaves through it all, adding a dimension of seriousness that makes the story all the more interesting. I've invited Hannah to come share a little bit about herself and her current manuscript with all of you. First, her author bio:


 Hannah Williams is a sixteen year-old homeschooler living in the lush valleys of Oregon. She doesn’t mind the rain because it gives her an excuse to stay inside and write. She lives on a house on a knoll with her parents, big brother, her Grammie, and three dogs, five cats, six chickens, two guinea pigs, and one goat. Her passions are writing and illustrating epic stories of good and evil. She is a geek of all things Tolkien and Stengl. She hopes to one day publish her books, and she hopes her stories will bring glory to God.
 And now I know you're eager to hear what her story is about! So here is it's short summary:   He alone could save the world . . . but only if he is saved first. Long ago, the elven king hid away his most precious book, the Moonscript, for it held the secrets of the unreachable Higher World. Evil has long sought htis knowledge . . . and now the heir to the Moonscript has vanished . . . . Such stories should have nothing to do with Tellie. Young Tellie is a simple orphan girl with one desire in her heart--to find a family. But on her journey, she discovers a mysterious treasure and is suddenly pulled into the outside world. Her dreams of family and home are forced aside as Tellie is plunged into an adventure she may not survive. If she is to escape, she must resceu a fellow prisoner, the only person left alive who can keep the Moonscript a secret. But which will be harder--rescuing him from the dungeons . . . or from himself?  Hannah is here today with an interview, so you can get to know her and her writing a little better. Enjoy . . . and be sure to check below for a chance to win a fun giveaway! INTERVIEW  Hi, Hannah! First of all, why don't you tell us a little about yourself. Are you an extrovert or an introvert? Do you like tea or coffee? Cats or dogs? Indoors or outdoors? Sports or crafts? Anything you want to tell us!
Hannah: Hi, Anne Elisabeth! Thank you SO much for featuring me on your blog. It is such a privilege!
I really love staying home with my family, but when I do go out and about, I like to think of myself as a friendly, sociable person. As for tea or coffee, I’d have to say…hot chocolate! I know, I know, that wasn’t an option. Tea is preferable over coffee, if you must know. I have both cats and dogs, and I don’t know which are better. I love the beauty of outdoors, but I tend to be lazy and stay indoors.  I’ve never been particularly fond of either sports or crafts, but besides writing, I LOVE to draw! I live in Oregon with my Dad, Mom, Grammie, and Big Brother. 

When did you first decide you wanted to be a novelist?
Hannah: I’ve always loved coming up with stories, but when I was around nine I came up with an “epic” story. My older cousin encouraged me to write it, and so I did. When I was finished, it was a hundred pages. Excited, I read it to my long-suffering brother, and two cousins. And of course, they complimented it very sweetly. Though I now know that the story must have been difficult to listen to (at least without laughing) their encouragement convinced me that I could be a writer. I haven’t stopped writing books since. J

What was the first story you can remember writing down? Did you finish it?
Hannah: Oh dear. One Christmas when I was four I got a huge stuffed tiger.  I adored it and decided to write stories about it. I dubbed him Shere Kahn. Realize that I was not a fan of the evil tiger in Disney’s Jungle Book. I simply saw it as the only name that could belong to a tiger. I must admit, I don’t remember what the plot of the story was. I think it was a love story between Shere Khan and a beautiful tigress. I think the villain was a black lynx. (Yeah, I know, big competition for a tiger.) It was a few pages long, illustrated, and bound in colored paper. It went on to become a trilogy about his son, Bagerea, and his granddaughter Ruby. (Finally, some originality!)

What are some of your favorite books? Have they influenced your own writing?

Hannah: The Lord of the Rings launched me forth in my love of fantasy. Tolkien’s work still inspires me today. Since then, favorite books have come in and dropped out of my favor. More recently, I discovered your Tales of Goldstone Wood. I adored these books instantly because you wrote stories exactly how I wanted them to be written. (Happy endings are a must for me!) My current three favorites (excluding the Lord of the Rings) are:

1.      The Tales of Goldstone Wood by Anne Elisabeth Stengl
2.      The Lost Conspiracy by Frances Hardenge
3.      The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley.

The last two books have cultures I don’t explore a lot in my stories, but they totally inspired me! I cannot recommend them enough.

What is a one-sentence summary of the manuscript you are currently writing?
Hannah: A simple orphan girl must save an elven prince from a darkness that desires to destroy the sinless world he is descended from.

What is the most important lesson you've learned during these last few months of mentoring
Hannah: The very first month held the biggest changes in my story. While the plot was basically the same as it is now, my main character was not Tellie at all, but a boring young man named Mirn. I pretty much had him just to be our window for looking at the story. I took little interest in Mirn. My mentor, Anne, saw this with eagle-eyed clarity right away. She encouraged me to try Moonscript with a different main character, a character who I could know and love. She wanted me to write a character I could understand so that I would write with conviction. My new character, Tellie, abounded with life, and suddenly I was just as interested in her story as with Errances’. This led me to better understand Errance and the rest of my characters in my books.

What tricks do you try when you face writer's block?
Hannah: I haven’t faced serious writer’s block a whole lot yet, but just a few weeks ago I slammed into a writer’s wall. My wonderful mentor, Anne Elisabeth Stengl, wrote me a very encouraging e-mail that lifted my spirits, and I started seeking ways to jump this writer’s wall. Luckily, I have an older brother who I consider to be the funniest person in the world.  I asked him to help me, and he glibly launched forth on his version of my story. After sorting through random things like navy seals and Kohl gift cards, I discovered that there were a few things he said that inspired me. My new idea leapt over the wall, and now it is an important theme in the story.

Who is your favorite character in your current manuscript and why?
Hannah: I adore my elf prince, Errance. He’s SO complicated. He was raised by a wise and loving father in a beautiful land for his first twenty years. Then—Spoiler—he is captured by demons and imprisoned for seventy years. Thus he is conflicted. He still is a noble man, dauntless and heroic, hating evil and refusing to aid it under extreme penalty. Yet after seventy years of VERY negative influence, Errance has darkened. He’ll say things or do things you don’t expect of an elf prince. He distrusts almost everybody and hates touch. He is often depressed and pessimistic. I really dove into trying to understand Errance. For the most part, I’m like Tellie: unaware of everything he’s gone through. But I really feel like I’ve captured his struggles well. He was almost more comfortable being in prison—at least there he knew who he was and what the intentions of everyone around him were. Now—back out in the outside world—he is afraid, but determined not to let anyone know it. As the book progresses we see how characters and events slowly draw him out of his self-made imprisonment. It’s so wonderful to watch him relax, lighten up, become attached, and learn to love again. He has a surprising sense of humor! J

And this doesn’t quite have to do with the question, but I really wanted to make it clear that there is no romance with Tellie and Errance (except for Tellie’s initial crush). Actually, Tellie tries to become a matchmaker for “big brother” Errance and hopes to pair him up with a special young lady.

Would you share an excerpt from your current work-in-progress?

Hannah: Oh my goodness, I’d love to!


Excerpt from
Moonscript
“Aren’t you looking forward to seeing home again?” Tellie asked.Errance shrugged. His silence shocked Tellie, who was expecting an instant confirmation. “Aren’t you?” she repeated.“I don’t know,” he murmured. “I can barely remember it. If I return—I’m not sure I’ll…fit in.”The girl went still and her eyes widened. That was her problem, not his. He was the prince; he didn’t have to worry about fitting in. But he did. The seventy years had mauled him into a completely different person. She staggered past the idea and said, “Well, this is your chance at a new life.” She tried to make her voice perky and confident, but she felt like the tone simply hit him and dropped dead.Folding his arms, Errance pressed his lips together tightly. His bitter laugh choked in his throat. “Life. What’s that?” he spat.The last of the day’s sunlight slipped behind the cloud cover, and the forest fell under shadow. A light rain began to fall, and the remnant of Tellie’s good mood fell with it. “Please, Errance,” she pleaded. “Don’t say things like that.”He huffed a breath, but with the little light she had, she thought she saw him wince, almost as if he was sorry for upsetting her. “All right. It’s just…I’m finding living difficult.”“Most people think death is worse,” she snapped back.A scowl flashed over his face. “So I’m accustomed to death.”The shower turned into a downpour and Tellie’s clothes and hair started to stick to her skin. She shook her head and hoped the water in her eyes came from the rain. “But Errance, isn’t life, no matter how hard—worth it?”His gaze dropped. “I…” He took a deep breath. “I don’t know.”She hunkered into herself, wrapping her arms in tight. She found it difficult to speak. “Errance,” she moaned. “You’ve completely lost your sense of self-worth.”“Tell me something I don’t know,” he said bitterly.His sharp tone scraped against Tellie’s heart, but at that moment she suddenly thought of a clever reply. “All right then,” she said. “You’re ugly.”“WHAT?”She laughed. She couldn’t help it. His startled, almost-hurt, expression could have amused anyone, even someone at a funeral. “Well, at least you still have your vanity!” she gasped between her giggles. But the prince seemed to find nothing amusing or clever about her joke, and he turned his head away to fix his gaze on som            “Really? I thought you were all grown-up?” She stared at him. Was he teasing her? He was still looking away from her, but she almost thought she could see a twinkle in his eye, though it might have been rain-water. It was too dark for her to tell. Could it be possible that he had been amused by her jest? That he had actually made his only little witticism in return? “Yes, well, I’m sort of grown-up,” she hedged. “Can we please get out of the rain?”
 


Thank you so much for sharing with us today, Hannah! I know we are all eager to see this story play out . . . and hopefully find it on bookstore shelves in another few years!

In the meanwhile, you readers may continue enjoying little bits nad pieces of Hannah's writing via her brand new blog: The Writer's Window. Go take a look and follow her blog! Right after you've entered your name in the giveaway below . . . .

And now for the giveaway. Hannah has made a GORGEOUS bookmark to offer to one lucky winner! Take a look at this artristry:   If you would like to win this lovely Moonscript bookmark, be sure to enter your name in the raffle below! And take a moment to thank Hannah for her time today. http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/0cd5243/" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway


Fantasy Authors of Tomorrow: Rebecca Fox!

I am excited to kick off this week's set of features, Fantasy Authors of Tomorrow, with this lovely young writer. Rebecca first wrote to me early last year for help with a research project she was working on. While serving as a resource for her on this project, I was impressed by Rebecca's maturity and passion for writing, particularly YA fantasy. Definitely a girl after my own heart!

Later in the year, Rebecca was my first mentoring student, and I was delighted to begin my job as writing coach on her work. The first chapter she sent me was full of beautiful narrative, lyrical prose, lovely scenery . . . and a fabulously eerie plot. I was hooked. And I suspect all of you will be as well!

Here is a little more information about Rebecca Fox:

A recent high school graduate, Rebecca Fox writes fantasy stories while simultaneously dreaming of traveling to Narnia, Middle-earth, and whatever fantasy world she is currently writing about. When she’s not lost in the pages of a book, she’s likely belting out songs from The Phantom of the Opera and Les Mis, rehearsing for a play, listening to her collection of soundtrack music, or cheering madly for her favorite college football teams. Rebecca lives in Iowa with her family. 


I was excited to learn that Rebecca's major passion is for  fairy tales. Here is a glimpse at her current work-in-progress!



The Summons Has Come . . . a Maiden is Chosen Every Midsummer’s Eve, a maiden is summoned to the mysterious Castle Lamir, hidden upon a shadowy mountain. The girl is never heard from again. No one asks questions or tries to dissuade the villager elders from sending another maiden into the unknown, for all fear crossing the will of the infamous Lord of Lamir.  Desperate to prove her worth when the elders read her name from the summons, plain Estelle—the village outcast—ventures into the wild mountains only to discover that the enchanted Castle Lamir holds dark secrets. Caught between the warring wills of the Voice that hides in the shadows and the sorceress that dwells beneath the castle, Estelle becomes entangled in the search for an ancient and powerful legend. The Essence of Beauty may prove the key to achieving her heart’s greatest desire, but there are others who would use her and the Essence for their own ends.  I know, I know . . . you want to pick it up and read it right away! Sadly, it's not complete yet, so you'll have to wait a few years. But in the meanwhile, Rebecca has sweetly agreed to an interview here today!
INTERVIEW  Hi, Rebecca! First of all, why don't you tell us a little about yourself. Are you an extrovert or an introvert? Do you like tea or coffee? Cats or dogs? Indoors or outdoors? Sports or crafts? Anything you want to tell us!

Rebecca: Hmmm. Well, since it’s confession time:
When did you first decide you wanted to be a novelist?

Rebecca: I think realizing that I wanted to be a novelist was gradual. I’ve enjoyed stories and writing since I was a little kid, but it wasn’t until the summer before my freshman year of high school that I started to actually do something about it. I wrote a novel (quite dreadful actually but someday I hope I can turn it into something worth reading) and loved the experience. When I finished, something had happened. When people asked me what I wanted to do when I grew up, I started saying, “I want to be a novelist.” And that was that.

What was the first story you can remember writing down? Did you ever finish it?

Rebecca: In third grade the class was assigned to write a short, one-page story. Mine ended up being three pages. I can hardly remember that little tale; I’m sure it’s somewhere buried deep in the annals of my childhood, if it even survived our move five years later. But I do recall that it was a fantasy. So my course in fantasy was set nearly a decade ago.

What are some of your favorite books? Have they influenced your own writing?

Rebecca: C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien are my literary heroes. No matter what I read or how much I enjoy a new book, I always end up coming back to these two. I grew up on The Chronicles of Narnia and The Lord of the Rings. Really, these authors were the ones who first inspired me to write. Their books provided fuel for my childhood play, textbooks as I first began to dig into and study literature, and now a guide as I started to create my own stories. They provide a wonderful example of what it means to be a Christian and a fantasy writer.

What is a one-sentence summary of the manuscript you are currently writing?

Rebecca: The outcast of a society that values physical beauty above all, plain Estelle is sent as tribute to the villagers’ infamous liege-lord only to become entangled in the search for the legendary power over beauty.

What is the most important lesson you've learned during these last few months of mentoring?

Rebecca: How can I choose just one?! I think the first major lesson I learned was to balance “showing” and “telling.” I had gotten bogged down in the show-don’t-tell maxim and my work was feeling stiff. Once I started “telling” emotions, thoughts, etc. in addition to all the “showing” my writing started to feel more comfortable. That was sort of a breakthrough lesson for me. I had more freedom to explore my characters, giving them an opportunity to come that much more alive in my mind. I could sit back and start enjoying the story!

What tricks do you try when you face writer's block?

Rebecca: In my experience, writer’s block tends to stem from too much pressure, often self-inflicted. When that happens I take a step back to relieve the pressure. Sometimes that means leaving the scene that I’m working on and jumping ahead (or backwards or to an entirely different project) and working on that for a while, just something new to stir my creativity. Often I’ll grab the nearest book and start reading. I find that it helps to get words and stories flowing through my mind even if they aren’t my own. In fact, when there’s a book I’ve been consistently reading, I’ve found that I am likely to have more success with my writing than when I haven’t read much in a few weeks. I guess it all comes back to the age-old advice: read, read, and read.

Who is your favorite character in your current manuscript and why?

Rebecca: I love all my characters from my bitter villainess to my tortured hero, but since I have to choose, I have to pick Lucia, a member of the supporting cast. She’s a fascinating character to write and she poses some unique challenges. She’s blind, but she hasn’t always had this disability so she does have some fading memories of what she saw long ago, some she treasures while others haunt her. She’s a sweet, innocent, naïve girl, but these traits are the very things that drew her into embracing, and remaining entrapped in, Darkness. Yet Lucia’s heart is golden, unspoiled by the enchantments and bitterness that surround her. She longs for beauty and truth and companionship. She has some very difficult choices coming up that will threaten her carefully constructed security.

Would you share an excerpt from your current work-in-progress?

Rebecca: Absolutely. This segment comes from Chapter Four of Beautiful, which includes some of my favorite moments in the novel thus far. Enjoy!


Excerpt fromBEAUTIFUL

Estelle lifted her chin and looked into the mirror.
So then, dreams did not come true.
The same reflection as always stared back at her. The lank frame, the grim-set jaw and pale, thin lips turned slightly down, the too large eyes the color of smoke, the austere aquiline nose.
The image of that beautiful face, indelibly imprinted upon her memory, laughed at her.
See what you really are, foolish girl. You will never be me.
It was Liette. It was the elder. It was her mother. Their voices collided in her head, becoming one.
See what you really are. Nothing more. Nothing more. Never more. 
Estelle ground her teeth together until a shooting pain lanced through her jaw. Heat rose up her neck and spread from her cheeks to her ears and over her scalp. It built behind her eyes and her vision tilted. 
How dare the mirror tell her this? How dare these infernal enchantments tantalize her with the promise of such beauty only to repeal the gift, leaving her groveling and ashamed?
“Come away, Estelle.” The minstrel’s voice whispered at the edge of her awareness.
How could she have allowed herself to fall for the illusion?
It was the final straw. Estelle threw her head back and screamed. Long and loud, the sound screeched from her mouth. Like a wolf it clawed her throat as it passed and ravaged her ears once released into the open. Still she screamed, pouring every hurt and bitterness and rage into the noise.
Deep within the hidden corners of the castle, ancient enchantments stirred. The angels in the courtyard trembled as mists boiled up from the chasm and churned across the grounds. The gargoyles laughed, baring their fangs as they crouched among the eaves.
A wind, hot and stale, swept out of the shadows and raced through the halls and corridors. It barreled past the entrance to the Hall of Mirrors. It swept around Estelle, swirling her skirts and twisting her hair.
As the wind whirled about her, enclosing her, Estelle heard her scream magnified and multiplied, as if a hundred tiny voices had taken up her cry. A terrifying, heart-wrenching symphony.
Estelle felt something grab her from behind and jerk her backwards. The whirlwind of voices shattered like glass, and Estelle’s own voice faltered. She whirled and heard her palm crack against something. Someone.
The final remnants of her scream faded. All was silent. All was still. Estelle stood frozen, staring at the white mark of her hand on the minstrel’s cheek.
What had she done?
Already the place on his cheekbone was changing from pale white to mottled purple-grey with a streak of red through the middle. Could she have really assaulted him so viciously? The ache in her hand confirmed it.
What had happened to her? What had changed? She had never done such a thing before, had not thought herself capable. “I’m sorry,” she muttered, more for her own consolation than for the minstrel's.
The minstrel said nothing but continued to watch her. Estelle looked down and studied the parquet floor. With the toe of her shoe, she cleared away some of the pervasive dust, revealing the wooden mosaic. She had apologized. Now it was his turn to respond, but he persisted in his silent gaze. As each second ticked agonizingly past, Estelle felt the weight of her guilt grow upon her shoulders.
Still the minstrel did not speak.
Estelle released an exasperated huff. She didn’t deserve this. After all, he should never have intervened, startling her as he had. He knew nothing of her plight. He had never suffered like she had. He had never desired something so fiercely only to be rejected again and again. He deserved that mark for all she had endured because of him from the moment she had first laid eyes on him.
Estelle met the minstrel’s gaze with chin lifted. But she did not see in his weird, piercing eyes what she had expected, even wanted, to see. He harbored neither anger nor even disbelief. Estelle barely stifled her horrified gasp. He pitied her.
Pity! That insufferable, dreadful pity that made her skin crawl. It was far worse, Estelle decided, than scorn. She knew how to respond to derision, but this pity set her on edge. Was she helpless? No! She needed no one, particularly not him.
Estelle turned once more to the mirror. She looked into the face of the wild-eyed, red-faced reflection and hated what she saw. This image, this reality, had haunted her too long.
Casting aside the candles, Estelle grabbed a golden candelabrum. She would end that reflection’s constant mockery once and for all. She faced the mirror and hefted the ornately wrought candlestick.
“Estelle?” The minstrel broke his silence, but it was too late. “Estelle, wait. Be careful!”
Ignoring him, Estelle slammed the candlestick with all of her might into the glass. The crack exploded across the mirror, sending fissures towards each corner. Estelle smiled with grim satisfaction. She would have her revenge upon every mirror in the castle if she had to. Never again would these mimicking, glassy fiends taunt her. She would destroy them all until one showed her what she wanted to see.
Suddenly, Estelle felt a shudder ripple beneath her feet. It passed and she dismissed the sensation as a working of her imagination. But then tremors sped through the stones. Plumes of dust burst into the air like fountains of fireworks. 
“Estelle!” The minstrel grabbed her arm and this time Estelle was too disoriented to push him away. The windows rattled; the chandeliers swung violently back and forth; the walls groaned.
“What’s happening?” Estelle shouted over the growing din.
“Get down!”
Estelle fell to her knees and crawled beneath a table. She threw her arms over her head and squeezed her eyes shut. The tremors that shook the castle shook her as well. She felt them take hold, an invisible hand squeezing her heart and rattling her bones.
Crashes echoed and the castle seemed to wail in agony, lifting ever higher in pitch and ferocity. Then, without warning, just as she thought she could bear it no longer, the quake stopped, as if it had never been.
Estelle remained crouched beneath the table, the blood pounding in her temples. It was over? The minstrel stirred beside her and climbed back into the open. Estelle inched back against the wall. How could he be certain it would not begin again? It had come so suddenly. What could have provoked such a violent reaction of the earth?
Then Estelle realized. Could it have been her?
“Minstrel,” Estelle’s voice shivered as she spoke but it suddenly no longer mattered, “what have I done?”
He stopped for a moment and glanced up and down the hall. Estelle followed his gaze but saw nothing. The hall appeared as though the quake had never occurred; not a cracked vase or shattered window. At last the minstrel released a heavy sigh as if satisfied that the danger was past.
“You have disturbed her slumber.”
“Whose slumber? Who have I disturbed?”
“Why the Lady Lamir, of course.”
“I thought it was the Lord of Lamir. Does he have a wife?”
The minstrel fixed her with a quizzical glance and his green eye gleamed queerly. “A wife? The Lord of Lamir? No.”  He spread his arms. “This is Lady Lamir.”
Estelle stared at him for a moment before understanding dawned. “You mean the castle.”
“Yes. I mean the castle. She is Lamir. His lordship, as you call him, may fancy himself her master, but—” The minstrel fell suddenly silent, his attention rapt upon a place behind Estelle. She turned and saw a figure moving towards them.
“She is remembering,” the minstrel breathed.
The figure stumbled forward, one hand pressed to his side and the other waving madly in front of him as though batting something away.
He drew closer and Estelle could hear the inane babble and the moaning. It was a man, she discerned. He was dressed in finery not unlike that which she had seen in her dream. But while he appeared real, he seemed also somewhat immaterial. Something like the women she had met in the banquet hall upon her arrival. Estelle chewed on her bottom lip. What did this mean?
The man was only a few yards away from where they stood when the suspicion came over Estelle that she knew him. His shoulders were hunched and his head bent low, hiding his face.
“I see you. I see you,” the man muttered. “They all see me. I hear them. I hear them coming. All around. From the skies. Spears. Splinters. Run. Cannot run. Hide. Cannot hide.”
The man halted, teetered, and then stumbled forward again, waving his arm even more furiously than before. Estelle wanted to reach out to him. What had this man suffered? What had he seen to reduce him to such a state? Estelle wrapped her arms about her. Was it this castle? Was this the doom that awaited the guests of the Castle Lamir?
“She’s here! She’s here! She’s here!”
The fear in the man’s voice escalated until he was shaking uncontrollably and he began to weep. Estelle wanted to scream, to turn away, to cry with him, but she couldn’t.
“She’s here!” he screamed, and then toppled forward, collapsed at Estelle’s feet.
When he rolled onto his back and stared unseeing at the ceiling, Estelle screamed. “Savion!”
He hardly looked the same person, but Estelle knew it was he. Just as she knew that the wound in his side, the one his pale, blood-covered hand failed to hide, was mortal.
Estelle tried to rush to Savion’s side, but the minstrel’s arms surrounded her and held her back. She struggled for a moment but gave up and stared in horror. He was stronger than she had thought.
“We all will die,” Savion rasped, his thin lips, now blue in color, hardly moved. His head lolled to one side so that his dead eyes seemed to stare straight at her. Nausea roiled in Estelle’s stomach and her legs gave way.
“Let us go away from here,” the minstrel said.
As much as she despised his assistance, Estelle leaned into the minstrel as he guided her to her chambers. Just before they crossed the threshold, Estelle glanced back over her shoulder and started. Savion’s body had disappeared.
Estelle sat upon the edge of her bed and gasped for breath as the minstrel shoved the door closed. How could she comprehend all that she had just witnessed? How could she bear the knowledge of it? What had the villagers’ condemned her to?
“Are you well?”
“I—I’ll be fine.”
The silence in the room was deafening. It pressed against Estelle’s chest until she couldn’t breath.
“Minstrel,” she said, “I don’t understand.”
The minstrel leaned against the window frame and watched her. His gaze was once more sympathetic but it did not bother her now.
I need him.
Estelle shoved the thought away.
“Neither do I, Estelle. Not entirely.” He sighed.
“But you do.” She straightened. This minstrel was hiding things from her. Things she desperately needed to know. Secrets she had a right to know. Secrets that might hold the key to her survival. And now, she would do anything to survive this palace of horrors. “You speak in riddles. You’re clearly acquainted with the mysteries of this place. Tell me everything, everything you know.”
“That I cannot do.”
“I don’t want to die here, Minstrel.” Estelle joined him at the window. “I want to go home.”
“I do not think you will die here.”
“Won’t I? What about the other tributes, the girls who came before me? What happened to them?” When the minstrel did not reply Estelle continued, feeling the heat of her fear igniting her passion. “Then help me escape.” The minstrel lifted his eyebrows. “There is no escape from the Castle Lamir. Of that much, I can assure you."     Chilling reading! I don't know about the rest of you, but got the shivers. Thank you so much, Rebecca, for sharing from your work-in-progress. Looking forward to that someday when we can all sit down and read it straight through!

And now, Rebecca has offered a fabulous giveaway. She has two wonderful bookmarks to offer to a lucky winner! Take a look at these pretties . . .


If you would like a chance to win these bookmarks from this talented young author, be sure to enter your name in the drawing below. And thank Rebecca for her time and sharing today!

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/0cd5245/" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway

A Valentine

A Valentine from talented fan artist, Beka! Thought I'd share with all of my favorite Goldstone Wood Imps!

Hugs . . .

Fantasy Authors of Today: Patrick W. Carr

Patrick W. Carr is the newest fantasy author to be published by Bethany House, and we are all very excited about his debut release, A Cast of Stones, first in The Staff & the Sword series. Publisher's Weekly has said about his work: "Carr’s debut, the first in a series, is assured and up-tempo, with much to enjoy in characterization and description." Now that's a nice endorsement for you!

A Cast of Stones is not a YA fantasy, but is written for the adult audience. That being said, I'm certain it is an appropriate read for younger readers as well. And don't you just love those fabulous covers?

Here's a little bit about Patrick himself, swiped from his website:

Patrick Carr was born on an Air Force base in West Germany at the height of the cold war. He has been told this was not his fault. As an Air Force brat, he experienced a change in locale every three years until his father retired to Tennessee. Patrick saw more of the world on his own through a varied and somewhat eclectic education and work history. He graduated from Georgia Tech in 1984 and has worked as a draftsman at a nuclear plant, did design work for the Air Force, worked for a printing company, and consulted as an engineer. Patrick’s day gig for the last five years has been teaching high school math in Nashville, TN. He currently makes his home in Nashville with his wonderfully patient wife, Mary, and four sons he thinks are amazing: Patrick, Connor, Daniel, and Ethan. Sometime in the future he would like to be a jazz pianist. Patrick thinks writing about himself in the third person is kind of weird.

I am excited to have Patrick with us today for an interview. Here's a fun chance to get to know a little more about him and his work!

INTERVIEW
Hi, Patrick! Thanks for joining us today. I know all of my Goldstone Wood Imps are very excited to learn about your series. To start us off, would you mind telling a little about yourself? Hobbies, personality . . . tea or coffee?

Patrick: Ha. Coffee in the morning and tea in the afternoon. Besides teaching Geometry (I can hear the groans now – 2 column proofs), I spend a lot of time around the activities of my sons. I have two in college and two in high school, so that’s starting to slow down a bit. I do a bit of woodworking, but would really like to go back and pick up piano lessons again. I’d like to learn how to play jazz.

Very cool. Jazz piano is the best . . . My husband fools around with it sometimes, and I just love to listen! As for Geometry . . . I was always more of an algebra girl at heart. But I admire those whose minds work that way! I'm glad to know there are people like you out there.

So tell me, what led you into the writing life? Were you always a storyteller?

Patrick: My dad was a great storyteller. Couple that with my own voracious reading habit and writing kind of followed from that. I used to read to my kids a lot when they were young and decided to write a story with them as the protagonists. That’s when writing really became a passion.

Nice to have a built-in audience from the start too, isn't it? I started out telling stories to my ten-years-younger-than-me brother, and it's funny how many of those stories have found their way into my professional work. Children are a great sounding board!

Without giving away spoilers, can you tell us what inspired you to write A Cast of Stones?

Patrick: I was reading the Bible verse that says “God is in the lot” and my mind just kind of went off on a tangent with it. I started getting all these ideas about an alternate reality with a church that kind of got a little off-track and what that might look like.

What a fascinating idea! I can imagine the story just exploded in your mind from that point. But tell me, did things change for you after you started writing professionally? Do you find it easier or more difficult to write under contract? What difference does a deadline make?

Patrick: I was just talking about this with Mary, my wife, today. I think the deadline has helped me be more disciplined as a writer. I can’t crank out thousands of words a day like some of my friends. I’m kind of slow and plodding, so in order to make the deadline, I have to show up every day and get my word count in. As for creativity, I think that’s more of creating the right kind of mindset. I have to let go of the frustrations and worries of the day and just relax.

Dedication and focus . . . yup, that's what you need to succeed in this business. But it's tough! I can imagine it's difficult to ballance the pressures of fulltime teaching and professional writing. But it's nice to have a creative outlet.

So now, about the story itself. Can you pick a favorite character from The Staff and the Sword series?

Patrick: I love them all, but Cruk makes me laugh. He’s this grizzled veteran-type of character and he’s a lot more honest than people are prepared for. I also really like Rokha, the daughter of Naaman Ru. She’s not a huge character, but you see her a lot and she’s this strong confident, yet feminine, woman.

And now I know we're all eager to meet these characters for ourselves!

What inspires your work? Where do you turn when you need a renewal of inspiration?

Patrick: I get a lot of my ideas while I’m listening to music, especially at church. I’ve got a ton of church bulletins scribbled with notes on my desk. When I need to recharge and get inspired, I usually go to Starbuck’s. The atmosphere and caffeine usually combine to get me moving if I’m stuck.

It's amazing to me how inspiration works. So similar . . . and yet so different for all of us. I could never work in Starbuck's. I'd be far too distracted! But I've also been known to make story-notes in bulletins. LOL.

What are your favorite and least favorite parts of the writing process?

Patrick: My favorite part is the first draft, especially if I hit the zone. The characters come alive and they say and do things that totally surprise me. I’m sitting there and all of a sudden I’ll say “I had no idea they would do that!” My least favorite part is cutting a scene down to fix the pacing. I agonize over what to keep and what not.

Oh, I understand. It's a lot more fun to create than to cut. Thank heaven for editors to keep us focused . . .

If you were forced to pick a single favorite author, who would it be?

Patrick: Tough choice! I would probably say David Eddings. I think I’ve read The Belgariad a half-dozen times and it wouldn’t bother me to read it a few more. His dialog is just so good.

You know, my brother Peter has told me wonderful things about that series as well. I really need to pick it up . . . .

I know The Hero's Lot is the next book due out.  Can you tell us any tidbits about it?

Patrick: The tension in the book ratchets up quite a bit, not only for the danger the kingdom of Illustra is in, but for Errol personally. There’s a character I introduce at the end of The Hero’s Lot that I dearly love. His name is Hadari. In fact, I liked him so much that I’m rewriting some of the third book so that he’s more prominent.

That's great. I love it when characters assert themselves until you can no longer ignore them. Good for Hadari!

What are you actively writing right now?

Patrick: I’m almost done with the first draft of the final installment of “The Staff and the Sword.” I’ve only got about 20k words to go. After that, I’m toying with the idea of a detective series with a twist.

Oooh, that's fun. I love a good detective novel. That will be an interesting departure for you after fantasy too.
_________________
Thank you so much for taking the time to talk to us here today. It was a pleasure to introduce your series. Congrats again on your debut release! I hope all of my readers will get a chance to pick up A Cast of Stones. 

Patrick W. Carr can be found online at his website: patrickwcarr.com

And now, the exciting part . . . a giveaway! Mr. Carr has kindly offered an autographed copy of A Cast of Stones to one lucky winner. So be sure to enter your name in the drawing below . . .

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/0cd5242/" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway

Fantasy Authors of Today: R.J. Larson

I am very excited to be introducing R.J. Larson to you! She is a new voice in the CBA fantasy field, enticing the market with her exciting blend of Biblical fiction influence (she wrote a Biblical fiction series called "The Genesis Trilogy" under a different name) in her own invented world. Library Journal gave her first novel in the series, Prophet, a starred review, calling it: "Character-driven and suspenseful . . . outstanding YA speculative fiction . . ."

Her second novel, Judge, just released this last November, and book 3, King, is due to release this coming summer. So lots of fun reading for you to dive into.

Here is her bio, swiped from Amazon:

R. J. Larson is the author of numerous devotionals and is suspected of eating chocolate and potato chips for lunch while writing. She lives in Colorado with her husband and their two sons. The Books of the Infinite series marks her debut in the fantasy genre.

She is with us today for a fun interview, so I hope you will enjoy a chance to get to know this new author . . . and be sure to pepper her with questions and encouraging comments at the end!

INTERVIEW  Thank you for joining us today, Ms. Larson! First of all, why don't you tell us a bit about yourself. What sorts of hobbies do you enjoy. Are you a tea or coffee person? And so forth . . .  R.J. Larson:  I’m a sociable introvert. In other words, I lovepeople, but I need my quiet time. Most of my hobbies are solitary. Reading and writing top the list, but my other interests involve creating meals or gifts for others—baking, tatting, crochet, walking, and working with flowers. I also love music. Classical, worship, rock, soundtracks, and whatever my husband and kids toss at me.  I also dearly love listening to my family tell stories. My husband and brothers are avid outdoorsmen, each in their own way. While listening to them (as I’m baking or crocheting) I mentally store up their adventures for writing fodder.  Coffee or tea? Both! I love mocha—I must have at least one serving per day—and my tea cabinet is quite large and always overflowing with choices. Lately, my kids have been experimenting with iced tea mixtures; I don’t mind being a test mouse! Hoorah for overflowing cabinets of tea! That sounds pretty much ideal. Though, this time of year, I definitely want HOT tea, not iced. So, I'm curious . . . what led you into the writing life? Were you always a storyteller?  R.J. Larson: My parents unwittingly led me into the writing life. Both are wonderful storytellers! From the beginning, they surrounded me with books, and my mother often sang to us and recited poems and stories instead of turning on the television. Throughout my childhood—particularly at dinner—my father would embark on dry-voiced narratives that usually ended with zingers calculated to make me and my four brothers howl with laughter. Unfortunately, our mouths were often full of food or liquid when that final joke hit, necessitating some cleanup of the younger sibs.  I’m also a storyteller, and I always have been, but the only way I can half-match my parents is to write instead of recite. I hope to remedy my lack of verbal storytelling skills by the time grandkids arrive.

I love storytellers! But it is nice to be able to hide behind a pen and paper, and have time to edit and perfect, isn't it? :) I understand (from a certain among of internet stalking) that Prophet was inspired by a dream. This is so intriguing! Can you tell us a little about that?  R.J. Larson: True! My dreams have always been huge, complex, and vivid enough to worry me. In early 2010, I awoke from a rather grim dream—a frightened young woman in a dark chamber. I was particularly struck by the dream’s few details—a thin glowing branch, an ‘other-world’ mood, the young woman’s flowing garments, and her fear.  What was her life-changing decision? What was with the glowing branch? How did her story end? The questions ate at me, and Ela’s storyline blossomed. I never intended to write fantasy—I’m a history fanatic—but I couldn’t shake off Ela’s story for all the history books in the world. I abandoned my 1890’s work-in-progress to write Prophet, and I finished the initial manuscript in about six months. Looking back over the past three years, I’m still amazed. This series has been such a joy and a blessing to write!

That is very cool. What an inspiring story to other young novelists as well! Fun to see how the small seeds from which an entire novel--and entire series--can grow. Do you find it easier or more difficult to write under contract? What difference does a deadline make to your creativity? R.J. Larson: I love to write—I breathe to write—so a contract makes no difference as far as my weekly word count. Lack of sleep, however, is a different matter. J  Thus far, deadlines haven’t cramped my creativity, though I find that I now write with an awareness of reviews, which may or may not be a good thing. As a side note to deadlines, I also enjoy having the editors throw suggestions for unexpected twists into my storyline while they’re reviewing the initial draft. I love the challenge of unraveling and reweaving storylines to *attempt* a seamless plot. Can you pick a favorite character from the Books of the Infinite series?

R.J. Larson: I love all of my characters. They’re all my babies, good and ‘bad’, so I had to think about this question for a few days. Kien, I think, might be my favorite. His humor, his calculating ways, and his sense of honor as he strives to follow his Creator—and Ela—have been a joy. I pieced together many of his traits while watching and listening to the guys in my life. (Guys, if you’re reading this, don’t take this as a cue to blindside me with more adventures. Warn me first?)  I'll bet your guys get a big kick out of reading your works and seeing themselves cropping up here and there in unexpected places. "Hey, look! It's me!" What inspires your work? Where do you turn when you need a renewal of inspiration? R.J. Larson: Did I mention the guys in my life? I think writing is my way of dealing with a lifetime of being the token female. Also…I love my Creator! He inspires me and speeds me onward in work and in life. I’d like to think that my love for Him is lived out by my characters. On the rare occasions when I feel “blocked” I pray. And I walk, read, watch movies, listen to music, visit with others and pray some more.  I’ve also been known to scrub the kitchen floor—once!—when I couldn’t face a particularly wrenching scene. Scrub the floor?!?!? That is some desperation. I'll bet that wrenching scene turned out pretty epic as a result, though. So, floor-scrubbing aside, what are your favorite and least favorite parts of the writing process? R.J. Larson: My favorite part is when I’m lost in a scene. The words are flowing, the characters are interacting and living, and the whole writing process becomes a realm unto itself—every writer’s dream! My least favorite part of the writing process is….  Hmm. *Stumped.* If you were forced to pick a single favorite author, who would it be?

R.J. Larson: Donita K. Paul, because I enjoy her forthright feedback and her cozy fantasy plotlines—unless she’s writing about the Grawl, who is insidious enough to give me nightmares. When I read Dragonspell, I felt like a child again, ready for adventures in a fantasy world. Also, Donita has an amazing critique-eye; it’s enough to make me green-eyed with envy.

Donita is pretty much the queen of current CBA fantasy. She certainly opened up doors for the rest of us fantasy lovers.

I know King is the next book due out.  Can you tell us any exciting tidbits about it?

R.J. Larson: The action sequences just about did me in! Somehow, I always ended up writing them at midnight, then doubting myself. I’d fire off the finished scenes to my fourth brother, Joe, who fences and excels in martial arts—in addition to working in law enforcement. He (typical mindgame-playing fightmaster) would read the scenes and answer cryptically. “Yes.” “Keep going.” And, most disgusting of all, “There are many ways to skin a cat.” Augh!!! I wanted to reach through the email and attempt to shake Joe, which would have been an epic fail. I could almost hear him laughing.

However, in the last third of King, when my characters are fighting for their lives—a series of fights, actually—I sent Joe a detailed list of the weapons, props, terrain, motives, and goals, with a desperate plea: “What am I not seeing? It’s there, but it’s late and I’m too tired and too close to the scene.”

That time Joe actually offered advice, and his (brilliant!) answer went directly into Kien’s self-defense tactics. I’ll allow readers to guess the scene. Meanwhile, I owe my fightmaster a dinner out. 

I'll bet Joe is tickled pink to have his expertise go into your fiction! I'm sure your male readers will appreciate the authenticity behind it too.

What are you actively writing right now?

R.J. Larson: Right now, I’m taking a break from writing, as ordered by my family. The ‘rest’ is driving me nuts! I’m repaying them by baking and cooking and nagging them all. It won’t be long before they send me to my computer again—just as I’ve planned.  

Enjoy the break while it lasts . . . I'm sure the creativity is building up to bursting point!

_____________
Thank you so much for taking the time to feature here today. I'm sure all of my readers enjoyed learning more about you and your work!

You all can find R.J. Larson on her website: www.rjlarsonbooks.com/

She's also on Pintrest for you pinners out there: http://pinterest.com/rjlarsonbooks/

And, of course, you should like her facebook page, under her writing name, R.J. Larson (author).

Now, for the exciting part . . . the giveaway! Ms. Larson has generously offered the winner of this giveaway a choice between either Prophet or Judge. So go ahead and use the Rafflecopter options below to get your name entered! And be sure to thank Ms. Larson for her time today.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/0cd5241/" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway

February Features: Introducing Stephanie Ricker!

I am very excited to introduce today's feature guest to you. As many of you know, I run a small, freelance editing business. We have been blessed with great clients and lots of work . . . to the point that my mother (who co-runs the business with me) and I decided we needed to hire a new Copy Editor.

And here she is! The newest member of the Stengl Fiction Editing Service team: Stephanie Ricker!


Welcome, Stephanie! First, why don't you tell us a little about yourself? Are you an extrovert or an introvert? Indoor or outdoor lover? Any siblings? Tea or coffee? Anything you'd like to tell us!

Hello!  Thank you for the opportunity to do this interview and for the opportunity to work with Stengl Editing!

I’m originally from the northern Midwest, and as a teenager I was transplanted to North Carolina with my family when my father was transferred here.  I still have the northern internal thermostat; I love the snow and the cold, and I despise hot weather.  Problematic, in this state!

I grew up working on farms, I owned horses for several years, and as a kid I was always outside playing with Ed, my younger brother and constant companion.  I’m rubbish at sports—you’ve never seen such atrocious eye-hand coordination—but I do still enjoy the outdoors, especially archery, hiking, and canoeing.

I’m blessed to have many wonderful people in my life.  My family is very close, and I see my parents and brother every week.  In 2009, I graduated from Campbell University with a major in English and a minor in History.  I met a marvelous crew of friends at Campbell(including one Anne Elisabeth Stengl), and I spend a good deal of time with them, going on adventures, discussing literature, and exploring the Raleigh area.

I have terrible weaknesses for reading and climbing trees (simultaneously, whenever possible), and I never leave the house without a book.  I’m a bit on the introverted side, and I find nothing more refreshing than the combination of solitude, a tree, and a good novel.

In answer to the all-important tea versus coffee question, I usually prefer tea (particularly Earl Grey).  However, I recently bought a French press, and I confess that the ensuing coffee experiences may force me to revise my initial opinion in the near future!

When did you first start editing? Was it fiction or non-fiction?

I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t correcting the grammar of others; I must have been an insufferable child.  The blame lies with my mother: she instilled in me a love of reading and grammar at a very young age.  I distinctly remember her pointing out a sign in the produce section of the grocery store and asking me how I would correct it.  (Jettison that extra apostrophe!)  As a teenager, I occasionally proofread materials for my church, and I did odd editing jobs throughout college.  During my junior year, I gained my first experience with fiction editing as the editor of The Lyricist , Campbell University’s annual creative writing publication.  Professionally, my first editing position was at a biotechnology and pharmaceutical sales training company.  I’ve since worked as an editor for several other companies and associations in addition to taking on occasional freelance work. 

Do you write fiction as well?

I do!  I enjoy writing short stories, and I’ve dabbled in novel writing.  Last year my short story “Inseparables’ War” was published in BullSpec , a journal of speculative fiction.  If there’s a thrill more gratifying than seeing one’s name on the cover of a magazine in Barnes and Noble, I haven’t experienced it yet.  I certainly want to pursue fiction more in the future, but at the moment I mostly write non-fiction articles or ramble about books in my blog. 

What are your top three favorite novels?

What a cruel, heartless question!  You might just as well ask me to choose my three favorite moments to breathe.  If forced, I would pick Les Miserables by Victor Hugo, The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien, and Duneby Frank Herbert; I find new complexities in all three every time I read them.  All three are also desert-island novels: long enough to keep me happy for a good while, and heavy enough to kill small animals with, if I were hungry.

Any advice for the aspiring writers out there?

Read constantly.  Read the good stuff, especially the classics.  You’ll get a feel for what works, and you’ll learn a lot without realizing it.  But also read some of the bad stuff: you’ll get a feel for what doesn’t work, which plays an equally vital part in developing a finely honed sense of how words fit together to make a story.

  Thank you so much for taking the time for an interview today, Stephanie! We are SO excited to have you joining us at Stengl Fiction Editing Services. So, if any of you aspiring authors out there are looking for a fabulous and professional copy edit to give your work that extra edge, come find us at stenglediting.com. Stephanie might be just what your story needs!

New Author Study!

Hoorah, hoorah! I finally have my new author study in good order and can share it with all of you! I've been wanting to share glimpses for a few months now, but it just seemed a shame when we were so close to having actually finished. Then this last weekend, Rohan spent a while framing and hanging up works of art, and it all looks so pretty.

So I'm going share.

Pretend you are at the door of my study and stepping inside. This is what you would see!

My big bear, Nelson Teddy, is very kindly sitting in for me at the desk. Doesn't he look professional? And now you are through the door! You see my Thinking Couch (aka: my Napping Couch) to your left, and my curtains on the right, and all sorts of fun other things to explore!


First, let us consider the curtains. They are as you see them:

 And if I am very lucky, they will remain this way for another hour or so. Then they will inevitably be pulled down by one or the other of my gaggle of kitty cats. And I will either re-hang them (again), or stuff them into the cupboard for a few days until I can be bothered. But in the meanwhile, don't they look pretty?
And under the curtains, you see this little table:

 Rohan found this for me, It's a beautiful little golden elephant, very Sri Lankan in style (Rohan is from Sri Lanka, so I tend to love all things Sri Lankan these days). And it's the perfect size to hold our wedding album, which had been floating unsettled about the house for months until this table came along. Minerva Louise, of course, thinks that the table and the album make the perfect pedestal for her to sit on while she gazes out the window.
Speaking of the window . . .

This is my view when I sit on the Thinking Couch. Notice the beautiful tapestry? That was the Honorable Mention for last year's fan art contest, and it is a FABULOUS work of art! My dear friend Paula made it for me and, after the contest, sent it to Rooglewood. I didn't have anywhere to put it for a long while. So pleased to now display it in a place of prominence! Another little detail:   This charming fellow sits on my antique table beside the couch. Isn't he wonderful? He was one of Rohan's Christmas gifts to me this year. I mean, who doesn't want a dragon mug? And here is the view from sitting at my desk.  And what is that on the computer screen? Might it be the manuscript of my latest, Top Secret work-in-progress? Why yes . . . yes, it is . . . . Here I want to point out one of the cleverest aspects of this study. You see, we had to put the litter boxes in here somewhere. And as you know, a litter box can quickly destroy the mood of an entire room!   But not my Author Study! You see that little bitty flap door on the left? That leads to the walk-in closet, which we have converted to the Litter Box room. So I can keep the litter boxes in here, but they remain out of the way and never interrupt the peace and loveliness of my work space! (You can also admire my fun little book-ends on the top of the bookshelf there. And see all my piles of notebooks and research tomes?) Here is one of my favorite parts of the study:
Under duress, Rohan bought this sign for over my door. He says it is incredibly cheesy, but I say, "Hey! I write Fairy Tales! If Happily Ever After isn't appropriate here, where is it appropriate?" And finally, my gorgeous dragon goblets from Kirsten and Laz have a display! And can you see the little bitty pewter dragon hatching from an egg in front of them there? It's a whole family of dragons!
(Yes, I know. Cheesy. But what can you do?) Another common sight I see while sitting at my desk:
 All the kitties LOVE that blanket. Magrat is feeling smug that she got it this time! And now for the desk itself! It used to be Rohan's, but he didn't like it much. I, however, LOVE it! It's so convenient! That arm there swings out, so I can put my laptop on it. But if I want to close it all up, I can!
 Nelson Teddy is reading my manuscript . . . Even though it's still Top Secret. Here you can see it opened up.  Lots of space for everything I need! My printer, a lamp, my Bible and any other books and notebooks I'm currently using. Tissues! (Always a necessity if you're a crazy cat lady and allergic to cats.) My calendar hangs to the left, and I put up sticky-note-reminders on the right, which I SOMETIMES remember to check. So many convenient nooks in which to fit everything! It's amazing how fast it fills up.

And here you see me in my element!

 Because, of course, I am always this fixed up for work. Always. (Okay, maybe not. But you have to maintain the illusion for blog posts, right?) Hard at work here:  We are always our own worst critics . . . . See the book-covers framed up on the wall there? Rohan did that!
Actually, he framed all the pictures in the room! Including my illustrations.
 I drew this back in 2009, but didn't get it framed until this last weekend. SO glad to finally have it protected properly! And Rohan did such a great job on it. He also framed the Moonblood painting for me.  This one took him (I kid you not) three hours to do. It was a complicated framing job. But I just love how it turned out. We got the frames and matting all from thrift stores in the area, so we saved a bundle as well. Thinking Couch time!  I do a lot of my first drafts with a notebook and pen. So this is a very common sight in  this study (sans the styled hair and makeup). I always have one or two furry-friends to help! Monster wants me to end this post with a feature of him and all his fluffy.
So there you have it, my friends! The new Author Study! What do you think? Does it look inspiring? Might I write better books as a result of this environment?

Okay, I need to get to work on some edits now . . . See you again soon!

February Features: Biblical Fiction Author Jill Eileen Smith

I am so excited to kick-off this month of February Features with lovely author Jill Eileen Smith! This woman is possibly the prominent voice in CBA Biblical Fiction today, after having first impressed readers with her exciting debut novel, Michal, and her subsequent Wives of King David series. With a flare for romance, a passion for the truth of Old Testament characters, and dash of epic intrigue, Jill Eileen is not an author to miss!

She is also one of my Mummy's bestest of friends. J

I am pleased to introduce her to you today. Here is a little bit about Jill Eileen:

Jill Eileen Smith is the author of Sarai, book one in the Wives of the Patriarchs series, and the bestselling author of the Wives of King Davidseries. When she isn't writing, she enjoys spending time with her family--in person, over the webcam, or by hopping a plane to fly across the country. She can often be found reading, testing new recipes, grabbing lunch with friends, or snuggling one or both of her adorable cats. She lives with her family in southeast Michigan.

Jill Eileen took time out of her incredibly busy writing schedule to be with us for an interview today! I hope you will enjoy learning a little more about her and her newest book, Rebekah, book 2 in the Wives of the Patriarchs series.

And be sure to check down at the bottom for the chance to win YOUR CHOICE of one of her novels!

INTERVIEW  Welcome, Jill Eileen! So glad you could visit the Tales of Goldstone Wood Blog. Would you mind telling us a little about yourself? Hobbies, personality . . . tea or coffee? Jill Eileen: To put it somewhat succinctly, I’m a wife (35 years to the best man ever!), mom of three adult sons, writer, cat owner (or perhaps cats’ servant) aspiring Bible scholar, amateur historian, musician, and above all – a Christian. (Tea – definitely!) Hoorah for cats! Best possible source of writerly inspiration, along with a cup of tea. Tell me, what led you into the writing life? Were you always a storyteller? Jill Eileen: I’ve always loved stories. I loved to read from childhood on. But I didn’t start writing until I couldn’t find the book I wanted to read. So I decided I would write it. Of course, I didn’t have a clue what I was doing! But eventually, I learned. That's the best possible solution when you can't find the book you want . . . write it yourself! Makes me smile. What inspired you to write your debut novel, Michal, specifically? Jill Eileen: In short – my editor, Lonnie Hull Dupont. She didn’t know it at the time though. When she was editor at Harper San Francisco, I queried her about my two-volume epic on King David. She suggested I turn it into a novel about Michal. Naïve as I was at that time, I kindly turned her down. But God’s timing is never wrong (to quote my mom). I eventually wrote Michal’s story because the idea, once implanted in my mind, would not leave me.  
  How about your most recent novel, Rebekah? What led you to write it?

Jill Eileen: My contract. J I had proposed a Wives of the Patriarchs series to my editor even before Michal released. She asked to see what I had, and a few months later we had another contract for a three-book series on the wives of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I didn’t realize then how hard Rebekah’s story would be to tell!

Sometimes, the harder the book is to write, the more worth-while it is in the end. I hope that will prove the case with Rebekah. I know it's my mother's very favorite of your books so far!

Do you find it easier or more difficult to write under contract? What difference does a deadline make to your creativity?

Jill Eileen Stress is definitely higher. But I have always written under “fake” deadlines. I’m a driven person, and even before I sold, I would tell myself I wanted a particular book finished by such and such a date. Then I would break that down into a daily or weekly word count. I still do that. My full-length novels are due in December, but I aim to finish their first drafts by June. I don’t think it hurts my creativity to set deadlines. But I do pray a lot over each scene.

Can you pick a favorite character from the Wives of the Patriarchs series? Why does this character stand out to you?

That’s kind of like that question – who is your favorite child? It’s hard to play favorites, though Isaac and Rebekah did just that with their twin sons!

I like different characters for different reasons. I understand Sarai better, having walked with her through so many struggles, and I know the pain of waiting! I felt sorry for Hagar, and wanted people to see her through eyes of grace. Rebekah – I can relate to her love for her son, though not her favoritism. And Isaac became much more heroic in my eyes after writing their story.

Rachel has my sympathy. Jacob even more so—all he wanted was to marry Rachel. And Leah…she faced some hard-won struggles.
So no, I don’t really have a favorite. They are all unique and I loved getting to know them! (I can’t wait to meet them in heaven someday.)

What inspires your work? Where do you turn when you need a renewal of inspiration?

Jill Eileen: I’m not sure I always feel inspired. The truth is, I usually feel inadequate to do the work and sometimes fear I will fall short of previous work or I will not please the Lord in the process. I know He gave the contracts, so I’m learning to trust Him to give the stories. But I have to spend time asking His guidance over scenes, in understanding characters, even in plot development. Unlike some authors, ideas don’t invade my every waking moment. I have to ask God to grant them.

Sometimes I just need time alone with the Lord. I’m talking about the kind of time where I find a quiet place and just read and read the Scripture – a whole book at a time or more. It’s like drinking water after being parched, and I don’t do this often enough. When my life is over, I don’t want to be remembered for the work I’ve done, for the books I’ve written, but for pleasing Him, for completing what He gave me to do, for loving those He has put in my life with His kind of love.

On a practical level, I find renewal in taking breaks, even vacations when we can get away, going for bike rides, listening to music, watching a favorite show or movie (Downton Abbey is my current favorite), talking to my kids, having tea with a friend.

What are your favorite and least favorite parts of the writing process?

Jill Eileen: I am not a fan of first drafts, though I do love the creative part that comes when we first put the scenes on the screen. I tend to stress that the story will come together and make sense. (I do paragraph summaries before I start, but I’m a partial SOP (seat of the pants) writer, so I’m not always sure how it’s going to come out in the end.)

My favorite part is making my Idea Board! I love casting my characters in picture form. I look at those boards as I write. They are very inspirational, as I’m a visual person.

If you were forced to pick a single favorite author, who would it be?

Jill Eileen: Oh, that’s not a fair question! To avoid offending any of my wonderful author friends, I will pick the woman who is now with Jesus and whose book made the Bible come to life for me—Marjorie Holmes and her book Two From Galilee. That book never fails to evoke emotion in me! I just read it again this past Christmas.

I know Rachel is the next book due out.  Can you share any exciting tidbits about it?

Jill Eileen: Rachel’s story gave me a new appreciation for Jacob’s plight. The poor man was desperately in love with Rachel and wanted only her. He could not have imagined ending up with four wives, and was often manipulated to give them children. I think there is a good reason Moses (by God’s command) later added this law for the children of Israel: “Do not take your wife’s sister as a rival wife and have sexual relations with her while your wife is living.” Leviticus 18:18 The story is filled with marital strife!

What are you actively writing right now?

Jill Eileen: I just finished Naamah, the first novella for the Loves of King Solomon, which is due March 1. I’m waiting for feedback on it before I turn it in. I’m expecting initial edits on Rachel in a week or so, and I will begin work on Rahab, book one in the Brides of the Promised Land in February.
____________  So much good reading coming up then from this prolific author! Thank you so much, Jill Eileen, for taking the time to answer all of these questions. February marks the release of Rebekah , the newest novel in the Wives of the Patriarchs series. Here is the synopses:  When her father dies and she is left in the care of her conniving brother Laban, Rebekah knows her life has changed forever. Her hope for the future is restored when she falls in love with her cousin Isaac, and their relationship starts strong. But marital bliss cannot last forever, and the birth of their twin sons marks the beginning of years of misunderstanding, disagreement, and betrayal. The rift between them grows wider and wider until it is surely too deep to be mended. And yet, with God all things are possible.

Join bestselling author Jill Eileen Smith as she fills in the blanks around the biblical women behind the men we know well. Her in-depth research and creative storytelling bring Rebekah's unique story alive with romance, heartache, and the power of forgiveness. And now . . . . Jill Eileen has kindly offered a giveaway! One lucky winner may choose any one of her novels, either from the Wives of King David or the Wives of the Patriarch series. Isn't that exciting? Follow the steps below to get your name entered. The more options you do, the more times your name will be entered, and the more chances you will have to win. And be sure to thank Jill Eileen for her time today. http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/0cd5240/" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway


Braille Editions!

Dear readers, I am so pleased to officially announce the Braille editions of the first few Tales of Goldstone Wood!

A few months back, I began corresponding with our own favorite Goldstone Wood Imp, Meredith. Meredith, who is blind, graciously introduced me to her favorite Braille transcriptionist, Laurie, and exciting things began to happen soon after. Laurie felt led to offer Braille copies of the Tales of Goldstone Wood to a larger audience of readers. After several weeks and months of negotiations, a couple of signed contracts later, she had the rights to transcribe all of the stories!

And now both Heartless and Veiled Rose are available to Braille readers, with Moonblood and Starflower following very soon. You can have a look at Laurie's business here. Isn't this exciting?

If you have any visually impaired friends, do please pass on this information. Braille transcriptions of novels can be very expensive, but Laurie is offering these at a much more affordable price. And I am just thrilled to know that a whole new set of readers will now have access to my stories . . . and to the charming, blind Eanrin!

What do you think, my friends? Are you excited?

An Invitation

You Are Invited
to a Banquet
Where: Oriana Palace, Parumvir When: April 11, 2013 What to Bring: A dish worthy to be served at a Banquet in Parumvir What to Wear: Party Dress, of course!

Dear readers, I am very pleased to inform you of one of the upcoming events on this blog! For my birthday, this year, I am going to host a Parumvir Banquet, and I want all of you to participate.

In order to attend this banquet, you will need to make a dish that you think would be appropriate to serve at a feast in Oriana. Take a nice picture of it (and of yourself in a Party Dress to go along with it if you like) and email it to me along with a recipe sometime in the next few months.

On April 11th, which is my birthday, I will compile all the pictures and recipes to host one glorious "banquet" online! We will all get to see each others' creativity and hopefully acquire a bazillion wonderful new recipes to add to our collections.

To give you an idea of what is expected . . . .


Gleamdren's Tea DaintiesThese are raspberry merigues with white chocolate centers, invented and submitted by my beautiful sister-in-law, Kristen. She gave them the name "Gleamdren's Tea Dainties," because they are incredibly rich and impractical, just like something Lady Gleamdren would enjoy. And of course, Gleamdren is a popular figure of legend in Parumvir, so I'm sure her Tea Dainties are a favorite sweet to be had at any feast!

Marmaduke thinks they look tasty . . . You'll have to wait for the banquet itself to get the recipe and to see the other fabulous entries Kristen is submitting! But in the meanwhile, you can start coming up with your own submissions. These can be things right out of your cookbook or new inventions of your own. And remember, a feast is going to need: A soup courseA salad courseA main courseA cheese courseA dessert course So plenty of options for your creativity! What do you think? Do you have some ideas brewing? Will you come up with some Goldstone Wood-appropriate names for you dishes?