Today on my blog I’m interviewing author Elaina Davidson. You can find me on her blog here http://www.elainajdavidson/blogspot.com/ Read on to find out more about her…
Elaina is a galactic and universal traveller and dreamer. When writing she puts into words her travels and dreams, because she believes there is inspiration in even the most outrageous tale.
Elaina was born in South Africa and grew up in the magical city and surrounds of Cape Town. After studying Purchasing Management and working in the formal sector as a buyer, she chose to raise and home-school her children. She started writing novels around 2002, moving from children’s stories, poetry and short stories to concentrate on larger works. She lived with her family for some time in Ireland and subsequently in New Zealand. Returned now to South Africa, she realises the vibrancy of Africa has much to do with the inspirational side of her work. Something happens daily, something to shock, something to uplift … and the colours and diversity of nature itself fires the imagination.
1 How do you write? Is everything plotted, planned to perfection? Do you ever change tack as you go along or always stick to a pre-made plan?
I start with an idea and once I have the first chapter down, the characters take over. Every single time! I have tried planning, but always the story takes its own direction. I like it that way, for I often find myself astonished by where I’m headed
2 Do you have a writing ritual? Meditation, certain cup for your tea, writing trousers?
Not really, although I would probably die without my cup of coffee when I put my computer on in the morning. I guess that’s a bit of a ritual – making sure I have my cuppa with me when I sit down to start working. Other than that, it’s usually bed head at first before I realise it’s time to take care of myself and get to the chores.
3 Aside from writing, what makes you tick?
Silence filled with birdsong. I am absolutely in love with natural sounds and work best when that is all I hear. When I’m not writing I’m doing research, and the subjects are eclectic. Everything from ancient legends, civilisations and religions, to new scientific breakthroughs. This is personal interest, but much of what I discover has served to spark an idea for a book as well.
4 If you were stranded on a desert island with shelter, food and water, what 5 items would you want with you?
Um, that’s quite a question! Let me see. As I’ll be roughing it and thus won’t have a computer … an inexhaustible supply of paper and pencils would be first! To record everything that happens, to sketch and, of course, to write. A camera, my cat and a sunhat.
5 On said island, what 5 books would you take and why?
Lord of the Rings, to vanish into Middle Earth when kitty isn’t enough company, and any book by Steven Erikson, because he writes such complicated fantasy you end up thinking it through for days afterward. I wouldn’t mind Poppet’s The Nephilim Cartel, because there’s so much information in there it needs to be read and reread many times, and an omnibus of my Arcana series and one of my Reaume series, to remind myself I can actually write
6 Off the island now, which famous person would you like to have dinner with?
Steven Erikson. I would so love to pick his brain to find out where his inspiration comes from.
7 Your current writing projects?
The second volume in the Lore of Reaume series (The Nemisin Star) has just been published, and now I’m editing the third book (The Sleeper Sword) for January release. I’m also currently writing a short story for an anthology my publishers, Thorstruck Press, will be releasing in December. I’m quite excited about that; a bunch of us are writing a story based on the theme ‘Castle Drakon’ and it seems we’re each of us going in different directions and that is always fun to read!
My Links
FB Author page: http://www.facbook.com/ElainaJDavidsonAuthor
Book pages: http://www.facebook.com/LoreOfArcana and http://www.facebook.com/LoreofReaume
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005WUAIWS
Blog: http://www.elainajdavidson/blogspot.com/
The epic battle continues between the Enchanter and the Darak Or. Margus and Torrullin are two faces on the same coin; no matter how opposite they are they remain even, except Margus has no qualms in using Torrullin’s son for his agenda. Tymall is the dark twin, whereas as Tristamil is the light. Yet they cannot clash despite needing to, despite desperate to be free of their symbiosis.
Torrullin returns to Valaris – to a war already fought. After dragging the Darak Or across time and space to battle it out elsewhere, he discovers his world cannot avoid another round of terror. In a golden city there is temple raised from vision and on one night every year a star shines through the aperture overhead. This is a connection to the world of Nemisin, the first homeworld. In this place where stars meet Torrullin must choose life or death for his sons.
As the universe searches for the Light in all its brilliance, seeking peace, Torrullin begins to see himself as a prince among demons. Torrullin returns to Valaris to save his family, his people, his world and his soul … and chooses to change the rules. Death, after all, is not an end. Too many lives have been lost because the Enchanter has a nemesis. Too many hearts have been broken. Sometimes the only way to find peace, is to lose yourself
Thank you Elaina for joining me today…you would love it on our Welsh riverbank, sitting in the dappled shade, listening to the birds and watching out for the kingfisher. Good luck with all your writing.
Wendy Steele 