But forever is a long time to protect something without ever letting down one’s guard.
1. Where is your favorite place to draw inspiration?
I’d say there are three areas I draw inspiration from equally. The first would be my children. I’ve always had close relationships with all four of my kidlets. And although one is away at UofF right now, three are still home; so there is daily contact, discussion, philosophizing and enjoyment of each others’ company. The second area I use for inspiration is reading. It was while reading David Eddings’s high fantasy books in the early 80’s that the idea for the Seraphym Wars series was born. Even while writing, I held Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter and The Golden Compass (series) in my mind, drawing from innovative characters and subplotting and such. Lastly, and sadly, I draw inspiration from the daily news. All of the evil committed by the demons in my series are actual news stories that occurred during the writing of the manuscript. The horrible evil that man does to man was the entire impetus behind writing the series. I want young adults to become aware of what’s occurring around them and the fact that it is increasing annually. I even have a couple of short stories based on horrific news accounts and more are planned.
2. What would you say is one item you cannot live without while writing?
I couldn’t live without my laptop. Everything I’ve ever written, every version of each manuscript, every note, every newspaper article, every scrap of marketing information as far as promoting my books, every work-in-progress—you name it, it’s on that computer. Of course, I have backups all over the place, but what a pain to try and assimilate them again if something, God forbid, happened to my computer.
(Oh, I hear you there! I would have a fit if anything happened to my computer!)
3. Can you share a little bit about your character building with us?
My main characters, the Vigorios, were originally based loosely on my children. And we’ve enjoyed laughs at the dinner table discussing this fact. For example, in the story I have an orphaned Asian girl about twelve years old named Tien. My youngest son is twelve and was born in Vietnam. We adopted him when he was two months old. But they share nothing else other than the similar appearance and hard-headed natures. Myrna, the main character, was based on and looks a little like my oldest daughter. Both are bad-ass, hard-heads with attitude--tough as nails on the outside and jelly on the inside; seem self-assured but aren’t; willing to work hard to do what’s right but would rather lay in bed napping all day. Brigid, the tall trendy blonde Vigorio who can control weather, is based on my blonde daughter who is attending UofF; both are intelligent, astute, caring and go much deeper than anyone suspects until they need to bring up that strength. Lastly, and actually one of my favorite characters, Griffen is based on my teenaged son. Both are about the same age, 16 or so; both are intrepid gamers, very intelligent, loving and sensitive but would never want that broadcast. While Griffen starts off the book seeming somewhat lazy and carefree, the tough-guy layer soon emerges and he, like my son, takes control of the situation and becomes a wonderful leader.
There are several more Vigorios (seven total) with a few other people hanging around on the fringes. These are composites of people I know or would like to know. Three of them are guys who begin vying for Myrna’s attention. By the third book, things get interesting in the Romance department as they all begin pressing her to decide between them.
The demons were really interesting to design and are still changing with each book I write. There is a subplot running through the series wherein the Nefars (demon advisors) are trying to kill off Narciss (Ruler of Tartarus, or Hell), similar to the coup they pulled in Asgard (Heaven) with Laud which got them thrown out and forced to live on the planet they renamed Dracwald. So they are all vicious and cunning, back-stabbing yet follow tradition and order. It’s been fun taking some of the Christian ideals of demons and evil and mixing it with my own fantasy elements (dragons) as well as other areas of theology (Druids, Zoroastrianism and more).
The next book I’ll be writing, Majikals, will incorporate still another set of characters based on Native American lore, Wicca, Druidism, Buddhism, Taoism, Zoroastrianism and more. I plan to completely reinvent the lifestyle and culture of Elves, Faeries and Dwarves while trying to maintain some of the traditional High Fantasy elements.
4. If you could live in any fictional world, which would you choose?
Wow. Never thought about that before. While trying to decide I ran the worlds of which I’m familiar through my mind: the dragon worlds of Anne McCaffrey where Thread falls constantly, burning up whatever it touches; Harry Potter’s world; Middle Earth of the Lord of the Rings and Hobbits (maybe the Elvish world would be cool); Cassandra Clare’s world of New York City with its dangerous, hidden worlds; George Orwell’s 1984 London where no one reads or thinks for themselves; Christopher Paolini’s world of Alagaesia, full of dragons and danger; Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials Steampunk world and other worlds accessible through portals cut with magical knives, beasts that roll on wheels instead of walking.
I can’t choose. I love living in Florida too much to want to leave it for any of these other worlds. While it might be fun to take a vacation to any or all of them, I would want the knowledge that I could return home to my sun and greenery. (It's a tricky question--I had a hard time coming up with one place, too!)
5. Finally, what book are you dying to recommend right now?
A few months ago I finished the most extraordinary book. It was called Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer. I was blown away. The book is considered Apocalyptic but with a twist. It is written as a diary of a 16-year old girl and how the incident affects her life. The incident is the falling of the moon, which affects gravity, tides, volcanoes, weather, you name it. The book is well-written and the plot intriguing to the very end. Life As We Knew It is the first of a trilogy and was a finalist for the Andre Norton Award, the Quill Awards and the Hal Clement Award. While the dismal nature of the story may be off-putting for some, I was enthralled by how this child managed to survive so many problems and maintain her sanity and actually come out the other side a more loving person.
BIO
Rebecca Ryals Russell writes MG and YA Dark Fantasy and Horror while living with her family in a Victorian house on five acres of North Florida countryside. She also runs a Vacation Rental Log House on the property: Florida Black Bear Cabin. ( http://flablackbearcabin.com )
She is a fourth generation Floridian. She was born in Gainesville, grew up in Sunrise, lived in Orlando and Jacksonville before moving outside Lake City to care for ailing parents. The family now wishes to return to Jacksonville, which is why the house is for sale. (http://mcleranhouse.com )
The daughter of an Elementary-school principal and secretary, for fourteen years she taught Middle Grades, preferring English and Creative Writing. She had several students’ works published in anthologies as well as her own poetry, photography and stories. Her main interests are her four children ages 22, 19, 16, 11 and Irish hubby of 35 years. She enjoys spending her time writing, drawing, going to movies, reading, discussing philosophy with her 16-year-old son.
Over the course of the next few years she has several books being published.
LINKS
***Leave a comment for Rebecca’s posting. One commenter will be chosen at random to win a FREE ebook or other PRIZE, such as an illustrated calendar, keychain, cover art notepad. You can’t win if you don’t comment. More details available at http://rryalsrussell.com/
PROPHESY is part of a series, with ODESSA!
Thanks for the great interview Rebecca! I'll be answering these same questions on her blog on the 16th, so check that out there!
17-year-old Myrna is drawn into the middle of an epic battle between Seraphym and Demons. An average High School student from Florida, struggling with inner demons resulting from an attack when she was 15, she wakes one morning on the Steampunk planet of Dracwald, home of the demon-dragons responsible for her brother’s recent murder as well as many other atrocities in the news. She meets sweet and sensitive Michael, who explains that according to prophecy, Myrna must gather the remaining six Vigorios (teen warriors with special talents) then train with the Majikals on an enchanted island. He accompanies her on the quest, but harbors a secret past that ironically would destroy all the faith she has placed in him. A handsomely roguish Scientist with suspect motives haunts her dreams and makes sudden appearances in unlikely places, while a sensual dragon warrior defends her against her will.
Will love and lust, jealousy, greed, deceit and distrust break the delicate tie that binds these teen warriors called The Vigorios? Can a troupe of teens help the Seraphym finally defeat the massive empire of evil dominated for eons by the demon-dragons of Dracwald? Thanks for the great interview Rebecca! I'll be answering these same questions on her blog on the 16th, so check that out there!
A reminder to all, today is release day at MuseItUp. There's always some bargains to be had. Be sure to check MIU every Friday for new books of all genres.
ReplyDeleteSept 16th releases include Rebecca's "Prophecy" along with Barbara Ehrentreu's "If I Could Be Like Jennifer Taylor" and Barbara Bockman's "Wounds." It's a great release day for MuseItYoung books.
Meradeth-thanks for the guest posting. Marva-thanks for stopping by.
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