1. Tell us about your newest release.Picture 1072 England in a place called Hafne. Everything is dreary and
dry. But it is a land that echos with the sighs of all things magical.
Long ago a Norman’s hand destroyed Hafne’s peace and laid the way
for the Ancients’ curse that has left the land barren and taken the gift of immortality.
Now the Normans have returned. Vala is drawn to one man, a Norman, and torn between two worlds human and Ancient. With one chance to break the curse and immortality hanging in the balance, will Vala choose the love of a mortal man over the gift of immortality?
2. When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
There wasn't an actual moment. As a child I was always penning short
stories. By the time I entered my teenage years I knew I wanted to be
a writer – I just didn’t know how to accomplish that. I do
remember when I was twelve that my English teacher praised my opening line where the character dies. Yes, even then I had a fascination with the macabre. Maybe that’s why now, except for my first book, I can’t promise that despite the fact that it’s a romance, that every character will live until the end.
3. Where do you get your information or ideas for your stories?
My ideas for my stories come out of my own interests and travels. My first book was written because of the depression era stories that seem to haunt the prairies. My second came out of a love of history and all
things medieval. And the stories that follow dabble in modern day in other countries and cultures and another love, travel.
4. What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I can’t write a book without a title. The title always has to come first – it breathes life into the first lines of the story and gives me a rough compass. I didn’t know that myself until my latest story that was fumbling it’s way through the opening chapters. It wasn’t until I took another look at the title that I realized why – the title was just – wrong!
And there’s the collection of good luck charms I keep by my desk.
I’m not superstitious but I’m not taking any chances either…
5. What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
I learned that a love of words, a good idea and the muse does not make a book, that there’s an apprenticeship like any other trade, where skills must be learned to create an enduring story.
6. What authors or friends influenced you in helping you become a writer?
The authors I read as a teenager influenced me the most as I think the teen years are a time when you look up to people for inspiration and guidance. That said I have to say my first influence, well before my teenage years was - Lucy M. Montgomery and Jack London and then as a teenager; Stephen King, Agatha Christie, Margaret Mitchell. Those authors solidified my intent to be a writer as their stories stuck long after the last page. There's been many authors in the years since - I wish I could list them all.
7. What does your family think about your career as a published author?
With each new book they’re excited and many have dived in and rolled up their sleeves to deliver the news as far as they can.
8. Can you tell us about what’s coming up next for you writing wise?
My next books are set in Asia where romance tangles with the undercurrents of crime. The stories travel everywhere from the Borneo jungle to Beijing and the shadow of China’s lost girls - through Burma with the scrutiny of an unforgiving military junta to Cambodia and an illicit drug trade.
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Learn more about RyshiaKennie by visiting http://www.ryshiakennie.com/ Ring of Fire is available from Black Lyon Publishing.
Ryshia is giving away a copy of Ring of Fire to one lucky winner. Got a question? Ask away!
Ryshia is giving away a copy of Ring of Fire to one lucky winner. Got a question? Ask away!
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