Interview with Gillian Adams

Gillian, welcome back to Homeschool Authors. What have you been up to since you were last here?
It’s only been a few months since I was here last for the release of Orphan’s Song, but it has been a busy few months. In that time, I’ve finished writing Book Two in the Songkeeper Chronicles and sent it off to my publisher for edits, revamped my blog, read through the galleys for Out of Darkness Rising and prepped for its release. And that’s only the writing portion of my life!

What drew you to writing fantasy?
More so than any other genre, fantasy is limitless. Any world must be guided by rules in order to be believable, but in fantasy, the rules are yours for the making. Tolkien referred to an author’s work as “sub-creation,” creating in imitation of the Creator. And in fantasy, you encounter “sub-creation” at its finest.

When I first took up writing, I dabbled a bit in historical fiction—a pirate tale in 18th century Barbados followed by the tale of the two princes in the tower—but it wasn’t long before fantastical elements started creeping into my medieval stories, and I decided it was best to turn my attention to my true love.

Your latest book, Out of the Darkness Rising, appears to be an allegory. Is that true?
Yes, Out of Darkness Rising is an allegory of redemption. I find that a lot of readers have mixed feelings about allegories, and in many ways, I do too. I have read many allegories that I love and that really spoke to me, but I believe you can create a story that is just as strong and meaningful without having any allegorical elements in it.

At its heart, Out of Darkness Rising is written as a love story to my Savior. There are portions of it that never fail to move me even though I’ve read them a hundred times since first penning them, and it’s my desire that this book will encourage other believers to remember where they came from and what the Lord has done for them and that it may rekindle their first love.

You have a very amazing trailer for this book. Can you tell us a little about the making of it?
Confession: I once had wild dreams of becoming an actress, but I became an author instead (and there’s no doubt that my talent lies much more firmly in the writing camp). Still, I had this crazy idea that it would be fun to film a trailer for the release of my book. So I settled on key scenes from the story, penned a script, spent many late nights sewing costumes (another not-talent of mine), found a friend who was a videographer, happened upon someone who could storyboard it for us so we knew exactly what shots we wanted and how to get them, and then begged and pleaded all of my theater-inclined friends to travel to my house for a filming weekend.

It was bitterly cold when we drove out to a nearby State Park to spend hours filming beside the lake, but we got all of the shots we needed in one afternoon (and drank gallons of hot chocolate afterwards)! Then my videographer friend edited it, put in special sound effects, and I contacted another online acquaintance to see about putting together music for the trailer. It was amazing to see how willingly people pitched into the project.

The end result was something that completely blew my mind!

I would love to do it again for Orphan’s Song and the rest of the Songkeeper Chronicles, but the bigger the book, the harder it is to film something that can do it justice, so we’ll have to see.

Which character is most like you and why?
I rarely write characters that closely resemble me, but there are little bits and pieces of myself in pretty much every character I write. In Out of Darkness Rising, I share Hadriel’s longing for freedom and desire to stand on her own two feet, but I also share Marya’s love of home and a heart that can be more easily moved to tears by a kind word than by a harsh one.

What can people expect from your story?
Folks who’ve read Orphan’s Song will find that Out of Darkness Rising is written in a slightly different style. A more classical fairy tale tone went hand in hand with the story I wanted to tell, and I enjoyed experimenting with it. Out of Darkness Rising is an allegory, yes, but it is no less a story. In everything I write, my goal and desire is to present characters that are more than ink, action and adventure that stirs the blood in your veins, and a story that roots in your heart.

What other homeschooled authors have you enjoyed?
I love Anne Elisabeth Stengl’s books and only recently discovered Jaye L. Knight’s Ilyon Chronicles. I am constantly reading, but I try to pick up a good blend of Christian and secular fantasy and speculative fiction—not much time for other genres right now—in the hopes of learning from other writers, so I don’t always know where the authors are coming from.

Where can people connect with you? 
I (try to) post regularly on my blog Of Battles, Dragons, and Swords of Adamant about fantasy, books, heroes, and villains. On my Facebook page, there’s almost always some sort of bookish discussion going, and you can also find me on Twitter and Goodreads.

Check out the very cool trailer for Out of Darkness Rising here! You can also enter to win a copy here!

Interview with Gillian Adams

Gillian Welcome to Homeschool Authors! Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Glad to be here! I’m a sword-wielding, horse-riding, coffee-loving speculative fiction author from the great state of Texas. During the day, I manage the equine program at a Christian youth camp, but at night, I kick off my boots and spurs, pull out my trusty laptop, brew a pot of coffee, and transform into a novelist.

Everyone’s homeshooling experience is different. What do you think made yours unique?

My homeschooling experience enabled me to combine study with play and learning with life and fun. Scarcely a day went by where I didn’t complete my reading “assignment” up in the boughs of a tree or study history from the back of a grazing horse. Not a bad way to instill a love of learning!

How did being homeschooled prepare you to write?

One of the nice things about homeschooling is that it allows you to tailor your studies to match your pursuits. I suffered through my due share of the required subjects, but I dove into history, creative writing, and reading with a passion.

All of the reading I did helped me understand what lies beneath a lasting story and within a memorable turn of phrase. My study of history endowed me with a love of cultures and countries and the events that shape the rise and fall of nations—something I draw heavily upon in writing fantasy. And writing, well, I experimented with dozens of stories and hundreds of thousands of words—practice makes perfect, right?

What caused you to start writing?

Honestly, I can hardly remember a time when I didn’t write. My first story, penned at the ripe age of seven, was a terrible blend of Lord of the Rings, cats, and a kid’s mystery solving club. Sounds like a bestseller, right?

It wasn’t until a friend invited sixteen-year-old me to participate in a NaNoWriMo type challenge that I started to take writing more seriously. I entered the challenge with only thirteen days to go and managed to pound out my fifty thousand words before midnight on the final day. That accomplishment and the joy I got from seeing a story take place and the words flow from my fingertips led me to keep writing and wonder if maybe—someday—I couldn’t be published.

What inspired Orphan's Song?

C.S. Lewis started with a picture of a lamppost and a faun in the snow. I started with a sticky note on which I’d scribbled something to the effect of “Birdie—an orphan girl who can hear snippets of a song that no one else can” and “Amos McElhenny—peddler friend, “Scottish,” likes insults.”

Not a plot, not a premise, not even complete characters, but I sat down with those two names and that smidgeon of an idea and began to write.

Four wild and meandering drafts later, Orphan’s Song was born.

Would you give us a synopsis?

Orphan’s Song is the first book in the Songkeeper Chronicles where every generation has a Songkeeper - one chosen to keep the memory of the Song alive. And in every generation, there are those who seek to destroy the chosen one. 

When Birdie's song draws the attention of a dangerous Khelari soldier, she is kidnapped and thrust into a world of ancient secrets and betrayals. Rescued by her old friend, traveling peddler Amos McElhenny, Birdie flees the clutches of her enemies in pursuit of the truth behind the Song’s power. 

Ky is a street-wise thief and a member of the Underground—a group of orphans banded together to survive . . . and to fight the Khelari. Haunted by a tragic raid, Ky joins Birdie and Amos in hopes of a new life beyond the reach of the soldiers. But the enemy is closing in, and when Amos’ shadowed past threatens to undo them all, Birdie is forced to face the destiny that awaits her as the Songkeeper of Leira.

Who will enjoy Orphan's Song?

I wish I could say everyone—the universal novel, as it were—but unfortunately, I don’t believe that exists! Orphan’s Song is aimed for readers of fantasy ages ten and beyond. Think fans of the Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson and the Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander.

Fantasy, of course, is not for everyone, but if you enjoy a story with plenty of adventure, battles, heart, and characters you want to root for, then you may just want to give Orphan’s Song a chance. Try it and let me know what you think!

Do you plan to write more books?

Yes, I am currently in the middle of editing a novella, Out of Darkness Rising, set to come out in February of 2015, and writing book two out of three in the Songkeeper Chronicles! I’ve got another half dozen or so novel ideas simmering on the back burner, but they’ll have to stay there until I’ve made it through the next year and a half of deadlines!

Where can people connect with you online (social media, websites, blog)?

Best places to find me are my facebook page and my blog Of Battles Dragons and Swords of Adamant where I post about all things fantasy, bookish, adventuresome, and currently run what I call a “serial short-ish story” where the readers get to vote on what happens in the next installment. It’s loads of fun!

I can also be found on trying to keep up on twitter and searching out new books on goodreads!

Do you have any final thoughts?

I’m currently hosting a fantabulously fun contest with awesome prizes on my blog to celebrate the launch of Orphan’s Song and also having a Facebook Launch Party on October 15^th which you should definitely come to—prizes, giveaways, story snippets, and more! Stop by my blog to learn how to enter the contest and leave me a comment letting me know that you heard about it here on Homeschool Authors to earn an extra entry!

And “may the odds be ever in your favor!”

No, I couldn’t resist. J

Out of Darkness Rising

Darkness reigns unchallenged.  

For the villagers on the accursed Island, life has only one meaning - death.  Bound to the Island by the curse, the villagers suffer beneath the iron claw of the serpent, daily breathing the poison of his breath and dying to appease his insatiable appetite. 

When Marya’s parents are slain by the serpent for their belief in a legendary king, she becomes an Outcast.  Struggling to survive and avoid the vengeance of the Tribunal, Marya is torn between legend and the harsh reality of the Island.  Yet when a forgotten promise springs to life, she cannot help wondering if the old stories might in fact be true.  And if they are, will the promise prove stronger than the curse?

Out of Darkness Rising is being published by Flaming Pen Press and will be released summer 2012. It is an allegorical fantasy novella intended for a young adult audience.  

Presenting...

Gillian Adams!!

Welcome to Homeschool Authors!  Tell us a little bit about yourself

My name is Gillian Adams and I’m a fantasy writer.  I’ve been writing stories ever since I could read, but I started writing more seriously four years ago and landed my first publishing contract in September of 2011.  Whenever I’m not off battling monsters, slaying dragons, or exploring the ins and outs of complex fantasy worlds, I live in the great state of Texas.  My other interests include acting, directing plays, and working with my favorite combination of kids and horses at a Christian youth camp during the summer.

What is your favorite part of being homeschooled?

Being homeschooled gave me the freedom to pursue my interests, whether it was studying oceanography when I was 10, or Scottish history at 15, or hard core writing from then on.  It allowed me to think outside of the box when it came to deciding what I wanted to do with my life after school.  I think I can honestly say that I would not have considered writing as a “career” if I had not been homeschooled. 

What caused you to start writing?

My older sister loved to read and write and, since I looked up to her as my hero, I decided to read lots of books and write as well.  Anything that she read instantly received bonus points in my eyes.  So, I started reading harder books younger just so that I could read the same books she was reading at the same time.  It annoyed her to no end (especially when I tried to read over her shoulder in the car!), but it started me off on a lifetime of reading and then writing.  I have to credit J.R.R Tolkien for my love of fantasy.  My dad read The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings aloud to me when I was six and I loved it so much that he gave me a copy for my seventh birthday!  It’s been my favorite series ever since. 

What inspired Out of Darkness Rising? 

Like C.S. Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Out of Darkness Rising was first inspired by a picture.  In the picture, a King stood on the shore of a lake with a castle in the background.  A girl stood behind the King and a Prince knelt at the King’s feet.  In the corner of the picture, the spiked tail of a dragon curled across the shore.  Now, the scene from the picture doesn’t factor into the book at all, but the concept of the characters and the Loch, and the Serpent’s tail gave rise to the story that became Out of Darkness Rising.

What is it about?

Out of Darkness Rising is an allegorical/fantasy novella scheduled to be released this summer by Flaming Pen Press.  It’s basically a fantasy retelling of the Gospel starting before the fall and continuing through the restoration! 

Out of Darkness Rising follows the life of Marya, one of the villagers bound to the Island by a thousand year curse.  The villagers live in constant fear of the Serpent, dying to appease his appetite.  When Marya’s parents are slain for refusing to worship the Serpent, she becomes an Outcast.  Struggling to survive and avoid the vengeance of the Tribunal, Marya is torn between legend and the harsh reality of the Island.  But when a forgotten promise springs to life, she begins to wonder if the old stories might in fact be true.  And if they are, will the promise prove stronger than the curse?

When and where will people be able to get your book?

I have not yet received the official release date from my publisher, Flaming Pen Press, but Out of Darkness Rising will release this summer, sometime after July!  So, be on the lookout.  I’ll be posting updates on my blog and website as the release date comes nearer.  You will be able to buy the book off of Amazon, as well as my personal website, the publisher’s website, and certain select stores. 

Do you plan to write more books?

Yes!  I’m currently rewriting my next novel, Song of Leira. It’s the first in a YA medieval fantasy trilogy about a girl, a thief, a peddler, and a mysterious song.  I won’t say much more than that though.  I also have nearly a dozen more book ideas “composting” (to borrow the phrase from Stephanie Morrill of Go Teen Writers)) at the moment and I can’t wait to write them all.

Do you have any final thoughts?

Hold your dreams loosely.  I had a lot of different dreams before I started pursuing writing and for a while, I didn’t see writing as an option because I was focused on those other dreams.  But, God’s plan for my life is far better than anything I can imagine.  So, even now, as happy as I am writing, I want to stay open to his plan, my dreams subject to His.  And if at some point He calls me to something else, I want to be willing to let it go and follow Him.

For now though, I will write!  I believe that my writing is a gift from Him and I want to honor Him with it.