Clair, welcome to Homeschooled Authors! Tell us a little bit about yourself.
When I was born in my mother's home of Minnesota, my parents decided to leave the suburb and take my older brother and I to the country to homeschool us. We moved to the Virginia countryside where my father built a log cabin, and two years later my younger brother was born. I have been homeschooled in that log cabin for sixteen years and have loved every moment. I have written stories for as long as I can remember, and, when I was thirteen, began my debut novel, Some Must Fall. I graduated from high school two years later and have been working towards my dream of becoming an author.
Everyone’s homeschooling experience is different. What do you think made yours unique?
I think the most unique part about my homeschooling was being so far out in the country. My playmates were my brothers, my horse, dogs, rabbit, cats and lamb. It developed an amazingly close family life that I wouldn't trade for the world.
How did being homeschooled prepare you to write?
Being homeschooled is what made my writing possible in every way. It gave me time to imagine and read about different worlds than our own. It taught me a creative way of thinking. It allowed me to dream. Without that upbringing, I never would have had the hours to be alone with just my characters in my head and get to know exactly who they were.
What caused you to start writing?
I have always loved to write so I can't really say exactly what inspired it, but my mom certainly encouraged me to keep going, especially when I was feeling down about it.
What inspired Some Must Fall?
What really made me think that I could write a book was when I heard about Christopher Paolini, author of the Inheritance Cycle, who was homeschooled all his life. Before, I had never really considered that being a writer was plausible or, honestly, possible, but his story really inspired me. I have always loved everything medieval so it wasn't a stretch when my characters started unfolding in my head. It was really them writing the story; I just had to keep up.
Would you give us a synopsis?
Some Must Fall is the story of Prince Istus as he fights to defend his father's land from the tyranny of a rebel king. His life in the castle of Corin is ripped from him, and he must find his way through tangled webs of disaster, despair and confusion until his path is unexpectedly guided by the light of a Grey Falcon.
The book is available on amazon on kindle and paperback. It is also free with Kindle Unlimited.
Who will enjoy Some Must Fall?
It is categorized in the YA genre, but I think anyone who likes fantasy would enjoy it; and even people who don't like fantasy but prefer action and adventure say that it is a great read. Also, those who are looking for a teen book with more traditional values instead of much of what you see in modern day young adult novels should definitely take a look. It's getting increasingly difficult to find wholesome books for teens today, and I would like my book to offer an option to people in search of fun but moral stories.
Do you plan to write more books?
Some Must Fall is the first installment in The Coming Crown, a series of, hopefully, three books. I'm working on the second now so it should be released before long.
Where can people connect with you online?
My website is www.thecomingcrown.com People can contact me through the website, but I'm also available on
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecomingcrown/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/clair34006120
I love to connect with my readers and want everyone to feel free to contact me.
Do you have any final thoughts?
I always want to thank my parents for everything they have done for me. They gave up their own lives to form their children's, and I will be forever grateful. Thank you Mom and Dad!
Win a copy of Some Must Fall!
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