Interview with Maree Ward-russell
Author of The Soul
Keeper –
2nd book in The Castle Trilogy
Questions by R.
Murry
Can you tell me a
little about yourself?
I’m a 47 year old mother to five
teens, a registered nurse and I’ve been writing stories in one way of another
since I was about 10 yrs. old. I was raised in New Plymouth – a coastal city on
the west coast, North Island of New Zealand but have spent the last 10 years
living here in Auckland city. I love to travel and have had many trips
overseas.
Do you remember
the first story you wrote?
Yes – although I do recall I also
have never completed it! It was a story about a nation of elves living at the
bottom of a girls’ garden who enlist her help to save them from a terrible
fate. “The Saving of the Eledenforth Elves.”
Were you inspired
by someone or something?
I have loved C.S Lewis from a very
young age. I used to seek old wardrobes wherever I saw them. Since then Tolkien
and in later years J.K. Rowling – not only for her incredible writing skill but
also her ability to draw readers, young and old in a highly computerised age.
What do you like
about writing a story?
When I’m completely losing myself
in the fantasy, I’m happy. Becoming someone or being somewhere that in
today’s reality simply wouldn’t be possible and then sharing that with those
who love this like me.
Can you tell us
about your book?
I have several on the go; a bad
habit of mine. Firstly I released Roses at Dusk – a paranormal suspense for
Young adults; the first in a series called the Demonic Series. Just recently
however, I have released The Transient. This is the first in The Castle Trilogy
that is a teen fantasy romance about a young girl who moves from Australia to
New York State to take up residence in a rundown castle, turned bed and
breakfast with her dad. It is dripping with atmosphere, ghosts and villains
with just a tangible hint of romance. In a way The Castle series is a prequel
to The Demonic series as Roses at Dusk only came about when I felt the villains
from The Castle Series needed a story of their own.
What genre best
fits for the book?
Teen – Fantasy/Paranormal/Romance.
Are you working on
something new at the moment?
Several! I am trying to get
Snowdrops Wilt at Dawn – the second after Roses at Dusk, completed. On top of
that I have three other quite different projects. Firstly, a collaborative work
with English poet A.V. Barber called Lion Hearts. This is a medieval romance
set back in the time of King Richard, which uses a combination of poetry and
narrative back story to tell the tale of a Knight and his maiden. I also invest
a lot of time in The Dragons of the Yew Maze – a teen adventure for all ages,
set in Kent, which is an action packed story of two kids helping to protect a
young prince’s kingdom and Dragon crop from an evil Governor called
Tyrone. Finally – when I need a complete change of pace I am slowly
working my way through a classical, steam punk mystery – called the Mystery at
Bancroft Hall. – Phew!
Do you have any
tips for aspiring writers?
Don’t be put off by everyone else’s
opinions or the system itself. You will never find a more fickle and subjective
industry than literature; which is why there is very questionable material on
occasions that find its way in to traditional high profile print while some
extraordinary writers are struggling and passed over. Never give up, believe in
what you do. Don’t read reviews and just keep WRITING… for the love above all
else.
Where can people
go to read your work?
Amazon, Smashwords – including all
the usual additions like Kobo and Barnes and Noble. I also have three fan pages
and a personal website along with Goodreads.com