Please welcome the fabulous Shona Husk to The Qwillery. Lord of the Hunt (Annwyn 2) was published on January 7, 2014.
TQ: Welcome back to The Qwillery.
Shona: Thank you. It’s always a pleasure to come back :) (Scans other posts and ads books to the to buy list)
TQ: You've written 4 Shadowlands novels and 2 Annwyn series novels (so far) and many novellas and short stories. What is the most challenging thing for you about writing? Has your writing process changed over the years?
Shona: The most challenging thing is often deciding what to work on next, or sometimes putting aside the WIP to do edits when all I want to be doing is getting caught up in the fresh story (that can be hard, but it has to be done).
My process has changed. I have become more of plotter over the years. I spend a lot of time getting to know the character and the world before I start. I also make a scene list and juggle the scenes around until I’m happy. This saves so much time (and pain) at the other end when I have to clean up the story. Then I do a fast first draft (which is always short) and after letting it sit for a month or so I go back and flesh it out. I used to write a lot more longhand than I do now. 2014 is my first year as a full time author so it will be interesting to see if the way I work changes again.
TQ: What inspired you to write the Annwyn series?
Shona: I’ve always loved the old fairy lore and the myths but it wasn’t until I was going around a maze with my kids and talking about what they could be made of that inspiration struck. Eldest Kid said, “but they can’t be made of glass because you can see through it.” I agreed that was true but then I was already pondering a place where you could see what you wanted but had to navigate this complex maze to get there. That idea became the Court of Annwyn. You know what you want but you can’t just ask, you have to play the game and hopefully win.
TQ: Tell us something about Lord of the Hunt (Annwyn 2) that is not in the book description.
Shona: Someone gets shot with an arrow. A dance leads to trouble. Felan’s secret enemy gets revealed. There might be a set of silver handcuffs involved in there somewhere… Fun times all round ;)
TQ: What sort of research did you do for Lord of the Hunt?
Shona: Sometimes it’s really hard to pin down research to a particular book as I do a lot of reading and looking up things just for my general knowledge. I know I specifically looked up the locations (in our world) I used in the book. I also did quite a bit of research on historical plagues and also diseases that are making a comeback—or could make a comeback. I think I’d finished most of my fairy lore research during the plotting/writing of The Outcast Prince.
TQ: Which character in the Annwyn series so far has surprised you the most?
Shona: That’s a tricky one. Probably Taryn. I have to say that despite my plotting I didn’t expect the final turn at the end (which I’m not going to give away) but in hindsight it totally fits and I’m glad I went with my gut. That said Felan managed to pull out a few surprises in To Love a King (which I’m currently doing the edits on)—but none were as bold and as life changing as what Taryn did.
TQ: If you could, would you travel to Annwyn? Why or why not?
Shona: I would. I think it would be fascinating and completely alien and a once in a lifetime thing. I would definitely pack my own water and food and make sure I was able to get home though. When it comes to visiting made up places I may not be the best person to ask (because I will say yes!) as when I was kid I wanted to grow up and be the Doctor’s assistant…
TQ: What's next?
Shona: 2014 is looking very exciting. The Changeling Soldier (Annwyn 2.5) will be out mid-year, and To Love a King (Annwyn 3) will be out in October. But between now and then I have a genie trying to escape his bottle in Temptation in a Bottle, and two more erotic sci-fi romances (all alien, no humans) out with Ellora’s Cave: Lunar Reunion and Lunar Dancer.
You can keep up with my news by subscribing to my newsletter: http://eepurl.com/lySiD. I also have a shiny new street team, Shona’s Sirens, which if people would like to be part of they can email me [email protected]
TQ: Thank you for joining us at The Qwillery.
Shona: Thank you for having me!
Shona: Thank you. It’s always a pleasure to come back :) (Scans other posts and ads books to the to buy list)
TQ: You've written 4 Shadowlands novels and 2 Annwyn series novels (so far) and many novellas and short stories. What is the most challenging thing for you about writing? Has your writing process changed over the years?
Shona: The most challenging thing is often deciding what to work on next, or sometimes putting aside the WIP to do edits when all I want to be doing is getting caught up in the fresh story (that can be hard, but it has to be done).
My process has changed. I have become more of plotter over the years. I spend a lot of time getting to know the character and the world before I start. I also make a scene list and juggle the scenes around until I’m happy. This saves so much time (and pain) at the other end when I have to clean up the story. Then I do a fast first draft (which is always short) and after letting it sit for a month or so I go back and flesh it out. I used to write a lot more longhand than I do now. 2014 is my first year as a full time author so it will be interesting to see if the way I work changes again.
TQ: What inspired you to write the Annwyn series?
Shona: I’ve always loved the old fairy lore and the myths but it wasn’t until I was going around a maze with my kids and talking about what they could be made of that inspiration struck. Eldest Kid said, “but they can’t be made of glass because you can see through it.” I agreed that was true but then I was already pondering a place where you could see what you wanted but had to navigate this complex maze to get there. That idea became the Court of Annwyn. You know what you want but you can’t just ask, you have to play the game and hopefully win.
TQ: Tell us something about Lord of the Hunt (Annwyn 2) that is not in the book description.
Shona: Someone gets shot with an arrow. A dance leads to trouble. Felan’s secret enemy gets revealed. There might be a set of silver handcuffs involved in there somewhere… Fun times all round ;)
TQ: What sort of research did you do for Lord of the Hunt?
Shona: Sometimes it’s really hard to pin down research to a particular book as I do a lot of reading and looking up things just for my general knowledge. I know I specifically looked up the locations (in our world) I used in the book. I also did quite a bit of research on historical plagues and also diseases that are making a comeback—or could make a comeback. I think I’d finished most of my fairy lore research during the plotting/writing of The Outcast Prince.
TQ: Which character in the Annwyn series so far has surprised you the most?
Shona: That’s a tricky one. Probably Taryn. I have to say that despite my plotting I didn’t expect the final turn at the end (which I’m not going to give away) but in hindsight it totally fits and I’m glad I went with my gut. That said Felan managed to pull out a few surprises in To Love a King (which I’m currently doing the edits on)—but none were as bold and as life changing as what Taryn did.
TQ: If you could, would you travel to Annwyn? Why or why not?
Shona: I would. I think it would be fascinating and completely alien and a once in a lifetime thing. I would definitely pack my own water and food and make sure I was able to get home though. When it comes to visiting made up places I may not be the best person to ask (because I will say yes!) as when I was kid I wanted to grow up and be the Doctor’s assistant…
TQ: What's next?
Shona: 2014 is looking very exciting. The Changeling Soldier (Annwyn 2.5) will be out mid-year, and To Love a King (Annwyn 3) will be out in October. But between now and then I have a genie trying to escape his bottle in Temptation in a Bottle, and two more erotic sci-fi romances (all alien, no humans) out with Ellora’s Cave: Lunar Reunion and Lunar Dancer.
You can keep up with my news by subscribing to my newsletter: http://eepurl.com/lySiD. I also have a shiny new street team, Shona’s Sirens, which if people would like to be part of they can email me [email protected]
TQ: Thank you for joining us at The Qwillery.
Shona: Thank you for having me!
Annwyn
Lord of the Hunt
Annwyn 2
Sourcebooks Casablanca, January 7, 2014
Mass Market Paperback and eBook, 320 pages
She Wasn’t Cut Out for His World...
The realm of the fairies might be unbelievably beautiful, but its people are notoriously treacherous. Raised among mortals, Taryn hoped to avoid her fairy heritage her whole life. But now she must cross over to Annwyn and appeal to the King to pardon her exiled parents, or they're sure to die. And to get to the King, she'll first have to face the Lord of the Hunt...
He Can't Imagine Life Without Her...
Verden, Lord of the Hunt, is sworn to serve to King. But the moment he sees Taryn, the attraction is instant and devastating. How can he not help the beautiful, brave young woman who refuses to bend to the will of the court? Yet the power in Annwyn is shifting, its magic failing. No matter how much he may love Taryn, the Hunter knows that abandoning his duty could bring down the mortal world forever...
Amazon : Barnes and Noble : Book Depository : Books-A-Million : IndieBound
Sourcebooks : Discover a New Love
Sourcebooks : Discover a New Love
The Outcast Prince
Annwyn 1
Sourcebooks Casablanca, July 2, 2013
Mass Market Paperback and eBook, 320 pages
Just One Taste Is All It Takes...
This is no ordinary mirror. Caspian caught a hint of color, a whirl of a waltz just past his reflection—a glimpse into the decadent Fairy Court of Annwyn. The home he could never have. It called to him, whispering temptation after temptation...if he could only reclaim his rightful heritage.
To Be Forever Lost...
Caspian has an even stronger reason to stay in the world of humans. He's just met a woman who captivates him like no other. But loving him has proven to be dangerous. And he will do whatever it takes to protect Lydia from the vicious, seductive world of Court—even if doing so requires the ultimate sacrifice: his soul.
Amazon : Barnes and Noble : Book Depository : Books-A-Million : IndieBound
Sourcebooks : Discover a New Love
Sourcebooks : Discover a New Love
About Shona
Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter @ShonaHusk ~ Goodreads
The Giveaway
What: One commenter will win a copy of Lord of the Hunt (Annwyn 2) by Shona Husk from the publisher. US/CANADA ONLY
How: Log into and follow the directions in the Rafflecopter below.
Who and When: The contest is open to all humans on the planet earth with a US or Canadian mailing address. Contest ends at 11:59 PM US Eastern Time on January 18, 2014. Void where prohibited by law. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 years old or older to enter.
*Giveaway rules and duration are subject to change at any time without notice*
a Rafflecopter giveaway
