CHARACTER INTERVIEW: Ireic Theodoric, King of Anavrea

Tell me a little about yourself (where you live, who you are, what you look like, what you hope to achieve, etc.)

I am Ireic Theodoric, King of Anavrea. I live in Anavrea, a nation on the south western coast of the largest continent on my planet. At above middling height, I am taller than most, but not as tall as my older half-brother. He was disinherited, title, line of succession and all the rest a few years before our father died. I don’t look like a king. My brother looks the part, trained for the job, and would be able to handle the advising council so much better than I am, but someone has to do the job. I love my country and its people. I can’t let everything fall apart just because I don’t want to be king.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I have none. Between arguing with my council, appearing for official functions, and the necessities of like eating and sleeping, I am barely keeping up with the minimum.

What is your favorite color and why?

Green is my favorite because it reminds me of freedom.

What is your favorite food? Why is it your favorite?

Chicken, dumplings, and root vegetables in a thick stew. It is a hearty and simple meal with no pretenses to grandure.

What would you say is your biggest quirk?

I am not sure I have any.

What is it about your antagonist that irks you the most, and why?

I am assuming you mean the High Councilor of the King’s Council. We don’t agree on much. He sees those who are not perfect as lesser beings and those who have no money as slaves to be used and discarded. He values money and power above all else. Not a nice person to deal with on a daily basis.

What or who means the most to you in your life? What, if anything, would you do to keep him/her/it in your life?

At the moment, my family. I try to do what I can to protect my family from the council’s poison. At times the only thing keeping me from deserting the throne is the fact my sister or my brother and sister-in-law would have to take my place.

What one thing would you like readers to know about you that may not be spelled out in the book in which you inhabit?

Power can be a cruel master. It isolates, turns potential friends into liars, ages the holder, and gives little of value in return. Keep that in mind when desiring to attain a lofty position.

If you could tell your writer (creator) anything about yourself that might turn the direction of the plot, what would it be?

I can’t. The only thing I want to say would be a major spoiler. My writer won’t let me.

Ask me any question. I've always wanted to know what a character thinks about writers like myself. I'll answer the question at the end of this interview.

Do you really stay up late at night dreaming up complications to insert in your characters’ lives? 

Actually, sometimes yes. But you need to know that without 'complications' as you call them, the reader wouldn't have much to read about. Even in your creator's life there are 'complications' that she must work through. Why not the same for you?

Thank you King Ireic!

To learn more about the king as well as the creator of this book visit the following sites: 

Social Media Links

Blog ~ 

http://l.facebook.com/l/HAQFBvzQTAQGO36-eiERImcdsBxm_AVg8ds2b1x5DGbRfaw/rachel-rossano.blogspot.com/

Twitter ~ http://l.facebook.com/l/BAQGm3sJjAQFYulvdpIHLQexUWLR5WjRkIyVRu_HpM9ShBA/twitter.com/RachelRossano

Facebook ~ 

http://www.facebook.com/RachelRossanoRambles

YouTube ~ 

http://l.facebook.com/l/uAQFZs-3sAQH1tP0QLymh6S5Dh6FioOLUC6WUmNDDcrLCkQ/www.youtube.com/anavrea

 Buy Links 

Amazon – http://l.facebook.com/l/MAQGhZt0tAQGYfWXoSKwgOqPPaw8qpqD1evKmm4VrUFzyeA/www.amazon.com/dp/B00O0FVMK8

Smashwords – 

https://l.facebook.com/l/EAQGcxRnhAQGBZMQSY-2x2pbG9kk_PTTjyt2CVPzBxQYpyA/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.smashwords.com%2Fbooks%2Fview%2F480731

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Rachel Rossano

Tell me a about yourself. What got you started in writing?

I am a happily married mother of three children. I write to keep myself sane. It is a bit of my life that is all mine midst of the chaos of raising little ones. I started writing in my teens to record and share the many stories in my head. My first book was published while I was in my twenties.

How and where do you write? Do you prefer a lap top or do you prefer writing freehand?

Since I write in the spare moments of life, I almost always use my laptop. Positioned on the kitchen table in the middle of the action, it is perfectly poised to record my thoughts, ideas, or just the next paragraph in my current work in progress (WIP).

What's your favorite part about writing? Your least favorite part about writing?

I love the storytelling process. The first draft is a wonderful challenge. My least favorite part is probably editing, but I am finding as I grow older, I appreciate the process more. I definitely enjoy the results of a good edit.

How do you come up with your characters? Why would readers want to get to know them?

I am attracted to complex characters. My heroes are all true heroes, men who struggle to do the right thing despite overwhelming odds. They treat women with respect, but are still flawed and imperfect. However, many of them have a hard and roughened edge. I try to make sure they still sound and act like men.

My heroines are not always beautiful on the outside, but always on the inside. Realistic women with realistic problems, they have strong personalities in their own right. They tend to be logical creatures, trying to hold their own in the male dominated world in which they live. I work hard to balance strength with femininity.

What types of marketing do you do to promote your writing?

I am active on my Facebook page, Twitter account, and blog. As a member of multiple Facebook groups, I try to support other authors and keep an eye open for any free or low cost marketing opportunities. I also am always looking for people to post reviews of my books. Also, I have a serial story, Isbeth’s Redemption, appearing in InD’tale Magazine so readers can try out my writing style for free. All it takes is signing up for a free subscription. You can sign up for one at www.Indtale.com.

How do you schedule your writing time? When do you write?

I try to write a bit every day. Two of my three children nap in the afternoon for an hour or two and all three of them are down for bed by 8 PM. When they are asleep, I am usually trying to fit in some writing time. Also, I have an amazing and supportive hubby. He lets me run away to the library or a restaurant and write for an hour or two a week, sometimes more. Finding time and brain space is a challenge, but we sacrifice for what we love. My writing is one of the things I love.

What are you currently working on? Do you have a new book out?

I always have at least three projects going: one in the publishing stage, one in the

editing stage, and one in the writing stage.

On October 15^th, I will be releasing the long anticipated stand-alone sequel to The Crown of Anavrea, my first published novel. The King of Anavrea is an inspirational romance set in my fantasy country of Anavrea. Ireic Theodoric was left the crown of Anavrea when his brother was disinherited in the The Crown of Anavrea. Now Ireic struggles to rule well despite an advising council with bullying tendencies and a militant neighboring country. Offering himself up for a political marriage in an effort to enlist an ally, he inadvertently makes things worse. His new bride didn't appear as promised. Now he has to go find her and rescue her before he can even marry her.

Currently in the editing stage, Honor will hopefully be appearing before the end of the year. The sequel to Duty: First Novel of Rhynan continues the story of Rhynan with Lord Dentin. As holder of the title Securer of the Realm, Lord Dentin is one of the most powerful men in Rhynan. However, he is still subject to the king, and the king wants him to remove the adopted son of Tomas and Brielle from their household. When he crashes a wedding to fulfill his mission, he is confronted by a young woman with dark eyes and strong opinions. Elsa learns of his mission and calls his honor into question. While deciding how to proceed, Dentin discovers a treasonous plot entangling Elsa’s family. But, despite his best efforts, Elsa adamantly refuses his help.

My current writing project is finishing an epic inspirational fantasy novel that I have been working on bit by bit for years. Living Sacrifice has a bit of everything: romance, adventure, coming of age, political intrigue, warfare of the physical and spiritual nature, and a country on the cusp of a revolution. Zezilia and Hadrian’s story is a fast paced ride.

Do you have a project on the back burner? Tell me about it.

My current planning project is temporarily titled Faith: Third Novel of Rhynan. At this stage, I am expecting it to include a medieval horse breeder, the child of a painter, and a royal portrait that will change the nation. We shall see how it all plays out when I get to the writing stage.

What would you tell a beginning writer who wants to publish but doesn't believe he/she has enough talent?

Writing and storytelling is a craft that can be learned. Some are more natural writers and storytellers than others, but it can be learned. If you fear your book isn't ready, then ask someone who reads a lot of books, is knowledgeable in the field, and will give you an honest opinion. Hire an editor and work on your book until it is ready. If there is a burden on your heart to get your story out and traditional methods of publication don’t work out, then don’t give up. The indie-publishing field is alive and growing. Information and guidance to publishing your own book is out there if you look for it.

 Thanks, Rachel!

Learn more about Rachel and her books...

Social Media Links

Facebook ~ 

http://www.facebook.com/RachelRossanoRambles

YouTube ~ 

http://l.facebook.com/l/uAQFZs-3sAQH1tP0QLymh6S5Dh6FioOLUC6WUmNDDcrLCkQ/www.youtube.com/anavrea

FRIDAY FLICKS: The King of Anavrea by Rachel Rossano