Break out the wands and pixie dust… it’s Magic May on my blog this month. I will be interviewing two fantasy authors each week, so be sure to catch them all!
This week I’m interviewing Linda Ulleseit, author of On a Wing and a Dare and In the Winds of Danger. Thanks for being here, Linda!
If you could have any magical power, what would it be, and why?
Oh, flying, definitely. Other powers like speed and strength seem so normal,
and it's already something normal humans can do better than I can. Flight is
absolutely not within the realm of a normal human, so it is magical. Flight also
has the power to transcend reality. If you're having a bad day, the beauty and
escape of flight would be perfect!
What drew you to write about flying horses?
I have always loved horses, and one of my favorite book series is Anne McCaffrey's Dragonriders. I jumbled beautiful horses with the flying dragons and came up with flying horses. In addition, one of my favorite scenes in Tolkien's Lord of the Rings books is when Gandalf sees Shadowfax on the plains of Rohan. The idea of those magnificent horses free and wild still takes my breath away. I remember thinking that the only way the horses of Rohan could be better would be if they could fly.
What kind of research did you do to create the medieval setting in your novel?
I wanted to keep my story separate from the actual politics of the time but still give the flavor of medieval times. The Internet is an amazing tool for this. I found myself constantly stopping to check food and clothing details as well as
details of a medieval village. I had to take liberties with attitudes toward women at the time, since the women in my novel are much too spunky for medieval men, but I tried to keep the setting accurate. Some people questioned my use of
helmets and split riding skirts for the women. I know helmets existed in medieval times. Besides, if they were riding flying horses I'm sure they would have invented them, the same for split skirts.
Tell us what your fantasy novel is about, in 25 words or less.
On a Wing and a Dare: Flying horses are threatened with extinction in medieval Wales unless three teenagers break the boundaries of tradition, claiming their destinies. In the Winds of Danger: Owen and Nia must overcome secrets, some threatening and some not theirs, to gain the confidence needed to shape their futures.
THIS or THAT
Orcs or cauldron born?
Ewwww you have to START with this one? ummm orcs.
Fantasy Island or Lost?
Fantasy Island
Series or stand-alone?
Series, especially books!
Fairy tales or Greek myths?
Ooooo hard, Greek myths
Wands or swords?
Wands!
Where can we learn more about your books?
Friend Flying Horse Books on Facebook, or visit my website: http://flyinghorsebooks.wordpress.com
To buy your own copy, visit Amazon:
On a Wing and a Dare: http://www.amazon.com/Wing-Flying-Horse-Books-Volume/dp/0615749208/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1365191775&sr=8-1&keywords=on+a+wing+and+a+dare
In the Winds of Danger: http://www.amazon.com/Winds-Danger-Flying-Horse-Books/dp/1482302489/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1365191809&sr=1-1&keywords=in+the+winds+of+danger
This week I’m interviewing Linda Ulleseit, author of On a Wing and a Dare and In the Winds of Danger. Thanks for being here, Linda!
If you could have any magical power, what would it be, and why?
Oh, flying, definitely. Other powers like speed and strength seem so normal,
and it's already something normal humans can do better than I can. Flight is
absolutely not within the realm of a normal human, so it is magical. Flight also
has the power to transcend reality. If you're having a bad day, the beauty and
escape of flight would be perfect!
What drew you to write about flying horses?
I have always loved horses, and one of my favorite book series is Anne McCaffrey's Dragonriders. I jumbled beautiful horses with the flying dragons and came up with flying horses. In addition, one of my favorite scenes in Tolkien's Lord of the Rings books is when Gandalf sees Shadowfax on the plains of Rohan. The idea of those magnificent horses free and wild still takes my breath away. I remember thinking that the only way the horses of Rohan could be better would be if they could fly.
What kind of research did you do to create the medieval setting in your novel?
I wanted to keep my story separate from the actual politics of the time but still give the flavor of medieval times. The Internet is an amazing tool for this. I found myself constantly stopping to check food and clothing details as well as
details of a medieval village. I had to take liberties with attitudes toward women at the time, since the women in my novel are much too spunky for medieval men, but I tried to keep the setting accurate. Some people questioned my use of
helmets and split riding skirts for the women. I know helmets existed in medieval times. Besides, if they were riding flying horses I'm sure they would have invented them, the same for split skirts.
Tell us what your fantasy novel is about, in 25 words or less.
On a Wing and a Dare: Flying horses are threatened with extinction in medieval Wales unless three teenagers break the boundaries of tradition, claiming their destinies. In the Winds of Danger: Owen and Nia must overcome secrets, some threatening and some not theirs, to gain the confidence needed to shape their futures.
THIS or THAT
Orcs or cauldron born?
Ewwww you have to START with this one? ummm orcs.
Fantasy Island or Lost?
Fantasy Island
Series or stand-alone?
Series, especially books!
Fairy tales or Greek myths?
Ooooo hard, Greek myths
Wands or swords?
Wands!
Where can we learn more about your books?
Friend Flying Horse Books on Facebook, or visit my website: http://flyinghorsebooks.wordpress.com
To buy your own copy, visit Amazon:
On a Wing and a Dare: http://www.amazon.com/Wing-Flying-Horse-Books-Volume/dp/0615749208/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1365191775&sr=8-1&keywords=on+a+wing+and+a+dare
In the Winds of Danger: http://www.amazon.com/Winds-Danger-Flying-Horse-Books/dp/1482302489/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1365191809&sr=1-1&keywords=in+the+winds+of+danger
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