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Book Two of The Embers Series continues the saga of Kiera, transported to an alternate Alaska in which those who have the power to control the elements have ruled over those who cannot, including the shapeshifting indigenous peoples. With help of Kiera, Fire Mage, the Fairbanks slaves have broken their chains and lifted her to govern their city. But Vrishka, the Water Mage of Barrow, has marched an army that threatens to fracture the fragile peace. A devastating blow steals all hope for Fairbanks, and crushes Kiera’s heart. Can she summon the strength to transcend her grief and find a way to defeat Vrishka? If so, what price is she willing to pay?
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As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Besides being a cop, my father was an astronomy buff, and he would take me outside at night from as far back as I can remember and talk to me about the stars, and the planets, and the white smoke that composes the Milky Way. I would listen to him, and dream. And so from the time I was very small, I longed to travel through the galaxy. My parents were very strict, and I didn’t get to watch much TV, so I didn’t know about shows like Star Trek, but more than anything, I wanted to travel through space to meet the inhabitants of the planets. By age six, I had an imaginary friend, Roger, who lived on Mars. Just as dark fell, I’d sneak outside and whisper my secrets to him in the sky.
What are you passionate about these days?
As a civil rights lawyer, I am passionate about human rights, including the right to be free from discrimination. I am also an avid no-kill animal rescue advocate, and not only do I support various no-kill shelters, but I donate all of the proceeds from my books to no-kill animal rescue. I encourage everyone to save a life and adopt their cats and dogs from shelters or animal rescuers, and to never buy from breeders.
Is there a writer you idolize? If so who?
I am a huge, huge fan of two writers: Terry Pratchett and Katharine Kerr. Their skill at storytelling, and worldbuilding, is unmatched. I hope to write a tenth as well as either one day.
Plotter or Pantser? Why?
My sister, who also writes, laughs at my outlines for each book. They are often thirty, forty pages long. I need that structure to keep me on track. If I don’t outline, my writing wanders, and I don’t lay the foundations for the things that happen later. Structure is important to me.
Do you have any suggestions for beginning writers? If so, what are they?
If you want to write, then you should. But if you want to write well, you need to read. Spend all your free time reading, and then write. Try to understand what each writer does well, and what their challenges are. You can learn a lot from every book you read. Writing well takes time, and dozens of revisions, and sweat and blood. It’s worth it though.
Do you listen to music while writing? If so what?
Oh yes. I have a special soundtrack for every major setting I’m writing. I have one for love scenes, one for fight scenes, one for longing, and so on. I also have compiled just a general “writing” set. Music is the closest thing to emotionality that exists outside out bodies, and in order to fully live the scene I’m writing, I have to see it inside my head, and I have to feel it inside my chest. Music keeps me where I need to be.
Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
We often imagine heroes as born that way. In our minds, they look a certain way, have a certain personality, and just seem to know what to do. The reality, however, is that anyone can be a hero. When you do what’s right, even when it’s easier not to, you’re a hero. And heroes come in all shapes and sizes and ethnic backgrounds and so on. My books contemplate what makes a hero – and the answer is both very profound and exceedingly simple
