Contest Alert!! Jill is giving away a copy of From Darkness Won! To enter, leave a comment here with your email in this format: yourname(at)youremail(dot)com Winner announced on June 11th!
And now, the interview…
I’m excited about our interview today with novelist Jill Williamson. Jill is a 2010 Christy award winning writer for visionary fiction. Her latest book From Darkness Won, the third book in the Blood of Kings trilogy, released last month with Marcher Lord Press.
*Welcome to The Literary Mama, Jill. Tell us a little about yourself.
I grew up in Alaska with no electricity. Thankfully it was the land of the midnight sun. In the summer I could stay up late and read by the daylight that wouldn’t go away. But in the winter there was nothing better to do than daydream I was somewhere—or someone—else. I think both these hobbies set me up to be a writer.
*What is From Darkness Won about?
Achan steps into his role as Crown Prince and prepares for war. But war against whom? Could Esek still be alive? Has Lord Nathak taken Esek’s place? Or is the mysterious Hadad the true enemy Achan must confront?
Vrell has her own agenda of serving Prince Oren as a healer, but when she is stormed and lost to the Veil, Achan does all he can to bring her back. His conversations with her are strange, though, as if she has no memory of who he is.
In a land consumed by Darkness, the fate of Er’Rets hangs in the balance as Achan endeavors to take the throne and end the reign of Darkness.
*How did you come up with the concept for From Darkness Won and the Blood of Kings trilogy?
I was walking with my son one day in Burbank, California, and we came upon a burned-down house. I stopped to look at it and noticed a tree in the front yard. The part of the tree that hung over the fence and above the street was leafy green, rocking and rustling in the wind. But the branches of the tree near the house were charred and stiff.
I stared at that tree for a long time, then took off for home, pushing that stroller at top speed. I went straight to the computer, opened Adobe Photoshop, and made the image of the tree that is the header on my author website. I couldn’t wait to write a story about this tree—about a land that was half-cursed in darkness.
(Preslaysa here: Intruiging!! What a powerful imagination!)
* What are your favorite books? Who are your favorite authors?
I have too many favorites to single one out. Author-wise, in no particular order, I love Jane Austen, Ted Dekker, Lisa Samson, Robert Liparulo, Caroline Keene, C.S. Lewis, Frank Peretti, Jenny B. Jones, Rick Riordan, Brandilyn Collins, J.R.R. Tolkien, Suzanne Collins, Michael Crichton, Cathy Gohlke, Anthony Horowitz, Caroline Cooney, John Grisham, Megan Whalen Turner, Melody Carlson, Nicolas Sparks, J.K. Rowling, Francine Rivers, Randy Ingermanson. The list goes on and on. I enjoy stories that make me laugh, cry, or stay up all night because I can’t put the thing down.
*What led you to become a writer?
I wanted to speak to teens. I discovered that sometimes, people hire speakers based on articles written by the speaker. So I looked into writing articles. Then the new Harry Potter book came out, and a new barrage of debates within the church community flared up as to whether or not the books were bad for Christians to read. The debate inspired me to write my own teen novel that all Christians would love. Yes, I was a bit naive. I have since learned that no one likes every book. But that’s how I got started. I was inspired to try and write blockbuster-style stories for teens that glorified God.
When a writer’s conference came to town, I signed up right away. I couldn’t believe how much I had to learn. When I got home, I did everything that the conference speakers had recommended. Being teachable has really helped me, I think.
*What is your favorite bible verse and why?
I can’t pick just one! But here is one that is really important to me. Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
*What other new projects do you have in the future?
My next novel, called Replication, will release from Zonderkidz in January of 2012. It’s a young adult story about a girl who discovers her biologist father is covering up multiple secrets—all of which are named Jason.
I’m also working on a new weekly podcast through my blog in which I’ll be reading By Darkness Hid, the first book in the Blood of Kings trilogy to listeners. People will be able to subscribe in iTunes until they download the entire novel—free. Check my website for more information. This is coming in June 2011.
*What is one thing people may be surprised to know about you?
I once started my own wedding gown business called Lugano. My first dream in life was to be a fashion designer. Once I became fed up working in the industry, and before I started writing, I designed a line of nine better wedding gowns and went to the Chicago Bridal Market as a vendor. It was a tremendous amount of work, especially considering I hate to sew.
*How can readers get in touch with you?
Readers can email me through my website: www.jillwilliamson.com
Thanks for stopping by today!
Thanks for having me!
You can order From Darkness Won at Marcher Lord Press or on Amazon. And if you prefer the Kindle version, click here. For the Nook version, click here.
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