Elizabeth Vaughan is the author of the wonderful „Chronicle of the Warlands“. She specializes in writing fantasy with a strong romance that is interwoven with the world she has invented. (Photo: Copyright Serendipity Photography)
Thank you for taking the time for this interview.
You became best known for your „Chronicle of the Warlands“-series. How did the whole story start for you? With the characters, the setting or some other idea?
Actually, I read a short story where a woman surrendered herself to a conqueror, and I didn’t believe the motivations of the character. And I started thinking about why a woman would actually submit to that. Next thing I knew, Lara was whispering her story to me.
What topic did you find the most interesting in fantasy for you to pick this genre?
I love epic fantasy – always have. Give a guy or a girl a horse and a sword and a task, and I’m hooked. Throw in a love interest . . . . and I am up until 2 a.m. reading!
Who is your favorite character and why? Whom would you like to meet and chat with?
Favorite character from my books? Red Gloves. Brutally honest, and very straightforward. But I’m not sure I want to sit and chat with her. I’d probably ask too many questions. She’d get irritated and kill me.
But to sit and chat over a cup of kavage? Marcus. He knows so much more than he has told, and has secrets of his own.
How did you start writing? Has it always been a dream of yours?
I talked about writing and wanting to write for years. It took a challenge from a good friend to get my butt in the chair, fingers on the keyboard. Trust me, no one really wants to actually write a book. Everyone wants to have written one!
Was it planned to further investigate the world of „Warprize“ or came that as a nice surprise?
The first trilogy was planned. The surprise came when I discovered that the Kingdom of Palins was set in the same world as Xy and the Plains. Actually, „shock“ is probably a better word.
Most authors have switched to paranormal and/or YA-novels. Are you planning on changing your genre and if not, which genre would interest you most, if you had to choose one?
Contemporary paranormal romance. Sure, I am experimenting, but not with YA. I have three more books planned for my fantasy romances, and I intend to write them all!
Who is your inspiration?
Wow, there are so many. But at the top of the list – Anne McCaffrey, Dennis McKeirnan, Mercedes Lackey, and Dana Stabenow.
Which authors do you recommend reading every moment you get asked that question?
See the names above. But I also love so many of the classics of sci-fi, and mysteries – its hard to pick just one favorite, isn’t it?
What are you currently reading and is recommendable?
Well, I don’t read in the genres when I am writing so my current reading material is non-fiction. I am reading books about the Tower of London, concentrating on the year 1826. My current book is Her Majesty’s Tower of London by Colonel E. H. Carkeet-James (1953). <g> Not gonna tell ya why . . . .
What is in store for your fans?
Well, that remains to be seen. But you should know that I am working on a new fantasy romance novel, set in Palins. It’s the back story for two characters that my readers have already met in . . . well, now, that would be telling. <g>
Sorry – I can’t resist teasing.
Thank you!
No, thank you so very much for giving me this opportunity to talk to you!
