Hywela Lyn Interview – add a little fantasy to your life!
Hey everyone! Today I have a special guest… I’m doing an interview with one of the Classic Romance Revival authors as part of the CRR interview exchange. It’s wonderful to have the opportunity to introduce Hywela Lyn, and to share with you a little of the amazing world she creates in her books and the characters that help to bring it to life.
Hywela Lyn lives in a small village in England although her heart remains in her native rural Wales, which inspired so much of her writing.
Although most her writing tends to be futuristic, the worlds she creates are usually untainted by crowded cities and technology, embracing the beauty and wildness of nature. Her characters often have to fight the elements and the terrain itself. Her heroes are strong and courageous, but chivalrous and honorable – and of course, handsome and hunky. Her heroines are also strong and courageous, but retain their femininity and charm. However difficult the journey, love will always win in the end.
Judah – Tell us a little more about your writing… What type of romance do you write and why?
Hywela Lyn – I mainly write futuristic and fantasy, although I started out writing Westerns. I love the drama and romance of the old west, the idea of exploring a new world and fighting the elements and terrain, never quite knowing what dangers were going to be encountered. Probably my love for horses had something to do with my interest in that genre as well. I couldn’t find any market for Westerns in the UK, especially Western romances, so I turned to science fiction and fantasy. When you think about it, there are similarities between the genres. In science fiction you have the same pioneering spirit, brave people leaving everything they know to explore strange new worlds, with starships instead of horses. Fantasy is even more like the Western genre, with, usually, vast open spaces and primitive technology. Another advantage of science fiction and fantasy is that one is able to draw even more on one’s imagination and create whole new worlds where different rules and laws of physics can apply. This is such fun, although it does involve a certain amount of research. Even fantasy has to be ‘logical’ and there has to be a rationale for what happens. The element of danger is also a great way for the two main characters to interact and work together and ultimately to fall in love. When I received my first contract, I was thrilled to find that my Publisher, The Wild Rose Press, not only has a paranormal line for futuristic and fantasy, but also a Western historical line as well. Watch this space, folks!
Judah – Who are your favorite hero and heroine, and why?
Hywela Lyn – In my own books my favourite heroine would be Jestine Darnell in ‘Starquest’. She lived in my mind for such a long time, she became almost like a sister. I love her courage and determination, and the fact she also has a vulnerable side. Of course I love both the heroes in this story (no, it’s not a ménage, more of an eternal triangle with a h.e.a.!) It’s difficult to choose between the two main male characters in that book, they’re both so different, and I really like them both.
As far as more famous books are concerned, Rhett Butler and Scarlet O’Hara in Gone With The Wind’ of course, and Ged, or ‘Sparrowhawk’ and Tenar in ‘A Wizard of Earthsea’ series by Ursula Le Guin. They both suffered so much and took so long to finally get it together, but they were so right for each other when they did.
Judah – Do you listen to music while you are writing and if so what music is it?
Hywela Lyn – I usually have some form of music on in the background. I find it helps set the mood and is also a form of inspiration in itself. I love light classical and film music, also folk and Celtic music. I love Clannad and Enya too. I do find, however, that the music gradually fades into the background as I become immersed in my writing.
Judah – If you could entertain a character from a book, who would it be and what would the evening be like?
Hywela Lyn – Naturally, the evening would be fantastic. I’d like to entertain Mr Darcy from ‘Pride and Prejudice. He is such an interesting character. We would have a candlelit dinner, out in the open, with the moon casting a romantic glow across the lake (from which, of course, he emerged earlier on dripping wet,!) *Grin.*
Judah – What do you like to do in your spare time? Do you have any special hobbies or collections? Is there an activity you would love to pursue…as soon as you can find a bit of spare time?
Hywela Lyn – Well, apart from snatching the chance to read, I am an ‘oudoor person and a great animal lover. I have two horses and a ‘rescued’ Jack Russell terrier who keep me very busy. The horses are kept some way away from where we live, unfortunately, which involves a lot of travel, especially in the winter, although my husband is great at helping out. For me, there’s no better way of finding inspiration than a long ride in the countryside or walking with my dog. I also enjoy spending time pottering around in my small garden. I’m no plant expert, but I do love seeing things grow, and watching the wildlife that visits. I spend a fortune on bird food but it‘s such fun seeing them feed, and bathe in the bird bath. I used to love to draw and paint in oils, mainly horses. I don’t have the time for it these days, unfortunately.
Judah – What was the most difficult thing in your journey to becoming a published author?
Hywela Lyn – Learning to cope with rejection and To take advice when it meant changing or removing completely some of the passages I had worked so hard on. That, and knowing that there comes a time when you have to realize you’ve done all you can and polished your book as much as you can; to know when to ‘let go’.
Judah – What is the hardest part of writing for you; the area you really wish
you could either have someone else do for you, or better yet, just make
it go away?
Hywela Lyn – I think the promotional side is the hardest thing for a lot of writers, as well as myself. I love the interaction with readers and other writers on the loops and groups, but it’s such a time guzzler and sometimes it seems there’s just no time for the actual writing!
Judah – We all have little maxims or wise words that we live by… what would be yours?
Hywela Lyn – I am a great admirer of the native Americans. I love and admire thee way they respected the earth and the life it supports. One of my favourite historical characters is Chief Seattle (In fact in ‘Children Of The mist, my heroine from ‘Starquest’ has named her computer ‘Seattle’ in honour of him.) These are words from one of his most famous speeches:
“What is man without the beasts? If all the beasts were gone, man would die from a great loneliness of the spirit. For whatever happens to the beasts, soon happens to man. All things are connected.” How true. How much poorer our lives would be without the animals who share our world.
“Man did not weave the web of life – he is merely a strand in it.
Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself.”
I try to remember these words in my daily life. I often think if the white man had taken more notice of them, today we would not be faced with global warming and the other dangers threatening the Earth and our way of life.
Judah – Wise words! Thanks so much for sharing these insights into your life and your work.
Hywela Lyn – Thanks so much for having me, Judah, I’ve really enjoyed it.
Well, that about wraps up my interview with Hywela Lyn. Her latest book ‘Children Of The mist’ was released by The Wild Rose Press on 19th June 2009 and is a sequel to her debut novel, ‘Starquest’. A futuristic tale of love, betrayal and friendship.
Hywela Lyn is a member of EPIC and Romance Writers Association (UK). She loves hearing from readers and other authors at her website www.hywelalyn.co.uk or her blog www.hywelalyn.blogpspot.com. You can email her at Hywelalyn@hywelalyn.co.uk and she also has a ‘My Space’ www.myspace.com/hywelalyn as do both the heroines of ‘Starquest’ (www.myspace.com/jestine_darnell) and ‘Dancing With Fate’ (www.myspace.com/terpsichoremuseofdance)
Thanks for visiting with us. I’ll see you all again soon|!
Jude
http://www.judahraine.com
http://judahraine.blogspot.com
Tags: children of the mist, fantasy romance, hywela lyn, starquest, wild rose press
July 11th, 2009 at 2:58 pm
Wonderful interview ladies! I’ll have to check out these books!
July 11th, 2009 at 4:07 pm
Hi Sandi. Thanks so much for visiting and commenting.
July 11th, 2009 at 4:20 pm
Great interview, Lyn and Judah! Lyn, your book sounds like a fantastic read. I love the quotes, I’m also a longtime admirer of Native American lore. And a candlelit dinner with Mr. Darcy – doesn’t get more romantic than that! Such a gorgeous pic, too. Thanks for sharing!
July 11th, 2009 at 4:56 pm
Thanks so much Cate, glad you enjoyed the interview. Ooh, yes, I kind of suspect Mr Darcy would have a very long invitation list! LOL
July 11th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
Nice interview, Lyn and Jude! I’ve appreciated Chief Seattle’s quotes, as well.
I find it interesting that you moved from an interest in westerns to writing fantasy. To me they seem fairly opposite, gritty as opposed to more ethereal. I haven’t read a lot of fantasy, though.
July 11th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
Hi LK. Thanks so much for stopping by.
That’s a very interesting comment. I know what you mean by fantasy being somewhat ‘ethereal’ but apart from ‘Dancing With Fate’ which was pure fantasy, most of my writing is, strictly speaking, Science Fiction, which actually ia pretty ‘gritty’ in that the protagonists are facing unknown dangers and risking their lives(just like the brave folks who opened up the west) and the explorers of space, for me, anyway, are very similar in spirit to the pioneers of the old west. You have ‘bad guys’ versus ‘good guys’ in the same way, and because I tend to steer away from crowded towns and cities on my imaginary worlds, I can have the ‘wide open spaces’ and even horses. That’s the great thing about writing in this genre, you can basically build your settings exactly as you want them!
Thanks again.
July 11th, 2009 at 7:08 pm
Great interview! I read the Earthsea trilogy too, and still remember Ged. I love it when a character stays with you like that.
I like the analogy between westerns and science fiction. I think you’re right about the similiarities of the two genres.
Children of the Mist sounds wonderful! I loved Starquest and will be definitly checking this new book in your sci-fi series out soon.
July 11th, 2009 at 7:40 pm
Thank you so much Susan, glad you enjoyed the interview – and that you like the Earthsea trilogy too. As you say, the characters do stay with you and Ged developed so much through the books.
Thanks for your kind words about Starquest too. Hope you’ll enjoy the new one if you read it too.
July 11th, 2009 at 8:03 pm
Hywela Lyn (& Judah!), great interview ladies. I feel like I know so much more about you now, Hywela Lyn. I have often found that there is a great similarity between westerns and fantasies as well. In a frontier setting, behaviors are more extreme, more flexibility of the the rules too. I think frontier settings also draw people of strong convictions to them, which is why we authors people them with alpha males and alpha females. Children of the Mist sounds lovely.
July 11th, 2009 at 9:19 pm
Well we learn more about you Lyn and your writing and we see a great author and a wonderful person.
American Indians have always had the best interests of the land they lived on. Without the beasts how would they have survived.
Great post Lyn!!
July 11th, 2009 at 10:34 pm
Hello maggie and Mary, thank you so much for dropping by an for your kind coments. I completely agree Maggie, old and the new frontiers bring about characters who have to be strong in order to survive, and, as you say, the rules have to adapt too. Mary, thank you for your lovely words (blush) Yes, the American Indians revered life, and when they had to kill an animal, it was done out of necessity not for sport or greed, and every part was used. They wasted nothing, even using the sinews to sew the hides for clothing or tipis.
July 12th, 2009 at 12:29 am
Great interview, Lyn. I’m glad to know I’m not the only author who struggles with self-promotion. It’s not only a time suck, but an energy suck, too. I find it zaps all my creative energy.
July 12th, 2009 at 12:55 am
Great interview, ladies! Promoting does seem take up a lot of time that could otherwise be spent writing. But, especially when writing a series, you want people to buy the first book, right? Good luck with Children of the Mist and wishing you many, many sales!
~Nicole
July 12th, 2009 at 1:09 am
Hi Keena and Nicole, thanks you both very much for your comments, glad you enjoyed the interview. Yes, Keena, I agree about the promo being an energy suck, although I do enjoy it, and you’re right, Nicole, I’ve been trying to promote Starquest as much as possible, not only to set the scene for the second book, and hopefully encourage readers to buy that one too, but because I love it so much. In fact it started as a short story, then grew into a novel – then I started a sequel, and now I’m working on a third one. I suppose that’s how series grow LOL, because the author gets too fond of the characters! Thanks so much for the good wishes.
July 12th, 2009 at 1:33 am
Hywela Lyn,
Lovely interview. I have visited Wales, only once unfortuantely on a tour of the UK a few years ago. I loved your wild countryside, so empty and beautiful. We stayed overnight in Cardiff, they had just finished the new stadium.
Regards
Margaret
July 12th, 2009 at 1:44 am
Hi Margaret
Thanks for stopping by – so glad you enjoyed your visit to Wales. The further north you go the wilder and less populated it is – very peaceful and inspirational! Glad you enjoyed the interviw.
July 12th, 2009 at 3:04 am
Great interview. How lucky you are to live in such a beautiful place. My husband and I drove through it years ago, the scenery was breathtaking.
Does your environment influence your writing in any way? Science fiction seems so far removed from your surroundings.
Maggi
July 12th, 2009 at 3:24 am
Hi Lyn!
So that’s where you came up with Seattle! Now I know!
Fantastic interview, and I’d just like to tell everyone how romantic I found SQ to be, with wonderful adventure. My kind of book indeedy!
And on COTM…well, that Vidarh is a courageous hunk who can rescue me any time he has a mind to!:)
Wishing you great sales, my friend.
MM
July 12th, 2009 at 10:12 am
Hi Maggie, thanks so much for your kind comments. I so agree about the breathtaking countryside of rural Wales. Unfortunately, the picture is not where I live now, I took it at my sister’s place in Wales this year. Her home is surrounded by fields and hills, as was mine when I lived there. Sadly I no longer live in Wales but in a small village in England, which is pretty, but I do miss the ‘wildness’ of my native Wales very much. I do indeed use the countryside I love in my writing, when I’m ‘world building’for SF and fantasy. I actually blogged about it for the ‘Classic Romance Blog Carnival if you’re interested (sorry about the ‘plug’)
http://hywelalyn.blogspot.com/2009/06/real-life-landscapes-and-their-place-in.html
It’ surprising how a simple thing like a snowstorm over the mountains can set the scene for a whole new world, as it did for my imaginary planet, Niflheim, in ‘Children Of The Mist’. Thanks for asking the question, you raise an interesting point and it’s something I could talk about all day!
July 12th, 2009 at 10:59 am
Hello Miss Mae, dear girlfriend, thank you so much for calling by and for all your support – I’ll see if Vidarh can spare a moment to zip over to your neck of the woods! LOL
July 12th, 2009 at 12:26 pm
Wonderful interview, Lyn. I love that quote from Chief Seattle and your taste in music. Many happy sales to you.
July 12th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
Thank you so much Liana. Yes, that’s a very inspiring quote, isn’t it, as is the whole speech. Thanks for the good wishes.
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