The Wild Rose and the Sea Raven
Get a behind-the-scenes all-access pass to Jennifer Ivy Walker's The Wild Rose and the Sea Raven Trilogy!
***Synopsis***
The Wild Rose and the Sea Raven is book 1 of the paranormal romance dark fantasy trilogy, an adaptation of the medieval legend of Tristan and Isolde, interwoven with Arthurian myth, Avalon, Druids, and dark fairy tales from the enchanted Forest of Brocéliande, birthplace of Merlin, Lancelot, and the Lady of the Lake Viviane.
Book 2, “The Lady of the Mirrored Lake”, continues the story, and book 3, “The Emerald Fairy and the Dragon Knight”, is the conclusion.
What is the sub-genre and trope? Did your characters lead you to this genre or was that decided before the story began?
The genre is paranormal fantasy medieval romance. I selected the genre before the story was written.
Are you more character or plot driven?
Plot driven for the trilogy, then character driven for my latest novel, “Winter Solstice in the Crystal Castle”, which features characters created in my trilogy.
With many main and secondary characters, how do you keep them separated in your mind? Do you have a story/vision board above your workspace?
I’ve always been extremely right brained and able to multitask. I have all my characters in my head, but I do write down key characteristics like eye color, location of scars, etc., to help me remember.
I know from previous interviews that characters take on a life of their own. Were any of the characters in this series determined to take their own direction instead of where you initially wanted them to go?
Absolutely. My wicked queen developed delicious, seductive darkness. And Malfleur—the Shadow Fairy introduced in book 2—developed even more wickedness as the story evolved.
Are any of the male POVs based on anyone you know?
No. They came from my heart and my head.
Are any of the female POVs based on anyone you know?
My heroine, Issylte, has many of my own characteristics. She’s deaf in one ear, like me, and loves the forest, animals, children, and healing—many of the things that I love as well.
Was there any one character/scene that was harder to write about than the other?
Yes, the scene with Ronan and Issylte at the end of book 1 was very difficult to write because it was very emotional.
In book 3, there are several intensely emotional scenes in which I cried as I wrote.
What is your favorite book in the series?
The conclusion— “The Emerald Fairy and the Dragon Knight”. It is intensely emotional and has several astonishing revelations and plot twists.
I know that we aren’t supposed to have “favorites” as far as our children, but seriously, who’s your favorite character and why?
I love the Elven blacksmith Ronan. He is not just physically beautiful (tall, strong, silvery blond hair, deep green eyes), but his spirit came from my heart. He loves fiercely and intensely, and has a romantic, savage soul.
Series question - Who is your favorite couple and why did you decide on their dynamics?
Tristan and Issylte, my hero and heroine. They are the main couple in the original French medieval legend of “Tristan et Yseult” (Tristan and Isolde in the English language version).
I changed a great deal of the original story, including the ending. I hated how the characters pined for each other and died of broken hearts in the original legend, so I rewrote that in my adaptation.
I also wove in many other myths, such as Arthurian myth, Avalon, and dark fairy tales like Snow White and Sleeping Beauty.
How do you get inside these characters’ heads to find their perfect HEA?
As I developed their character arcs, the HEA came to me as they each realized their ultimate goal—and did it together.
What scene in this book/series sticks out the most for you? Why?
The scene in book 3—The Emerald Fairy and the Dragon Knight--between Lancelot and Guinevère at the coronation. I don’t want to give out any details, but it is an intensely emotional scene.
Series - Were any of the books harder to write than others?
The first book was the hardest for me because it is my debut novel. I was still learning about POV and “head hopping”.
This question is if you write in MULTIPLE POVs not just the hero and heroine - I love the multiple POVs in a book. It’s not just the hero and heroine, but we get inside the heads of multiple characters throughout this series. I feel that it gives the story further depth. Do you think you will write another book or series following this multiple POV outline?
Absolutely. I already have! My newest novel, “Winter Solstice in the Crystal Castle”, has multiple POV’s-- including the villain’s.
How long did it take you to write this book/series?
One year. I originally thought I had written just one book, but I realized a 200k manuscript was way too big.
So, I divided it, and then, as I self-edited the first portion, I added in five chapters from the POV of the wicked queen, which weren’t even in the original novel.
I did the same with the other two portions as it evolved into a trilogy.
How did you come up with the title for your book and series?
My hero Tristan’s heritage is Cornwall, the southwestern coast of Britain. As I did research, I discovered the royal bird is the Cornish chough, or sea raven.
In my story, the heroine follows a trail of wild roses—églantines in French—to escape the wicked queen.
I chose those two symbols for the names of my characters and the title of the first novel and the trilogy. (The Wild Rose and the Sea Raven)
If you met these characters in real life would you get along?
Yes, I would be very close friends with both.
Series question – Did you know in advance that you were going to write this as a series or did one of the characters in book one demand their own story?
I knew I would write a trilogy, but I didn’t realize my original manuscript was my trilogy until I divided it and developed it much more deeply (and darkly!).
If your book/series were made into a movie, which actors do you see as playing your characters?
Milly Alcock (the young Rhaenyra Targaryen) for Issylte. Henry Cavill for Tristan.
Can you give us a hint as to what we can expect next? Whether a new book and series or a sequel to an existing series? Can you share a small tease?
I just completed another novel, "Winter Solstice in the Crystal Castle". Here are five tidbits about the story and the link on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=10159131221753434&set=a.42331663433
She's a French princess descended from Viking warrior queens.
She’s facing a forced marriage to a brutally violent man she loathes.
An archaic French law prevents her from ruling as sovereign queen.
A sullen, solitary knight suffers an impossible love for her.
Can he win her hand in the perilous joust against the Black Knight?
Check out all my interviews/reviews for Jennifer Ivy Walker!
https://readingbydeb.blogspot.com/2022/12/author-at-glance-jennifer-ivy-walker_19.html
BIO:
As a high school teacher, she took her students every year to the annual French competition, where they performed a play she had written, "Yseult la Belle et Tristan la Bête"--an imaginative blend of the medieval French legend of "Tristan et Yseult" and the fairy tale "Beauty and the Beast", enhanced with fantasy elements of a Celtic fairy and a wicked witch.
Her debut novel, "The Wild Rose and the Sea Raven"--the first of a trilogy-- is a blend of her love for medieval legends, the romantic French language, and paranormal fantasy. It is a retelling of the medieval French romance of "Tristan et Yseult", interwoven with Arthurian myth, dark fairy tales from the enchanted Forest of Brocéliande, and otherworldly elements such as Avalonian Elves, Druids, forest fairies and magic.
Explore her realm of Medieval French Fantasy. She hopes her novels will enchant you.
Connect with Jennifer:
Tristan of Lyonesse is a Knight of the Round Table who must overcome the horrors of his past and defend his king or lose everything. When he becomes a warrior of the Tribe of Dana, a gift of Druidic magic might hold the key he seeks.
Haunted and hunted. Entwined by fate. Can their passion and power prevail?
In mystical Brocéliande, Issylte becomes a warrior priestess of the Tribe of Dana and otherworldly mate of the Blue Knight of Cornwall, discovering with Tristan a passion that transcends all bounds. When she becomes the Lady of the Mirrored Lake, sworn to defend the sacred waters of the Goddess, Issylte must undertake a perilous quest to discover what priceless object lies hidden in its murky depths.
As a nascent evil emerges in a fetid cave, Issylte and Tristan must face a diabolical trio that threatens their lives, their love, and their kingdoms.
Enchanted. Enflamed. Entwined. Can their passion and power prevail?
COMING SOON!
The Emerald Fairy and the Dragon Knight will be published in the spring of 2023.
Thank you so much for this fabulous interview blog feature!!
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