SHANNON MUIR’S INFINITE HOUSE OF BOOKS
The SHANNON MUIR’S INFINITE HOUSE OF BOOKS column on Mondays and Wednesdays is a place at Shannon Muir’s author website showcasing books from a variety of fiction genres, with an emphasis on interviews and guest posts from other authors. One thing Shannon firmly believes in for readers not only to learn about new books available, but about those who craft the tales behind them. As its name implies, SHANNON MUIR’S INFINITE HOUSE OF BOOKS weekly column features writers from all genres of fiction who want their potential audience to get to know them, and their works, better.
Today, we look at I, GUNIEVERE.
I, Guinevere
by C.K. Brooke
Genre: YA Fantasy, Arthurian Mythology, Retellings
Release date: October 15th 2018
Summary:
If you think you know the story of King Arthur and his mythical sword,think again. Your legends have it wrong.
Here’sthe truth: I was never married to Arthur, and he wasn’t a king. Because Arthurnever pulled that sword out of the stone. I did.
I,Guinevere.
Onthe winter solstice, a mysterious sword in a stone appears in the churchyard. Not even the mightiest of the village men can remove it, until fifteen-year-old Guinevere gives it a try. The sword heeds the unsuspecting maiden, proclaiming the unthinkable: she is the blood of Pendrakon, heir to the vacant throne of Camylot.
Guinevere never dreamed she was born royalty. Now, between apprenticing the eccentric wizard, Merlyn; swordplay lessons with an abrasive—albeit, attractive—boy named Lance; and clandestine, magical meetings with the formidable High Priestess ofAvalon, Guinevere is swept up in a whirlwind of training and preparation for her monumental new role as future queen. But invasions by the barbarous Saxyns and visitations from mysterious dark forces continually warn that she may be in over her head. Can Guinevere defend the kingdom from the darkness and deception that threaten to seize it? Despite her doubts and the sinister forces working against her, can she harness the power to wield Exkalibur and rule the realm? Or is Camylot already destined to fall?
From the unstoppable pen of C.K. Brooke comes a fresh and unforgettable new retelling seeped in Arthurian mythology. Queen Guinevere has her own tale to share, and it’s nothing like what you thought! Experience the magic and myth of Camylot, Avalon, Merlyn, and Exkalibur like never before as, in the vein of Brooke’s award-winning Secrets of Artemis, this legendary maiden of lore recounts her side of the story.
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JFPQRP4
*Free with Kindle Unlimited
Interview With the AuthorA
What initially got you interested in writing?
I startedwriting my own stories when I was around six years old. I loved the “Spot” books and emulated them by writing a series of my own books about my dog, Sunny. From there, I just never stopped creating books!
What genres do you prefer to write in?
I prefer to write fantasy because I can bend all the rules. 😉 But my stories always invariably turn into romances at the heart of them. Young Adult (YA) Fantasy Romance has been the best fit for me, because I can really focus on the characters and their relationships with one another, without graphic violence or sex. I prefer to stay on the ‘Disney’ side of things.
Are there any authors you prefer to read and why?
I love toread YA authors, particularly Kiera Cass, Ally Carter, Lisa Klein, and Adriana Mather, to name a few. Their writing styles instantly transport me to another world without demanding too much from my scattered mom brain. I adore their strong young heroines and the romantic subplots (or in some cases, plots) in their books.
How did you make the move into being a published author?
In the fallof 2013, when I finished writing my first novel, The Duchess Quest, I knew it was “the one” I had to publish. Over the course of 7 months, I sent it to beta readers that I met on Twitter, rewrote it a dozen times, submitted it to 164 agents and publishers, and received 164 rejection letters. On my 165th try, just as my dream was beginning to seem impossible, a small Texas press called 48fourteen enjoyed the story and decided to take a chance on me. I will forever be grateful to them for launching me!
What do you find most rewarding about writing?
Oh, I don’t think I can choose just one thing! It depends on where I am in the process.While I’m writing, the relationships I develop with my characters and the real emotions I feel for them makes the blood flow through my veins. I literally get lovesick, like a teenager with a crush, lose my appetite and can’t sleep because I can’t stop thinking about my characters and how excited I am to write the next scene. It’s constant shots of dopamine and I think that’s why I’ve written so many books. I’m addicted. 😉
After I’ve written, the most rewarding part is finally putting that product on the market—in some cases, seeing it in print and holding it in my hands—and sharing it with others. I love the phone calls and emails I get from family, friends, and reviewers who are reading and enjoying it. I write to express what’s inside,but getting to share it is the cherry on top.
What do you find most challenging about writing?
The most challenging part of writing is maintaining balance. As a mom, my first responsibility is to my family, which means I’m always on call and sometimes must drop everything to go take care of something. Creative types know, it can sometimes take hours, days, or even weeks to find your stride and get into the“zone.” Once you hit the flow, it is very difficult to walk away. You want to do nothing but work on your art. But often I have to put it aside.
When I’m working on a manuscript, literally all I want to do, from the moment I open my eyes in the morning to the instant I shut them at night, is write. I have one,single-minded goal: Finish the book. (In my house, we call this Mom’s“manuscript mode”.) Depending on the length of the story and how detailed my outline is, this mode can last anywhere from 3 weeks to 3 months. During which I have to remind myself constantly to be present with my family, to focus on cooking dinner or playing Candyland or watching soccer practice, or whatever it is we’re doing as a family, and not have my head in the clouds, daydreaming about or coming up with more ideas for my book.
Do you have any tips for writers who find themselves experiencing writer’s block?
I don’t believe in writer’s block! In my humble opinion, what writers mistake as ‘block’ is simply poor – or no – planning. If you plan, plan, plan (or plot, plot, plot) you’ll never find yourself stuck in a corner! I actually made a video recently, sharing 4 ways to combat writer’s block. You can watch it here: https://youtu.be/K9-vssM3iqY
What advice would you give to people that want to enter the field?
On my website, I share everything that’s been helpful to me as a writer, from conception to publication to marketing. You can check it out at https://ckbrooke.com/resources-for-writers/.
What do you want readers to take away from reading your works?
I want my readers to come away with some emotion. A lovesick heart, a dreamy sigh, a bittersweet melancholy, or a smile on their lips. I hope to touch their hearts,make them laugh, give them hope and, above all, let them know they are not alone.
Is there anything else about you that you think readers might find interesting?
Before I was a published author, I started out as a book blogger: https://royallyreviewed.wordpress.com/.
About the Author
C.K. Brooke is an award-winning indie author of over a dozen romance and fantasy novels. Her debut novel, THE DUCHESS QUEST (48fourteen, 2014), was selected by Shelf Unbound Magazine as a Top 100 Notable Indie Book of 2015, and her YA novel, SECRETS OF ARTEMIS,received the Indie B.R.A.G. Medallion Award in 2017. She is also the author of THE WRONG PRINCE, a Readers Favorite five star recipient and Global EBook Award Honorable Mention title, as well as the historical romance, CAPTURING THE CAPTAIN (Limitless, 2016), which was a RONE Award Nominee and a Finalist in th eMMRWA Best Banter Contest. She lives in Michigan with her husband and son.Visit her at www.CKBrooke.com and subscribe for a FREE eBook!
Author Links
Website: https://www.ckbrooke.com
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/ckbrooke
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ck.brooke
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/+ckbrooke
Subscribe to Newsletter, get aFree eBook: https://www.ckbrooke.com/subscribe
Join ARC Review Team: https://ckbrooke.com/street-team/
GIVEAWAY:
Interested in a free book from C.K. Brooke? Downloads available here: https://ckbrooke.com/free-books/
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