Hello all!
As promised last week, British historic fantasy author S.L.Briden has very kindly agreed to talk to us here at pjbermanbooks.com.
PB: Welcome! I'd like to start by finding out a little more about you. Tell us a bit about your background.
SLB: I am a born and bred Sussex girl in the UK. I grew up in the Lancing area and then in the beautiful Steyning countryside where I would spend hours at the top of my garden which backed onto the South Downs.
PB: What made you decide to become author?
SLB: It wasn’t really a decision but more of a love to write. For me, writing places me in a world where the imagination has no limits and can be expressed however you want.
PB: When did you first start writing?
SLB: I can honestly say it was in my childhood. I loved writing stories at school and would often indulge in any story homework with a passion.
PB: What was the first story that you can remember writing?
SLB: I believe it was a love story. Man and woman meet. Conflict occurs and then they unite. A little cliché, but at a young age, I thought it was the best. I believe I even drew a little picture of the pair kissing. lol
PB: Tell us about your upcoming release, 'From the Ashes'.
SLB: From the Ashes is the first volume of my epic Arthurian fantasy series that offers readers an immersive journey into the era of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table yet tells a tale away from King himself. It is a story within a story and a fast-paced tale of two double-sword wielding warrior knights, a strong-willed sorceress and a prophesy burdened upon them to align the balance between Light and Dark, yet the complete story over 4 to 5 future books in the series tells of the true weight and effect such a prophecy would have of someone and the terrible mistakes they make in the process. That a Prophecy is nothing to be rejoiced about when you are one prophesied to save Light. Recusing maidens and questing knights aren’t fairytales when your clothes are constantly soaked in blood.
PB: What inspires you?
SLB: I have always been fascinated with the Arthurian legend and the dark ages of the UK but I believe my inspiration comes from humanity. There is good and evil in the world we live in, and sometimes it is struggle to stay on the right path, but there are hands we can hold around us to keep us on the right track without straying onto the grass.
PB: What is your favourite fiction genre and why?
SLB: Historic fantasy with a twist of magic. My reason? Impossible is just a word. The imagination is eternal.
PB: What are your long-term ambitions career-wise?
SLB: To carry on writing. I love writing and can’t seem to stop. I actually don’t want to stop. From the moment me and my late husband drafted Shadows of a Phoenix, writing it alone after he’d passed made me realise that dreams can still be achieved, mine being creating epic stories with realism to them that I can share with the world.
PB: If you weren’t an author, what career would you be in?
SLB: I actually own a shop at present called The Twisted Willow, selling dragons, fairies, incense, gemstones, etc… I love interacting with people.
PB: What’s the next target for you?
SLB: My next book, Wings of the Sword, continues the compelling story of the Shadows of a Phoenix, where the dangers for our heroes increase tenfold when a new threat arises from a serious mistake the Grandmasters made in my previous book, From the Ashes.
PB: Finally, tell us a random fact about yourself.
SLB: Spending all night in a haunted house has never phased me due to my prior years of being a paranormal investigator.
Well, S.L.Briden, it's been a pleasure. Thank you so much for talking to us.
Don't forget, 'From the Ashes' is available to pre-order here.
Social Media:
Website: www.slbriden.com
Twitter: @S.LBriden
Facebook: S.L.Briden
Goodreads: S.L.Briden
Until next time!
Peter