Interview & Giveaway: The Sword of Senack

Original Title: The Sword of Senack
Author: E.C. Stilson
Publisher: Wayman Publishing
Release Date: February 2nd 2012

Three children embark on a journey to find their brother, and in the process may find themselves.

Aliya Fisher knows nothing about her true heritage until a vindictive sorceress kidnaps her brother and sister. The young adventurer must take up her birthright, battle strange creatures, and find the Sword of Senack if she hopes to best the witch. But even if Aliya finds the famed weapon and survives the perilous oceanic journey, the enchantress is far more than she appears. How does one defeat an immortal who lusts for revenge?

INTERVIEW WITH STILSON

If you could travel in a Time Machine would you go back to the past or into the future?

I would go to the future because that sounds fascinating.  Imagine if so many things authors have written about will come to pass.  Space travel . . . new discovers.  The ideas are limitless.

If you could invite any 5 people to dinner who would you choose?

No dinner party is complete without lively conversation.  Why not invite the founders of the main religions in our world today.  I’d love to hear them all talk about their ideas. Jesus, Buddha—you name it.  That would make for an interesting night—maybe even something I could write a novel about!

If you were stranded on a desert island what 3 things would you want with you?

My husband would be in this list, but if we’re just talking about items, I’d pick a well-inked pen, some paper and my violin.   

If you could have any superpower what would you choose?

How about the power to write anything into existence.  That sounds pretty powerful AND fun.

If you could meet one person who has died who would you choose?

I would pick my son or my grandma.  It would be great to see them again.  Maybe sit over a cup of tea.  Even if we didn’t say a word, almost nothing is better than be with those we love.

Night owl, or early bird?

Early bird.  In fact, that’s when I get the most done.  I always have the most amazing dreams and they leave me so happy when I wake up.  Plus, I love coffee and the early morning is my favorite time to enjoy good coffee while I write for the day.

Please tell us in one sentence only, why we should read your book.

I wrote The Sword of Senack after dealing with the loss of my son and because of that, it is filled with every adventure I always hoped he’d see—that background is what brought my story to life and that’s what makes it special.

Any other books in the works? Goals for future projects? 

I’m currently working on two more books.  One is a memoir about how I ran away as a teenager and became a homeless street musician.  It’s called “Homeless in Hawaii” and I’m thrilled because it’s turning into one of my best works.  I’m also polishing an anthology book which will be coming out later this year.

What inspired you to want to become a writer?

I always wanted to be a writer, but a high school teacher told me I wasn’t very good.  I trusted her and gave up until I had a baby who was so sick he died.  I wrote down the whole journey from pregnancy, to every detail about his little life in the hospital.  My friend, a fellow published author and award-winner, read some of my entries and encouraged me to try finding an agent or publisher for the journal.  Years later my book about my son’s death and life was finally released.  The Golden Sky is my first published novel.  So who inspired me to become a writer?  It was my son because while dealing with his death, I found my own dream.  

Tell us your most rewarding experience since being published.

After The Sword of Senack came out I started playing my violin and talking at assemblies.  At each school, I’d advertise an upcoming signing.  Anyway, one of the kids ended up buying a copy of my fantasy book and coming to a signing.  I wrote something in the book about how he reminded me of the main character, Vander.  The little boy held the book so proud and whispered, “When I read your book, I thought the same thing too.  I am like Vander!”  Between experiences like that and the numerous letters I’ve received from either people who’ve read my nonfiction works and are dealing with infant loss, or the children who’ve read The Sword of Senack, writing has been a wonderful experience for me.

If you could jump in to a book, and live in that world, which would it be?

I would love to live in the realm of the Middle Damned.  It’s a book about the eternal battle fought in the afterlife—where each person has the power to fight for good or evil. 

What was your favorite book when you were a child/teen? 

I loved The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe because we had a big closet and I wished it would take me to Narnia.  I’d even read the book in the closet with a flashlight, just hoping some day I’d feel snow falling gently behind me.

Is there a song you could list as the theme song for your book or any of your characters?

There’s a pirate in my book who’s named Captain Iron Blood.  People call him ‘Iron’ because he’s almost stronger than steel. So something Heavy Metal . . . maybe Master of Puppets by Metallica?

What's one piece of advice you would give aspiring authors?

It’s hard getting rejections—I know—but don’t give up.  If this is really what you want, keep going and don’t give up.  There are tons of people out there looking for good books, maybe yours is exactly what they’re looking for.

If you could be one of the Greek Gods, which would it be and why?

Artemis because she gets to be a twin AND she gets to hunt things.

When you were little, what did you want to be when you "grew up"?

I wanted to be a preacher, a writer or simply own a big castle that held thousands of cats inside.  Later I found out preaching wasn’t my thing—and thousands of cats need an awfully big litter box—so I decided to be a writer.

How did you know you should become an author?

I’ve always written things since I was a little girl.  It wasn’t until after getting feedback on a book from various authors and publishers, I dared to hope that maybe I could make a living with my writing.  I finally gave up my business at the time, a sewing business, and decided to pursue my dream of writing.

If you were a super hero what would your kryptonite be?

A life without caffeine would kill me.  Oh the horror!

What do you do in your free time? 

I spend time with my four kids and husband.  He plays the guitar and we like to go play at local gigs at least once every month.  Life can get pretty hectic with four kids and a writing career, but it’s still fun.

How did you celebrate the sale of your first book?

My first book, The Golden Sky, was about my little boy who passed away.  I know it may sound silly to some, but I bought the very first copy of my book for him.  I drove to his grave despite terrible weather and winds threatening to knock us from the road.  I left a copy of my book on the grave.  “I did all of that work for you,” I said.  “So others can know your story.  How brave you were.”

Finish the sentence- one book I wish I had written is....

Gone With the Wind because Scarlett is my kind of gal.

Favorite places to travel?

I love Goblin Valley in Southern Utah.  It’s so strange and inspiring, one of the most unique places I’ve ever seen.

In your wildest dreams, which author would you love to co-author a book with?

Dee Ready is the amazing author of A Cat’s Life: Dulcy’s Story and Twelve Habits of Highly Successful Cats and Their Humans.  In my opinion she’s one of the best writers of our time.  She writes with so much power, wisdom and feeling.  I’d love to work with her.

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