This is the third installment of Cheryl's Blog Tour... I hope you enjoy getting to know Cheryl as much as I did!
In the midst of war torn Scotland, a baby girl is born to Jacob
Douglas and his young wife. The conflict between the English and the
Scots breed trials of loyalty that tarnish the landscape, while Jacob
teaches his strong-willed child the skills she will need to face her
uncertain future. Behind the veil of war, villains pillage their land,
pilfer what is not theirs and do not fear retribution for their deeds.
There is none strong enough to make a stand; no one, until Deb
Douglas. Keeping her father close to her always, he radiates a courage
that motivates her fight for freedom, for love, and for her land. Deb
rallies those she meets to join her cause, which frees the secrets
from her past that have been buried for many years. While destiny is
all-knowing, Deb never backs down and faces it all with the courage of
a man and the heart of a Scot!
CH: Where did the idea for Of Blade and
Valor come from?
CA: “It came from my love for medieval history and my love for action
adventures. I have always been somewhat of a ‘tomboy’ and I have had a female heroin
in my sites for a long time. Deb became the image in my head. Travelling to
Scotland, England and Wales solidified that for me.”
CH: What kind of research did you do to
write about the few historical connections within the story?
CA: “I have always done personal research through many avenues such as books
and internet, but I also found some of it first-hand being in Scotland itself
and visiting the historical locations. It is this combination of information
and then my impression of what I learned that created the historical scene in
the background of the book. I do not claim to be a historian and I will be a
student for the rest of my life. I take what interests me and what I have
learned and develop a story that creates emotion within me and hopefully the
reader. Simple as that.”
CH: Have you been to Scotland?
CA: “Yes, and I want to go back and spend
more time visiting the historical sites.”
CH: Where
does your love for this period come from?
CA: “I am not sure, but I always
loved the stories of Robin Hood, The Knights of the Round Table and more. We
had a series of old children’s books that I read over and over again and
scribbled within the pages. I suppose the adventure, the clothing, the castles
etc. all just caught my young eye. It seemed so colorful and interesting that
it stuck. Now I am a huge fan of epic movies set within the period and of course,
I take it one step further with my love for Tolkien and the mystical twist that
others have placed upon it. Dragons and Knights and Swords; oh my! OK...so I
love the Wizard of OZ too! Who doesn't?”
CH: How
long did it take to write Of Blade and Valor?
CA:”This story was nine years in the making because at the time I started
writing it, I didn't think I would ever finish it. It was not coming to me and
I struggled with where to take Deb. Then it just suddenly came into view and it
flowed from me. It took so long to finish however, because life was also very
busy when I began. Writing was an escape for me. Until time had gone by and
life settled a bit, it was slow going and I wrote when I had time. The last few
years saw a rush of ideas come and there was no doubt in my mind that it would
be completed.”
CH: Why
Twisted Willow Press? Why not a larger publisher?
CA; “I saw Twisted Willow Press as an opportunity to learn the inner workings
of self-publishing and the work that went into it. After meeting Daisha Marie
Korth, there was no doubt in my mind that she was professional and
knowledgeable and someone who was trying to change the fate of new writers.
There is a big world out there of people trying to find their place and seek
out readers to enjoy their work. Daisha puts it into perspective and keeps
things on track. There is a personal relationship that gets built and it is
this that makes the process seem less overbearing to a new author. Besides,
once you meet Daisha, she is a friend from the start. She has it all that lady
and I hesitate to find anyone who is more dedicated.”
CH: Why do
you write with so many fighting and battle scenes within your story-line? It’s
not something expected from a female writer.
CA: “I have always been fascinated with the drama and emotions that surrounded
the battles that took place in medieval history. It is hard to imagine the type
of person it would take to dive into hell on earth as I see it and put their
lives on the line. Not unlike today’s soldiers, people in medieval times felt
pride in their country and they would fight to the death protecting it. They
suffered injuries that would often be infected within hours from the filth and
unsanitary conditions, yet they continued to push through the carpet of bodies
that surrounded them. Their patriotism for their people and countries was
astounding to me and so many were so young. Millions of people have died in the
first battles for land on this planet and to this day when someone from our
area goes to another part of the world to serve, I have an immense respect for
them. So many men and women with so much heart give of themselves for others.
War is an enigma to many of us. It is the ultimate test of the human body and
psyche; thus, I think I am drawn to these scenes of battle out of respect for
what it takes to be there in the middle of it. As for the unexpectedness of a
female writing about it, Well, enough time has gone by that I think women
should be who they are inside and not try to hide it. I am a consummate tomboy
at heart and will always have a bit of hustle and tussle in my story-lines! I
would love to see someone like Gina Carano play the role of Deb for example. If
you do not know her, you should. You’ll see my feminine side as well within my
plots, but don’t be surprised if the rough stuff comes through!”
CH: What is
your background as far as writing? Did you take writing courses? How did you
start writing?
CA: “I have no formal training other than that of schooling in English and
English writing. In college, one of my favorite assignments was essay writing.
I had a grandmother who was an English teacher and my father was constantly
correcting our grammar when we were learning to speak as children. He read
books like they were going out of style and I was always making up stories as a
child. Books were always around us. In other interviews I have stated that my
family has many creative people in it from my father being on local TV. to
musicians and fine artists. I myself was a graphic artist for years. Story
telling has been just another avenue that I have used as a creative outlet. Thus,
I am a self-taught writer with many influences around me that push the stories
out of my head. I just seem to be drawn to the feeling of seeing something in
my mind and then putting it on paper and coloring it to make it come alive.
Writing is an adventure and you know how I love adventure!”
CH: Where
do you want to go with your writing?
CA: “That is a question that will be difficult to answer at first. I do it
because I have a passion for it. The readers may help me to decide where it
will go, but for now, I am content with sharing what I have been creating all
these years. If the readers decide that they wish to continue reading my work,
it will give me another purpose when I write and thus, time will tell. I do
plan on writing for the rest of my life and so if anyone out there is
interested, there will always be something coming from my keyboard. Just what
that will be is the adventure I speak of above. I can only hope that people
will want to join me as I travel the pages!”
CH: Why
historical fiction… Do you write in other genres?
CA: “Historical fiction is something that allows me to share the interest I
have for medieval days, but I have many stories within my portfolio from
semi-science fiction, to modern themes and even stories of the spirit and
mystic worlds. This is why I love to write. Story telling is something that I
love more than anything. You do not have to be pigeon holed into one genre as a
writer. As a reader myself, I love it when a favorite writer explores something
different. It is that particular story-teller that I follow, not always the
genre alone.”
CH: What is
the next step for you?
CA: “I would like to see how the sequel to Of Blade and Valor will flow.
Without too much said, I am telling the rest of Deb’s story in a different
format. One that will not be expected and then I am hoping to explore the other
themes that I have tapped into. It is like a banquet to me! Adventure, action,
love, drama…it takes us all away for a moment in time. This is my next step
then; to keep the stories coming!”
You can find Cheryl's new release OF BLADE AND VALOR on Amazon.com and Lulu.com
