Heather’s Bookshelf: Author Interview with Alison Blasdell

What inspired you to write “Daughter of the Sky”?

Blasdell: Daughter of the Sky is Book Two of the Touch the Sky Series. After publishing the first book, Touch the Sky, readers asked if there would be a sequel. I hadn’t planned on a sequel or series, but Touch the Sky certainly lent itself to sequels. After that, Daughter of the Sky scenes started coming to me in dreams. (It’s still a little embarrassing to admit, but the storylines for all my novels come to me in dreams at night when I’m sleeping, and they can serialize over months until the story ends. Novels occasionally appear in unsought daydreams as well.)

I love the women (female protagonists, heroines) in my novels; they’re strong, gutsy, and intriguing. I admit they’re all my alter-egos, and I can’t wait to write about them!

How did you come up with the names of your main characters?

Blasdell: My characters’ names often appear in my dreams on their own. Other times, I research common names of the period and country that form the basis for the story. I have also used the first names of my friends for ancillary characters. Of course, I’m always careful not to name an undesirable character after a friend!

Is there anything that you want readers to know about you, your writing process or your book?

Blasdell: I’m impatient by nature, and my brain processes information rapidly, which means that when I’m writing a novel, I want the story to move along quickly. I crave justice—good has to triumph in my books. I don’t read sad books or go to sad movies because I internalize the tragedy, and it can take me weeks to move past the sadness. Consequently, my books all have happy endings. I love romance, so romance is always central in my novels. My characters aren’t perfect, and the love stories can have bumps along the way. I have a bit of a warrior personality, so I don’t shy away from violence if it is crucial to the storyline. My intent is never to glorify violence, however, I’m a scientist (a physiologist) who is comfortable with body parts, disease, and physical trauma. If a scene seems graphic, it’s because I want the reader to feel or see what the character is experiencing. Finally, I’ve spent a good portion of my life in activities dominated by men—activities where I was the only woman competing or one of a few. At the heart of all my books is a woman of courage, intelligence, and character. Oh, and no animals die in my books!

Are there any tips that you would like to share with other aspiring authors?

Blasdell: Ask yourself why you want to write a novel. From my perspective, there is only one reason: because it’s fun! Creating and writing a novel should give you joy. Your characters should pull at you so that you can’t wait to sit down at your computer to tell their story. It should be like reading a good book—you can’t put it down, and you don’t want to stop reading, or in this case—writing. Furthermore, that first draft should be just for you—a gift to yourself.

Sometimes, it’s hard to remember that when you’re tediously researching the subject matter necessary for your story. It can be especially difficult once you arrive at the repetitive editing stages that give rise to successive drafts of your book, or when, once published, you must address the marketing demands made on all authors nowadays.

When you encounter writer’s block, what do you do to break yourself out of it?

Blasdell: My problem is usually not a block in formulating what to write, it is just the opposite. Book scenes (as though I am watching a movie) constantly filter into my consciousness, sometimes at inconvenient times. I have to force them back into the recesses of my mind until I’m ready for them.

I’ve had brief periods when I’m not certain what happens next. I’ve learned to walk away during those times. I believe my stories are gifts given to me (how else can I explain dreaming all these stories while sleeping?), so I take a deep breath, say thank you for the part of the story I have, leave my computer, ride my horse, walk with my dogs, clean the stables, and wait.

What is your favorite genre, book, and/or author?

Blasdell: This should be a simple question—not for me. I don’t have one favorite genre. I’ve read almost everything Steve Berry, Brad Thor, and Dan Brown have written, which would suggest I love thrillers, and I do! I’ve written two espionage thrillers with a woman as the protagonist.  I’m also captivated by historical romances. In that category, my all-time favorite author is Taylor Caldwell, a woman who was immensely successful at a time when male authors dominated historical fiction. Glory and the Lightning is my favorite of her books. I’ve written five historical romances—four with a dual time period and most with a touch of fantasy/magical realism to keep it interesting.

What are you working on next?

Blasdell: I’ve had readers ask for more books in the Touch the Sky Series and The Confederates’ Physician Series. I can see continuing with those, however, I’m currently researching ancient Greece for a historical romance unrelated to my other books. I’m also hoping to return to my espionage thriller line of books someday.

Learn More About the Author and Daughter of the Sky here:

https://alisonblasdell.com

www.facebook.com/AlisonBlasdellNovels

www.instagram.com/realalisonblasdell

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Find it for purchase here or on Kindle Unlimited

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