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It’s A Book Thing Presents: An Interview with Vonnie Winslow Crist, author of Beneath Raven's Wing

Author’s Bio: Born in the Year of the Dragon, Vonnie Winslow Crist is author of The Enchanted Dagger, Beneath Raven's Wing, Owl Light, The Greener Forest, Murder on Marawa Prime, and other books. Her fantasy, horror, and science fiction appear in publications in Japan, Australia, India, Pakistan, Spain, Italy, Germany, Finland, Canada, the UK and USA. Believing the world is still filled with mystery, miracles, and magic, Vonnie strives to celebrate the power of myth in her writing. 

Deliah Lawrence: What inspired you to write your book?


Vonnie Winslow Crist: Believing stories help us learn from the past, embrace the complexities of the present, and prepare for the future, I write lots of stories. Believing myths, legends, folklore, and fairy tales are important in understanding people and their fears, familiar network, societal structure, and core values, I use them as inspiration. This is the beginning place for all of my fiction. Beneath Raven's Wing is my third collection of short stories. As I reviewed my stories, both published and unpublished, I noticed ravens appearing in many tales as either an integral part of the narrative or as a watchful presence. So I decided to build a short story collection around ravens.

 

DL: Describe your writing process?


VWC: Something inspires me. It could be a word, some folklore, a painting, a trip I've taken, or a scrap of overheard conversation. Then, a story idea begins to gel. Sometimes, I'll jot down my thoughts, so I don't forget them. By the time I begin to write, the characters, locale, storyline, and even conclusion of the tale are mapped out in my mind. I type or scribble away until the narrative is complete. Then, I revise. Next, I set the “finished” story aside for a couple of days before revisiting it. I do a final revision, spell-check, and proofing—then submit it to a magazine or anthology.

 

DL: What do you think makes a good story?


VWC: A beginning, middle, and end. Characters who are interesting. A problem the protagonist must confront which feels real and overwhelming. A valiant attempt by the protagonist to solve their problem (whether they're able to do so or not). A satisfying conclusion.

 

DL: What were some of the challenges when writing this book?


VWC: All of the stories in Beneath Raven's Wing have at least one raven. The challenge as a writer was to make each story and raven or unkindness of ravens unique while still making the book feel connected. The stories are set in different places and periods of time. The ravens are observers, active participants in the action, and central characters. None are evil, though some of the ravens have questionable motives. I wanted readers to experience 16 stories, but come away with the feeling they've read one cohesive book.

 

DL: What was the best writing advice you’ve ever been given?


VWC: Always write toward a book. Whether it's a poem, story, or essay, be thinking how can this be part of a book. That's how I've managed to group my short fiction and poetry into collections.

 

DL: What tips would you give to aspiring writers?


VWC: Read books in the same genre as the book you're writing. Understand the basics of storytelling. Write, revise, rewrite, and polish your fiction/poetry/non-fiction/book before submitting it. Network with other writers and editors. Listen to the advice they give you, but chart your own path. Celebrate the successes. Remember everyone gets rejection notes. Lastly, and perhaps the most important advice of all, Persist!

 

DL: What do you like to do when you are not writing?


VWC: I love to read, garden, cook, and spend time with my family and friends. I also love to travel. When I travel, I enjoy reading about the places I visit before I go there. After I'm home, my travel experiences often worm their way into my writing.

 

DL: Please share an excerpt from Beneath Raven’s Wing.


VWC: This excerpt is from “Mangata,” the third story in the collection. Soon after this excerpt, the reader will meet the troll wisewoman and her pet raven.

 

“Protect me from the wolves, Lojala,” she said to the wolf-dog. “I'll go find Blomma, then I'll come back here as soon as I can.”

Lojala gazed at her with his ice-blue eyes as she ruffled his fur. He woofed once and wagged his tail before bounding toward the wolves.

As Mangata hiked in the direction of the cave entrance, she remembered an old saying: There is a reason to fear wolves—but it is not the one your think. Still, it brought her no comfort as she imagined her beloved pet being torn to bits by lupine fangs.

***

The troll cave smelled worse than Mangata had dreamed it would. Perhaps it was the piles of discarded fish bones scattered on the cave floor from the trolls' favorite meal: raw fish. Or maybe it was the trollish custom of bathing only once every hundred years. It didn't matter. The cave stank! But succumbing to the stench wouldn't help Blomma. Mangata needed to find her sister, make a deal with the trolls, and head east before sunset. She hoped by some miracle, Lojala would be waiting in the forest. For she wasn't sure she could find her way home without him...

 

DL: What new projects are you currently working on?


VWC: I've finished a collection of dragon short stories which is looking for a publisher. I'm completing a Young Adult novel and working on a non-fiction book. Plus, I'm scribbling away at a few short stories.

 

DL: Where can readers learn more about you and purchase your books?


VWC: They can learn more here:

DL: Thanks so much for being here with us today. I know my readers will enjoy getting to know you and your work.


VWC: Thanks, for having me. It's been fun to answer your questions. Best wishes for a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2021 to you and your readers.



 


Comments

  1. Vonnie Winslow CristJanuary 29, 2021 at 8:41 AM

    Thank you for interviewing me. I hope a few of your readers will want to check out "Beneath Raven's Wing." :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Deliah LawrenceJanuary 31, 2021 at 3:46 PM

      Hello Vonnie! My pleasure and I'm sure my readers will enjoy checking out your novel. Wishing you continued success!

      Delete

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