Interview with Victoria Grefer

Please enjoy this interview with Victoria Grefer, author of The Crimson League. Grefer is from New Orleans, Louisiana, and she writes Fantasy and Young Adult Fiction.

I am the author of the YA fantasy "Herezoth Trilogy," named for the kingdom of Herezoth, a war-torn land with a history of conflict between those born with magic and those without. The first novel in the series, The Crimson League, tells the story of Kora Porteg, a girl of humble origins, as she aids a resistance movement fighting to wrest control from a noble-born sorcerer who slew the royal family. Along the way, Kora discovers she is a sorceress herself, as well as the unwitting subject of one of her society’s oldest and often mocked legends. Though she accepts she can have no place in Herezoth after civil war should end, she fights alongside the usurper’s sister, a thief, a scholar, two telekinetic brothers, and other members of the group that calls itself the Crimson League. As their prospects deteriorate and numbers decline, the League has no choice but to make a final stand against its foe and the army that supports him.

How do you decide what to write?

I discovered a passion for fantasy literature in high school. I dabbled writing in other genres, such as mystery and historic romance, but discovered that I more enjoyed fantasy.

What inspires you to write?

So many things inspire me: my favorite works of literature, of course, but beyond that, I have noticed that writing, for me, is very therapeutic. I can identify some interesting connections between stresses, fears, and problems I was experiencing in my life at the time of writing a first draft and the way my plots and characters unfold. I would say that writing, for me, is a wonderfully effective coping mechanism.

Who designs your covers?

I use the createspace.com cover create to design my covers, selecting images and patterns that represent an iconic setting in the novel: for The Crimson League, that setting is the wooded bath between Kora's home and the village of Hogarane.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

I have always found writing the battles scenes of the Herezoth trilogy to be the most challenging: they are very action-packed, and that type of scene lends itself well but to the screen, but is more difficult to capture on the page. I spent a lot of time making sure a workable balance exists between description and pacing during fight scenes in my novel.

Who is your favorite author and why?

J.K. Rowling. I am so impressed by the amount of time and dedication she so clearly poured into creating and designing the world of the Harry Potter series. Her character Remus Lupin is one of my favorites I have ever read about, in any book.

Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?

Unfortunately, my day job as a graduate student of Renaissance Spanish literature affords me little time for pleasure reading, so I have not been able to read the work of many new authors recently.

What established authors have influenced your work?

J.K. Rowling, J.R.R. Tolkien, Victor Hugo, T.H. White

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

As an avid reader myself, I know how wonderful it can be to discover a brand new author, novel, or series that really touches a part of my soul. I hope The Crimson League can be that kind of novel in your life. While the novel has its share of action--the review from Dragon's Lair Books says, "When I say that this book is an adrenaline rush every chapter I mean it. There is some sort of drama or action scene each chapter that keeps you on the edge of your seat while reading"--I also strove to create meaningful, memorable characters whose difficult decisions and ability to act selflessly add depth, purpose, and value to the novel beyond entertainment value.

How about a link to your book?

http://crimsonleague.wordpress.com/

What are your most effective methods of promotion?

Social networking: Twitter and Goodreads, especially.

What does the future hold?

I have no second work currently in print besides The Crimson League, but am working of final edits of the second installment in the Herezoth trilogy: keep an ear out for news of the upcoming release of "The Magic Council"!

Thank you for your time, Victoria; we will be looking for The Crimson League and its sequels!