I have always loved mythology and as a pagan my patron Goddess is Ereshkigal so the ideas just flowed from there.
Renee Travis – 7 July 2013
The Back Flap
Enter the world of Sumerian mythology…
Ereshkigal was born in the dark, destined to have powers over death and destruction. As the princess of a land divided into light, grey, and dark, she will never be queen. Instead, her parents dote on her younger sister Ishtar, who was born in the grey land.
After meeting an intriguing demon prince, Ereshkigal embarks on many adventures including visiting a haunted plantation, an attack by zombies, and defeating an evil sorceress. These trials lead her to start a revolution to free her land of darkness from the stifling oppression brought on by the grey and light.
About the book
What is the book about?
It is about a Princess who grows up knowing she is different in a dark land and her discovering who she really is and what she really wants. It is a retelling of the Sumerian myth of the death goddess Ereshkigal and how she meets and falls in love with her husband Nergal.
When did you start writing the book?
I started writing this book in the summer of 2012
How long did it take you to write it?
Because of the fact I have a normal 9-5 job and two kids this book took me a while to plan and write. So about eight or nine months
Where did you get the idea from?
I have always loved mythology and as a pagan my patron Goddess is Ereshkigal so the ideas just flowed from there.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
The middle part, I struggle with creating enough tension between major scenes. I don’t usually write fantasy so this was a new experience for me.
What came easily?
The magic and the world creation. I map everything out to begin with and really enjoy creating new customs, cities, plants and animals.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
I do tend you use people I know, like their characteristics, in my writing. However, not this particular novel. This one is mythology based only and from the dark workings of my mind.
We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?
I love to read! For this novel I took inspiration from Simon R Green…. However Maggie Shayne, PC Cast and Patricia C Wrede are my biggest influence.
Do you have a target reader?
Not really, all sorts of people read YA. My target reader is someone who reads what the book is about and becomes interested.
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?
I plan chart and outline, then so chapter summaries and then finally site down at the computer and write.
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
All of these above.
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
I so simple spell and grammar checks as I go and don’t do a hard core edit until it is finished.
Did you hire a professional editor?
I cannot afford to, honestly. I have my best friend read it and do corrections after I have. Then my mother who used to be the editor of a newspaper takes a red pen to it and fixes anything my best friend missed. She’s pretty good at catching things. Once I fix what she tells me to I usually give it another go through before deciding it is finished.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
Yes. It depends on the story. When I was writing Rose Blossom I listened to She Wants Revenge a lot….The story lends itself to the music and vice versa.
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
I did. Many, many of them.
What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?
I decided to self-publish after being rejected by literary agents. I think my books are good, especially when I look at a TON of the drivel being actually published in the YA field. I thought “Hey people will still enjoy this!” And went from there.
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?
Myself
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
It is a little bit of both actually. I have a plan that began by winging it.
Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?
Just do it! It’s fun, I am not out to make money (though that’d be nice in the long term) I just want people to read my novels and enjoy them.
About You
Where did you grow up?
Oroville, California
Where do you live now?
Kearns, Utah
What would you like readers to know about you?
I am a liberal pagan single mom and I have liked the paranormal since I was 11, you know before it became popular.
What are you working on now?
Three things, an adult novel based a bit on Dracula’s first wife and Elizabeth Bathory’s illegitimate daughter. A YA about witches and the .5 of the Three Provinces.
End of Inteview:
For more, visit the Renee’s website.
Get your copy of Princess of Death from Amazon US (paper or ebook) or Amazon UK (paper or ebook).
