Silver Linings

I thought this picture was appropriate because I am experiencing just that. Within several hours of each other I had a darkest dreadful moment and then the moment of joy that I had been waiting 18 years to have. I can't go into details yet.

Hywela Lyn

A fellow Wild Rose author, Hywela Lyn is a truly gracious and welcoming lady. Fine writer as well. It was my pleasure to interview her for the Examiner, and as always I like to replicate some of those interviews here.

Hywela, can you tell us about your latest book Children of the Mist?

The story takes place about six years after the events in Starquest. In that book the heroine visits Niflheim, planet of telepaths, in her search for the man she loves, and becomes friendly with one of its inhabitants, the beautiful Tamarith. This world takes up only a small part of the original story, but I became fond of the mist shrouded planet and her people. I wanted to find out more about them and the history of Niflheim. I also felt Tamarith deserved her own happy ending. Several of the characters from Starquest are also in this story, but it is Tamarith and Vidarh who hold centre stage

When Children Of The Mist opens, their world is in danger from a deadly virus, but the inhabitants don't realise how close they are to losing their freedom and their whole way of life. Vidarh, son of a hardworking farmer, journeys to Gladsheim, the main settlement, to join other telepaths there, to unite in sending a message into space to try to reach the only person who may be able to help them. During the course of the story, Tamarith and Vidarh find themselves facing far more than the elements and are in danger of losing their very lives. Vidarh discovers things about himself, and about Tamarith, and there is a dramatic revelation about the origins of their planet, before they are able to confront and admit their feelings for one another..

What drew you to writing futuristic romance?

I've always been fascinated by the beauty and mystery of the stars and the idea of space exploration. I like to think that one day we'll be advanced enough to colonize uninhabited planets and learn to live with nature instead of causing devastation and global warming through our greed and exploitation. I love nature and wild, lonely landscapes. I get a great deal of pleasure and satisfaction creating new worlds and drawing on the scenery and legends of my native Wales. For me, the challenges and unknown dangers of space exploration are similar to those facing the pioneers of the old west. In my stories it's those very dangers and challengers that bond my hero and heroine together, and draw them inevitably toward their eventual 'happy ever after'.

What is something most people don't know about you?

As well as writing, I also enjoy oil painting. I rarely get time for that now, unfortunately, although I still do the occasional pencil sketch and now and then paint horseshoes with 'canal boat roses' for friends,.

Anything you'd like to add?

I think that's it, except that I love to hear from fellow writers, and readers who can email me at
Hywelalyn@hywelalyn.co.uk or leave a message on my website or blog. I'm also collaborating with Mary Ricksen and Sharon Donovan on a new 'fun' blog which runs on Fridays only, called 'The Author Roast and Toast.' It's only been going a few weeks but already we're 'booked' until the middle of the New Year. I'm also writing an historical western, as a bit of a departure from my futuristic and fantasy stories, and have entered excerpts in the Classic Romance Revival excerpt contest.

My Blog: http://www.hywelalyn.blogspot.com/
My website: http://www.hywelalyn.co.uk/
Facebook:: http://www.facebook.com/HywelaLyn
My Space: www.myspace.com/hywelalyn
WRDF: http://romancewriterandreader.ning.com/profile/Hywelalyn

Winner

And the winner of the necklace is: (drum roll please) Opal Campbell. Hope you enjoy it. I personally love it!

Long overdo contest

Lisa Aaron of Jeweled Ambrosia hand-crafted a specially designed necklace for my book Upon Eagle's Light. All the jewels match the book cover with a beautiful eagle's wing at the center point. I love it and wish I could enter myself and keep it, but that would defeat the purpose of a honest contest so I'll just have to have her make another similiar, though not exact.

Anyway, this contest is fairly simple. All you have to do is sign up for my newsletter and let me know that you did so by leaving a comment. You can either click on the newsletter sign up box below or email me privately at cloverautrey@gmail.com with your email or leave your email in the comments. However you'd like. The contest will end on Oct. 20th.

Click to join cloverautreynewsletter

Book Signing

I'm having my first booksigning tomorrow. It's a large group signing sponsered by the Friends of The Colony Public Library so the pressure of being a lonesome writer is off me solely.

I think I'm fairly well prepared. I have post-its for people to write their own names so I won't misspell.

I have bookmarks and little booklets with a free Eaglekin short story to sample my writing.

And, yes, I have candy to draw folks to my table.

Oh yes, I have my books, marked with the price so no one will have to feel stupid by asking me the price. People really don't like doing that.

As long as I remember my lunch, water bottle, smile and confidence, it should be a good day.

I'll let you know tomorrow.

And definitely if you're in the area, stop by, I'd love to see a friendly face.

FOTCPL PRESENTS!
Meet the Authors & Illustrators
Book signings and free programs
featuring local authors and illustrators.
Saturday, October 3 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
6800 Main St.The Colony, TX 75056-1133