Author Interview: Verses of Athine by Shannon McRoberts

Little Blurb about yourself:

I am a working mother by day and an author/artist/poet when I can steal a few hours here and there. I love to play MMORPGs and read.


1. Who or what inspired you to become a writer?

I’m not sure. My grandmother used to help my make little story books. I guess you could say it runs in my blood. I have a family filled with talented women from song writers to authors and poets themselves.

2. How long did it take you to write Verses of Athine?

I started writing it in 2009. The final book was finished at the end of 2012 and then I had my editor go over all of them. I then myself went over all of the storylines to make four novellas into one book.

3. While writing how many times do you go back and rewrite a plot?

It depends. Normally I have one idea on paper and then start typing and it just kind of flows. I don’t guess I really re-write a plot because I’ve re-written it in my head so many times by the time I get to the computer 

4. You run into a bookstore, where do you go first?
The toy section!


5. How many books in a month do you tend to read?
When I am not writing I can read 20 or 30 or at least I used to be able to before I had a child!


6. In all the books you've read. Who is your most favorite character and why?
It is hard to say. I guess I will always be in love with Anne Rice’s Claudia. Those were the first books I wanted to read on my own. I saw Anne Rice on QVC selling her books on tape and I was like “what happened to that little girl, what is going on…I must know.”

7. State 5 random facts about yourself.
I love wiener dogs, I sometimes have red hair, I love cheeseburgers from McDonald’s, I once owned a yellow mustang, I love sparkly jewelry.

8. Your favorite Genre?
Fantasy with a hint of sci-fi and paranormal!

9. What are you currently reading?
ATM I am reading over some stories for a local group of writers. They are not yet published, but they are very interesting. I tend not to read/review when I am writing my own books.

10. What is the best book you've read?
Too many to choose from.

11. Any new projects coming up?
Yes, my next book Cursed Bloods which follows after Verses of Athine

Here’s your chance to market your book. Describe it. And why readers should pick it up?
If you love Xena and Lord of the Rings, you are sure to love the adventures of the immortal born goddess Athine. Daughter of Ares, Granddaughter of Zeus, Odin, Nike, and Morrigan. Find out what her destiny has in store for her, find out what happened to the dragons, and just where do vampires come from?


Verses of Athine
The Daughter of Ares Chronicles
Shannon McRoberts

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher: Obsidian Poet Press

Date of Publication: April 2013

ISBN: 978-1483934112
ISBN: 9781301957460
ASIN: B00C0FZ53A

Number of pages: 358
Word Count: 97,100

Cover Artist: Shannon McRoberts

Book Trailers: http://www.youtube.com/user/shannonmcroberts

Smashwords Amazon Print

Book Description:

Take what you know about mythology and throw it out the window....

Do you have any idea what Zeus, Odin, Pandora's Box, Atlantis, Machu Picchu, Hera, Nike, Dragons, Vlad, Clones, and Vampires have in common? Athine does!

Athine is not your ordinary immortal born goddess. Learn of her mysterious origins, learn why Zeus hates her so much, find out where vampires come from, and learn what really happened to the dragons.

The Daughter of Ares Chronicles follows Athine as she uncovers the secrets of her destiny while interacting with key figures from many mythologies.

This printed version contains novellas one through four in one complete edition.

Short Excerpt:
“Athine, hold the sword in one hand and cast a spell with the other!” My mother, Raelin, was always barking orders. It was always practice and then practice some more. Didn’t she know how bored I was? I had been practicing for eons to protect a land that was at peace. I could cast magic with my eyes closed and my fighting skills were second nature to me. Why did I need to practice so much if my skills were already honed?
“Mother, this is useless. No one has attacked Olympus, Draosia, or Ximira for several centuries. Why must I keep practicing to be a protector of the lands with these poorly made weapons? They break when I use them. How can I possibly fight with this stick?”
“Athine, you are a goddess of war born from three different bloodlines. You must to live up to your legacy. That is why you have to keep practicing. I do not know why the weapons keep breaking. Maybe if you focused more on using your Sh’cersay and less on your poor attitude the weapons would perform better.”
Ah yes, my ever present poor attitude. Perhaps it was borne out of sheer boredom. I had no desire to be a warrior protector. That was supposed to be my mother’s job. Yet, she kept trying to make it mine. Something about a vision or prophecy; I never really paid attention.
“Athine, stop day dreaming. Andraste and Sabrina will be here tomorrow for your A’samrad. Do you want to embarrass your grandmother by not completing the rite of passage? As a potential ruler of Ximira and maybe even Olympus you are expected to do well. Anything less would be an embarrassment to the bloodlines; all three of them.”
“Embarrassment? Potential ruler? Has anyone asked me if I cared lately? I practice day in and day out just for the possibility that I may be ruler of a humdrum, peaceful country. Maybe if I did fail the A’samrad you all would let me be. I have no desire to be a ruler. I do not care that my entire family is of noble immortals that love to rule. I want to see other worlds. I want to live a life of adventure.”
How much clearer could I get? I had no desire to rule any of these lands, yet they all hoped I would rule one day. Any of my other siblings, cousins, aunts, or uncles would love to play this role. I was meant for so much more, but alas no, becoming a “ruler” keeps being dumped on my lap. I secretly wished I could fail the A’samrad and become an embarrassment. That way I could go off on an adventure and discover what lay beyond the walls of our palace. I knew there were harsher worlds out there ready for me to conquer. I just had to get out of this world to find them.

About the Author:

My name is Shannon McRoberts. I am an independent artist, author, and poet. I have been self-publishing books of all kinds since 2005. My first book was a poetry book called Poetry for the Chronically Heart Broken and Depressed. That book has since been replaced with a more robust collection called Erosion of the Heart. I am currently working on bringing this book to paper format and expanded distribution through Smashwords.

My first ever sci-fi book, The Secret of Genetic Corp X, has been compared to Blade Runner. I am also currently working on having this book brought back to a paper edition.

My favorite series, The Daughter of Ares Chronicles, features Athine, an immortal born goddess that I created for the series. In this series, I take mythologies of all kinds and turn them on their ears!

When I am not working or creating fantasy worlds for my characters to live in I enjoy being lost in MMORPGs, good books, and in the company of my friends and family.

I currently live in Kentucky with my wonderful husband and beautiful daughter.

www.shannonmcroberts.com

www.daughterofares.com

@obsidianpoet

https://www.facebook.com/ObsidianPoetPress

http://www.obsidianpoet.blogspot.com/

http://www.goodreads.com/shannonmcroberts


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