Meet Feather Stone

So many bloggers made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside when they hosted me and commented on my posts during my blog blitz last month, and now I'm thrilled to be able to return the love by hosting some amazing blogger/authors who have exciting things to tell us.  Elliot Grace will be here next Monday, Susan Kaye Quinn on Nov. 1, and M. Pax on Nov. 7.

To start out the lovefest, I introduce you to an inspiring, wonderful person---Feather Stone.  She's brand new to blogging and has just had her first novel published, The Guardian's Wildchild.  I feel blessed to have been the editor on this visually and spiritually beautiful story. 

Honestly, she had me at the first and last paragraphs of her acknowledgments:

How does a ship thank the ocean? The relationship is fraught with dangers of sinking or being shredded over a reef. And yet, the ship, if guided by wisdom and dogged determination, discovers its journey exceeds the joy in arriving at the destination. And so it is with the writing of this story. The experience was an intense journey of self-discovery.

And dear reader, as Sidney said, “I am grateful for the love and guidance of the Guardians, for all the trials and tribulations that taught me tolerance and courage, and for all the events that led me to you.”

Here's my three-question interview with Feather Stone:

1. What's been the most surprising thing to you about the publishing process? 

The publishing process has been an education.  I thought that if a publisher agreed to accept a manuscript for publication my work was done.  Instead, I learned that I was included in the editing process.  I then worried that pieces, large or small might be altered or deleted.  Not so, but areas that required clarification were brought to my attention, including errors in time sequence, inconsistencies in names, etc.  I was actually delighted that my input was still valued.  I began to feel a part of a large team of professionals who were focused in ensuring The Guardian's Wild Child was a 'good read' for the public.

During the years working on my manuscript I had envisioned it on the shelves of book stores.  However, the world changed during those years, embracing electronic devices called ipads, ebooks, etc.  It took me a while to make the switch to see that it was in my best interest to promote my novel electronically.  So the setup of websites, blogs, twitter, facebook has been a real, almost painful, stretch for me.


2.  Which character was the most fun to write and why? 

I truly loved all my characters, even Butchart who was a truly sick and wicked man.  I had completed a biography of all my main characters in the begining of the writing process.  As a result I felt I knew each one intimately, even beyond what was revealed in the story.  The one that would make me smile the most was Danik Davenport.  He was seldom in the scenes but how I would've liked to have been his girlfriend.  Danik was devoted to being a Guardian, but his sense of humor kept him 'human' in so many ways that the rest of us can identify with.  His love was genuine and fierce.  I could feel him look at me with those warm puppy brown eyes, see all my warts and still love me.  His heart was so open, more than any of the other characters in the story.

3. If you had to pick one song that captures the essence of The Guardian's Wildchild, what would it be? 

I always play music when I'm writing.  Enya, Sarah McLachlan, and Loreena McKennitt were almost always the singers with their soft haunting voices during these long writing sessions.  Over and over and over again I played their CD's.  However, if I had to pick one song - I can't; but two songs would be Loreena McKennitt's Dante's Prayer and Sarah McLachaln's I Love You. I'll let you pick one.

I'll give you both, Feather. ;)




Please check Feather Stone out 
at her Website, Blog, Omnific, and/or Goodreads

Comments

Sorry I can't comment on these questions as I am not a creative writer.
Heather said…
Wow, if those artists inspired her while writing this then I've got to read it! I love Loreena McKennitt and Sarah! Best of luck to Feather with her debut.
Angela said…
I like Dante's Prayer, it has a gorgeous cello solo in it. Good luck with "The Guardian's Wildchild."
Yeah, the whole get-your-butt-online-so-you-can-promote thing freaked me out at first as well!
Janie Junebug said…
Very interesting. Best wishes with the book. I'm jealous.

Love,
Lola
This author has the most unusual name for an author that it makes me jealous. Congrats on your book. But seriously...how on earth did her parents think of "Feather Stone"?
Suze said…
Thanks for the heads-up, Nick.
Great interview with only three questions. I feel like I learned so much about Feather through her answers. I've listened to Sarah McLachaln's I Love You since high school.
Welcome to the world of publishing, Feather! Your book is beautiful. ;)
Jennifer Lane said…
I also thought the work was done when a publisher accepted my novel, but really that's when the work BEGINS! I have learned so much about writing through being involved in the editing process. What a gift. Best of luck to Feather, and good job Nicki!
Debra Anastasia said…
Hey Nicki and Feather! This was such a nice interview, love the 3 question format. Feather, I love writing to music too. Great choices.

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