Leisl Kaberry is an exciting new author in the fantasy genre. I started reading her first adventure novel and invited her to join the Fantasy Sci-Fi Network straight away.
You can read my review of her first book: The Titanian Chronicles here.
I caught up with Leisl the other day to find out more about her writing and the exciting world of Titania.
Hi Leisl, welcome to the Fantasy Sci-Fi Network. We're thrilled to have you here. When did you start writing and why?
There is sort of two answers to that… in one sense I have always been writer, as long as I could remember, although I never considered myself one and much of the time I kept my stories in my head. I made a lot of attempts at writing my stories down but in no time I would find myself focused on another storyline and the one I had begun would be cast aside.
About 11 years ago, while my baby boy was sleeping, I was in a creative mood and had an inspiration for a scene, that scene turned into a chapter and by the time I had finished writing that chapter I had the whole of Titanian Chronicles mapped out in my head… this is when I really became a writer as I just had to see the trilogy through.
It's been a while coming, so good on you for sticking with it. I've just read the first book and so hope there's not an eleven year wait for the second one. Please :-)
What other writing have you done?
At school I wrote stories for my friends, not short stories by any stretch of the imagination. Novels, that I would work on a chapter at a time during maths class for my friends to read at recess… to find out in the next instalment what happened to them.
I have also written a number of scripts for plays, as acting is another passion of mine.
Cool. What made you choose the fantasy genre?
I don’t know that I actually chose to write fantasy or whether it chose me. I had read the Dragonlance series by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman and had absolutely been enthralled by it so I’m sure it was an inspiration but the story of Titanian Chronicles came into my mind sort out of the blue. A picture on my computer desktop at the time of a full green moon reflecting in the water below being the only muse leading me into my first scene.
You sound well-rounded. Do you have another job outside of writing?
I’m a mum to four awesome kids.
Good on you. That's the best and sometimes most challenging job of all.
What type of books do you like to read?
I do like to read fantasy, obviously it is a genre I enjoy but actually my favourite books to read are crime thriller types and true crime fascinates me.
No wonder your characters run into so much trouble on their adventure ;-)
Who are your favourite authors?
I love Dan Brown, he hooks me in from the get-go.
John Grisham writes an gripping read but my fave so far has been ‘The Innocent Man’ which is actually a true story and is written more as a diary of events. I was absolutely enthralled by it. However I could not go past a good old Agatha Christie. I’ve read most of her books and have a huge collection of limited edition books that I picked up at a library book swap for cheap… that was a great day.
Awesome. I love book shops and hunting for rarities.
Who would you choose to read your audiobook?
Gerard Butler, I love his voice.
What’s your dream job and do you think you’ll do it one day?
I would love to be a crime detective, that would be my dream job. I’m studying criminology and criminal justice… so maybe its possible? But I would be happy just to continue writing.
Best of luck with your studies. It'll be interesting to follow your career and see how it influences your plots.
Where do you like to travel to?
Back home to Australia! Also… anywhere in Europe.
What’s your favourite pet?
I love dogs and horses but if I could have a dragon and a unicorn or Pegasus they would be my first preference.
Awesome. Me too. Maybe we could hang out at Hogwarts together.
Do you prefer ebook or hardcopy?
Being able to read an ebook is fantastic and super convenient, I love that I can download a book and start reading straight away, Its so easy to carry my ipad mini travelling and I can have multiple books to read while I’m away if I get the chance, also I carry my ipad just about everywhere so I can whip it out and read any time any place. It solves the problem of me liking to read in bed while my husband sleeps (we had arguments for years over the light on) but honestly I still love a hardcopy book. I love the smell, I love to turn the pages, I love it sitting on my shelf (gathering dust) and I will always buy hardcopy books of my fave reads.
You can be any fictional character for one day. Who would you be?
I would be Yvaine, the fallen star from Stardust.
I think she is beautiful, humble and strong, having a good combination of immortal and mortal qualities having fallen from the heavens. I love that she was a star who used to watch over the earth with fascination and long to be apart.
I’d also love to be a pirate.
Yvaine's a thoughtful answer. I'm with you on the pirate theme too, me hearty :-)
What book clubs are you in?
Up until the beginning of this year I had never been involved in any book clubs and I never thought I would. I guess I didn’t like the idea of being told what to read because I can be quite picky. However as of January I have been sitting on the board of Rave Reviews Book Club and I must say I absolutely love being a part of it. It is a book club with a difference and if I want I can still be picky because there are so many members books to choose from however, I am enjoying reading the monthly read and have found an interest in books that I would never have naturally picked up.
Cool. Yes, Rave Reviews are going great guns. What’s your experience of the fantasy sci-fi network?
I have only just become a member of the fantasy sci-fi network as I didn’t before know of its existence. I have enjoyed reading a few articles written by its members and think that this is a great network for authors like myself.
You can read my review of her first book: The Titanian Chronicles here.
I caught up with Leisl the other day to find out more about her writing and the exciting world of Titania.
Hi Leisl, welcome to the Fantasy Sci-Fi Network. We're thrilled to have you here. When did you start writing and why?
There is sort of two answers to that… in one sense I have always been writer, as long as I could remember, although I never considered myself one and much of the time I kept my stories in my head. I made a lot of attempts at writing my stories down but in no time I would find myself focused on another storyline and the one I had begun would be cast aside.
About 11 years ago, while my baby boy was sleeping, I was in a creative mood and had an inspiration for a scene, that scene turned into a chapter and by the time I had finished writing that chapter I had the whole of Titanian Chronicles mapped out in my head… this is when I really became a writer as I just had to see the trilogy through.
It's been a while coming, so good on you for sticking with it. I've just read the first book and so hope there's not an eleven year wait for the second one. Please :-)
What other writing have you done?
At school I wrote stories for my friends, not short stories by any stretch of the imagination. Novels, that I would work on a chapter at a time during maths class for my friends to read at recess… to find out in the next instalment what happened to them.
I have also written a number of scripts for plays, as acting is another passion of mine.
Cool. What made you choose the fantasy genre?
I don’t know that I actually chose to write fantasy or whether it chose me. I had read the Dragonlance series by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman and had absolutely been enthralled by it so I’m sure it was an inspiration but the story of Titanian Chronicles came into my mind sort out of the blue. A picture on my computer desktop at the time of a full green moon reflecting in the water below being the only muse leading me into my first scene.
You sound well-rounded. Do you have another job outside of writing?
I’m a mum to four awesome kids.
Good on you. That's the best and sometimes most challenging job of all.
What type of books do you like to read?
I do like to read fantasy, obviously it is a genre I enjoy but actually my favourite books to read are crime thriller types and true crime fascinates me.
No wonder your characters run into so much trouble on their adventure ;-)
Who are your favourite authors?
I love Dan Brown, he hooks me in from the get-go.
John Grisham writes an gripping read but my fave so far has been ‘The Innocent Man’ which is actually a true story and is written more as a diary of events. I was absolutely enthralled by it. However I could not go past a good old Agatha Christie. I’ve read most of her books and have a huge collection of limited edition books that I picked up at a library book swap for cheap… that was a great day.
Awesome. I love book shops and hunting for rarities.
Who would you choose to read your audiobook?
Gerard Butler, I love his voice.
What’s your dream job and do you think you’ll do it one day?
I would love to be a crime detective, that would be my dream job. I’m studying criminology and criminal justice… so maybe its possible? But I would be happy just to continue writing.
Best of luck with your studies. It'll be interesting to follow your career and see how it influences your plots.
Where do you like to travel to?
Back home to Australia! Also… anywhere in Europe.
What’s your favourite pet?
I love dogs and horses but if I could have a dragon and a unicorn or Pegasus they would be my first preference.
Awesome. Me too. Maybe we could hang out at Hogwarts together.
Do you prefer ebook or hardcopy?
Being able to read an ebook is fantastic and super convenient, I love that I can download a book and start reading straight away, Its so easy to carry my ipad mini travelling and I can have multiple books to read while I’m away if I get the chance, also I carry my ipad just about everywhere so I can whip it out and read any time any place. It solves the problem of me liking to read in bed while my husband sleeps (we had arguments for years over the light on) but honestly I still love a hardcopy book. I love the smell, I love to turn the pages, I love it sitting on my shelf (gathering dust) and I will always buy hardcopy books of my fave reads.
You can be any fictional character for one day. Who would you be?
I would be Yvaine, the fallen star from Stardust.
I think she is beautiful, humble and strong, having a good combination of immortal and mortal qualities having fallen from the heavens. I love that she was a star who used to watch over the earth with fascination and long to be apart.
I’d also love to be a pirate.
Yvaine's a thoughtful answer. I'm with you on the pirate theme too, me hearty :-)
What book clubs are you in?
Up until the beginning of this year I had never been involved in any book clubs and I never thought I would. I guess I didn’t like the idea of being told what to read because I can be quite picky. However as of January I have been sitting on the board of Rave Reviews Book Club and I must say I absolutely love being a part of it. It is a book club with a difference and if I want I can still be picky because there are so many members books to choose from however, I am enjoying reading the monthly read and have found an interest in books that I would never have naturally picked up.
Cool. Yes, Rave Reviews are going great guns. What’s your experience of the fantasy sci-fi network?
I have only just become a member of the fantasy sci-fi network as I didn’t before know of its existence. I have enjoyed reading a few articles written by its members and think that this is a great network for authors like myself.
How do you develop your characters?
My acting experience plays into my character development… I take on the characters in my mind and in my demeanour when I write their dialogue. I feel their personalities as I figure out their motivations and histories and put myself in their position as I try to figure out who they are, where they come from and how they would realistically respond in any situation.
Which one of your characters would you like to be?
I would like to be Lenna. She goes through a lot in this book but she also grows much and becomes a really strong female character. I loved writing her journey and I was always right there with her.
She's a pretty adventurous elf alright. I like Afeclin too, the young human with magical powers and a mysterious past. I'm intrigued to see what will happen with him next. Who did the great drawings for your chapters?All the art was done by Kristen Caruana, she is already busy working on art for my next book and I tend to think she is AMAZING. She has the ability to take what is in my head and bring it to life on paper and she allows me to work very closely with her so we both end up with the results we are hoping for. All the art for my book is on display at our local library.
Your library sounds really supportive, which is wonderful!
What song would you choose as the theme song of your book?
Actually I do have a theme song for my book… no really!
One afternoon when I had been hard at work writing, I had to take a break to pick up my kids from school and as I sat in the car waiting for my kids to get out, listening to Aussie band Eskimo Joe, the song lyrics to their song Setting Sun started to meld with the story line playing in my head. I had listened to the song so many times before but this particular time I heard it in another way… I knew then that it was the theme song to my book. Not that I was looking for one… and at first I thought it was ridiculous but to this day I can’t listen to that song and not see the pages of my book come to life before my minds eye.
Very cool. I like Eskimo Joe too.
Thanks for sharing your story with us today, Leisl. Let's have a look at your new novel.
Book title: Titanian Chronicles – Journey of Destiny
Genre: Fantasy Adventure
Synopsis:
Afeclin walked nervously to the entry of the cottage. He held his breath as he passed over the threshold.
A little cradle was the only piece of furniture left in the building.
Afeclin touched the cradle delicately with one finger.
All of a sudden he fell backward onto the floor as an image of the fire burst into his mind...
He had seen a horrified face that screamed amongst red hot flames.
Found beyond the Elvin borders, Afeclin, a human child, is taken in and raised by an Elvin King. Now grown and longing to learn about the mystic arts, he embarks on a journey back into a land now unfamiliar. Accompanied by his elvin friend, Wolflang, they leave their homes to seek out their destiny. Unbeknown to Afeclin and Wolflang however, the warlord, Moorlan and his confederate, a dark mage, are preparing to bring war to the peaceful Land of Marrapassa, putting their lives and those they care about, in danger.
Publish date: September 10, 2013
Publisher: Createspace
Publish date: March 23, 2014
Publisher: Smashwords
My acting experience plays into my character development… I take on the characters in my mind and in my demeanour when I write their dialogue. I feel their personalities as I figure out their motivations and histories and put myself in their position as I try to figure out who they are, where they come from and how they would realistically respond in any situation.
Which one of your characters would you like to be?
I would like to be Lenna. She goes through a lot in this book but she also grows much and becomes a really strong female character. I loved writing her journey and I was always right there with her.
She's a pretty adventurous elf alright. I like Afeclin too, the young human with magical powers and a mysterious past. I'm intrigued to see what will happen with him next. Who did the great drawings for your chapters?All the art was done by Kristen Caruana, she is already busy working on art for my next book and I tend to think she is AMAZING. She has the ability to take what is in my head and bring it to life on paper and she allows me to work very closely with her so we both end up with the results we are hoping for. All the art for my book is on display at our local library.
Your library sounds really supportive, which is wonderful!
What song would you choose as the theme song of your book?
Actually I do have a theme song for my book… no really!
One afternoon when I had been hard at work writing, I had to take a break to pick up my kids from school and as I sat in the car waiting for my kids to get out, listening to Aussie band Eskimo Joe, the song lyrics to their song Setting Sun started to meld with the story line playing in my head. I had listened to the song so many times before but this particular time I heard it in another way… I knew then that it was the theme song to my book. Not that I was looking for one… and at first I thought it was ridiculous but to this day I can’t listen to that song and not see the pages of my book come to life before my minds eye.
Very cool. I like Eskimo Joe too.
Thanks for sharing your story with us today, Leisl. Let's have a look at your new novel.
Book title: Titanian Chronicles – Journey of Destiny
Genre: Fantasy Adventure
Synopsis:
Afeclin walked nervously to the entry of the cottage. He held his breath as he passed over the threshold.
A little cradle was the only piece of furniture left in the building.
Afeclin touched the cradle delicately with one finger.
All of a sudden he fell backward onto the floor as an image of the fire burst into his mind...
He had seen a horrified face that screamed amongst red hot flames.
Found beyond the Elvin borders, Afeclin, a human child, is taken in and raised by an Elvin King. Now grown and longing to learn about the mystic arts, he embarks on a journey back into a land now unfamiliar. Accompanied by his elvin friend, Wolflang, they leave their homes to seek out their destiny. Unbeknown to Afeclin and Wolflang however, the warlord, Moorlan and his confederate, a dark mage, are preparing to bring war to the peaceful Land of Marrapassa, putting their lives and those they care about, in danger.
Publish date: September 10, 2013
Publisher: Createspace
Publish date: March 23, 2014
Publisher: Smashwords
Extract with one of the great chapter drawings by Kristen Caruana.
A loud whirring sound dashed by Wolflang’s ear causing him to startle awake, lose his balance and fall off his horse. As he fell he rolled amongst the long grass. Grasping his bow and collecting an arrow from the leather quiver as he rolled, Wolflang made it back onto his feet with bow and arrow in hand, poised and ready to shoot. This manoeuvre was one that his father had taught him when he first started to learn the fine art. “Sometimes ya enemy will take ya by surprise,” Bargran would say, “so roll to the ground, collect ya gear and be ready to shoot him in the neck as soon as ya stand up.” Of course that was concerning wild animals but Wolflang had practiced it so much that he now did the manoeuvre with instinct. Wolflang had no idea what had flown passed his ear but he wasn’t about to take any chances.
By this time Afeclin had ridden back to assess the situation.
‘What’s going on?’ he asked sliding down off his horse.
‘Take cover, I’m not sure what’s out there.’
Just as Wolflang spoke another whirring sound buzzed past his ear.
‘We’re being shot at!’ called Wolflang turning around to the direction the arrow had come flying at him. ‘I can’t see anyone though and I can’t tell exactly where it came from.’
Wolflang studied the line of trees opposite him with caution. The forest was thick on either side of the path, for the most part comprising large bankoi trees with their strong trunks and feathered leaves of greens, reds and golds. Bankoi trees were said to be amongst the oldest known on Titania. They were not the tallest of trees but their bodies were thick and mighty with root systems that went deep into the ground. Standing beside the bankoi, the slender white traffita trees looked waif like and weak.
X-zaivacress vines wound their way around the traffita and bankoi, filling in the empty spaces between the trees like a patterned scarf with their rich green leaves and large deep violet flowers at the end of each arm.
Hiding in amongst the branches and vines was not a hard task. The elves had always used the security of the trees in Taybie Woods to gain advantage against enemies and intruders. From the concealed branches of the bankoi the elves were difficult to discern, let alone hit.
Afeclin was now squatting low in the long grass with his horse standing next to him protecting him on the side the arrows appeared to be coming.
‘How could you tell it was an arrow?’
‘I caught just a glimpse of it that time,’ Wolflang answered with slow breaths, concentrating on the woods all around him.
After a few minutes another arrow came at him from behind, this time plunging into the dirt, a foot away from him.
‘There must be more than one out there,’ Wolflang suggested in a loud whisper. ‘The arrows are coming from a few directions.’
Another couple of arrows came flying at Wolflang, one after the other. The arrows landed in the sand and again did not touch him at all.
‘Do you think somebody’s toying with me?’ Wolflang called to Afeclin, getting more frustrated with the situation. ‘Either that or they’re a very bad shot.’
A loud whirring sound dashed by Wolflang’s ear causing him to startle awake, lose his balance and fall off his horse. As he fell he rolled amongst the long grass. Grasping his bow and collecting an arrow from the leather quiver as he rolled, Wolflang made it back onto his feet with bow and arrow in hand, poised and ready to shoot. This manoeuvre was one that his father had taught him when he first started to learn the fine art. “Sometimes ya enemy will take ya by surprise,” Bargran would say, “so roll to the ground, collect ya gear and be ready to shoot him in the neck as soon as ya stand up.” Of course that was concerning wild animals but Wolflang had practiced it so much that he now did the manoeuvre with instinct. Wolflang had no idea what had flown passed his ear but he wasn’t about to take any chances.
By this time Afeclin had ridden back to assess the situation.
‘What’s going on?’ he asked sliding down off his horse.
‘Take cover, I’m not sure what’s out there.’
Just as Wolflang spoke another whirring sound buzzed past his ear.
‘We’re being shot at!’ called Wolflang turning around to the direction the arrow had come flying at him. ‘I can’t see anyone though and I can’t tell exactly where it came from.’
Wolflang studied the line of trees opposite him with caution. The forest was thick on either side of the path, for the most part comprising large bankoi trees with their strong trunks and feathered leaves of greens, reds and golds. Bankoi trees were said to be amongst the oldest known on Titania. They were not the tallest of trees but their bodies were thick and mighty with root systems that went deep into the ground. Standing beside the bankoi, the slender white traffita trees looked waif like and weak.
X-zaivacress vines wound their way around the traffita and bankoi, filling in the empty spaces between the trees like a patterned scarf with their rich green leaves and large deep violet flowers at the end of each arm.
Hiding in amongst the branches and vines was not a hard task. The elves had always used the security of the trees in Taybie Woods to gain advantage against enemies and intruders. From the concealed branches of the bankoi the elves were difficult to discern, let alone hit.
Afeclin was now squatting low in the long grass with his horse standing next to him protecting him on the side the arrows appeared to be coming.
‘How could you tell it was an arrow?’
‘I caught just a glimpse of it that time,’ Wolflang answered with slow breaths, concentrating on the woods all around him.
After a few minutes another arrow came at him from behind, this time plunging into the dirt, a foot away from him.
‘There must be more than one out there,’ Wolflang suggested in a loud whisper. ‘The arrows are coming from a few directions.’
Another couple of arrows came flying at Wolflang, one after the other. The arrows landed in the sand and again did not touch him at all.
‘Do you think somebody’s toying with me?’ Wolflang called to Afeclin, getting more frustrated with the situation. ‘Either that or they’re a very bad shot.’
Leisl's Links:
Blog: titanianchronicles.blogspot.ca
Facebook: facebook.com/titanianchronicles
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18470685-titanian-chronicles?ac=1
Twitter: @lawfabex
Book trailer: coming soon
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Titanian-Chronicles-Journey-destiny-1-ebook/dp/B00F3UYKZS
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/422214
Fantasy Sci-Fi Network:
The Fantasy & Sci-Fi Network is a collection of authors, bloggers, and reviewers who are passionate about finding and creating quality fantasy/sci-fi books which are also teen safe (G, PG, or PG-13 rated). The FSF Network believes it is possible to create fantastic works of fantasy and science fiction without resorting to graphic violence, explicitly harsh language, or sex.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FSFNet
FSFN website: http://fsfnet.com/
Twitter hashtag: #FSFNAuthor
Blog: titanianchronicles.blogspot.ca
Facebook: facebook.com/titanianchronicles
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18470685-titanian-chronicles?ac=1
Twitter: @lawfabex
Book trailer: coming soon
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Titanian-Chronicles-Journey-destiny-1-ebook/dp/B00F3UYKZS
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/422214
Fantasy Sci-Fi Network:
The Fantasy & Sci-Fi Network is a collection of authors, bloggers, and reviewers who are passionate about finding and creating quality fantasy/sci-fi books which are also teen safe (G, PG, or PG-13 rated). The FSF Network believes it is possible to create fantastic works of fantasy and science fiction without resorting to graphic violence, explicitly harsh language, or sex.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FSFNet
FSFN website: http://fsfnet.com/
Twitter hashtag: #FSFNAuthor