Today, I’m hosting an interview with Aofie Marie Sheridan, as a stop on her tour for The Saskia Trilogy. I have to admit, I was initially interested because I share a last name with the author, but these books also seem to be incredibly awesome.
Synopsis: Sarajane Anderson is your regular twenty one year old. With family, friends and a normal job. She also happens to be the only person who can save Saskia, a world parallel to earth.
When Sarajane is taken to Saskia, she could never have imagined the reality of the world she steps into, a world where magical abilities are in everyone’s possession.
She must face a father she never knew, a world that is beyond her belief. A guardian who captures her heart, and a darkness that wants to take it.
On this journey Sarajane discovers her magical abilities and realizes they come with a price. Sarajane is truly tested, as her loved ones are put at risk. The question she must ask herself is, how do you choose who lives and who dies? -Goodreads
Now, over to Aoife Marie!
SnarkyBird: How, and when, did you decide to become a writer?
AMS: I have always written but mostly poetry, it’s always been my way to deal with my emotions, no matter how big or small. Two years ago I lost two people I was close too. I had never lost anyone before, so I didn’t deal very well with it. One night I had a dream of a man and women on a horse, passing through a wall of fire. The dream lingered with me, as did my grief. So instead of writing poetry I started my story. My starting point was my dream and I worked my way from there. Eden Forest helped me once again deal with death, and all that comes with it. So in a way I am very grateful for this story.
I always wondered why God created us and what was our purpose, but those questions are unanswered. So in my story I give you the answers for this world called Saskia. In the story God creates a world parallel to ours, for four fallen angels.
Death is something that I also question now, like why do we die, is 60 to 90yrs of life enough, imagine having immortality what would one do to gain it? And that’s where a lot of my plot lies. The greed for immortality, for power’s that only God should wield, drives Saskia into war.
God decides to give one person all the powers that anyone could possess to banish evil, before it destroys Saskia and Earth. This one person happens to be a young lady called Sarajane Anderson who lives in the mortal world (Earth) but is actually from Saskia.
SnarkyBird: Where can we find your published writing?
AMS: I have my own website www.aoifemariesheridan.com
It displays my work, any links to where you can purchase my books, listen to my interviews, watch my book trailers and more.
SnarkyBird: What is a typical day like for you as a writer?
AMS: I work full time so, I write when I can, but always with pen and paper, never typing at first. I carry a pen and paper where ever I go and when an Idea comes to mind I jot it down. Also If I had any weird dreams (the ones that linger) I will keep them maybe for a different story. At present there are seven books I want to write. Since I started I just can’t stop.
SnarkyBird: What types of writing do you do?
AMS: My writing I would consider fantasy. I write about the impossible, of different worlds that have magic in them. I always feel this can’t be it. All us on this little planet, floating in the galaxy, there has to be so much more. We just haven’t discovered it yet. Maybe in a couple of hundred years people will look back and say “They know all along that there was more”. Well that’s what I like to think.
SnarkyBird: What are your favorite characters that you have created? Tell us about them
AMS: My favourite characters in Eden Forest would have to be,
Queen Bellona, she was the most interesting to write about. Bellona is all that is bad in the world she is a combination of people that I have crossed paths with in my life. But she does not represent one person alone. Through her I could vent the injustice of people’s ways, and display it.
Secondly would have to be Sarajane she plays the main Character. She is relatable as in she isn’t perfect. I created Sarajane with flaw, as we all have them. Mine can be that I am selfish so that’s the flaw I gave Sarajane.
I am surrounded by very strong women in my life, and I am grateful for this. I take a lot of their personalities and place them in my characters, or something they might do, or even a facial expression. I love to watch people’s reactions as they talk to me, if they stumble on a line, they may chew their lip, in an endearing way. I note it and file it way for later.
SnarkyBird: Do you find you “mentally edit” other writers’ works as you read them? Does doing this help you or bother you?
AMS: Yes which I absolutely hate. I am so much more aware now. It drives me spare. But in another way it makes me feel better that I am not the only one who makes mistakes. LOL.
Five for Fun:
What is your favourite non-alcoholic drink? Sprite I can’t get enough of it.
What is your favourite cartoon character? I would have to say Dora the explorer. My niece is a huge fan, and I think she is so cute.
What is your favourite movie of all time? Troy, I would watch it at least once a week. Brad Pitt is easy on the eyes.
What TV shows do you like to watch? I am not a fan of TV. I love movies or reading.
What do you like to do for fun or just to relax? Reading is my way of relaxing. Give me a book a glass of wine and I am a very content person.
You can find Aoife Marie Sheridan Online:
My website www.aoifemariesheridan.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Aoifemariesheri
Goodreads: Aoife Marie Sheridan
Twitter: @aoifesheri
