She must learn to fight in the shadows — or die in the flames. This is not a fairy tale.
Áine (On-yah) lives in the light, but she is haunted by darkness, and when her fey powers blaze out of control, she escapes into the Shadowlands. But she cannot outrun her past. Fire fey and a rising darkness threaten the light, burning a path across the veil. Her fiery dreams come to life, and with the help of Hennessy, an uninhibited Irish girl, Áine dives into the flames to discover who she truly is. Her mother burned to keep her secret safe, and now Áine wields the deadly Eta. She must learn to fight in the shadows — or die in the flames. This is not a fairy tale.
Kate Ristau is an author, folklorist, and the Executive Director of Willamette Writers. She is the author of three middle grade series, Clockbreakers, Mythwakers, and Wylde Wings, and the young adult series, Shadow Girl. You can read her essays in The New York Times and The Washington Post. Kate is the Producer of the Nebula Awards, the Chair of the Tigard Public Library Board of Directors, and the Vice-President of the Oregon Poetry Association. Meet her online at Kateristau.com.
Avis: Welcome to another episode of Your Next Favorite Author! I am so excited to welcome middle grade/YA author Kate Ristau! Kate is a full-time writer and executive Director of the Willamette Writers a group that covers the entire state of Oregon, as well as a board member of the Oregon Poetry Association, and many more writing affiliations!
I am excited to talk with Kate about writing craft today, which leads us to our first question:
What is the most difficult part of your artistic process?
Kate: I tend to write my first drafts in a sprint, building the story and telling it to myself. Revisions take me forever, as I build out the characters and the world. Sometimes, I wish I was more of a planner, outlining my story beforehand, but I know I never will be. My favorite part of writing is uncovering the story – chasing down the plot and revealing the twists and turns.
Avis: Well, you certainly are a master at finding the story! I’ve read two of your series, The ClockBreakers Series, and The Shadow Girl Series. I loved the way your stories build and develop and take us on a journey that is filled with unexpected twists and turns! Revision takes me forever as well, and I think it’s because I too am a pantser with a bit of plotting thrown in. The next question is:
How long on average does it take you to write a book?
Kate: My first drafts take less than a month. They are fun and joyful. Revising is a whole other ball game (and I’m terrible at sports). It probably takes me about a year to complete a revision, though a lot of that time is actually sitting and thinking. I have to work a few things out in my head before I start fixing them on paper.
I’m working on a problem like that right now in one of my stories. I gave the characters too much magic, and I’m trying to figure out the limits of that magic. Once I’ve got that figured out, I’ll go back to that story. I’m working on other projects in the meantime.
Avis: I love this response! Juggling different projects keeps you on your toes, I’m sure! Revision for publication is a study in details, details, and more details!
Here’s our next question:
What is your favorite childhood book and why?
Kate: I loved Greek mythology – all those stories of gods and monsters. I liked the heroes too, but I never really connected with them. I connected with the story – the overcoming. Then I started to think to myself: what other stories are out there? What haven’t we heard or read or celebrated?
Avis: I love that about all of your stories! You choose a culture or a country and focus on their folklore and heroes, their gods and goddess! I love it! It’s what makes your stories unique, yet even between your different series, they are all connected by that focus on myth, folklore, and the crazy characters they develop. You take them to a new level. 😊
Our last question is:
What other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you become a better writer?
Kate: I am a HUGE believer in writing community. I love talking about writing and connecting with other writers. I also love reading – I’m constantly working through stories and poems. I actually think the two most important things for any writer is reading and connecting. One builds your craft and the other builds your life!
Avis: You do both so well, and you are my role model. 😊 Reading is so important and I know most writers are voracious readers, but I’m not sure all writers seek out community, and that’s what I find important too!
I’m so glad you were my guest today, and it’s exciting to hear a bit about your ideas and world of creating and writing! For more information about Kate’s work visit her webpage, and see her social links listed below!
Also, scroll for a review of her Clockbreakers Series, because I couldn’t read just one. 😊
Socials:
https://www.facebook.com/ristawesome
https://www.instagram.com/kateristau
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm3r4Q2kbHf-fXhOZJgXekg
Review by Avis M. Adams
Kate Ristau’s middle grade fantasy novel, Asterion’s Curse. is the first book in her Clockbreakers Series. Ristau, a folklorist and storyteller, creates a hero whose name is as important and specific to the story as the key. Eleven-year-old Charles Kleis the 15th, or Char, or Charlie is our wheelchair bound, female protagonist. As the first child in her family, she had to have that name or none of this story would have happened.
Ristau’s characters that leap off the page, and Charlie most of all.
When her dad decides to throw her a birthday, Charlie isn’t onboard, but she loves her grandfather who happens to be rich. He lives in a mansion filled with weird doors, and he throws her the most extravagant birthday party, just what she never wanted.
Dad and Grandfather have something they need to tell her, but when the doorbell rings, and Charlie answers, she accepts a key from a tall man in a dark suit, Mr. Prom, who speaks with an accent, and he’s looking for her. The key has an intricate, delicate, and elegant design, she becomes attached, almost addicted, to it.
It comes with a “small price,” a strand of her hair, which she freely give the man so she can keep the key. Her best friend, Maria, is wary of the deal, but Mr. Prom disappear. Charlie doesn’t care. She has the key.
She’s returns to her party, which is in full swing, when her grandfather rushes to her disheveled and asking if she’d accepted a key. Charlie confirms his worst fears, and our adventure begins.
Grandfather informs her that her father has been kidnapped by evil automatons, and Charlie must use the key to find him. With Trent and Maria by her side she turns the key in the door’s lock, and the room filled with light.
Ristau masterfully crafts a portal, a means to transport her young protagonist into Ancient Greece and the famous Labyrinth of the Minotaur, Asterion, who just happens to know her dad. As a matter of fact, he has known many of the Charles Kleises through the ages. The last words Charlie spoke to her father are seared on her brain, and new she wants to rescue him and apologize. If the only way to do that is with the help of a minotaur named Asterion, her frenemy Trent, and her best friend Maria so be it.
Charlie and her friends learn they have powers in this strange land. Trent has super strength. Maria has super speed, and Charlie has the brains to plan their attacks and figure stuff out. Asterion understands the Ancient Greek world they are in, and all four of them work together to fight and win the battle between Prom and his automatons. They must win if Charlie ever wants to see her dad again.
Asterion’s Curse sets up The Clockbreaker Series as an epic journey of three friends who must fight along the Minotaur, Asterion, against the evil Prom to reunite Charlie and her father and finbally reunite Asterion with his sister.
Asterion’s Curse, Book 1 in the Clockbreaker Series will appeal to readers who love myth and folklore, magic, and adventure. And great news, each book in the series takes our heroes to another land and their myths, gods, and goddesses. Hang on to your butts for the ride of your life, and look for Morrigan’s Revenge, Book 2, and The End of Time, Book 3! Five-stars
Avis M. Adams 