Hello and welcome to my blog, Author Interviews. My name is Fiona Mcvie.

Let’s get you introduced to everyone, shall we? Tell us your name. What is your age?

I’m Elaina and write under my maiden name (Davidson), and, lol, age is relative!

Fiona: Where are you from?

From the southern tip of Africa, glorious Cape Town, but I now live in Ireland, which is a truly magical place. Love the Emerald Isle!

Fiona: A little about yourself (ie,  your education, family life, etc.).

Married, 3 kids (all adults now), 1 cat – her name is Sage and she was a feral cat – we tamed each other! -but I call her ‘baby’ and ‘girl’ and ‘baby-girl’ more than I use her name!

Fiona: Tell us your latest news.

I’ve just released Eurue: The Forgotten World, a standalone book with characters from my Lore series, as well as new personalities. Another book (The Kinfire Tree) is gong into production as an audio book, narrated by Thomas Bestwick. This is the second audio bookhe is doing for me and I’m REALLY excited about it.

Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?

Seriously can’t remember not reading and writing, but actual sitting down and doing it start to finish started around 2002.

Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?

After the first draft of my first book. There’s no sense of accomplishment quite like it!

Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?

While reading a dictionary of Alchemy terms I came across the 14 steps to enlightenment. Eureka! Light bulb moment! Those steps formed the basis, although much more is added in, of course.

Fiona: How did you come up with the title?

 For my latest?EURUE? It’s an ambigram, and just fit the contradiction of a world forgotten.

Fiona: Do you have a specific writing style? Is there anything about your style or genre that you find particularly challenging?

I’ve been told my style is lyrical, although I do try and keep it simple, lol. All writing is a challenge; I don’t find any particular aspect more challenging than another.

Fiona: How much of the book is realistic and are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

Little is based on reality, because it’s larger-than-life. Characters, though; I think characters are always based on people we know, have met or have read about. That’s what makes a fantastical tale relatable – people.

Fiona: To craft your works, do you have to travel? Before or during the process?

 I travel from my desk chair into realms unknown all the time!

Fiona: Who designed the covers?

The majority of my covers have been done by Gemma Poppet Rice (Southern Stiles Design), but EURUE’s was done by my daughter Cayla (Fox Creative Solutions).

Fiona: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

 EURUE tells us that what we think is the truth, isn’t. What we think resides in souls, doesn’t. Face value cannot tell the whole story.

Fiona: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?  Who is your favorite writer, and what is it about their work that really strikes you?

I love Fantasy and I adore BIG books, so my list of favourites is long, from big names to indie authors. Their imaginative settings and dilemmas inspire me, one and all. I read many genres via my Kindle app, but if I buy a physical book, it’s a BIG book and usually Fantasy.

Fiona: Outside of family members, name one entity that supported your commitment to become a published author.

Authonomy! Some of the authors I met there remain friends to this day and we supported each other then and do so now.

Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?

Yes, although those billions seem to be hiding away!

Fiona: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

Nope. I know the characters, I know the universe they are in; it flowed as meant.

Fiona: Did you learn anything during the writing of your recent book?

Lol, that I can write a 120k book in 6 weeks! Usually it takes me much longer, but this one just sprang onto the page. Editing, though, took more time.

Fiona: If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the lead?

 I haven’t yet come across a face that matches how I see Tristan. Perhaps my expectations are unrealistic …

Fiona: Any advice for other writers?

Write for YOU. Nothing is more important than that.

Fiona: Anything specific you want to tell your readers?

 I’m absolutely terrible at explaining my work; I prefer allowing my stories to tell the tale. Yet, there’s this: I write layered stories, multiple threads, and it can seem complicated, but those threads do tie together. I challenge you, readers, to delve into such complication! I promise that you will enjoy the journey with me. My best moments reading is when a situation challenges me, only to reach that point where it unravels and I go ‘oh, so that’s why!’ and I believe I will achieve that for you too.

Fiona: What book are you reading now?

A zombie book, actually, totally out of my comfort zone!The Dead Undone by Ellie Douglas.

Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?

Not specifically, but it was one of Enid Blyton’s Peter Rabbit type stories.

Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?

When we get together as a family I always end up laughing – we’re all crazy! I cry over the silliest things – an emotional scene in a book or movie, beautiful music, poetry that speaks to me, a majestic tree, the song of bird on a branch. Not all tears are sad.

Fiona: Is there one person, past or present, you would love to meet? Why?

Elon Musk, maybe, because he is turning how we think about things upside down.

Fiona: Do you have any hobbies?

House plants. I love how they reward the care and attention they receive, and prettify our surroundings.

Fiona: What TV shows/films do you enjoy watching?

BIG movies, such as Lord of the Rings and Star Wars, and series such as 12 Monkeys, Penny Dreadful and of course (!)Game of Thrones.

Fiona: Favorite foods, colors,  music?

Favourite food: Italian

Favourite colour: Green

Favourite music: Movie soundtracks – them BIG movies

Fiona: Imagine a future where you no longer write. What would you do?

Um, I’d probably end up editing what I’ve already written to the nth degree! No, seriously, not write? Doesn’t compute. But, okay, let’s say that day did arrive … I used to paint before painting with words grabbed me more, so I’ll probably take up brushes again.

Fiona: You only have 24 hours to live how would you spend that time?

 Talking to my kids, wherever in the world they are. If they are nearby, I’d talk and hug until time ran out.

Fiona: What do you want written on your head stone?

She has now re-entered the multiverse.

Fiona: Do you have a blog or website readers can visit for updates, events and special offers?

For general updates: Elaina’s Writing World https://elainajdavidson.blogspot.com/

My LORE Series Blog has updates and excerpts of all Lore books, including Eurue: https://theloreseries.wordpress.com/

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/elainajdavidson

Eurue: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NWZ21WV

Fiona, thank you for having me here! I appreciate this 😀