Intervew With Debut Author Stephanie Draven

Blog tour: Stephanie Draven interviews me on her blog. We exchanged interviews, how cute is that?

Also blogging at The Ron Empress about Surface culture vs. Deep culture in writing.

And I’m absolutely thrilled to be interviewed by Patricia Rice, one of my adopted writing mentors, on Word Wenches Monday. This is also where Mary Jo Putney hangs out. Mary Jo gave me an awesome cover quote and was the first author to put Wing Chun in romance in The China Bride. Please come by Monday and make me look like a cool kid amongst these bestselling ladies! Pretty please?!

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I am quite thrilled to feature debut author Stephanie Draven on the blog today. Stephanie writes paranormal romance for Harlequin Nocturne and historical romance as Stephanie Dray. Her paranormal debut, Poisoned Kisses, releases on October 1st. Her historical debut, Lily of the Nile, recounts the story of Cleopatra’s daughter Selene and will be available January 2011.

I was first introduced to her writing through her Nocturne Bites, Midnight Medusa and Wild, Tethered, Bound where she weaves Greek mythology in seamlessly with relevant modern stories of war, survival, and the illuminating and healing power of love. Like the classic Greek myths, Stephanie Draven’s stories feature strong heroines facing hard decisions which make them a perfect addition to finish out Warrior Women month.

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Thanks for having me on your blog, Jeannie!

Jeannie: One of the things that sets your Mythica stories apart is the focus on the Greek monsters as heroes. What inspired you to focus on the monsters versus the usual gods and heroes?
Stephanie: Gods and heroes are usually representations of the human ideal, and even though the Greek pantheon could be a squabbling dysfunctional family, they generally reflect what mere mortals aspire to be. Monsters, by contrast, represent our deepest, darkest, most primal fears. Not just our fears about the evil forces of the world that might do us harm, but also our fears about what evil might lurk beneath our own skin. For most people in our country, the last decade has been pretty rough. Fiction has become darker and darker as if to reassure folks that things could be even worse.

I also write pretty dark, but I like to use it as a vehicle to appeal to our better angels. You might be faced with monstrous circumstances and you may have even performed a monstrous act or two yourself, but that doesn’t have to define who you are, and it doesn’t mean a little bravery and a lot of love can’t transform your life. So I try to write about that.

On a more personal note, I’ve never been as interested in stories about the struggles of pretty golden people as I have been interested in stories about the ugly malcontents who manage to hack out a happy ending for themselves.

Jeannie: What’s your favorite lesser known Greek myth and why?
Stephanie: I’m afraid this is going to make me sound very bloodthirsty, but my favorite lesser known myth is the story of the Danaids. They were the fifty daughters of Danaus who were forced to marry the fifty sons of their uncle Aegyptus. They were all very unwilling brides, and decided that they would each kill their husbands on the wedding night. When their new husbands came to ravish them, they would all have a dagger waiting. But one of the Danaids had a change of heart when her bridegroom approached her with loving gentleness and told her he wouldn’t take her virginity without her consent. By morning, forty-nine of the husbands were dead. It’s a gruesome tale that ends badly for just about everyone–the Danaids were cursed to carry jugs of water with holes in them, and the one sister who didn’t murder her husband was imprisoned–but its still a story about female self-determination and those were rare in Greek stories. It’s a story about women capable of protecting themselves and making their own choices, but also of showing compassion when treated with respect.

(Jeannie: Most Greek myths are pretty bloody aren’t they?)

Jeannie: How has your legal career shaped your approach to writing?
Stephanie: It made me work very hard at my writing so that I won’t ever have to practice law again…oh, uh, you had a different kind of answer in mind, I’ll bet. Okay, let me try again. I suppose the most obvious influence over my writing is that even though many of my heroes and heroines are vigilantes, the overall message of my stories have a serious law and order bent to them.

Jeannie: What made me sit up and notice immediately when reading your Nocturne Bites was your portrayal of the casualties of war and the complex journey of recovery and healing. I also noticed that you are involved with several charities for veterans. What drew you to this theme?
Stephanie: I’m of the opinion that you probably haven’t lived a very full life if you haven’t been dealt a few brutal emotional wounds along the way. We all suffer, we all struggle to heal from our own private tragedies, and I suspect that makes it easier for all of us to identify with the plight of soldiers who have suffered on our behalf. I have several veterans in my family, and I try to be sensitive and respectful to their sacrifices.

Jeannie: Dream “research” vacation. What is it?
Stephanie: Best question ever! Excuse me while I enjoy my little fantasy here…I want to spend a month in Italy walking through the ancient Roman ruins, having a picnic in the sun-drenched hills of Tuscany, frolicking in the sunflower fields, envisioning ancient life in the ashes of Pompeii. But those are all things I could actually do, given enough money. Less possible in the current climate is the month-long cruise down the Nile in Egypt I want to take. But maybe, some day…

Jeannie: Wonderful answers. Thank you Stephanie!

Poisoned Kisses is in bookstores now as well as available from eHarlequin, Amazon, Borders, and Barnes & Noble. Having just finished this modern day story of an immortal nymph and a war-forged hydra, I can guarantee that anyone who loves strong heroines and heart-wrenching conflict will not be disappointed. I loved this story from start to finish and could not put it down. Learn more about Stephanie Draven at http://www.stephaniedraven.com.

Warrior Women: Interview with Linda Heenan

Review Round-Up: Butterfly Swords received a  9 1/2 star review and Top Pick from The Season. The Taming of Mei Lin received a 4 star review from Romantic Times in a web exclusive review.Requires registration to the RT site to view. Victoria Dixon also has a review of The Taming of Mei Lin on the Ron Empress blog.

Blog tour: I discuss setting as character as well as the concept of “jianghu” at the Romantic Times blog in their Around the World in Fiction feature.

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Today I’m very excited to welcome Linda Heenan to Warrior Women month. I found Linda while browsing sword fighting forums and was immediately struck by the fact that she had studied both Eastern and Western sword fighting techniques.  Her website, Chinese Swords Guide, is a treasure trove of information.

Linda teaches sword fighting seminars and is active in re-enactment groups. Despite her busy schedule, she generously agreed to be interviewed for Warrior Woman month. Welcome Linda!

Jeannie: What first drew you to swordfighting?
Linda: I’d never thought much about swords or any kind of martial arts until my children were in highschool. Then, one day, I was walking through the local markets and spotted a stall with swords for sale. I asked to look at one. It was only a cheap wallhanger but I didn’t know that then. As I held it, something seemed to grip me. It sounds weird, and I’m definitely not a person who goes in for weirdness, but I’d have to say the sword called to me. I knew in that moment I had a decision to make – either learn to use one properly, or never touch a sword again.

Later that week, I did an internet search on sword related subjects. What interested me most was a writer’s website. The roleplayers were writing a swordfight move by move. This seemed quite harmless, and a good way to get started. So I joined the site and began learning enough to write swordsmanship scenes. In the process, I met some writers who were into real swordsmanship and other martial arts. My character began to write jian swordsmanship at the suggestion of one of those writers. Then, two of them suggested I read teacher Scott Rodell’s book and get his DVD, to make my writing more authentic. I did this and liked what I saw so much, I decided to contact the author. I found him on a forum and expressed my interest in his style of swordsmanship. To cut a long story short, he became my teacher and fourteen months later, i met him at a seminar I’d organised for him in Australia.

Jeannie: How many different styles have you studied?
Linda: I’ve studied three Chinese sword styles – jian, dao and miaodao, with Sifu Rodell. I’ve also trained in highlander broadsword, German and English longsword, with Paul Wagner. I’ve touched on several other Europenan styles and a lesson or two in Japanese. I also regularly meet with a 12th century reenactment group.

Jeannie: What would you consider the primary differences between Western and Eastern swordfighting?
Linda: There are more similarities than differences. Many sword strikes are the same with similar swords from the West or East. This is not surprising. There are only so many ways you can use a sword. Chinese swordsmanship has some very clear differences in the way the body moves. While many styles from Europe and Asia use whole body movements, the Chinese styles are based in internal martial arts. The movements do not come purely from muscular action combined with stepping, as they do in so many styles. They follow taiji principles. This is why so many Asian sword styles are part of a complete martial arts system passed down from teacher to student in unbroken lineages. The empty hand skills flow on into the weapons training. In Chinese swordsmanship, all movements flow from the weighted leg, are directed through the waist, and out through the sword. It’s like turning on a hose. The movements flow with minimal muscular effort.

Jeannie: What would you say are the main ways studying the sword has changed your life or your way of thinking?
Linda: Any martial art challenges discipline, character and determination. I was good at almost everything I tried, as a child. I was top of my class, always winning things, and believed i could acheive anything I wanted to in life. When I took up swordsmanship in mid life, I was not very good at it. I had to work hard and practise a lot. Also, I had the attention of a teacher for the first time in my life. At school, when you’re top of the class, the teacher leaves you to it, or uses you as an assistant, while spending all his time with the children who need help. So I flew under the radar. No one ever challenged me. When I began learning sword, that all changed. Suddenly everything was being scrutinised. I had to use a lot of determination to learn, put up with being a slower student and work very hard.

I also lost quite a lot of weight, regained flexibility, and improved my health. I’ve always been a person who thinks nothing is impossible if you really want to achieve it. Through doing sword, I’ve realised that is usually true. Sometimes the reality is, you can only go to your own best level. I’ve learnt that my best is worth enjoying and anyone can use a little to achieve a lot in life.

Jeannie: Let’s talk swords for a moment. They always like to compare weapons from different cultures in shows like Deadliest Warrior. I know the effectiveness of the sword depends on the its purpose and function, but what would you say is the ultimate sword? East or West?
Linda: There really is no ultimate sword. The best sword is the best one for the job and the one the swordsman has the best control over. There is almost a cult following for the katana, for example, but a Chinese swordsman will nimbly step out of the way of a huge katana strike and come back with a simple cut to the top of the arm while the other sword is out of the way. I know. I did that to a 30 year trained katana swordsman when I was a two year beginner. Then he got angry and cracked a bone in my arm.

There is no best sword, only best swordsmen. If a swordsman can stay calm and in control, they win the fight, no matter which sword they are using as long as it is appropriate to the time. For example, when plate armour became common, slashing swords were of little use. Thrusting swords, solid, stiff, and pointed, almost like stakes, were the only things that could penetrate the armour. There are good swords for horseback battle, for formation fighting, and for individual battle. No sword can do everything.

Jeannie: In your opinion, what’s the best sword for an average woman who’s not that brawny?
Linda: It is usually best for for a woman to choose a lighter sword – under a kilo. Men are a lot more muscular and can work with heavy swords more easily. If a woman is small and light, she might take advantage of the quick movements used with a rapier. I chose the jian. It is light enough to wield easily, good for both cutting and thrusting, and extremely versatile.

Jeannie: So….could a little gal actually take on a big strong guy like they show in the movies?
Linda: Yes. A well trained woman with the right sword in her hand could definitely get the best of a man in a sword fight. Since she probably has less height and shorter arms, she would be best using a one handed sword and using her flexibility and speed. It has a lot to do with anticipating the move before it comes. In jian swordsmanship we use expressions such as he moves first but I arrive first. You have to use all of your senses to know what is coming, while at the same time, not committing to any particular strike until your opponent has committed to something that will take him momentarily out of the way. The harder he strikes, the longer it is to come back from the momentum. A good swordswoman lets the theif in the doof, so to speak, and then voids, leading the strike into emptyness, creating a hollow to attack.

Jeannie: What would you say is your favorite sword fight scene from any movie? How realistic is it?
Linda: I love the first fight in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon because there is so much action. Of course, it’s not realistic. It’s almost magical. However, it does show off the athletic ability and speed of Chinese swordsmanship, and it does use my favourite sword. Although many movie swordfights are choreographed, there still has to be a lot of training and skill behind the movements.

Jeannie: Who’s your favorite Warrior Woman?
Linda: Fu Hao, of the Shang Dynasty, stands out as a woman who achieved more than most. She rose above the accepted station of women to become a general in the early Chinese army. She led successful campaigns against attacking tribes, cared for her warriors and was a priestess of her day – another role usually left to men. The warriors and politicians of the Shang recognised her with the highest possible honour, burying her with over a hundred weapons. Among them, four battle axes, the symbol of greatest military prowess. Even after all this time, she is an inspiration to any women who think they still live in a man’s world. We really can be what we want to be.

Jeannie: Thank you Linda! I’ve learned so much more (and have so many more ideas for my stories) just from reading this interview. Leave any questions or comments and I’m sure Linda will respond when she has time.

In the meantime, this isn’t the first sword fight from Crouching Tiger, but it gives you a good view of the swords. Zhang Ziyi’s Green Destiny is an example of jian where Michelle’s double swords are an example of dao.

Also, check out the Warrior Women interviews with kung fu instructor, Mandy Sayah and stuntwoman, Luci Romberg.

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