🏰 AUTHOR INTERVIEW: 'Call to War' Andi O'Connor

Andi O'Connor is the award-winning author The Dragonath Chronicles, The Vaelinel Trilogy, and The Legacy of Ilvania. She’s written multiple books, including the critically acclaimed Silevethiel, which is the 2015 Best Indie Book Award winner for Science Fiction/Fantasy, and the 2015 New Apple Official Selection for Young Adult. Silevethiel was also named to Kirkus Reviews' Best Books of 2013. Andi's short story collection, Redemption, is a 2014 Kindle Book Awards Semifinalist.
​
You can frequently find Andi as a ​guest panelist at Comic Cons throughout the country including the Rhode Island Comic Con, Philcon, Conclave, WizardWorld, and Chessiecon. Andi also writes for Niume where she provides writing tips, advice, and insight on her career as an author. You can connect with Andi on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. For more information, visit Andi’s website.

About the Book:

Darrak's adventure concludes with this thrilling finale of The Dragonath Chronicles!  

Following the betrayal of two of his trusted companions and a devastating battle in Mystandia, Darrak's talents are desperately needed by the citizens of both Earth and Dragonath. Torn with the

decision of where his loyalty should remain, he finally decides to confide in Andillrian. Together, they craft a plan they hope will save Darrak's home planet, but their optimism is short-lived.

The Hellborn's army has begun the march to war.

With less than two weeks of preparation remaining, their weaknesses become unavoidably apparent. Planning for defeat suddenly becomes as important as planning for victory. Darrak's insecurities continue until the moment the first arrows begin to fly. He can only hope that help from a few unlikely sources will be enough.

For if they fail, Dragonath will fall.

ORDER YOUR COPY:

Amazon

As a book bloggin’ and book luvin’ Princess, I’m always curious to find out how authors got the ideas for their books.  How did you come up with the idea for your book?

           

Call To War is the 3^rd book in my trilogy, so it follows the story set up in the first two books. I got the initial idea for The Lost Heir by wondering what it would be like if someone on Earth suddenly found they were the true heir to another planet and were suddenly expected to reclaim the throne.

Can you tell us what your book is about?

           

As I mentioned earlier, Call To War concludes the story set in The Lost Heir and Awakening. With the Hellborn’s army marching to war against Krémarra, Darrak and his allies find themselves severely outnumbered and outmatched. With help from a few unlikely sources that will hopefully turn the tide in their favor, they plan not only for victory, but for defeat as well. With everyone unable to fight secreted away to the island home of the dragons, Darrak and his allies wait for the first arrows to fly. The battle begins, and the futures of both Earth and Dragonath hang in the balance.

Can you tell us a little about the main characters of your book?

           

I don’t want to give too many details so I don’t spoil events from the first two books! But I will say that all of my characters are extremely complex, and I’ve actually had many people tell me that they don’t know if they should love or hate some of them, Mionee in particular, which is one of the best compliments someone could give me! Most of my characters are tormented with the decisions they’ve made and those they have yet to make. For example, although Darrak is from Earth, the story takes place on Dragonath. He wants to save his people on Earth, yet he’s also part of Dragonath. He’s the rightful heir to the throne and the one everyone is depending upon to save their world. He’s torn between the two planets. Where does he belong? Where should he go? Who should he save? Is either world really his home?

If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would that be?

           

Just write. Don’t worry about making it sound perfect the first time. That’s what drafts are for. Put your insecurities aside and just write.

What would you say is one of your interesting writing quirks?

           

I handwrite everything before typing it up and absolutely must sharpen my pencils before throwing them away. There are no exceptions. If I’m traveling, I’ll save my pencil in order to sharpen it when I get home before throwing it out.

Do you hear from your readers?  What do they say?

           

I do! Sometimes it’s just a note to say keep up the good work. Sometimes it’s to tell me how my books have touched them or what they particularly liked. They also contact me to see where I’ll be or ask questions about an event or upcoming book. Whatever it is, I absolutely love hearing from readers! Contact me more! Don’t be shy!

What is the toughest criticism given to you as an author?

           

A reviewer for the San Francisco Times left a scathing review for Silevethiel saying he couldn’t stand my work and that it was the tritest thing he’d ever read. It was my first ever bad review and came about a week after Silevethiel was named to Kirkus Reviews’ Best Books of 2013, so it absolutely devastated me because I thought maybe Kirkus was wrong and it really was uninteresting and poorly written. I then came to realize that it was only one person’s opinion, just as any other review. 

What has been the best accomplishment?

           

My book, Silevethiel, has won three awards, and Awakening was recommended by ForeWord Reviews as something for George R. R. Martin fans to read while they waited for his next book. I still can’t believe my books have actually received so much praise and recognition. It’s quite an amazing feeling and a wonderful accomplishment!

Do you Google yourself?

Absolutely not! I probably never will!

How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have?

           

Just one, although it’s the 3^rd book to my other series, so it’ll be finished by the end of the year and published in the spring of 2018. Then, I have to plan my next book or series! I do have a few short stories that are unpublished and unfinished though. I guess I should get my butt in gear and get them done!

Do you have anything specific that you would like to say to your readers?

           

Thank you for your support and encouragement! Being able to touch you with my work is so rewarding, and your kind words help get me through the days when I want to start a bonfire and burn all my notebooks. You mean the world to me, and I’m so honored you’re taking the journey with me!