Hi Bryn! Welcome to Fallen Angel Reviews! Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to visit with us.

In your story Late Night Sessions, your heroine is dealing with both bereavement and the new emotions of a new man. What inspired you to write a romance with such two different emotions?

This book was actually quite personal for me. It grew out of the combination of a new and very intense friendship, and finding out that someone I admire and adore was dying (happily she’s still with us, but still very ill). When I started the book I was in a very odd place. At first I didn’t think about it consciously and just wrote the first scene off the top of my head. When I went back to it, the other things going on in my life fed in, and the story just grew from there. I have a lot of friends who are a lot older than me – more than thirty years in some cases, so I’m very aware of death, that there are people you only get to love for a little while.

Per your website, I see that you are currently working on a release titled Strange Fruit which appears to be book three in the Estraguil novels. Can you give us a hint about what we might find in this one?

This is something of an epic – Estraguil is a magical forest, in which I’m setting both straight fantasy, and erotic fantasy novels. Each book is a stand-alone. How on earth to explain ‘Strange Fruit’? I’ve written 80 pages, but I still don’t know exactly where it’s going. When careless people who cut and burn the trees take up residence in Estraguil, the trees at the heart of the forest dream into being individuals who can chase the invaders out. It doesn’t all go to plan – Iylla, the first ‘fruit’ becomes emotionally entangled with the incomers, then their god decides to fight back. There’s plenty of action, adventure and passion, and it’s all quite strange, even by my usual happy standards.

What is your favorite type of genre to write?

I think that’s got to be fantasy, because you have so much scope, and there’s always room to bring in other elements – romance, whodunit (‘Tara’s Honour’, which isn’t out yet, is a murder mystery). It’s also a great challenge – to make something truly different, that makes sense and convinces readers of its reality.

From what do you derive the most inspiration for your writing?

The people around me. I’ve been blessed with some amazing friends – unusual, creative people who have lived colourful lives and don’t mind sharing their stories. They are muses for me, I spend time with them, and stories happen. They are a generous and long suffering crowd as well. Other than that, myths, folklore and music, the natural world and great books are also significant influences.

Do you have any special rituals to help you get in the mood to write?

It’s rare for me not to be in the mood to write! The problems I have are more about finding time and fending of a three year old who thinks my laptop is the best toy ever.

How do you spend your time away from writing?

I run a folk club, and gig in a folk duo – I sing and play the violin. Music is very important to me. I run a pagan moot and am involved with rituals and gatherings. I also work as a volunteer for the Pagan Federation UK. I act in a mumming side (folk theatre), run a couple of meditation groups, play with my lunatic child. I read a lot, listen to radio 4, I’m keen on baking, wine making … I think that’s most of it. I’m one of these people who doesn’t stop very often.

Tell your fans something about you they would never guess.

When I was born, I had pointed ears like a pixie – I only found out when my son turned up, as he was the same. Gran tells me it’s from the Cornish side of the family – piskie blood! The points soften out in the first year so it sadly isn’t obvious any more.

Can you tell us one of your favorite things about where you live?

Aside from the wonderful people, Redditch is very green for a town, and has some patches of ancient oak woodland, which I love.

Of all things you have accomplished, is there one accomplishment you are most proud of?

I’m in an anthology due out in November – ‘Stirring Up a Storm’ – alongside Margaret Atwood, who I idolize. That’s been the best thing for me so far.

How do you know what to name your books or the characters?

Book names seem to just manifest, sometimes I start with a title, sometimes they turn up at the end, but I seldom have to work for them, they just happen to me. Characters are another matter - I can spend ages staring at a screen agonizing over what to call a bit-part. Sometimes names just come to me, but usually I have to work at it. I’m very careful the names fit the setting and period, I hate anachronistic names. I love archaic names so I draw heavily on Celtic and Viking sources. I also like using names that mean things – Mist, Rain, Sword etc. I’m not big on just making up random sounds.

Do you have a character that is especially close to your heart?

I think whichever ones I’m working on at the time are always closest to my heart. Liss in ‘Illyan Daughter’ is probably my favorite at the moment.

What appeals to you the most about this character?

Of all the women I’ve written, she’s closest to how I am – I have a very aggressive streak that I don’t show, but Liss does. Admittedly my life isn’t quite as confused and complex as hers, but her quest for identity and her ambivalence about a lot of things is more me than not.

Can you tell us a little about your other upcoming works?

I’ve got a few things in the offing – ‘The Enormous Parsnip’ – short bawdy twisted fairy tale due out at Whiskey Creek Press this month, ‘Victorian Taboo’ which I co-wrote with Emy Naso is due out next month at Venus Press. That was so much fun to write, and I know how lucky I was getting the chance to work with him. Next year I’ve got a straight fantasy novel ‘On Borrowed Wings’ out at Whiskey Creek press. There’s other things in the pipeline as well, but I’m less certain where they are going, or when.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

Life’s too short not to live it to the full. I believe in taking risks, seizing the moment, acting your shoe size not your age, falling in love. Laughter, love, friendship, good music. Home made food, sunlight, moonlight and a wonderful story – these are the sorts of things that really matter, the rest is just distraction.

Thank you so much for stopping by Bryn. We appreciate you taking some time to visit with us today and look for forward to speaking to you again in the future. For anyone looking for a tantalizing tale stop by the Bryn website, http://bryncolvin.mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/, to see what you are missing.

Interviewed by: Jessica