A warm welcome to Alyx Jae Shaw. Alyx, I am stoked to be interviewing you for Fallen Angel Reviews. I can't wait to get a glimpse into your amazing writing world. Let's jump right in.

When and how did you first realize that you wanted to become a writer?

Oh I came out of the womb writing. Seriously. Mom had a hell of a time with that old Underwood Upright...

When you started writing, how did you decide what genre you would be writing?

It decided for me. I read 'The Lord of the Rings' at age 12 and bang, that was it, I was a fantasy writer. I love fantasy because you can just run wild with your imagination.

What can you tell me about S.P.I.T. ? and explain it to our readers?

I can tell you it took forever to write because it was destroyed either accidentally or on purpose no less than eight times by various people, some of whom shall remain my Mom. That is actually where I came up with the unique form of immortality that the characters have, and when they make jokes about past lives they are in fact talking about previous incarnations of the book. I can tell you that I came up with the title while discussing existentialism with my best friend when eating lunch in a café that had been set up on a wrecked ship, that was cool. Basically 'Strange Place' is my answer to High Fantasy. I actually adore High Fantasy immensely, referring of course to books such as 'The Lord of the Rings', but what makes me crazy is how all the characters are so proud, noble and wise, and no one ever needs to go to the bathroom. Just ONCE I wished Aragorn would have said "Screw it, I'm going to Valinor. I don't get paid enough for this." I wanted to write fantasy but with characters that needed two cups of coffee in the morning.


The story is about a biker who accidentally ends up on a planet inhabited by Elves, Dragons, Dwarfs, and the usual fantasy riff-raff, and gets stuck in a sort of quest. Sort of Monty Python Meets the Odyssey.

Have you decided how many books there will be in S.P.I.T.?

Yes. Three. Because if I put in one more it won't be a trilogy and I don't know the word for a trilogy with four books in it.

You have stunningly beautiful limited editions of your books available, how did that come about?

That came about through pure good luck. Laura Thomson, who is the owner/editor of Doppelganger Press had been an avid reader of my work for years. So when she started up her publishing house, she approached me and asked if I would do the limited edition. Of course I said yes. I would have been out of my mind to turn her down. I would like to take a moment at this point if I may to mention that I have met a fair number of authors who seem to consider it "beneath them" to speak to their readers or have anything to do with them. If that had been my policy I never would have become published in the first place because no one would have wanted to help me. I certainly would have never been accepted by Doppelganger Press.

Would you share the links for your website and Limited Edition books with us?

But of course! Website: alyx.wozupdoc.net

Live Journal: alyx-j-shaw.livejournal.com

Doppelganger Press Edition of SPIT:
doppelgangerpress.com/spit/spit.html

Torquere Editions: alyx.wozupdoc.net/thebooks.html

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

Well I once taught a Panther Grouper to roll over. That was cool. Uh… once managed to hit myself with a rock star's car, that was cool too. Basically… well I guess I would have to say my son. I mean look what he had for a mother and he's still sane. Yeah I would say he was my greatest accomplishment.

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

I don't know, really. Funny things set off sparks. I can create a whole scene from a word or a sound. I derive a great deal of inspiration from my animals, and I know I have a tendency to reverse-anthropomorphize my characters, meaning give them animal attributes…

No not THOSE attributes you pervert! Good grief! Honestly did your mother teach you to think like that?

I think I would have to say music. If I don't have music I can't write.

Since everybody needs a break, even when doing something they love, how do you like to spend your time away from writing?

SIMS rule!! LOL!! I adore SIMS! I am also hopelessly addicted to certain TV shows, like Canada's Worst Driver, and Metalocalypse. I'm also mad about scary movies.

I can't help myself, I have to ask, have you found that husband under the laundry yet?

Yes I did. I found him in the bottom of the hamper and took him out, but he seemed so unhappy when removed from his natural environment that I had to put him back. I occasionally throw a tuna sandwich in for him.

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

Yes. My recipe for Wassail.

WOOHOO, I LOVE Wassail, thanks for sharing!

WASSS-SAAAAAIL!
The word, 'Wassail', actually is a bastardization of the Anglo-Saxon toast "Wass hael!", which means "Be well." Now you have your own bit of useless trivia to add to those pained silences while you are sitting with a pack of relatives wondering why in hell you invite these people over every year. Of course after a couple glasses of this stuff you probably won't care.

1 cup water (Stop yelling, it gets better!)
2 cups sugar
1 tablespoon nutmeg
2 teaspoons ground ginger
6 whole cloves
1/2 teaspoon Allspice
2 sticks cinnamon
12 eggs (Look just trust me on this, okay?)
4 bottles of sherry (I told you it got better.)
Three cups brandy

In a large pot, combine water, sugar, and spices and simmer over medium heat. In separate pots, also heat the wine and brandy. While that is happening, separate your eggs. Beat the yolks until they are thick and sort of lemon-coloured. Beat the whites until they are thick and frothy. Now! Here comes the fun part. If you're me you can dress up in your ceremonial robes, light incense, and chant the lyrics to In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida while mixing this to scare the crap out of your Born-Again brother-in-law, who's dead certain you've hexed the gravy. Carefully begin mixing and stirring all the ingredients, saving some of the egg white and brandy for last. Then pull out the cauldron-sized punchbowl you will need. (I use the metal bowl I mix bread dough in.) Serve the whole strange frothing, steaming thing to your company. Instant family bonding!

Thank you so very much for taking the time to interview with Fallen Angel Reviews. It was a great pleasure and not to mention a whole heck of a lot of fun!

The pleasure was all mine! Happy holidays and Wassail!

Interviewed by: Dawnie