Ask the Author: Andi O'Connor
Answered Questions (6)
Andi O'Connor
I'm so glad you loved the series! There most certainly will be more stories in The Legacy of Ilvania! I'm working on the 5th currently, and there will be more after that. Though, I'm not sure how many! I'll keep going until my writerly senses tingle and tell me it's done. :)
Thanks for the question! :)
Thanks for the question! :)
Andi O'Connor
Never stop asking questions but stay true to your voice and message. Really think of why you're writing and what your main goal is, and always keep that close to your heart.
Andi O'Connor
Thank you for your question! The characters in The Dragonath Chronicles are all rather complex and evolve in some surprising ways, so I don't want to give too much away! But I will certainly tell you a little about the heroines!
Many of the characters are women, but Darrak relies heavily on two in particular. Andillrian is a warrior and tracker, and Anarra is a sorceress. They both have extremely different personalities, but neither of them hesitates to enter a fight in defense of Darrak or any of their other companions.
As I said earlier, my characters are complex. Most have troubled backgrounds, which of course plays a part in their weaknesses. Understanding their companions' difficulties is extremely important for all my characters, not just the heroines. They all have their strengths, but the battle cannot be won by just one of them. They need to work together, and in order to do so, they must learn of each others' pasts and sympathize with the difficulties they've faced. And of course, some are more reluctant to open up than others.
The rest you'll have to find out on your own! ;)
Thanks again for the question! I hope this helps!
Many of the characters are women, but Darrak relies heavily on two in particular. Andillrian is a warrior and tracker, and Anarra is a sorceress. They both have extremely different personalities, but neither of them hesitates to enter a fight in defense of Darrak or any of their other companions.
As I said earlier, my characters are complex. Most have troubled backgrounds, which of course plays a part in their weaknesses. Understanding their companions' difficulties is extremely important for all my characters, not just the heroines. They all have their strengths, but the battle cannot be won by just one of them. They need to work together, and in order to do so, they must learn of each others' pasts and sympathize with the difficulties they've faced. And of course, some are more reluctant to open up than others.
The rest you'll have to find out on your own! ;)
Thanks again for the question! I hope this helps!
Andi O'Connor
My inspiration comes from both real events and my imagination, and there isn’t really a heavy sway to one side or the other. I can’t tell you how many things just come to me. People always ask how I come up with certain things, and usually they end it with ‘And please don’t tell me you just thought of it!’ I hate to disappoint them, but that is how a great deal of my writing happens. It just comes to me. An idea springs out of nowhere, I start writing, and the characters/events take me through. I never outline, and I come up with a lot of my ideas on the spot as I write.
But I also get a lot of ideas from real situations, issues, and people. There are similarities between many of my characters’ personalities and those of people I know. And I frequently use real issues and events as inspiration. I got the idea for one of my short stories from a local trial. In my short story series, The Legacy of Ilvania, I touch on the topics of slavery in Redemption and abortion in Reclamation, which is due to be released in late August. Equality – and how people are viewed as inferior - is a huge issue that I touch on in all of my writing. As you can imagine, I take female equality the most personally, and that is a recurring theme across every one of my series. I think including topics such as these makes the story more realistic and personal to my readers, even if it is fantasy.
But I also get a lot of ideas from real situations, issues, and people. There are similarities between many of my characters’ personalities and those of people I know. And I frequently use real issues and events as inspiration. I got the idea for one of my short stories from a local trial. In my short story series, The Legacy of Ilvania, I touch on the topics of slavery in Redemption and abortion in Reclamation, which is due to be released in late August. Equality – and how people are viewed as inferior - is a huge issue that I touch on in all of my writing. As you can imagine, I take female equality the most personally, and that is a recurring theme across every one of my series. I think including topics such as these makes the story more realistic and personal to my readers, even if it is fantasy.
Andi O'Connor
Like all writers, I wish writer's block never happened! But it does, and since I don't have magic to make it simply disappear, I've discovered a few things which help me get over the inevitable slump.
Since I'm currently writing three separate series (I know, I'm insane) one thing I'll do is stop whatever I'm working on whatever is giving me trouble, move to a different piece, and thank my lucky stars I can switch between three worlds so easily.
Something else I do is work on promotion or administrative tasks to let my brain sort through the whirlwind of thoughts. I'll focus on something entirely different for an hour or so and then go back to writing. So far, it's been pretty successful.
I also find that walking away from work completely for even fifteen minutes helps tremendously. Doing chores around the house, reading, playing my cello, and (don't laugh) taking a shower gives me the mental break I need. When I walk away completely, I'm not forcing anything and the words/thoughts just come.
....and when all else is lost, I have a neat Jameson :)
Since I'm currently writing three separate series (I know, I'm insane) one thing I'll do is stop whatever I'm working on whatever is giving me trouble, move to a different piece, and thank my lucky stars I can switch between three worlds so easily.
Something else I do is work on promotion or administrative tasks to let my brain sort through the whirlwind of thoughts. I'll focus on something entirely different for an hour or so and then go back to writing. So far, it's been pretty successful.
I also find that walking away from work completely for even fifteen minutes helps tremendously. Doing chores around the house, reading, playing my cello, and (don't laugh) taking a shower gives me the mental break I need. When I walk away completely, I'm not forcing anything and the words/thoughts just come.
....and when all else is lost, I have a neat Jameson :)
Andi O'Connor
I'm actually working on a couple of projects right now. I’m finishing Reclamation which is the second short story in The Legacy of Ilvania series. It continues Jae’s journey of finding his place in the world but the main focus is on the restoration of the Mé’Draak and Ilvania as a whole. If everything goes well, it should be published in eBook in August.
I am also getting ready to publish Awakening, the second book in The Dragonath Chronicles, which I hope will be released in the fall (most likely November). It’s a bit darker than The Lost Heir and there are a number of surprises, both good and bad. The theme of awakening is carried throughout the book in several different ways from the return of an ancient king to the arrival of a beast many thought never existed. New relationships are formed between old and new characters, and some ties thought unbreakable are broken.
I am also getting ready to publish Awakening, the second book in The Dragonath Chronicles, which I hope will be released in the fall (most likely November). It’s a bit darker than The Lost Heir and there are a number of surprises, both good and bad. The theme of awakening is carried throughout the book in several different ways from the return of an ancient king to the arrival of a beast many thought never existed. New relationships are formed between old and new characters, and some ties thought unbreakable are broken.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more