Enlightenment

About the Book

Title: Enlightenment

Author: Liz Keel

Genre: YA Fantasy

After losing everything, all seventeen-year-old Thea wanted was to be a normal teenager. Instead, she was attacked by a mysterious creature she thought only existed in fairy tales. Now thrown into the unknown realm of Faey, Thea is forced to determine the difference between reality and fantasy, in a world ruled by a dark elite and a society wracked by intolerance and prejudice.
With the support of her new friends and a mysterious dark haired, blue-eyed guardian watching her every move, Thea will discover that when it comes to Faey, nothing is what it seems. Will her courage and desire to save this new world from darkness be enough? Or will Thea be the next victim to fall to the dark whispers of fate...

Author Bio

I live in Surrey, England, a short walk from the beautiful Windsor Park, with my husband Richard and our two gorgeous children Noah and Olivia. For me, writing is nothing short of an addiction and I often find myself sneaking out to my writing shed for just a few minutes, which can often turn into hours of pure, unadulterated bliss catching up with my characters and continuing their story.

 In-between writing, I teach in a primary school where there’s never a dull moment! I will also often be found Kindle in hand, reading a wide variety of genres but with YA fantasy and paranormal romance at the forefront of my reading list. Although I’m currently writing the second book in the Driel trilogy, other characters involving all things fantasy, paranormal and YA romance are jockeying for position, wanting me to write their story next, so watch this space! It is such a privilege to share my stories with you the reader.

Thank you enough for taking the time to find out more about me. To find out more about Liz, visit her website: www.lizkeelauthor.com

Links

Amazon (Kindle): https://www.amazon.com/Enlightenment-Driel-Trilogy-Book-1-ebook/dp/B01EI63LMK/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1470081398&sr=8-1#navbar

Amazon (paperback): https://www.amazon.com/Enlightenment-Driel-Trilogy-Liz-Keel/dp/0996974873/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1470081398&sr=8-1&keywords=enlightenment+liz+keel

Describe your books in 3 words?

Fantasy, adventure, coming of age

If you could be any character from one of your books who would it be?

Definitely Thea, the protagonist from the Driel trilogy.  I’d say my personality is similar to her’s; she’s determined to face whatever is thrown her way head-on and firmly believes you must fight for what you believe in – both ideals I totally agree with.

What is your greatest fear about being an author/publishing your book(s)?

It’s not a fear, more reality and that’s that there will inevitably be readers out there who won’t like my stories.  I don’t know any author out there who hasn’t experienced a scathing comment or review from a reader about one of their books, but it still isn’t pleasant when it happens. There is a clear line between reviewing a book with constructive criticism and just being mean.  Getting this type of feedback is something I have had to develop a hard skin about and instead I stay focused on the readers out there who have loved what I’ve written.

Would the 10 year-old version of yourself kick your butt or praise you for what you've accomplished in life?

I’m thinking praise me! When I look at what’s important to me including my successes in life, a big part of this would be my family – my husband and two children – Noah who is 7 and Oliva, 4. Also, alongside them and my writing, I have the best job in the world as I teach in a primary school.  To get where I am has involved lots of hard work as well as knockbacks along the way but if anything I think this has just made me stronger as a person.

What do you do when you finish your book and turn it in to the editor?

Feel a huge sense of satisfaction, but then a little bit of doubt creeps in about whether they’ll like the plot until I hear back from them and know I’m on the right track. I give myself a break writing for a week or so and join the land of the living before I start again.

What is your favorite Genre and why?

It has to be fantasy/paranormal. The idea of escaping to another world is a must have. Whether it be dragons, shapeshifters or some completely made up magical creature, in a fantasy story, you are given the chance to jump straight into this alternate reality where anything can happen – there is no limit to the imagination!

What is one thing that would surprise us to know about you?

I’m currently learning to play the piano (I’m always up for setting myself a new challenge) although I’m still at the one key at a time stage!

Was there an Author who inspired you to write?

There are so many authors whose stories have inspired me. A couple of my favourite include Amy Bartol, Jennifer L Armentrout and Rachel Van Dyken.

How did you come up with the characters in your books?

Well with the Driel Trilogy, the characters had been brewing in my head for a long time until finally I had to tell Thea’s story and just starting writing it. It felt like the other secondary characters were just always there waiting impatiently for me to get started, and it was only when I eventually did start writing the plot that their personalities became clear. 

Do you prefer to write alone or do you like to collaborate with other authors?

I haven’t collaborated with another author so far and am intrigued to see how it would work. With me, I’ve been so clear on the direction I want the storyline to take, I’m not sure how I’d feel about sharing that with someone else as I’m guessing you’d have to compromise quite a bit. It would be different of course if we came up with the plot together, but we’d then need to make sure we have a consistent style of writing so the content wouldn’t confuse the reader!

Everyone uses computers, tablets, phones and no one uses handwritten form or typewriters, what do you prefer to use?

I prefer the computer but think there’s a lot more to it than just that makes up my preferred writing style. I like the solitude, the music on and preferably a dark environment of which the latter suits me well as one of the only times I have to write at the moment is at night!

Is there a ritual you do before you begin your book?

Not really as most of the time I run into my writing shed when the family don’t need me and by that point I’m usually desperate to get started!

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