I haven’t done one of these segments for over a year.  Youza! Time flies and all that crap.  LOL.  

Author Interview with Troy A. Hill

Who is Troy A Hill name? What inspired you to start writing?

Cliché answer: I’ve wanted to be a writer since I was in middle school.

One of my early influences was Robert A. Heinlein. When I was growing up in the 1970s, I wrote him a letter stating my love of his young adult books, and how I wanted to follow in his footsteps. I was excited beyond belief when a reply showed up in my mailbox a couple of months later. Signed by the big man himself. Bob Heinlein.

Of course, years flew by before I learned this his wife Ginny handled all of his correspondence. She signed the letter. But still, to have been on his list of replies.

What’s your favorite book you’ve written and why?

That’s a tie. Penteulu Emlyn’s Story and A Blink of an Eye (Cup of Blood Book 3).’

Penteulu Emlyn’s Story really helped me find Emlyn’s character. Emlyn is a critical piece of the Cup of Blood series and I needed to understand him, know who he was and how he had been shaped that way. Since I already had Cup book 1 and part of book 2 done, before I wrote Penteulu, I knew of Emlyn, but not how he came to be so dark. When I dug into his brother’s story in Penllyn Bleddyn’s story, written a month before Emlyn, I found a fun, jovial, mirthful young man named Neirin. Not the hardened, dark, protector of Penllyn that haunted the pages of the Cup series. I had to know what and how Emlyn came out of young Neirin.

In Blink I got to tie together all of the plotting and twisting I had been laying out. I asked my beta readers to send me a one sentence summary of how they felt, or what they thought of the capstone of the trilogy. The first two responses I received were “Bloody Awesome!” and “touched me deeply in the feels…”

Before that, when I was going through the final edits after my editor had given me her feedback, I went through about half a box of tissues myself. Maria, Gwen, Emlyn, Enid … these were my friend, my family. I wanted the readers to feel their joy, their pain, and to come out the other side of the story touched by all they had sacrificed to protect what they love. Each other.

What are the best and worst aspects of writing?

Both at once: Going through all of those tissues. I still tear up when I re-read the “feels” parts of the books. These characters live in my head. That old idea that authors can hear their characters is real. As I write a scene, I can tell when something is off.

Early on in Cup of Blood (Book 1) I knew I needed to show how bad the Witch Hunters were. How low they began on the morality compass. But every time I came up with a depraved act for them to commit, Maria would pop up in my head. “No! Not the children. Let them harm me, not the innocent…”

I tried to let the despicable Witchers have their way with several young women, taking not asking. Maria was there in my head again. “No, not others. I’ll take it. There will be hell to pay afterwards, though…” What we ended up with wasn’t a rape scene, but was heavily threatening. And, I learned then just what happens when the bad guys piss off a six-hundred year old vampire.

How do you balance marketing one book and writing the next?

Write in the morning. Sometimes in the evening. In between, do everything else.

Are you an Indie Author or are you part of a publishing house?

Indie, but I hope to grow my own publishing imprint, TH Media.

What do you enjoy most about being an author?

Freedom to let my imagination run wild.

Do you read books in the genre you write?

Of course. But, Arthurian Fantasy is a part of so many genres. I tag my books as “Arthurian Dark Urban Fantasy” with thriller elements. Even though they are not in the Romance genre, there is a touch of steamy romance.

I typically read Urban and Epic fantasy, anything with paranormal elements is potential (not much in Romance, though).

Although I got out of the habit of reading fiction when I worked on my Masters degree. I had several years of reading scholarly non-fiction, and long-form journalism. It’s taken a while to get back into reading for pleasure.

When you’re not writing, what do you do to recharge?

What I’m doing now… sitting on the aft end of a cruise ship watching the ocean go by. When I’m in Los Angeles, and need a break, I head down to the Santa Monica pier – where I moonlight/volunteer as a history docent. I love to sit on the pier and people watch, or stare out at the waves.

Besides being an author, do you have a second job?

Just the docent gig. I’ve got about three hours of stories about the history of the Pier I can tell you…

What makes you laugh?

Almost anything, but I love British comedy.

What (not who) would you take to a lonely island?

A huge stack of books, and a sword.

Who would you like to invite for dinner?

My grandfather. Thirty years after he passed, I’d love to have one more long conversation with him. I was too young to recognize his wisdom when he died. Now, I’d like to talk to him and have the conversations at an adult level.

It’s time to meet one of your characters. Which book is your character from?

The Cup of Blood series

Who are you and what is your name?

Maria, of Rome

Are you a fictional or historical figure?

In your world, I’m a figment of Troy’s imagination.

What should we know about you?

I am what you would call a vampire. In my time, we called ourselves “Children of the Night.” I was born as Rome descended into Civil War between Octavius and Marc Antony. I died when Augustus wore the purple. All I have ever wanted was a quiet life, people to love, and to live in peace.

Tell us about your story. When and where is your tale set?

I died in my master’s arms in Rome. I drank his blood that night. I rose three nights later as undead. But my tale begins six centuries later.

The Witch Hunters, a zealous guild sanctioned by the Holy Roman Church, seek to wipe out all they deem unholy. They know of we Children of the Night. They call us “Blood Witches.” Francia is no longer safe for me. The Witchers have tracked me down several times. I learn they are seeking me again. So I flee to the west. To the edge of the known world. Britannia.

Arthur has been dead for a century. Mercia is one of the dominant powers in the Anglo-Saxon lands.

There I want to find a place to call home. But… I learn that my enemies are here too… But I have unexpected allies. Getting noticed by an ancient Celtic Goddess can make a girl feel special. Even an undead girl like me.

And, who is this mysterious druidess the goddess sends to aid me? Who is the regal Lady Gwen? Why am I so drawn to her?

What is your personal goal? What do you ultimately want?

Love, safety.

What is standing in your way? What conflict(s) do your face?

The Witch Hunters. They’re out to kill me, and any who aid me. Including Gwen and the friends I make in Penllyn. I’d rather run from the Witchers than place those I love in jeopardy.

Troy, thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions.  I wish you the best of luck in your author career.  Readers can find you at?

cupof blood.com

books2read.com/cupofblood

Facebook

Instagram

Goodreads Author Page

BookBub Author Page

https://penllynchronicles.com

Kindle Author Page

Kobo Author Page