Interview [and GIVEAWAY!] with Terah Edun

About Red Madrassa:

Allorna thought being a guardian trainee meant catching bad guys, occasional duty in the city docks and, if she was lucky, a posting with the imperial family. Instead, she was stuck on an assignment to petty larceny, caught breaking into prison and went on the run from her fellow guardians.

The only reason she went to the prison in the first place was for Maride – a young mage practitioner accused of murder. With Sidimo, a close friend and healer in tow, she now has to clear her name. Easier said than done when she and her friends accidentally enroll at the Madrassa, a legendary school of magic.

Alongside Vedaris, a sarcastic dragon and Sitara, a storm-caller, they work to get through the endless classes. The road they choose is not an easy one and each must come to decide whether the Madrassa is worth the work that is cut out for them.

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About Terah:

Terah Edun is a young adult fantasy writer born and raised in the Atlanta metropolitan area, who transplanted to the Northeast region for college, and now lives in South Sudan. She writes the stories that she always loved to read as a young girl.

Q: Tell us about yourself and how you became an author.

A: I’m currently a humanitarian aid worker, so that’s what takes up most of my time and energy. I’m young, starry-eyed and a daydreamer who loves to read. At the moment I’m shaking my head at the crazy storm that has hit the Northeast and basking in the dry heat of my adoptive country. I became an author after writing novels for my best friend and growing frustrated at the lack of strong, young women being published in epic fantasy. *cough* There could be five hundred books a year and I still wouldn’t consider it enough. *end cough*

[Ash: I SECOND THAT! There will never be enough strong, young women in epic fantasy.]
 

Q: What draws you to the fantasy genre and coming of age style of writing?

A: Fantasy was my favorite genre growing up and I still love it. I’m intrigued by coming of age stories and their ability to capture the life of every teen as they struggle to find themselves and fit into a new, uncertain world. There’s a universality to those stories that appeals to everyone because the experiences of the character resonate in the life of the reader.

Q: What do you believe is the most powerful weapon for your characters and why?

 A: All of my characters are different – with unique backgrounds and personalities. They all have perseverance, creativity and determination in common. If I had to choose one ‘weapon’ then it would be inner strength. Even untrained as they are, their stubborn personalities don’t let them give up.

Q: You have five main characters in this book. Describe their relationships and personalities.

A: First – I believe that character relationships are so important. The strength of the bond between my five characters is only as strong as each individual makes it. They didn’t all start out as friends but friendship grew with trust. 

Personality wise I would say Maride is the bookworm, Sitara is the introspective type, Allorna is the warrior in the making, Vedaris is the sarcastic wit and Sidimo is the steadfast friend who’s a little pompous. ;)

[Ash: There really need to be more bookworms in fantasy.]

Q: Where did the idea for the series come from?

A: It’s been knocking around in my head for a couple of years. The characters were insistent on having one story and going to school together. Who was I to say no?

Q: Which of your characters can you relate to the most?

A: Gosh there is a piece of me in every character. I love Allorna for her heart and her impulsiveness. Vedaris’ sarcastic wit, which sometimes gets him in trouble, is nothing like me. I would love it if a little, just a little, of that spontaneity and dry wit would rub off on me.  Oh and I’m a total bookworm, so Maride and I are bosom buddies right there.

Q: Favorite author?

A: Tamora Pierce.

[Ash: Me too! Tamora Pierce won me over to the fantasy side. :D]

Q: Which part of the book was the easiest to write?

A: The class scenes were the easiest to write. I loved delving into new secondary characters, personal descriptions and experiencing classes that I would have loved to have attended at my high school.

Q: It seems like you are publishing a TON of books! How much/often do you write a day?
A: I try to write 1-2 hours a day - about 1,000 words. Sometimes I have a brain tsunami and get 2,000 in a day.

Q: Typed or handwritten? Mac, or PC?
A: Typed – there’s no way I could handwrite my stories. NO WAY. And I use Macs/PCs interchangeably.

Q: Your editor returns your manuscript and informs you that one of your characters in The Companion’s Guild needs to be weather warden in disguise. Who do you choose?

A: Actually that happened! Well, not a weather warden but now that you mention it….sounds like a good idea. I had to switch the identity of a character in my upcoming novella after my editor read it and said, ‘Nope – change it’.

Q: Any future books in the works?

A: The Companion’s Guild, a novella about the Prince’s companion will be coming out on March 15, 2013. The second book in the Algardis series, Casbah Guardian, will be out in May 2013.

Q: How can fans find you online?

 The best places are on my website and Goodreads page!

Terah's Website
Terah's GoodReads Page

 

Q: Any exciting news you’d like to share?

Yes! I’m doing a giveaway, (in addition to the eBook copy to you lovely readers), of a $60 Amazon Gift Card on my blog.

Here’s the Rafflecopter:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Q: Last but not least: Pancakes or waffles?

 A: Pancakes with maple syrup and butter! ;)

[Ash: More waffles for me then! xD]

Many thanks to Ash and Typing Tiara, for allowing me to visit and tell you about Red Madrassa. I will give away an eBook copy of Red Madrassa to one commenter chosen at random, by the Typing Tiara, from all the comments made to this post by 11:59 p.m. EDT November 15.

[Ash: Thank you, Terah! And you lovely guys, please include your e-mail addresses or your @Twitter so I have some way of getting in contact with you if you win!]