Clover Autrey

A fellow Wild Rose author, Hywela Lyn is a truly gracious and welcoming lady. Fine writer as well. It was my pleasure to interview her for the Examiner, and as always I like to replicate some of those interviews here.

The story takes place about six years after the events in Starquest. In that book the heroine visits Niflheim, planet of telepaths, in her search for the man she loves, and becomes friendly with one of its inhabitants, the beautiful Tamarith. This world takes up only a small part of the original story, but I became fond of the mist shrouded planet and her people. I wanted to find out more about them and the history of Niflheim. I also felt Tamarith deserved her own happy ending. Several of the characters from Starquest are also in this story, but it is Tamarith and Vidarh who hold centre stage

When Children Of The Mist opens, their world is in danger from a deadly virus, but the inhabitants don't realise how close they are to losing their freedom and their whole way of life. Vidarh, son of a hardworking farmer, journeys to Gladsheim, the main settlement, to join other telepaths there, to unite in sending a message into space to try to reach the only person who may be able to help them. During the course of the story, Tamarith and Vidarh find themselves facing far more than the elements and are in danger of losing their very lives. Vidarh discovers things about himself, and about Tamarith, and there is a dramatic revelation about the origins of their planet, before they are able to confront and admit their feelings for one another..

What drew you to writing futuristic romance?

I've always been fascinated by the beauty and mystery of the stars and the idea of space exploration. I like to think that one day we'll be advanced enough to colonize uninhabited planets and learn to live with nature instead of causing devastation and global warming through our greed and exploitation. I love nature and wild, lonely landscapes. I get a great deal of pleasure and satisfaction creating new worlds and drawing on the scenery and legends of my native Wales. For me, the challenges and unknown dangers of space exploration are similar to those facing the pioneers of the old west. In my stories it's those very dangers and challengers that bond my hero and heroine together, and draw them inevitably toward their eventual 'happy ever after'.

What is something most people don't know about you?

As well as writing, I also enjoy oil painting. I rarely get time for that now, unfortunately, although I still do the occasional pencil sketch and now and then paint horseshoes with 'canal boat roses' for friends,.

Anything you'd like to add?

I think that's it, except that I love to hear from fellow writers, and readers who can email me at
Hywelalyn@hywelalyn.co.uk or leave a message on my website or blog. I'm also collaborating with Mary Ricksen and Sharon Donovan on a new 'fun' blog which runs on Fridays only, called 'The Author Roast and Toast.' It's only been going a few weeks but already we're 'booked' until the middle of the New Year. I'm also writing an historical western, as a bit of a departure from my futuristic and fantasy stories, and have entered excerpts in the Classic Romance Revival excerpt contest.

My Blog: http://www.hywelalyn.blogspot.com/
My website: http://www.hywelalyn.co.uk/
Facebook:: http://www.facebook.com/HywelaLyn
My Space: www.myspace.com/hywelalyn
WRDF: http://romancewriterandreader.ning.com/profile/Hywelalyn

Diner Girl has only been out a few short weeks yet it is already your publishers #1 Bestseller. How does that make you feel?

I don’t think back flips translate on paper very well, but that’s how I feel. I feel like a back flip. *grin* No, truly I am surprised/ecstatic/thrilled/terrified and have wet myself at least twice. Don’t judge me.

Tell us a little about Diner Girl.

Diner Girl is such a sweet little story. You can absolutely read the back cover blurb anywhere, so instead I’ll tell you about the behind the scenes story. I took a creative writing class with Von Jocks and wanted to write a romance novel. I’d been thinking about a situation for weeks, the idea of having to whether out a storm with a total stranger and how that would go. So, my thought was, what if this stranger turns out to be your perfect kindred soul but you’re so busy living your life that you don’t see it right away? That’s what Diner Girl was born from.

Jennifer is this busy-living-her-life waitress who wants to succeed on her own terms. Mark has more resources than he knows what to do with, yet can’t see his own passion past his believed obligations. When they come together, it is obvious to the reader pretty much from the beginning that these two were meant to be together, but they have to make it past their own pain, and reset their priorities before either can realize they are meant to fall in love. I love this concept. I think a lot of people can relate to that. Perhaps they’d met their perfect kindred soul but were so busy living their lives they forgot to “live” in their lives. I want Diner Girl to reflect the idea that life is short and you should embrace love when you find it. That’s my only goal for this book.

What's something most people don't know about you?

I can write backwards, in cursive, readably. I Love that about me. *grin*

Anything else you'd like to talk about?

Let’s talk about ducks. No, kidding. Mostly, I want to encourage people to follow their passions. When I started that creative writing class, I’d actually been on track to go to medical school. Math and science are easy for me and I’m naturally curious, so I had always wanted to be a doctor. Thing was, when I started writing, I found it consumed me. If there is something in your life that you Love, something that you would spend every spare moment doing if you could, then do it. Don’t be responsible. Forget about what others think or getting that bigger television or that cup-o’-java once a day. Follow your passion and believe that your love for it will make others love it, too.

Where can readers find you?

Well, of course my website. I’ll be attending the North Texas Two Step conference on November 6th and 7th. Um....Every third Saturday of the month, you’ll find me curled up with thirty of my closest friends at La Hacienda Ranch in Colleyville for the NTRWA meeting. When work permits, I attend the DFW Writers Workshop in Euless on Wednesday nights at 7:00 PM. Oh! I love this little coffee shop in Burleson, called J.J. Mocha’s. If anyone wants to e-mail me at: marymalcolm@yahoo.com, I’d love to set up a time when I’m not working to meet you there for a cup of coffee, or tea, and definitely a cup of their soup or a cinnamon roll. Mmm, love that place. Also, I practically Live at Central Market in Fort Worth. Truly. It is my Mecca and where I go to breathe. If you ever are in the area and want to breathe with me, I’d Love to meet you there!