Get ready to learn more about the book Sigrid & Elyn in this discussion with sapphic author Edale Lane.
Join us for an exclusive peek behind the scenes as we quiz Edale Lane about Sigrid & Elyn, writing, reading, and more.
This book is part of the Knight category in the 2024 IHS Reading Challenge.
Why did you write Sigrid & Elyn?
I love Vikings. I’ve loved them since I first heard about them as a small child, and I had written a Vikings book before. This time I was inspired to go farther back in history to a period before the proper Viking Age, before they invaded England or Ireland and were a loose band of petty kingdoms developing the culture they would be known for. I also was excited about writing an enemies-to-lovers romance. The two came together with Sigrid & Elyn.
Who is your favorite character in the book?
I love both my main characters but if you’re going to make me choose, I’ll say Sigrid. She is powerful, confident, and fearless. She may not hesitate to kill a foe in battle, but she has a heart and takes her responsibility as a leader seriously. At thirty years old when I had her body, I lacked the confident fearlessness; now that I have the latter, I lack the former.
How did you come up with the title for your book?
I was terribly creative- LOL – and named it for the two main characters! LOL
How much research did you need to do for Sigrid & Elyn?
The research was part of the fun! I did hours upon hours of research, despite already knowing a lot about Viking history. I wanted to create a thoroughly authentic world (maybe minus some of the more brutal elements.) I purposefully chose an era with almost no historical information available while still using accurate place names, beliefs, and culture.
If you’re planning a sequel, can you share a tiny bit about your plans for it?
So far, I have two other books in the series: Legacy of the Valiant and War and Solace. Each features other couples and tropes and takes place in the same world. I have plans for another book that I may or may not finish this year (so many books in the works!)
What is your favorite line from your book?
“I don’t have to do anything but be born and die; everything else I do is my choice.” Sigrid the Valiant
Do you have a pet who helps/hinders your typing?
I have Piper, the happy Havanese who usually lies on my feet … or snuggles in between the laptop and arm of the recliner chair. She regularly interrupts my writing with her demands to play, go outside, or simply be recognized. But without her, I suppose I’d never leave the chair!
What animal or object best represents you as an author or your writing style?
I’m going to say a Phoenix. I’ve been writing since I was a small child, all through jr. high and high school, when I had time in college, continuing in my adult life, although no one ever read them. Between 2000 and 2002, I started trying to get published at forty, but no one was interested. I was a nobody, my books not worth the bother of publishers or agents (and I wrote to hundreds.) So I stopped trying and wrote nothing new for fourteen years. Then a former student asked me to submit a short story to a horror anthology he was working on, so I did. For the next several years, I had short, twisted, tales published in horror anthologies until I answered a call for submissions from a small lesbian press to write a mystery for their anthology. They accepted my story and went on to publish Heart of Sherwood before going out of business. By that time, I had risen from the ashes of defeat and started my own business as an indie author.
What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given about writing, and by whom?
My master’s thesis advisor told me to stand out I needed to either write about something that hadn’t been written about before or take a more familiar subject and present it in a fresh, new way. While I found this helpful, I’ve also discovered that many readers want the same old thing and are hesitant to try something different. Therefore, tried and true has paid off financially better for me than going out on a limb with unique ideas.
What has helped or hindered you most when writing a book?
Helped – taking a “writing holiday” even if it’s just going to the library or coffee shop for eight hours (but a weekend in a hotel is fabulous!) Hindered – all the daily distractions that interrupt my train of thought.
Have you ever hated one of your characters?
Hated is a strong word, but it may apply to the Sheriff of Nottingham. I didn’t write him as one dimensional; he had reasons (in his twisted mind) for why he did the things he did, but he was ruthless and unlikeable. Intentionally.
What type of books do you enjoy reading the most?
My favorite reads are mysteries and fantasy, but when I’m in the mood, I love a good sapphic romance. I also like engaging historical fiction, and yes, I’ve always loved mysteries, historical, and fantasy.
What books have you read more than once in your life?
When I was truck driving 11 hours a day, I listened to a lot of audiobooks – most of them more than once. I listened to my Brandon Sandersons (fantasy) and J.D. Robbs (mysteries) more than once, listened for anything I might have missed and anticipating my favorite parts as I relistened. This was before discovering sapphic fiction. I haven’t re-read/listened to any of these yet because I’m trying to get around to all my author friends and loving the adventure.
Describe your favorite reading spot.
If I’m driving, I’m listening to an audiobook 🙂
