The Round Spear is the first book in the Myriar Series exploring the precarious balance of nature, good and evil in the beautifully described surroundings of Lancashire. We follow Kier back from her travels in Peru, and with it she brings more trouble than the idyllic countryside setting can handle.
Welcome to SFFWorld Frion. Kier runs a shop, the Seven Rivers in the quiet town of Pulton, and there are some vivid descriptions of the area. Is this somewhere close to your heart?
Thanks for inviting me Shellie.
Pulton in the book is based on Morecambe where I worked as a nurse in General Practice for many years. Its many nooks and crannies, varied history and spectacular Bay make it a wonderful source of inspiration.
The beings we meet along the way represent the elemental forces around us. Did you draw on any particular mythology to develop them?
I think it was a combination of an ongoing fascination with the esoteric and years of fell walking with my husband, who is a geography teacher. He would constantly explain to our children the amazing history of landscape formation. I found myself fascinated by geology and the conjunction of human, planetary and cosmic energy. It also draws on duality heritage: good versus evil, angels and demons etc..
We’ve all been ‘that’ tourist. The one who’s brought home that bit of plastic tat because, you know, memories. If you could buy a trinket from any of the fictional worlds you love, what would it be and why?
A little black crystal from Anne McCaffrey’s Ballybran would do the job nicely for me. I love the concepts and characterisation of the ‘Crystal Singer.’ However, as I have much less than the perfect pitch required to tune it, I 
would probably end up causing mayhem.
You also deliver creative writing workshops with Platform One. What part of the process do you enjoy the most?
It’s a complete joy to be part of developing confidence in new and established writers in the local community. I am really fortunate to work with our lead tutor, Dr Mick Murphy, who has a great deal of experience of teaching creative writing. I think we offer something off the beaten track as regards this kind of course and I love being a part of that. I also like teaching on a railway station!
The Myriar Series is your first fantasy series, and you’ve said elsewhere that you’ve discovered a lot in the process. What one thing do you wish you had known at the start?
Ooh that’s hard to answer! It’s a huge learning curve. I suppose to respect what you know. Listen and learn from those validated in the publishing world around you but never dismiss nor denigrate your own creative heartbeat.
The last in the series, Auric Flame, is due out soon. Does the international theme continue right until the end?
It does! The book opens in the middle east and much of the early chapters is set in Istanbul. I had a research trip to that fabulous city last year. The action does return to Northern England but from the beginning I had located the final scenes in Ireland.
Now the series is nearly complete, what are your plans?
I have started my fourth novel ‘Avide.’ Not very far along at the moment as I have been busy with the writing school and editing the Auric Flame. I am really hoping to be able to attend more sci-fi and fantasy events next year. Always love to meet and listen to other writers.
Thank you, Frion! You can find out more about Frion on the publisher website and follow her on Facebook and Twitter. The Round Spear and Mesa Stone are available via Amazon.
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Interview by Shellie Horst – SFFWorld.com © 2016
