Interview Hywela Lyn

We’re happy to welcome Hywela Lyn to share in our event today.

CTR: They say “everybody is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day,” so are you really part Celt –that includes a group of nationalities and ethnic or tribal elements such as Irish, Scots, Welsh, Cornish, Breton and residents of various islands around Great Britain—or just a fellow traveler fascinated by these amazing people?

HL:
I’m actually Welsh, and consider myself very much a full-blooded Celt! I am immensely proud of my Welsh heritage and the Celtic myths and legends I grew up with. Although I live in England at the moment, I hope to return to my native land in the next few years. Of course I love my Scottish and Irish Celtic brethren too and like to think we have a kinship on our special Saint Days.

CTR: Obviously you have written a book with Celtic inspiration so please tell us a bit about it. The ISBN and buy link is always good and maybe some background or ‘story behind the story’ to pique our reader’s interest. Of course the Celts have long been known as bards, poets and story tellers so maybe that figures in too, right? You can provide a blurb here also!

HL:
‘Dancing With Fate’ was originally written as part of The Wild Rose Press’s ‘Song Of The Muses’ series. Nine authors each wrote a story about one of the Greek muses. Somehow, my own particular muse, Terpischore, found herself in 5th Century Wales, and fell in love with another legendary character. I had a lot of fun interweaving the Greek mythology with Welsh and Celtic legends. I recently found out that all the stories are going to be withdrawn from their site soon, (so if you want to read a copy, you’d better be quick, *grin*) but I intend to re-publish it with a brand new cover. I’ll put all the details on my Blog as soon as I have them.
Meanwhile, here’s the blurb:

Blurb:
When Terpsichore, the Muse of Dance, is assigned to revisit the land of Wales, her task seems simple enough. She is unaware there is a hidden agenda. Before she can return to Olympus her path crosses that of the mysterious Myrddin, and her heart is lost.
Myrddin is promised to another. His mind is set on the dangerous task that lies before him, and the woman he has sworn to save. Nevertheless, he cannot deny the growing attraction between him and the beautiful stranger he meets along the way.
Terpsichore and Myrddin face a deadly force that threatens to part them forever.
Is she destined to lose the only man she has ever truly loved? Is there nothing she can do to save him? Finally, when all seems lost, in desperation she finds herself DANCING WITH FATE.
PURCHASE LINK: http://thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=87_125&products_id=909

CTR: What do you think is the special appeal of the Celts to modern readers? There seems to be a huge enthusiasm for those “kilty lads” as heroes 😉 and also for Celtic elements ranging from ancient to modern. I know some of the Celtic based spiritual paths such as Druidry are also gaining many new adherents. Do you think that is a result of, a driving force behind or just a parallel to the growing fandom for Celtic romances?

HL: I think readers enjoy the ruggedness and strength of Celtic heroes. (Kilts do seem to be an attraction as well, and I’d just like to mention that the Welsh also wore a form of kilt, as well as the Scots.) The mysterious nature of the Druids and their affinity to the Earth and natural energy sources also seem to play a part in the current success of Celtic romances, and perhaps there is also a hankering to a simpler time, and beliefs in things more spiritual and elemental.

CTR: Do you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and if so what do you and your friends or family do?

HL: Well, we’ve just celebrated St David’s Day on March 1st, which is a big day all over Wales, celebrated with Eistedfoddau (concerts) chapel services and the wearing of leeks and daffodils, but St Patrick’s Day is not celebrated so much in the region of England where I now live. I will certainly be joining my on-line friends in celebration of St Patrick though. (Although I think I draw the line at drinking green beer  a drop of traditional mead is more my style!) And I’ll wear a shamrock, if I can find one!

CTR: If you could choose a Celtic people or place/event to visit, maybe by a time machine, where would you go and why?

HL: Well of course the one place and time I would love to visit, is 5th century Wales, Carmarthen, to be precise, the time and birthplace of the hero of my story ‘Dancing With Fate’, the legendary Myrddyn ab Morfryn. I would love to see what Wales was really like in that time, and if I came anywhere near to portraying it in my book. I’d also love to talk to Myrddyn himself, and perhaps learn some of his secrets.

CTR: Do you have a favorite Celtic-themed book (besides yours of course) and what do you especially love about it? A fave author who writes Celtic inspired stories?

HL: Could I be greedy and have two? My friend and fellow Wild Rose Press author, Sky Purington, wrote a wonderful series of books about the Scottish McLomain clan. And I’ve read each one and they’re truly fantastic stories, each one different, although linked by the McLomain family. Sharon Donvan, another dear friend and sister hostess on The Author Roast And Toast Blog, whose book ‘The Claddagh Ring’ is not only a truly touching romance, but an inspiring one as well

CTR: It seems the Celts are all known for their music. The folk music store is rich and loved by many whether the Irish dance tunes and ballads, the Welsh choral tradition, the Scots airs and laments or the evocative music of Brittany. Do you have a favorite Celtic artist or album? Do you play some of that music when you are writing to enhance the creative process? When did you discover that artist or style of music?

HL: I love Clannad, and of course Enya, who left the group in 1981 to pursue a solo career. I can’t remember when I first came across them, but I really enjoy listening to them and usually have a CD of either Enya or Clannad in my CD drive when I’m writing. I also love the group ‘Celtic Woman’ and in fact any music with a Celtic ‘feel’ will make me smile and start dreaming.

CTR: Before we say farewell, please tell us where we can learn more about you and your books, how to find your blog, website, twitter or Facebook pages, etc.

HL: Thank you so much for having me, and for asking such great questions.
My website is www.hywelalyn.co.uk

I BLOG at
www.hywelalyn.blogspot.com and also
www.authorroastandtoast.blogspot.com (Fridays Only)

My Facebook address is: http://www.facebook.com/HywelaLyn

Twitter: http://twitter.com/HywelaLynAuthor

My Space: www.myspace.com/hywelalyn

I love to hear from readers and fellow authors and can be reached at Lyn@www.hywelalyn.co.uk

Thank you so much for having me here. Wishing you the Luck of the Irish and lots of shamrocks, pots of gold, and green beer for St Patrick’s Day – ‘Pob Lwc,’ and ‘Cymru am Byth’ (Good luck and Wales forever!)

CTR: Thanks for sharing this happy event with us all.