BLOG TOUR [Kriston's Favorite Scene To Write +GIVEAWAY!] Awakened by Kriston Johnson

Awakened
by Kriston Johnson
Series: The Legends Of Elyndia, #1
Publication date:  April 25th 2013
Genre: YA Fantasy

Synopsis:
Can fighting for the right side be the wrong thing to do?

Draven, the tyrant ruler of Elyndia for the last one thousand years, searches for the one who can fulfill his prophecy.

The Paladins, an elite band of warriors sworn to protect their way of life at all cost, search for the one with the ability to bring their world crumbling down.

An innocent girl, tormented by demons only she can see, lives on the brink of insanity and longs for a life of peace.

When seventeen-year-old Jade Rosenberg reads from an antique book, she has no idea she just read an incantation awaking her inherited power. But when opposing—and equally terrifying—groups invade her home, she learns she is descended from an enchanted realm and a member of a powerful race thought to have been hunted to extinction.

Ripped from her world, Jade is forced to seek refuge from those who want her dead. She is given one of two options and the time has come for her to make a choice: assassinate their sworn enemy…

Or sacrifice her soul.

My Favorite Scene To Write

Trying to pick a favorite scene is like trying to pick a favorite amongst your children. But then again, I only have one child (of the non-furry sorts)…so crisis averted!

While writing Awakened there were several scenes that were fun to write. But there are two that stand out more than others.  The first one is Jade’s trip to the Faerie realm.

When I wrote that magical scene I started with setting the perfect mood in my office. I dimmed the lights and placed votive candles strategically around my dark brown, wooden desk. I then popped in my ear buds and played The Secret, by Adam Hurst over and over again until I was finished. The eerie melody with the old fashion music box playing in the background helped me get in the perfect state of mind to express the creepiness that comes along with malicious Faeries and their deceiving world.

My next favorite scene is toward the end, so I cannot get into too much detail without spoiling some really fun details. But I can share my inspiration for the scene with you. The scene takes place during an annual festival that brings elves and humans together for a time of celebration. It involves music, vigorous dancing and tribute to honor those who are willing to risk their lives for the good of their people. It is chapter 20 to be exact. I took a real life event for the setting and stuck my characters directly in the middle of it.

Every year Eugene, Oregon plays host to the most magical place on earth, (no, I’m not talking about Disneyland) Faerieworlds. Faerieworlds is a three-day art and music festival celebrating all things Fae. Thousands of people from around the world come together for this event.  Adventurous adults and bubbling children alike don elaborate costumes and show off their various talents. At any time of the day or night, you will find hoop dancers, fire dancers, jugglers, artists, or just your everyday person in full character of their costume. It is the closest thing a person can get to an actual faerie realm here on earth. From morning till night we are graced with a variety of music ranging from heart pounding tribal, to classical, to pagan folk.  One of my favorite bands is Faun, a medieval folk band from Germany. In Awakened it says, and I quote, The chanting grew louder and a child’s laughter echoed in the distance, highlighting the piping flutes. The song Satyros, by Faun, inspired that line.

During that scene I wanted Jade to experience the festival as I experienced Faerieworlds for the first time.  It was an overload for the senses and a lot to take in for her, but enjoyable at the same time.

Before I go, I want to say thank you for having me on, Mom With A Kindle. Happy reading!

Kriston Johnson lives in Southwest Washington with her husband, teenage son, and miniature Australian Shepherd. Her home rests at the fringe of an old growth forest that she insists is the home of Jason Voorhees. Her husband thinks that’s a ridiculous assumption, because everyone knows it’s really Bigfoot. Every summer Kriston participates in the annual pilgrimage to Faerieworlds, a real life faerie realm here on Earth, and has an unhealthy obsession with Star Wars, The Vampire Diaries, and Iron Man. Awakened is her first novel. You can visit her online at www.kristonjohnson.blogspot.com.

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