An Interview with Shanna Mawavise

To start this off, why don't you give an idea of what the book is about?

The Tale of Chadizah is the Part One of the Mothersource Cycle. It begins in the distant future with young Adula Zabadu, who learns that her existence is linked to the past and the present, as well as to the future safety of the world. Adula learns that the world itself is depending on her for its very survival. The High Librarian of Agrippa tells Adula the story of Lodiva Graze's birth, and explains that the key to the world's survival lies with Lodiva Graze, Supreme Sorceress of Lyantho, Mighty Mortal, Chadizah -- and Adula's ancestor. To see the future, Adula must know the past. And Adula's past begins with Lodiva Graze some thirteen hundred cycles ago.

Where did you grow up and was reading and writing a part of your life?

I'm a Military Brat so my family traveled around a lot. I was Born in Tokyo, Japan and from there went to Ohio, Idaho, Kansas, England and finally stopped in Clovis, New Mexico. My parents believed in reading and we had many books in the house. We were allowed to read anything on any of the book cases. Imagine my mother’s surprise when she saw me reading the Encyclopedia of Human Sexuality. I've always been an avid reader of anything.

Writing came to me at an early age when I would rewrite episodes from TV shows and make them how I wanted to see them. I also have pretty consistently kept journals and always have at least one pen and something to write on with me at all times.

Who were your earliest influences and why?

William Shakespeare because I love his eloquence, Agatha Christie because I love a good mystery and J.R.R. Tolkein because he created his own world and language.

How long have you been writing and in what capacities?

I'm not what I would call a professional writer but most of what I've written has been for the stage, class projects and scenes for my teen and adult students. Short Sketches and playlets for various theater groups with which I am involved. Other than that many, many research papers, theses and essay for classes that I've taken in school. I write poetry (ha, ha) on occasion.

Which is more difficult to write - Fiction or nonfiction and why?

Fiction is harder for me because there are rules that must be followed with facts and figures and references and many other reality based obstacles such as the laws of the world in which we live.

Has there ever been a time when you wanted to throw in the towel and give up? And if so, how did you defeat those instincts?

I have a self-sustaining ego and I've never let anybody really get me down to the point at which I was ready to give up. Submitting a manuscript is tedious and there were many rejections along the way, but I believe in my story even if nobody else does. That is what gets me through the day. I sometimes step back and ask myself why I continue to write and I keep coming up with the same answer: I want a book that I can sit down and enjoy, something that is written specifically for me. That keeps me going.

What is the hardest part about being a writer?

Finding the time to put thoughts together on paper or in the pc. I work two jobs and I cannot always write down an idea when I think of it.

Do you have any hobbies? What are they? How do they enhance your writing?

I enjoy playing video games, mostly the city/empire simulation games where I can created a world of sorts. These help me to realize some of the necessities of the cities in my books. I also enjoy RPG’s because they have always enhanced my character creation skills. I like to get backstage and do technical theater, although that’s less of a hobby than a job. Horseback riding, fencing, Vita Saana African Martial Arts all enhance my views of combat and control.

Articles and media alike make it sound as though the only way to rise to the top is to sacrifice. What do you find to be good sacrifices?

I don’t necessarily know if it’s a good sacrifice but I have no social life anymore. That certainly enhances my ability to pay the rent.

What question do you get asked more than any other?

It’s a toss up between which of these characters is you and how did you think of all of this stuff?

What’s the coolest thing a reader has said to you?

When’s Part 2 coming out?

Do you think that as a writer you are more prone to watching what goes on around you and observing behaviors than most people are?

I am also an Actor and an Acting Instructor, so observing behaviors is one of the things that I do constantly. I don’t need to watch TV, I watch people.

Who are some of the authors you consider to be "don't miss"?

Robert Jordan, Robert Anton Wilson, Mary Higgins Clark, Veronica Lamont and Mark Dirschel

If one were looking to start his/her own career as a writer, what would you suggest his/her first step to be?

Ignore the people who say that you can’t write, they’re really saying that they can’t write. Then forget the word ‘can’t”.

What kind of movies do you enjoy?

I have a list of things that I like to see in movies and none of them are plot. I go to movies to see spectacle and special effects and if they happen to have a good plot and story that’s just a bonus. Here’s the list:

Swords

Horses

Huge explosions

At least one person getting thrown through a glass window

Large reptiles with lots of teeth

Magic

Strong and smart women

(A movie wouldn’t necessarily need all of these things, but wouldn’t it be cool?)

What is your favorite city to visit, but one that you wouldn’t want to live in?

New York City, New York

What’s the strangest question you’ve ever been asked in an interview?

If you were an animal, what would you be? I think it’s pretty obvious that I'm a snake.

What’s the best part of being a writer?

The feeling of accomplishment that comes from finally getting my ideas organized on paper.

What's next?

Part 2: Walking the Path. Adula learns about the path of city building that Lodiva Graze takes to get to her city, The City of Witches.

Betsie's Literary Page thanks Ms. Mawavise for this wonderful interview and we wish her all the best with present and all future works.