Interview with Jayel Gibson

Damselflies: An Ancient Mirrors Tale
Jayel Gibson
Synergy Books (2007)
ISBN 9781933538648  
Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (10/07)

Today, Tyler R. Tichelaar of Reader Views is pleased to be joined by Jayel Gibson, who is here to talk about her new book, “Damselflies.”

Jayel Gibson grew up listening to her grandmother’s stories of Celtic folklore and faerie tales. These stories inspired Jayel to become an author. After teaching elementary school, she retired from education to devote herself to a full-time writing career. The result has been a blending of myth and fantasy and an influence from role-playing games that led her to write her novels. She has joined me previously to discuss her novels, “Dragon Queen” and “The Wrekening,” but today she will discuss her new book “Damselflies.”

Tyler:  Welcome, Jayel. I’m so happy to have you join me again. I understand “Damselflies” is another “Ancient Mirrors Tale.” To begin, is this work a sequel to your previous books, or how would you describe its relation to the previous “Ancient Mirrors Tales” you’ve been here to discuss?

Jayel:  Thank you, Tyler. It’s a pleasure to be back at Reader Views.

The common thread throughout this series is the ancient mirrors discovered below Ædracmoræ in “Dragon Queen.” While “Damselflies” takes place in previously uncharted territory and introduces new characters, it is closely tied to the earlier tales and even resolves some issues that plagued characters in “The Wrekening.”

Tyler:   Jayel, will you tell us a little bit about the ancient mirrors and how they link the books?

Jayel:   The “Ancient Mirrors” series began with the seven kingdoms of Ædracmoræ physically fragmented, and the only means of moving from one kingdom to another was through the underground linking mirrors. As the series unfolds and the seven kingdoms are reunited, other mirrors linking Ædracmoræ to the sister worlds of Ælargessæ and Quondam are discovered, broadening the tales’ reach beyond the original realm of the Dragon Queen.

Tyler:   Would you also tell us a little bit about the fantasy world where the novels take place—how does this fantasy world stand out from those in other novels?

Jayel:   Grounded in a blend of Celtic and Arthurian legend, the worlds portrayed in the “Ancient Mirrors” series offer readers an authentic, yet otherworldly experience. The realms’ populations vary from the familiar to the unknown, which provides readers with both comfort and surprise.

The fantasy worlds of my novels veer far from the Tolkienesque flavor that was reawakened with the release of the “Lord of the Rings” film trilogy. Readers will not find orcs, elves or dwarves wandering within the pages of the “Ancient Mirrors Tales.”

Tyler:   “Damselflies” tells the story of Arcinaë, the last Damselfly. What exactly is a Damselfly and how did Arcinaë become the last of her race?

Jayel:   Damselflies are a winged race of enchanted beings whose numbers have declined over the centuries to less than two dozen. When a powerful human warlord decides they threaten humanity, he sets out to annihilate them. Arcinaë is tortured along with the rest of her clan and left for dead. Fortunately for magick and Man, she survived.

Tyler:   I understand Arcinaë is about to have children, but there is a threat to her being. Who are her enemies and why are they set upon destroying her?

Jayel:   As is often the case, humans fear what they do not understand and set about to rid themselves of it. In this case a legend about a Halfling born of Damselfly and Man has become quite twisted. The anticipated Halfling is now considered a threat to the human race, justifying the execution of Arcinaë before any offspring can be born, thereby ending any risk of the legend’s fulfillment.

Tyler:   Jayel, would you please tell us a little bit about Ilerion and Nilus, who assist Arcinaë?

Jayel:   Ilerion is a man tormented by the death of his wife, a death he believes he should have prevented. He has abandoned his position and homeland to become a bounty hunter for the crown.

Nilus is a reformed thief, who describes himself simply as a short, round, bald man, but he is definitely not a man to be underestimated, and he is fiercely loyal to Ilerion.

Tyler:   I understand Arcinaë and Ilerion have children who are Halfling daughters consequently, and that the second part of the book is really their story. Would you tell us a little bit about the daughters and why you chose to make “Damselflies” a two generation story?

Jayel:   J’yorie and A’Janae are the offspring promised in the legend of the Damselfly. One is a warrior with the talent to seek out those lost and the other is a mistress of diplomacy, a warrior with words.

Since this book is the story of the Damselfly’s legend it could not be told in a single generation, yet it did need to be told as a single story.

Tyler: “Damselflies” includes a map of the fantasy world and also a glossary of terms used in that world. Would you tell us a little bit about your process in creating this fantasy world and why you decided to provide these guides to your readers?

Jayel:   While writing this story I lived alongside the characters in the world of Ælargessæ and learned its languages. The maps and glossary are my way of sharing that vivid, personal experience with readers, giving them the opportunity to pour over the map along with Ilerion and Arcinaë as they attempt to stay ahead of Lord Lazaro’s hunters, to join J’yorie on the hunt for the Bridge of Light that leads to Fyrki, or see the phonetic breakdown of words I heard these characters speak.

As a reader, I have always enjoyed the added dimension of maps in books, and appreciated the insight a glossary provides and so I pass on this pleasure to my readers.

Tyler:   When you were interviewed by Reader Views in the past, you talked about your love of history and Celtic mythology. What elements of “Damselflies” are connected to Celtic and medieval history?

Jayel:   Readers familiar with Arthurian legend will feel that period in this story. From the division of the kingdoms, the code of chivalry, and the clothing and weaponry to the physical contests set forth in the challenge for the crown, “Damselflies” is wrapped in the armor of Arthurian Britain. As with all the “Ancient Mirrors Tales,” this one began with a little seed planted by a Celtic myth and readers will recognize Celtic names and images as they approach the underworld realm of Goibniu. Coastal Oregonians will also find some familiar names in this book.

Tyler:   I understand “Damselflies” has been receiving significant attention and praise. Tell us a little bit about the positive response you’ve received so far.

Jayel:   On September 26th, “Damselflies” hit #1 on Amazon.com’s Celtic Mythology bestseller list, and in early October I was notified that it had received a 2007 Writer’s Digest International Book Awards Honorable Mention and will be featured in the March/April 2008 issue of Writer’s Digest.

This is particularly exciting because it happened while “Damselflies” was still in pre-sales. In celebration, “Damselflies” will be paired with Michelle Sagara’s “Cast In Secret” during the month of November, and then with Stephenie Meyer’s bestselling “Twilight” for the month of December at Amazon.com. Both of these pairings offer special discounts to Amazon shoppers. “Dragon Queen” and “The Wrekening” also have special Amazon pairings in November.

Tyler:   What about your books do your readers find so appealing?

Jayel:   It is their ability to identify with characters in the stories. This delights me because there is more than just a wee bit of me in each of them. I feel a very special connection with my readers because of this.

Tyler:   Can readers expect more “Ancient Mirror Tales”? If so, will you tell us a little bit about what you think will come next?

Jayel:   They can indeed. The next “Ancient Mirrors Tale” will be released by Synergy Books next summer. Fans of Cwen from “The Wrekening” will be pleased to know that she has returned in “Quondam,” and she’s taking on everyone from the queen and nomadic tribes to a seriously dangerous dragonspawn, though he may be more hazardous to her heart than her health.

Tyler:   Jayel, would you tell us a little bit about your writing process and especially how you keep track of all your characters, especially when you’re reintroducing characters in later books?

Jayel:   For me, the writing process is like a movie playing in my mind. It comes complete with surround sound and Technicolor images. I once told an editor that I was just a typist for the cast of characters in each story. She assured me I was far more than that, but it doesn’t feel that way to me.

Each of my characters has a journal documenting his or her history. It’s written from an ‘in character’ perspective and includes race, gender, age, skills, weaknesses, relationships, unresolved issues, and special goals or desires. As the story moves forward from book to book, returning characters continue their journeys, updating their journals as they interact with new characters, resolve issues and achieve goals.

These character diaries allow me to watch each character evolve, and I can keep track from a more objective perspective. For example: Readers will discover, just as I did, that Cwen is not the same woman in “Quondam” that she was in “The Wrekening,” or “Damselflies.” Her life experiences changed her, just as ours have changed us.

As the characters move through the world, I create documentation on a rough map which is later refined and illustrated by an artist. The same is true of the glossary. Words that I’m not familiar with are logged along with a phonetic pronunciation and context definition; these later become the formal glossary.

Tyler:   I understand you are also writing another series—the “Ever’neath” series. What made you decide to branch out into another series? Does it take place in a different fantasy world than “The Ancient Mirrors Tales”?

Jayel:   Honestly, there was no conscious decision on my part. Several of the
Ever’neath characters have had journals for more than a year. I’ve basically kept them locked in a closet and ignored them while I finished the “Ancient Mirrors Tales” series. Now, it’s their turn to have their stories told.

“Ever’neath” does take place in an all new environment, ranging from the lowland human settlements of Ever’neath to the soaring Empyrean city of Welkin’s Rim.

Tyler:   Do you think you’ll ever try your hand at writing other genres besides fantasy?

Jayel:   I have to admit, I laughed when I read this question. It’s one my husband asks regularly. The answer is—probably not. Although I do write non-fiction contributed articles when requested, my heart is in fantasy, mythology and the legends I grew up hearing. While I love science fiction and mysteries, they don’t demand I give them a voice the way fantasy does. I truly believe that the writing chooses the writer, rather than the other way around.

Tyler:   Thanks so much for joining me today, Jayel. Would you remind our readers again about your website and what information they can find there, including how they can purchase your novels?

Jayel:   Readers can drop by AncientMirrors.com where they will find story synopses, book trailers, reviews, news on upcoming events, and information on monthly drawings and contests as well as Ancient Mirrors artworks, including those created by Romanian artist Mates Laurentiu for my upcoming Ever’neath series. On November 1st my new flash site, www.JayelGibson.com, will be online with additional goodies and giveaways.

“The Ancient Mirrors” books are available wherever books are sold; if you don’t see them at your local bookseller just ask for them. Autographed copies of “Damselflies” are available through the end of the year under e-Signings on the Ancient Mirrors website.

My thanks to you, Tyler, and Reader Views for hosting me.

Tyler:   Thank you, Jayel. I know readers will be looking forward to reading more “Ancient Mirrors Tales” and your “Ever’neath” series as well. I hope if they haven’t already done so, they will also go back and read your Reader Views interviews for “The Wrekening” and “Dragon Queen,” and I hope you’ll come back when your next book comes out.

Listen to interview on Inside Scoop Live
Read Review of Damselflies
Make Comments on weblog