Interview with Cyarra Weedin from Trials for the Princess Ryanne

I: Today we are joined by Cyarra from Trials for the Princess Ryanne. Thank you for joining me.

C: Thank you so much for having me.

I: If it’s alright, we’re going to jump right in here. What is your full name, and do you have any nicknames?

C: My full name is Cyarra Weedin. I don’t really have any nicknames.

I: Alright. Where and when were you born? And how old would that make you today?

C: Um, just before the first snowfall in a small village I’m not even sure has a name. That was about seventeen winters ago now.

I: Alright, who are your parents?

C: Farmers I think. When I started showing signs of magic they got scared and left me on the steps of a magical monastery. I think I was about four or so. I don’t really remember them that much.

I: Oh, I’m sorry.

C: It’s alright, don’t worry about it. Let’s continue.

I: Alright. Do you have any siblings?

C: Um, I think I had an older brother but I’m not sure. A lot of my early memories are a blur.

I: Are you left or right handed?

C: Left. I’ve been told most magic users are left handed. The few that aren’t are able to use both hands interchangeably.

I: What are your hair and eye colour?

C: I have black hair and green eyes.

I: And how tall are you?

C: Um, I think I’m about five and a half feet. I’m pretty average for a girl.

I: It must be a little awkward hanging out with girls on such opposite ends of height and being in the middle.

C: Not really. I don’t really notice too much of a difference between Nydia and myself. And I like being around Blair and Sloan. Their heights make me feel protected.

I: Well that’s good. Um, how much schooling have you had and did you enjoy school?

C: I’ve had quite a bit of schooling. I started the moment I got to the monastery. I needed to learn how to control my magic, lest I destroy everything. But I didn’t enjoy it. The place I was at didn’t have much if any funding and just taught the bare basics of controlling your abilities. Any attempts to experiment and learn more on my own was snubbed out and punished. I hated it.

I: I’m very sorry to hear that. Where did you learn most of your skills and other abilities?

C: Um, I actually learned a lot of controlling my magic and some new spells from being on the road with Sloan and them.

I: What did you want to be when you grew up?

C: I’ve always wanted to be a skilled sorceress. I still want to be that.

I: When and where were you the happiest?

C: When I was first able to control my magic. I felt this rush of pride and accomplishment. It honestly felt like I was on a cloud. I really want to keep that feeling. I’ve felt it the most when I was on the quest with my friends.

I: We’ve talked a lot about your friends. Would you mind telling me about them?

C: Oh, sure. Well, there’s Sloan. She’s wonderful, brave, kind. She’s really supportive and sweet. She’ll be the first one to put her life on the line to protect us. It can get a little infuriating at times, but her heart’s in the right place. Then there’s Nydia. She’s really funny and sweet. She’s always poking fun with Blair. The two of them together make me laugh so much. Blair’s amazing too. She’s an amazing cook and an even better tracker. She’s so smart too! I love those girls. They’re like a family to me. I always feel loved by them and accepted. We’re all just a bunch of misfits who found one another after all.

I: That’s so sweet. When and with whom did you have your first kiss?

C: *face turns red* Um, I haven’t.

I: Alright, we’ll move right along. What’s your favourite colour?

C: I like black.

I: And your favourite food?

C: Garlic and herb buns…

I: In your opinion, what’s the evilest thing any human could do?

C: Kill in cold blood.

I: Do you believe in the existence of soul mates and or true love?

C: I believe there’s someone out there for everyone.

I: Who or what would you die or go to otherwise extremes for?

C: My friends.

I: Which person do you wish you were closest to?

C: I feel like I’m pretty close with all the girls. I guess if there’s someone I wish I was closer too I’d have to say, Nydia.

I: Who is the person you respect the most and why?

C: Sloan. She has this way of wrangling in people with her aura. She’s so brave and can find a way out of everything. But she’s not full of herself. If she doesn’t know something she’ll look to others who are better qualified.

I: That’s sweet. How do you deal with pain? Both physical and emotional?

C: I’m not all that great with pain. I tend to break down and cry.

I: What is your greatest strength and weakness?

C: Um, I feel like I’m too emotional. Um, I’m not sure what a strength would be. Yeah, I’m not sure.

I: That’s alright. We can just move on.

C: Thanks.

I: If you could choose, how would you want to die?

C: In my sleep would be nice. I don’t want to feel it.

I: Understandable. What is one thing you’d most like to be remembered for after you die?

C: Um, I’d really like to be remembered as a great sorceress. That’s been my goal for a long time. Maybe it’ll be because of my advances in Magic. Or great strides in making magical education affordable for everyone. Something like that.

I: That’s very sweet. I don’t have any more questions for you, but is there anything you’d like to add before we end?

C: Um, I hope you enjoy our story when it comes out.

I: Excellent. Thank you for joining us.

C: Thank you so much for having me.

Interview with Blair Fletcher from Trials for the Princess Ryanne

I: Today we have Blair from Trials for the Princess Ryanne joining us. Thank you for being here today Blair.

B: Thanks for havin’ me.

I: So, if it’s alright with you we’ll just jump right in. What’s your full name and do you have any nicknames?

B: Full name’s Blair Fletcher. Don’t really got a nickname, ‘least one I like anyway.

I: Alright, fair enough. When and where were you born? And how old would that make you today?

B: Tiny village called Greenfalls smack dab in the middle a Spring, an’ this outta be my seventeenth year.

I: Oh, interesting. Uh, who are your parents?

B: Da’s John, he’s a hunter. Brings meat home for us an’ tans an’ sells animal hides. Mam’s Ellie, far as I know she’s just a housewife.

I: Alright, do you have any siblings?

B: Three older sisters.

I: What are they like?

B: Eldest sister’s Violet. She’s alright. Never really saw eye to eye with her, you know. But she’s a good singer. Willow’s middle sister, nice enough. Closer with Violet than me though. Got the greenest thumb I know. Youngest is Hayley. She an’ I are close. Real sweet little thing. She an’ I spent a lot a time together cookin’. Got good memories with her.

I: You must really love your sisters. Um, alright, are you left or right handed?

B: Right.

I: Can you please state your hair and eye colour.

B: Dirty blonde hair an’ brown eyes.

I: And how tall are you?

B: ‘Bout six feet if I had to guess.

I: Very tall. How much schooling have you had? Did you enjoy it?

B:*Laughs* Was a little menace. Beat up the boys, terrorized the girls an’ teachers. Half the time I was either standin’ in the corner or copyin’ outta the dictionary. They were all a bunch a stuck up snobs who didn’t respect no one. All I did was knock ’em down a peg. So, no. I didn’t like it.

I: Where did you learn your skills and abilities then?

B: Forest. Finally wore da down an’ he taught me the basics. From there I refined my skill an’ got as good as I am.

I: Oh, that’s interesting. Uh, what did you want to be when you grew up?

B: Really wanted to be a hunter like my da. Have a little cabin in the middle a nowhere where no one’d bother me. Could live in complete isolation from people.

I: When and where were you the happiest?

B: By myself under the shadow of a tree, stalkin’ prey. Never get tired a that feelin’.

I: Who are your friends and what are they like?

B: Sloan’s great. Crazy as she is, she’s wicked loyal an’ strong, an’ a hell of a lot smarter than you’d give her credit for. She’s a real leader, an’ I’m happy to follow her. Cyarra’s sweet. Real timid an’ reserved but man is she brave. All that girl needs is a little self-confidence an’ she could rule the world if she wanted. But she’s too kind to ever hurt a fly.

I: What about Nydia?

B: She’s brave an’ loyal. A very out there sort a personality. Never shuts up, but she sometimes actually says stuff worth a damn.

I: When and with whom did you have your first kiss?

B: Some idiot in school. Can’t even remember his name. All I know is I guess he got dared by his friends an’ he practically shoved his tongue down my throat. Ended up breakin’ his nose ’cause a it.

I: Oh, dear. What’s you’re favourite colour?

B: Green.

I: And your favourite food?

B: Stew. Either rabbit or deer.

I: In your opinion, what’s the evilest thing a person could do?

B: Betrayal.

I: Do you believe in the existence of a soul mate or true love?

B: Think it’s out there for some people. Never happened to me yet though, so can’t say for sure.

I: Fair enough. Uh, for who or what would you die or go to otherwise extremes for?

B: People closest to me, an’ my own freedom.

I: Respectable. Which person do you wish you were closest to?

B: I allowed to skip a question?

I: Of course.

B: Skip.

I: Alright. Who is the person you respect the most, and why?

B: Sloan. She knows what she wants an’ what’s gotta get done. She does it. An’ she protects those that stand with her.

I: Aw, that’s sweet. How do you deal with pain? Both physical and emotional?

B: Physical’s easy. Grit my teeth an’ bear it. Emotional, generally I’ll get some target practice in an’ that tends to do it.

I: Alright. What would you say is your greatest strength and your greatest weakness?

B: My trackin’ abilities, hands down the best. An’ I’m not all that great at expressin’ myself though.

I: Oh, that’s fair. Um, if you could choose, how would you want to die?

B: Middle of a hunt. The hunter becomin’ the hunted.

I: That’s… concerning.

B: You asked.

I: That I did. Alright, last question. What is the one thing you’d like to be remembered for the most after you die?

B: Dunno. Don’t really care ’bout bein’ remembered by everyone. Long as people closest me don’t forget, all I care ’bout.

I: Alright, that’s fair. Is there anything else you’d like to add before we end?

B:*Shrugs* Nope.

I: Alright, thank you so much again for being here Blair.

B: Thanks again for havin’ me.

Interview with Nydia from Trials for the Princess Ryanne

I: Today we have Nydia from Trials for the Princess Ryanne with us. Thank you so much for joining us.

N: Thanks for having me.

I: Alright, well, let’s just dive right in shall we. What’s your full name and do you have any nicknames?

N: My name’s Nydia. Sloan has gotten into the habit of calling me Nyd though. And then there’s Blondie.

I: What does Blair call you?

N: Gauche.

I: Oh dear. Where and when were you born? And how old would that make you today?

N: Creekly, during the Summer. I’m seventeen now.

I: Who are your parents?

N: No idea. I was left on the steps of an orphanage shortly after being born. I was left with a note saying my name was Nydia and that’s about it. I don’t know anything about them other than they didn’t care about me.

I: Oh I’m sorry to hear that.

N:*Shrugs* What can you do?

I: Um, are you right or left handed?

N: Right, I think. I use it for everything.

I: What are your hair and eye colour?

N: Dark brown hair and dark brown eyes.

I: And how tall are you?

N: I dunno exactly, but I’m about a foot shorter than Sloan if that helps.

I: So you’re about five feet or five foot one then?

N: Sounds about right.

I: Um, how much schooling have you had and did you like school?

N: Haven’t had any schooling. I learned what I did on my own, by myself.

I: Alright. Um, what did you want to be when you grew up?

N: Rich.

I: When and where are you happiest?

N: When my friends and I are lounging around a campfire just enjoying one another’s company.

I: Aw, that’s sweet. So, who are your friends and what are they like?

N: Oh geez. Well, there’s Sloan. Directionless and crazy as she is, she’s really brave, and strong, and loyal. She’s saved my ars more times than I can count. She’s absolutely amazing. But she’s also infuriating. She’ll throw her life on the line to protect us, even when she doesn’t need to. Cyarra’s amazing too. She has incredible magical abilities and she’s so brave too! She gets into these, I dunno what to call them, fits? Where she can’t really breath, and gets really overwhelmed by sounds and lights, she has difficulty breathing during these fits. But she’s worked through them all to help us out when we really needed it. She doesn’t exactly know how to control her magic properly ’cause she doesn’t have the training yet or experience, but that doesn’t stop her from trying! And then there’s Blondie. I’d like to consider her a friend, though I think she might think me more an annoyance. She’s real smart, and an amazing hunter. Somehow she’s an even better cook! I like her. We have a lot of back and forth. Generally, it’s all in good fun, at least I hope that’s how she takes it. I love those girls!

I: It really sounds like it. So, when and with whom did you have your first kiss?

N: I haven’t just yet.

I: Alright, we’ll just move right along then. Uh, what’s your favourite colour?

N: I really like purple, but that’s a royal colour. Um, pink is a close second though.

I: What’s your favourite food?

N: Anything Blondie makes.

I: *Laughs* Is she that good of a cook?

N: Better.

I: Alright. In your opinion, what is the evilest thing a human could do?

N: Turn their back on those they love and care about. Or sacrifice their loved ones for something stupid like power, or money.

I: I like that answer. Do you believe in soul mates and or true love?

N: I do. I hope it happens to me soon.

I: Don’t we all. Who or what would you die or go to other extremes for?

N: My friends. They’re more like family to me.

I: Aww. Which person do you wish you were closest to?

N: Umm, I kinda wish Cyarra and I were closer.

I: Alright. Who is the person you most respect and why?

N: Cyarra. She has all that internal fighting with herself and the issues with her magic, and she still manages to put a smile on her face and get us through some of the toughest trials.

I: You’re the second person to say her.

N: I don’t doubt it.

I: Alright, how do you deal with pain? Both physical and emotional?

N:*Shrugs* I dunno. I think I just keep it all inside.

I: What would you say is your greatest strength and your greatest weakness?

N: I’m naturally clumsy, so that’s a big negative to me. Um, strength, huh? *shrugs* My ability to think on my feet?

I: Alright. If you could choose, how would you want to die?

N: Surrounded by my loved ones.

I: I think that’s the best way to go too. What’s one thing you would most want to be remembered for after your death?

N: Well that’s morbid! *Laughs* Uh, my ability to make people laugh.

I: A good way to be remembered. Alright, that’s all the questions I have. But is there anything else you’d like to add before we’re finished.

N: Support this author because there’s more than one book we’re all going to be in!

I: Alright. Thank you for being here with us today, Nydia.

N: Thanks again for having me!

Interview with Sloan Miller From Trials for the Princess Ryanne

I: Today we have Sloan from Trials for the Princess Ryanne joining us. Thank you for being here with us today, Sloan. How are you?

S: Thanks for having me. I’m good, and yourself?

I: Well thank you. I know you’re busy so let’s just dive right in, shall we? Is Sloan your actual name, or is it a nickname?

S: Sloan Miller’s my name. My mam named me, she said it means warrior. My friend Zev does have a habit of calling me Sparky though.

I: Well that’s adorable. When and where were you born? And how old would that make you today?

S: On the first day of frost in Autumn, in a little town called Hayven. Uh, this is my seventeenth year.

I: Can you tell us about your parents?

S: *shifts a little* Can I skip that question, please?

I: Of course. Do you have any siblings at all?

S: No. It’s only me.

I: Oh, alright. Are you right or left handed?

S: Um, both actually. I don’t know if there’s a word for it though, sorry.

I: That’s perfectly alright and very interesting. Would you please tell us your hair and eye colour?

S: Light blonde hair and honey brown eyes.

I: And how tall are you?

S: Just over six feet I think.

I: Wow you’re tall. Alright, well how much schooling have you had?

S: Umm. Comparatively, I think I had quite a lot. I didn’t go to any university or anything, but there was a school in town. I was expected to stay in it longer than a lot of kids my age because my da is the preacher, right. So, I was in school until I was about twelve.

I: Oh, did you enjoy school?

S: Not really. It wasn’t difficult or anything, it just, wasn’t for me.

I: I understand that. Where did you learn most of your skills you use today?

S: A lot of it came from the smithy I worked in actually. Jack taught me a lot. And then quite a bit I picked up along my journey and by myself.

I: Alright, fair enough. What did you want to be when you grew up?

S: I’ve always wanted to be a knight, ever since I was a little girl. I still hold that today.

I: Oh, that’s really cool. When and where were you the happiest?

S: Um, I’m usually really happy at Jack’s smithy. That has a lot of good memories for me. As for when usually when I’m with my friends. Zev is really great at keeping me calm, Nydia makes me laugh more than anything, and I just love hanging around with Blair and Cyarra.

I: Aw, that’s so sweet. We’ve already talked a little about your friends, what are they like?

S: Oh, geez. Where do we want to start? Um, Nydia, the clutz she is she’s amazing. She’s really funny, and upbeat, and, she’s just unapologetically herself. I really love and admire that about her. Blair’s wicked loyal and cunning like a fox, if not more so. She’s really smart too. She has to be, she’s a hunter after all. The best I’ve seen. And honestly, I’m glad she’s on my side. Cyarra is so sweet and brave, and kind. Throughout our journey, she’s been terrified, yet she marched forward, pushed herself to her limits, and gotten us out of hopeless situations. I admire and respect that mage more than anyone else. She gets into these, I’m not sure what to call them, um moods where she can’t really breath and gets easily overwhelmed. I imagine it can’t be easy but she fights through them every time and keeps going. She’s a true hero. And then there’s Zev. What really can I say about him? He’s been my best friend since we were small. He’s always been kind to me. I owe him a lot.

I: Aw, it sounds like you really do care about your friends a lot. So, talking about caring. When and with whom did you have your first kiss?

S:*face burns red* Um-

I: I’m not letting your skip on this one.

S:*face burns deeper* Um, I was thirteen. Zev asked if he could kiss me at the annual harvest festival. And I let him.

I: That is so cute! I promise to move away from those more touchy subject now. What’s your favourite colour?

S: Oh, um, I like blue I guess.

I: And your favourite food?

S: Peach pie.

I: In your opinion, what is the evilest thing any human could do?

S: Hurt a person you truly love for a cause either you don’t understand, or they want nothing to do with.

I: Do you believe in the existence of soul mates and or true love?

S: I think there’s someone out there for everyone. You just need to be brave enough to find them and have enough love for yourself.

I: That’s very mature. Who or what would you die or go to other extremes for?

S: My friends and loved ones.

I: Which person do you wish you were closest to?

S: I really wish my da and I were closer than we are.

I: I’m sorry to hear that. Who is the person you respect the most, and why?

S: Cyarra, hands down. She fights through all her own issues to help us out when we need her. She’s clearly in large amounts of pain, or stress, or discomfort a lot of the time and she puts it aside. She doubts herself a lot, but she shows more strength and bravery than anyone else I know.

I: That’s really sweet and definitely worth respect. How do you deal with pain? Both physical and emotional?

S: Uh, physical pain’s easy to deal with. Let out a cry of pain and curse a bunch. I, uh, never really learned how to deal with emotional pain. I guess I just keep it inside?

I: I wish I could say I did something different, but it’s the easiest thing. Isn’t it?

S: Yeah.

I: So, what would you say is your greatest strength and greatest weakness?

S: I want to say my greatest strength is my ability to lead, but that sounds pretentious. So, can I just say my physical strength? As for my weakness, I’d have to say my lack of emotional control.

I: Nothing to be ashamed of there. These next two questions are going to be a little on the dark side, so if you want to skip them let me know. If you could choose, how would you want to die?

S: Uh, hehe. This probably sounds more pretentious but I’d like to die with a lot of honour. Preferably defending either my loved ones or people who can’t protect themselves. I want to die a knight’s death.

I: That’s not pretentious, that’s actually very noble. Alright, last question. What is the one thing you would most want to be remembered for after your death?

S: Being the first female knight of the Realm and paving the way for countless other girls would be nice. Otherwise, my heroic deeds I suppose.

I: A very good way to be remembered. Alright, well that’s all the questions I have for you today. Is there anything else you’d like to say before we end?

S: *Shakes head* No, not really.

I: Alright, well thank you so much for being here to talk to me today.

S: Thank you so much for having me.