{Blog Tour/Interview} Roots of Insight by Breeana Puttroff

Welcome to Literary R&R's stop on Breeana Puttroff's Roots of Insight book blog tour, hosted by Lightning Book Promotions. For our stop, an interview has been conducted by Kate, our newest team member.

Book Info:

ISBN #: 978-0983993032

Page Count: 306

Copyright: January 9, 2012

Publisher: Musefish Independent Press

Summary:

Quinn Robbins has just returned from spending ten days in Eirentheos, a world she had never known existed. Trying to settle back into her familiar life and establish a relationship with her new boyfriend, Zander, is more of a challenge than she ever dreamed it would be. Things are just beginning to feel normal again when Thomas shows up in her world, and invites her back to Eirentheos for a royal wedding. She's excited at the chance to reconnect with the people and places she had begun to fall in love with. What she doesn't realize is just how deeply connected with this new world she might become ... and just what old secrets might be beginning to unravel.

Author Interview:

Hello Breeana! Thank you so much for joining us today :-)

Hi Kate! Thanks so much for having me. :-)

What made you decide to create another world/reality while still having part of the story take place on Earth (rather than having the whole story be in one world or the other)?

The idea for The Dusk Gate Chronicles built sort of slowly. It was inspired by a real broken and neglected bridge I saw up in the mountains one day when my dad and I took my daughter for a picnic. I knew as soon as I saw it that there was a story in it, but it took me another six months of thinking about it before I was ready to start writing. Because the whole idea for the story was the bridge, it sort of had to take place in both worlds. :-)

Can you tell us a little bit more about the Kingdom's structure (namely in terms of each child of the royal family having a different "gift")?

The children of the royal families in Eirentheos and Philotheum (the two main kingdoms in the story) are given "gifts" shortly after they're born. It's a tradition in their world that stems back from a time that the two kingdoms were actually part of one larger kingdom. While the gifts are not actually magical, they are a way of passing down the characteristics that the people of those kingdoms believe are important in maintaining a peaceful and well-functioning society.

How did you decide on the gifts for the family members and which one to give to each character?

The gifts are given in order of birth, so the firstborn child in a royal family is given the gift of leadership - a gift which will serve them as they take on the roles they will grow into. The rest of the gifts are other things that would benefit the people of the kingdom. The gifts aren't a destiny set in stone, each royal child still has to make the decisions about how they will use their gifts. William, for example, was never required to become a healer.

A gift can be a double-edged sword, as well. A person can become overconfident in his or her gift, and not be careful with it. A leader might expect that everyone will listen to him simply because of his gift, when he is not demonstrating that leadership. Or a second-born gifted with Justice might come to think his opinions were always right.

Since you know how much I love Thomas ;-) can you tell us how relationships in the kingdom work versus here on Earth (for example both worlds have marriage, but what about dating relationships, girlfriend/boyfriend terms, etc)?

Thomas is definitely lovable. ;-) Relationships is Eirentheos and in our world are fairly similar, although in Eirentheos, teenage relationships are taken probably a bit more seriously. Theirs is a culture where family is very valued and important, and their "teenagers" have more adult responsibilities. It is very common there for people to marry quite young (though due to the differences in the timeline, they really are older in many ways.)

Teenagers there might begin a relationship by beginning an informal courtship. They would spend time together, usually close to one or both of their families, doing things like picnics, horseback rides, family dinners, and parties. If the two are not compatible, this stage usually ends quickly. Thomas has had a few of these. :-) If they are compatible, this stage is longer, and usually culminates in the couple deciding to pursue a formal courtship.

A formal courtship is shared with both families, and in the case of royal children, the courtship is announced and made public knowledge. During this stage, a couple will spend more time together, and with both of their families, and it is understood that the couple is making a decision about whether they are compatible for marriage. It is traditional for a courting couple to exchange "courtship bracelets," each bracelet bearing the other's name, on the night they announce their formal courtship.

Formal courtships can vary in length, and they can be broken off by either party at any time. Couples make serious decisions during a formal courtship, and they know that at this point, the relationship is headed toward marriage.

After a formal courtship comes the betrothal, and the couple formally announces their intention to marry. Betrothals are usually expected, and also usually short. Most weddings take place as soon after the betrothal as they can be arranged.

The terms "boyfriend" and "girlfriend" are not really slang in Eirentheos. Usually, the person you are courting is known as a companion or a partner.

What is the hardest part in creating your own world (beside having to answer all my strange questions, haha)?

The hardest part has probably been coming up with all of the details, and making sure they are consistent across the stories. And the history - as the books progress, we learn a lot more about the history of the kingdoms and the characters. Some of the history is a story in itself. :-)

I know currently there are three books out in the series, do you have a number you plan to stop at or will the series continue as long as you have ideas?

The fourth, and final, book in the main story arc will be released later this year. November 23rd is currently the projected date. I am considering a prequel (speaking of history!) that would take place before Quinn was born, and I am also thinking about a possible sequel that would take place about ten years after the fourth book ends, and much of which would be told from a different character's point of view.

I have a completely different project I am planning on releasing before doing either of those stories, however.

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions and for visiting us at the blog.

Again, thank you so much for having me on your lovely blog! :-)

--
Breeana Puttroff
Author of The Dusk Gate Chronicles

Book One: Seeds of Discovery
Book Two: Roots of Insight
Book Three: Thorns of Decision

Find them at Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, or ask your favorite bookseller.

a Rafflecopter giveaway