Keira Gillett Author

Fierce Middle Grade Fantasy Reads

blog tour

8 Facts about Zaria Fierce and the Enchanted Drakeland Sword

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Last time around I did a fun little post that discussed some cool facts about the first book in the Zaria Fierce Trilogy. Today I thought I’d share some facts about the second book. Let’s dive in! Here’s 8 things you might not have known about Zaria Fierce’s second adventures through Norway:

  1. The first draft of Zaria Fierce and the Enchanted Drakeland Sword was completed in six months on 6/9/2015 for a total of 3 days 2 hours 48 minutes writing time and 41,333 words. It took more four months to complete book two compared with the first book, because multiple rounds of edits were being done on book one to get it ready for publication.
  2. The second draft was completed a month later on 7/11/2015 for a total of 3 days 21 hours 52 minutes writing time and 42,936 words. Polishing, revising, and clarifying.
  3. The final book clocks in at 44,260 words and 4 days 18 hours 26 minutes total writing time. This makes book two 8,060 more words than book one.
  4. It took 1 day 16 hours and 22 minutes to complete the additional drafts and edits.
  5. Narrated, the second book is 5 hours 14 minutes long which is 1 hr and 12 minutes longer than book one.
  6. 16 illustrations – the under drawings are orange, which you’d never guess looking at the final work (the previous book the under drawings were blue). There was a 17th drawing that wasn’t used, featuring a giant.
  7. There were three other possible titles for book two, involving the words Enchantment, Acquisition, and Drakelord.
  8. 2 versions of the prologue exist. The original, which was less focused and only just touched on Zaria’s emotional state, and the current version.

Blog Tour Stop: Interview with Eoghan Kerrigan, Part 4

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Keira Gillett (Author): Greetings everyone! The second book in the trilogy, Zaria Fierce and the Enchanted Drakeland Sword  features some amazing artwork from Eoghan Kerrigan. Be sure to check out the other parts of this interview series to see more of his artwork. We’ve been having a lot of fun talking about the book and the artwork. So Eoghan, what is the hardest part of illustrating a story?

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Eoghan Kerrigan (Illustrator): The hardest part is challenging yourself to draw things out of your comfort zone if the story demands it of you. These drawings take a bit longer because you need to gather reference material to make the drawing more convincing.

Keira: I laughed when I saw your Twitter status on drawing ships. I knew you were referencing Zaria’s adventures in book two. So what is the easiest? The most fun?

Eoghan: The easiest and most fun are the same thing – drawing fun and visually interesting characters and creatures.

Keira: I really love your characters and creatures. They have such life to them. It’s been a lot of fun to see what you’ll come up with for each chapter. Do you ever experience a creative block similar to what authors call writer’s block?

Eoghan: All the time! I don’t think there is a single creative person who doesn’t experience this at some point.

Keira: How do you get past it and what do you do to stay motivated and fresh?

Eoghan: Various things can knock me out of it. Some fresh air, listening to music, seeing a piece of art I really admire. But the most effective way I think is just to take a break. Forcing yourself to do something doesn’t always help, but the desire will always return eventually.

Keira: I did something similar when I was stuck on a scene in the first book. I’d stop writing for the day and focus on other things so I could start fresh the next day. For book two when I was stuck, I sat down and plotted pieces of the story that I wanted to see. Not all of it stuck, but it did help to unstick me. What type of drawing tools do you use to create your illustrations?

Eoghan: Pencils! That’s really it. A blue or orange pencil for the rough under drawing and a 2B graphite pencil for the finished lines. I’m very comfortable with traditional media.

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Keira: I can tell! You could knock me over with a feather if readers aren’t as thrilled as I am about the work you’ve done. Thanks for joining us today! Eoghan and I look forward to seeing readers’ reactions to the new illustrations.

Blog Tour Stop: The Giants of Zaria Fierce

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Good morning everybody! I’m over at Natalie’s blog, Book Lover’s Life, talking about the giants we meet in the Zaria Fierce Trilogy. I even share how to dress up like one if you’re so inclined. See you there!

I’m so very excited to share with you, Natalie’s review of Zaria’s first adventures via audio book. Here’s a sneak peek:

Plot wise, it was really fast paced and interesting. I loved the lore behind the world and the author really brought the land to life through her vivid descriptions. I had no problem visualising the place and creatures. I also loved the sheer variety of fantastical creatures that are featured. We have a bit of everything!

Blog Tour: Folklore and World Building of the Zaria Fierce Trilogy

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Raise your hand if you would like to learn more about the ellefolken race in the Zaria Fierce books. (Raises both hands!) I’m over at Brenda’s fabulous Log Cabin Library blog discussing world building and Norwegian mythology. Join me to learn more about Hector, his father, and his son, plus check out some artwork from the series and other artwork that inspired scenes in the books.

Brenda has also reviewed the first book in the Zaria Fierce Trilogy, and she had this to say:

Very quickly I was able to relate to Zaria, having been an Army brat  and moving just about every four years growing up.  I’m sure most people would’ve thought I was shy back then too.  Like Zaria, I  spent lots of time reading and dreaming up adventures.    I especially enjoy that Zaria  doesn’t stay this shy and quiet girl, and begins to develop confidence in herself, offering her opinion, fighting off wolf attacks and  develops stronger friendships with Geirr, Filip and Aleks.

Update – Brenda now has her review for book two live!

I like how the action begins quickly and Gillett brings the reader up to speed on the plot, no time is wasted in getting these friends off on another adventure through the Norwegian countryside. Oh and that setting, it’s one of the most enjoyable things in reading Gillett’s stories. All the lovely rich details of each of the magical kingdoms, each place is unique and highlights the depth of her imagination.