Whenever people find out I’m a writer, they often ask me where I get my inspiration. A lot of times, this question is unanswerable. It’s like asking someone where their dreams came from when they wake up. Sometimes you can point to the bad pizza, but most of the time you just shrug and hope your subconscious really isn’t that crazy.
Traveling is my bad pizza. The one thing I can point to when people ask where my inspiration comes from. My husband and I both suffer from fernweh (read: wanderlust or “the ache for distant places”), a condition that can only be treated by adding more stamps to your passport. I love getting dust in my hair and the thrum of foreign places in my veins. I love seeing the height and breadth of this earth and the humanity that fills it.
ALL THAT GLOWS is a special case for me in terms of traveling inspirations. The book takes place in Britain (mostly London), which is the destination of my very first two trips abroad. I was young both times (13 and 16 respectively), and I was completely and totally enraptured by this place that was not-the US. This place of towering cathedrals, prim gardens and clotted cream. Where almost every building you walked past has more years of history than stones.
I had no way of knowing that my time in the UK would one day emerge as a book. But I everything I saw and heard about I tucked away: my tour of Buckingham palace, the legend of the Tower ravens, a ride on the London Eye and (a few years later) my 18 mile hike through the Scottish highlands. I never did any of these things with ALL THAT GLOWS in mind—the story actually didn’t emerge until years later, when I was teaching English in South Korea, an experience that inspired a completely separate novel (a story for another day). But memories of my time in Britain became a treasure trove of inspiration when I sat in front of my laptop and started writing Emrys’s story. I could describe the halls of Buckingham with confidence. I could remember what it was like to float up, up, up in the London Eye and see the Thames snaking below. I could capture the wilds of the Scottish highlands the Fae inhabit.
That very first trip to London was what sparked my love of travel and seeing the world. I’m forever indebted to my parents—not only for infecting me with wanderlust, but also for providing me with opportunities for inspiration. Without this trip, I don’t know if I would have had the courage to write ALL THAT GLOWS; to fully research and explore a culture that wasn’t my own.
But now I’m addicted to bad pizza traveling and all that comes with it!
Title: All That Glows
Author: Ryan Graudin
Published: Feburary 11th, 2014
Source: E-Galley from Edelweiss
My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Goodreads Summary:
Emrys—a fiery, red-headed Fae—always embraced her life in the Highlands, far from the city’s draining technology, until she’s sent to London to rejoin the Faery Guard. But this isn’t any normal assignment—she’s sent to guard Prince Richard: Britain’s notorious, partying bad boy and soon-to-be King. The prince’s careless ways and royal blood make him the irresistible for the dark spirits that feed on mortals. Sweet, disheveled, and alive with adventure—Richard is one charge who will put Emrys’s magic and heart to the test.
When an ancient force begins preying on the monarchy, Emrys must hunt through the London’s magical underworld, facing down Banshees, Black Dogs and Green Women to find the one who threatens Richard’s life. In this chaos of dark magic, palace murders and paparazzi, Emrys finds herself facing an impossible choice. For despite all her powers, Emrys has discovered a force that burns brighter than magic: love
My Thoughts :
I have to admit that I was a bit hesitant to read this one but, only because the fey are not one of my favorites and I am very picky when I read books about them and it does take a lot for me to enjoy a book about them. Ryan did a great job and I didn’t mind the fey aspect and I really enjoyed it!
Emrys is a promising young Fae who loves her life as Fae and takes her duties very seriously. She is sent to London to join the Fae Guard which protects the crown of England from the evil magical creatures. But she didn’t expect how she would react to having to guard the hard partying Prince Richard. As darkness falls on the Fae, Emrys is faced with so many choices that will change her life forever.
I loved watching Emrys, my favorite was definitely her interactions with Richard. She felt so torn by her duties and wanting to get to know him better. She couldn’t hide herself from him and watching the two of them get closer, and also watching Emrys come to terms with what her duties are and what her heart wants.
Ryan Graudin has created a great combination of romance, fae, and action that was just perfect, I loved each page I read and I could not stop reading it. I really enjoyed it and I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next!
All That Glows
by Ryan Graudin
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: February 11th 2014
Synopsis:
Emrys—a fiery, red-headed Fae—always embraced her life in the Highlands, far from the city’s draining technology, until she’s sent to London to rejoin the Faery Guard. But this isn’t any normal assignment—she’s sent to guard Prince Richard: Britain’s notorious, partying bad boy and soon-to-be King. The prince’s careless ways and royal blood make him the irresistible for the dark spirits that feed on mortals. Sweet, disheveled, and alive with adventure—Richard is one charge who will put Emrys’s magic and heart to the test.
When an ancient force begins preying on the monarchy, Emrys must hunt through the London’s magical underworld, facing down Banshees, Black Dogs and Green Women to find the one who threatens Richard’s life. In this chaos of dark magic, palace murders and paparazzi, Emrys finds herself facing an impossible choice. For despite all her powers, Emrys has discovered a force that burns brighter than magic: love.
My name is Ryan and I've been writing ever since I grabbed one of my dad's old tax ledgers and created this masterpiece: see image.
My writing has since improved, though my obsession with wolves has remained relatively the same (I even own a wolf-hybrid pup.) My childhood was a happy, sunny thing. I grew up on a steady diet of fairytales, salt-marshes, music and brothers who would re-enact Redwall battles with me in the back yard. I went to an artsy sort of high-school that allowed cello recitals in the hallways and impromptu poetry slams in the cafeteria. It was there I decided that writing was what I wanted to do more than anything.
I'm officially a grownup now (I suppose one must admit that once they turn 26). My diet still includes fairytales, salt-marshes and art, but there are a few new loves thrown in. A big one is travel. Pieces of my heart are scattered like breadcrumbs all over the globe--I've bartered them off for writing inspiration, so I suppose it's a fair trade.
When I'm not cramming my earthly belongings into a backpack and waiting in airport security lines, I'm doing one of the following: Writing YA novels, Photographing weddings with my husband, Making our little white cottage more homey, Playing with my wolf pup, Trying out Korean récipes, Haunting local coffee shops with my friends.
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