Interview Rebecca Henry Author of The Lady Raven
Give a warm welcome to Rebecca Henry author of The Lady Raven, A Dark Cinderella Tale.
Rebecca what inspired this particular story?
I was inspired to write The Lady Raven: A Dark Cinderella Tale after researching the origin of the story The Glass Slipper. (which was written in the 1600s) Unlike the Disney version, it is a dreadfully dark folk lore. I wanted to write my own take on the fairy tale emphasizing on the true horror The Glass Slipper depicted. Cinderella wasn’t just a victim of verbal abuse, but physical as well, which Lady Tremaine took to horrific proportions on her own daughters. I knew I could tap into that darkness and create a new and unique take on the story.
Do you find it easier to write from a male or female point of view? Why?
I absolutely love this question! I traditionally write from a female point of view although, I have written a book called Hybrid, where the male was the lead and it was told in his perspective. However, I do gravitate towards writing from my own gender. The reason I do this is because, I write stories I want to read. I write for me not for anyone else, and right now the stories I want to write are told in the female gender.
Do you see yourself in your characters?
No, with The Lady Raven I did not write the story with myself in mind as being apart of my main character or any of the characters. The character’s I create are more like familiars or companions I have fashioned for my own pleasure and amusement. They’re not birthed from my own personality, so I never see myself in them. This is such a great question because I almost always identify with other characters in books, seeing myself in them, but traditionally I do not see myself in my own stories.
A peek between the pages of The Lady Raven;
Zezolla entered the forest, twig in one hand, shattered glass in the other. She moved effortlessly through the night as if she herself had wings which carried her. She came to a clearing, a streak of moonlight shining on the frozen ground. “This is the spot, my love.” The raven flew into the sky circling Zezolla as she dug into the ground. “Remember the order, my princess. Plant the twig and then the glass.”
“I call upon the spirit of my mother. I command you to leave the grave in which my mother’s body rests. Awaken now and bring forth the tree of life!” Zezolla held her hands up to the moon invoking its powers. “I am the daughter of the witch Avelina. I invoke the powers of the night. Come to me, my mother’s spirit. I welcome you!” A silver mist traveled above. The raven flew down to his princess. “She is coming, princess.” Zezolla watched as a tiny branch came forth from the dirt. Slowly it grew, taller and taller. More branches came. Zezolla thought she saw the figure of a woman in the tree. Shards of glass formed together creating glass leaves, dangerous to anyone who touched it – anyone but Zezolla. The princess stood up amazed by the beautiful sight before her. “It is complete, my love. My mother is here and her spirit resides inside the tree.” A remarkable hazel tree stood before her, 15 feet tall with a small opening at the base big enough for Zezolla to fit through. She examined the leaves running her long fingers over the glass. “It cannot cut me my love.” She held out her arm for the raven to perch. “But it will be dangerous to anyone else who tries to touch it.”
The two men made it to the barrier, gasping in horror. “What entrance is this!?” cried out Jack. “This was never here. There has never been an entrance to the forest.” Jack backed away, terrified that Zezolla awakened a spirit inside the forest. “It’s just a narrow passage. It must have been caused by the cold ice.” concluded Edward logically.
Jack shook his head. “No, Hexe did this. She has opened the forest. Who knows what evil lurks inside? These grounds are now cursed.”
“If that is true then I will not venture in.” Edward turned to leave but Jack stopped him. “This might be valuable to me Edward. If Hexe possesses some magical entity inside the forest then I want it.”
Jack grabbed Edward by the collar and moved him through the opening. Edward clung to his knife, jumping at the sounds around them. “There is a light coming from beyond the trees. Could be lightening. Let’s go see what Hexe is up to.” Edward tried to turn back, but Jack had a strong hold on him. “Courage man! You’re no better than a scared boy.” snarled Jack.
Zezolla, unaware of the servants approaching, entered the hazel tree. Edward ducked down behind a bush as he saw Zezolla disappear.
“We must leave now! I told you this would be our death! She is a witch! Did you just see how she entered that glass tree?!”
Jack was too fascinated to leave. He had never witnessed true magic before. “I want to take a closer look.”
“What? Are you mad! If you go near that tree that will be the end of you!”
Jack did not listen to Edward and walked over to the magical tree which was shimmering in the moonlight. “I just want to see it. Stay where you are if you are afraid,” Jack snorted.
“To hell with curiosity. I don’t want to end up without my head like Princess Guinevere. Go on then, you fool! Go see your magical tree.”
The tree seemed to call to Jack, beckoning him forward. “It’s so beautiful. Look at the sparkling leaves.” He reached out to touch one. The branch moved slicing his finger off his hand. Jack screamed in pain, clenching his finger to his chest. He tried to run away, but the tree caught him in her branches.
Edward stayed hidden, watching in horror as Jack cried out for help. “Edward, help me!”
“Stupid fool. I told him not to get closer.” muttered Edward
The tree tightened its grip around Jack, cutting him as it squeezed. “Please! I am sorry! Please let me go!” The tree would not accept Jack’s pleas and brought down another branch lined with razor sharp leaves. “No! No! Please, I will do anything! I will protect the princess from her stepmother. I swear to protect her as long as I live! Please, spare me!” The branch came down, slicing Jack’s throat with a row of deadly leaves.
“She needs no protection. I am with her now.” said the tree.
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Fairy Tale Retold, fantasy, Rebecca Henry, The Lady Raven by Tena Stetler with 2 comments.
Thank you so much for having me featured on your blog! I’m honored and excited to be here! xx
My pleasure! Best of luck with The Lady Raven!