Author Feature | Toya Richardson
Name: Toya Richardson
Featured Book Title: Defender of Stargor, Book One of The Fireblood Saga
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Book Status: Published
Tell us a little about yourself.
I’ve been writing since the age of four, but it was only in 2009 that I took writing seriously. My mum had been a huge supporter of my work and had always wanted to see me published. Unfortunately, she passed away in 2009 and never got to see my achievements. Her death was the catalyst that drives me even now and each and every one of my books is dedicated to her. When I’m not writing, I love reading, Formula One Racing, darts, going to concerts, cinema, keeping fit, gardening and spending time with friends.
Is the piece a standalone novel or part of a larger series?
Defender of Stargor is the first part of a trilogy
Do you prefer to outline a plot or just go where the words take you? Tell us your method.
I used to try and write plots for books, and still do sometimes, but I very rarely follow what I’ve written. I normally end up letting the story takes its own direction. It can be quite fun and surprising which directions they tend to go.
What other projects are you working on?
I have a paranormal romance and two contemporary romances to edit, I’m halfway through writing another contemporary romance, but these have all been put on hold for the moment as I am 60K words into The Battle for Stargor, which is the last part of The Fireblood Saga. Oh, and I have notes written down for other YA projects, so I’ll never be short of work or ideas!!
Do you enjoy writing/reading any other genres?
I also love writing contemporary and paranormal romance genres
Which authors inspire you?
It’s hard to think which authors inspire me the most but I guess David Eddings, Robin McKinley, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Christine Feehan and last, but definitely not least, Tolkien
Tell us more about your main characters.
Melora is Defender of Stargor and queen to the throne of Gerandium, charged with the role of destroying Heliades the Dark Lord who threatens Stargor’s very existence. She’s taken to Earth as a small child to keep her safe until the time is right to return and take up her role. She’s a feisty redhead who will fight to the death to protect those she loves. Without giving too much of the story away, her memories of Stargor were taken from her, but her mother taught her the language, histories and self-defence – making them into playtime fun – so that she would be at least prepared for what was to come. When she returns everything floods back. She makes references to Earth and sayings all through the books, which confuse those who hear them.
Jitsun of the Aboredi is Melora’s protector, he is so much more but again I don’t want to spoil the story. He is an honourable man and a fearsome warrior who can converse with animals and birds. He rescues Melora from Earth when Heliades sends monsters to kill her before she can return. Their relationship starts with much conflict because Melora questions everything. There is one character who I can’t really discuss due to the fact that it will spoil the reveal in the story. All I can say is he is a wizard and one of Melora’s closest friends and confidants.
There is also Neresa, Goddess of Stargor, who is more like a friend than a deity and supports Melora and her companions through all the trials ahead of them. She hands Melora her weapons, which only she can wield after she tastes the Fireblood, which names her formally as Defender.
Heliades is a fallen god, who wants Stargor for his own. In order to achieve this, he has to defeat Melora in the final battle – or kill her before she can reach him. He dogs her every step through all three of the books, sending his acolytes to try and kill her.
If you could be one of your characters for a day, who would it be and why?
I would be Melora. I love how, when she reclaims her throne, that she’s normal with people. She doesn’t like people to bow, or curtsy and tells them that this is how she’ll be once her quest is over. She wants to be visible to her subjects and approachable. She’s also happy to learn new skills to help her defeat Heliades. I also like the way she refers back to things on Earth and comes out with sayings which have everyone scratching their heads with confusion!
Where are the best places to find your work?
The best place to find my work for sale would be on Amazon and Amazon.uk.
Do you have an author’s website or writing blog that people could look up?
I can also be found on Twitter: @ToyaRichardson1, Facebook, personal website, and my publisher for my YA work and contemporary is Little Bird Publishing House and if anyone is interested in paranormal romance – but this is PG18 – I am with Red Sage Publishing.
Any final words for other authors or readers?
For other authors I always remember what an author once said to me years ago at a workshop, and I quote, “Write because you love to write. If you’re doing it for the money, then you may as well stop now.” This is very true for me. Writing is a passion, something which drives us and it’s when I’m in my happy place. If only one or two people read my books and enjoy them, then my work is done 😀 There is a word for readers too, I know how hard it can be to write a review for a book, but it is so important for authors. Whether you enjoyed it or not, an author really appreciates the time and effort you take to pen one. Even if it’s only a one-liner to say yes you loved it, or no you didn’t and the reasons why, it means a lot to us 😀
Summary:
Melora’s whole life had been orchestrated for the moment she would emerge as Defender of Stargor, only Melora had no idea – and this real-world girl is having a hard time accepting her rather fantastical heritage, not alone the strange, and annoyingly attractive, fae warrior who keeps appearing when she’s least expecting, and who has annoying habit of making her face up to her destiny.
With the death of her mother, Melora’s heritage is unveiled to her through a series of strange and wondrous events that see her return home to a world far away from the ‘real’ human world she has believed to have been her home. Discovering she is part of an ancient prophesy, destined to save her world and her people, Melora must find the courage to accept her true identity.
Author Feature | Toya Richardson
Name: Toya Richardson
Featured Book Title: Defender of Stargor
Summary:
Melora’s whole life had been orchestrated for the moment she would emerge as Defender of Stargor, only Melora had no idea – and this real-world girl is having a hard time accepting her rather fantastical heritage, not alone the strange, and annoyingly attractive, fae warrior who keeps appearing when she’s least expecting, and who has annoying habit of making her face up to her destiny.
With the death of her mother, Melora’s heritage is unveiled to her through a series of strange and wondrous events that see her return home to a world far away from the ‘real’ human world she has believed to have been her home. Discovering she is part of an ancient prophesy, destined to save her world and her people, Melora must find the courage to accept her true identity.
Name: Toya Richardson
Featured Book Title: Defender of Stargor, Book One of The Fireblood Saga
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Book Status: Published
Tell us a little about yourself.
I’ve been writing since the age of four, but it was only in 2009 that I took writing seriously. My mum had been a huge supporter of my work and had always wanted to see me published. Unfortunately, she passed away in 2009 and never got to see my achievements. Her death was the catalyst that drives me even now and each and every one of my books is dedicated to her. When I’m not writing, I love reading, Formula One Racing, darts, going to concerts, cinema, keeping fit, gardening and spending time with friends.
Is the piece a standalone novel or part of a larger series?
Defender of Stargor is the first part of a trilogy
Do you prefer to outline a plot or just go where the words take you? Tell us your method.
I used to try and write plots for books, and still do sometimes, but I very rarely follow what I’ve written. I normally end up letting the story takes its own direction. It can be quite fun and surprising which directions they tend to go.
What other projects are you working on?
I have a paranormal romance and two contemporary romances to edit, I’m halfway through writing another contemporary romance, but these have all been put on hold for the moment as I am 60K words into The Battle for Stargor, which is the last part of The Fireblood Saga. Oh, and I have notes written down for other YA projects, so I’ll never be short of work or ideas!!
Do you enjoy writing/reading any other genres?
I also love writing contemporary and paranormal romance genres
Which authors inspire you?
It’s hard to think which authors inspire me the most but I guess David Eddings, Robin McKinley, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Christine Feehan and last, but definitely not least, Tolkien
Tell us more about your main characters.
Melora is Defender of Stargor and queen to the throne of Gerandium, charged with the role of destroying Heliades the Dark Lord who threatens Stargor’s very existence. She’s taken to Earth as a small child to keep her safe until the time is right to return and take up her role. She’s a feisty redhead who will fight to the death to protect those she loves. Without giving too much of the story away, her memories of Stargor were taken from her, but her mother taught her the language, histories and self-defence – making them into playtime fun – so that she would be at least prepared for what was to come. When she returns everything floods back. She makes references to Earth and sayings all through the books, which confuse those who hear them.
Jitsun of the Aboredi is Melora’s protector, he is so much more but again I don’t want to spoil the story. He is an honourable man and a fearsome warrior who can converse with animals and birds. He rescues Melora from Earth when Heliades sends monsters to kill her before she can return. Their relationship starts with much conflict because Melora questions everything. There is one character who I can’t really discuss due to the fact that it will spoil the reveal in the story. All I can say is he is a wizard and one of Melora’s closest friends and confidants.
There is also Neresa, Goddess of Stargor, who is more like a friend than a deity and supports Melora and her companions through all the trials ahead of them. She hands Melora her weapons, which only she can wield after she tastes the Fireblood, which names her formally as Defender.
Heliades is a fallen god, who wants Stargor for his own. In order to achieve this, he has to defeat Melora in the final battle – or kill her before she can reach him. He dogs her every step through all three of the books, sending his acolytes to try and kill her.
If you could be one of your characters for a day, who would it be and why?
I would be Melora. I love how, when she reclaims her throne, that she’s normal with people. She doesn’t like people to bow, or curtsy and tells them that this is how she’ll be once her quest is over. She wants to be visible to her subjects and approachable. She’s also happy to learn new skills to help her defeat Heliades. I also like the way she refers back to things on Earth and comes out with sayings which have everyone scratching their heads with confusion!
Where are the best places to find your work?
The best place to find my work for sale would be on Amazon and Amazon.uk.
Do you have an author’s website or writing blog that people could look up?
I can also be found on Twitter: @ToyaRichardson1, Facebook, personal website, and my publisher for my YA work and contemporary is Little Bird Publishing House and if anyone is interested in paranormal romance – but this is PG18 – I am with Red Sage Publishing.
Any final words for other authors or readers?
For other authors I always remember what an author once said to me years ago at a workshop, and I quote, “Write because you love to write. If you’re doing it for the money, then you may as well stop now.” This is very true for me. Writing is a passion, something which drives us and it’s when I’m in my happy place. If only one or two people read my books and enjoy them, then my work is done 😀 There is a word for readers too, I know how hard it can be to write a review for a book, but it is so important for authors. Whether you enjoyed it or not, an author really appreciates the time and effort you take to pen one. Even if it’s only a one-liner to say yes you loved it, or no you didn’t and the reasons why, it means a lot to us 😀