Author Chat With Siri Pettersen (Odin’s Child), Plus Giveaway! ~ US Only!

Today we are very excited to share a special interview with author Siri Pettersen (Odin’s Child)!

Read on to learn more about her, her book, and a giveaway!

Meet the Author: Siri Pettersen

Siri Pettersen made her sensational debut in 2013 with the Norwegian publication of Odin’s Child, the first book in The Raven Rings trilogy, which has earned numerous awards and nomiations at home and abroad. Siri has a background as a designer and comics createor. Her roots are in Finnsnes and Trondheim, but she now lives in Oslo, where you’re likely to find her in a coffee shop. According to fellow writers, her superpower is “mega-motivation”–the ability to inspire other creative souls.

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About the Book: Odin’s Child

The first book in Siri Pettersen’s epic Raven Rings trilogy comes at last to the United States.

Fifteen winters old, Hirka learns that she is an Odin’s child – a tailless rot from another world. Despised. Dreaded. And hunted. She no longer knows who she is, and someone wants to kill her to keep it a secret. But there are worse things than humans, and Hirka is not the only creature to have broken through the gates…

‘Odin’s Child’ is unique fantasy with Norse roots. An epic clash of xenophobia, blind faith and the right or will to lead.

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~Author Chat~

YABC:  What gave you the inspiration to write this book?

Oh that is exciting! At its core, the story is inspired by a single moment in norse mythology, when the gods capture the wolf Fenris, by luring him to test an unbreakable chain. The wolf didn’t trust them, of course, so the god Ty put his hand in the wolf’s mouth as a guarantee, and that came clean off when the wolf realised he’d been fooled. This idea, to capture someone for eternity at the cost of a hand really drove me. And obviously, there’s a bit of Red Riding Hood going on, you know …

It also elaborates on a small part in The Rot, the second book in The Raven Rings, where a blood-addicted woman licks blood off the street. It was such a tiny moment, but I couldn’t seem to let it go. I wondered what would happen if this addiction plagued an entire city, hoping to cheat death. That’s the foundation for the capital Náklav. I also wanted to take the idea of the rot to its extremes, with the wolf sickness. Thematically, Vardari is about control. How much of your life can you control? What would you be willing to do to live forever, or to heal from disease? Are you in control of your feeling or are they controlling you? Right up to the point where I wonder what events and beliefs form society. I’m absolutely fascinated by how we view and become authorities, from gods to politicians to gurus, it runs through all of my books

YABC: Who is your favorite character in the book?

You mean apart from the one with teeth and claws? :))) I’ve become very attached to the all, and love different parts of them. I love the main character Juva, because her «weakness» becomes her greatest strength. It felt empowering to give her anxiety a logical and meaningful explanation, and I’m often moved to tears by readers telling me they feel the same way. But when it comes to overcoming inner demons, I have to mention Drogg, the corpulent councilman. He’s a minor character,  but in many ways his discrete victory is the biggest one, and he’s fabulous!

YABC: Which came first, the title or the novel?

First came the idea and the rough outline, then the title, then the novel. I loved coming up with the explanation for the title, by digging into Juva’s childhood memories and how she created the term in the first place, having no words for what she saw.

YABC: What scene in the book are you most proud of, and why?

Probably the one where Juva sits in the tub with her crossbow, waiting to kill an immortal. It felt so incredibly real to me, one of those moments where you’re truly there when writing. There was a lot of information to unpack there, yet it still became a favourite and is a win. I’m also proud that I didn’t chicken out of the threeway, enough said …

YABC:  Thinking way back to the beginning, what’s the most important thing you’ve learned as a writer from then to now?

Structure! Oh gods, structure and proper outlining can’t be valued highly enough. I had no idea when I wrote my first book, I rewrote it like five times before I came to grips with this. And I feel I’m learning a lot about incorporating bigger themes in even minor things, these days. Don’t tell anyone, but you wont believe how much is accidental when you first start out 😀

YABC: What do you like most about the cover of the book?

I couldn’t possibly comment, as I’m a designer and do my own covers 😀 I do them because I feel so strongly about the subject, and I could talk about it for hours! I love simplicity and clarity, and I always aim to compress the whole story into one iconic image. But it has to be an image that begs a question, that makes you wonder. Hopefully, you will see the fangs and go: What happened here? Is that from an animal, or …? Why are they pulled and who did they belong to? You start spinning your own story before you begin. Simplicity also has confidence, it’s the book telling you that it knows what it’s about. There are so many messy covers out there, where you feel they just threw in a lot of stuff they think is relevant to the genre. «Oh, it’s fantasy, lets throw in a dragon, a sword, a castle, a glowing amulet, a woman in a fluttering ball gown, a scroll …» It’s screams uncertainty and indifference to me when they flash genre rather than story, and I certainly hope I never do.
 

YABC: What new release book are you looking most forward to in 2023?

Book 3 in the Norwegian graphic novel series «Arkin – guardian of the light,» by H.L. Phoenix! I love his outstanding work so much that I awarded him the first Raven Rings Prize. His series is a portal fantasy for young readers and it’s huge, ambitious and tremendously well executed. Gorgeous, captivating and emotional. I’ve called it a life raft that will help young people cope with the unbearable. I really hope he will reach the US soon!

YABC: What’s a book you’ve recently read and loved?

You’ll never guess what! Just as I am typing this, I learn that the Norwegian graphic novel «The Snowcat Prince» by Dina Norlund has been awarded a Kirkus Star Review! Her beautiful middle grade fantasy is about a feline prince who journeys to find a magical crown, in the hopes to save his kingdom. Dina is fantastic! Young and so talented. «The Snowcat Prince» is launching in March, so please keep an eye out!

And some more, if you allow: A favourite author who is always my default fantasy recommendation: Laini Taylor! Her series «Daughter of Smoke and Bone» is absolutely brilliant, like Laini herself. She’s so creative, colourful and generous, she’s a dream to follow, so please do! She has a community of talented and kind-hearted readers and writers, especially on Patreon. I met her through my exceptional writer friend, Tone Almhjell, who I also can’t recommend enough! Her magical middlegrade novel «The Twistrose Key» has been called a modern classic, building on a genius idea: There’s a world where every animal that’s ever been loved by a child, go when they die. And now, a human child is needed to save it. Do yourself and your kids a favour, and read it. Even if you’ve never owned or lost a pet! 🙂

YABC:   What’s up next for you?

Right now, I’m finishing Silver Throat, the sequel to Iron Wolf, and after that, the third and last in the Vardari series. But there’s also a secret project launching in Norway this summer, which I’m not at liberty to reveal just yet. And then, as some perceptive readers have picked up, there might be a third trilogy, set in the same universe as The Raven Rings and Vardari. I thought I had hidden it well, but they picked up on this tiny hint! There is a monument in Iron Wolf with three statues: A raven (The Raven Rings), a wolf (Vardari) and a deer … Not much gets by my readers!

YABC:   Which was the most difficult or emotional scene to narrate?  

Every scene from Rugen’s viewpoint! He’s a dreadful person, and being in his head was a challenge. He is self-centered, depraved, irresponsible and completely lacks empathy. I felt I needed a shower after writing his scenes … And that’s saying something, because I usually for my villains.

YABC:    Which character gave you the most trouble when writing your latest book?

Apart from Rugen (that rat!)  it was a real challenge to juggle the hunting party. They were five very different men, who all wanted and deserved more room than I could give them. They have stories and challenges of their own, that barely surfaces in Iron Wolf.

YABC:    What is the main message or lesson you would like your reader to remember from this book?

Fear is not final. Fear is not YOU, it can be overcome, even harnessed. And refuse anyone who claims to know your destiny.

YABC:      What would you say is your superpower?

People are gracious enough to tell me it’s generosity and motivation, and I love that! I’ve heard I have a gift for making people feel like creative geniuses, and that’s something to be grateful for. It really makes me smile. Bringing magic to people’s lives is my purpose, the most meaningful pursuit of my life.

YABC:     Is there an organization or cause that is close to your heart?

Amnesty International and their relentless focus on human rights couldn’t be more important right now. But since this is the US release, I feel compelled to mention freedom of expression, because of the alarming wave of censorship and book banning you’ve seen lately. The utmost respect to all librarians, teachers and book lovers everywhere who are actively fighting this intellectual downward spiral. Famously, a truly great library contains something in it to offend everyone! Do not let them pull you down to the level of book burners. Fight for your right to write and read about anything and everything the human condition could possibly contain. There is no freedom without it.

YABC:   What advice do you have for new writers?   

Write like you know you’ll be published! Not from hope and perhaps, but from certainty. Write like you’ve signed the contract, so now you better get serious with that deadline, your learning and polishing. (Or you’ll be sued, ha ha :D) When it comes to actual writing tips, there are so many out there that I started twisting them into «Snarky Writing Tips» that I have fun with in social media. They tend to flip established truths, and poke fun at advice that might not be as easily done as given. Like: «Create your own sacred writing space and let your family pee elsewhere», and «Plan your day expertly with time blocks! Write one hour, drink one hour, cry in a fetal position for one hour, etc.»  It’s not just for fun, it’s also to get people to relax about their own work, let their shoulders down and trust themselves, rather then get bogged down by impossible standards.

YABC:   Is there anything that you would like to add?

I would very much like to thank you for this Q&A, for giving me this wonderful opportunity to talk about what I love. I want to give my deepest gratitude to my amazing readers and reviewers in America, you’ve been extremely generous with your praise, and your loving and sharing means the world to me! Thank you! Throwing a billion carma points your way! And of course, my brilliant publisher Arctis Books USA, and my agent Lena Stjärnstrøm at Grand Agency. (See, she’s super trendy with an Ø in her Scandinavian name! And by the way, the Ø is not an O, it’s pronounced like the EA in Earl, you’re welcome :D)

~ Giveaway Details ~

Five (5) winners will receive a copy of Odin’s Son (Siri Pettersen) ~US Only!

*Click the Rafflecopter link below to enter the giveaway*

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