Interview with A.L. Hawke, Author of Alondra

What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Alondra?

I wanted to continue my series [The Hawthorne University Witch Series], but I was looking for something different. I always found Cadence’s teacher and mentor, Alondra, mysterious and captivating in my series.

The problem was that, whereas Cadence was an outsider to witchcraft, innocent and uncertain about her magic, Alondra was a full-fledged powerful witch. So, to give the prequel a similar flavor as the series, I felt a need to change the POV. Alondra is narrated by her love interest, Liam.

Finally, I delved headlong into the tale after I was inspired to write about Alondra in the setting of her college life at Hawthorne U. in the 1990s.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Alondra, what would they be?

“Geek U.S.A” by the Smashing Pumpkins fits Alondra. It’s heavy and intense, a bit crazy, but with a subtle bit of etherealism. Sticking with more grunge ‘90s music I love, I’ll assign the pained song “Warm Machine” by Bush to Liam.

What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

I write what I read—escapist fantasy. My taste runs the gamut from Alice in Wonderland, to realistic horror like The Exorcist, to paranormal romance novels like the Twilight series. If I can fall into a different world, I’m hooked. If I can write it, I feel like I’ve done my job.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Midnight Sun, Shiftless, and Falling Angel.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

I actually loved writing the scene about Alondra and Liam just hiking together. This was the most memorable to me as a writer because, even though it lacked magic and witchcraft, their personalities came alive. Bringing characters to life through dialog spurred me to become a novelist in the first place. But I also enjoyed writing and researching all those ghost-hunting encounters.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

I listen to music when I write. At night, I write in the dark with the screen set at the dimmest light. These are my ways to escape, I suppose.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

No, not really.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

Okay. On second thought, “love conquers all” is a great classic motto by Virgil that rings true in Alondra; and in all my other novels too. My characters survive by it. Some of my anti-heroes have not fared well confusing lust for love. Others are saved by love.