Interview with A.L. Hawke, Author of Ravens (The Hawthorne University Witch Series Book 5)

What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Ravens (The Hawthorne University Witch Series Book 5)?

Ravens is the fifth book in the Hawthorne University Witch Series. It was an opportunity—and a fun one—for Cadence to turn bad. She teams up with her archenemy witch, Enora. In Witch Mirror, book four, Cadence was possessed by her teacher, Alondra. In Ravens, she’s still possessed, but she’s driven to learn black magic to save the town. Her journey through dark magic messes up her friendships and marriage. It even threatens her mind. I researched a lot of information about the occult for this novel: Thelema, and Aleister Crowley, along with satanism. Cadence, like many of us, is afraid of these things. I think that helps draw you in, just like it draws many to the occult. It helps turn the pages.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Ravens (The Hawthorne University Witch Series Book 5), what would they be?

I wouldn’t pick one particular song, I’d pick a band: Led Zeppelin. A lot of the pages were written while listening to that classic rock band. Jimmy Page, the lead guitarist, is a known fan of Thelema and Aleister Crowley. He worked with Kenneth Anger for music in the film “Lucifer Rising” and even purchased the famous Boleskine House by Loch Ness. The Boleskine House was previously owned by the famed occultist Aleister Crowley. I had fun learning these things, and then passing that knowledge on to Cadence and the reader.

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

Paranormal, romance, and urban fantasy. It’s the same these days.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

There’s a really great fighting scene over dinner between Cadence and Bryce. It’s not an action scene, but I really like the dialogue interplay with the characters. Dialogue was my first love of writing. Landscapes and description came second. Anyway, the couple is having a tough time in this book. They both want to start a family, but witchcraft keeps getting in the way.

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

Lots of nitro brews or lattes, music, and my laptop.

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

This is a book where Cadence gets edgy. Delving deeper into demonology, she even gets mean with her friends and family. Her selfish empowerment makes her strong, but it comes at a price. In gnostic circles, it’s believed that the witch, or magus, needs to learn the balance between good magic and bad, white and dark, in order to be a true master of their craft. I think we all have to learn balance in life, in a way. This book is about Cadence’s journey through “evil”. She learns to be evil. Then she has to decide whether she wants to remain wicked, and, if so, accept the consequences.