Interview: Rinda Elliott + Forecast

I'm so pleased today to welcome author Rinda Elliott back to the blog to answer a few questions about the second installment of her Sisters of Fate trilogy, Forecast. I read the first book, Foretold, a little while back and thoroughly the characters and the Norse mythology, and then I picked this one up and promptly fell even deeper in love. If you're a fan of paranormal stories with not only strong protagonists but also wildly entertaining secondary characters, then this series is one to add to your lists. I hope you all enjoy the interview!

The Sisters of Fate series features Norse mythology at the forefront of the overall plot arc. If Coral and Taran could leave the current chaos of Ragnarok behind and transport themselves to any other myth (Greek, Native American, etc.), which one might they choose?

You would not believe how much time I spent thinking about this question. Or you probably would by the length of my answer. I’m a huge lover of mythologies and interesting cultural and religious beliefs. There are SO MANY fun myths from the well-known to the crazy obscure. At first, I thought about a myth featuring goddesses connected to water—because that would have come in handy in Coral and Taran’s story. Like Leukothea or Oshun or even more fun, Amathaunta because I could just make up any kind of story about her since not much is known. Then I thought about some Arapaho legends because Coral would probably love to know more about that part of her family. (Luckily, we get more of that history in FORESWORN.) Though not in these books, a fun fact is the Arapaho creature of myth called the Hiintcabiit, which is a massive water serpent. When you think about Thor and the Midgard serpent…

But, if I were to pick something to celebrate a part of Taran’s combined cultures, oh man, so much to choose from! Celtic mythology is rich in wonderful stories and Coral would do well there because the Celts were so in tune with nature. And better yet, women played some wonderful parts in their myths. Taran is named for Taranis, a Celtic god of thunder similar to Thor, who was ironically, good natured.

Can you tell I’m having trouble picking one myth?

Can you tell I could write one book after another based on them?

Okay, okay, I’ll pick one…or two.  They could redo the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. Taran is stubborn. He would NOT have looked back. Or The Children of Lir (Irish legend) about siblings spelled into swans who lived hundreds of years before the spell was broken. When free, they were old and frail. Maybe Coral could find a counter spell to free them while they were still teens. And if Josh and Grim came along to help, maybe one of the sisters…or brother…could end up being a fun love interest.

Taran’s short fuse is perfectly tempered by Coral’s calm under pressure. If you were to write yourself into the Sisters of Fate series with your own warrior to track down, what trait might he possess that would create a nice balance for your character?

I would need someone easy going with a great sense of humor because I’m high on the emotion at times. And I need to laugh more. I’d be better suited to Vanir or possibly even Arun from FORESWORN, but knowing me, I’d be highly attracted to Taran and his prickly mood swings. Story of my life. ;)

Josh and Grim are a pair of absolutely hilarious brothers and true friends to Taran. If they were each to pen a story in which they cast themselves as the heroes, what would the title of their books be?

Grim would probably do a comedy or better yet, a horror flick and maybe find a way to tie in his candy habit. They would, of course, give them Norse titles. Grim? Blatqnn Slefja or Black Tooth Dribbler. And for Josh? Some sort of historical epic romance where he saves a girl. Or possibly several girls. Austrvegr Vaskr Drengr or The Gallant Warrior.

Loki is a fascinating villain; extremely capable and intelligent with an intimidating amount of power. What villain from another piece of fiction, if pitted against Loki in battle, would give him a run for his money in skill, strength and cunning?

I went through all kinds of strong and skilled villains and came up with a bunch, but my absolute first thought made me crack up. Honestly, I don’t think Loki would know how to handle Hannibal Lecter.

If Coral, Raven, and Kat, as triplets, were standing side by side in front of Taran in matching outfits, what’s one small or subtle quirk of Coral’s that would tip him off as to her identity?

She’d be squinting at her feet, trying to identify some obscure weed, to see if it could be harvested for a spell. And honestly, she’d have some sort of extra color hidden somewhere on her matching outfit. Probably a purple clip-on feather she didn’t hide too well in her long hair.

Let’s say Forecast is made into a movie and, for the sake of fantasy, assume Chris Hemsworth (*dreamy sigh*) would be cast as Taran given the fact that he carries Thor’s soul. If you came face to face with him on set, what would your first reaction be?

I suppose climbing him like a spider monkey isn’t an appropriate answer, right? (I told this answer to my critique partner, Rachel Vincent, who said that would be interesting to watch since I’m so tall. I could manage. Promise.) Okay seriously, I’d hope I’d be able to talk to him while looking at his face and not his arms. Those are such wonderful, wonderful arms. (I actually plotted this book—but didn’t write most of it—before the Hemsworth movies and my visual inspiration for teen Thor is quite a bit different. Still, very hot. If I were still a teen, of course. ;) )

*Jenny dies. And then dreams of climbing Chris Hemsworth like a spider monkey too.*

If Raven and Coral were to provide one-word teasers as to what we can expect from Kat’s story, what word would each of them choose?

Raven-sarcasm. Coral-ANSWERS.

Thanks so much for taking the time to answer my questions Rinda!

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FORECAST

The Lockwood triplets are charged with helping to save the world—but at a high cost.

Coral is always in the middle, always the family peacemaker. She’s the sister with the most to prove. When a freak snowstorm halts her Florida summer, signaling the Norse end of the world, she tracks down Taran Breen—a would-be warrior carrying Thor’s soul. A boy who’s fought his temper all his life and is now a suspect for murder.

One who looks at her as no other has before.

As roaring seas surge and terrifying underworld creatures emerge for battle, can Coral control her goddess magic and protect Taran? Because now she has a chance for more than her crazy life—as long as she and Taran win….

It is written that three Sisters of Fate have the power to change the world’s destiny.

But only if they survive…

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RINDA ELLIOTT

Photo: Kathryn Moad Photography

I love unusual stories and credit growing up in a family of curious life-lovers who moved all over the country. Books and movies full of fantasy, science fiction and romance kept us amused, especially in some of the stranger places. For years, I tried to separate my darker side with my humorous and romantic one. I published short fiction, but things really started happening when I gave in and mixed it up. When not lost in fiction, I love making wine, collecting music, gaming and spending time with my husband and two children. 

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