1. Introduce yourself; who are you and what types of books do you write?
My name is Trinity Cunningham and I write epic fantasy mostly. I’ve got at least one sci-fi story in the works. My stories usually include lots of action and some thriller vibes.
2. What are your books about?
Blood Bound is my first book, and it’s the first in the Guardians of the Weldafire Stone series (trilogy). I’ve written them so they all work well as standalone novels.
Blood Bound is about a curse that wipes magic from the land. Twin brothers Raidan and Dimitri’s blood is entwined with the magic and they mistakenly break the curse, which reawakens the magic. In doing so, they’ve drawn attention to themselves, including the tyrant ruler who seeks to rid the world of magic once again.
Unbound is my new release (as of November 2), and it’s the second book in the Guardians of the Weldafire Stone series.
Unbound is about Mick, a mouthy cook who works for the reputable Governor of Iptin. Mick’s uncle gives him a gift that contains a magic like he’s never experienced—that’s somehow connected to his own power. The gift stirs his old longings to return to Kartha, the country of his birth. And while getting out from under his employer’s watchful eye is just one obstacle preventing him from going, his return could bring a disaster that, if a prophecy is to be believed, will affect the entire country.
3. What was the inspiration behind writing your first book?
Actually, it’s kind of funny. The second book is the inspiration for the first book. I began with what is now Unbound, but as I delved into the history of the Weldafire Stone and all that entailed, I realized there was another story that needed to be told first. So Blood Bound took shape. It was so fun to write it, and at the time, working through Raidan’s character arc was just what I needed for my own arcs in life. He helped me through some rough times, and for that, he forever holds a special place in my heart. The characters that came to life in that story all felt like they were already there and existing, just waiting for me to write them. Getting inspired was not a problem for Blood Bound.
4. What did you learn while writing your second book?
I drafted my second book at the same as the first and the third. But while Blood Bound was in the editing stages, I picked up Unbound and began to clean it up and get it ready for my first round of beta readers. It was so different writing that second draft after having learned all that I’d learned. I felt like my process slowed down a bit as I considered more carefully my verb
usage and descriptions. Even as I rewrite the third book in the series, I’m still noticing how my style and process is changing and growing as I grow and learn more.
5. What is the most rewarding part of being an author?
The most rewarding part is hearing from readers about how much they loved the story. It’s encouraging. These stories are a piece of me; of who I am. They’re rooted in my own character and life. When I first started, I was so embarrassed to show anyone my work, because, well… it came out of my head. But to hear that others enjoyed it and want to read more of what I write is so rewarding.
6. What elements do you think make for a good story?
I personally love when I can connect deeply with a character. I love worldbuilding, and the plot is definitely important, but my order of priority in what makes a story my favourite kind is when I’m in the main character’s head and can feel what they feel. When I can get behind them and be on their team, rooting for them all the way.
7. What is the hardest part of being an author for you?
The hardest part for me is balancing my home life with my writing. I absolutely love writing, and friends and family will tell you I’m obsessed with it. That said, it’s difficult for me sometimes to set that part of my life aside for a time, so that I can be present with my kids, my husband, and all my family. They’ll always come first. Sometimes I just have to intentionally take a step back from the writing and re-learn how to balance everything as the cycles of life alter and shift from season to season.
8. What is your current writing project?
I’m rewriting the third book in the Guardians of the Weldafire Stone trilogy. As I’d mentioned earlier, I had first drafted it along with books one and two, and it requires a LOT of work. It will be a prequel to Blood Bound and will follow Marc, who was the original Guardian of the Weldafire Stone.
9. What is the best writing advice you’ve ever received?
Go slow. Don’t rush. Take your time. All those things that imply that being an author is a marathon and in order to put my best work out there I shouldn’t rush the process. It’s sound advice that was given to me by an author friend who I meet with monthly.
10. Where can readers discover more about you and your books?
My website is: https://www.trinitycunningham.ca/
You can learn all that there is to know about Blood Bound and Unbound there.