Interview with A.L. Hawke, Author of Windstorm

What can you tell us about your new release, Windstorm?

Windstorm is the second book in the Hawthorne University Witch Series. It is a stand-alone novel and can be enjoyed without reading the first book, Broomstick.

Windstorm takes place in Cadence’s junior year. She’s forced into the world of the occult once again. And there’s trouble in paradise. A new wicked witch, Enora, is in town and she happens to be Cadence’s lover’s former girlfriend.

Expect a dash of realism mixed with magic and steam. I began the series with the intention of being authentic. So I researched real demonology and witchcraft.

Also expect the journey through Cadence’s eyes. The writing pov and tense is first person, present tense. So the book reads like Cadence’s diary, but a diary taking place now—like a movie.

Finally, the tale is a coming of age story. Cadence is maturing and you’re maturing with her. She isn’t only learning from lectures, she’s learning about friendship, grief and love through her experiences.

What books are currently on your nightstand?

I really don’t have a lot of paperbacks to put there—got tons in my ebook library, though. My absolute favorite novels include Twilight, Dune, Fifty Shades of Grey, and The Shining. Classics include Frankenstein, Alice in Wonderland, and The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

What advice would you give your teenage self?

Maybe be a little more daring. Don’t forget to have fun. One of the reasons why my college characters are so wild is because I wasn’t.

If you had an extra hour each day, how would you spend it?

Write. Seriously.

What makes your world go round? Why does it bring you joy?

I love publishing books. For me, sharing stories is a real special connection with readers. Other than that, I treasure time with family and friends. And I enjoy quiet times. I like walking, hiking trails, or even just driving as times to reflect on things (though sometimes these quiet times lead to contemplating new twists and turns in my stories).

What scene in Windstorm was your favorite to write?

I had a lot of fun writing the “wandering” scenes in the forest. During these trances, things for Cadence became hallucinatory, intense and instinctive. The sequences were very dreamlike and erotic and, as a writer, they were lots of fun to write because normal constraints of what is “normal” were lifted.

A.L. Hawke is the author of the new book Windstorm.

Connect with A.L. Hawke
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