Lobster Press Blog

With our Fall books soon on the way, we want to start introducing you to some of our new authors! This week, we have a behind-the-scenes Q&A with Edward Willett, author of the upcoming novel, Song of the Sword, the first book in the Shards of Excalibur series.

Why did you choose to re-envision the story of the Lady of the Lake and Merlin?

I’ve been fascinated by the legends of King Arthur for as long as I can remember. There are so many of them, and yet there always seems to be room for one more. So… this is mine.

In your version of the myth, Merlin is a villain. What inspired you to cast him as the bad guy?

Well, somebody had to be the bad guy. Who better than a powerful sorcerer? Also, the great thing about Merlin is that in most versions of the story he ends up in a magical prison… which meant he could still be around to act in our day and age.

And anyway, who says he’s a villain? In his own eyes, he’s the hero!

How did you get the idea of “modernizing” such a historical myth?

This story was inspired by Wascana Lake, the large, man-made lake in the heart of downtown Regina. I walk or drive around or near it every single day. Being the kind of writer I am, I started wondering if I could tell a fantasy tale in which Wascana Lake played a central role. Thinking about lakes naturally led, with my interest in the Arthurian tales, to thinking about the Lady of the Lake… which led me to thinking about Excalibur… which naturally brought in other elements of the legend. Next thing you know, I had a book! (Well, it took a bit of writing, and then I had a book.)

Did you do any historical or literary research before creating your story and characters?

I already had done a lot of research, in a way, by reading about Arthur and various versions of his story and theories about it over the years. As I got into the planning, I did more, in both books and (like Wally and Ariane) with my mad Googling skillz. And like Wally, I soon found there are so many versions of the story there’s vast leeway to be had in coming up with your own.

Oh, and I love the musical Camelot and have often sung Lancelot’s song to Guinevere, “If Ever I Would Leave You.” Does that count?

Who is your favourite character from the Arthurian Legend?

King Arthur himself: the boy who draws the sword from the stone, unites a kingdom, and then loses it all because he’s too decent to do what should be done when Lancelot and Guinevere betray him. Plus, I’ve always loved the idea that Arthur will return in the time of England’s greatest need…

If you could have a magical power, like Ariane, what would it be?

Teleportation. I’d love to be able to go anywhere in the world—heck, in the universe!—just by thinking about it. Although, unlike Ariane, I’d rather not have to start the journey by swishing through the sewers.

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The Shards of Excalibur: Song of the Sword is available for preorder now through your local bookstore, Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, BarnesandNoble.com, and Chapters.ca.