Meet LR Saul

Since completing a BA English Literature, and a Dipolma of Journalism many years ago, Lisa has had writing and editing roles in public relations, journalism, and publishing. Her greatest love has always been the fantasy genre. Here we find out more about her novels.

How long have you been writing fantasy for?
I started writing fantasy novels at the tender age of eight. From the moment I scrawled my first fantasy novel (a ridiculous story about a girl going to another world and being blessed with far too many wishes), I knew I wanted to write novels forever. When most kids were reading books, I was lying on my bedroom floor writing chapters of books.
It wasn't until I got to university that I finished my first serious novel. After that, it became an unstoppable passion and dream, and I’ve been writing novels professionally ever since.

If you had to give us a summary of what readers can expect from your novels, what would it be?
My novels are definitely thick with mystery and plot twists and turns. They're page-turners. I always say to potential readers, "Just give me the first few pages and I will pull you in."
But beneath all of that, you will also find some fairly deep themes. My books are often a way of exploring the issues that tug at my mind, such as world affairs, human suffering, discrimination, friendship, loneliness, poverty, forgiveness and revenge.

Why do you choose to the fantasy genre if you want to write about such deep themes?
I think fantasy is the most underrated, and at times, underutilized genre. I often get asked, "So you write children's stories?" Either that, or people think I just write meaningless 'escape' stories that are only for people who haven't grown up yet. But I can say that fantasy can be very serious, and very powerful.
Fantasy is the ultimate metaphor, or the ultimate parable if you will. It doesn't just take you away from our world; it can parallel it too along with many of the issues that we face. (Think about the recent movie 'Avatar', and you will know what I mean.)

Are your books for adults, or young adults?
Both - as long as you consider yourself a mature reader (due to some adult themes). The books are definitely appealing to a very wide range of readers.

Want to know more about Lisa's books? Go to her website at www.lrsaul.com