Author Interview: Michelle M. Bruhn

I have the honor of interviewing Michelle Bruhn, author of Songflight, an epic dragon fantasy. This is part of her blog tour.

What inspired you to write Songflight?

A few things, actually. The initial idea of a woman with the power to command dragons through song came from a book series called Dragonriders of Pern by Anne McCaffrey, specifically the Harper Hall Trilogy. It was a fun project just for me because I liked to write. Then when I got serious about writing, I decided to double-down on this particular book because I wanted to tell a story about empathy—the ability to feel and understand what others have experienced and are going through. It’s a topic very near and dear to my heart.

Because there is so much music in the book, I have to ask: what are some songs that inspired it?

Oo, so many. So many! But for the sake of space I’ll keep my answer down to a few:

LEAH’s The Quest is hands-down the best musical picture of the book. It’s 10 minutes long, but oh so worth it for its Celtic rock instrumentation and its Hero’s Journey lyrics.

The idea of the Celtic-based culture, especially the céilís that Falier and his family put on for their village, came from my obsession with the Riverdance soundtrack.

Finally, the idea of Alísa’s quest for justice for the dragon race comes from Again by Flyleaf. Even before I knew about Alísa’s painful dragon empathy, the hurt she herself felt over murdered hatchlings was inspired by this song. It screams of pain with a reason behind it, pain that drives us to seek justice and ultimately our Creator.

What are you working on now? What is it about? (Secretly hoping it is the sequel!!!!)

It is indeed the sequel! AAaaaa!!! I’ve almost finished the outline and am so stoked to begin drafting!

Speaking of sequels, when do you think we could expect the next book? Any spoilers?

It’s hard to predict with my full-time job on top of the writing, but I am pushing for early 2022—so a year-and-a-half from now.

As far as spoilers…we’ll get a bit more sweet romance, a bit more of the fairy-dragon dreki (including two adorable babies!), and a lot more hard decisions for my poor Alísa. Starting up a third side in a war in order to bring said war to an end is not for the faint-of-heart, let me tell you!

If you could recommend some books to read, what would they be?

Oo! I’ve recently been enjoying Jaye L. Knight’s Ilyon Chronicles (think the early church but in a fantasy world). For more fun with dragons and secret histories, there’s Kristen Ciccarelli’s The Last Namsara. And for more fun with music as magic, try A.K.R. Scott’s Music Maker series.

Buy the Book: https://www.amazon.com/Songflight-Dragon-Singer-Chronicles-Michelle/dp/1734992506/

What is one takeaway you want for people from Songflight?

Alísa struggles with shame throughout the book, mostly because she’s been told by so many people (in word or in actions) that her vocal stammer makes her weak. Though this shame isn’t magically cured by the end of the book, there are people and dragons along the way who help her break through some of those lies she’s been told about herself. I hope that readers come away with weapons to fight against any shame trying to cling to them, as well as a heightened awareness of the plight of people with disabilities/differing abilities like speech impediments.

What is the funniest thing you’ve written, even if it was a Faux-Pas?

Mine was iron underwear 🤣

Well most recently an advance reader of Songflight pointed out that there was a truck in the forest among the tree trunks… As much as my characters would have fun trying to figure out what exactly the hunk of metal on wheels was, I decided to fix that particular typo. 🤣

Social Links:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michellembruhn/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichelleMBruhn/

Reader Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/readersandsongweavers

Free Short Story: https://mailchi.mp/4ae220da6c4a/songflight-short

Website: https://www.michellembruhn.com