Launch Week - Five Enchanted Roses

And we are back with day two of our week-long celebration of Five Enchanted Roses and the five authors who made this book possible! Today we are featuring Savannah Jezowski, whose story, "Wither," was the very first one picked for this collection. A fantastically frightening and strangely beautiful tale that has already left its mark on early readers . . .

INTRODUCING

SAVANNAH JEZOWSKI

 How did you find out about the Five Enchanted Roses contest?

Savannah Jezowski: I was already a fan of the Goldstone Wood Series and one of Anne Elisabeth’s mentoring students. I entered the Five Glass Slippers contest the year before and knew before the subject of the second contest was even revealed that I would be entering. I created a story world for the "Cinderella" contest that I felt needed further developing and was determined to branch out and explore some alternate stories in the same story world—a world I call the Neverway. Ironically enough, I was already putting together some ideas for a “Sleeping Beauty” story . . . and then “Beauty and the Beast” was announced, and I realized I had the right idea all along . . . I simply had the wrong Beauty.

Did your story idea spring immediately to mind or did you have to work to find it?

Savannah Jezowski: As I said, the story world had already been established. I knew that the Neverway was the setting for my story. I simply had to figure out what kind of characters would do the beloved fairy tale justice and still seem natural in my spooky, enigmatic world. I brainstormed with my husband and Marmie for a few days, playing with multiple ideas. I knew that I wanted roses to be significant—with a title like Five Enchanted Roses, I knew they would have to be. I even considered a humorous and outlandish storyline with a Cyborg beast and a spunky Beauty searching for her missing father on an airship . . . but the characters just did not grab me. I wanted a unique but still familiar retelling, with characters as endearing as the ones from the Broadway musical. Around this time, I also decided that I wanted the Beast to be as strong a presence as Beauty, perhaps even telling the story completely from his viewpoint. All at once, the pieces began to fall into place—the terrifying and tragic hero, the spunky but awkward Beauty, a brooding castle filled with mysterious but endearing servants. All these were familiar characters from the original tale, but when they began to explore the Neverway, bit by bit, they came into their own.

What makes this retelling of the classic tale uniquely special to you?

Savannah Jezowski: Corwin’s journey is the heart of my story. I did not want to tell the usual tale about a Beast who was cursed by an enchantress who then disappears and never reappears in the story. I wanted to dig deeper into what made him a monster, and what made him heroic. The idea came to me to create new circumstances for the Beast, to create circumstances for his ugliness that were not the result of his bad character . . . but rather a result of his good character. His true struggle would not come in escaping his outward appearance, but in maintaining his integrity and staying true to his calling. At this point, I began to realize how deeply I was sharing my own story while telling the tales of Corwin and Bet. I began to draw upon the questions I had asked in the darker times, upon the fears I had faced when I was alone for weeks on end while my husband drove long distance for a trucking company and while all of my family lived on the other side of the country. Out of my own struggles, theirs emerged.

If you had to pick a favorite fairy tale, which would it be and why?

Savannah Jezowski: When I was a little girl I liked "Cinderella" and "The Little Mermaid." I liked the star-crossed lovers, the pretty dresses, the dancing, the handsome princes . . . but when I got older, "Beauty and the Beast" became my favorite fairy tale, partially because I loved the music, but mostly because I felt the themes in the story had so much significance. In our world, where movie stars are more famous than real life heroes, I think we all need to be reminded that our outward appearance pales in comparison to the condition of our hearts. I also like that there are sacrifices made in this tale—when Beauty sacrifices her freedom for her father, when the Beast gives up his future to give Beauty back her freedom. I also love that theirs is a slow, painful love story—they grow to love one another once they put aside their prejudices and take the time to truly get to know one another. It seems more realistic than a “Love at first sight” scenario. Although we do not read fairy tales for their realism, the truer the tale, the closer it will hit to home. True love is often gritty and desperate. It is refined in difficult times and on dark days. It is a journey of small steps, of awkward looks, of blossoming affections that gradually lead to unbreakable bonds. Truly, of all the fairy tales, I feel this one is the most romantic. 

Keeping in mind the many themes of the classic fairy tale, have you ever experienced a "Beauty and the Beast" moment in your life?

Savannah Jezowski: In so many respects, I often feel like the Beastly character, while my husband is the kind, generous Beautiful one who loves me in spite of my shortcomings. I fear, of the two of us, I would be the one more prone to stumbling into curses and needing to be rescued and reminded of the things that truly matter. I sometimes feel like such an ugly duckling, and then my White Knight looks at me, with that dreamy “I think you’re adorable” look on his face, and then I feel like a princess even though I can’t figure out why he likes me so much. It’s the best feeling in all the world, knowing that you are not perfect and that you are loved anyway. Your “Happily Ever After” may not be all glitter and roses, but it is real, and it is enduring, and that is what truly matters.

As a fun conclusion, I thought I would share my favorite song from the Broadway production of this timeless tale.

“If I Can’t Love Her."

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SAVANNAH JEZOWSKI lives in a drafty farmhouse in Amish country with her Knight in Shining Armor, who is no less shiny after eight years of matrimony, and a loyal brigade of kitties, who may or may not sleep on the job. Her work has been published in Ray Gun Revival, Mindflights, and in the student publication of Fountains at Pensacola Christian College. She likes books, faeries, writing hats, and having tea with her imaginary friends.

 GIVEAWAY!

  In honor of this exciting release, the authors of Five Enchanted Roses have teamed up with Rooglewood Press to offer an exciting Giveaway Bundle for one lucky winner! Included in the bundle will be:

1 print copy of Five Enchanted Roses
1 "Book of Omens" red leather journal from Kaycee Browning

1 Lilla Rose cameo hair clip from Savannah Jezowski

1 pressed rose bookmark from Jenelle Schmidt

1 pair of jaguar sunglasses from Dorian Tsukioka

1 gorgeous rose and pearl necklace

If you would like to enter your name for a chance to win this awesome bundle, here's what you do:

 Share any of the following images (or any of the images from our Launch Week Celebration) on your social media sites -- Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, blogs, etc.

For every image that you share, copy a link and compile all your links into a list. Send your link list in an email to David Cross (david.cross@rooglewoodpress.com) using the subject header: "Five Enchanted Roses Giveaway." Be sure to send him your links NO LATER THAN MONDAY, AUGUST 3. The winner will be selected later that week.

You may also gain one free entry by leaving a comment for Savannah down below, congratulating her on her new story or asking her a question about "Wither."

Have fun spreading the news about this awesome new collection from Rooglewood Press!

 

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Don't forget to purchase your copy of Five Enchanted Roses today! Add the book to your Goodreads shelves and let your reader friends know how much you enjoy these beautiful tales.