Birthing Ella Bandita
by Montgomery Mahaffey
Genre: Dark Fantasy
24,970 words
Seven years of silent treatment brings a young woman to the edge of despair. Her father, the illustrious Patron, has refused to speak to her since she was thirteen, and everyone in the village follows his rule. One day, the girl realizes her twentieth birthday has passed, and she is now the age when she would enter society as a Woman – if only she wasn’t an outcast. Knowing her life will never get better, the girl decides to end the aching silence within her in the depths of a violent river. Just before plunging into the icy water, a voice behind her utters, “There is a better way.” The Sorcerer of the Caverns stands at the bank, holding a promise. He has the power to end her ostracism, but as the girl knows, a change of destiny this drastic must claim a fair price.
Birthing Ella Bandita is available at Amazon.com, Smashwords, Amazon UK, and other online retailers.
Montgomery, how did you come up with the title for your book? Does it have any special meaning?
Birthing Ella Bandita is a segment from the novel, Ella Bandita and the Wanderer. This is the most fitting title as the protagonist goes into the Earth’s womb (the Caverns) for several months. She transforms with an altered destiny, and is even given her name at the end.
Who was your favorite character and why?
The protagonist. It was exciting for me to watch her change and grow into herself. At the start of the story, she was filled with despair – one of life’s victims. Yet by the end of the section, she becomes strong and self-assured, with a brutal independence.
Does your book have any underlying theme, message, or moral?
Since this is the start of the story, Birthing Ella Bandita is the section with the theme, desperate circumstances yield desperate consequences.
What would/could a reader or reviewer say about this book that shows they “get” you as an author?
Interesting question. I’ve read reviews that show the reader didn’t understand me at all. However, I don’t think it’s the reader’s responsibility to “get” me. I’ve done my part already. From here, readers will interpret my story from their reality. And that’s the way it goes.
Give us an excerpted quote from your favorite review of this book:
“Montgomery Mahaffey has created a deep and engaging story that is both entertaining, as well as rich with thought provoking metaphors that parallel the internal psychological complexities of the human heart.”
Where can people learn more about your writing?
http://freeflyingpress.com/
An intriguing premise for survival.
Hi Lilian,
Yes, I was certainly interested in exploring types of survival in this novel. Ella is molded by grief; the Wanderer pushes on despite loneliness, the other characters must negotiate the territory of sumptuous revelry and the dangers therein. I’m glad you picked up on that note! If you ever read it, I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Best,
Montgomery