Today, Feathered Quill reviewer Trix Lee-Rainwater is talking with Dan E. Hendrickson, author of Brandy, Dame of the Caribbean.

FQ: Your martial arts background clearly influenced the combat scenes in Brandy, Dame of the Caribbean. How did you approach blending Western naval combat with Eastern martial arts traditions in a way that feels authentic?

HENDRICKSON: I think the first thing to remember is that my character, John Edwards, served in the South China Sea for a good bit of his British Naval career. Then there is Zhang Yong, the Shaolin Priest, who is a major character in both books. The western fascination with eastern martial arts did not begin after World War II and the Korean War as some might think but really started during the days of Marco Polo in the 14th century when he came back to Europe with wild tales of the easterner’s strange hand to hand fighting style. The Caribbean was a big melting pot of cultures in the 19th century, and it was a real stretch to incorporate ninjas, Shaolin priests, pirates and the English navy.

FQ: Brandy, Dame of the Caribbean is the second book in the Pirate Princess Saga. How has your approach to writing these characters evolved since the first book? What new challenges did you face in this installment?

HENDRICKSON: The biggest challenge was to show Brandy’s growth since the first book. In the first story, Brandy was trained by Zhang Yong and one of the biggest issues he had with her was her temper. Like her mother, the Scarlet Mistress, Brandy relied on her rage to confront and defeat her opponents. Zhang, with the help of her and John Edwards budding love affair, helped Brandy grow out of that mindset and into the philosophy that caring for a cause and a loving mindset gave one more power than rage. In the second book Zhang had to bring her to the realization that there are some things worth getting mad about, but the one had to be completely in control of that anger in order to channel it properly.

FQ: The relationship between Brandy and the Jaded Empress presents an interesting parallel as both were trained by Zhang Yong but took drastically different paths. What inspired you to create this dynamic?

HENDRICKSON: It’s an age-old dynamic. One disciple chooses the ‘dark side’ and the other the ‘light’. The master must prove that he is a worthy teacher by producing one who will follow his teachings and be victorious because of their choice. The key is to equally show both receiving the same training and the reasons they chose the way they would go. What makes it interesting is when you show why the evil one went the way they did and you can almost empathize with them.

FQ: The concept of honor plays a central role in the story, manifesting differently in British naval tradition, Shaolin philosophy, and pirate culture. Could you expound more on the different interpretations of honor and their importance to the narrative?

HENDRICKSON: The honor that is focused on in the Shaolin philosophy is that of the relationship between the teacher and the student. They honor each other by fulfilling their rolls. The teacher gives the best direction and guidance to inspire the student to take their lesson and grow in skill and their knowledge. The student learns the lessons and skills and uses them in the way the teacher has shown them. The English Naval honor is all about Queen and Country first. They are supposed to be committed to the higher cause. With the pirates, it is about the clan and how successful they are together.

FQ: Zhang Yong's teachings about controlling rage rather than suppressing it is a crucial part of the narrative and Brandy’s character development. Can you talk to us more about this philosophical approach?

HENDRICKSON: Once you get past all the cultural nuances and colloquialisms, it really just a matter of good guys vs bad guys. It is entertaining to see the different cultures interact and I think that is one of the big draws from Brandy’s story. On the one hand, you have those who are in it for vengeance, greed, power, and prestige. On the other, you have those who value freedom, equality, fairness, justice, family, and love. When the latter decide to stand against the form, you have the dynamic for an entertaining story.

FQ: The ending suggests potential future conflicts, particularly regarding the political situation in London and the brewing Civil War. Without revealing too much, how do you see these larger historical events shaping future installments in the Pirate Princess Saga?

HENDRICKSON: There was a lot going on during that period in world history and plenty of juicy directions the continuing story can go. I will give one little tidbit of info. Brandy and John have children and they will eventually grow up. One could wonder what the story has in store for them.

FQ: As someone who has balanced various careers with writing, what advice would you give to aspiring authors who are trying to develop their craft while maintaining other professional commitments?

HENDRICKSON: Never stop writing. Don’t get bogged down with self-doubt, just keep learning and keep growing. You are a better writer than you were yesterday and you're going to be even better tomorrow if you keep at it.

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