Inklings Read: interview

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Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Author Interview: Rebekkah Ford

Tell us about Beyond the Eyes. What do you think sets it apart from other YA paranormal novels available today?

Beyond the Eyes, is the first book in a three-book paranormal series. It’s written in the POV of seventeen-year-old Paige Reed. Paige receives a cryptic death message from a ghostly voice, which changes her life forever. Bizarre and frightening things begin to happen to her. But then she meets Nathan Caswell. There’s a magnetic energy between them they can’t deny. Paige later discovers Nathan tracks dark spirits, and her life is in danger. Some of them can see a bright light inside her, and they don’t like it. The world Paige thought she knew, is stripped from her even more when two power-hungry dark spirits wants her to find King Solomon’s ring. They believe she can find it because when her father was alive, he was close to finding it. If Paige doesn’t comply with their demands, they’ll kill her. Paige is then forced to dig deep into her father’s past and unearths shocking secrets about him and his bloodline. With the past and present colliding, Paige is only sure about two things in her life: she needs to outwit the dark spirits, and she’s completely and helplessly in love with Nathan.

I think what sets Beyond the Eyes apart from other YA paranormal novels is for one, it’s original. I haven’t yet ran across a story like this before. So hopefully, people will get into this series. And for another, the story is told in such a way that I’m hoping will make the reader wonder if it’s true or not.

Do you know what I mean?

Like, OMG! What if it’s true?

I wanted to write a story that could be believable. Yeah, it’s fiction, but is it really? Also, this first book in the series deals with issues Paige has to overcome before she can step into the next phase of her life. The second book, though, Dark Spirits, is much, much darker.

**How long did it take you to finish Beyond the Eyes?**

It took me three months to write the rough draft and close to a year to rewrite it.

If you could put together a soundtrack for your novel, what are some songs you would include?

Metallica–Enter Sandman
Avril Lavigne–I’m With You
Lifehouse–Whatever It Takes

What are some of your current favorite books?

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Interview With The Vampire by Anne Rice
The Mayfair Witches by Anne Rice
The Stand by Stephen King
1984 by George Orwell
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling

What is your writing/editing process like?

I write every chance I get. I’ll write in the morning before I go to work and when I get home from work. I also write on the weekends and can spend ten hours with no problem at my computer writing.

When did you know you wanted to write?

Well, I always loved books and reading, but I didn’t realize I could be a writer until I was seven. That was when I started writing poems and stories.

Are there any authors out there you look up to? If so, who are they and how have they affected you and your writing?

I grew up reading Anne Rice’s books. I love how she writes and tells her stories. So she totally affected me in my childhood.

J.K. Rowling is an author I totally look up to. I think she’s a genius, and although I don’t know her personally, she seems like a wonderful, down-to-earth person.

ABOUT REBEKKAH

Rebekkah Ford grew up in a family that dealt with the paranormal. Her parents’ Charles and Geri Wilhelm were the Directors of the UFO Investigators League in Fairfield, Ohio, back in the 1970s. They also investigated ghost hauntings and Bigfoot sightings in addition to UFO’s. Growing up in this type of environment and having the passion for writing is what drove Rebekkah at an early age to write stories dealing with the paranormal. At one point in her life, she thought she wanted to be a journalist, and although she enjoyed writing articles, she quickly discovered her real passion was writing fiction. Her fascination with the paranormal is what led her to write the ‘Beyond the Eyes’ series. Visit her online and read her blog at http://themusingwriter.blogspot.com

If you’re interested in reading Beyond the Eyes today’s your lucky day!! Beyond the Eyes is the featured ebook at Inklings Read this week. Visit my homepage for more info!

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Author Interview: Ari Marmell & Giveaway

I’m super excited to have Ari Marmell, author of Thief’s Covenant, here at Inklings Read to tell us a bit about his writing and first venture into the young adult fantasy genre!

Q. First off, It's a pleasure to have you here at Inklings Read! I was reading up on your background a bit and noticed you wrote several fantasy books and guides. What inspired you to venture into the YA genre? How did you have to change your approach when writing for a YA audience?

Quite honestly, it happened almost by accident. The very earliest drafts of what would become Thief's Covenant weren't written as YA. It just happened to come out in such a way that, as my agent at the time pointed out, it wouldn't take much rewriting to change it into a YA book.

Some of the reasons for doing so were purely clinical--such as the fact that the book was too short for most publishers to publish as an adult fantasy. But the truth is, I liked the idea of branching out into YA. I was about that same age when I first really began devouring fantasy fiction. Many of the authors I read back then still stick with me, and are responsible for my love of reading. I love the idea of just maybe being that writer for someone else.

As far as changing my approach, they were all fairly minor. It involves writing about a younger protagonist than I did in any of my other books, but Widdershins was always meant to be fairly so young, so that wasn't really an issue. I toned down the blood and violence a little bit, but not much. (And yes, that will come as a surprise to people who read the fairly bloody prologue, but it's true.) And Widdershins herself isn't as dark of a main character as many of my others.

Q. I LOVE the cover of Thief's Covenant! It's what initially drew me to the book. What role did you play (if any) in the design of the cover?

The artist, Jason Chan--a god among illustrators, if I may say so--provided Pyr Books and me with a selection of rough sketch ideas he had. My editor and I talked it over and chose the one we liked best, and that's the one he turned into the full cover design.

So, I had a little input, but pretty much all the credit is due to Jason.

(By the way, just for giggles, I gave Widdershins her own Facebook page. If anyone wants to see those preliminary sketches, I got permission from Jason to put them up there. Just look for "Widdershins" in the FB search bar.)

Q. What do you think sets Thief's Covenant apart from other YA fantasy books?

I'd start with the setting. The modern speculative fiction market in YA is either near-future science fiction or modern/urban fantasy. While there certainly are plenty of traditional fantasy YA novels, the majority of them are a bit older. I like the idea of brining traditional fantasy back to a position of equal prominence in YA. (Not that I'm likely to accomplish that by myself, but...)

I think the combination of a Renaissance-inspired setting, rather than the more common Medieval, and the peculiar religious system at the heart of the culture, would also qualify as setting the book somewhat apart.

And I'd like to think that Widdershins herself--particularly her unique relationship with Olgun--stands out as well.

Speaking of whom...

Interview & Giveaway: Tracey Lee Campbell

Tracey Lee Campbell
Author of Starcrossed: Perigee

Blog | Twitter | Buy The Book | Read My Review

Tracey was kind enough to provide me with a copy of her book: Starcrossed: Perigee. I must say I was plesantly surprised!! I did not expect to love Starcrossed: Perigee as much as I did. I found myself lost in her world and in love with the characters. If you would like to read my review, please follow the link above. It was so good, that I asked if she would be willing to do an interview. I extremely happy to say that she has agreed! Starcrossed: Perigee is her debut book and I'm sure there are many great things in store for this talented author.

What was it like writing your first novel!?

It was a roller coaster ride! I wrote it for many reasons - a challenge to myself, an outlet for my ideas on the paranormal, a story for my daughters, and a way of leaving my little mark on the world. All of this meant I had quite an emotional investment in the book, and when it wasn't going well - when the words weren't flowing, when the sentences felt clumsy and sticky no matter which way I wrote them, I sometimes wondered whether it was all worth it. Published authors are lucky - particularly the ones who know they can hand their work in to the editor at the end and know they'll be published and read - they've already proven their credibility. But new writers don't have that validation, so the doubts which I'm sure all writers suffer from occasionally can be all the more debilitating. There were plenty of times though, that my writing was going along smashingly and it was fun to write, and it was at those times when I thought 'I can really do this!' To cope with the ups and downs, I decided my main goal would just be to finish the story and make it the best it could be for myself. I am a terrible procrastinator, so the fact that it is finished and published is a huge achievement in my life.

Aliens play such a large role in your book, so I must ask: Do you believe that aliens exist? If not, what propelled you to write about them?

I saw a UFO when I was a child - a classic 'flying saucer' with dancing lights on its bottom, hovering silently over a factory. Who, (or what!), was piloting it? I don't know! That sighting sparked a lifelong interest in the topic, and I've always had a feeling that the world isn't quite what it seems on the surface. As to the existence of aliens, I don't believe in them, I 'suspect' they exist - the evidence, if you really put the time into looking into it, is overwhelming. In my book I explore the premise of dimensions - I examine ancient mythical creatures, ghosts, aliens, religious and spiritual beings and try to explain them as dwellers of other planes of reality which exist alongside ours. Occasionally they get through to our reality. I like that idea - in fact, as crazy as it sounds, I think it's entirely plausible, and it leaves me with plenty of scope for creepy paranormal creatures to enter my characters' lives!

What are some of the challenges you have faced as a debut author and what advice would you give to those in your shoes?

I knew publicity was crucial, but I didn't realize just how incredibly hard to come by it is. Now I know why advertising costs so much - it is absolutely vital and therefore extremely valuable. These days, all authors are expected to do their own marketing, so hooking up with other writers using social media sites such as Twitter is a great source of advice and support. The internet provides a wealth of good information about writing and marketing your book, so be prepared to do your homework and put into practice the things you have learned.

What are your current projects and what can we expect from you in the future?

I am currently working on the second in the Starcrossed trilogy, entitled 'Dark Matter'. I have some great ideas for it and am itching to get it finished as I think it is going to be a cracker of a story. The main characters - Lucy and Aric, will have more tension between them, and I'm introducing some new paranormal creatures into the mix which is going to make for some great, creepy scenes! Once that's finished, I will be writing the third in the series. I have an overall plot for that one, and some cool ideas, but I'm still thinking on a working title.

Still not convinced to read this awesome book? Check out the trailer!

I would like to thank Tracey for this interview and for allowing me the opportunity to review her book! Now for the really fun part: Tracey has agreed to give away TWO EBOOK COPIES (in a format of your choice) of Starcrossed: Perigee! Just read the rules below and follow the link to the form to enter!

Official Giveaway Information:

DEADLINE: May 27th, 2011
Entrants must be 13 years of age or older.
This is an INTERNATIONAL giveaway
Must be a follower of my blog
Extra entries can be gained the following ways:

Tweet about the giveaway
Create a blog post linking back to the giveaway.

ONE ENTRY PER PERSON PLEASE!
Check out my Giveaway/Privacy Policy.

ENTER TO WIN HERE

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

News: Interview

Hi Inklings!

Quick Announcement: I was interviewed earlier this year for a series of posts over at the Book Blogger Directory called "New Blogger Interview", and the interview has now been posted!

If you're interested in learning a bit more about me, you can check the interview out here.

By the way, the Book Blogger Directory is a great way to get your name out there! If you are not already a member, I highly suggest your sign your blog up. You can sign up via the button below:

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Author Interview: L.A. Shaw & Giveaway!

L.A. Shaw

Author of The Advice Girl

Blog | Twitter | Buy The Book | Read My Review

Kira and Sophia have been best friends since they were five years old. They share an apartment together, and tell each other everything.

Everyone loves Sophia, and she is often called the advice girl by people who know her. Kira believes she knows her friend better than anyone. But in a mysterious accident, Sophia loses her life.

Kira is mourning the devastating loss when she finds a note addressed to her from beyond the grave. Kira realizes she doesn’t know her friend as well as she thought, as she starts to uncover the truth. She falls into a deep depression, confused and lost, until a visit from a strange man puts her in the middle of a war between two secret societies.

Kira soon understands that she is in danger, and doesn’t know who to trust. She has to fight for her own life now.

Describe The Advice Girl in three words.

Friendship, love, and suspense.

Tell us a little more about The Advice Girl and what inspired you to write this book.

I go through periods where I have really bad anxiety. I get really reclusive, and it’s hard for me to even leave my apartment, let alone go to a day job. I was working in retail, and I was going through one of those periods, and had called in sick for about a week. I couldn’t just sit there and do nothing so I decided to be productive and attempt to write a book. I had always written poetry and journal entries before, never a book. I was surprised how the story just seemed to write itself. By the end of that week, I had the rough draft finished.

Sometimes I just feel like there is something “off” about the world, and it needs to change for the better. That was the inspiration for the book. I was in a rough place in my life, and was quite miserable. I obviously couldn’t change the world, but I made a character that could. The Advice Girl was kind of like my personal fantasy made manifest through my writing.

What is your writing process? How long did it take to finish The Advice Girl?

I don’t like to plan anything out with my writing. I just sort of let it come to me, the story more or less plays out in my mind and then I begin to write it. I let it flow, and then go back through and revise. It only took me a week to write The Advice Girl, but it sat on my laptop for about two years. Recently I finally decided to try and publish it. It took me two or three weeks to revise and edit it. It is a much longer process than writing.

If there was one message your readers could take from this book, what would you want that to be?

That you can go through a lot of pain, but it doesn’t have to define who you are. You can fight it, and really you must. I think the state of the world sort of depends on the good people out there fighting against all the negativity. You have to be strong. Maybe you think you aren’t important, but then again… maybe you are like Sophia. The world has lost so many beautiful human beings because of the immense, unyielding pain they were in, and I think it is the greatest tragedy. It has to stop.

Which of your characters do you feel you relate the most to and why?

I think I relate to Kira and Sophia both in different ways. Kira is very level headed, logical, grounded, and suspicious in nature. Sophia is a dreamer, head in the clouds, always trying to help. There are parts of me in both of them. I tend to be a dreamer, but I am also very cautious. I tried to keep them as separate from me as possible though. I wanted them to have their own personalities and lives to give them as much depth as I could.

Have you always aspired to be a writer? Why and when did you start writing?

I never aspired to be a writer. I’ve spent my life trying to make a living, working mostly in retail. I just wanted or have been looking for a decent job that paid the bills. But I’ve always loved to write. I’m an insomniac. So I’ve never slept much. When it gets to be about two or three o’clock in the morning, that’s when my mind becomes very active and all these words start to pour out. I kept journals all through school, and wrote poetry. It wasn’t until about eight years ago when I had to drop out of college that I began to write almost every night. Pages upon pages of words, just my thoughts about life and things like that. I would write on anything, scraps of paper, napkins, etc. I was obsessed. I’m not quite that way now, but I still prefer to write at night when it’s quiet. It’s just who I am. I don’t know who I would be if I wasn’t writing. If I go for long periods without it I get really frustrated. It’s how I express myself.

What sort of challenges have you faced as a debut author?

That no one really wants to read your book. Haha. People don’t recognize my name or know me at all, so I think it’s harder for them to take a chance on me. I’m an indie author, and I self-published, and most people won’t even read indie or self-published. It’s difficult. I understand that a lot of self-published stuff isn’t that great, or they are riddled with many errors. But there are authors out there who love to write books, and maybe just can’t find an agent to take their manuscript, (like me). It’s a lot of work trying to figure it all out and learn as you go. I am doing the work a publishing house would be doing for me, and writing at the same time. But I love it. I feel like this is what I’m supposed to do with my life.

What do you find most rewarding about writing?

The feeling of release I get from it. I have all these thoughts, all this energy, and nothing to really do with it. Writing accomplishes that for me. Most people I have met find it hard to relate to me, because I feel so deeply about things, most people like to stay on the surface. I’ve often felt alone throughout my life, but I know there are people like me out there, and my writing is maybe a bridge to those people. If someone reads something I wrote, and they can relate to it, that is the ultimate reward. I have a hard time expressing myself verbally. Writing is my way to connect to people.

Can you tell us a little bit about what you are working on now and what we can expect from you in the future!?

Sure! I’m working on the sequel, I still haven’t thought of a good fit for the title yet. But I almost have the story solid enough in my mind to start writing. That will be very soon though, just trying to get The Advice Girl out there as much as possible first. I’m also working on a companion book that will be titled, The Journals of Sophia. I’m not sure if it will be released before or after the sequel. But it will mainly be written from Sophia’s perspective. It will allow readers to connect more with her character, and also give her more depth. It will read like a journal, as if it were her personal thoughts and feelings about her life. I’ve also got ideas floating around for two more novels, so hopefully you can expect those in the future too!

I would like to thank L.A. Shaw for this interview and for allowing me the opportunity to review her book! Now for the really fun part: L.A. Shaw has agreed to give away TWO SIGNED COPIES of The Advice Girl! Just fill out the form below for your chance to win!