Cege Smith - Edge of Shadows

We are pleased to have Cege Smith with us today to share about herself and her book Edge of Shadows.

Where do you currently live?

A suburb of Minneapolis, MN.

Tell us a little bit about your life.

I have a full-time job (in sales) in addition to my writing. I've been married for almost 5 years to a man who is completely supportive of me in all I do, which I appreciate more than I could ever express to him. I have two very grown-up stepsons who are 9 and 10, and we also have the pleasure of living with an adorable miniature long-haired dachshund named Juliet.

When did you first start writing?

I vividly remember starting to write my first novel when I was twelve. I was an avid reader before that and one day decided to give writing a whirl.

What was your very first story about?

It was about two sisters trapped inside a haunted house that was shifting through time.

Have you written anything that you were too afraid to let anyone read?

Aside from my daily journal, any first draft I've ever written.

Did you experience anything you’ve written yourself?

I think if I looked closely, I would find semblances of many different life experiences I've had. I think that comes from that writing advice of "write what you know". I do incorporate a lot of myself in my stories.

Who are several of your greatest literary inspirations?

My admiration for Stephen King goes back as long as I can remember. I think he is a fantastic storyteller and I take anything he says about the mastering the craft to heart. Edgar Allan Poe also had an early influence on me. His characters and settings were (and still are) haunting.

What kind of education have you received, and how has that affected your writing?

I have a Bachelor's in Speech Communication and a Master's in Ethics in Leadership. If anything, I would say that my education ensured that I understood the proper mechanics of writing.

How much research time customarily goes into your projects?

It depends entirely on the topic of my project. For a standard length article, if interviews are included, then probably 2-3 hours. For my novels, I usually spend time researching the settings so that they can be as accurate as possible for my readers. Depending on the depth, that could be hours or days of research.

Who is your favorite literary character?

Scarlett O'Hara. She was strong but yet vulnerable, and she didn't depend on anyone to get what she wanted. I think it's because of her that I gravitate toward writing strong female protagonists.

Who is your favorite character of your own creation?

I had a fabulous time writing Angeline in my most recent novel, Heiress of Lies. Watching her grow and evolve through the book was amazing and I can't wait to see where she is going to go next. But I am currently writing the sequel to Edge of Shadows, and the main character, Ellie, has changed a lot since the first book. She is surprising me and as such is giving Angeline a run for her money.

If you were ever to write an autobiography, what would its title be?

Probably something like Lessons Learned. I feel like I am constantly learning new things and that natural curiousity helps make my life more vibrant and keeps me present in it.

Tell us about your featured book.

Edge of Shadows is the first novel I published. I feel like I came full circle with it because the story is set against the backdrop of a haunted house. My heroine, Ellie, is coming out a rather tramatic divorce. She's been a loner since her parents died when she was young, and trust isn't something that easily comes to her, so she seals herself off from almost everyone around her.

But through a series of events over a short period of time, Ellie is thrust into a situation where she's found a new love interest, and one of her friends puts her in charge of taking care of her house while she's away. Ellie gets caught up in the mysterious past of the house, and finds out that maybe some things in her life weren't as coincidental as they seemed.

Why did you write that?

As with all of my books, I wrote it because I had an image in my mind that wouldn't go away and characters that whisper to me until I wrote their story.

Is there anything special you would like your potential readers to know?

That things are just starting to heat up. What I know about the next chapters of those stories is very exciting.

What activity or hobby, besides writing, do you find most enjoyable?

Reading is favorite way to pass the time and I also enjoy travel when finances afford it. That's one of the reasons I enjoy watching the Travel Channel- I get to visit places all over the world from the comfort of my couch.

What was your favorite childhood toy?

A Whoopsie Doll- you would squeeze the doll's stomach and her pigtails would go up and she would scream out "whoopsie!". For a young girl, that doll gave me hours of endless entertainment.

What do you see as your greatest achievement?

I earned both of my degrees as a working adult. Finding the balance between keeping up at the day job and still managing to maintain good grades was one of the biggest personal challenges I've faced. Being successful in doing that was my greatest achievement, at least, until I published my first novel.

What, to you, is absolutely wrong?

People who hurt other people intentionally and enjoy it.

What is the best advice you’ve ever received?

That you can never go wrong by being kind to others, and always be true to yourself.

If you had to explain the concept of “love” to someone who’s never heard of it before, how would you?

The willingness to give everything you have, and do whatever it takes to make someone else happy. And in the ideal situation, the person you love will do the same for you in return.

What about “hate?”

Hate is when you would rather be anywhere else than in the company of the person or people you are in because your skin crawls and you feel alternately sick and angry all at the same time.

You’ve decided to buy an exotic pet, what do you go for?

Definitely a monkey. My kids would have a ball training it to do do all sorts of tricks, and I think it could also help with housework.

What do you classify as an “Adventure?”

Any story that involves some kind of quest to solve a problem or satisfy a need.

Our thanks to Cege for being with us. Give her work a look by clicking on the book cover below.

Sadie S. Forsythe - The Weeping Empress

We are very pleased to have Sadie S. Forsythe with us today. She is promoting her book The Weeping Empress.

Where do you currently live?

Manchester, England, though I grew up in and out of the South-Eastern United States.

Tell us a little bit about your life.

By my life I assume you mean my upbringing and such. I had a somewhat unconventional childhood. We moved around a lot, so I was lucky enough to see a lot of American culture. There is a surprising amount of regional variation. I have often drawn on this wealth of experience in my writing. It also means that I am quite used to being the outsider of a group. As a result I tend to think little of the cultural distance between others and myself. This has come in useful as an adult. After university I spent seven years working in child abuse investigations. This is a job that would have been extremely difficult if I wasn’t able to clearly distinguish between practices that are simply foreign to myself and those that are patently abusive. The years I spent working with the families involved with the welfare system definitely affects my writing. It provides a well of hopeless, despair I would never have been able to reproduce without it. Though this is not to suggest that I saw no successes or heart-warming moments too.

When did you first start writing?

This is actually hard for me to answer. I’ve always been a reader, and I tell myself stories almost constantly. But it wasn’t until relatively recently that I started consistently writing them down. The problem is that I’ve felt like a writer for a lot longer than I have actually been writing.

What was your very first story about?

The first story I actually wrote down was when I was in my early teens. It was during one of the family’s frequent moves. I was stuck in the back seat for days as we drove from Tennessee to Washington State, and I hand wrote about 90 pages. I vaguely remember it to have been about a concubine who became a warrior. I guess I had already developed my penchant for strong female leads.

Have you written anything that you were too afraid to let anyone read?

I’m afraid to let people read everything I write. I am chronically insecure about it, but I just force myself to take a deep breath and move forward.

Did you experience anything you’ve written yourself?

Since I write fantasy that would be a little difficult. However, I think some of my personal worldviews slip into my stories from time to time.

Who are several of your greatest literary inspirations?

There are far too many to list, but I’ll try. I have to start with Anne McCaffrey simply because she was the first author to really grab me by the lapel and refuse to let go. It has probably been twenty years since I read my first Pern book, and I can still recite The Watchwher song. I admire Isaac Asimov for the way he could write stories almost fifty years apart with the same narrative voice. Frank Herbert’s ability to create an atmosphere that just absorbs the reader is definitely inspiration worthy. Lastly, all of the Bronte sisters deserve an honorable mention simply for being who and what they were, when they were.

What education have you received, and how has that affected your writing?

A fair amount is the short answer to this. I started college at seventeen, got a Bsc in Anthropology with minors in Comparative Religion and Archaeology. I wanted to be Indiana Jones, though any Archaeologist worth his salt will tell you Jones is a tomb raider, not an Archaeologist. I then moved across the pond to the UK and completed an MA in International Criminology. After a number of years as a professional I returned to university for an Msc in Social Change. I’m not done yet. One day I will be Dr. Forsythe. I may be 90 by then, but I am nothing if not persistent. My education absolutely comes through in my writing. It affects my choice of language, the way I, and by extension my characters, approach a problem, and complexity of issues I address.

How much research time customarily goes into your projects?

I don’t do a lot of up front research for a story, or at least not for the stories I have written so far. However, I tend to do a lot of spot research to verify things as I go.

Who is your favorite literary character?

I don’t know that I have a favorite literary character, but I have a favorite character type. It’s the extremely strong male who hides his strength behind the façade of a bumbling idiot. Though not one of my favorites, Clark Kent/Superman would be an example everyone could recognize.

Who is your favorite character of your own creation?

This is hard to answer. It’s kind of like being asked to choose between your best friends. It is probably Senka from The Weeping Empress, but it’s hard to consider Senka on his own because he and Muhjah are so intertwined. I love the way he is so comfortable in his own skin. He’s damaged and he knows it, but it doesn’t hold him back. He depends of Muhjah to provide him with what he lacks and that is enough.

If you were ever to write an autobiography, what would its title be?
Barefoot in the City - I generally consider myself an earthy, natural kind of gal, but reality seems to be determined keeps me among the metros. I sneak out to slip my naked toes in the grass, have been known to dance in the rain and under the full moon.

Tell us about your featured book.

The Weeping Empress is my first novel. I’m really excited about it. It’s an epic fantasy about a modern woman who becomes the subject of scrutiny when she is named fulfiller of an arcane prophecy in a previously unknown land. Scared and uncertain of her immediate future she joins forces with two local troublemakers. Together they try to change their fates.

While it should appeal to adult lovers of fantasy and fiction, it will be especially appealing to those who appreciate Japanese manga or anime. Such readers will feel right at home in the atmosphere of Dashkalil.

Why did you write that?

The initial seed came from an off-hand comment about the often encountered plotline in which some pure, good-hearted young girl is magically whisked to a far away land to save the world (usually with her untainted love). I commented that these girls never seem to mind. They leave home, family, and friends behind without a second thought, adjusting easily to their new surroundings. I wondered aloud how a real woman, one with something to loose, would deal with the situation. “I might just go mad.” I said. And so a story was born. I had to walk a delicate line to avoid creating just one more of the very plotlines I was wishing to parody, but I think I accomplished it.

Is there anything special you would like your potential readers to know?

In my spare time I study Japanese, and the Japanese have a charming habit of asking, “Please take care of me” when they meet new people. I am humbled by the reception The Weeping Empress has thus far received, and would ask that the readers continue to treat it (and me) with such kindness.

What’s a negative trait about other people that you most notice, or that bothers you the most?

I dislike it when people feel the need to one-up all the time. If you won $10, he won $12. If you ran 5 miles, she ran 6 – that kind of thing.

Do you ever notice it in yourself?

I don’t think I do this. I am conscious that sometimes in an attempt to relate to people I try to share similar stories to theirs, and if I do this too much it could come across as one-upmanship. But as I am aware of it, I generally manage to keep myself within acceptable limits.

Do you own any kind of art collection?

I don’t, thought I do own a number of signed Audrey Kawasaki prints. I would happily collect her art if only I could afford it.

What is the hardest thing about growing up?

Loosing the excuse to do ridiculous things. The young can dress up in costume, or stay up all night, or sing at the top of their voice at the bus stop without being thought loony. Such behavior is overlooked with an amused, though admittedly condescending “oh, they’re just young.”

Was it worth it?

Absolutely, I don’t know about others, but when I was young I didn’t have the confidence to do such things. I was shy and awkward. As an adult I may have to moderate my behavior, but I am much more comfortable with who and what I am.

What is something you absolutely must have in your kitchen?

Good coffee. I don’t care if I have to make it in a pan and drink it out of a bowl as long as it is good, smooth coffee.

What is pain to you?

A sign that something in wrong – I don’t like pain or anything, but I also don’t consider it a wholly bad thing.

What is your dream house?

My father was a builder, who spent most of his free time remodeling whatever house we lived in. I was extremely lucky to live in some practical pieces of art. He had a very Frank Lloyd Wright like style. My dream home would be one built by him, on a couple of acres, near running water and a small forest…with fast internet.

Where would you want this house located in our wide world?

Middle Tennessee - I want to travel and see the world, but when it is time to settle down I want to be close to family.

You’ve been forced under various circumstances to choose a personal motto. What is it?

There is pleasure sure in being mad which none but madmen know. John Dryden said it first, but I think it is fabulous.

Have you ever received a present you really hated? If so, what was it?

Years ago there was a large teddy-bear shaped candle that was being passed around the family as a Christmas present. Whoever got it the first time, and I don’t even know who it was, hated it and so did everyone else. It became a joke, so getting the bear for the year became a laugh.

What’s the first thing you would do if you could become invisible?

Freak out, I rather like my corporeal form.

Do you ever have recurring dreams? What is your most common one about?

I used to. They were really frightening, often about questions of what constitutes true evil. I was too young to be facing such questions though, so they just scared me.

What is the kindest thing that anyone has ever done for you?

I don’t know what the kindest thing might have been, but the most recent thing to give my heart a little flutter was an airmailed box of pastry. I wasn’t able to make it home for the holidays this year. Every Christmas my Aunty makes fabulous Viennese Almond Pinks. They are one of my all time favorite things. She wrapped, boxed and paid the exorbitant price to express a small box of pinks to me as a surprise. I wanted to cry I was so happy.

Our special thanks to Sadie for taking the time to answer our questions. Her book can be found in eBook and paperback format. Start with the link below.

Marta Szemik - Two Halves

Marta Szemik is with us today to tell us about her book Two Halves.

Where do you currently live?
Small town of Cambridge, Ontario, Canada.

Tell us a little bit about your life.
Most of my day is simple, but busy. My schedule revolves around the kids, their activities, school, homework, writing, cooking. And, I’m grateful my hubby does most of the cleaning. One consistency, every morning is a cup of coffee and 10-15 minutes to myself before the kids wake up. This means no making lunches or finishing chores. Just 10-15 minutes of quiet to gather my thoughts.

When did you first start writing?
I learned how to write in grade 1, but I don’t think that’s what you meant :) My writing career began very suddenly in March 2009. After being inspired, I woke up in the morning, sat down at the computer and decided I would write a novel. From the first word, I knew I would finish. I was certain I would finish. There was nothing else I’d ever wanted more that day than to finish the novel and that drive kept me going until today. The difference is that I not only want to write, I need to write.

What was your very first story about?
Honestly, I don’t remember. But I’ve been a story teller for a long time. I think this has a lot to do with growing up in a country where there weren’t too many toys so kids had to satisfy themselves with playing with sticks, grass, rocks and mud, as well as telling stories.

Have you written anything that you were too afraid to let anyone read?
Yes, I’ve written a bit in a different genre and only showed it to hubby. He likes it. Perhaps it will be the next step?

Did you experience anything you’ve written yourself?
A lot of the stuff I write about is what I’d like to experience. Like zipping through the rainforest in the Amazon, swimming in a turquoise pond no one else has ever swam in, or what I call vortexing. In my novel some can travel great distances through a vortex in a matter of minutes (but the novel has nothing to do with science fiction).

Who are several of your greatest literary inspirations?
J.R.R. Tolkien. The world created in The Lord of the Rings has me gasping each time I read it. As a reader you feel like you’re right there with the characters. That’s what I strive to do as well.

What kind of education have you received, and how has that affected your writing?
I have an Honours BA in Economics (Financial Analysis). On top of that, securities courses, financial management diploma, real estate licence, appraisal courses and a Pilates Instructor certification. I think I’ve been looking to find what I love for a while and I wished I’d figured I’m better at using the right side of my brain (creative) than the left (logic). That’s not to say I’m not logical or bad at those other jobs!

How much research time customarily goes into your projects?
It depends on the work, its setting and general concept. If it’s pure fiction, the great thing is that you can make your own worlds. I am working on another novel (or four) that will require me to travel to one of the hotels in NY. Anything that’s real in the novels needs to be researched thoroughly.

Who is your favorite literary character?
Bilbo Baggins from The Hobbit.

Who is your favorite character of your own creation?
At this time it’s a shapeshifter named Xander. I liked him so much, I let him hijack my novella. He completely took over and I had to write what he wanted me to. To the point, when I felt some scenes were too ‘risqué’, he wouldn’t let me delete them. I left the scenes in, because it was him. Anything different would have been a lie.

If you were ever to write an autobiography, what would its title be?
Dreams Do Come True.

Tell us about your featured book.
Two Halves is my debut novel. It’s about half-breed vampires (the only two in the world) accepting their destiny to save the human, vampire and warlock species from a demonic takeover and ultimately extinction. Gosh, that sounds darker than it is. The story evolves as the main character Sarah, learns about her vampiric side, one she has denied since birth, suppressing her instincts with serums. It’s a coming of age story but instead of transitioning to adulthood, she transitions from the human world to a half-breed world, which are not as different as she thought they were.

Why did you write that?
I was inspired by Stephenie Meyer. After seeing Twilight, I researched the author, read her biography and felt connected. The next morning I sat down to write a novel. From the first word I knew I would finish. I didn’t know how long it would take me, but I knew I would finish.

Is there anything special you would like your potential readers to know?
I hope my characters stay with you for as long as they have stayed with me.

Where is the one place you’ve traveled where you’ve felt most like you fit in?
Disney in Florida. It was the one place that brought out the kid in me. Loved it and felt very comfortable there. But to steal Dorothy’s line, there’s no place like home.

What activity or hobby, besides writing, do you find most enjoyable?
Skiing, absolutely skiing.

What was your favorite childhood toy?
Didn’t have many, so instead of a toy, I’d have to say my hamster. I loved my hamster over all the toys.

What is your most valued personal possession in life? Who gave it to you?
My wedding band. And of course, my husband gave it to me.

If you lost the ability to see every color but one, which one would it be?
Black, because if I remember correctly from science, black contains all the colours so I’d hope to be able to separate them within the black and see after all. (This is the nerd in me talking)

How do you treat people you’re not fond of?
Kill them with politeness and sarcasm. I love sarcasm and I’m way too good at it.

What is hiding in your closet as we speak?
You don’t want to know, because I don’t even know. But I’m sure it rhymes with ‘tess’. I hate closets. I need them closed at night, and it’s not because of monsters. It’s just something I’d always had to do.

What do you see as your greatest achievement?
My kids. Nothing will ever be better. Second to my kids, my published books.

What, to you, is absolutely wrong?
Not saying ‘excuse me’ after burping and when someone doesn’t give up their seat for the elderly.

What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
When you’re having bad day, think, “even this shall pass.”

If you had to explain the concept of “love” to someone who’s never heard of it before, how would you?
An eighty year old couple strolling through a park, holding hands.

What about “hate?”
Too dark to describe that one, but it has something to do with not respecting someone else’s life.

You’ve decided to buy an exotic pet, what do you go for?
Monkey, because of Pippi Longstocking. I loved her witty monkey.

What do you classify as an “Adventure?”
Trying something I’d never done before.

If you could learn one new thing instantly, what would it be?
Sign language.

Finish this sentence. “I sometimes find it hard to…”
Open up to others in fear I will not be accepted. This is when I am thankful for the internet and social media. It’s easier to express myself in writing than in person.

Our very special thanks to Marta for being so generous with her time. Her book can be found below, where your cursor should be...clicking.

Keira Michelle Telford - SILVER: Acheron (A River of Pain)

Keira Michelle Telford is with us today to promote her book SILVER: Acheron (A River of Pain.)

Where do you currently live?
British Columbia, Canada.

Tell us a little bit about your life.
I’m a British ex-pat, born and raised in Worcester, UK. As a child, my favorite toy was an old badger trap. Since I have no siblings, while I was growing up the only thing standing between me and boredom was my imagination – and it got a LOT of exercise. I had so many invisible ‘characters’ in my repertoire, I was never alone.

When did you first start writing?
I’m pretty sure I was born with a Parker fountain pen stuck up my bum. I’ve been writing since before I can remember, but in those early days it was a lot of poetry about birds and nature and how cute bunnies were.

What was your very first story about?
It was so long ago, but the earliest one I remember clearly was a micro-fiction story about a girl who was standing on a mountaintop and saw a UFO. It was called ‘Oval’, and it was probably quite terrible.

Have you written anything that you were too afraid to let anyone read?
Not unless you count the really ancient material from the years when I was still developing as a writer. Much of it is horrifyingly bad, and I’d die of shame if anyone ever saw it. In particular, I used to write a lot of X Files fanfic, much of it involving Mulder and Scully professing their undying love for one another. I guess that’s pretty embarrassing.

Did you experience anything you’ve written yourself?
There’s a grain of truth in everything. When you’re a kid and you’re in English class and you’re being taught how to write creatively, you’re told to ‘write what you know’. The best way to find the raw emotion in anything is to draw it out from someplace real. Here and there I scatter random truths in my books, expanded upon and fleshed out, some details tweaked slightly. One such random truth appears in Entropy (due out this May), in which a little five-year-old girl keeps a dead bird in a plastic box and checks on it every day, watching it decompose until finally there’s nothing left but bone and feathers.

I am that five-year-old girl.

Who are several of your greatest literary inspirations?
Dante Alighieri (The Divine Comedy – where the title of my book, Acheron, comes from), Edgar Allan Poe (who made me believe in undying love), Fyodor Dostoevsky (especially his book Crime & Punishment, the themes of which inspired my second book in the Silver Series, The Lost & Damned). And there are many others: Oscar Wilde, Sadegh Hedayat, Samuel Beckett. I don’t read very much contemporary fiction.

What kind of education have you received, and how has that affected your writing?
I’ve got a background in biology, and canine behavioural sciences – both of which helped me to create the Chimera in my books. They’re genetic freaks, and knowing a little bit about biology helped a tonne when I was trying to figure out their morphology. And I utilized my education in animal behaviour to give them a realistic set of vocalizations and behaviours. In actual fact, the behaviour of the Chimera is entirely based upon guinea pigs.

How much research time customarily goes into your projects?
It’s an ongoing thing. I watch a lot of documentaries on biology, evolution, quantum mechanics and other science topics. I’m constantly making notes on things I think might become relevant as the Silver Series develops. Anything that catches my interest, I’ll go and buy a few books on the subject and learn more. Before I write a new scientific element into a book, I’ll research it to make sure I fully understand it before I put pen to paper.

Whether it’s how to make C-4 explosives, or how to cook crystal meth, I’ll spend anywhere from an hour to several days exploring the science behind something before it gets a place in one of my chapters.

Who is your favorite literary character?
Sherlock Holmes. Intellect is sexy.

Who is your favorite character of your own creation?
Ella ‘Silver’ Cross, from the Silver Series of books. Ella has become almost like my alter-ego. Sometimes I feel like I know more about her than I do about myself. She’s incredibly strong, and I admire that in her.

If you were ever to write an autobiography, what would its title be?
Living Left of Main.

Tell us about your featured book.
SILVER: Acheron (A River of Pain) is the first book in the Silver Series. Set more than 300yrs in the future, the series takes place in a post-apocalyptic, dystopian world where humans are a species on the brink of extinction. No longer at the top of the food chain, humans are preyed upon by the Chimera – genetic mutants that outnumber humankind 25:1.

Silver is a Hunter – and she’s the best in the city. She’ll risk her life in the pursuit of a human resurgence on Earth... but there’s a problem. When we meet her in Acheron, she’s been dishonorably charged from the Hunter Division, and banished for crimes she didn’t commit.

Left for dead in a segregated area of the city called the Fringe District, she’s surrounded by murderers, thieves and rapists. Starving, and desperate for money, she reluctantly accepts the Police Division’s invitation to enroll in a covert Bounty Hunter program.

And so the adventure begins...

Why did you write that?
The idea for the Silver Series had been circulating in my head for over a decade. The Lost & Damned was actually written first, as a script, and the series expanded from there. Acheron was conceived because Ella Cross’ banishment is an incredibly significant event in her life, and it seemed like the perfect place to introduce readers to her character.

Is there anything special you would like your potential readers to know?
The Silver Series is a love story. It’s a tale of the passionate, enduring love between Ella Cross and the man she’s been in love with since she was fifteen years old – Alexander King. A love that would be much simpler, were it not for Ella’s childhood friend, the charming womanizer, Luka Kinsella.

What’s a negative trait about other people that you most notice, or that bothers you the most?
Narrow-mindedness.

Do you ever notice it in yourself?
I’ve got many flaws... but that’s not one of them

Do you own any kind of art collection?
I have a massive collection of art. My house is filled with it. My father was an artist, so I have many of his original paintings. I have a collection of old etchings, many of which were part of his collection before I inherited them. I have some contemporary art, too. My contemporary collections includes a few works by Angelina Wrona, a Canadian artist. And in my office I have all of the art for my books, made into canvas prints. For that art, I have to thank the enormously talented artist Kitt Lapeña. His skill blows my mind.

What is something you absolutely must have in your kitchen?
Crunchy Nut Cornflakes. I would die without them.

What is pain to you?
A broken heart.

You’ve been forced under various circumstances to choose a personal motto. What is it?
Don’t dream it, be it. (Stolen from the Rocky Horror Picture Show).

Do you ever have recurring dreams? What is your most common one about?
I sometimes have sex dreams involving Brent Spiner (aka, Data from Star Trek TNG). How much of a nerd does that make me?

What’s the first thing you would do if you could become invisible?
Sometimes I think I am invisible.

Our thanks to Keira for taking the time to answer our questions. Please, seek out her work below.

Jennifer Rainey - These Hellish Happenings

 Today, we have Jennifer Rainey with us. She is promoting her book These Hellish Happenings.

Where do you currently live?
Southern Ohio.

Tell us a little bit about your life.
I have an English degree and a minor in Spanish, and I work at a well-known department store (college is expensive; make that degree count!). I’m also in a folk band where I sing and play the piano. I’m a cat person, I occasionally go ghost hunting, and my favorite movie is A Hard Day’s Night.

When did you first start writing?
I’ve been writing in one way or another since I was about twelve and I started writing fan-fiction. Yes! Go ahead! Laugh! But it was actually a really nice way to learn the ropes of storytelling and get feedback on my writing very early on. I’ve been writing original fiction predominantly since I was about sixteen.

What was your very first story about?
The first piece of original fiction I remember writing was essentially Robin Hood in Hell! It never had a title, I’m afraid.

Have you written anything that you were too afraid to let anyone read?
I would be horrified if anyone found the aforementioned Robin Hood in Hell story, haha! Also, like I said, I used to write a lot of fanfiction. I’d cry myself to sleep if some of that made it into the light of day.

Did you experience anything you’ve written yourself?
Little bits and pieces of things I experience make it into my writing all the time! Like I said, I work in a department store and one of the short stories in my upcoming collection was seriously inspired by my experiences, both good and bad. My writer eyes are always open no matter where I go. I’m always paying attention because I never know when I’m going to run into the next situation or little detail that I could fit into my writing.

Who are several of your greatest literary inspirations?
Aldous Huxley, Neil Gaiman, F. Scott Fitzgerald and recently Ray Bradbury immediately come to mind.

What kind of education have you received, and how has that affected your writing?
I have my BA in English from The Ohio State University (and no, I don’t care about football!). When I was studying at university, I tried to take away a writing lesson or two from many of the writers I studied. I was never simply looking at a piece from the standpoint of literary analysis; I was also looking at it as a writer.

How much research time customarily goes into your projects?
That depends on the project, I’d say. For These Hellish Happenings, I did a lot of research on Hell mythology, and then ignored it. Haha! For that book, I was really focusing on reinventing Hell, but it helped to have done the research.

Who is your favorite literary character?
Sherlock Holmes. I’ve been on Team Sherlock since I was about 11.

Who is your favorite character of your own creation?
I’ve always been fond of Alex Ridner, my demon character in These Hellish Happenings. He’s this outwardly snarky and arrogant go-getter who secretly wants nothing more than to abandon his position in Hell and be human. He’s always fun to write, but recently I’ve been falling in love with Erasmus Bramble, the protagonist of my next novel, Green-Eyed. He’s a very anachronistic character and something of a mad scientist, and I adore writing him.

If you were ever to write an autobiography, what would its title be?
“Jennifer Rainey Who?”

Tell us about your featured book.
These Hellish Happenings is about the poor sap who has to work at the Registration Office of Hell. The book follows Jack, my protagonist, as he lives, loves and works in Hades. The book is darkly comical, and it’s definitely good for someone who is looking for a read that’s a little quirky.

Why did you write that?
I wrote it for so many reasons. For one, I love Hell and Hell mythology. For another, I love writing comedy. The idea of the book really appealed to me. I loved humanizing this place that’s supposed to be very scary and epic. The Hell in the book is very similar to our own world, but with these little hellish touches. It was so much fun to write!

What is your favorite season of the year, and what makes it so?
Autumn. The food is great, the fashion is great, the weather is great and it’s got Halloween going for it. It’s perfect!

When you think of the word “Writer” what comes to mind?
A lonely individual hunched over a typewriter in a cramped apartment. That is the very first thing I think of. Is that horrible?

If you could pick one thing about yourself that would be passed onto your (imaginary/actual) child, what would it be?
I have a fantastic bullcrap detector. I don’t buy into things that are “trendy” or “the flavor of the month.” I can see what’s really important in a situation. I’m not planning on having any kids, but if I did have one, this is what I’d want him or her to get from me.

How about one thing about yourself that you absolutely wouldn’t want passed on?
I am a massive worry-wart! I would not not wish my compulsive worrying upon anyone!

If you had to live in another time period, which one would you choose?
The 1920s. I’ve been positively in love with that decade since I was a teenager and I discovered F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Of course now we know what comes at the end of the 1920s, so if I retained that knowledge when I went back in time, I doubt I could be terribly carefree!

Name one movie that always has a huge effect on you. Why do you think that is?
A Hard Day’s Night. I first watched it when I was 11, and I felt at the time that it was the first movie I had ever watched that was “adult,” purely because I didn’t understand half of the script! I felt classy watching that movie when I was a kid, and I as I grew up, it really affected my sense of humor and my sense of what is aesthetically pleasing. I still love black and white movies and early 60s style, and it’s still my favorite movie. I’m a huge Beatles fan, though.

What’s one thing you’ve always wanted to try, but never have?
Poutine. I can’t tell if I think it’d be awesome or bizarre or both.

What is your favorite thing to do when you have a day to yourself?
I enjoy just writing! When I know I’m going to have a solid block of time to myself with no interruptions, I just want to write. It can be very difficult finding time to write.

First thing you’d do if you were handed a million dollars?
I’d ask, “What’s the catch?”

What was/is your favorite thing about your childhood home?
Its location. It is only 20 minutes from downtown, but also only 20 minutes from parks and nature trails. So, when I was growing up, I really got to experience the best of both worlds. I could go see a concert one night and head out to do some hiking the next day.


Our thanks to Jennifer for being with us. Please find her work below and don't be shy with your clicking finger.

Karina Kantas - Huntress

Karina Kantas is with us today to tell us about her book Huntress.

Where do you currently live?
Corfu Greece

Tell us a little bit about your life.
I'm from the midlands UK. I moved to Greece after meeting my (now) husband while on holiday here. We have two girls, one is 8 and the other is 2 and a half.

When did you first start writing?
I've been writing stories since high school. Probably since 15-16

What was your very first story about?
I think my first ever story was about a fairground ride the Waltzer that spun so fast it flew off the ride and into the future. The two riders then had a great adventure.

Have you written anything that you were too afraid to let anyone read?
Some erotica. I don't let anyone read it.

Did you experience anything you’ve written yourself?
Write about what you know, there's less research that way. And you can get a lot of closure by writing about the past. Yes, my experiences are always mixed in with my writing.

What kind of education have you received, and how has that affected your writing?
I passed my GCSE then went onto college and did a diploma in sales and admin. So my education hasn't had an impact to my writing.

How much research time customarily goes into your projects?
It all depends on what genre I'm working on. and what is happening with the plot. For example Stone Cold which is a supernatural thriller, is based in Scotland, so I researched where this was to take place, culture and food it also has archaeology involved so I have to research that as well as the supernatural element. Thanks to the internet it doesn't take too long.

Who is your favorite character of your own creation?
Ice. She's one of the Kittnz from Lawless Justice my vigilante urban thriller. She's tough and smart but she struggles to lead a double life.

If you were ever to write an autobiography, what would its title be?
Life As She Knows It.

Tell us about your featured book.
Huntress is my latest urban thriller published by MMP. It's about a female journalist who goes undercover in an outlaw motorcycle club, hoping to get revenge for what the club did to her family.

Why did you write that?
My fans begged me for a sequel to In Times of Violence but I didn't want to continue with Jade and Marcus's story. This was a closed chapter. They had left the bikers lifestyle behind and although they attempted to stop their daughter Sofi from living the lifestyle, it was in her blood.

Is there anything special you would like your potential readers to know?
I write about life. What is was like and what it is like now. I don't bend the truth and I don't sugar coat it either. My novels are fast paced exciting reads. I hope you enjoy them.

If you could pick one thing about yourself that would be passed onto your child, what would it be?
Artistic talent, which my eight year old is already displaying. She has a great voice, (like her mum) and her art is very abstract.

Name one movie that always has a huge effect on you. Why do you think that is?
There are two. The Outsiders and The Lost Boys. Both are about rebel teenagers trying to find themselves, and both have delicious eye candy. Just the brotherhood and friendship and how the movie makes you feel for these bad boys. The characters are unforgettable.

What’s one thing you’ve always wanted to try, but never have?
Jumping out a an airplane but it would never happen. I'd never be able to get my foot out the door.

What is your favorite thing to do when you have a day to yourself?
Sleep. I'm a night person so I could sleep all day if I had the chance. And that's when I come up with my best ideas.

When were you most scared in your life, and why?
I'm petrified of earthquakes. Anytime the house shakes I end up in tears.

What is the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen?
My two children as I held them in my arms for the first time.

You’ve been given the opportunity to give a televised speech which will be broadcast on all networks, what do you speak about?
The corruption in Greece. I will speak on behalf of the Greek people and the ex pats that live here. Now's the time to be heard.

What was/is your favorite thing about your childhood home?
I miss the UK summer fetes and festivals. I used to love summer in England.

First thing you’d do if you were handed a million dollars?
I would book a world cruise as it's a big place and I haven't had a chance to see any of it yet. And then buy a place in the Lake District UK where I could go and work on my novels without interruptions.


A very big thanks to Karina for being with us. Please click your way over to her novel below.

Caddy Rowland - Gastien Part 1: The Cost of the Dream

 It is our great pleasure to have Caddy Rowland with us today to promote her book Gastien Part 1: The Cost of the Dream.

Where do you currently live?
Minnesota, USA

Tell us a little bit about your life.
I am married to my high school sweetheart and we are childless by choice. However, we are owned by two parrots. They have the reasoning ability of 3-5 year old humans, and one of them could live 75 years. People ask us why we would want animals that smart and live that long when we did not want children. I tell them our parrots won’t need money for college, total our car, do drugs, or marry someone we can’t stand!

When did you first start writing?
I started writing poetry in grade school.

What was your very first story about?
I have had hundreds of stories in my head, but the first one I put down on paper was a children’s story called “One Little Snowflake”. It is about the circle of life and is meant for seriously/terminally ill children. I also did the illustrations. I did not work very hard to find a publisher. Now that Kindle Fire is out it makes sense to have color illustrations, so I may publish it someday. If so, it will be under a different name since it is a completely different genre.

Have you written anything that you were too afraid to let anyone read?
Nope. I don’t believe in censorship, so whatever I write I would be comfortable sharing. If I did write erotica I would probably use a different name, though, because I would not want possible weirdos looking up my phone number. But I would be comfortable showing my work to anyone, no matter what I wrote. It is art.

Who are several of your greatest literary inspirations?
I really like “streety”, gutty style Stephen King has. You know it is him immediately. I love William Burroughs because he was so avant garde. I used some of his cut-up technique in past poetry. John Steinbeck. I like graphic, gutty, real writers; not “pretty” writers. That is why I moved my books out of “romance”. Gastien has a love story in it but it is NOT a romance. 

At the time I published it I was green and did not realize that romance had a strict formula. The old happy ever after. No wonder romance books generally bore me! Life is never that perfect and all people have some ugliness to them or have ugly things happen to them.

What kind of education have you received, and how has that affected your writing?
I only had a little college. I was an honor student in high school and had taken a lot of classes having to do with fine arts. Painting, sculpting, drawing, theatre, creative writing, etc.

I have read a lot. I think that has affected my writing much more than any classes did.

How much research time customarily goes into your projects?
At least as much research as writing because the Gastien series are all historical novels.

Who is your favorite literary character?
That is a good question. There are too many to name and, oddly, all of them are male. Perhaps Heathcliff.

Who is your favorite character of your own creation?
Without a doubt, Gastien.

If you were ever to write an autobiography, what would its title be?
I think I would want the name I had picked out for my poetry book that I never published, back many years ago. People bought record albums and 45’s when I was a child. “Flipside: Are you still laughing?”

Most people find me entertaining and positive in person and don’t realize my dark side.

Tell us about your featured book.
Gastien Part 1: The Cost of the Dream is about the coming of age of Gastien Beauchamp and his struggle to survive the streets in nineteenth century Paris. He was the oldest of 11 children, and his father was a father who physically and emotionally abused him. He has two dreams. The first is to be a painter in Paris. The second is to become the greatest lovemaker in France.

He has always been driven to paint, which causes dissention with his father. As far as the lovemaking, he hears his father repeatedly misuse his mother and vows to make women want him instead of fear him. Plus, he is 18 when he leaves…all 18 year old boys dream of being great lovers. Especially virgins like Gastien.

He has no money and no formal art training. Paris spits out artists into the gutters every day. His struggle to survive and the various horrors that await him will test his commitment and sanity.

He is driven, talented and stunning in the looks dept. His looks open lots of door for him. A few would have been better off staying shut (I stole that from a review of the book.)

That particular time in history was when the bohemian artists of Paris were really coming into their own. Impressionism was happening, which would lead to cubism, abstract art, etc. I don’t think there have been many times in history more wild and decadent. The novels are for adults with adult themes. They fall under historical fiction and family saga genres.

Why did you write that?
I had gone to some past life regression sessions and found Gastien while under hypnotism. Without debating if I was indeed Gastien or if it only opened up creative doors, let’s say I could not rest until I wrote this story. Or, rather, Gastien wrote it and I was the conduit.

Part 1 and Part 2 were written at the same time. With over 1,000 pages, the decision was made to divide it into two books. There was a logical end in it for Part one, so I put Part 2 aside and worked on the first book. Gastien Part 1: The Cost of the Dream was released in August 2011 and Gastien Part 2: From Dream to Destiny came out in December of 2011. The Gastien series will include at least four books, possibly five. Look for Tristan Michel: Bloodline of Passion (Book 3 of the Gastien Series) to come out in late spring of 2012.

Is there anything special you would like your potential readers to know?
That I appreciate every single reader. It thrills me every time a reader contacts me. I have sold books all around the world and that amazes me. If a reader wants to email me about my books they can do so at caddyauthor@yahoo.com.

What is your favorite season of the year, and what makes it so?
Summer. It is hot and humid. I live in Minnesota, so I appreciate it when hot, humid weather arrives. If I had my way I would live somewhere that had a low of 80. However, I married a Minnesota man and he loves it here, so we stay. He is worth it.

When you think of the word “Writer” what comes to mind?
A writer is much different than an author. A writer could be writing advertisements, screenplays, or news articles. I see many things in that word. An author writes books and markets them.

If you could pick one thing about yourself that would be passed onto your
(imaginary/actual) child, what would it be?
My passion. That passion gives me focus, drive, and the ability to believe in the success of something in spite of the odds. I don’t worry about what others may think of me, I just focus on it.

How about one thing about yourself that you absolutely wouldn’t want passed on?
I am not a good manager of money.

If you had to live in another time period, which one would you choose?
That is easy! Nineteenth century France, in Paris as a bohemian artist. A male. That time period sucked for females.

Name one movie that always has a huge effect on you. Why do you think that is?
Murder in the First. It is Kevin Bacon’s tour de force. I have always had a fear of going to jail for some odd reason, ever since I was little. Jail, boarding school, military…I was glad I was female because at the time girls did not go into the military. I think it is because I am a nonconformist and do not like authority much.

What’s one thing you’ve always wanted to try, but never have?
Downhill skiing and ski jumping. I don’t have the coordination anymore, so I won’t try downhill now. I am a coward when it comes to possibly injuring myself severely, so I never would have done the ski jumping even though I have always wanted to.

What is your favorite thing to do when you have a day to yourself?
That depends. Am I alone? If so, painting. I am an artist, it is who I am- just like Gastien. However, unlike him I do NOT like doing portraits. I do like life form (mostly human body, just not portraits) and abstract the best.

If my husband is with me, I like to go into the woods for a long hike or walk.

When were you most scared in your life, and why?
Almost two years ago I found out that I had breast cancer. Obviously, until you know what stage it is and until you know if they got it all, you are looking death in the face. Death is not the scary part, the possible suffering is. I was lucky, it was Stage 0. They got it all and my doctor says to plan on eventually dying from something other than breast cancer.

What is the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen?
Sorry to sound hokey, but my husband’s smile. It made me fall in love with him. Second to that is our grandson Gideon’s toothless grin. (We are “adopted” grandparents of the baby next store, as his grandparents live out of state and I babysit him at least once a week.)

First thing you’d do if you were handed a million dollars?
I would say “Thank you”! Then we would pay off our house and call a money manager.

You’ve been given the opportunity to give a televised speech which will be
broadcast on all networks, what do you speak about?
Population control. People jump on all kinds of band wagons. Save the rainforest. Save the air. Save the water. What they don’t seem to understand is that all of these things would not be endangered if we did not reproduce like imbeciles. I get so tired to hearing “Well, they have several children, but they can afford it.” Really? Well, guess what? Our planet cannot. Every person born uses air, water, lumber for a home, the earth, food, creates waste…we need to understand that we should only reproduce ourselves. That is even too many, but it is asking too much to expect people not to want children at all. Just use your intelligence about it.

What was/is your favorite thing about your childhood home?
A tree in the front yard where I had a swing. I also laid or sat under it and read quite often.

What inspires you?
Nature. I love plants, flowers, animals, trees…just the cycle of life. I don’t believe in organized religion. When I want feel close to the Creative Force, I go to the woods.

What do you most want out of your life? Your ultimate ambition, as it were.
Nonmaterial: I have always said that we come here for 3 things: experience, education and enlightenment. I want to continue to grow in all 3 areas.

Material: I want Gastien Part 1 and Part 2 made into a movie or mini-series. First it has to become a best seller. I was asked when I started it if I wanted to write great literature or just a book. I decided what I wanted was to write a damn good read. I have done so. 

People say they are haunted by Gastien for weeks after they finish each book and that they could not put it down. They say the books make them feel more emotion than any other they can recall. They can’t put the books down once they start. They talk about Gastien as if he is someone real that they know personally. To me, that is the start of success. Now I just need more people reading it. More people telling others. The story is just waiting to explode onto a screen. And it will. I only hope I am still alive when it does!

Thanks to Caddy for sitting through our questions. Find her work below on Kindle, on Nook, or in paperback. Also, find Caddy on twitter: @CaddyorPims

Katherine Sorin - City of Whispers

We have Katherine Sorin with us today, promoting her book City of Whispers.

Where do you currently live?
New York City

Tell us a little bit about your life.
I'm originally from the South, but moved to New York for work after I graduated from law school. I can't say I'm crazy about the city the way some people are, but it's been a learning experience and I've met a lot of interesting people. I recently left my law firm job because lawyers scare me more than vampires. My days are now divided between writing cover letters and writing books!

When did you first start writing?
I wrote a lot of short stories when I was younger. I especially enjoyed writing plays and performing them with my sister, cousins, friends, or whoever else I could finagle into participating. My stories and plays usually involved ghosts of some sort. My mom used to get angry because she thought my plays were too scary for kids. When I started high school I stopped writing because I was busy with school work. I didn't pick it up again until about a year ago.

What was your very first story about?
I honestly can't remember, but I've always been into ghosts and vampires so it was probably some kind of ghost story.

Have you written anything that you were too afraid to let anyone read?
"City of Whispers." I started writing it thinking that I would never let my friends or family see it. I finally realized that at the very least I needed a proofreader. A friend was kind enough to read the draft and then tear it apart. At first some of his comments upset me, but then I realized that he had a lot of good insight. Now, some of my reviewers specifically compliment my editor!

Did you experience anything you’ve written yourself?
A vampire tried to climb in my window once, but I took care of her. Word must have gotten around because it never happened again.

Who are several of your greatest literary inspirations?
I love Jane Austen and James Michener. While neither wrote about vampires, I appreciate the way they set up scenes and draw you into their characters. When you read their books you can picture the setting and the characters as if you were there.

As far as my vampire inspirations, I've been inspired by folktales, many which have no known authors. Most folktales are just short stories, but they make me check under my bed at night. In "City of Whispers," I wanted to make vampires scary again.

Another indie author, Guy James, was a friend of mine before I started writing. He gave me a lot of advice about writing and self-publishing. I probably never would have had the guts to self-publish "City of Whispers" if not for Guy.

What kind of education have you received, and how has that affected your writing?
I have my B.A. and my J.D. I think law school and my brief legal career have helped me clarify ideas when writing. A lot of lawyers like to throw around fancy terms and use lots of adjectives that just aren't helpful. The most persuasive arguments are made by lawyers who don't send you running to the dictionary and who let you reach the conclusion on your own. I try to remember this every time I write. If I describe the situation in a clear manner, the reader can reach the correct conclusion on his/her own. If I have to tell the reader that something is "obvious" then I'm probably skipping a step, and that's cheating.

How much research time customarily goes into your projects?
"City of Whispers" takes place in New York where I live so I didn't have to do very much research. I brushed up on vampire lore and also spent a few hours here and there reading about some of the technology in the book. The sequel, however, takes place in a different city and involves more technology that I'm not familiar with so I've recently found myself spending days at a time researching these issues. What did people do before the internet?

Who is your favorite literary character?
Catherine in "Catherine Called Birdy" by Karen Cushman. It might sound silly because it's a book for ages 12 and up, but I've been reading that book since middle school and I love it. It's a light read about a girl whose father keeps trying to marry her off to rich, terrible men. Catherine is just a regular girl, but she always finds a clever way to escape, often humiliating her suitors in the process. Whenever I need a mood lift I read about Catherine and she inspires me to rebel against whomever or whatever it is that's got me down.

Who is your favorite character of your own creation?
Ailis Laurent of course! She doesn't go looking for trouble, but when she finds herself in a bad situation she faces it head on. She makes mistakes just like everyone else, but at the end of the day she has certain goals and she will find a way to achieve them.

If you were ever to write an autobiography, what would its title be?
"Vampires vs. Lawyers: Why Lawyers are Scarier."

Tell us about your featured book.
"City of Whispers" takes place in Manhattan after the outbreak of a virus of unknown origins that turns New Yorkers into vampires. Fortunately, the virus is quarantined before it can infect the rest of the world, but the survivors are not allowed to leave Manhattan. As their numbers dwindle, the survivors become increasingly desperate to escape and Ailis Laurent turns into a hardened vampire killer.

Why did you write that?
I had a nightmare one night about vampires in New York. Some of them looked very human and the only way I could tell whether or not they were vampires was to listen to them speak. The vampires could only speak in hoarse whispers. When I woke up I was so scared I hid under the covers. A friend suggested I write it down and that's how I began "City of Whispers."

Is there anything special you would like your potential readers to know?
"City of Whispers" is not a vampire romance so if you're looking for vampire hook ups this one might not be for you. But, if you like your vampires scary and you like ordinary people caught in extraordinary situations, then I truly think you will enjoy "City of Whispers."

Our thanks to Katherine for being with us. Look below for her work in paperback and eBook format.

Kea Alwang - Treehugger

Author Kea Alwang is with us today to talk about her book Treehugger.

Where do you currently live?
Northern New Jersey


Tell us a little bit about your life.

I grew up in Queens, New York, but now live in Northern New Jersey with my podcaster husband, film-obsessed son, book-munching daughter, two self-absorbed parakeets, and a well-behaved corn snake. After working in video post-production, children's entertainment, magazine production, and non-fiction writing, the time came to work on the dream job: writing a novel. Coffee, chocolate, martial arts, and reading are my other pastimes.


When did you first start writing?

I have loved writing since early grade school. I always wrote little plays and stories, but almost gave it up in fifth grade thanks to a substitute library teacher who hung around for a week. She told me my writing was bad because I purposely used bad grammar while writing a character's dialogue. She also thought my writing was "out there" and not properly organized. Fortunately, the real librarian who loved my creative writing work came back and told me the substitute was wrong.


What was your very first story about?

Old King Cole from the nursery rhymes. He was in charge of a kingdom of fairytale characters.The Gingerbread Man was there, Tom Thumb, Alice from Wonderland, etc.


Have you written anything that you were too afraid to let anyone read?

Yes. The characters were based too much on friends. Not entirely--just enough to know those friends could get ticked at me, so I kept it to myself! For some reason, I turned one of the guys into a cross dresser. Yeah. That would not have gone over very well at all! But it did add to the story.


Did you experience anything you've written yourself?

Yes, there are three scenes in Treehugger that are based on moments that actually happened to me. Naturally, they are far more exciting in the book, but I was able to give Chloe (Star) her initial reactions from first-hand experience on those occasions. Without giving away spoilers, they take place at the opening slumber party and on her first day of high school.


Who are several of your greatest literary inspirations?

I am a huge fan of Barbara Kingsolver. There is something about her writing that draws me into the story and makes me just want to stay there whether a scene is exciting or she is just describing a landscape. I do enjoy Stephenie Meyer, too. Her novel, The Host, is really a great story with complicated, emotionally-charged characters. I enjoyed her Twilight series, too, but her writing excels in The Host. Wally Lamb is another author I admire. Once you've read, She's Come Undone, you really gain insight to the fact that we all just want to be loved no matter who we are or how our lives have panned out. Ray Bradbury is another inspiration.


What kind of education have you received, and how has that affected your writing?

I have a Bachelor's degree in Communications and a minor in Business and, more than anything else, I think that prepared me to learn how to reinvent myself. I've done it many times: from television, to kid's entertainment, to production at a magazine, to teaching karate. Writing however, has always been something I was drawn to through it all. 


How much research time customarily goes into your projects?

This is my first novel and is based on places I created in my head for the most part. Still, from time to time, I need to look up scientific principles in order to see how far I can stretch them! Compared to the non-fiction article writing I've done, I need a lot less research for writing fiction. I'm sure that wouldn't be the case if most of the story took place across planet Earth.


Who is your favorite literary character?

As in just one? That's nearly impossible to say. However, if we're talking of all time, I always love the way Codi Nolan of Kingolver's Animal Dreams goes about searching for who she was and who she turned out to be. Although, at the moment, all I can think about for a great character is Peeta of The Hunger Games since I'm in the middle of the second book! Loyalty, sweetness, heroism ... he has it all and then some!


Who is your favorite character of your own creation?

CK of Treehugger always comes to mind. I wrote him to be Chloe's saving grace. The two navigate a very different sort of relationship, and while it gets complicated here and there, they are the epidome of true friendship. CK is deeply wounded by loss, yet he gives of himself so freely to Chloe and Leada through plutonic love and uncompromised loyalty. While CK came about in my head as his own person, there are hints of traits from special people in my life that have helped to create him.


If you were ever to write an autobiography, what would its title be?

So ... I'm Writing a Book

Tell us about your featured book.

Treehugger is the first book in a new series titled, Based on a Dream. It is available in print and in various e-reader formats. Mixing intergalactic adventure with adolescent trials such as navigating relationships and not fitting in,Treehugger introduces a new set of heroes to follow, admire, and cheer for. The story asks the questions, how deep can true friendships run, and how well can they prepare us to stand on our own when we need to?

Blurb: For fourteen-year-old Chloe, planet hopping is a gift. Righting the wrongs of the multiverse on behalf of a mysterious life form is a privilege. Leading a double life has its perks. Being Earth-born, however, simply bites. Chloe knows she will never fit in when high school starts; that's a given. It's not like she can reveal her true self and her unusual abilities on Earth anyway. She used to be okay with that, as long as her two best friends were part of her extraterrestrial life, understanding her the way nobody else could. That was before those friends vanished. That was before some jerk displayed her underwear on his head. Now two-thirds short of feeling whole, Chloe becomes an enemy to herself just as a terrifying nemesis threatens to resurface. Can she fight through weakened skills, fearsome flashbacks, and evolving relationships to meet her future head on? Does it really matter what world you're on when trying to find yourself?


Why did you write that?

I had some dreams about the main characters (Chloe aka Star, CK, and Leada) when I was very young. I was so entralled by the first dream and the characters that I started daydreaming about them. When I was eleven, I began writing about them. I never really forgot them, so several years ago I started taking them seriously. I think it's sad how so many kids get caught in a desperate attempt to be like everyone else just to avoid the pain of not fitting in. I think Treehugger shows the importance of becoming who you were meant to be and finding others who will accept you for who you are.


What's a negative trait about other people that you most notice, or that bothers you the most?

When someone takes a bad day out on someone who had nothing to do with their misery. That truly irks me.


Do you ever notice it in yourself?

I think we all are prone to taking things out on others. However, it's definitely something I try to minimize!


If you were forced to give something you adore up for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Chocolate. Of course, if the person who was forcing me didn't know me well ... well, then I would just tell them brussell sprouts and keep my chocolate!

What is the hardest thing about growing up?

e.e. cummings once said, "It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are." I would add it takes a whole lot of genuine self-esteem to do so as well!

What is something you absolutely must have in your kitchen?

The coffee maker! Oh, and a picture of my grandmother making heavy cream. Every holiday, that was her job. I keep the picture in the kitchen so she's always with me there.


What is pain to you?

Brain freeze from a frosty drink. Sometimes it's so bad I panic, thinking I'm going to die!


You've been forced under various circumstances to choose a personal motto. What is it?

"Creative people are rarely tidy!"


Have you ever received a present you really hated? If so, what was it?

My husband's grandmother gave me a house dress. You know ... one of those things old ladies wear? I plan on wearing denim until I'm 100, so this gift was literally despair in a box. I turned to my mother-in-law and asked, "Does she hate me or something?"


What's the weirdest thing you've ever eaten? Would you have it again?

Chicken heart soup. I was a kid on a playdate and thought it was some sort of cutesy name. Like chicken soup with chicken in the shape of hearts, only the chicken wasn't truly heart shaped. Years later, I recalled this and it ocurred to me that it was probably actually chicken hearts. And no, I wouldn't have it again!


What's the first thing you would do if you could become invisible?

Well, that depends: Do my clothes become invisible with me? If not, I probably wouldn't go anywhere because I would have to wear nothing in order to not be seen. What if the invisibility suddenly stopped working? If my clothes would become invisible with me, the first thing I would do is investigate the next news story where the truth is being sought. I'm thinking if someone could follow around a murder suspect without being detected, the truth would come out soon enough. Following my kids through a school day would probably be worth my time as well!


Do you ever have recurring dreams? What is your most common one about?

When I was much younger, I used to have recurring dreams about some of the characters in my novel. Other than that, someone I briefly worked for at a printing shop shows up in my dreams from time to time. Weird how the brain works, isn't it? Why would someone who had so little to do with me life show up in my dreams years later?


What is the kindest thing that anyone has ever done for you?

When I was working full time in Manhattan and had a newborn at home, the boss I had at the time knew I was conflicted between being home and being at work. He suggested I work four days instead of five, didn't have my pay reduced, and was over-the-top supportive. It's not like we were close friends, and if corporate knew, he might have been in trouble; he just knew I would get my job done and wanted to be a decent human being. Eventually, when baby number two came, I did leave my job, but that extra day he gave me each week helped so much in the beginning. I'll never forget that. When I hear of my friend's employer who wants to reduce her pay because this new mother needs to come in an hour late ten times a month for child care reasons, it makes me sick.


Our special thanks to Kea for taking the time to answer our questions. Her work can be found below. Check it out today.