Mia Darien's Blog, page 19

Ten Questions with… Thaddeus White

For today’s edition of Ten Questions with Mia, I am happy to welcome the author of Bane of Souls, Thaddeus White!

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Author Bio: Thaddeus White is a Briton and author of the fantasy novel Bane of Souls. As well as writing (and reading) fantasy, he also enjoys classical history and Formula 1. When not working on books he offers tips on F1, and occasionally tennis.

Author Site: http://thaddeuswhite.weebly.com/index...

You can find his book at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Smashwords.

About the Writer

1. What five words describe you?

Analytical, eccentric, pragmatic, creative, independent

2. What was the first story you ever wrote? I mean the really bad one we all have that you’re trying to hide in the back of closet now that you’re published?

That’s surprisingly hard to answer, because I’ve been writing stories since I was about five years old (and, if I’m honest, I rather like the story of the three-headed dragon that terrorises a village and then kills the hero they hire to slay it). The first semi-serious effort, which was abandoned, was about a small group of assassins. I didn’t put enough thought into planning the plot or world and it gradually ran out of steam.

3. What inspires you?

Reading stuff that other people have written, and really enjoying it, and trying to evoke that same feeling in readers. There’s also a scene I can still remember pretty vividly from the TV adaptation of The Chronicles of Narnia [spoilers ahead]. A ship’s heading for somewhere or other, and the sailors are surprised to see an uncharted island ahead… except that it turns out not to be an island, but a monstrous sea serpent! It’s that kind of thing which makes me really enjoy fantasy.

4. What distracts you?

So many things. The telephone is one of my least favourite, especially when I’m interrupted halfway through a first draft and it’s someone attempting to sell me windows (NB telesales persons: my house already has windows). Low level background noise can sometimes put me off, but I’ve gotten a lot better at knuckling down and getting on with it.

5. What’s your favorite story? This can be specific, as in a particular book or even story-driven movie, or general, like “I’m a sucker for a hero looking for redemption story.”

In general terms I like moral ambiguity. I recently finished Red Country, by Joe Abercrombie, and if it’s not the best fantasy story I’ve ever read it’s certainly one of the best. I love the moral ambiguity and character development, and the story has a nuanced and balanced feel.

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About the Writing

1. Tell us about your currently available titles.

Right now Bane of Souls (a stand-alone story) is the only one out, but I’m hard at work on Journey to Altmortis (due out in the first half of 2013). Bane of Souls follows a young Kuhrisch man called Horst. Whilst with his uncle visiting the foreign city of Highford for trade they’re staggered to discover Horst is ‘cursed’ (the Kuhrisch consider those endowed with magical abilities abominations). His uncle abandons him and he cannot leave on pain of death. At the same time, Highford is undergoing a spate of murders, and the killer(s) has a liking for dead mages…

2. What’s your favorite part about writing these stories?

There are certain parts in each book which I know about long before writing them. I’m very much a visual sort of writer, and when I get a perfectly clear picture in my head of something writing it becomes really easy and especially enjoyable. In Bane of Souls one instance of this was the Blutbaum, which is both a cursed and sacred tree for the Kuhrisch.

3. What would your characters say about you? Be honest!

Horst would offer a sarcastic comment, Francis would probably like the fact I gamble a little and ask for a tip, and Lucia might suggest that I should work a bit harder.

4. Who would play your favorite character if they made a movie of their story?

That’s really hard (to both pick a single favourite and an actor/actress). It can’t happen (because he’s sadly departed) but Terry Thomas as Captain Urquhart would have been great to see. Urquhart’s a witty fellow and something of a bounder. Despite leading the City Watch, he probably commits more non-murderous crimes than anyone else in the book.

5. Do you have any projects currently in the works you want to talk about?

The book I’m presently writing is Journey to Altmortis, which will also be stand-alone. In it, Thaddeus Falchester and assorted ne’er-do-wells travel across the wilderness of the Kuhrland to find the ruins of Altmortis. The dead city’s rumoured to be crammed with treasure and, just as importantly, is the destination of Falchester’s enemies: the Brothers Whitworth. But the city holds more than glinting trinkets and treacherous brothers…

After Altmortis I have a trilogy planned about the civil war between the Regent and King in Denland (the kingdom east of Highford). That’s still very much in the planning stage, as you’d imagine, as I’m focusing on Altmortis right now.

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Thanks for joining us today, Thaddeus, and good luck!

Ten Questions with… Jodie Pierce

I’m happy to welcome a fellow paranormal author in Jodie Piece, author of many a vampire tale!

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Author Bio: Jodie Pierce is thirty-seven years old and lives with her hubby, John in Cleveland, Ohio along with four beautiful step-children. She has had a fascination with vampires since they were introduced to her as a child and has had a long history with them. It wasn’t until she started reading the Anne Rice vampire books that she was truly inspired. She was an exchange student in Brasil in high school so you can find some of her experiences from there in her stories. Many of her stories have historical or researched facts as she also enjoys research and learning about new places. She has published four short novels(Eternal Press), a short story in “Midnight Thirst 2″, an anthology(Melange Books), has three self-published books and has several short stories that she still works on. She’s always busy with the next great vampire story as her mind is non-stop and even plagues her dreams.

Author Site: http://www.thevampirequeen1.weebly.com & http://www.thevampirequeen1.blogspot.com

You can find her stories at amazon.com!

About the Writer

1. What five words describe you?

Creative, imaginative, manic, kind, loving

2. What was the first story you ever wrote? I mean the really bad one we all have that you’re trying to hide in the back of closet now that you’re published?

The Triangular Time Bombs. It was a high school romance trifecta.

3. What inspires you?

My husband inspires me to be a better person. As far as writing, I’m inspired by my dreams and hubby’s ideas from time to time.

4. What distracts you?

TV, the animals (have 1 cat and 1 dog) and any random thought I get…LOL

5. What’s your favorite story? This can be specific, as in a particular book or even story-driven movie, or general, like “I’m a sucker for a hero looking for redemption story.”

Well, I like any book (mostly) that deals with vampires. Add some romance and I’m all in.

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About the Writing

1. Tell us about your currently available titles.

I have a trilogy available: (The Vampire Queen, The Vampire Chronicles, Demise of the Vampire Queen), a solo anthology: Tales of the Vampire;From A-Z, a regular anthology: Midnight Thirsts 2, a YA titled The Reluctant Vampire, a mishmash vampire contemporary bixsexual erotic titled Once Sanguist, Twice Bi, and lastly an erotica Condemned by the Vampire.

2. What’s your favorite part about writing these stories?

The Vampires! I love to write but I’m not one that’s big on words so they usually end up only being novellas. One day I will calm down and write a full blown novel.

3. What would your characters say about you? Be honest!

I’m sensual, erotic, a bit scatterbrained, a bit manic and obsessed but I’m sure they’d love me like I love them.

4. Who would play your favorite character if they made a movie of their story?

Charlize Theron. My Vampire Queen is very seductive, lustful and vicious all wrapped into one.

5. Do you have any projects currently in the works you want to talk about?

I just pulled a super short story out of the closet to work on and make longer. It would be a paranormal horror but hubby gave me a good idea for one just the other day too.

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Jodie, thank you for joining us and good luck with your stories!

Character Interview: Diantha Jones & Chloe from the ‘Oracle of Delphi Series’

Hey look! I let Diantha back on the site, and this time she brought Chloe along!

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Mia: What is the name of the book where we’ll find you? Can you tell us a little about it?

Chloe: The first time I find out that I’m a total“Whack Job”for a reason is in Prophecy of the Most Beautiful, which is Book One of the Oracle of Delphi Series. That’s me. I’m the Oracle of Delphi. In this book, I discover I have an important destiny and that everything I thought was impossible is more possible than I could have ever imagined.

Mia: Tell us a little about yourself. Where do you fit into the story? What should we know about you?

Chloe: *smiles* Well, there’s the obvious. I’m a psycho. *chuckles* On Earth, I’m also a straight-A student and former track star. In Myth, I’m the person the entire series is centered around, but I’m not the only one who matters. My fate isn’t the only one at stake here.

Mia: What do you think of the author? Be honest. We won’t tell.

Chloe: *shrugs* Diantha is cool. Difficult, but cool. I really like that she gave me a chance to really show what I’m capable of in Book Two, Prophecy of the Setting Sunrise. In Book One, I felt like she was trying to hold me back a bit. But now I’m really getting to shine.

Mia: How do you feel about the story you’re in?

Chloe: Not gonna lie. I think I LOVE being the Oracle. It’s scary and dangerous, but exciting. As long as Strafford is in the story, I don’t think I could ever not like being a part of this series. *sighs and smiles*

Mia: Do you like being a character in the book?

Chloe: My character gets to make out with Strafford’s character on a regular basis now. So, YES. *laughs* But I also know that I’m important to this world and that they need me. It feels really good to be needed, though it does get stressful sometimes. Well, all the time, really.

Mia: How do you see your future? Without giving anything away about the story, naturally.

Chloe: *cracks up* You do remember me saying I was the Oracle, right? *simmers down* But the truth is, I can’t see my future. I can only fulfill it. At least, that’s what they said.

Mia: What do you know about your author’s plans? Can we expect to see you in any future stories?

Chloe: Catch up, Mia. It’s a series. There are two books out now, three more to come. You can expect to see a lot of me in the future.

Mia: Let’s say they make a movie about this book. Who do you want to play you, and why?

Chloe: Diantha thinks Sophie Turner would be good. But I like Emma Stone. She makes quite the stunning redhead. *flips hair*

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Author Bio: I was born on Thanksgiving Day so that explains why my mother calls me a “turkey.” I spent the first 16 years of my life as an official Army brat (now I’m a retired one), and have spent the last twelve years living in Georgia (Atlanta, then Savannah). I now reside in Washington D.C. I love to read and watch movies (Quentin Tarantino is my fave director), and I love cold weather and french fries (with cheese if possible).

Author Site: http://www.diantha-jones.com

The Prophecy of the Most Beautiful, Buy Link: Amazon

The Prophecy of the Most Beautiful, Buy Link: Barnes & Noble

The Prophecy of the Setting Sunrise, Buy Link: Amazon

The Prophecy of the Setting Sunrise, Buy Link: Barnes & Noble

Ten Questions with… Diantha Jones

Today’s special guest is Diantha Jones, who has recently released her second book in the Oracle of Delphi Series. I’ve reviewed both the first and second, highly, and worked extensively with her over the past couple of months… and yet I’m still letting her on the blog. I am happy to be part of her release blog tour! Welcome to From Mia’s Desk!

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Author Bio: I was born on Thanksgiving Day so that explains why my mother calls me a “turkey.” I spent the first 16 years of my life as an official Army brat (now I’m a retired one), and have spent the last twelve years living in Georgia (Atlanta, then Savannah). I now reside in Washington D.C. I love to read and watch movies (Quentin Tarantino is my fave director), and I love cold weather and french fries (with cheese if possible).

Author Site: http://www.diantha-jones.com

You can find her books at Amazon and Barnes & Noble!

About the Writer

1. What five words describe you?

Snap Dragon, porcupine, librarian, icy, hilarious

2. What was the first story you ever wrote? I mean the really bad one we all have that you’re trying to hide in the back of closet now that you’re published?

Aw, man. Okay. I wrote an entire novel BY HAND on notebook paper when I was like fourteen about one of my favorite music artist at the time. After I was done, I read it. Then I trashed it. Shame, I know.

3. What inspires you?

The nighttime and movie soundtracks. I always get inspired at night and when listening to soundtracks (with no words, of course).

4. What distracts you?

The Internet. I can’t stay away from it. It’s the first thing I do in the morning, the last thing I do at night. I really do lead a sad existence.

5. What’s your favorite story? This can be specific, as in a particular book or even story-driven movie, or general, like “I’m a sucker for a hero looking for redemption story.”

Honestly, this is an impossible question to answer. I have like a million of each, books and movies. I can’t choose!

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About the Writing

1. Tell us about your currently available titles.

There is the Oracle of Delphi Series which has two books currently published – Prophecy of the Most Beautiful (#1) and Prophecy of the Setting Sunrise (#2), which can be purchased on Amazon and Barnes&Noble. Prophecy of Solstice’s End (#3) will be released Summer 2013.

There is the Unknowing Short Story Series, which has three books published – Unknowing (#1), Unburden (#2), and Unchain (#3). Unleashed (#4) is in the works.

I also have an ongoing blog series called Reaper of Bogota. I update it every few months.

2. What’s your favorite part about writing these stories?

It’s just so much FUN. I love to write and exist to entertain and inspire readers to let their imaginations do some of the living. Real life sucks sometimes.

3. What would your characters say about you? Be honest!

They would say that I’m anal and want to be perfect, but I’m not even cutting it close. They would say that I make them laugh, but when I’m mad they want to run and hide. They would say I’m nice but not very sweet, and that if I could just step out of myself for just a while, I might discover things I never knew.

4. Who would play your favorite character if they made a movie of their story?

I think Sophie Turner (Sansa in the Game of Thrones) would make an AWESOME Chloe Clever.

5. Do you have any projects currently in the works you want to talk about?

Yes! Invasion, my standalone alien romance novella should be out soon and Solar, Defeated (Mythos: Stories from Olympus, Book One) will be out April 23, 2012. This is the complimentary series to the Oracle of Delphi Series that stars some of the characters from the main series!

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Diantha, thanks for joining us and good luck with your stories!

Ten Questions with… Ryan Hunter

Welcome Ryan Hunter, author of inDIVISIBLE, to the blog today to answer ten questions! Hello!

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Author Bio: Ryan Hunter is the mother of five children. She loves taking in extras, and has had three exchange students and hosted a college student from Samoa. She is very active, and enjoys running, hiking, swimming, kayaking and going for long walks (preferably on the beach).

Author Site: http://www.propertyofoneunited.com & http://authorryanhunter.blogspot.com

You can find her books at Amazon: inDIVISIBLE and Premeditated.

About the Writer

1. What five words describe you?

Driven, Dedicated, Playful, Adventurous, Active

2. What was the first story you ever wrote? I mean the really bad one we all have that you’re trying to hide in the back of closet now that you’re published?

My very first story was actually a short story that won honorable mention in a Writer’s Digest competition. I turned the story into a full length novel a couple of years afterward. It’s called “Against My Will” and I wrote it as by Robyn Heirtzler. In between that short story and the novel are the ones that would make my skin crawl if anyone were ever able to read them. Thank goodness I lost them when my old computer went out. Seems they’ve even been wiped from my memory! What a relief.

3. What inspires you?

Most of my stories have come from dreams. I dream vivid, sometimes terrifying, stories that won’t leave my head, and so I relieve myself of them by writing them down. While in the midst of writing my stories, I often write just because of a feeling I have, something indescribable, almost like a memory that’s almost there but not quite. The story takes form as I type, my fingers communicating what I cannot form verbally.

4. What distracts you?

I’m a little ADD when I write. I often start out sitting on the floor with my lap top cradled on my thighs and end up sprawling across the floor, only to get uncomfortable and curl up on the couch. I write for minutes or hours, surf the Internet, write again, check FB, write a little more and pin a few pictures of cupcakes … When I finally get back to writing, I will sometimes just set the computer aside and go for a long run. So, I guess the best answer to this is … everything.

5. What’s your favorite story? This can be specific, as in a particular book or even story-driven movie, or general, like “I’m a sucker for a hero looking for redemption story.”

I love young adult novels. I think I like them because they’re filled with hope for the future, usually with vivid character development and characters whose minds that are open and flexible. Adult novels are so often stuck with opinionated characters and the dull repetition of work, bills, and bad relationships. I enjoy the journey of self-creation in young adult novels.

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About the Writing

1. Tell us about your currently available titles.

I have two novels written as by Ryan Hunter, my latest, inDIVISIBLE, and an older title that was just re-released, Premeditated. inDIVISIBLE is a dystopian, but not as in Hunger Games or the Maze Runner … as one fan recently said, it’s like a modern 1984 with hope for the future. Premeditated is based on a dream that made me wake with a scream stuck in my throat. I had just confessed to murder … I knew all the details … but something about it didn’t feel right. The story immediately followed, for no other reason than to get it out of my head, and people loved it.

2. What’s your favorite part about writing these stories?

Writing fulfills something deep within me. It’s like the need to breathe or eat or see the sun. Without it, I feel empty and despondent. Writing fills that need and then when people enjoy the stories I’ve set to paper, it’s invigorating and helps me to keep moving forward.

3. What would your characters say about you? Be honest!

“Concentrate already!” Yes, they’d be a little frustrated with my attention span, I’m sure. Oh yeah, and they may yell at me for the way inDIVISIBLE ended, not because it’s bad, but … well, you’ll have to read it to see. I’ve had a mixed response but so far, everyone has said it’s the only way it could have ended. And, yes, there is a part two coming out as soon as I can sit still long enough to craft it.

4. Who would play your favorite character if they made a movie of their story?

I wrote inDIVISIBLE about a very specific type of person. A heroine who’s strong, motivated, scared and beautiful (inside and out), but who also has her flaws. I wrote it, considered the cover and found a photo of the exact person I had in my head, surprised that it was my own daughter. If inDIVISIBLE were made into a movie, I’d love for my daughter to be Brynn.

5. Do you have any projects currently in the works you want to talk about?

I’m in the character development / plotting stage of the second book of the One United Series, book two to inDIVISIBLE. I’m excited about it but don’t dare say much at this point.

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Thanks for joining us today, Ryan, and good luck with your stories!

Character Interview: Ryan Hunter & Brynn from “inDIVISIBLE”

Please welcome Ryan Hunter and Brynn, from inDIVISIBLE!

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Mia: What is the name of the book where we’ll find you? Can you tell us a little about it?

Brynn: inDIVISIBLE is the story of my country, One United, the one where we are taught to believe we have everything and yet we wake up one day and realize we have nothing but a head full of lies. It’s tough, you know, when you make that realization that your entire life has been one lie after another just to keep you in subjection to a government that considers you nothing more than property.

Mia: Tell us a little about yourself. Where do you fit into the story? What should we know about you?

Brynn: I’m Brynn Aberdie, and I’m the one telling the story in inDIVISIBLE. I’m the one you get to follow and see and listen to. I’m not perfect, I’ll tell you that up front, but I know that to get anything of value out of life, you have to work your butt off for it. I know that to give up and let other people make your choices for you is cowardly and turns you into a fake … I’m not a fake. I can’t live that way, so that’s why I had to run. That’s why I threw away everything I knew and fled the government that wanted to control me.

Mia: What do you think of the author? Be honest. We won’t tell.

Brynn: The author? My hero! Come on! Of course, she’s a little ADD. Her head gets all mushy until she forgets a few details here and there, but then I sneak into her dreams and smack her up the side of the head until she gets back on track. I’m good like that.

Mia: How do you feel about the story you’re in?

Brynn: It’s a difficult story to tell at times, but it’s my story, and it’s my duty to share it. I’m not happy about some of the events that take place because it totally throws my world out of balance, but seriously, if your world is never challenged, how do you grow?

Mia: Do you like being a character in the book?

Brynn: I like telling my story and I look forward to where it leads from here. It’s been a battle that I’d never want to duplicate, but I also see a lot of hardship in the future too. Sometimes I wish I could change the way things happened, but then I consider, and I know that the past can never be undone. It’s what we do from the present that matters.

Mia: How do you see your future? Without giving anything away about the story, naturally.

Brynn: I have a lot of scars and a lot of pain to deal with, but I can’t let it get me down, so I’ve got to go forward and have faith that my actions really can make an impact on the world.

Mia: What do you know about your author’s plans? Can we expect to see you in any future stories?

Brynn: I’m the major player in the entire One United series. Of course I’ve got to go on …

Mia: Let’s say they make a movie about this book. Who do you want to play you, and why?

Brynn: The girl on the cover of the novel is a pretty good likeness, and I believe we posses some of the same qualities. So, why not her?

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Author Bio: Ryan Hunter is the mother of five children. She loves taking in extras, and has had three exchange students and hosted a college student from Samoa. She is very active, and enjoys running, hiking, swimming, kayaking and going for long walks (preferably on the beach).

Author Site: http://www.propertyofoneunited.com & http://authorryanhunter.blogspot.com

Buy Link: Amazon

Ten Questions with… Alex Albrinck

Please welcome back Alex Albrinck! You’ll recall he was with us less than two weeks ago for a character interview. So, welcome back for Ten Questions with Mia Monday!

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Author Bio: Alex Albrinck is a lifelong Ohio resident, where he lives with his wife and three children. When he’s not trying to be in three places at once with his active youngsters, he’s following local professional and collegiate sports teams, or possibly unscrambling a Rubik’s Cube. In lieu of sleep, he writes fiction.

His debut novel, A QUESTION OF WILL, explores themes of technological advancement, human potential (good and bad), and the love bonding a family together. It reached the Amazon Top 100 in Science Fiction -> High Tech less than a week after publication.

He is currently working on the sequel.

Author Site: http://www.alexalbrinck.com

You can find A Question of Will at Amazon!

About the Writer

1. What five words describe you?

Creative, studious, easy-going, introverted, focused

2. What was the first story you ever wrote? I mean the really bad one we all have that you’re trying to hide in the back of closet now that you’re published?

Outside the dozens of “Chapter 1” pages created on the old typewriter? I wrote a story for my high school literary magazine about a boy who lived on the moon. He would sneak out of his house, borrow the family “car,” and fly down to Earth to enjoy everything that made Earth different from the moon: lots of color, air above-ground, plant and animal life, and so on. Sadly, he had a massive allergic reaction to plants he’d never before encountered and died. The follow-up story about the autopsy and the commotion it caused never did get written…

3. What inspires you?

My kids inspire me every day; it’s always amazing to see them learning and growing into young adults. I’m also inspired by people who accomplish success in their chosen endeavors, whatever they may be, especially when it occurs after a tremendous struggle.

4. What distracts you?

Sports. I am a sports junkie. If there’s a game or match on TV in a sport I enjoy, my concentration is gone. Also, did I mention I have three kids?

5. What’s your favorite story? This can be specific, as in a particular book or even story-driven movie, or general, like “I’m a sucker for a hero looking for redemption story.”

I like stories where people solve their problems by growing and developing new skills, especially if they manage to help others along the way. But in reality, any story that’s well-told will keep my attention.

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About the Writing

1. Tell us about your currently available titles.

I’ve just recently published my first novel, titled A Question of Will. It’s the first in a series, and given the amount of chatter from my characters it’s going to be more than the originally planned four volumes.

2. What’s your favorite part about writing these stories?

While I know the overall arc of the series and the most critical events, the details of how it all happens unfolds as I’m writing the story on the page. I enjoy the process because I learn more about the characters and why they behave the way they behave.

3. What would your characters say about you? Be honest!

Given that most of them are hiding from someone or something, they’d probably say I need to mind my own business. Most would also say that I’m spending too much time writing about one character, and not enough time writing about them. When I try to point out the obvious conflict in these two statements to the characters, they change the subject.

4. Who would play your favorite character if they made a movie of their story?

I rarely watch movies, so this is challenging. A bit of IMDB searching suggests Colin Farrell as Will Stark would be a pretty solid fit, though. If I was asked, I’d probably suggest somebody lesser-known be cast in the role.

5. Do you have any projects currently in the works you want to talk about?

Yes! I’m working on both the second full-length novel and a shorter prequel to the series. The prequel will be free and help to introduce readers to the world in which my stories take place, and basically give you a running start into the first novel. If these characters ever stop clamoring in my head and let this entire sage of books come to an end, I’ve got quite a few other ideas in my head I’d like to get on paper. One project at a time, though.

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Thank you for joining us again, Alex, and good luck with your stories!

Do You NaNo?

It’s that time of year again!

Last year, I decided to do NaNoWriMo. For those of you who don’t know what it is, it is National Novel Writing Month. It is one month of novel writing insanity, where the goal is to write 50,000 words. That’s the threshold of what’s considered a “novel” and you’re to do it without looking back. Plot or research ahead of time, but on November 1, start writing and stop on November 30.

I “won” last year, which meant I hit my word count. On November 15, I had finished 51,000 words off of a story that had been written once, torn apart and over-hauled, re-plotted and then written anew in two weeks. Naturally, it was pretty rough, but after re-reading, revising, sending through beta readers, revising, and then editing… the book is now available as Deeper than Skin!

It was a wonderful experience, though. It was really cut-loose and just… write. For some reason, it’s easier to do for NaNo than any other time. And so, I’m going to do it again this year! I have less time this year than last year, so I am not sure I’ll make it and definitely not in the same time, but it’s a lot of fun.

This year it will be Hard Lock, which is… well, it’s kind of adventure romance with space whales. Yes. Space whales. It’s going to be fun, but getting my plot outline done by today was a tight squeeze!

So! That’s what I’ll be doing in November. What about you? Do you NaNo?

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You can find me for a NaNo Buddy, or follow my progress, at: http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/participants/mia-darien

Character Interview: Tracy Kauffman & Sami from “Gwendolyn’s Wish”

Today we have Tracy Kauffman, author of Gwendolyn’s Wish, and Sami!

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Mia: What is the name of the book where we’ll find you? Can you tell us a little about it?

Sami: My Name is Sami and You can find me in the book, Gwendolyn’s Wish.

Mia: Tell us a little about yourself. Where do you fit into the story? What should we know about you?

Sami: I am a magical parrot that can grant wishes. I use to be a dove, but was transformed into a beautiful parrot. I can grant one wish a year and Gwendolyn had a very weird wish but it was also amazing.

Mia: What do you think of the author? Be honest. We won’t tell.

Sami: She’s great because she created me, without her I would exist. She has written other books that can be found on her website. She is a hard worker and wants to make a difference with the world today by her books.

Mia: How do you feel about the story you’re in?

Sami: The story is interesting because it is magical and fantastical with a different twist.

Mia: Do you like being a character in the book?

Sami: Who doesn’t like to be the center of attention. Yea, I know Gwendolyn is suppose to be the main character but I am the star. I have powers that she does not.

Mia: How do you see your future? Without giving anything away about the story, naturally.

Sami: I see a future in other books with different wishes to grant.

Mia: What do you know about your author’s plans? Can we expect to see you in any future stories?

Sami: Yes but that is up to her. She can change her mind at any time.

Mia: Let’s say they make a movie about this book. Who do you want to play you, and why?

Sami: Have you ever met Paulie from the movie. He was the main character, but I think I am a little nicer than him. Maybe with an attitude change, he could play me because he was fun to watch.

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Author Bio: Tracy Kauffman is a fiction author of children and young adult books.  She resides in North AL with her husband and daughter.  She wants to write decent books for everyone to be able to read and enjoy.  She graduated Calhoun College with a Associate Degree in Applied Science.

Author Site: http://tracykauffman.yolasite.com

Author Blog: http://tracykauffman.blogspot.com

Buy Link: Amazon

Buy Link:

Ten Questions with… Heimdall Thunderhammer

Welcome to another Monday! Today’s guest is fantasy author Heimdall Thunderhammer, author of MageFable.

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Author Bio: Heimdall Thunderhammer (born Travis Strout) is a native citizen of the state of Maine. He graduated from Emerson College where he studied literature and screenwriting. He has worked on feature films, performed standup comedy, and has even been on a national game show! He is obsessed with the ancient world, mythology, and cartography, using them all as inspiration for the stories he writes.

Author Site: http://www.magefable.com/

You can find his story at Smashwords and Amazon!

About the Writer

1. What five words describe you?

artistic, intelligent, brave, noble, and absent-minded.

2. What was the first story you ever wrote? I mean the really bad one we all have that you’re trying to hide in the back of closet now that you’re published?

Growing up in the 80s I wrote a lot about the cartoons I watched, mostly the Ninja Turtles, Teddy Ruxpin, and the Muppet Babies (or a combination of the three). But the first original story I remember writing was about three orphaned kids in space, named Zac, Tess, and Joey, and their robot friend Ben, who all joined the military when the government started recruiting kids. They were given giant robot battle suits to fly around and battle in. Their enemy was a giant planet in their solar system that was taking up all the energy. I drew the characters and many of the scenes as I wrote it. What really stood out as ridiculous as I’ve looked back on it is my terrible sense of astronomy; I drew out a map of the solar system, had the ‘good’ planets all clumped together and the ‘evil’ planet a short distance away, without giving any thought to how they rotated around the sun. I guess I thought they just floated there (also the ice-covered planet for some reason was the one closest one to the sun).

3. What inspires you?

Since a lot of the story takes place in nature I find a lot of inspiration through exploring the woods and local parks (I live in Maine so there are a lot of options). I also do a lot of illustrations for my books and during the drawing process I am inspired more about the story that I might not have picked up while writing.

4. What distracts you?

TV, video games, and the internet, primarily.

5. What’s your favorite story? This can be specific, as in a particular book or even story-driven movie, or general, like “I’m a sucker for a hero looking for redemption story.”

I love big epic adventures with a huge cast of characters and a really deep history. Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and the Redwall series are my favorites.

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About the Writing

1. Tell us about your currently available titles.

Magefable is my first novel published, and the first book of a series of illustrated epic fantasy adventures.

Durbin has always dreamed of becoming a swashbuckling adventurer like his legendary father. But unfortunately he’s stuck in the secluded valley forest of Verdancia, far away from the sway and swagger of the sea. On one fateful evening a mouse named Clove and her spear hog companion Herod stumble into his village. They had escaped from the terrible lion Sinvicious who wants to stop Clove before she can gain the full power of a geomancer–a mage with the ability to control the elements. Fire, water, wind, lightning, all can be controlled by a geomancer. They can fly, turn themselves invisible, make their skin as solid as rock, shift the earth, and even control life… Although all Clove can do at this point is make weeds move.

The next morning when Durbin awakes he finds Clove and Herod gone. Unable to resist the call of adventure, he journeys out into the woods to find them, dragging along his reluctant friend Morro the hedge hog, who would rather be sitting at home eating scones and berries. On their way they meet other new friends such as Reverie, a wounded sparrow who can mesmerize animals with his singing, and Bailey, a courageous and boisterous young squirrel who is hunting for a dragon to tame. But as Durbin and Morro seek Clove and Herod, so does Krochek the Hunter–the most vile, savage rat ever to emerge from Sinvicious’s kingdom. Along with his horde of bloodthirsty rodents he will tear the forest apart in his effort to find them.

2. What’s your favorite part about writing these stories?

I love plotting out the story and drawing out the outline the most. The initial design work is exciting because there are so many possibilities ahead, I don’t know what’s going to come out of it, and it is an incredible feeling to be able to mold the fate of your heroes!

3. What would your characters say about you? Be honest!

My main characters are little forest creatures who live in a world where the only human characters are the gods, so I believe they’d be quite fearful and reverent of me. Once they got to know me though, I believe they would find me quite fun and benevolent.

4. Who would play your favorite character if they made a movie of their story?

Where they’re animals it would have to be an animated film, so I’d just have to cast for voices. Also, I’d want actors that are young now and would grow with the role. For Clove, I’d say Chloe Grace Moretz. Durbin I’d go with Zachary Gordon. And Bailey the dragonsquirrel would have to be somebody who could pull off a hyper character with an attitude, probably Atticus Shaffer.

5. Do you have any projects currently in the works you want to talk about?

Ooh, plenty! I’m working on the sequels to Magefable. I intend the story to go on for quite some time, 63 books is my total goal, publishing a book every 9 months or so. The next eight books are well plotted out and are as follows:

Talonridge: The group discovers a valley full of animal slaves, ruled over by giant hawks that live in the mountains just north of the field. With the help of a clan of hedge hogs and an escaped rabbit they attempt to defeat the hawks and free the poor animals.

Korel: The group learns the secrets of the mythical rabbits who once protected the land from the birds of Talonridge (but whom turned against their own kind) and attempt to restore peace in the kindgdom of Korel.

Terrormist: The group seeks out Sinvicious’s library, hidden on an unchartable island and guarded by lightning-casting mages, all while trying to avoid the Magellan-like badger who is trying to find them.

Foxtale: The group stumbles upon a marsh ruled by a ruthless fox who lives in a massive temple and is intent on chopping the tails off of every creature around, hoping to draw out the mythical Will O’ Wisp, the creature that took his tail.

Bravenwood: The group travels to the forest of Bravenwood where is fought a war between the birds, led by a ferret with a magic bow that never misses its target, and the squirrels, led by a squirrel with an amulet that makes him invincible to arrows.

Dragonsquirrel: Bailey attempts to steal a dragon egg from a mountain where dragons are bred and raised for Sinvicious’s army, while the rest of the group attempt to free the mice children held captive as food for the dragons.

Inglerot: While travelling away from the mountains, members of the group disappear during the night, leading Durbin deep into the dark depths of Inglerot where lives the most vicious, savage creature that he’s ever had to face.

The Mouse King: The group leads the mice children back to the castle where they were taken from to find the place overrun with an army of stoats. Together they vow to help the mice reclaim their kingdom.

I’m also working on publishing the first book in another series that I’ve written, titled the Chaos Walker, which is about a boy who wields a sword that creates portals and uses it to rule over a world full of monsters. I’m currently working on the art with an illustrator friend of mine.

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Heimdall, thanks for being here and good luck with your stories!