Kelley Armstrong's Blog, page 156
October 7, 2013
thedaisiestdaisy:
laserscrewdriver:
AVENGE ME HAMLETFOR I WAS...
AVENGE ME HAMLET
FOR I WAS KILLED BY YOUR UNCLE, AND MY BROTHER
A MOST FOWL AND UNNATURAL MURDER
October 5, 2013
Transcript Omens Twitter Chat & More Totes
As promised, Dutton kindly transcribed this week’s Omens Twitter chat in an easy-to-read format. You’ll find that below. I’d also promised, for those not on Twitter, that I’d give away a few Omens tote-bags with it. You can see them on this post. I’ll give away 3 this time.
How to enter: email contest@kelleyarmstrong.com and tell me what’s the official murder rate in Cainsville (from the transcript below) My contests are always open to everyone, everywhere. One entry per person.
Contest Deadline: midnight Eastern Monday, October 7. Not sure what that is in your time zone? Check here.
#OmensChat Transcript
A Twitter Q&A with Author Kelley Armstrong
10/3/13
Jen @spntwilighter772 asks
What were some of the challenges while creating the cainsville series?
Kelley: Biggest challenges: Making sure world was as different from Otherworld as possible, while keeping it recognizably a KA book
Lynn Fredrick @FredrickLynn asks
The supernatural elements were low key in Omens, will they play a greater role in future books in the series?
Kelley: Yes, supernatural elements ramp up in Visions—lots of folklore & myth. None of my stock types, tho—werewolves, witches etc.
Stormerdais @stormerdais asks
Did any of the recent news headlines influence you while writing Omens?
Kelley: Nope. I have written stories loosely based on the news, but none played into Omens.
Tyawna Edmonds @coyotekllr asks
Just wondering, why serial killers? Was it the stigma of the ultimate “unforgiveness”?
Kelley: Making parents serial killers is ripe psychological fodder. How would one reevaluate everything one knows about oneself?
sarah Kalaitzidis @red_tigergirl2 asks
My question is, did you do research for this series, because of how the girl’s real parents were serial killers
Kelley: No serial killer research for this one, just Illinois penal & appeal system. Most research was other elements—folklore etc
Gloria Raybone @grraybone asks
How long did it take to complete your research on various omens and did you do all of the research?
Kelley: I spent about a month researching omens & superstition via books mostly. I’m always looking for more! It’s ongoing.
Gloria Raybone @grraybone asks
Were the characters Gabriel and Olivia created in likes of anyone you know or did you purely create them?
Kelley: Olivia and Gabriel are purely works of fiction. I had Liv’s character down pat. Gabriel’s evolved while writing.
Bobby Karmakar @BobbyKarmakar asks
No werewolves or demons but mysterious gargoyles. What lead you to that figure for Cainsville?
Kelley: I love gargoyles! They just add a gothic air that fascinates me. With Omens, I wanted to play with that.
Toks W. @newskepticx asks
The world building in Cainsville seems a lot more indirect than even your mysteries, is this on purpose?
Kelley: Very little of my world building is revealed in Omens. Liv needs a few books to dig into it. Deep & complex.
Heather @murchieman asks
Hey Kelley, I love the cover of Omens and was wondering if you have final say on the cover art?
Kelley: I have cover consultation, which means they show me & I can comment but not reject. I loved all 3 for Omens, tho.
Tanith Lund @Miley_said asks
What inspired the story behind Omens?
Kelley: Two inspirations: a reverse Cinderella story & classic “small town with a secret” Then weaving them together :)
DianesDigitals @DianesDigitals asks
Did you have the book processed in your thoughts before you began to write it or did it develop along the way?
Kelley: Like most of my books, I went into it with a basic outline, but the story evolved & changed as I wrote.
Laura @laurasborealis asks
How many types of mythology/folklore do you employ in the Cainsville series?
Kelley: Liv’s core story is based on Welsh myth. Other folklore surrounds her, tho. Mostly Celtic but not limited to it.
Rashika @RTheBookOwl asks
I have to ask when does the next book come out? And also are we going to get to know more about her family?
Kelley: Visions comes out Aug 2014. Less on her family in that one. Mostly Cainsville’s secrets. Family is book 3.
John @johnnie_cakes asks
Will the Cainsville books continue to be mostly from Olivia’s POV? Will you play w/short stories in the world?
Kelley: Liv will keep book narrator seat b/c lots for her to discover. Have started short stories from other POVs, tho.
sarah Kalaitzidis @red_tigergirl2 asks
What made you want to write about serial killers? Or framed of a crime involving serial killers.
Kelley: More interested in the psychology of discovering parents alleged killer than in serial killers themselves.
Stormerdais @stormerdais asks
Is there a planned number of books for this series?
Kelley: There will be at least 3 books in the series. Have finished draft 1 book 3. If does well enough, would like 5-6.
Laetitianne @LaetitianneV asks
Will the books be translated and sold in France please?
Kelley: French publisher still has a few Otherworld books to go. Gives them time to see if Omens does well enough to buy :)
Jessica Smith @MadJessTy asks
Did the Larson murders happen in Cainsville?
Kelley: No. Cainsville hasn’t had a homicide. Ever. Well…not that anyone knows of, officially :)
D.M. @dymium asks
Did you base the supernaturals this time on actual lore? If so, did you ever think about creating your own?
Kelley: Yep, all the supernatural elements here are direct from lore. I’m a huge folklore & myth geek so I prefer “borrowing” :)
Denise Berube @denise_berube asks
Your writing is fabulous! Where did you get your inspiration from in developing Olivia’s character?
Kelley: With Liv, my goal was to create a young woman who could fit into high society, but wasn’t comfortable there.
Brooke @para_lights asks
Will Liv find out more of the secrets in Cainsville as the series continues ?
Kelley: Yes, Cainsville’s main secrets come out in book 2, Visions.
Jenny Rego @RecklessinRed asks
When is the paperback version coming out?
Kelley: In Canada, I think paperback is March. In US/UK, it’s summer. Different marketing strategies!
LeeAnn Dreadfulwater @Tenkiller7 asks
Why did you decide to use easter eggs and will they continue in subsequent books?
Kelley: I wanted to give hints about the supernatural elements, without fully revealing until Liv uncovers. Less in book 2.
Corinna Berry @CorinnaBerryNZ asks
Can’t source your bks in NZ libraries, inc Cainsville etc. no crdcard, so r u ever gonna release ur bks in NZ?
Kelley: My UK publisher covers NZ. Unfortunately, it’s up to libraries to carry or not. Enough requests, they’ll order.
Tanith Lund @Miley_said asks
Did you get any inspiration for Omens from other books or authors, and if yes, which ones/who?
Kelley: Stephen King influenced my love for “small town with a secret” plots, though Cainsville nothing in common with his.
Shalayne Anderson @ShalayneAnderso asks
Will we learn more about why Olivia can detect and decipher omens?
Kelley: Yes! In book 2, Liv begins to understand *what* she is, and the link to omens is clarified by book 3.
thisautumnstar @thisautumnstar asks
How many books are you planning on the Omens series?
Kelley: There will be at least three books. In an ideal world, 5-6 :)
miriam @__mitzy__ asks
How was the transition from “the Otherworld” to this new world?
Kelley: Moving from Otherworld to Cainsville world was very creatively freeing. Didn’t realize how much I needed that change.
Heather Michael @Heather_Michael asks
Will the Cainsville series explore the conspiracy theory you set up in Omens in more depth?
Kelley: It will. The conspiracy angle of Omens is tied into something deeper, so it will be explored more.
D.M. @dymium asks
Is Omens intended to be in a completely separate world from the Otherworld series or can I hope to see cameos?
Kelley: The Otherworld and Cainsville occupy different fictional universes, so no overlap!
Jessica Smith @MadJessTy asks
Why does Patrick want Gabe and Liv together considering Rose keeps Hawthorne in the attic and is Gabe’s Aunt?
Kelley: The real question is “Who is Patrick to Gabriel?” :) That’s coming in book 2 & will explain his interest.
LeeAnn Dreadfulwater @Tenkiller7 asks
Will we learn more about TC the cat in the next book? TC is intriguing.
Kelley: More TC in next book. He’s a good foil for Liv. She’s a little slow to realize he might not be a normal cat, tho :)
Gloria Raybone @grraybone asks
If whole of Cainsville knew she was special and they protect their own, why did they not search for Eden sooner?
Kelley: Why didn’t the folks of Cainsville find Olivia sooner? That comes in book 2 :)
Tanith Lund @Miley_said asks
Are the names of the characters important to you?
Kelley: Names important mostly for how they fit character. Liv isn’t really an Olivia or an Eden, but can “play” either.
Laura @laurasborealis asks
Did you use previous knowledge on serial killers (from NS, etc) to develop that aspect of the murders here?
Kelley: Yes, I’d done enough serial killer research for Exit Strategy & Haunted to “reuse” for Omens.
Heather @murchieman asks
Did you ever have weird dreams while writing Omens?
I rarely dream about my characters. I think I spend enough time with them in my waking hours :)
miriam @__mitzy__ asks
What differences Olivia from your other heroines?
Kelley: Liv is more confident than most of my heroines. Sometimes darker, too. But just as lost re: who she is & wants to be.
Jennifer Kalman @jlkalman26 asks
Can you give us some idea of what to expect in book 2 Visions?
Kelley: Visions is mostly about Cainsville. What is it? How does Olivia fit in? Will she accept her role there?
Marina @blueiceangel10 asks
Also what are the dogs with the red eyes supposed to be? Are they another power or omen she saw?
Kelley: What are the hounds? Good question. If you really want a spoiler, look up Cŵn Annwn.
thisautumnstar @thisautumnstar asks
Who was the easiest omens character to write? The hardest?
Kelley: Easiest character? Olivia. She flows easily. Gabriel is a close 2nd. Rose needed the most work.
Jennifer K @jcalvert719 asks
Did u envision any actors for your characters when writing Omens?
Kelley: No actors in mind for Omens. It’s rare that I do picture a character as an actor, and didn’t for anyone here.
Jennifer K @jcalvert719 asks
Any interest from Hollywood in regards to Omens?
Kelley: Ideally, I’d like to wait until the series is done. That makes it easier :)
Adrienne Barrow @AdrienneBarrow asks
Are you ever going to do another series like women of the underworld…maybe men of the underworld?
Kelley: There are three Otherworld anthologies coming out 2014-2016. Some existing material & some new stories.
Katrina Rigelhof @katrina259 asks
What made you decide to include the CIA brainwashing experiment angle? I had never heard of it before.
Kelley: I knew of the experiments, and thought it might work here, and after I delved deeper into them, I saw it was a perfect fit.
Why question is now that other World Series is done do you have any series like it coming out. Or plans for a new one I love your books and can't wait to read more.
You can tell how far behind I am in answering my asks :) On the bright side, I can answer this one by saying “Why, yes, I have another adult series. The first book came out last month.” The book is Omens. The Cainsville series is like a cross between my Otherworld and Nadia books—a mystery based plot, but with supernatural elements like omens, second sight and Celtic folklore.
If you really prefer urban fantasy, Brazen comes out in December. It’s an Otherworld novella narrated by Nick. Next year, I’ll have an Otherworld graphic novella (Bounty Hunt) and an Elena novella (to follow on the plot of Brazen)
October 4, 2013
Firstly, I wanted to say I have been a HUGE fan of your books since I bought a copy of Stolen in 2006, and I wanted to know when (if ever) are you coming to Australia? Please :) Oh, and do you know if the Bitten TV Series will be available to us in Oz?
I was in Australia a couple of years ago, and as soon as anyone gives me an excuse to go back (convention, tour) I will :) As for the TV show, now that the US Syfy channel has picked it up, I expect we’ll see, if not wider distribution, at least greater availability through other modes (downloads etc)
October 3, 2013
Hi Kelley. I was just wondering, in the reckoning Royce was explaining the different projects and he mentioned the Icarus Project. you never explained what that was and i was just wondering what they did in that experiment?
Well, I could tell you but then I’d have to kill you not ever write a story about it because I’d almost certainly want to change my original concept but I couldn’t, because I’d stated earlier what it was supposed to be :) In other words, I had a plan for the experiments, but if I ever use it, I’d probably change it to better suit a plot or character. So I’ll keep my mouth shut.
allmymetaphors:
9/10 times “I hate feminists” means “I totally don’t understand what feminism is...
9/10 times “I hate feminists” means “I totally don’t understand what feminism is and I hate a media-based stereotype of feminism that represents almost no real feminists.”
October 2, 2013
Twitter Chat Thurs Oct 3 for Omens
Yep, as the title suggests, I’m doing an Omens chat on Twitter on Thursday Oct 3. It’ll be at 2PM EST. Not sure what that is in your time zone? Check here.
To ask a question, use #OmensChat as the hashtag. To follow it, search on that hashtag. If you miss the chat, it’ll be transcribed and posted later. But if you do want to participate, I might have bribes…
At my events, I usually use swag to get questions going. For this chat, I’ll give away an Omens tote bag (pictured below) if I answer your Omens question. The chat is not restricted to Omens, but that’s the focus, so I’ll reward you for sticking to it :) Ask me a question about Omens or the Cainsville series and if I haven’t already answered earlier in the chat I will reply and you’ll get a tote.To claim it, just email Alison (mail@kelleyarmstrong.com) with your Twitter handle and the question I answered for you.
Hi Ms. Kelley! I'm a freshman college at University of New Orleans and I'm a big big fan of your writing. We're doing a profiling assignment about the person who we want to meet in English and I chose you. Can I please interview you for this assignment? I
Bumped this one up, as answering in 3 months probably won’t help :) I do answer questions for school projects. Because I’m making this answer public, I’m going to state the general rules, which may not apply to your specific assignment. Why do I have rules? Because imposing limitations is the only way I can continue helping with school projects. Otherwise, it’ll be a flat no to everyone.
1) max 5 questions.
2) min 2 weeks notice. This is 2 weeks from receiving the questions, not 2 weeks from first email contact.
3) the project must be writing related. Projects to interview writers—or someone in the arts—are fine. Those to interview someone who has a career you want are fine. Those to answer English class questions about my books (i.e. what’s the theme of The Summoning) are not. Projects to interview someone on a random topic are not. Alison will reject these and I’ll never see them, which avoids me having to say “no” to you :)
Questions must go to Alison at mail@kelleyarmstrong.com. If they’re sent via Tumblr, Facebook, Goodreads etc, it’ll likely be too late by the time I get to it! Alison keeps me organized; always contact her for anything time-sensitive.
