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.