Author Interview: Jennifer A. Nielsen, Author of the Ascendance Trilogy

Hey guys! I've got an interview with Jennifer A. Nielsen for you guys. Enjoy!

What inspired you to start writing?

I’ve always had stories in my head, and for a long time I thought that was a normal thing for everyone. Maybe it is, but maybe there are some people who just keep that story turning in their minds until they finally give in and write it down. For me, if I don’t write, then I don’t get much of anything else done because the characters that get in my head just won’t leave me alone.

What was your first idea for The False Prince, and did you think of that fabulous twist ending prior to writing most of the book or did you just come up with it right when you were writing the end? 

No, I knew from the beginning how The False Prince would end. I always know the endings to my stories, just not necessarily how I’m going to get there.

Do you organize the plot before writing a book or do you just go with the flow? 

I used to go with the flow a lot more, but now I do a lot more outlining in advance. The better I get at outlining, the more I’m committed to it as a writing tool. It saves me a lot of time and helps me pull stronger moments from the plot. Tomorrow, I’m going to start work on another technique often used by screenwriters – that of writing plot elements on color-coded cards and sorting them around on a board. Should be fun!

Did you intend for The False Prince to be a stand-alone novel at first? 

It was written as a standalone novel, but the further I got into the story, the more I realized how big Sage’s world was, and how much story remained to be told after the new king is crowned. When I approached Scholastic with the idea of possibly making this a trilogy, and they responded enthusiastically, I could not have been happier.

Can you tell us a bit about The Shadow Throne?

 Definitely! There is a place at one point in the book where Jaron gets a bite to eat. It’s riveting. Other than that, there’s not much I can say. However, everyone who has read to the end of The Runaway King should have a good idea of where the story has to go. War is coming…

Which one of your characters, in all the books you've ever written, can you relate to the most, and in what ways? 

I think I put a little of myself in all my characters. I may not have a lot in common with all of them (or with any of them, really), but there are some where I have an easy time getting inside their heads, knowing how they tick. So of my books already released, I think I probably relate most to both of the girls in Ascendance series. I admire their strength and courage and the different ways they each handle Jaron. He needs them both in his life and has a lot to learn from each.

What, in your opinion, is the best thing about being an author?

 I am constantly amazed that I get to write the stories in my head for a job. That is an absolute dream come true, and with every new day I am increasingly grateful for the opportunities this career gives me. But the very best thing about being an author is when I get letters from young readers or their parents or teachers. Letters that say things like “yours is the first book that John has read start to finish.” Or “your book has inspired me to write my own story.” I love those. I save them and re-read them at times when I need encouragement.

And the worst? 

I love building new fictional worlds and populating them with characters that I also love. Then eventually that book or that series has to end, and by that time in a book’s lifespan, I know it all as well as if it were real (yes, many authors are partially schizophrenic, in case you were wondering). So it is hard to say goodbye. I am so excited about what’s coming next, but I will always miss the excitement and challenge of every book that has come before.

Where do you like to write? 
I can write nearly anywhere as long as it’s quiet. My favorite places are on the couch in front of my front room window, in my bed at night, and alone in the mountains near my home.

Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

Sometimes there are people who want to get published, but they freeze up because they are afraid of failing at it. In other words, they prefer quitting to failing. So here’s my advice:

Do not fear failure. There’s nothing wrong with failing – nearly everyone who is great can give you a very long list of their failures, and certainly most authors can. Myself included.

If you have a great story idea, write it. Even if it might not work. Even if it might not be any good. And even if you have no idea who would ever want to read it.

If you’ve written a great story, sell it. When you get a rejection (and you will), send out a new query. Send out five. And if those get rejected, send out some more. I once talked with a writer who gave up for years after his eighth rejection. Eighth? That’s like giving up on the race while you’re still tying your shoes.

And if you never sell that story, then put it away and write another one that’s even better. Most writers do exactly that. Figure out why your first didn’t work and fix the problems. Then sell that one.

And once it sells, prepare yourself for good sales numbers…or bad. Good reviews…or bad. Or worse still, no reviews. Because in your writing career, you’ll get all of that. And it’s not failure. It’s just the business.

There’s nothing wrong with failing. There is, however, something tragic about giving up. So don’t.

Only if you are unafraid to fail can you ever hope to succeed.
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Thanks to Jennifer to her very thoughtful answers!

Author Interview: Debra Ann Miller, Author of the Fallen Guardian Saga

Hello everyone! Below is the author interview with Debra Ann 
Miller, Author of the Fallen Guardian Saga!

1. What inspired you to start writing? 

I think that writing is just an extension of who I am. My grandmother lived with me for the past 5 years. We were very close and she was my biggest supporter in life. She always told me I was a gifted story-teller. I remember sitting by her bedside wondering how I could let her know how much I appreciated her always believing in me. I decided the best way to show her how grateful I was would be to write. I did that day after day, while sitting in her room and read each chapter to her as I went. Sadly, she didn't live long enough to hear the end of my story but there are traces of her in it from beginning to end. My Grandmother inspired me to be my best and I am doing just that.

2. What gave you the idea to write Descended, and how long did you take to write the first draft?

The idea for Descended came to me when my Grandmother was in the hospital. I was told that her time here was about to expire. I found myself wondering about what comes next. Each night when I left the hospital I would drive home imagining life beyond this world. My thoughts quickly turned to conversations between characters created in my mind. Before I knew it, there was a story developing and I needed to let it out. To an old school notebook the ink flowed onto the pages and 3 months later I had 94,000 words and a first draft.

Author Interview: Jessica Khoury, Author of Origin

Hey guys! Today I've got an author interview for y'all. The author is.... *drumroll* JESSICA KHOURY! Below is the Q&A. Enjoy!

1. What inspired you to start writing, and what was your inspiration for Origin?

I have wanted to write since I was four years old, so when Origin was published it was so amazing to see a lifelong dream come true! The book was inspired by an image that came into my mind one day as I was taking a walk--a girl trapped by glass in the middle of the jungle. I was so intrigued by her that I ran home and wrote the first chapter of what would become Origin that very day.

2. In your opinion, what is the best thing about being an author? 

Everything! But okay, I'll narrow it down a bit... I get to wake up every day and do what I love most--create stories. I couldn't ask for anything more fulfilling and exciting than that! Hearing from readers who have been touched by my stories gives me the energy and inspiration to keep writing, so I cannot thank them enough!

Author Interview: Julie Kagawa, Author of The Iron Fey & Blood of Eden

Hello everyone! Recently I did an author interview with Julie Kagawa, author of The Iron Fey series! Below is the Q&A. Enjoy!

1. What inspired you to start writing?

         For a long time, the goal was to become a veterinarian.  Then I discovered all the math and science you had to know to become a veterinarian, and that plan sort of went out the window.  So then I thought, since I love reading and writing so much, that I would try to become an author.  Hey, writing stories should be easy, right?  *Cue hysterical laughter* 

Author Interview: April Genevieve Tucholke, Author of Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

Hey guys! Recently I reviewed an ARC copy of Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea (coming out THIS AUGUST) by April Genevieve Tucholke, and was lucky enough to get a very prompt reply from April when I sent her these author interview questions! Feel free to read my review here: http://bookaholic-ness.blogspot.com/2013/07/book-review-between-devil-and-deep-blue.html Enjoy!


1. What inspired you to start writing in general, and what inspired you to start writing Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea?

I have a degree in creative writing, and I was always a Great Reader of Books. I guess the next step was natural. I didn't think I would ever be able to finish a manuscript. I surprised myself. 

This article directly inspired DEVIL: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/8574484.stm I read it while living in Scotland. It haunted me. Truth is stranger than fiction, no?

2. How long did it take for you to write this book?

It took me about 8 months to write the first draft, and then I revised (for my critique partner, then my agent, then my editor) for another year and a half. So approximately 2 years. 

3. Do you and Violet have anything in common? If so, what?

We're both readers. And dreamers. We both like taking naps with strange boys.

Author Interview: Chelsea Fine, Author of the Archers of Avalon series (and more..)

Hey everyone! Recently, I read Chelsea Fine's first book in the Archers of Avalon series, and enjoyed it a lot! I got a chance to interview her, and here's the Q&A! Enjoy!

Click here to read my review!

Are you and Scarlet, the main character of the Archers of Avalon series, alike in any way?

Not really--which is a huge bummer because I would love to have her backbone. I do, however, share some of her sarcastic flare, so yay for that. :) The character I most relate to in my Archers of Avalon series is Heather. *cringes* I know, I know. She's a bit obnoxious, but gah. I'm the same way.

What was your inspiration for the Archers of Avalon series?

Good question! The short answer? I'm not sure. My sister and I were discussing love triangles with brothers one night and I was like, "I should totally write a book about impossible love like that. Because it's just so SAD." And alas, Anew was born.

Did you have an inspiration for your first book, Sophie & Carter?

Many things I've experienced/seen/heard influenced Sophie and Carter's story. I didn't mean to write it. Sophie & Carter was an exercise I did to "clear my head" when I found myself stuck while writing another book about superheroes. I was like, "I'll just free-write for twenty minutes and then get back to my superheroes." But twenty minutes turned into twelve hours, and before I knew it I had written a short story about these two next-door neighbors and I was crying my eyes out.

What is the best part of being an author, in your opinion?

The dress code! :) I get to wear pajamas everyday. Also, I get to live in my imagination, which is the happiest place in all the world.

What do you consider the hardest aspect of writing?

Deadlines, ugh. They make me want to cry, and sometimes I do. Haha. But they're necessary. I mean, if I didn't have deadlines, I would NEVER finish a book. I distract too easily.

How did you come up with the title to Anew?

I wanted a short title that summed up Scarlet coming back to life. Anew just seemed fitting since her life was, once again, starting anew.

Do you have any advice for aspiring YA writers?

Write your heart out and be fearless! Letting people read and critique your work is terrifying, I know. But it's so important! And honestly, it's invigorating. It truly is. So be brave. Put yourself--and your story--out there and OWN it. Beat on your chest and say, "This is mine and I am proud!" And then? Do it all over again. :) 

Blog Tour & Interview: Uprising by Jessica Therrien (Children of the Gods #2)

Uprising by Jessica Therrien, blog tour!

Click to read my review for Oppresion, Children of the Gods #1! 

Title: Uprising (Children of the Gods #2)
Publisher: ZOVA Books
Release Date: May 28, 2013
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Pages: 384
Synopsis:
Jessica Therrien follows up her bestselling novel OPPRESSION with UPRISING, the second book in the Children of the Gods series. OPPRESSION, translated and sold around the world, was one of the best selling YA novels of 2012. UPRISING continues the story of Elyse, William and the Descendants.
Elyse has been in hiding for most of her life. Only now she’s hiding with William, and she knows who she’s hiding from. The Council wants a child Elyse and William have yet to conceive, a child who will be the next oracle, and who will provide the final piece to a plan Christoph has been organizing for years. Charged with leading the rebellion against Christoph and his Council, Elyse feels well out of her depth. But she has good friends and strong allies who are willing to fight with her to the end, regardless of how far they have to go, and how many lives will be lost in the process. They have one goal: to live freely and openly with the rest of humanity, out from under The Council’s oppressive rule. The stakes could not be higher for Elyse and the Descendants longing for freedom. They'll have to learn to fight if they want to stand up against The Council, and to find allies in a world ruled by their enemies. The hardest part of waging a war is knowing who to trust. Elyse knows their uprising will change the world. She doesn’t realize it will change her, too.


Here's my Uprising review:

I thoroughly enjoyed the first book, Opression, and I liked Uprising so much more-- mainly because there's more action, and the plot seems to be faster paced. The romance is the same though, and I can't and won't say that's a bad thing. 

I kind of forgot a lot of things from the first book, since I read it a long time ago. But with Jessica Therrien's writing, it's not hard to remember all the characters. 

At first, I thought the romance was a bit spontaneous, but as William and Elyse got to interact more I felt like their love for each other developed.

If you haven't read Oppression, probably none of that made sense. LOL. Check out my review for it.

Author Interview:

-Are you and Elyse, the protagonist of the story, alike in any way?

Yes! When I started writing, I was doing it for my own entertainment, so I used myself as the basis for the character. Aside from looking like me, we are both shy, naïve, and we both love the ones we care about very deeply.

 -What inspired you to write Oppression?

 After reading Twilight I was eager for that next YA fix. When I couldn’t find something I liked as much, I decided to write it myself. 

-What do you, personally, think is the hardest thing about writing? 

Deadlines. With Oppression, I wrote at my own pace. If I didn’t feel like writing, I didn’t. With Uprising, I had to finish by a certain date. It was a very different experience. Luckily I work well under pressure ;)

 -Is Oppression going to become a movie?

 I HOPE SO! Wouldn’t that be awesome? There has been a lot of interest, but things in the movie world work very slowly. I’m trying not to chew my nails down to the bed, haha! 

-What is the best thing about being an author? 

Sometimes it’s that I can stay in my pajamas all day if I want. Other times it’s when a reader emails me about how much they loved my book. There are a lot of great things about being an author. I love it.

 -How long does it take for you to write one book? 

That depends on the book. If I don’t have a deadline, it takes me about 2 years. I write and read slowly. Deadlines are a different story. Uprising took me about a year.

-Do you usually write an outline before writing a book?

 A very rough one that is scribbled on paper. Later that gets thrown away J I like to wing it. I basically know how the story ends and the main plot points along the way. The rest is up to Elyse. 

-Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

Enjoy the freedom you have without deadlines. Have fun taking your time with the process, and don’t obsess about being published right away. Sometimes it’s better for your work to be revised several times before it’s ready anyway. It will happen when it’s meant to.
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Thanks to Jessica for taking the time to answer these questions, and...

Bio/Author Links:

Author Links:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

Links to Oppression (Children of the Gods #1):

Amazon | B&N | GoodReads

Links to Uprising (Children of the Gods #2):

Amazon | B&N | GoodReads

Jessica Therrien is the author of the young adult paranormal fiction series Children of the Gods. Book one in the series, Oppression, was published by ZOVA Books in February of 2012 and became a Barnes & Noble bestseller shortly after its release. The second book in the series, Uprising, will be available in May of 2013. Aside from her Children of the Gods series, Jessica’s work can also be found in a published collection of flash fiction stories called Campaigner Challenges 2011. Out of over 350 submissions her story, The Soulless, won first place for people’s choice and fourth place in the judging round of Rachael Harrie’s Writing Campaign Challenge. Her story, Saved, is also available as part of the anthology. Jessica currently lives in Chula Vista with her husband and is working on book three in her Children of the Gods series.

Author Interview: Lauren Oliver, Author of The Delirium Trilogy and Before I Fall.

Hey everyone, just did an author interview with Lauren Oliver! She's one of my favorite authors and she totally made my day with her reply.

Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | Blog

Are you and Lena, Delirium's main character, alike in any way?

We are actually quite different superficially. She is very shy and obedient; I am neither of those things. But I share many of her fears and anxieties and insecurities, for sure. As an author, you need to relate to your main characters.

Do you have any idea when the first episode of the Delirium TV show is going to be released? 

I'm not sure, but everything goes up on my blog as soon as I know! lauren-oliver.tumblr.com 

Do you like to read a specific genre? 

No, I try to read as broadly as possible! 

Are you writing anything right now?

I'm currently working on my first book for adults called Rooms. I also have a new YA book coming out next year called PANIC which I"m very excited about. 

What was your inspiration for Before I Fall?

Before I Fall was largely based on my highschool experiences. I started hearing Sam's voice in my head, and I just had to start writing it down! 

How long did it take to write the entire Delirium Trilogy?

Each book took about eight months to write, so about three years all told! 

Do you write an outline before you start writing a new book?

I write about 20,000 words, and then I force myself to do a detailed outline.

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Thanks to Lauren for her time and for gracing us with her presence!

Author Interview: Megan Shepherd, Author of The Madman's Daughter.

Hey everyone, I just did an author interview with Megan Shepherd, author of The Madman's Daughter-- which I've just recently read and LOVED. Here's my review.

Website | Twitter | Goodreads


Interview: 

Are you and the main character, Juliet, alike in any way?

Juliet and I are both very curious about the world, but in different ways. I’ve never cared much for science or medicine like she does, and have always been more interested in culture and art and languages. I’m also not nearly as tough as she is. And I come from a really caring family!

How did you come up with the title,The Madman's Daughter?

I went through a few different title possibilities: The Moreau Horrors, The Madman’s Island, The Strange Case of Juliet Moreau. But something just felt right with The Madman’s Daughter, and my publisher agreed—they kept my working title, which they don’t always do. It fit well with one of the main themes in the book: Juliet’s relationship with her father.

If you'd like to share, how far are you in writing the rest of the series?

The second book, which finds Juliet back in London, is finished and is currently being copyedited. It’s inspired by some of the themes & science in The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. I’m currently about halfway through drafting the third book, which is inspired by Frankenstein.

What was the most difficult thing about writing the book?

The gruesome surgical scenes were extremely difficult to write. I’ve always been a big animal lover, and to imagine someone doing something so cruel made me feel sick to my stomach. But I think, as a writer, it’s our job to make people feel certain emotions—in this case, fear and disgust. So if I couldn’t make myself feel those things while writing it, I knew my readers wouldn’t feel it either.

Do you, personally, like Montgomery or Edward better?

I’ve always liked Montgomery. I love how perfect he seems on the outside, but how flawed and secretive he is on the inside. Although I also have a soft spot in my heart for Edward, because he’s been dealt a difficult hand in life, and instead of becoming a cruel person, he’s tried his best to do what’s right.

How long did it take to write The Madman's Daughter?

It took nine months to write the first draft. I had a full time job at the time, so I was writing evenings and weekends. Once it sold to my editor, it took about three more months of editing to reach the final version.

Do you have any advice for aspiring writers? 

Don’t aim for quick success. Aim for lasting success, and that always takes time. Almost always, the first book you write isn’t going to be “the one.” (though you make think it is at the time). And often, your second, third, sixth, tenth won’t be “the one” either. Stick with it! No writing time is wasted; even those books that don’t get published are incredibly valuable to teach you how to write better.

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That's it! Thank you Megan! (: 

Definitely looking forward to reading the rest of the series!

Author Interview: Cindy Pon, Author of the Kingdom of Xia series.

Hey everyone, I just did an author interview with Cindy Pon, author of SILVER PHOENIX and FURY OF THE PHOENIX, known as the Kingdom of Xia series. (Which I absolutely adored!)
Website | Goodreads | Twitter

INTERVIEW: 

  

-Are you and Ai Ling alike in any way?

Yes! We are both brush painting students, are stubborn, and love to eat! =D

-How were you inspired to write the Kingdom of Xia series?

Fantasy has always been my favorite genre. When I started to write Silver Phoenix, I had just begun learning Chinese brush painting as a student, and really beginning to learn more on my culture. I decided to combine these two loves and interests, and the result was Silver Phoenix!

-What was the hardest part of writing your book?

Gosh, it was the first novel I had ever written. Everything seemed hard. But for me as a writer, the quiet moments are the hardest. All the exciting action scenes came to me first. Also, since it was my first novel, I had no idea how to write one! It was a huge learning experience.

-How much research did you have to do?

I did a lot of research for Silver Phoenix! Everything from reading about Chinese furniture and clothing, the expectations and role of women within the inner quarters to imperial art and architecture. And of course, Chinese mythos.

-Do you have any advice for other writers?

Read widely! Definitely in the genre you want to write in and also beyond that. Challenge yourself in each new writing project. Actually sit down and write! That is the hardest part--to finish a novel.

-Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

I began writing bad poetry as a tween. I think my love of writing originated (like for so many authors) from my love of reading!

-Who are your favorite authors?

Some favorite authors include Iris Murdoch, Ursula Le Guin, Megan Whalen Turner, Cinda Williams Chima, Octavia Butler, and Sarah Waters.

-What are your favorite books?

This is an impossible question to answer!! But Megan Whalen Turner's The Queen's Thief is a favorite fantasy series of mine as well as Chima's The Demon King series. Also loved Tipping the Velvet by Waters and Wild Seed by Butler pretty much blew me away. Recent favorites include Alif the Unseen by Wilson, Unspoken by Rees Brennan and Personal Effects by Kokie.

-Do you create an outline before every book you write?

I don't! I am such a planner in Real Life but not so much when I write. I have a document that I fill with everything from research to scenes to dialogue, but I don't outline in the traditional sense.

-Are Silver Phoenix or Fury of the Phoenix going to become movies?

I wish! My agent has tried, but fantasy is a hard pitch these days. And alas, Chinese inspired fantasy for the American audience is an even harder pitch. =(

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That's that, and thanks to Cindy Pon for gracing us with her presence~~

Once again, both Silver Phoenix and Fury of the Phoenix are HIGH HIGH HIGH recommendations! If anyone's looking for something to read, Kingdom of Xia would be it. Check out my reviews here and here!

Also, Cindy's working on a new series-- let's stay tuned for that! I, for one, am definitely looking forward to it!

Author Interview- Jessica Day George, Author of Dragon Slippers

 Goodreads| Website

     

   

Hey guys, I just did a short and quick interview with author Jessica Day George, author of the Dragon Slippers trilogy, Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow, the Princesses of Westfalin trilogy, and the Castle Glower books. And believe it or not, there's still more to come! I wanted to ask a lot more other questions, but being the prepared author she is, Jessica already put most of my questions, and no doubt many other peoples' questions, in the FAQ on her blog.

Jessica is one of the most inspiring authors that I've ever read and she is absolutely AMAZING. Her books are fab and her writing is just plain awesome, and it's really cool of her to take the time to answer!

So, without further ado..

Where did you get the first idea for Dragon Slippers? 

I was just getting ready for bed one night, and BAM! The whole book just downloaded into my brain!  I actually started crying, because I had a new baby and I was so tired, I didn't want to stay up writing, but I didn't want to go to bed and forget my idea, either!

Is there still enough to write for a fourth Dragon Slippers book?  

I will probably one of these days go back to Feravel, but Creel and Luka get to live happily ever after.  That's all I'll say about it!

How long have you been an author now?  

Since I was 11.  But I got published 7 years ago.

Are you planning to write anything after Wednesdays in the Tower?  

Yes.  I'm pretty much always working on something.

How did you come up with the title for Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow?  

I was looking for something that sounded like East o' the Sun, West o' the Moon, and just sort of played with some words.

Is there a specific genre that you like to read? 

 Nope, I'll read anything.

I know this is a really commonly asked question, but do you have any advice for aspiring writers? 

Read.  Read.  Read.  Write.  Write.  Write.
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And that's it! Thanks again, Jessica!

Author Interview: Brooke Passmore, Author of Scarlet Woods.

Here is my review: http://bookaholic-ness.blogspot.com/2012/12/book-review-scarlet-woods-by-brooke.html

This book was amazing, and I finally sent off some author interview questions! And, I got answers!

1-    What influenced you to write this book?

I came up with the idea for the book partly because I have woods behind my backyard. I always walked about the woods thinking of cool things that I wished would happen in the trees and so that was what got me into writing this book. I'm also a big fan of history and fantasy so putting both of those together into one story was very fun to write.

2-    What gave you the idea of writing about time travel?

I don’t really know how I decided to write about time travel. When I thought of time travel growing up I tended to think about the Back to the Future movies. Writing a time travel story that involves a romance that separates the characters by years in between was really enticing to write about. I came up with the idea of Scarlet Woods back when I was in eighth grade but I could never get the beginning of it the way I wanted it to be until I was in my first year in college, after that the story took off.

3-    Are you and Morgan alike in any way?

There are funny things that I could see myself doing or saying that I had put in her dialogue or actions, but for the most part she is far more outspoken than I am. I can be cooky and weird and all but I don’t really stand up for myself and can be a pushover. Morgan is stronger than I am and is not afraid to have people not like her whereas I always would like for people to like me. Morgan also has long dark, auburn hair that I totally envy (my hair is blond). Morgan also likes to read and walk in the woods behind her house which I very much enjoy doing both of those too since I read/write and have woods behind my backyard.

4-    Are you, personally, interested in the 19th century? 

Yes! I used to daydream about being from another century and thought that I was born in the wrong era since my heart belonged to the romantic age of the 19^th century. But as I grew older I have learned to appreciate the time we live in today. Women weren’t well off back in the nineteenth century. They had to rely on men in order to survive. I wouldn’t want that life. I would rather want a man in my life rather than need one. Also I am thankful for air conditioning and movies! The nineteenth century didn’t have those and I would have been lost without them.

5-    Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

Reread your work constantly! I don’t know how many times I reread my book but it was needed. I’d think I’m finished with everything and thought I had gotten all the errors out but nope there’s always more. Heck there’s probably a few errors in the finished version of Scarlet Woods that I didn’t catch, and if there are it’s not that many because I looked over that manuscript so much that my eyes were drowning in my words almost, but I was happy to do it over and over again since I enjoyed reading it all over again.

6- How is book 2, Scarlet At War, coming along? We, as readers, can't wait!

I’m just about halfway done with it and so far it’s going really well! I already know what’s going to happen and have many ideas already plotted out for the third installment. Since Scarlet Woods was my first book that I had finished the first couple drafts weren’t very good, but now that I have had more experience with my writing process I already know that Scarlet at War will be done much faster than the first one. It will have many of the same aspects from the first book and yet it is very different. Readers will hopefully enjoy all the new things I will bring to the second book and I hope to have it out in 2013.
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And yes, that's it! Thanks again, Brooke, for taking so much time to answer these!

Blog Tour: The Salamander Stone by CJ Fenge.

Blog Tour: The Salamander Stone by CJ Fenge.

 Book Summary: Amber discovers a conspiracy so earth-shattering it threatens the whole of the human race. Forced to go on the run, it seems that she has enemies in every corner - some for her power, others see her as their savior - others still Seek her out of twisted love or simple lust. At the center of everything, the Salamander Stone Attracts more than earthly evil. A demon is after Amber as well, and his desires are unthinkable.

I have already posted a review for this book! And here it is.
 http://bookaholic-ness.blogspot.com/2012/09/book-review-salamander-stone-by-cj-fenge.html

And there's a giveaway! The prize is: A $25 gift card!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Excerpts:

Excerpt 1

That weird cry came again, much closer now, cutting through the thick air—a high thin wail thrown far into the darkness and returning as a series of diminishing mocking echoes. Like a baby, thought Meshak, though no baby ever cried like that; no human ever cried like that.

Meshak stood up shakily on the sandy path, straining to see, trying to make sense of this alien world. Below him, on the trail he’d just crawled, another thing was crawling. He could sense it as a furry black shadow shifting and sliding, sucking its way towards him. It cried again as it slithered closer.

Meshak knelt in the sand on the pathway, and the thing, the black shadow, stopped crying and snuffled up close, filling the air with its rotting reek. It slithered behind him and he waited. After a moment he felt a soft suction as it burrowed under his clothes and battened greasily onto his back, inching its way up his body until it reached his left shoulder. Its voice hissed, insistent as it whispered interminably in his ear. It filled his mind, blocking out all other thought. Meshak stood up, his body giving little shivers of excitement like greeting an old friend. A long slow smile split his face in half; an evil gleam glinted in his eye. He moved down the path and back into his own world.

And the shadow on his shoulder went with him.

Excerpt 2

Amber scrambled to her feet to face Meshak, but what she saw made her suddenly afraid. She backed away, expecting a blow. But he didn’t even need to raise his fists. His eyes caught hers and the blow struck anyway.

“Meshak!”

He didn’t speak but grabbed her wrist, pulling her towards the motor bike.

“Meshak,” she cried desperately, “don’t!”

It was no use. Meshak was like some huge engine running through a program of its own. He wasn’t listening. He wasn’t seeing. He was not Meshak.

He pushed her onto the bike and into the handcuffs clipped to the handlebars. Then he sat behind her, leaning over with his great weight and pressing her head into the tank until she was spread-eagled on it. He gunned the engine and the great beast roared.

She closed her eyes; it had all gone wrong. She shouldn’t have cried out for Khiza. If only she’d kept her temper, if only she’d thought before accusing him. She’d hurt him and now the evil had surfaced and it was all her fault. But where was he taking her?

She thought she knew, though when the engine eventually slowed, it wasn’t the grounds of Charnwood she saw in the headlight. Amber could hardly believe it: they were back in Aberford. A minute later she knew which house he was heading for. The iron gates stood open and they turned into the driveway. Meshak steered the bike around the back where a door stood ajar throwing out a blaze of light as if waiting for them. He cut the engine.

“Meshak,” she tried again as silence descended, “what are you going to do with me?”

But he wouldn’t speak. He unlocked the handcuffs from the bike and started to pull her inside the house.

“Meshak!” Amber was frantic. She sank to the ground and resisted him with all her strength. “Meshak, you promised. You promised you would never hurt me!”

He stopped and looked down at her with his blank stare.

“Yes,” he said gruffly, “I promised, and I never break a promise.” He began walking again, dragging her behind him easily. “But I never promised that no one else would hurt you, did I, Amber?”

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Author Interview!

1- What inspired you to write this book?

The wonderful Thornborough Henges in Yorkshire which are over 5,000 years old. I spent a lot of time imagining the mysterious stories surrounding them. And what I imagined may be true – no one really knows the truth!     

2- Are you in any way alike the main character?

I would like to think so! But Amber is a heroine and I wouldn’t be as brave or sensible as she is, given the situations she gets herself into.

3-When did you first start writing?

I’ve always written, but mostly in my head. It’s taken a good few decades to transfer the stories to paper.

4- Will there be a sequel for your book?

It’s on its way. The Salamander Stone is mainly from Amber’s point of view. The next is Khiza’s story, and the third one centres around Meshak, which will be a blast.

5- Where did you get the idea for Khiza, her 'imaginary' friend?

Khiza is based on the son of a friend of mine whom I knew in Africa. His name, I think, means soft wind or rain. I love the sound of it. It’s beautiful.

6- Is there any reason why you chose the Salamander Stone as the story's symbol and title? 

This wasn’t my first title for the book. It was hard getting it right; it’s a much more difficult job than I thought. But the power of the Salamander Stone necklace runs through the whole story and at the end the Stone chooses another bearer, which sets us up nicely for Book 2: The Cobra Cup.

7- Do you have any advice for new writers trying to become authors? 

Apart from the usual advice to write what you know - be ruthless with editing etc. - the best advice is keep trying. It can be a heartbreaking business so you’ve got to be quite tough. It helps if you have someone to support you through the bad times, someone who will keep you writing.

Author & Character Interview: Yvonne Wang, Author of Bridge Across the Land.

Summary: In 1241 AD, the Mongols invaded Europe and brought the giant collision of cultures between the West and the Far East. A team of cavalry scouts, with different backgrounds and motives, decided to assassinate the Great Khan of Mongolia. To execute their plan, they capitalized on the opportunity of escorting the Mongolian Princess from Poland back to Mongolia. h e Princess grew up in Poland and was not aware of her royal heritage as the daughter of the Great Khan exposing her to great danger! However, things did not turn out as expected, as one of the assassins and the Princess fall in love…

Here is my review: http://bookaholic-ness.blogspot.com/2012/10/book-review-bridge-across-land-by.html
And, as you know..
I interviewed the author, Yvonne Wang! She put in thoughtful answers for me even if she was ridiculously busy with her work. Meanwhile, I also added in a character interview, with the author answering as the characters! So, readers, enjoy.

Author Interview:

1- Are you and Angela alike in any way?

Me and Angela do have many things in common. I am a very stubborn girl, just like she is. If I decided to do something I will finish it no matter how hard it is. Angela is very strong and brave: she worked in Poland to sustain herself and her father; she turned around and surrendered herself to save Tianyin; she marched for seven months to Mongolia alone in the end...Sometimes I feel that we have the same personality. I would go for things that I know are dangerous or difficult. I see myself capable of doing things impossible regardless of what other people may say.

However I am not the same with Angela. At least, she is very courageous and open to her love. As soon as she knows whom she loves, she would do anything for him, including killing her own father. Me, on the other hand, I am not that determined and I always hesitate or worry too much before I commit to love. I am too shy to reveal my heart to the other person and I wish I could learn from Angela.

2- Who/What is your inspiration?

"I want to write a story about cultural collision." That was my first thought when I was standing in the dining hall of Boston University, one year after I moved to US from China. This Mongol invasion was the first-time human cultural collision between the West and the Far East. It has such a huge historical impact but people often ignore it. As I did my research I found the mysterious death of Ögedei, from which imaginations
arose.

The second inspiration I found was the modern social transformation in China. As the economy quickly develops, Chinese people are facing debates between traditions and innovations, between individualism and collectivism, and between consciences and responsibilities. As the plots develop in my head those debates emerge along with the struggle of my characters: shall they listen to their hearts or follow so-called duties? Shall they care about their own emotions or their countries? I appreciate the multi-cultural background I have and I include those cultural conflicts as well as those ideological contradictions I see in my story.

4- When did you start writing?

I started to write Bridge Across the Land in 2008. It took two years to complete, one year to translate and one year to publish. If you are asking when I first started writing, I would say at the age of seven, but I know starting early doesn't make one a good writer anyway.

5- How did you get the idea for Angela's blue and brown eyes?

I remember more than ten years ago my mother once told me that she had a primary school classmate who had one dark eye and one blue (or green) eye. My mother grew up in the Xinjiang province of China, where most of the population are minorities. Her classmate was a mixed kid with a Russian mother (or some other group) with a Chinese father. So I know it is possible to have two colored eyes and I think that's really graceful. Unfortunately I've never met her classmate.

6- Do you, personally, like Tianyin or Alexander better?

That's a good question. When I first created Tianyin I didn't like him much. He was
too cold and determined (not listening to others). I would like a boyfriend who would
consider my feelings and thoughts. However, as the story unfolded he captured me
and I fell in love with him. He is really tough, responsible, mature and deep (yes deep).
The way he tells Angela he loves her is not by words, but by his action. The journey to
Mongolia is an awakening to him: Tianyin finally understands what's the most important
in one's life. He is not bound to his "duties" anymore but free to love. That brings a man
alive.

--spoiler alert in next paragraph-

Tianyin can be a good boyfriend because he is so protective and cool. He would make
my heart bump but I may not choose to marry him in reality. Let's compare him with
Alexander. Tianyin has a woman and a kid back in Mongolia; he dies at an early age; he
is so deep that he doesn't tell you everything in his mind...Alexander, on the other hand,
is naive and cowardly sometimes, but he is growing up and in the end more mature.
Alexander was so straight forward for his love (ONLY Angela) and he chased her for a
month regardless of all the danger. Besides, if you marry him, you would be the queen
and have a happy life ever after. Plus, Alexander, only 17 years old in the fiction, will for
sure grow up into a real man (Tianyin is 27-28 years old already). Therefore if I have to
choose, I may end up marrying Alexander for realistic reasons.

And...meet Tianyin every so often after marriage...sorry I am greedy.

7- Are you planning to write more books in the future?

Yes, I could not live without writing. I am working on a new contemporary fiction related to
Mafia. Well, it is not the classic Mafia type of story you always see. Or in other words, you don't
have to classify it as a Mafia novel. The story is told from an innovative perspective and it would
lead you to a new world which no other Mafia movie or book has shown. Just like Bridge Across
the Land (Bridge), this new fiction would be a movie written in a book format, with elements of
romance, martial arts, some mind-blowing and more. It is 1/3 finished now and I am taking my
time to write it with my heart. I sincerely hope with my best efforts it would touch you one more
time just like Bridge did.

8- Do you have any advice for writers aiming to become authors?

Don't think about what readers want to read, or how you can publish your book, or how
much money you may or may not earn by writing, or what criticism you would receive.
Just focus on your writing. Write a story for yourself and yourself only. Only a book
that moves yourself could move others. All readers need is a creation with genuine
emotions, produced directly from your soul.

Character Interview:

Alexander- Why didn't you tell Angela that you were the prince in the first place?

At the beginning, my concern was that many girls would date me only because I
was the prince. My royal life was full of rules, and when I escaped from the castle
once a while I wanted to be an ordinary boy, with an ordinary girl. I wanted to taste
the "ordinary" love with Angela, yet I have to say she is not so ordinary in my eyes. Day
after day I felt in love with her, for real. Next I started to conceal my royal identity from
her on purpose, because I am afraid that Angela wouldn't date me anymore if she knew
I was the prince. She would be upset for being deceived and would know I couldn't
marry her for sure.

I guess I was wrong. She qualifies for a princess and I should have told her my identity
in the first place. If so I wouldn't have lost her forever.

Alexander- Do you feel you are disappointing your country? Do you feel like a good
ruler?

I would rather say I was disappointed of myself. When I was that naive prince, I thought
I was powerful, ambitious and wealthy. However things could change overnight and
I found I was actually weak, timid and lost. If Poland was gone and became part of
Mongolia, I wouldn't know who I am. A clown? Nobody shall be disappointed of the
country. People would only be disappointed of their leader.

I think I learned so much from Mongol's invasion, from my Father's death, and from
Angela. A country is not just a concept but a combination of many many souls. To rule
a country I must first learn human soul. What's our desire and how we act. I will try my
best to be a good ruler and I hope Angela can see a new thriving Poland from another
world. I know she wants that.

Tianyin- What was your first impression of Angela?

When I first saw her, I felt I've known her for thousands of years. She was not a
stranger, absolutely not.

Tianyin- Why did you not tell Angela about Ahling? Were you planning to?

During the journey I constrained myself from liking Angela. She could be the Mongolian
Princess; she could be my foster father's daughter; she could be a liar...However my
heart leaned towards her subconsciously, struggling...The closer I was to Angela the
more guilty I was. I knew I might not live for long so that I didn't want her to commit, but
in the end I realize the further I stay away from her the more pain she feels.

To be honest, it is not until I met Angela that I understood what's real passion. Me and
Ahling were very good soul mates. We had the same goal and common interest. We
traveled together and had many wonderful memories. I thought that was true love, but
when I met Angela I knew I that wasn't. I still felt responsible for Ahling, and sorry for
both women.

I didn't tell Angela about Ahling at the beginning because I wasn't sure who she really
was. I didn't know if I should trust this feeling between us or not. Later, I didn't tell her
because I knew it would hurt her. If I am going to die early, I would cherish all the time
we are together and gave her the hope to continue living. I want her to be happy, at any
cost.

(Author saying: Please note that Tianyin doesn't know that Angela would still assassin
her own father after his death. And most importantly, isn't it very common to have 2+
wives at that time, especially when he is a royal prince of China?)

Angela- How did you feel when you first thought that Tianyin was your brother?

I knew he couldn't be. Because I knew Hanyuan was just my foster father and with
that knife my mother left me, I knew I was the Mongolian Princess from the beginning.
However, it was a good opportunity for me to play his sister so he couldn't kill
me...but...if I play for a lifetime I could never develop a closer relationship with him. That
was the only bitter thought there.

Angela- Did you change your mind about Alexander after you found out he was the
prince?

I don't care about a man's identity, but I was disappointed when I saw him escaping
from Mongols, leaving me behind. He didn't say a word seeing me ready to be burning
as a witch; he asked me to order Tianyin not to kill him and fled away without looking
back. I was not sure if he really loved me and I felt he cared more about his royal
identity and his life. I wouldn't change my mind only because he was the prince, but I
care if he loves me enough.

In the end he came back for me regardless of all the difficulties. I think he finally realized
what was important in his life. However at that time I was so exhausted to recognize his
change. He was simply too late.

Aling- How do you feel about Angela?

I knew she was not just a passerby. Her watery eyes were full of stories and pain. The
way she holds Tianyin's sword indicates the past. I am a woman and I understand. She
looks stubborn and brave, just like Tianyin. I wasn't sure if she loves Tianyin alone or he
loves her back as well. But either way I would be fine. The only thing I want is to have
my son see his father.

It has been 4 years since I've seen Tianyin last time so I already expect some surprises,
but really, not like this...this girl's knotted words made me think about something terrible.
Something like a forever farewell...I wish she could stay for at least one night so we can
talk, but she ran away quickly.

Baidar-Why didn't you send a messenger to the Great Khan first, so that he would be
alert of any "daughter" coming from the West. Why did you try so hard to stop Tianyin
yourself?

If I send a messenger what would the Great Khan ask? Maybe "who send Tianyin and
his troop, which would assassin me?" The answer is probably me. I would be accused
at least for being a careless commander. Therefore I chose to kill them before the Great
Khan knows them, and I was confident that given the men I have, it would be fairly
easy.
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And, that is it! Everyone, go read this book now that you understand what the content is. :3