Where are you from: Southern California(Left Lancaster, PA age 5)
A little about your self `ie your education Family life etc :
I have a degree in health and nutrition. I am a vegan and animal activist. I have been divorced forever. No children. Two cats. A long with being an author. I have been a fashion designer and a lead vocalist in quite a few bands. My love of writing began with penning music.
Fiona: Tell us your latest news?
Rug Burns(Reviving Haven 2) will be out in 15 days. I LOVE this book. Weezie was my favorite character to write
Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?
I was severely speech impaired growing up except when I sang. Writing music was an outlet for me. When I was in high school, a creative writing teacher took me “under her wing” and allowed my writing to flourish.
Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?
I’ll go with my FIRST published book. Most think it was Bite & Release but in reality Reviving Haven was written first but I chose to release it as my 2nd book. My mother was critically ill and I needed a creative outlet for my grief. Reviving Haven gave me that. My mom passed 7 days after I finished it.
Fiona: Do you have a specific writing style?
I have my “process” I tend to come up with the best dialogue etc in the middle of the night. I have digital recorders everywhere in my home. I appear to get inspired at the most inopportune moments.
Fiona: How did you come up with the title?
To which book? Rug Burns was originally called: Confessions of a cockaholic but we thought there might be pages/groups that wouldn’t post the book due to the title. My best male friend Ben and I actually came up with Rug Burns.
Fiona: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
I just want my readers to be entertained. I have no political agenda here. I pen romantic fiction that has an HEA.
Fiona: How much of the book is realistic?
Quite a bit. Of course the real names have been removed to protect the innocent(LOL)
Fiona: Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
BOTH. Having dated younger men all of my life, I have taken bits & pieces and tweaked them. I tend to name characters after close friends. Who doesn’t want to be immortalized in a erotic romance book?(LOL)
Fiona: What books have most influenced your life most? a mentor?
I have many favorites but Jodi Ellen Malpas and Pepper Winters truly inspire me.
Fiona: What book are you reading now?
Wicked Fall by Sawyer Bennett
Fiona: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
I am very excited to read Tracey Chapman and Alison Mello when they release their books.
Fiona: What are your current projects?
I am currently working on a SECRET PROJECT. Release: April 2016.
Fiona: Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.
Facebook-My fan Page
Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?
I write fulltime so yes.
Fiona: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
Rug Burns?-oh hell no!!!
Fiona: Can you share a little of your current work with us?
Not a chance. Laura Lee would hunt me down. She has tried six ways to Sunday to get information out of me. It’s called a secret for a reason. (LOL)
Fiona: Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
WRITING is easy. It’s the cover, editing, formatting, advertising etc that is the hard part. All these things are allocated to others.
Fiona: Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?
I don’t have just one. I am a dialogue/character driven reader. Anyone who creates a character that I connect with and dialogue that inspires me I love. There are so many amazing authors who have written stories that stay with me forever. I want something that affects me.
Fiona: Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)?
No
Fiona: Who designed the covers?
I always purchase the photographs. (My SECRET PROJECT took viewing 613 males and weeks of negotiations+ many phone calls) My ideas and Robin Harper of WICKED BY DESIGNS–we collaborate and create a masterpiece. Of course, that “masterpiece” can take 20+ mocks until I am satisfied.
Fiona: What was the hardest part of writing your book?
The revisions, verbal beta reads and massive rounds of editing.
Fiona: Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?
LMAO!!! I’m certain I know everything there is to know about blow****
Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?
Valley of the Dolls
Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?
I crack myself up. And if a man cries. I am done!
Fiona: Is there one person pass or present you would meet and why?
Jodi Ellen Malpas
Fiona: What do you want written on your head stone and why ?
I am being cremated but if I had a headstone: “I may be dead but at least I’m still pretty”—– I am a huge BTVS fan.
Fiona: Other than writing do you have any hobbies ?
Foreign horror films, vintage weapons, collecting dragons. I love museums & art shows
Fiona: What TV shows/films do you enjoy watching?
New ones: BLINDSPOT & THE PLAYER and EMPIRE (love that show)
Fiona: Favorite foods / Colors/ Music
VEGAN food, color: Gray/Josh Groban, Judas Priest
Fiona: If you were not a writer what else would you like to have done?
Probably a forensic blood splatter analyst
Fiona: Do you have a blog/website? If so what is it?
Old enough to know better! I’m at that magical age where a wisdom has hit and I still look good! LOL
Where are you from
Colorado, in the United States
A little about your self -i.e. your education, Family life etc
I’m on my second marriage, and it’s going well! My children from the first marriage are grown and gone. My ex is grown and gone, too. LOL
Fiona: Tell us your latest news?
The first book I’d written (but never published) is about a small mountain town in Colorado. It’s hysterical, with many zany characters, but focuses on a young girl who has fallen into a money trap–she’s become an author writing erotica! Now normally, writing erotica wouldn’t be funny, unless you happened to be a virgin and had no idea what you were talking about. So poor Julia goes on a quest to lose that pesky virginity, and meets her brother’s handsome ex-partner on the police force. While her brother is off on his honeymoon, she decides to housesit for him, where she meets all the neighborhood people, determined to help her snag a man!
Right now I’m exploring the possibilities of Kindle Scout, in which readers determine which books they would like to see published and nominate the selections. I’d love your vote! The link is: https://kindlescout.amazon.com/p/10025D6MR9SUB
I’m getting down to the wire, only about a week left! I’d appreciate any and all votes for Juliah’s Recipe For A One-Night Stand!
Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?
I love to read and one day I was between series, waiting for my favorite authors to release the next books, when I decided, “I can do this for someone else! The more authors, the better. Then no one has to wait for the next release.”
Now, writing erotic romance was a different matter. I decided to publish in erotic romance because it was a hot seller and I needed fast cash to pay my divorce lawyer.. It was the best decision ever. Learning to write erotic romance opened the field in ways I could never imagine! It rounded my writing and taught me so many more genres were open and ready to pluck ideas from.
Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I considered myself a writer as soon as I typed “The End” on my first book. The fact that I could complete an entire book, and that it was interesting, is when I decided I was a writer. There was so much more to learn at that point, marketing, inspiration for the next book, branding, improving your writing technique. It was all a blast!
Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?
My first book, which is still unpublished, is about the wacky little mountain towns of Colorado. The second book in that series is what I need the Kindle Scout votes for! If it makes it, I’ll publish the first and third books. They are: Tori’s Secret To A Happy Divorce, Juliah’s Recipe For A One-Night Stand, and Valentina’s Day for a Cupid’s Encounter. They all have the same characters, the heroes are the police officers in the town, and the heroines live in the same neighborhood.
My first published book, Born Again, was inspired because of a book conference at the time, in which the featured publisher said, “This is the next book we’re looking for. A vampire versus a werewolf, tempered by a human female.” This was long before Twilight, LOL! My current WIP was that exact scenario, but the publishing house was erotic romance and so I stopped working on it, and wrote another with the same demand. It turned out very different from the one I had been writing, and only took me a month to complete. It became my first published novel with that publishing house.
Fiona: Do you have a specific writing style?
I’m a very diverse writer. I can write in first person for paranormal, urban fantasy, or young adult work. I can write in third person for romance. I can write different books at the same time, though at that point I think an editor is very necessary!
Fiona: How did you come up with the title?
Sometimes the titles come first, before you write the book. Other times, you title it “New work” until something snaps and you name it. And lots of times, you change the title over and over until it fits, LOL.
Fiona: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
I love to stretch the imagination. If you don’t believe in the existence of other beings, you’ll see a possibility where they can exist. If you do believe , you’ll be transported to a magical time and place away from human life for a while! I’ve written reincarnation, vampires, werewolves, demons, and contemporary comedy series in which the heroes are police officers in a small mountain town.
Fiona: How much of the book is realistic?
All of my books are spun from my creative imagination. I may use the name of a place, or a person, but that’s about it. The character then writes himself. For instance, I met a cashier at the grocery store who’s name was Afton. It was such a cool name, she became a character in my urban fantasy novel Kiss Me Before I Die. I knew nothing else about her aside from seeing her name tag!
Fiona: Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
They can be, but like anything, you twist and exaggerate it until it becomes nothing like the original event or person. That’s what makes a story interesting-the fiction aspect. The embellishment.
Fiona: What books have most influenced your life most? a mentor?
I was a fan of urban fantasy author Kim Harrison. On her blog one day, I asked a question. “How does one begin writing?” She suggested joining a writer’s group. I researched writer’s group and began from there. If she hadn’t made that suggestion, I probably would never have managed to stick with writing, and publish.
Fiona: What book are you reading now?
Writing takes so much time, I rarely read. If I do, they’re “quickie” stories, short books I can read in a day. Because I’m a speed reader, books don’t take me long anyway! I love the action of urban fantasy, but sometimes I need the happy ending of paranormal romance. Lots of times, actually. Sometimes I want a quick entertaining read, something that doesn’t take you through time travel or lots of details.
Fiona: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
Larissa Iona! Love her novel, Bound By Night
Fiona: What are your current projects?
Right now I’m working on re-writing and editing my previously published novels and self publishing onto Amazon. It’s taking more time than I expected, especially the marketing aspect. I’ve been out of the writing business for five years, my fan base has moved on! After this, I may write sequels to the novels I have, such as Kiss Me When I Wake. And I may also write a completely different novel at the same time, because that’s when I work best.
Fiona: Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.
Definitely fellow authors. They share their knowledge, trials and tribulations. One author, Jory Strong, has even gone so far as to walk me through self-publishing step by step after I’d gotten out of the industry for five years. A lot had changed in that time!
Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?
One day, yes! To be a successful career, you need to be able to pay the bills with your earnings as a writer. If I can market my books enough to do that, I would love to be able to write all day, every day!
Fiona: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
Nope! I write my books with the possibility of sequels for the characters. New ideas are born every day.
Fiona: Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
From reading! I love living in a fantasy.
Fiona: Can you share a little of your current work with us?
I believe my next venture will be alternate realities that live alongside our own. Perhaps fairies. Perhaps witches. Although, there is one WIP that I have tucked away about an angel who has been sent to Earth to figure out what is going on with our planet. She unlocks a bigger mystery than she can imagine.. So far, it’s named Tainted. That could change though…
Fiona: Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
I tend to write fast, so I have to set it aside and reopen it much later to add more detail to it. Sometimes I believe the readers can read my mind, LOL
Fiona: Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?
I don’t have a favorite, because they all have certain strengths and it really depends on my own mood, what I am into at the moment. Sometimes it’s paranormal romance, like the Sherrilyn Kenyon novels. Sometimes it’s urban fantasy, like Kim Harrison. Sometimes it’s dark paranormal, like Laurel K Hamilton. Sometimes it’s comedy, like Janet Evanovich. Steampunk, Kady Cross.
Fiona: Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)?
I did in the past, and it was a blast! The best conference was RT- Romantic Times Book Lovers Convention! Now, with the changing world of writing, it’ not as necessary to travel unless you’re in the learning phase of writing. A sad aspect! I’m glad I had my fun while I could.
Fiona: Who designed the covers?
Right now, I design them. I couldn’t use the covers that my books were published under, and so the current novels on Amazon were designed by lil old me!
Fiona: What was the hardest part of writing your book?
Going through a horrid divorce taught me to write erotic, if primarily for the money. Writing erotic was also the single most difficult thing about writing! There are only so many scenarios to write about, especially when the entire market is blasted with trying to write hotter and hotter. But, I believe it made me a better writer because I know I can be diverse! There’s nothing I can’t tackle if I set my mind to it.
Fiona: Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?
I learned that you must learn about writing in order to write. I think we’ve all been attacked by the “free” books on Amazon, which used to be a brilliant marketing ploy by authors writing a series. They’d offer the first book free, hoping to hook you enough to get you to purchase the rest. Nowadays though, “free” books have been likened to first time writers, who know nothing about the craft. Kudos to them for completing an entire novel! However, they’re not done yet. Now you must learn to polish your craft, learn how to show instead of tell, take workshops, learn about grammar, join critique groups to find the weak spots in your novels, the areas that don’t flow, etc.
Fiona: Do you have any advice for other writers?
Keep learning! Don’t stop with publishing a book. We used to think publishing meant “The End.” That’s no longer the case, not now that anyone and everyone can publish on Amazon. Now, you have to make yourself bigger and better, learn about technique, and editing. You’re never to old to take an English class. There’s always things to brush up on.
Fiona: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
Please remember that reviews where you purchased the book (Amazon) are what enable books to rise in rankings and search engines. When I was a reader, I always clicked on the “star” rating at the end of electronic books. That doesn’t do it for us! Misleading, I know. It takes an actual review on the website. Your reviews matter and keep an author in the business of writing.
Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?
Oh, good Lord, no! I’ve been reading since before I knew I was reading! I read the cereal boxes growing up, every word, even the ingredients. I read crime magazines in the 70’s, before we learned to censor and shield kid’s eyes! Because of that, I always read adult novels as a kid, because my reading level was advanced.
Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?
I love to laugh, but I refuse to cry. I think we were blasted by the “tug your heartstrings” novels, mostly from Oprah’s book club. Life is sad! Life is stressful! I’d rather laugh. I love comedies, which is why I wrote Juliah’s Recipe For A One-Night Stand.
Fiona: Is there one person past or present you would meet and why?
Princess Diana . She had an interesting life. And despite the trials she faced, she did an amazing job raising her sons.
Fiona: What do you want written on your head stone and why ?
Honestly, nothing. I’m in a better place. Don’t spend money writing on a headstone I’ll never see! Cremate me, throw me away, and have a big party! Give away some of my books and hope that encourages young ones to write also.
Fiona: Other than writing do you have any hobbies ?
I love to bellydance. I also took salsa dancing lessons. My husband and I love to hike, and I absolutely love cooking. I spend a good portion of time organizing my recipes from good, better, and the best!
Fiona: What TV shows/films do you enjoy watching?
Criminal Minds. Quantico. Big Brother. Mike & Molly. Law & Order, SVU. Loved Revenge! Dollhouse. Anything by Joss Whedon. Scorpion.
Fiona: Favorite foods / Colors/ Music
I love all kinds of foods. If it smells good, I’m willing to try it! I love deep colors, burgundy is probably my favorite. Music? Anything goes, but my least favorite is rap. Not that I don’t like it! I just tend to listen to easy listening because it’s easier to write to. If I drive in the car, it’s country music. While at work (I work in a metaphysical shop during the day) it’s oldies. Anything goes!
Fiona: If you were not a writer what else would you like to have done?
Something in the health field, or spiritual healing. Alternative medicine.
Fiona: Do you have a blog/website? If so what is it?
I’m currently working on updating everything! When it’s all up and running, it’ll be tied to my name, Rena Marks. I’ll never change my pen name for different works, I’m a firm believer that the name is the brand. If I change genres, I’ll market it as separate but under the same name.
Where are you from: Originally, Newtonville Ontario, Canada.
A little about your self `ie your education Family life etc: I have my high school education and some college. I am married with two little boys (ages 6 and 4). I’m a stay-at-home mom and full time writer.
Fiona: Tell us your latest news?
J.C.: I just released Damaged Goods. It is the first book in a new series called the Damaged series. I’m releasing the third book in my Collide series November 15th, 2015, and the cover reveal will happen October 1st!
Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?
J.C.: I’ve always loved writing, and I’ve always wanted to “write a book”. I have blogged since 2005 and I adored sharing my stories that way. In 2013, my friend and fellow author Elizabeth Barone peer pressured me to participate in NaNoWriMo with her. I had tried to do NaNoWriMo in 2009, but never quite made it to the halfway point (I had a newborn at the time and it was a little difficult to write), so I wasn’t optimistic I could do it. That’s when I penned the first 50k words of Collide (book one of the Collide series).
Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?
J.C.: I guess in November 2013, when I hit the 50k words required to “complete” NaNoWriMo. I had nearly finished the book, and I kept going because I’d never been so close to finishing one before. I had to push myself, and suddenly I had this finished manuscript in my hands. So, November 2013 is when I started actively writing books not just writing for the sake of writing.
Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?
J.C.: I think we all have that “one teacher”, the attractive one that everyone sort of flirts with and hits on. I know we did at my school, and I couldn’t help but wonder… what would happen if he returned a student’s feelings? It was an abstract thought that I had once, while sitting in class and watching my female peers hit on him, and then when I sat down to write Collide, it just blossomed in my mind.
Fiona: Do you have a specific writing style?
J.C.: I suppose I do. I have an emotional writing style and I love angst, so that definitely comes through in my work.
Fiona: How did you come up with the title?
J.C.: Collide took a lot of pondering and it was actually my cousin, Karen, who suggested it after she read it. She didn’t think the other title I had originally picked out really fit. The second book, Consumed was easier because I knew that Harlow was “consumed” by her choices in book one. Collateral – the third book in the Collide series releasing in November, was pretty easy too. It’s the last book; the sum of everything that has happened so far.
As for Damaged Goods, book one of the Damaged series…it came to me when I shaped Grayson Dixon’s character. He’s an intense, hot and cold male lead that is beautifully broken. He wants to love but, in the same breath, he’s terrified of love. He’s seen when love can do to a person, and he doesn’t ever want that kind of broken dependency. He is Damaged Goods.
Fiona: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
J.C.: All of my novels are centered around the same themes: human emotion is complicated. Love is complicated. It’s not black and white, and happily ever afters aren’t a for sure thing but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy what you have when you have it. Each relationship we form with another human being teaches us something, and those lessons are in my books.
Fiona: How much of the book is realistic?
J.C.: Collide isn’t very realistic at all. I mean, we had a hot teacher that I totally had a crush on – but nothing like that ever, EVER happened (wouldn’t it be fun to say that it did though? LOL). However Harlow’s character and a lot of her relationships and friendships are inspired by real people.
I think if any of my books were close to being realistic, Damaged Goods would be it. I channeled my naïve 17-year-old-self to write that book.
Fiona: Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
J.C.: Yes, especially with Damaged Goods. A lot of things that happened in it were definitely inspired by true events. Grayson’s character closely resembles someone I know and love deeply. Grayson’s reasons to fear love are inspired by true events as well. Everly was inspired by me (and I think, a lot of women) at 17. Teenage girls put themselves through hell when they think they’re in love.
Fiona: What books have most influenced your life most? A mentor?
J.C.: The Harry Potter series has definitely influenced my life most. I started reading the first Harry Potter book when I was 11, and I basically “grew up” with J.K. Rowling’s world of magic. A lot of important life lessons are instilled within its pages. It teaches you to stand up for what you believe is right, to fight against oppression, to value the relationships in your life above all else and to never give up – even when things are impossible.
Fiona: What book are you reading now?
J.C.: I’m reading an ARC of Wicked Restless by Ginger Scott. It’s releasing October 20th and it’s WONDERFUL. I definitely recommend anything and everything she’s ever written, especially the Harper brothers books (there is one before it called Wild Restless).
Fiona: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
J.C.: Karla Sorensen. She’s relatively new and I adore her Three Little Words series. Her character development and the way she weaves a story are captivating and beautiful.
Fiona: What are your current projects?
J.C.: I’m currently working on a new series called The Rebel Series. Rebel Soul, the first novel, will release in the spring of 2016.
Fiona: Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.
J.C.: My friends; both online and in real life. They buy everything I write and cheer me on.
Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?
J.C.: I definitely do! I adore doing it, and it lets me be readily available to my family.
Fiona: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
J.C.: Nope, Damaged Goods was everything I wanted and more.
Fiona: Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
J.C.: I’ve always loved reading and I think when you really love reading, there is a part of you that would adore seeing what it’s like being on the other side – building those worlds, making people fall in love with your characters and your stories.
Fiona: Can you share a little of your current work with us?
J.C.: The Rebel series will follow three siblings: the Miller siblings. They live in a small town in Ontario, and they’re “from the wrong side of the tracks”. The oldest brother, Brock, has served time. In book one, Brock comes back to deal with his sick mother and his younger siblings, and ends up falling in love with Tessa Armstrong, the younger sister of his old best friend. But Tessa’s three older brothers and widower father are protective to a fault, and they don’t want Brock anywhere near her. But luckily, Tessa is as bull-headed as they come.
Book two will be Braden, the younger brother’s story, and his second chance romance with Tessa’s best friend, Elle. Book three will follow Becky, the sister, and her journey in love.
Fiona: Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
J.C.: Just finding the time to get all of the ideas out is challenging!
Fiona: Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?
J.C.: I adore Ginger Scott. She knows how to work with human emotions and clearly, I’m a die-hard fan of that!
Fiona: Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)?
J.C.: I hope to one day! I’ve done a few local signings.
Fiona: What was the hardest part of writing your book?
J.C.: Knowing when to quit! Sometimes you don’t want to say goodbye to certain characters, so that can be hard.
Fiona: Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?
J.C.: I learned to take my time and not rush things.
Fiona: Do you have any advice for other writers?
J.C.: Just do it –get those ideas out! You can always go back and revise and change things after you complete the first draft.
Fiona: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
J.C.: Thank you for taking a chance and reading me! And thank you for loving my work enough to tell other people and to keep coming back!
Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?
J.C.: I honestly can’t remember. I remember the first two series I ever read…The Babysitters Club and Goosebumps series.
Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?
J.C.: I laugh at ridiculous things. Honestly, I have the sense of human of a 12 year old boy. Everything makes me cry – that Budwiser commercial for drinking responsibly, the one with the dog waiting for his owner? That made me cry like a baby last night. I also cried over a cute commercial of kids being able to tell their moms from just touching their faces. LOL.
Fiona: Is there one person pass or present you would meet and why?
J.C.: I’d love to meet J.K. Rowling, because really – she’s J.K. Rowling! She changed my life and the life of many people with her books, and she started from the bottom. She struggled, she fought to get where she is today.
Fiona: What do you want written on your head stone and why?
J.C.: I really don’t know…I haven’t thought about that before. Maybe just my name and stuff, I think I’d leave the quotes to my husband or kids but I would request that they make it funny in some way.
Fiona: Other than writing do you have any hobbies?
J.C.: I love reading, being outside, camping, and swimming.
Fiona: What TV shows/films do you enjoy watching?
J.C.: Outlander, Game of Thrones, Vampire Diaries, Blindspot, The Walking Dead, Fear the Walking Dead (even if it angers me a lot).
Fiona: Favorite foods / Colors/ Music
J.C.: I love anything in the pasta food group or pizza. My favorite color is purple and honestly I have a billion favorite songs and to a bunch of different genres. My YouTube playlists for books sort of show that.
Fiona: If you were not a writer what else would you like to have done?
J.C.: I always thought it’d be incredible to be a nurse or a vet.
Fiona: Do you have a blog/website? If so what is it?
J.C.: I have a personal blog where I write about basically anything and everything. http://sarcastica.ca I also have a website for my book stuff http://jchannigan.com
Book Details:
Title: Collide (Collide Series Book 1)
Author: J.C. Hannigan
Publisher: Booktrope Publishing
Re-Release: May 11th 2015
Purchase Link: amzn.to/1JNKPgJ
Synopsis:
Harlow Jones has a troubled past, and a questionable future. Surrounded by death, tragedy, and intrigue, she is forced to mature long before her time. Plagued by anxiety and depression, she hides her inner turmoil with spite and sarcasm. Her thick skin is impenetrable…or so she thought. Until she becomes involved with her grade twelve English teacher. In this exclusive entry into the new adult genre, with raw style that is as dark as it is poignant, Collide presents the ultimate choice: forbidden love or doing the right thing.
Title: Consumed (Collide Series Book 2)
Author: J.C. Hannigan
Publisher: Booktrope Publishing
Re-Release: July 1st, 2015
Purchase Link: amzn.to/1KrZAwp
Synopsis:
Jax Walker is a hard man to resist. He’s tall, dark, and delicious. Harlow didn’t plan on falling for another, with her heart still stuck on Iain. But it’s so hard with him gone. And she’s been aching since they last touched. Two whole years of silent wondering; of desperate sleepless longing. Fate, however, may have other plans. Just as Harlow’s ready to open herself to new love, her whole world is pulled into a twisting and painful spiral. In this new adult novel, readers are consumed by the collision of past and present. Raw and dark, this emotional minefield is the perfect second book in the continuing story of Harlow Jones.
Everly Daniels can’t seem to fall out of love with Grayson Dixon.
Five years after locking eyes with him, Everly is drawn to him like a moth to a flame. He has a pull on her that she can’t seem to break, even if she wanted to. Grayson may be the love of her life, but he doesn’t make it easy. He has built walls around himself that only Everly can breach. But Grayson knows he is not the good guy. He’s reckless and careless, and even if Everly brings a little color into his life, he worries he will destroy her, and cares too much to let that happen.
She has always been the shy wallflower who is afraid to participate. But senior year, all that is about to change.
This captivating new adult novel will take readers on a riveting journey of emotion and growth.
Author Bio:
JC Hannigan lives in Ontario, Canada with her husband, their two sons, and two dogs. She writes contemporary romance, through which she brings to light awareness of mental health and social challenges. Like any good Canadian, she loves hiking and carbs. Collide is her first novel.
Family life etc I was raised in Sydney and Launceston (Tasmania) and Melbourne, Victoria. I started my education at a Catholic school, before settling at a primary school and then highschool. I am single and have two brothers, one older, one younger.
Fiona: Tell us your latest news?
Trying to find a publisher for my two children’s books, as my current publisher does not produce kids books.
Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?
I started writing when I was about seven years old and won a small prize for a story about Santa Claus.
Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?
In the mid nineties, after selling about a dozen stories to men and women’s magazines.
Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?
I had the story floating around in my head for several years prior to getting it down on paper.
Fiona: Do you have a specific writing style?
Not really, just stock-standard, I’d say.
Fiona: How did you come up with the title?
I actually had the title from the very beginning, because of the character interactions.
Fiona: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
Not really, just want it to be entertaining, even thought provoking.
Fiona: How much of the book is realistic?
It’s not auto-biographical, but its handy to write about things that you know about, like airplanes, for example. I learnt to fly when I was sixteen. I also lost a leg to cancer, so writing about such things comes easy.
Fiona: Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
Not the experiences, no. I have a wild imagination.
Fiona: What books have most influenced your life most? a mentor?
I have read lots of the classics, but really enjoy Stephen King and Jackie Collins.
Fiona: What book are you reading now?
Stieg Larsson’s The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo.
Fiona: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
Not really that excite me.
Fiona: What are your current projects?
Getting my two kids books published, one of which is on my website for people to take a look at, I hope.
Fiona: Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.
Don Sowman, my flight instructor, who died in an air-crash some years ago.
Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?
Yes, I do. A hard and noble one, at that.
Fiona: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
Probably not. I spent a lot of time rewriting and editing to get it right.
Fiona: Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
A school project back in primary days.
Fiona: Can you share a little of your current work with us?
The two kids books are entitled, Bungadungaloo and A Nearly True Story, both for Middle-Grade.
Fiona: Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
I like to place twists all over the place and hope the reader discovers them.
Fiona: Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?
Stephen King, he’s the master. My fav is ‘Misery’.
Fiona: Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)?
No, not really.
Fiona: Who designed the covers?
My publisher arranged all that.
Fiona: What was the hardest part of writing your book?
Being patient in getting a publisher, which isn’t so easy these days.
Fiona: Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?
Not really.
Fiona: Do you have any advice for other writers?
Keep at it. If you’re a writer at heart,. You will always find a way to do it.
Fiona: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
Hope you enjoy it, and also hope you were a little shocked.
Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?
The Day of the Triffids
Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?
A very dry sense of humor gets me chuckling, not much makes me cry.
Fiona: Is there one person pass or present you would meet and why?
I’d like to meet Captain James Cook, he was a great navigator.
Fiona: What do you want written on your head stone and why?
He Tried His Best!
Fiona: Other than writing do you have any hobbies?
Fishing.
Fiona: What TV shows/films do you enjoy watching?
The old si coms are my favorites, like Seinfeld and Friends.
Fiona: Favorite foods / Colors/ Music.
Any roast, Green and Neil Diamond.
Fiona: If you were not a writer what else would you like to have done?
Airline Pilot.
Fiona: Do you have a blog/website? If so what is it?
lol I was born in Detroit, MI, lived there till I was 6, then grew up in Cashton, WI. I travelled around the US trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. I have lived in. Sierra Vista, AZ, Minneapolis, MN, Cohasset, MA, Blue Ridge, GA and finally Covington, TN
A little about your self `ie your education Family life etc:
I graduated HS from Cashton, WI, I have an Associates Degree in Commercial Arts from Western WI Technical College, and a Bachelors Degree in Education K-6 from the University of TN Martin.
I have 3 fabulous sisters, Karen, Pam and Cathy and a brother. Jeff. They are very supportive and helpful in my writing endeavour. I am the mother of an incredible son. Benjamin. I have three nieces and three nephews who became characters in the book.
I was diagnosed with dyslexia in elementary school and took years to retrain my brain to learn to read. My mother was instrumental in helping me love the written word. We lost her back in 2003. And sadly we lost my Dad this last June, 2 ½ months before my first book was printed.
Fiona: Tell us your latest news?
I have published my first book, ‘Into the West’ the Seven of Power in August 2015. It is the first book in a four book series.
Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?
I was very much like my father, a storyteller. I spent many nights telling stories to my sisters and brother to help them fall asleep. When I was in Middle School I started writing some of the stories down, but never finished any of the stories. Into the West is the first completed story I ever finished.
My sisters, brother and I spent many hours running around a 336 acre farm and using our creative imagination to come up with games to play, which in turn started my story telling skills.
Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I considered myself a writer on September 5, 2015 when I held my first printed book in my hand. Lol It never seemed real before then.
Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?
Well many things inspired me. The ending of the Lord of the Rings always hit a nerve with me. I didn’t like the fact that the story seemed to make it sound as thought these magical creatures were going off to a mass suicide. I just had many ideas of what could have taken place. These creatures had Earth magic, so I took my ideas of what I thought could have happened and ran with it. I am also very environmental and wanted to bring awareness to play in how we are hurting our own environment.
Fiona: Do you have a specific writing style?
Um I have no idea. Lol. I just write what flows out of my head. My family says that I have too much detail in my initial write and have to tone it down. I guess I just want people to see what is in my minds eye. I want people to come along on the journey with me.
Fiona: How did you come up with the title?
From a song I heard when I first started writing. Each book will have a direction to it. thus four books, four directions.
Fiona: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
Yes. I want people to become aware of the echo system and how important it is to our survival. I also want people to understand cooperation and how much easier to work together than fighting amongst themselves.
Fiona: How much of the book is realistic?
Well the places in the book are realistic. The book takes place between Washington State, Oregon and Upper California. I researched places my characters could do to that people could relate to.
Fiona: Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
Each of my characters holds a piece of myself and the different aspects of my personality. I grew up dyslexic. I was teased and bullied growing up. I was told years later it was because I looked at the world differently than other did and it scares people. I think most people who are artistic and creative look at the world outside the proverbial box. I have come to terms with the way I am and am happy.
Fiona: What books have most influenced your life most? a mentor?
I am not one to sit and read an autobiography or informational book. To help teach me to read and comprehend what I read, my mother (who had over a thousand Harlequin Romance books) started me reading romance. I discovered fantasy and ran with it. I love vampire romance, paranormal romance, historical romance and fantasy books. I read for enjoyment. I have many art informational books because I love to learn different art techniques. I think my Mom would be my mentor, or my fourth grade teacher Mrs. Funk. They both open up worlds that I would never have found without them. As a teacher I encouraged my students to read. I told them ‘words were power’ and between the cover of a book is an adventure waiting to happen, it was up to them to take the first step.
Fiona: What book are you reading now?
LOL for the third time…Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, J. K. Rowlings, opened the pages to millions of children, men and women to the written word. I admire her for that and hope my book will touch people as well.
Fiona: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
I have found a few new authors I have enjoyed their work. Quinn Loftis writes the Grey Wolf series which I thoroughly enjoy. I like Christine Feehan, Lindsey Sands and Gena Showalter books. I have met so many new authors, with the help of Deborah Brook Langford, whom I look forward to learning about and reading their books.
Fiona: What are your current projects?
I have just finished the initial write of the ‘Southern Skies’ the Seven of Power. Book two in the Seven of Power series. I am working on different aspects of the book and hope to have it edited and ready for release for Valentines. I have also started the initial beginning of “Northern Lights” The Seven of Power book three of the series.
I have also started writing down ideas for another book series once the Seven of Power series is completed.
Fiona: Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.
I would have to say my friend Jennifer Richardson and her daughter Katie have been my biggest fans. They have always been there to encourage me and lend an ear as a sounding board.
Deborah Brooks Langford has been a huge help and source of knowledge of how books are published and promoted. The day I invited her into my classroom as a guest speaker for my students has changed my life forever. I will always be greatful.
Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?
Absolutely, I am not much of a time clock puncher. I have spent my life trying to figure out what I wanted to do when I grew up. Writing fits me. Illustrating books fits me. I thoroughly enjoy working my own hours and getting lost in the words and worlds I am creating in my mind.
Fiona: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
LOL I was changing things in the book up till the day of publication. I think every author thinks there is always something they would have loved to add or take out. I love the journey my seven characters have taken, and think it gave a great platform for book two.
Fiona: Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
My interest started with my Father’s storytelling as a child. I seemed to have the natural ability to find the words. My father told stories of his life, something I will always regret not writing down, but I lived in a world of elves, unicorns, gnomes, dwarves and other magical creatures. I began writing down stories I told my siblings, always thinking “I’ll go back and finish it later,” yet life happened and I never took the time. Now my son is grown and I have the time to focus on my stories, and behold I finished my first book!
Fiona: Can you share a little of your current work with us?
Into the West ‘The Seven of Power’, is a book about seven teenagers who grew up in the United States just like any ordinary teen. Casey, the main character, is left alone when her ‘father’ is murdered. At the reading of his Will, she is given a book which turns her life upside down. She discovers her Dad was not really her biological father, but rather a guardian who was charged with protecting her from a great danger from another world. She learns that her life has been a lie and now is charged with finding six others like her. The book warns of a group called the Horde, whose only goal is to kill her and the others. Now these seven virtual strangers must learn to work together to make it safely to a gateway that will lead them to Teradine, the world of their birth.
Fiona: Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
Yes, having been dyslexic my spelling is not always the best, as well as learning the past tense, present tense aspect. I don’t think about it while I am writing, but it gives my editor something do.
I have also discovered that in some ways it is difficult to write certain scenes. The characters are all aspects of me and some of the things my characters go through affect me deeply, for I know what they are feeling and can understand the stress and hurt that they are going through. I have cried, laughed and rolled my eyes throughout the many scenes.
Fiona: Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?
That is a difficult question. I really like JK Rowlings. Her books flow when you read them. They have enough description to put you in the scene and carries you along with Harry and his friends.
Quinn Loftis is like that as well. When you read her books you are along for the journey with Jacque and her friends. You can relate to the characters.
Fiona: Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)?
No not really. I used Google Earth as well as Maps to discover the area where the book takes place.
Now with book two. I have to take my readers into another Earth type world. It has been fun creating this new world.
Fiona: Who designed the cover?
I found the picture that was used on the cover and Barry Mowles designed it for me.
Fiona: What was the hardest part of writing your book?
Writing the book wasn’t hard. It the anxiety of waiting to get the comments of people who will read it that keeps me up at night. I have gotten good reviews thus far, but it is mostly from relatives who have read it. I am a perfectionist and want everyone to enjoy the book and look forward to the next one coming out.
Fiona: Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?
I learned that writing a book is not an easy task and I give credit to all my fellow Authors for their endeavors. You also have to have very understanding family, friends, and pets, for once you become immersed in the writing you leave the real world behind and in it those who may need you to be around. Writing is therapeutic as well. I have worked out many past grudges and hurtles I had yet to jump in the words I type on that blank sheet.
Fiona: Do you have any advice for other writers?
Stick it out and don’t take negative feedback to heart. Every one of us has a story to tell, each in our own way. Let it out, for you never know where it will take you.
For you young people out there; writing is not only for the adults. You are immensely creative at this stage in your life and with the world in the shape it is now-a-days your stories need to be told as well. Don’t let the length of a book scare you away from trying, just let your ideas flow. Remember; Words are Power.
Fiona: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
I hope my readers can find themselves in one of my characters and learn the strength we all carry inside of ourselves.
I also want my readers to understand the impact they have on the world we live upon and take steps to ensure they do the right thing in saving our environment for future genterations.
Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?
The first book I remember reading front to back, by myself, was ‘Where the Red Fern Grows”
Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?
A person with a great sense of humor can make me laugh, someone who has no problem with a comeback or someone with a funny laugh.
Death makes me cry. Having to write about my character loosing her father was very hard on me since I have just lost my father as well. Seeing struggles that people have to overcome and the trials they have to go through to overcome them make me cry.
Actually, I am one of those people that can cry at a sad movie or commercial on TV, tear up when I see an animal hurt or killed on the road. See the abuse of children and pets or from a touching quote.
Fiona: Is there one person pass or present you would meet and why?
Albert Einstien. I think he was a purely genuine funny genius.
Fiona: What do you want written on your head stone and why ?
I don’t really want to be buried. Lol, but if I had to have something written it would be.
‘Find your illusion and live it.’
Living others illusions of what the world around you is supposed to be in their eyes is hard. It takes Courage to stand up and face change. Embrace it and know that there comes a time in ones life that you must find the strength to overcome the things you fear and step out of the box people try to put you in and create a world you wish to live in.
Fiona: Other than writing do you have any hobbies ?
I am an artist and love to draw and paint. My summers are spent digging in the dirt in my garden and reading and traveling.
Fiona: What TV shows/films do you enjoy watching?
I am not much for watching TV, The shows they have now-a-days are not really worth watching. I watch things such as; Ghost Hunters, Tree House Masters, Tiny House Living. And I am a movie buff. I watch any movie on the TV I can find when I am not writing.
Fiona: Favorite foods / Colors/ Music
Favorite foods…A well cooked steak, raw veggies and fruit, Gumbo, lobster.
Favorite Colors…well as an artist I love all colors, I am partial to bright blues and yellow.
Favorite Music…I am very diverse in my taste of music. I love movie soundtracks, alternative music, classical music, 60’s-80’s music is rocking.
Fiona: If you were not a writer what else would you like to have done?
I think I would have worked as an Illustrator. I find punching a time clock tedious and stress about being late.
Fiona: Do you have a blog/website? If so what is it?
Not at this time. It is in the works. I do have a Facebook sight for my book and illustrations ‘Artist and Author Sandy Sass’
I also have my art on Fine Arts America.
This is where you can purchase my books
A little about your selfie your education Family life etc
I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from The University of Texas in Arlington and my Master’s degree from Dallas Baptist University. I have a 9-year-old son and am expecting a baby in December. I’m married to my college sweetheart.
Fiona: Tell us your latest news?
I just released A Different Side, Book 4 in the University Park Series.
Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?
I started writing 6 years ago after I experienced corporate burnout.
Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?
When I published my first book.
Fiona: Do you have a specific writing style?
I’m a plotter and not a panster.
Fiona: How did you come up with the title?
It was fairly easy to come up with the title, A Different Side – because it was Raven’s story.
Fiona: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
I always have a message for readers. I like for them to derive it for themselves.
Fiona: How much of the book is realistic?
I try to make my books as realistic as possible by doing lots of research and interviewing people who have experience with the various topics my books include.
Fiona: Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
I usually pull from experiences that I’ve encountered or that people I know have faced.
Fiona: What books have most influenced your life most? a mentor?
Books that influence me are non-fiction and are self-help or spiritual in nature. When it comes to learning my craft, I study various books and read books from my favorite authors.
Fiona: What book are you reading now?
Jamie McGuire – Something Beautiful
Fiona: What are your current projects?
Currently writing a Christmas novella and another surprise series.
Fiona: Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.
Fans of course!
Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?
Most definitely, especially if you’re self-published.
Fiona: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
No.
Fiona: Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
The entire writing process is a challenge, but I love it.
Fiona: Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?
I have several favorite authors and I would have to say it’s their overall ability to tell a story and do it well.
Fiona: Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)?
I don’t travel that often but love to do book signings. I had to cancel most of my engagements this year due to my pregnancy.
Fiona: Who designed the covers?
Cora Graphics and Indie Solutions design my covers.
Fiona: What was the hardest part of writing your book?
For me it was writing in a man’s voice.
Fiona: Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?
I learned a lot about football!
Fiona: Do you have any advice for other writers?
Study your craft, learn what POV you write best in (1st, 2nd, or 3rd), hire a good editor and graphic designer. Grow alligator skin – you’re going to need it!
Fiona: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
Thank you for all your support!
Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?
A good tear jerking book or movie.
Fiona: Is there one person pass or present you would meet and why?
There’s lots of people I’d like to meet, but no one in particular.
Fiona: What do you want written on your head stone and why?
Loving Wife and Mother
Fiona: Other than writing do you have any hobbies?
I like to decorate, make swag, do different arts and crafts, and play the piano.
Fiona: What TV shows/films do you enjoy watching?
Fear The Walking Dead, The Walking Dead, Modern Family, Fixer Upper and Flip or Flop.
Fiona: Favorite foods / Colors/ Music
Sushi, seafood, purple, all kinds of music
Fiona: If you were not a writer what else would you like to have done?
I worked in human resources for over 15 years so I could always go back to that, but I always wished I would’ve majored in interior designing.
Fiona: Do you have a blog/website? If so what is it?
The highly anticipated story from the University Park Series.
Park Hill University’s star quarterback, Raven Davenport, has every woman dying to get caught in his trap, but he’s only interested in catching one girl – Lexi Thompson. But will he learn how to deal with his inner demons or will they continue to control him to the point of destroying what he loves most? Read Raven and Lexi’s story from a different side. ***STANDALONE**
Recommended age: 18+ for adult content and sexual situations
She was one-hundred percent correct. I didn’t know her, but something about her gutsy, no-nonsense attitude told me she wasn’t like the other girls. That made me want to know her more. Even though I liked easy, I was up for this challenge. And Lexi Thompson seemed like a good challenge. ~ The Raven
The visions I had buried, all the pain and past hurts, were laying in front of me. Plain as day for me to see. The cards that I carried were my life and would never go away. I hated that I couldn’t conquer the demon voices. They were on a mission. A mission to destroy me. And I was letting them. The fight was over. ~ The Raven
I lay in bed, unable to stop thinking about Lexi. She was totally invading my space and I liked it. I liked the way she bit her lower lip as her eyes appraised me. I liked the way her pouty lips called to me, begging me to devour them. I liked her sweet scent of peaches and honey that swirled around me. Shit, I liked it so much, but I’d be totally screwed if I messed this up. ~ The Raven
There was only woman that I wanted and I was sure she was at some other guy’s side. That was the story of my life. At least I had one thing going for me. The field might have been my saving grace, but it was also my battlefield. ~The Raven
I wanted her to remember this kiss. And every kiss after that. I was ready to take those lips captive and show them what they’d been missing. ~The Raven.
Lexi spoke softly and I felt myself getting caught up in every word. She was consuming me one word at a time. ~The Raven.
Her presence was a bad idea. I wasn’t sure if I could ignore her when all I wanted to do was kiss her and tell her how much I missed seeing her this past week. But I had to be strong.
I had to keep to the plan. Lexi and I weren’t good for each other. ~ The Raven
This was killing me, more than she knew. But I couldn’t back down. I had to do the right thing. I could think of million reasons I was bad for her, but I could also think of a million reasons not to give her up. ~The Raven
God. She was killing me. I pulled away. I couldn’t get caught up in her words. They were too intoxicating and she was too tempting. My heart was determined to get what it wanted. But I refused to let it. ~The Raven
Damn, she was so freakin’ hot when she was mad. I hated it and loved it all at the same time. ~ The Raven
Lexi had me drugged with her love. It was like nothing I’d ever experience before and I wanted more of it. But this was all I would ever get. ~The Raven
Walking away from the very thing I wanted the most was the hardest thing I’d ever done and I didn’t feel good about my decision. But I did what had to be done. I saved her from me. ~The Raven
My heart ached for her. I wanted to love her and show her what it felt like to be loved — but I didn’t know how to do that. The only thing I was good at was giving women a night to remember. That didn’t include a commitment and being a boyfriend. That was foreign to me.
~ The Raven
I was The Raven. Fast and light footed. Taking flight across the field like a bird — a raven. That innate instinct made me nearly untouchable. The saying was they had to touch me first before they could tackle me. And not many could. That’s what made me a damn good quarterback. ~The Raven
Her lips brushed against mine and I kissed her softly. I could taste it now. Her love. I was already wasted on it. And I was ready to drink more of her sweetness. The odds might have been against us, but it didn’t matter. All roads were leading us directly to each other. ~The Raven
My soul called out to Lexi’s, dying to be connected with the piece that had been missing. Lexi held a piece of me I couldn’t function without. I needed her to be whole. ~The Raven
Her words wrapped around my heart, giving me a new inspiration to try my damnedest not to disappoint her. Lexi was a part of me. A part I didn’t want to be without. A part I needed to survive. ~The Raven
I’d be totally lost without her – paralyzed. They had a free ticket to destroy me. But what hurt the most was thinking what it would be like without her. No more beautiful smiles. No more breathless moments. No more making love to her. ~The Raven
She kissed me softly and I saw it all – the love and care she had for me, the forgiveness, the determination to be with me. It was all there, waiting for me to accept. I was willing to do whatever it took to be with her. ~The Raven
Lexi was all I ever wanted. All I ever needed. We were meant to be together. ~The Raven
Our kiss grew hungry as we devoured each other’s lips and twined our tongues together. The warmth of her mouth sent my body into a state of need. I wanted Lexi. On top of me. Kissing me. Loving me. ~The Raven
All I could think about was Lexi. Her beautiful face…the sparkle of her brown eyes, the perfect slope of her nose that led to her plump, full lips. Lips I wanted to kiss all day and night. ~The Raven
I was ready to give her what she needed – all the love I had for her. I was ready to show her the passion that had been building inside of me. I was ready for her to sink into my trap and allow the blue waters of the Gulf Coast to carry us off to a remote island and never return. ~The Raven
All I wanted to do was: Love her. Touch her. Cherish her. For all eternity. ~The Raven
The love between us was pure. Genuine. One of a kind. And meant to be forever. ~The Raven
I hated life. I hated myself. Most of all, I hated that I fell in love with Lexi. I didn’t deserve her. She was better off without me. ~The Raven
Excerpt #1:
“Sorry, I didn’t recognize you.” I gave her a once over. Sheer material covered her long, slender legs and my fingers tensed, eager to find out what was underneath. “You didn’t have to get all dressed up for me.”
Her head tilted to the side and she giggled. “Oh, I went to church this morning. I didn’t have a chance to change.”
She could dress up for me any day. As long as she looked that beautiful. “Oh, darn. I was hoping you were trying to impress me, you know, since you think I’m sexy.” I shot her a wink and then wanted to punch myself. Why did I keep flirting with her? She was my tutor. I had some serious issues. I needed to chill — just get to know her.
Her cheeks reddened and she shifted from one foot to the other. “Who doesn’t think you’re sexy?” She tucked the strands flying around her face behind her ear and then bit her lip.
Everything around me came to a halt as I focused on Lexi Thompson. She was totally sizing me up. I rubbed the side of my temple, feeling the beads of sweat collect. She knew how to get to me, that was for sure.
“Okay, now you’re embarrassing me.” I couldn’t help but smile at her.
“Me?” She pressed a hand to her chest, claiming disbelief. “I didn’t think that was possible.”
“Oh, it is, believe me.” I stood and took a step closer toward her, reclaiming my courage. “Well, you’re thirty minutes late, so you owe me.”
Her eyes widened and she released the grip from her lip. Damn. She was sexy from her head to her toes. I barely knew her and she already knew how to undo me.
“Sorry. We’ll work until we get the paper finished, even if it takes until midnight.”
Neither of us said a word. Just held our gazes on one another, without even flinching. Her beautiful, light brown eyes bore into me, touching the very center of my chest. It was like nothing I’d ever felt before. If she was tugging on my strings, I was totally in the game now. And once I got started, I knew I wouldn’t be able to stop. I’d reel her in slowly, making it impossible for her to resist me, until I had her in my net. She was about to find out what The Raven’s trap was all about.
Teasers:
About the Author:
CM Doporto
Born and raised in the United States of America in the great state of Texas, CM Doporto resides there with her husband and son, enjoying life with their extensive family along with their Chihuahua, Mexican Red Head Parrot and several fish. She is a member of Romance Writers of America, where she is associated with the Young Adult Special Interest Chapter. To learn more about her upcoming books, visit www.cmdoporto.com and sign up to receive email notifications. You can also like CM Doporto’s fan page on Facebook and follow her on Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest.
Age – Old enough to know better, young enough to keep trying
Where are you from – Right now I live in Florida which the Southernmost state in the continental US, but I am a Southerner and believe me Florida is not truly Southern.
A little about your self `ie your education Family life etc
My mother, born and raised in the mountains of West Virginia, was not a writer, but, she was a wonderful storyteller. Not realizing that at heart I was my mother’s daughter, I studied art intent upon becoming a graphic designer. My first job was that of a packaging designer, but it was a short-lived career. Faced with an immediate deadline and a blank space where the copy should have been, I began to write. I never looked back, and it didn’t take long for me to realize that my love for words far outweighed any design skills I acquired along the way.
In the early years of my career I wrote for business and when I switched to fiction I realized that I am more than a writer, I’m a storyteller. Just as brushes are the tools an artist uses to create a picture, words are the tools I use to create a story. With the right combination of words, emotions explode and characters come to life.
Fiona: Tell us your latest news?
I am currently working on The Memory House Series.
It began with Memory House, which is book 1 and the Loft, Book 2, was released September 15th. The Loft was an Amazon Hot New Release and the readers are loving it. Book 3, What the Heart Remembers will be released in mid-November. This is a truly heartfelt romantic series that looks at love, life and the power of friendships.
Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?
As I said earlier, I’ve been a writer for most of my career, I began to consider myself a true novelist when my books began to win Literary Awards. To date I have 23 awards for my books and I can honestly say it never gets old – each one is a new and exciting thrill.
Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?
A love of storytelling.
Fiona: Do you have a specific writing style?
Yes, a Southern voice and very strong character development. I virtually get into the head of every character I create.
Fiona: How did you come up with the title?
On some books I have the title in mind, on others, it comes to me through something poignant that one of the characters say or think.
Fiona: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
I think almost all of my novels have a life inspiring message. There is both good and bad in life, each person chooses what they want to see.
Fiona: How much of the book is realistic?
My novel Cracks in the Sidewalk is based on a heartbreakingly true story, most of the others reflect life experiences but are not tied to one specific event.
Fiona: Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
The people and events f your life just naturally color what you write. My characters are not just one person, but rather a collage of the people and events of my life. Fiona: What books have most influenced your life most? a mentor?
I have dozens of novels that I classify as favorites, but the book that has the greatest actual influence in my life is the Bible.
Fiona: What book are you reading now?
All the Light we Cannot See
Fiona: What are your current projects?
I am just finishing up a novella that will be part of Toby Neal’s Lei Crime Kindle World. It is not a crime story but a look inside the life of one of her most inspiring characters.
Fiona: Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.
The community of Indie Authors – these writers are incredibly generous in sharing knowledge and lending support to one another.
Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?
Absolutely. It is my career.
Fiona: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
No. I am a perfectionist when it comes to writing and if I were not 100% satisified with it, I would not have released the book.
Fiona: Can you share a little of your current work with us?
Yes, following is the opening paragraph from “What the Heart Remembers”
They say with age comes wisdom, but I’m not so certain that’s true. By now I should have learned to temper my expectations, but I haven’t.
I am in my ninety-first year of life, which is somewhat of a miracle. Women in the Browne family do not live long lives; it’s a proven fact. For as far back as anyone remembers, there has been only one cousin who made it to ninety-one, but she’s three-times removed and hardly worth a mention.
The truth is I expected to be long gone by now, but here I am. Alive and well. I’ve tried to adjust my expectations and take each day as it comes, but this is not an easy thing to do. Expectations are a way of life. Sadly enough, they are also what causes more heartache than anything else. I spent most of my ninetieth year, waiting to die. Now I’m wishing I had that year back. Instead of worrying about dying, I’d be celebrating the fact that I’m still living.
Fiona: Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
Storytelling is the magic part – editing is hard work.
Fiona: Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?
I have too many to name. I don’t so much have favorite authors as I do have favorite books.
Fiona: Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)?
Not really. I spend most of my time glued to the computer.
Fiona: Who designed the covers?
A design group called Damonza
Fiona: What was the hardest part of writing your book?
Editing. And letting go of the final manuscript.
Fiona: Do you have any advice for other writers?
Be yourself. Discover what’s in your heart and create characters you love or love to hate. Never allow yourself to follow in the tracks of another author simply because he or she sold a million copies of their book. If you stumble onto that pathway, your readers will know; your characters will sound shallow and superficial. But if you’re true to yourself and work to develop your own voice it will ring loud and true with believability. It isn’t something that happens overnight. I wrote four novels before the fifth was published, but the truth is that the first four didn’t deserve to be published, they were all part of my learning curve. So, stay with it and learn from the writers who inspire you, from the books you love, and from the books you hate. You learn something from every book you read, and sometimes that something is what not to do. Most of all enjoy every minute you spend writing—because if you’re not writing for fun, you shouldn’t be writing.
Fiona: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
Yes…thank you for taking time to review. Reviews are so helpful to readers looking to try a new-to-them author.
Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?
A touching scene will bring tears to my eyes – something that reads true, that you can actually feel. I love to read books that touch my heart and it’s what I strive for in every one of my novels.
Fiona: Is there one person pass or present you would meet and why?
Harper Lee, I’d love to know what prompted her to release that second book now.
Fiona: What do you want written on your head stone and why ?
I guess I would like it to say that I was kind and generous.
Fiona: Other than writing do you have any hobbies ?
LOL – reading, shopping, and floating around the pool in my lounge chair
Fiona: What TV shows/films do you enjoy watching?
I love good movies but I am not a big fan of TV. I much prefer reading to watching television.
Fiona: Favorite foods / Colors/ Music
Ice cream & chocolate, Black to wear, red to have around me, and easy listening music
Fiona: If you were not a writer what else would you like to have done?
I can’t imagine not being a writer.
Fiona: Do you have a blog/website? If so what is it?
Where are you from The UK near London, and the Scottish Highlands when I can spare the time.
A little about your self `ie your education Family life etc I have a Life Sciences degree, with a special interest in genetic engineering, though my knowledge is way out of date. In between graduating and the start of a planned PhD, I worked as a horse riding instructor, and somehow never came out of that industry.
Nowadays, I am a freelance dressage trainer, with clients all over the country up to International level. I have represented the UK myself, and currently compete and judge on the national circuit. Being self-employed has the advantage of setting my own hours, although there are never enough of those to go around!
Fiona: Tell us your latest news?
I’m nearing the end of writing the second novel in my epic fantasy series, The Five Kingdoms. The first one goes by the tagline of ‘Think James Bond meets Lord of the Rings’, which allowed me to combine my love of spy stories with a fantasy setting.
I also just published a short story (Sprite Night) in my urban fantasy Caledonian Sprite Series, in which I explore environmental issues combined with action and dashes of both humor and pathos, set against the awesome backdrop of the magical Scottish Highlands.
Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?
I began my first novel before I was 10 years old. It never got finished because I was distracted by the fun of producing my own comic book, complete with terrible drawings (I’m no artist). My first serious attempt at writing a novel was at University, and that became what I consider my apprentice piece – a 200,000 word science fiction opus that wasn’t of publishable quality, but was my first completed novel.
Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I’ve always considered myself a writer, since that early start, but I began to believe I could really produce something worthwhile when my third book won a UK Arts Board Award which sent me on a residential writing course, and the tutors there took me seriously.
I also had encouragement from the much-missed prolific fantasy author David Gemmell. I attended a writing conference where he was taking a workshop, and he critiqued a piece of work I’d submitted. We corresponded for a while afterward during which time he gave me both advice and encouragement.
Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?
I started my first book (as an adult) after watching a particularly stirring episode of the sci-fi series ‘Blake’s Seven’ (yes, that does age me) in the university common room. I went back to my digs bursting with the desire to produce something as creative, and voila, my first novel began.
Fiona: Do you have a specific writing style?
Not really. I’ve sold a lot of non-fiction articles to magazines, and learned early on that you must study each publication’s style and produce just that, if you wish to sell to them. As a result, I’ve written in many differing styles, and for my fiction I do similarly: my epic fantasies use very different language choices to my urban fantasies, each in line with reader expectations of the sub-genres. That doesn’t mean to say I copy other authors, but I like to think of my prose more as invisible, with stand-out characters and dialogue as the prominent features.
Fiona: How did you come up with the title?
I’m a huge lover of double meanings, and ‘The Prince’s Man’ refers to a character who turns out to be just that, but in more ways than one. More information would spoil the surprise.
‘Desprite Measures’ is homage to my love of puns, with other ‘spritely’ titles already planned for future additions to the series.
Fiona: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
In Desprite Measures, definitely. I chose the character of a water sprite – a creature of nature – to highlight environmental issues that we are all facing right now, and I hope it will give people cause to think about the health of the planet even as they read the story.
Fiona: How much of the book is realistic?
The settings! Desprite Measures is set in the beautiful Scottish Highlands, and the text has active links embedded so those with appropriate E-readers can click on the links and see photographs and information about the locations where the story takes place.
The environmental concerns addressed are also sadly all too realistic.
Fiona: Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
Both, though I wouldn’t want to admit which.
Fiona: What books have most influenced your life most? a mentor?
I’d say the first adult SF novel I read – Dune by Frank Herbert, which opened my mind to the incredible possibilities of the genre, and my first fantasy, A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin, with its amazing depth of character development, which began my (amateur) interest in psychology – an interest I apply both in the characters I write in my own novels, and my day job, in the form of applied sports psychology in my coaching.
Fiona: What book are you reading now?
Wickedly Wonderful, by Deborah Blake. It’s the second in her Baba Yaga series, and I’ve enjoyed her fiction from the moment I found it, back when she was still an indie author.
Fiona: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
Far too many to mention! I keep reading indie published books, so they are all new authors to me. My favorite so far is Kaitlyn Davis.
Fiona: What are your current projects?
I’m just drawing the second of my Five Kingdoms novels to a close, and I’m in the planning stages for the novella that runs concurrent to that. I also have a couple of short stories in mind to write, one in each of my series.
Fiona: Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.
The writer’s group I belong to – we meet once a month and critique a couple of pieces of work, so there is time enough between your ‘turn’ coming around to get some writing done! There are around 7 or 8 of us most of the time, though numbers vary a little as members come and go. Some of us have been there since it began, back in the 1980s, and we are all now published in one form or another.
Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?
Not for me, at least, not full time. I’m too accustomed to leading a physically active life and I love my day job. I do see writing taking up a larger chunk of my time as I get older and don’t want to be out in all weathers all of the time, but I can’t see myself ever being totally desk-bound, unless I’m incapacitated by accident or illness.
Fiona: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
Nothing springs to mind.
Fiona: Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
I’ve been an avid reader from as early as I can remember, and it just seemed natural to want to write stuff that I’d like to read. It never occurred to me not to write.
Fiona: Can you share a little of your current work with us?
Yes, but of course it is a work in progress, so the finished article may be different after editing.
From Usurper’s Legacy, the sequel to The Prince’s Man.
“So what’s to be seen?” asked Enya after she had settled herself on the footboard, leaning against Julin’s legs.
Nessa looked around. “Oh, lots of mountains, rocks, sky. Mountains.”
Enya giggled again. “Same as yesterday then.”
“Not truly.” Nessa shook her head before pointing towards a nearby peak. “See there, look at the shape: it’s a dragon, if ever I saw one. And there,” she lowered her arm a little, “a leaping stag.”
“Oh! I see them,” squealed Enya with delight. “What else?”
“Look for yourself. What do you see?”
Enya turned her face up towards Julin. “What about you, Jules? Do you see anything?”
The older girl considered the craggy peaks with an anxious air. “I see lots of places for bandits to hide. Or worse, trolls.”
“Oh Jules,” said Nessa. “Must you always worry so? Look at all the guards we have with us. Not to mention him.He won’t let anything bad happen to us.”
Fiona: Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
Keeping a rein on my imagination. I have so many ideas, I have to keep remind myself that they will not all fit into the current book. This has already resulted in my planned trilogy expanding (so far) into a quadrilogy, with attendant short stories and possibly novellas too.
Fiona: Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?
I really don’t have a favorite, I love so many. To me, the most important features are great character development set against imaginative backgrounds. I’m not over bothered by writing styles, I enjoy a wide range although I’m not thrilled by the current trend of using present tense.
Fiona: Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)?
Not really, although I thoroughly enjoy travelling around the Scottish Highlands and everywhere I visit has the potential to become a new setting in my urban series.
Fiona: Who designed the covers?
Jennifer Quintenz, (author and graphic designer) designed the cover for Prince’s Man; I saw her own book covers and loved them, so I contacted her and asked who did them. When she said they were her own work, I cheekily asked if she’d do mine, and she agreed.
The cover for Desprite Measures is by Alexandria N. Thompson of GothicFate.com, and my short story cover is from ‘The Cover Collection’ – a great source of pre-made covers.
Fiona: What was the hardest part of writing your book?
Forcing myself to stop re-writing; I really enjoy editing, and I struggle to say ‘enough, it’s ready to go’.
Fiona: Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?
Mostly how to edit. I was shocked when my first non-fiction book came back from my publisher with loads of editing questions and suggestions – I thought I’d turned in a finished product! So when it came to editing my own fiction without the aid of a professional editor, I had to learn a lot of self-editing techniques.
I must be doing okay if my reviews are anything to go by – no one has flagged up any problems yet.
Fiona: Do you have any advice for other writers?
Know your genre really well – that means being well read in it. You don’t want to discover half way through writing a book that your idea has already been done to death. At the same time, genre readers (and publishers, if you go that route) will have an expectation of a certain type of read, or else they won’t be interested in buying.
Fiona: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
If you enjoy my writing, please tell me. Emails from fans are such a lift to an author as we work so much in isolation. Lovely reviews are even better!
Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?
Not clearly, although I recall trying to get through Wuthering Heights before I was ten, and not making it.
Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?
The animals that share my life.
Fiona: Is there one person past or present you would meet and why?
Any of the authors I admire, such as Kim Harrison or Richelle Meade, just to chat about writing.
Fiona: What do you want written on your head stone and why ?
“Author extraordinaire”
Just kidding…
Fiona: Other than writing do you have any hobbies ?
With writing, my day job and my animals, those are my hobbies – no time left for anything else!
Fiona: What TV shows/films do you enjoy watching?
SF and fantasy, spies and superheroes, the odd romcom, and good comedy. I’m also a sucker for classic black and whites.
Fiona: Favorite foods / Colors/ Music
Chicken, orange (I’m a redhead, so it goes) and movie soundtracks, which are what I have playing while I’m writing.
Fiona: If you were not a writer what else would you like to have done?
I’m doing it already – horses all the way.
Fiona: Do you have a blog/website? If so what is it?
(I will continue to use Terri DelCampo as my pen name, though I recently married Blaze McRob aka Robert Nelson, and will be using, in my personal life, Terri DelCampo-Nelson.)
Age 57
Where are you from?
Originally from Wilmington, Delaware, but I’ve lived in Georgia for the past fifteen years.
A little about yourself, i.e. your education Family life etc.
My father was an undertaker, my mother a homemaker. Until I was nine we shared a house with my great-grandmother, great aunt, grandmother, grandfather, two boarders and my parents. (It was a big-ass house.) When I was nine my great-grandmother died in my arms, and with her passing everything changed.
I was married at nineteen, dropped out of college where I was majoring in Journalism. I raised two sons, the marriage dissolved after 20 years when I was forty. I got a job and finished raising my sons.
When the mutual funds transfer agency where I’d worked for several years was bought out and my department cut, I wanted to travel the country writing a book about Native American Powwows (I’m part Haudenosaunee) and support myself with temp jobs. However temp jobs had pretty much dried up at the time, and I stalled out in Florida. I had family in Georgia and made it there flat broke and dismayed. That didn’t last long. I got a job as a pharmacy tech at CVS, and I’ve been renting a room from my family ever since.
In 2009 I had a bad car accident and am disabled. Ended my career as a pharmacy tech (good thing) and began my career as editor/publisher/writer of Owl’s Eye View Magazine and my portfolio of Kindle Books.
Spent a couple of years as a live in Nana to my grandchildren, who I miss very much since life took me in another direction, unfortunately far away from them.
Last year I met Blaze McRob (online – he reviewed my dark fiction monthly, “Owl’s Eye View Magazine” and we began messaging back and forth, he in Cheyenne, Wyoming, me in Alpharetta, Georgia. He asked me if I would accompany him to the World Horror Convention / Bram Stoker Awards Banquet. I said yes. And I said yes again when he arrived and proposed marriage. We were wed two weeks ago. We are known by many Alpharettians as ‘the cute couple.’
Fiona: Tell us your latest news?
We newlyweds are starting up a small press of our own, (Blazing Owl Press) to handle our own projects. Blaze and I both have several novels, novellas, short story collections and articles, and we both have experience editing and formatting and have done our share of work for other writers. We want to take some time and concentrate on getting our own projects out there.
Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?
I was eleven and my parents were having marital problems and I had a rich fantasy life. I had a wicked crush on Bobby Sherman and wrote a romance novel. My friends and I used to play pretend a lot, and I would come up with these elaborate role-playing ideas, usually inspired by Star Trek, General Hospital (Jessie Brewer was my idol), and Mary Poppins. I started writing them down.
When I was fourteen I read The Telltale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe and was immediately hooked on the macabre, so my writing gravitated in that direction thus came the ooky short stories, some of which appear in my current collections. When I was sixteen I read “Carrie” by Stephen King and was fascinated by his realism. It never occurred to me to write about mean girls shouting “Plug it up,” and throwing tampons at some pathetic kid in the locker room. My writing had already taken a turn for the macabre after reading Poe, then it took a turn for the horrific after reading King, and I never looked back.
Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?
At eleven. I wrote a novel – 145 pages. That’s a writer. Even though my personal life took a lot of hairpin turns, I never stopped writing. Ever. It’s who I am.
Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?
A pin up teen idol – Bobby Sherman. I had it bad for him. 145 pages worth of serious crush.
My first full length dark fiction was actually in screenplay form. Nazi Conscience. My first two novels, “Reflection,” “Into the Mist,” and two novellas, “Nazi Conscience,” and “Tooth for a Tooth,” were actually all written first as screenplays. Getting screenplays produced is next to impossible, and they were going nowhere, so I wrote them all into novellas and novels and built my portfolio which no one seemed to be interested in, but me, of course.
When I became disabled in a car crash in 2009 I figured it was a good chance to self-publish. I founded Owl’s Eye View Magazine and started putting up my six novels in installments, dozens of short stories, and novellas. The magazine also contains several columns that are penned by fictional characters from my books. I write their articles in their voices, and have a grand time being all kinds of creative every month.
Fiona: Do you have a specific writing style?
I think I lean toward psychological, spooky horror. I’m not about human meat grinder stuff. I can and often do put in the gore, the blood and guts, but it’s always wrapped around a solid story line, and I have a lot of ongoing characters that reappear in other books. Occasionally I will kill them off, (King quotes one of his college professors as saying, “Kill your darlings.” – Meaning don’t get too attached to your own phrasing and passages. But I take that also in a literal way meaning, don’t get too attached to your favorite characters. You’re writing horror – write on the edge.) I try to keep my readers on that edge. I mean, if you can figure out everything that’s going to happen, why spend hours and hours reading a freaking book, right?
Fiona: How did you come up with the title?
I’ve written six novels, three novellas, and a couple of dozen short story collections. As a general rule of thumb, I make up a title that hints at the subject of the book. Fiction titles need to be subtle so as not to give away too much of the story. My non-fiction titles are right to the point and let you know exactly what you’re about to read.
Fiona: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
I write a lot of strong female leads who take no crap from bullies, and who can hold their own in fights – whether physical or magickal. They may lose a battle or two, but they are going to come back and kick ass in the ultimate battle between good and evil. They offer a message of hope from the pits of hell.
I find it difficult to believe that as evolved as human beings like to think we are, there are still women and girls who are oppressed and tortured and killed just because of their gender, in the name of crap written by uneducated dolts centuries ago when they believed the world was flat. I would hope that my characters transcend this superstitious nonsense and move forward from wherever they are, both physically, psychologically, and emotionally. I think ignorance and greed are the two greatest evils in the world.
Fiona: How much of the book is realistic?
I’ve always admired the way Stephen King could take mundane locations and situations and use them to set up his most horrific tales. Having an average, decent day end up in the terrifying, supernatural toilet is my goal. I play the ‘what if’ game a lot. “What if that mirror you just inherited from your grandmother was actually three dimensional and secreted the murderer of your great grandparents? What if you got trapped inside it with him?” “What if a vampire couldn’t stand the thought of killing others to survive?” “What if there were owl sentries that hunted down and mutilated pedophile priests?” (These are the ‘what ifs’ for m y first three novels.)
Fiona: Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
Almost all of my main characters are at least partly based on phases of my real life. Parts of me live in Lucy Bernelli, Meredith Alden, and Melanie Mirth. And the men and women in their lives are often based on friends and relatives from my real life as well.
However, I ain’t revealing any specifics, muahaha!
Fiona: What books have most influenced your life? A mentor?
I loved Dr. Seuss and read all his stuff constantly when I was really little. I also LOVED Mary Poppins. I wanted her to come to my house and straighten out my father the way she straightened out George Banks.
As far as my writing goes, I guess my biggest influences were Edgar Allan Poe and Stephen King. As mentors go, they really cannot be beaten, although there are many seriously awesome writers around who have also influenced me with their creativity and individuality.
Fiona: What book are you reading now?
I’m juggling:
“The Caretaker” by George Weinstein about a ballerina who loses a leg in a car wreck and has to overcome her overprotective husband. Excellent read, I’m almost finished with. I started reading it for my “Terri’s Bookshelf” column in Owl’s Eye View, and have been struggling to finish for weeks now. I’ve been writing, of course, and completing editing projects for Visionary Press which is incredibly time-consuming. I’ve read some really fantastic stuff while editing, but I can’t say anything about those books until they are published! Very frustrating because I want to rave about them.
C.L. Hernandez’ series called “The Complicated Life of Deegie Tibbs.” I’m actually just starting the first book, “A Jar of Fingers,” but I have the second, “The Witch War of Fiddlehead Creek” all lined up in my Kindle.
I’m reading a lot of Blaze McRob’s stuff these days, because we are editing each other’s work preparing manuscripts for publishing as soon as we get Blazing Owl Press established – which will be soon. We’re very close to finishing a Halloween story collection, “Blood Spatter,” which will be released this October as a Kindle book.
I’m also reading up on Create Space formatting and publishing, doing lots and lots of research!
Fiona: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
C.L. Hernandez! Fantastic author, Ms. Hernandez! Relatively new and extremely talented, Fiona. You should interview her if you haven’t already. I can never wait to hide myself away with one of her novels or short story collections and see what kind of chills she’s going to send up my spine. Muahaha!
Check out M.H. Lizzie’s stories on Friday Frights. They are unique and disturbing.
And for Sci-Fi, try Paul Bussard. His stories suck you in and he simplifies the scientific material so it’s completely readable.
Fiona: What are your current projects?
Owl’s Eye View Magazine is dark fiction monthly with five columns and a short story to write, edit, and publish every single month on Kindle.
Blood Spatter – a Halloween collection of stories by myself and Blaze McRob that I am also editing, formatting, doing the cover art for. It will be the first of our books published by Blazing Owl Press on Kindle.
I write a short story every week for FridayFrights.com.
I write a children’s story every week for each of my grandchildren for “The RoJo Adventure Blog.” There are “Princess Rosie and Joey Owl” stories as well as “Kid Joey” stories. They are short, but I do the accompanying art for the blog as well.
I write a non-fiction article or two each month for each of my blogs:
Write Now with Terri DelCampo (My thoughts on all aspects of writing.)
Disability Challenge with Terri DelCampo (My personal experience as a disabled person – some of my solutions to everyday problems facing those challenges.)
Healthy Nudge with Terri DelCampo (Ideas and thoughts about staying healthy, mostly from a nutritional standpoint, but I’ve covered some health issues I’ve had personal experience with, too, like kidney stones and pre-diabetes.)
My personal “Pause for Thought” blog where I write about posts and commentary I’ve come across on Facebook or Twitter that I feel I want to expand upon. Sometimes it’s light, humorous stuff, but I’m an opinionated bitch and some issues grab my attention and I blog away.
Editing projects for both Visionary Press Collaborative and Blazing Owl Press.
I think that’s it… jeez, would you look at all that? Sheesh, I need a nap!
Fiona: Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.
Well, I would say Blaze McRob, but I married the guy, so he’s family now! So I guess I can’t use him for this question….
I would have to say the Northpoint Writer’s Workshop at the Alpharetta Barnes & Noble – Specifically Terry Segal, Paul Bussard, Ann Foskey, Terry Baddoo, and George Weinstein. We’ve all critiqued and reviewed one another’s work. That writers’ workshop was where I got my first validation from other writers. It’s one thing for friends and family to say you’re a good writer. It’s quite another to hear it from writers from different genres, some award winning. I was extremely active in that workshop from 2003 – 2006, and am honored to have remained friends with the members I’ve listed.
Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?
Hell yes! A career fraught with massive hard work and crappy pay (if any pay at all), but a lifelong passion of mine, every aspect of which I’m madly in love with.
Fiona: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
Nah. Once I’m done with a novel I’m done. If I think of anything I left out or anything more to expand upon, I write a sequel or write a related article in Owl’s Eye View Magazine and give my readers a little bit more.
Fiona: Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
I was a somewhat mature and introverted kid with a vivid imagination. And when I was little going to stationary/office supply stores excited me much more than toy stores. I loved pens and pencils and notebooks and desks and my grandmother’s typewriter far more than dolls and balls and monkey bars. Never went ANYWHERE after the age of eleven without pen and paper, and sometimes my typewriter.
Fiona: Can you share a little of your current work with us?
Here’s an excerpt from one of the stories I’ve written for Blood Spatter, which will be released on Kindle by Blazing Owl Press by the second week of October:
SLOTH – DEAD WEIGHT TRIMMED
Terri DelCampo
The crone crept through the shadows in her forest – yes her forest, there was nothing of Mother Nature left there. Long ago Witch Hazel, (That’s right, witch hazel, wanna make something of it? She dares you.) abandoned the Blessed Be and Harm None shit of the new wave paganism and reverted back to ancient practices of alchemy and even the more ancient practices of the dark magick.
She kept a record of all those who’d come to her through the years with physical complaints, and decided to do good and mete her own brand of justice all at the same time.
She had to agree with most religions in the world that condemned sloth.
That was pretty much where her respect for religion ended, mind you: with a few scant rules that all of them had in common to keep the race alive and motivated. Beyond that, all that moral shit, and the hypocrisy, yeah, well, fuck that.
But she hated the way things were these days. People thinking that shuffling paperwork is actually work, that people that carry the weight of the world, the brunt of the work are somehow beneath them, that they don’t want to get their hands dirty with that kind of physical labor, that cheating the 99% out of their fair share after they are the ones that work for it? Well fuck them.
And fuck the 99% that sit back and don’t lift a finger and let them get away with it. World politics was bullshit. What the hell ever happened to inalienable rights? Food, water, shelter? Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness? Bullshit, bullshit, bullshit. Big business, politicians sit on their fat asses pushing pencils and wheeling and dealing everything out from under their own country, and everybody else sits backs and watches, knowing what’s going on, waving goodbye. Sloth. Apathy is a form of sloth, she surmised.
The worst kind, she believed.
So here she was in her forest, ready to work some miracles. But healing the world? Well she could maybe cut out some of the cancer.
She loaded her pickup in the dead of night, for traveling with this cargo might draw some unwanted attention.
She drove through the night, three towns over from her forest, to her first ‘patient.’
The gangrene had spread to the knee, and was well on its greedy way to the young man’s thigh. His three children watched her pile out of her truck, and grab a blanket-wrapped –something– from the bed. Inside the dark figure came, a hood shadowing out her features, except for the tip of her long skinny (stereotypical, actually) nose.
The three children, ages two, three, and five, plastered their little bodies to the wall and the old lady crept through the house and found their father in the back bedroom. She placed her package on the opposite side of the bed on which their father lay, and returned to her truck for a suitcase.
A large suitcase.
They would have screamed at the sight of the instruments inside. So would their father, for that matter, but the witch swirled a little potion in an earthen mug, held the man’s nose and dumped it down his throat. He gulped and gagged at the bitter concoction, but was unconscious within half a minute.
That was when she drew the ax from the suitcase and purified it in the candle flame. When it was hotter than hell she lifted it above her shoulders and wailed down on the young man’s thigh, just above the knee. Slammed it down again and again yet, three times in all, then finished the job with scalpels and shears until the leg from the knee down was severed, and she wrapped it in another blanket she had in the suitcase, and set it aside. She then unwrapped her package, and lifted its contents up, an end at a time, positioning it at the cauterized stump she’d left unbandaged. There was only one way to stop the bleeding now anyway, she thought.
She jammed the leg she’d severed from a crooked politician she’d killed for trying to swindle his town out of the rights to their Community Park and wetlands, onto the end of the stump she’d just created by removing the young man’s leg. He was already beginning to come to, she had to hurry. She waved her hands slowly over the already knitting flesh, mumbling and moaning out her ancient spell, as he began to shriek in pain.
The children, still plastered against the hallway wall, though closer to their father’s door than when the witch had swept through the hall, began to whimper as their father began to cry out making his excruciating pain known not only to them, but to the entire trailer park, it seemed.
And then it stopped. The screams, the horrible hacking sound, the old lady groaning out her spell; all of it stopped.
And the silence frightened the children almost more than their father’s screams. Because they thought the old lady had killed him.
Muahaha! More in Blood Spatter coming in October on Kindle, released by Blazing Owl Press!
Fiona: Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
Formatting print books is giving me some challenges, because I’ve never done it before. Unlike formatting Kindle books, print books are just more complicated and tedious. The covers wrap around, and you have to figure out how much space for the spine depending on book length and make sure along with the text blurbs there is room for bar codes and ISBNs. And inside there are headers, footers, page numbers…eeek! But I’m studying and researching like crazy. I will master it because I’m venturing into the world of publishing with Blaze McRob when we start up Blazing Owl Press. I slack off and I’ll get a chorus of “Asses and elbows, DelCampo! Get it in gear!”
Another challenge is figuring out what to charge for my stuff. I think it’s an introvert thing.
Fiona: Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?
Wow. That’s like asking me which grandchild is my favorite. Poe and King tie. Poe’s sense of the macabre was brilliant, and many of his stories and poems haunt me to this day. King is one seriously talented bastard. He harpoons your thoracic cavity and drags you around through the dark and twisted tunnels of his mind by your heart until he’s done, and then he may or may not just leave you there in the dark or throw you to his most evil character waiting to scare the crap out of you just one more time before you close the book.
Okay, to be fair, I love the In Death series by JD Robb because, well, I lust over her character, Roarke. (Shhh! Don’t tell Blaze!) I love the Kay Scarpetta series by Patricia Cornwell. And for an all-out rollercoaster ride of a read, nothing beats the Bourne books by Robert Ludlum.
Yeah, I’m stopping now. I could write a whole book about authors I admire, which, incidentally includes my husband, Blaze McRob, whose stories freak me out like a series of bad dreams.
Fiona: Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)?
I haven’t so far, because I’m disabled and I had some physical limitations to figure out. I used to go to Dragon Con and other local conventions, which were really cool. I went to a lot of writing panels and met some very talented people who gave me great insight into the publishing process. Now that the wedding is behind us, Blaze and I are saving up for transportation and hoping to do some book signings locally at least, and eventually up and down the east coast. We both have physical limitations that inhibit extensive traveling, but once we get it figured out, boom, baby! We will be out and about.
Fiona: Who designed the covers?
I’ve personally done all the covers for my books because, well, virtually no money. A friend of mine encouraged me to try Pixlr.com, and I found that I actually love goofing around creating art (or my loose interpretation of it, anyway) for my books. My stuff is painfully simplistic, but attention-getting and I had fun doing all of them. I also did the logo for Blazing Owl Press.
Fiona: What was the hardest part of writing your book?
Starting. It always is. I always end up feeding in more material at the beginning, or backstory, or whatever, because I start up with a decent idea and think of at least one cool subplot that I have to put in. Once I get started I wail on a manuscript until I drop. I lock myself away and go to town. Blaze, bless his sweet heart, will start to say something to me, see me hammering away on my laptop and just turn back to his own because I’m from the Jack Torrence school of thought about interrupting writers on a roll:
Okay, I’m not quite THAT psychotic, but I do have tunnel vision when I’m banging out an idea and I’m in get-it-written-mode.
Fiona: Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?
I think every word you write, every sentence you construct, every project you finish, whether screenplay, novel, short story, article, blog, song, or play is a lesson on honing your craft. For that matter, every experience in life is a learning op. It’s all about keeping an open mind and looking at things from every single perspective.
Fiona: Do you have any advice for other writers?
First, write because you love it, not because you expect to set the world on fire financially. That being said, don’t underprice your books. Look up the going rates and price your books accordingly. If nothing else go onto Amazon and look at what the big boys are charging for their books. 99 cent novels are bullshit, even for Kindle books. Yes, there is less overhead, but novel prices are not based on material costs only. Charging 99 cents (and making about 30 cents) for a novel you spent months of your life writing and perfecting is plain insulting. You don’t see Stephen King or Ann Rice or Patricia Cornwell releasing a novel for 99 cents. People would wonder what was wrong with them. You shouldn’t either. Have some dignity. And we won’t even go into 99 cent box sets. Really? Writers are already underpaid and under-respected. Let’s not degrade ourselves, please. If you behave like a professional writer, you will be treated as such.
Next, writers write, and they write every single day. Don’t get caught up in distractions, or worse, excuses. Personally, I designated Sunday as my editor day – all the marketing, business, reviews for others, social page work, etc. goes into a file for Sunday. Every evening I take an hour or so to put a couple of my book and story links up on social pages, but everything else I handle on Sunday. The rest of the days of the week are for writing. When I was working full time day jobs, and raising my children, I used to get up at 4:30 in the morning and write until 7:30. If I was at a crucial point in the story and wanted to get in extra writing I would work my lunch hours, and evenings after the kids were in bed. Writing is time consuming, hard work. If you aren’t willing to carve out at least an hour or two a day from your leisure time to get a few pages written, then find an easier job/hobby. Seriously, I’m not trying to be mean, but it takes dedication. There’s a vast difference between someone who writes books/stories, and someone who wants to have written books/stories. You have to love it; you have to make time for it.
Finally, and perhaps most important: To Writers: Edit and polish your damned manuscripts before you submit them; it’s your book, not the editor’s. If you expect the editor to spend weeks overhauling and rewriting huge portions of your book, then expect to list him/her as co-author. I cannot stress this enough. Submitting a sloppy manuscript is like sending your child to school unbathed and unfed. There should be laws. To Editors: If you don’t know what you’re doing, get out of the editing business. I have seen books with multiple text errors on the covers. Multiple errors throughout the book. There is no excuse for releasing a flawed book to readers. It’s an embarrassment to the author, the editor, and the publisher. But most of all it screams “none of us gives a shit” to your readers. And a done thing is not necessarily better than a perfect thing. First of all, I don’t consider a book done until it’s as perfect as it can be. Everything counts. I will not release a sloppy book for myself or anyone else. And I wouldn’t dream of submitting a manuscript to an editor that wasn’t as perfect as I could make it. I don’t understand so-called authors who hand a mess to an editor. Can you say, rejection slip?
Fiona: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
Love my readers!! There are a few who have been reading my stuff since I was a teenager. That support and loyalty is so appreciated. Validation is a wonderful thing.
Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?
The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore. Read it to my Aunt Edith almost every night. Bless her heart, the woman had the patience of a saint. And The Five Little Fireman by Margaret Wise Brown. Read it over and over and over again to my dad as he drove me to preschool. I also remember Nurse Nancy by Kathryn Jackson and Corinne Malvern. But Santa was first.
Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?
Everything. Blaze and I tease each other and laugh at stuff all day and into the night. And I cry over everything – happy tears, sad tears, angry tears; that’s how I release emotion. If you look at the pictures of our actual wedding ceremony really closely, you’ll see Blaze and I are both crying. I was doing okay until he got all choked up and that did it. My Matron of Honor, bless her heart, knows me, and tucked a tissue into my hand before I dripped on my blouse. I cry at Kleenex commercials, movies (happy or sad), exciting moments (anything from my kid graduating to a great catch in a football game). I’m a big softy.
Fiona: Is there one person past or present you would like to meet and why?
Hmmm. Vincent Van Gogh – just to give him a hug, for he was possibly one of the most tragic human beings ever. His art touched me for the first time when I saw Starry Night in my third grade classroom (Thank you, Miss Centrella!), and shortly after that I saw “Lust for Life” with Kirk Douglas playing Van Gogh. I started reading all about him, and wow, what a life he had. What indomitable spirit! What self-sacrifice!
Edgar Allan Poe – He was brilliant and I would love to just have a conversation with him about writing, and hope that a little of his awesomeness would rub off on me.
Fiona: What do you want written on your head stone and why?
Links to my Amazon Author Page and my blogs. Because if you want to know about me, read my stuff it’s all in there.
Fiona: Other than writing do you have any hobbies?
I’m a movie buff. I own over 500+ DVDs. Blaze and I have dinner and a movie every evening. I love reading, crocheting, photography, cooking, and arranging flowers, though writing and editing sucks up most of my time.
Fiona: What TV shows/films do you enjoy watching?
I’m extremely eclectic. Extremely. I’m a huge Trekkie – own the original series, the Next Generation series, and all the movies. I love “M*A*S*H.” I love “Criminal Minds.” “The Big Bang Theory” is just hilarious. The crème-de-la-crème of my favorite movies are, “Somewhere In Time,” “Mary Poppins,” “Braveheart,” The Bourne Trilogy, the Lethal Weapon series, “Excalibur,” “Finding Nemo,” “Finding Forrester,” and “Red.” Actually I love every one of my 500+ movies. What I watch at any given time depends on my mood.
Fiona: Favorite foods / Colors/ Music
Food: Steamed, hard-shell Chesapeake Bay Blue Crabs. Mac and cheese (the real deal, not the restaurant crap they make from a roux). Let’s put it this way, I’m not shaped the way I am because I’m finicky.
Colors: Blue and purple.
Music: EVERYTHING! Depends on what mood I’m in as to what you’ll hear coming from my apartment. I love blues, Motown, and swing best, but I love Metallica, The Cruxshadows, Ego Likeness, Bella Morte, Vivaldi, Chopin, Mozart, Queen, Billy Joel, and the Beatles too. I have a playlist on YouTube of instrumental music (movie soundtracks and classical) for writing (lyrics distract me). I have a second playlist of favorites on which there are well over two hundred songs from every music genre.
Fiona: If you were not a writer what else would you like to have done?
In first grade I wanted to be a nurse (I think I liked the caps). By third grade my answer was palaeontologist or Egyptologist. Nowadays I think historian/researcher, specifically focusing on Native American history and culture. I’m part Haudenosaunee and that part of my heritage has always fascinated me the most – it’s why my character, Lucy Bernelli is a shaman instead of a witch.
Fiona: Do you have a blog/website? If so what is it?
Here we go. (If you are looking to contact me, the best way is via my Facebook page either by commenting on my posts or private messages. I post on FB daily.)
Age 30-something (I like to keep people guessing J )
Where are you from I was born in Inverclyde, Scotland, then lived in a little village on the outskirts of Renfrewshire. I now live in Paisley.
A little about your self `ie your education Family life etc
I studied an undergraduate degree in Communication and Mass Media at Glasgow Caledonian University. A lot of my studies in Pop Culture during this time have influenced the ideas in my novel Follow Me. After graduating and working for a while I returned to University to study a Post Graduate qualification in Careers Guidance. I’ve been a careers adviser now for about nine years and work with teenagers on a daily basis.
Fiona: Tell us your latest news?
My debut Young Adult mystery novel, Follow Me, is released on Wednesday 30th September 2015 by Strident Publishing Ltd. My launch is going to be on Friday 9th October at the Argyle Street branch of Waterstones in Glasgow at 6.30pm so if any locals are reading, come along!
I started writing stories when I was in Primary School. I always loved to read, and my Mum writes, so it was something I was naturally drawn to. I had a bit of an over-active imagination when I was younger and have always been creative, so some of my earlier writing came complete with illustrations in old school jotters. My brother likes to remind me from time to time of one of my finer stories, Ye Olde Castle, (which had a bit too much Point Horror influence.)
Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I didn’t really start believing I could be a writer until my early twenties. That’s when I began to let other writers, (apart from my Mum), read and crit my work, and also started to slowly submit short stories for publication.
Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?
A couple of things sparked off the ideas for Follow Me. After reading a lot about the Pop Artist Andy Warhol, and his infamous artist studio, The Factory, I began to think how appealing an underground creative hangout might be for teenagers in a town where not a lot is happening – this fed into the creation of The Barn within my book. Newspaper stories from years ago had stayed in my head, about a large number of teenage suicides in a small town and the writer in me kept thinking, What if something more sinister was happening there and no one bothered to figure it out? That’s what sparked off the idea for the mystery element in my book; my protagonist, Kat, is trying to figure out what has really happened to her twin, Abby, refusing to believe she would take her own life.
Fiona: Do you have a specific writing style?
The psychology of people interests me so I like to write character driven stories, delving into their emotions and motivations. My style is quite minimalistic – I like writing a lot of flash fiction which I think has had a knock-on effect with my longer pieces.
Fiona: How did you come up with the title?
I was listening to a random mix of songs when I was writing one day, and one of the lines was something like, ‘Please follow me…’ The words Follow Me gave me goosebumps and I knew I’d found the title.
Fiona: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
I don’t want to spell out all the messages as I think it will be more fun for readers to figure it all out… It explores a few themes: society’s fascination with celebrities, the sense of isolation and loneliness you can feel as a teenager, the allure of wanting to be part of something new and different…
Fiona: How much of the book is realistic?
The characters, the town, and the situation Kat finds herself in, are all from my imagination, but I hope the story is realistic and that readers can relate to a lot of the themes.
Fiona: Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
Apart from the influences I previously mentioned, no, the story and characters are a construct of my imagination, and that is the fun part of writing for me!
Fiona: What books have most influenced your life most? a mentor?
So many books and writers have had an influence on me it’s hard to narrow it down – ones that stick out at certain moments of my life are The Worst Witch series, Roald Dahl books, the Nancy Drew series, Flowers for Algernon, White Oleander, the Beat writers, The Hunger Games, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, The Twilight series, The Harry Potter series, Gillian Flynn books.
My Mum has to be my most influential mentor – I feel very lucky that we share a passion for words and writing as she has been my biggest champion! I’ve also been lucky enough to meet and befriend lots of other fantastic writers along the way
Fiona: What book are you reading now?
I’m currently half way through reading a book called Birdy, by a debut YA writer called Jess Vallance. It’s very quirky and I’m enjoying it so far.
Fiona: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
I’m going to stick to my genre here. I just read Black Eyed Boy by another new YA writer, Laura Huntley,which I also enjoyed. The setting of Whitby was particularly appealing.
Fiona: What are your current projects?
I’m currently working on my second YA novel. That’s all I’m saying about it for nowJ
Fiona: Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.
My friends. They’re all a supportive bunch. Writing groups and events such as Erskine Writers, the Scottish Association of Writers and Weegie Wednesday – so important for advice, feedback and staying motivated to keep going.
Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?
I now treat it like my second job, but I’d say writing has always been, and always will be, a passion.
Fiona: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
No, because I already went back and made most of my major changes before even subbing to my publisher.
Fiona: Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
I think I probably answered that at the start.
Fiona: Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
At the moment it’s finding the head space to get truly lost in the ‘creative flow’
Fiona: Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?
I think this changes every year as I read so much. I have a lot of Douglas Coupland books on my shelf (I like his observational style and pop culture references). I’m also a fan of the dark psychology in Gillian Flynn books.
Fiona: Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)?
I love to travel, but it’s not related to my writing. It would be great if I could go on a world-wide book signing tour one day J
Fiona: Who designed the covers?
The artwork/photography for Follow Me is by a young talented artist, Ida Henrich
Fiona: What was the hardest part of writing your book?
Settling on an ending (after some distance I went back and changed it). I actually loved writing Follow Me – I don’t think I’ll ever find such a ‘flow’ again with a story.
Fiona: Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?
That the actual writing of a book is just the start
Fiona: Do you have any advice for other writers?
Read lots, experiment with your writing, and never give up!
Fiona: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
Thanks for reading my work!
Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?
One of my favourite books as a child was The Tiger Who Came to Tea. I recently read it to my niece and it was nice re-visiting the story.
Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?
People with a sharp wit make me laugh. Books and films do both.
Fiona: Is there one person past or present you would meet and why?
I guess it would be pretty cool to go back to the sixties and hang out with Andy Warhol in his Factory, and Hemingway and his friends in Paris.
Fiona: What do you want written on your head stone and why ?
The Only Way is Up (this is a bit of joke that some of my workmates will get)
Fiona: Other than writing do you have any hobbies ?
I like creative things (art, photography) I love reading, I’m a big film fan and also love going to gigs.
Fiona: What TV shows/films do you enjoy watching?
I love Girls and The Mindy Project. I recently re-watched the whole of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and The Gilmore Girls – two of the best TV series ever. Films – I could be here a while. I like quirky independents, grunge 90s, classic 80s.
Fiona: Favorite foods / Colors/ Music
Chocolate, shades of blue, alternative rock.
Fiona: If you were not a writer what else would you like to have done?
My something else just now is my day job as a careers adviser. I also used to want to be an illustrator or a film director.
Fiona: Do you have a blog/website? If so what is it?
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