Hello and welcome to my blog, Author Interviews. My name is Fiona Mcvie.

 

Let’s get you introduced to everyone, shall we? Tell us your name. What is your age?

Hi! I’m Adrienne Lecter (yes, that is a penname, I wasn’t that lucky). Thank you so much for having me! I’m 34.

 

Fiona: Where are you from?

I’m from Vienna, Austria.

 

Fiona: A little about your self (ie,  your education, family life, etc.).

I have a background in biochemistry and molecular biology that I shamelessly abuse for my books. I’ve been happily not-married for 13 years, and we live with two cats that have adopted us and graciously allow us to feed and love them.

 

Fiona: Tell us your latest news.

I’m ecstatic that the 7th book in my zombie apocalypse series, the Green Fields series, will hit the shelves this fall!

Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?

I’ve started writing in earnest about six months after we got our first computer at home, back in 1996. I was 13, and that story just wanted to be written. I might revisit it in the future to whip it into shape to publish it. It was a sprawling epic fantasy tale, and would likely hit home with the fans of GRR Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series.

Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?

Not that long ago, certainly after I’d published my first few books.

Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?

I don’t quite remember. I think it was something between wanting to tell that story that nobody had written yet, and use that shiny new computer for something else than Minesweeper. As for my first book published under this name, I wanted to see if I could make a living selling books. Right now that’s looking good.

 

Fiona: How did you come up with the title?

For my zombie books, I wrote them all out in order of escalation of the story (aka the outbreak of the zombie apocalypse). That’s why the first book is titled “Incubation,” the next “Outbreak,” and so on.

Fiona: Do you have a specific writing style? Is there anything about your style or genre that you find particularly challenging?

I’m not a pantser (writing blindly by the seat of my pants), but also not exactly an outliner. I need to know where my story is going but I like to keep things fluid. I’m a very visual writer, so by the time I sit down to type words, there’s an entire movie in my head that I just need to watch, pause, and rewind. Sounds theoretically easy, but can get very hard at times. I constantly feel like what I’m writing isn’t measuring up to the pictures in my head.

Actually, I love the horror & sci-fi genre for being one of the most open and honest genres out there. You have no limitations, and expectations are easy to meet. Just tell a damn gripping story, and you’re set. Now, with romance, you have all that business about not killing off the main characters and them getting their happily ever after in the end—that’s problematic for me.

Fiona: How much of the book is realistic and are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

Well, last time I checked we didn’t have zombies roaming the streets, but I have a scientific background and my narrator is a scientist, so I had a lot of real life experience to help shape her character and background. I try to write as realistic as possible as often, the things that are purely made up don’t hold a candle to reality. But I never build my characters after anyone I know. That would freak me out.

Fiona: To craft your works, do you have to travel? Before or during the process?

Sadly, no. All the traveling I do is facilitated via Google StreetView.

Fiona: Who designed the covers?

My cover artist, S.Marko.

 

Fiona: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

Yes. There’s nothing you can’t do if you set your mind to it. Particularly if you’re a woman (we already believe that’s true for men).


Fiona: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?  Who is your favorite writer, and what is it about their work that really strikes you?

David Simpson and Shelly Blalock are two newcomers in my genre who are stealing the show right now, and for a very good reason!
I don’t really have a favorite writer, I read more by genre than author. Last year I lost a few weeks to Lindsay Buroker’s Fallen Empire series. What really impresses me is her productivity; I think she managed to publish a book a month the entire year between her pennames—and great books at that. Makes me feel very humble about my own writing speed, but she’s ever so inspiring.

Fiona: Outside of family members, name one entity that supported your commitment to become a published author.

Friends that I’d made online because they loved reading the free fiction I’ve been populating the interwebs with for a while now. They were a lot more supportive than anyone I personally know except for my boyfriend.

Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?

Yes, and I hope to keep it that way.

Fiona: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

No. That one gave me enough grief that I’m still so very happy that it’s done that I never want to change a single thing about it. It was intended to be the last in the series so there were a lot of plot lines to tie up, but in the end I feel like it all worked better than I’d planned it.

Fiona: Did you learn anything during the writing of your recent book?

Yes. That I will from now on stop doing research on infectious diseases and just rely on what I remember from university. I’d like to sleep again sometime next year or so, thank you very much.

The one before that taught me that, like getting an editor, sharing my manuscript with beta readers is an invaluable lesson that helped improve my writing more than I expected. Everyone should get a few people on board who chime in before releasing a book. Also helps with the anxiety of release week.

 

Fiona: If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the lead?

Some writers “cast” their characters; I don’t, so that question is always hard for me to answer. But if I had to, Emma Stone for Bree, and Alexander Skarsgard for Nate.

Fiona: Any advice for other writers?

Keep writing the next book. As much as editing and polishing is important right before you publish a book, it has no place until you get there. Sure, there are some writers who have managed to sell their very first book and it turned into a bestseller, but for most of us, it’s a learning curve. Don’t be afraid to put in the hours and hone your skills. Your latest book will always be the best book you’ll ever write—but for that to be true, you need to write it.

Fiona: Anything specific you want to tell your readers?

I have the best readers in the world, and I hope they know that! Really, I’m forever grateful for having found such a voracious audience that keeps demanding more and more. Best thing that can happen to any writer.

 

Fiona: What book are you reading now?

The first Hell Divers book by Nicholas Sansbury Smith.

 

Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?

Not 100% sure which it was but I still have the three most likely candidates at home.

 

Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?

Laugh: I’m very easy to amuse so pretty much anything funny. Cry: something that either hits home or is very moving. And onions.

 

Fiona: Is there one person, past or present, you would love to meet? Why?

My grandfather, who passed away when I was 7. I missed out on too many conversations we never got to have.

 

Fiona: Do you have any hobbies?

My motorcycle. I also dye and spin my own yarn, knit, crochet, sew, and quilt. I love traveling, and of course reading.

 

Fiona: What TV shows/films do you enjoy watching?

Smart action (comedies) for the most part. And something that forces you to think. Westworld last year has made the top spot of my favorite TV shows easily. Fantastic show.

 

Fiona: Favorite foods, colors,  music?

I’m a steak-and-salad gal. I love blue and green, and rock music.

 

Fiona: Imagine a future where you no longer write. What would you do?

Dictate my books! I can’t imagine that. It’s impossible. I would still craft stories in my head. Never intend to stop with that!

I might pick up / dedicate more time to more hands-on crafts. I love working with fibers of all kind, so I might do that. Still doesn’t keep me from writing that next book in my head.

 

Fiona: What do you want written on your head stone?

She valiantly tried, and succeeded.

 

Fiona: Do you have a blog or website readers can visit for updates, events and special offers?

Yes, you can find more information about my books at http://adriennelecter.com

I’ve recently started a blog, mostly about my writing journey, at http://www.zombieskicksandgiggles.com/ but finishing the latest book got in the way of next few posts.

Here are all my links in one place:

website: http://adriennelecter.com

amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Adrienne-Lecter/e/B016AD26SE/

Link to the first book in the series:

US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014I1FG00/

UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B014I1FG00/

facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adriennelecter/

 

Thank you so much for having me!

Adrienne

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