Tiffany Heiser Interview

Continuing my rounds of author interviews, I received a reply or interest from author of paranormal romance: Tiffany Heiser. The following is the interview as she shares information with the readers of Eye on Ashenclaw!

First off, tell us a little bit about you

I was raised in Granbury Texas, a small town near Fort Worth. I’m an only child, raised by two wonderful parents. Married now to my wonderful husband, Brian, we recently gave birth to the greatest joy of our lives, our son Parker. Life, I wouldn’t say is easy haha, but definitely fulfilled and perfect!

Tell us about your books

I published the first book of my With Love series, Bonded With Love, in November of 2011. It is the first of three paranormal romance novels. A vampire love story and my absolutely favorite type of romance novel; it follows the main character, Rena, throughout her adventure of meeting a vampire and the discovery of her true destiny.

I have also written a short story, a prequel, to the With Love series titled Broken Bond. Also Book 2, Struggled With Love, is due to come out in the next few months. 

When did you start writing?

I started writing poetry as a teen and realized then how much I enjoyed it. As I got older my vivid imagination kicked in even stronger and that was when the stories started forming.

Why do you write?

It started off as a way to express my emotions, and now it is the only way to get my mind in order haha! I have too many story lines and thoughts running through my mind on a daily basis, and the only way to get them to go away is to write them down.

What would be your choice for a superpower?

Right now, with learning to be a mommy plus write, I want to be able to multiply myself J That way I can write, take puppy out, cook dinner, and feed baby all at once haha!

Who is your favorite author?

I have a few faves, but my main two are Melissa Marr and Stephenie Meyer.

What are you reading now?

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl. I’m definitely excited to see how good the movie is!

Who is your favorite character to write?

My favorite character as of right now to write would be my main character Rena, her personality is sarcastic and fun. Plus watching her grow from the beginning of book one to the end was exciting, and as I finish book 2 her growth is still continuing and very much inspiring.

Do you have a writing process?

I tend to write out all ideas of where I want the novel to go. I have an old school process of handwriting the first draft, so that when I go back to type it all up the editing process seems easier to me. It’s as if I’m reading it all with fresh eyes and I can catch the changes that need to be made.

What advice would you give to an aspiring author?

Write. Write everything, write it all down, and don’t quit writing.

What inspired you to pursue writing?

I actually had a dream about the With Love series, and I couldn’t get it out of my head. I had brought it up to friends and my husband, and everyone told me the same…write it down. So I did and that was about two years ago, and here I am still writing J

What are your favorite TV shows/Movies to watch in between writing?

Right now I’m in love with Pitch Perfect, such a funny movie.

But TV shows, I love Vampire Diaries, Arrow, Supernatural, and Pretty Little Liars. 

 Please join me and the other amazingly talented authors over @ Skulldust Circle where we have formed a Writer's Circle that must be seen--a collection of brilliant, up & coming independently published speculative fiction authors with much to give both now and in the future!

All of my work can be found on AMAZON -- Kindle versions here

See you in Wothlondia! Cheers!

Please visit MY HOME PAGE to enjoy an extended reading experience, see direct links to purchase my full length novel, Covenant of the Faceless Knights, the short stories: Wothlondia Rising, and to see what else Ashenclaw Studios, LLC has in store in the future!

All maps, names and content copyright Ashenclaw Studios 2012 unless otherwise noted.

Heather Jensen Interview

I discovered Heather Jensen on twitter recently and she was kind enough to share her writing and life experiences with us here at Eye on Ashenclaw. Heather is a speculative fiction author that writes about vampires and musicians! Check out the interview below:

First off, tell us a little bit about you

I live in Southern Utah with my husband and my son.  When I'm not writing or fulfilling my usual mom and wife duties, I love going to concerts, playing Halo on the Xbox with my husband, and playing guitar in a band with some friends. We call ourselves Kicking Pigeons. 

Tell us about your books

The Blood And Guitars series is really based on my desire to fuse two of my favorite things together into one: vampires and music. I began writing the first book back in high school, which was way before Twilight came out and the vampire books flooded bookshelves. Although that's showing my age a little, I think the fresh perspective I had gives a unique edge to my vampires and the series.

You can get the first book, Blood And Guitars, at Amazon in paperback or for Kindle here:

http://www.amazon.com/Blood-And-Guitars-ebook/dp/B00529IDZS/ref=pd_sim_kstore_1

The second book in the series, Immortals And Melodies, is available for Kindle here:

http://www.amazon.com/Immortals-Melodies-Blood-Guitars-ebook/dp/B0086GMMAQ/ref=pd_sim_kstore_9

I'm planning to release the third and final book in the series, Fangs And Fame, this year.

When did you start writing?

I've been writing stories for as long as I can remember, but I wrote my first fantasy novel, The Rift, while I was in high school.

Why do you write?

It's cheaper than therapy.  ;)

What would be your choice for a superpower?

This is such a great question. I've always wished I had the ability to project the things I've dreamt about in my sleep onto a TV screen or something the next day so I could show other people. I have some really crazy, fascinating dreams and I can never explain them right. Being able to project something from your mind onto a screen so you could share it with others visually.

Who is your favorite author?

I can never pick just one, but I especially love Amelia Atwater-Rhodes. She was published at thirteen, and her books inspired me to start writing when I was younger.

What are you reading now?

I'm just starting Vaempires: Zombie Rising by Thomas Winship. I loved the first two books in the Vaempires series.

Who is your favorite character to write?

The Blood And Guitars series is written in dual points of view from Trey and Aurora. I love writing them both for different reasons. Aurora is fun to write because she's an unusually powerful  vampire for someone her age, but she has this sensitive creative side to her that allows her to make beautiful art and to connect on a deep level with Trey. Trey is fun to write because he knows exactly who he is at any given moment, and in any situation. Even though he's a famous musician with hordes of fans, he's about as level-headed as anyone can be. It's always interesting to throw him into strange situation and see how he'll come out of it. Also, his relationships with his band mates are fun to explore.

Do you have a writing process?

I really only require my computer and my playlist. I do my best writing when I have the perfect soundtrack playing in the background. Oh, and in the morning, I'll usually have a cup of hot chocolate at my desk with me. I'm a plotter, but my writing often steers me in directions I couldn't have foreseen.

What advice would you give to an aspiring author?

Write, write, write. It's the only way you can get to know who you are as an author, and what your voice is. Also, write what you're passionate about.  You don't have to be an expert at something to write about it. Do your homework. Sometimes research can be a fun part of the process. Also, be grateful for any constructive criticism you get and always strive to grow.

What inspired you to pursue writing?

I've always been a writer, even if I didn't realize that's what I was. My husband has always been a huge source of inspiration and support for me. He makes it easy to believe I can accomplish anything I set my mind to.

What are your favorite TV shows/Movies to watch in between writing?

I'm a huge fan of The Walking Dead. I also really enjoy Psych, Castle, and Bones. I love almost anything Joss Whedon does, but especially Firefly. Also, since I'm outnumbered by the boys in my house, there's always room for another super hero movie.

When not rocking out or playing video games, Heather Jensen can be found here:

Author Website www.heatherjensen.info 

Facebook www.facebook.com/BloodAndGuitars

Twitter https://twitter.com/#!/theedgeofwords

 Please join me and the other amazingly talented authors over @ Skulldust Circle where we have formed a Writer's Circle that must be seen--a collection of brilliant, up & coming independently published speculative fiction authors with much to give both now and in the future!

All of my work can be found on AMAZON -- Kindle versions here

See you in Wothlondia! Cheers!

Please visit MY HOME PAGE to enjoy an extended reading experience, see direct links to purchase my full length novel, Covenant of the Faceless Knights, the short stories: Wothlondia Rising, and to see what else Ashenclaw Studios, LLC has in store in the future!

All maps, names and content copyright Ashenclaw Studios 2012 unless otherwise noted.

Meinos Kaen Interview

I happened to speak with another writer on social media the other day. He is a relatively new writer in the Sci-Fi/YA/Superhero genre. Check out more about our friend in the following interview!

When did you start writing?

I have been writing since I was in grade school. I was already an avid reader thanks to my grandpa, and my Italian teacher then went and did something wonderful: she started reading to us The Story of A Seagull and The Cat Who Taught Her To Fly by Luis Sepulveda, in weekly episodes, acting out the voices of the whole cast. I still distinctly remember her rendition of the distraught seagull asking Zorba if they wanted to eat her. Soon after I started writing and then completed a thriller. Yes, a thriller in grade school. I was engrossed with this Disney comic called Mickey Mouse Mystery Magazine at the time. The final result was not bad, considering who wrote it. It had many ‘borrowed’ elements taken from M4 and even the Virtua Fighter anime, but I showed promise. The killer was a dog.

Why do you write?

To do what my grade school teacher did for me when I was a young kid. I want to write something that as many people as possible can enjoy and react to the same way I did to Sepulveda’s writing. I want them to be engrossed, to want to know what happens next as soon as possible, for their emotions to show clearly on their face as they go through the tale. To hate the villain and cheer for the hero, and like the story so much to rant about how it continues on Internet forums. You don’t get angry for something you don’t love, after all.

What would be your choice for a superpower?

Now, this is the question. I’m writing a book about super-humans after all. At the end of the day, though, I’ll always want to have the power of the character Forge, from the X-Men comics. For those not Marvel-educated, the guy can basically create anything he can think of. He thinks of a concept, he knows how to build a device to that effect. Endless possibilities. We’d need just one guy like that and half of what we write about wouldn't be just a dream anymore.

Who is your favorite author?

Really hard to choose. I have a favorite book -The Portrait of Dorian Grey- but it’s not exactly easy to compare the level and effectiveness of a fantasy author to that of a noir writer, for example. With all the genres I read... But, if I really have to choose one above everyone else, I’ll have to go with Neil Gaiman. His Sandman is maybe the best comic series ever created, and I love American Gods to death.

What are you reading now?

I’m reading the spin-off books for the Supernatural TV Series. I’m on the Boney Key by Keith R.A. DeCandido right now, and I’ve really enjoyed Witch Canyon by Jeff Mariotte.

Who is your favorite character to write?

Jason, the lead from my novel S-Class. He’s not only the center of the story, he’s the center of his little dysfunctional family. Writing about his interactions with the other characters and how he approaches new situations, problems and threats is always entertaining, although not always happy for the characters themselves. Also, I like putting in his mouth references that I wonder how many people will get. Like when he describes a certain mistake in a famous cult movie that made it into the final product.

"There! Did you see that?!" Jason hollered while the scene kept on playing on the screen. "In the reflection of the sunglasses, he was still sitting in a chair!"

Do you have a writing process?

Of course. Strictly concerning writing...

Step 1) Look for inspiration, but I don’t believe in ‘researching’ the perfect subject for a book. The basic idea for it has to come to you naturally, and it can arrive from the most unexpected sources. Like a conversation with a fellow writer about cats, of all things.

Step 2) Think and write down the scenes you’d like your story to have. The milestones, so to speak, that came with the basic idea. Example: if your idea is a story about ‘cats almost taking over the world’, the scene when they almost do so.

Step 3) Fill the empty space. Once you know what scenes you’d like to happen, go ahead and write everything that comes in-between them. This allows you to appoint yourself a goal and grants you enough flexibility to make even major changes to your plot.

Step 4) Check everything as many times as you need, especially when you make changes to your plot or your characters that may influence scenes you’ve already written.

What advice would you give to an aspiring author?

Research your market. I haven’t at the beginning, and I’m only now catching up. Learn what an Author Platform is and build it. This goes double if you decide to go down the Indie Road.

What inspired you to pursue writing?

I’ve had many trysts with writing something original since that mishy-mashy thriller, but I never exactly brought it anywhere, no thanks to my once mole-habitat level of self-esteem. I stuck to Fanfiction. Then I read Eragon, back when it was a big deal. 2005, I believe? Anyway, I read the age when Paolini started writing the book. I was the same age as I read it. I told myself: ‘If he could do it, I can at least try.’ I was glad I did, even more so after I worked out all my self-esteem problems. If you can’t appreciate yourself, you’ll never appreciate the effort you put into your endeavors.

Tell us about your books

My first published book is called Proud Parents Blog. A Sci-Fi story set in a semi-dystopian future, where the whole of humanity has evolved following a never fully explained catastrophe that also wiped out almost the entirety of the planet’s digital data banks in a world which had almost completely turned to Cloud Computing. It focuses on a small group of people who, by chance, come together attracted by the contents of the titular blog, which forces them to face the various problems and mysteries of this new world and its new humanity, changed forever, and gets one of them caught up in a spiral of political intrigue.

Proud Parents Blog also acts as a prelude to S-Class, which will be my first major work, with a release date for March 2013. Set in the same world as Proud Parents Blog shortly after the events narrated in the first book, it focuses on a small group of young people which also happen to be some of the most dangerous beings in existence as they deal with their powers, the hate and fear they receive on a daily basis and a plot which threatens to unravel a world who has just now found a delicate balance. While a Sci-Fi at heart like its prelude, S-Class features many elements which also mark it as a YA novel.

And last, but not least, I’m working on a small novel called Catmageddon: That time cats almost took over the world, which I hinted at in one of the above questions. Born out of a Twitter chat with author Michael R. Hicks, I think I chose the most explicative title ever. It’s a fantasy story, focusing on fantasy and humor. I’m doing my best to try and release it by the end of January, hope I can make it. I can be a bit of a perfectionist with my stories, you know.

But, hey. The best thing about being an Indie author is that you set your own deadlines. Thank you for your time.

Thanks for stopping by, Meinos~Best of luck moving forward!

 Please join me and the other amazingly talented authors over @ Skulldust Circle where we have formed a Writer's Circle that must be seen--a collection of brilliant, up & coming independently published speculative fiction authors with much to give both now and in the future!

All of my work can be found on AMAZON -- Kindle versions here

See you in Wothlondia! Cheers!

Please visit MY HOME PAGE to enjoy an extended reading experience, see direct links to purchase my full length novel, Covenant of the Faceless Knights, the short stories: Wothlondia Rising, and to see what else Ashenclaw Studios, LLC has in store in the future!

All maps, names and content copyright Ashenclaw Studios 2012 unless otherwise noted.

Marny Copal Interview

I had the distinct pleasure of catching up with paranormal/urban fantasy author Marny Copal just the other day and she agreed to be the recipient of an interview. Marny's book, Freeblood is the first book in the Quinn Chronicles and the Kindle edition is only 99 cents through January 15! Now go pick it up!

Marny, thanks for stopping by here at Eye on Ashenclaw. When did you start writing?
I started writing when I was a little kid. My earliest tales featured our household cats as secret agents. When my seventh grade English teacher told the class to write a short story, mine turned into a novella. That assignment stands out in my mind as my first real and exciting writing experience.

Why do you write?
I write because it’s fun. I enjoy developing characters and creating scenes. I also write to develop an understanding of certain actions, feelings, issues, and concerns.

What would be your choice for a superpower? This is a tough one. So many options. The power to heal would be my choice, but I also wouldn’t mind having the ability to fly.

Who is your favorite author? I don’t have a favorite author, but I have a lot of go-to authors in fantasy, which is my favorite genre.

What are you reading now? I’m reading Wildwood, by Colin Meloy; Spider Silk, by Rod Collins; and Neuromancer, by William Gibson. I recently finished Kevin Hearne’s Hexed.

Who is your favorite character to write? I prefer writing about characters with gumption and flaws. My gutsy, smart-ass protagonist from Freeblood, Quinn Zauber, fits the bill.

Do you have a writing process? I like to develop an idea in my head before I start to write. This often happens when I’m out for a walk. Then I sit down to type what I thought up. If I come to a stop and more ideas aren't flowing easily, I get up and do chores around the house. Typically, writing problems are solved when I’m away from the computer, doing other things.

I don’t try to force anything, and I’m not an advocate of keeping the butt glued to the chair until ideas come.

I used to outline scenes late at night, but lately I've been doing a lot more actual writing during the wee hours. I’m more productive when I switch things up every now and then.

What advice would you give to an aspiring author? Be teachable. Learn your craft. Go to writing classes, and read books about writing—everything from grammar primers to symbolism studies. Also, read, read, read inside and outside your genre. Learn to cope with critiques and rejection. Those are part of the business. Perseverance is essential; don’t give up.

What inspired you to pursue writing? Many wonderful authors have encouraged me to think, feel, and experience life in different ways. They are my inspiration.

Tell us about your book. Freeblood is a fantasy thriller set in Portland, Oregon, driven by nimble banter, budding chemistry, and seat-of-the-pants action. Quinn is a lost soul, just getting by financially and emotionally. When her roommate Jo-Jo is kidnapped under strange circumstances, she sets out with her cousin Kasey to find answers in the supernatural world. The hunt takes them many places, including to the doorstep of a shrewd vampire club owner and deep into the infamous Shanghai Tunnels beneath the city. Paranormal investigator Del Whelan steps in to assist, which to Quinn, still smarting from their unresolved attraction, isn't much help at all.

 Please join me and the other amazingly talented authors over @ Skulldust Circle where we have formed a Writer's Circle that must be seen--a collection of brilliant, up & coming independently published speculative fiction authors with much to give both now and in the future!

All of my work can be found on AMAZON -- Kindle versions here

See you in Wothlondia! Cheers!

Please visit MY HOME PAGE to enjoy an extended reading experience, see direct links to purchase my full length novel, Covenant of the Faceless Knights, the short stories: Wothlondia Rising, and to see what else Ashenclaw Studios, LLC has in store in the future!

All maps, names and content copyright Ashenclaw Studios 2012 unless otherwise noted.