So, if you’re familiar with Orbit’s books, you know that they like to do an interview at the end of a debut author’s first book.
If you’re not familiar, Orbit likes to do an interview with debut authors and print it at the back of their first book.
Anyway, it’s my turn up at bat. Only I don’t know what to talk about! So I need you to help me!
Please use this post’s comments form to send me interview questions you’ve been DYING for me to answer and maybe you’ll see them in PRINTED FORM at the end of Tempest Rising when it gets published. Thanks!
AND as the MOST LOVELY AND INTELLIGENT JAYE WELLS pointed out, I will certainly answer all of your questions, even those I don’t use for the book, in my FAQ section of my fancy website. Â When I get one, that is. Â Which will be soon . . . ish. Â Yes.
Having not read your fiction as yet, I shall hopefully be of help by asking a question about your site. What does it mean to "manipulate mythologies"? I love the idea of that.
I'm also always interested in how much urban fantasy novelists draw on real-world myth and folklore, and how they apply those tales to their fiction.
Ohmigod, love it. These are great. And noone's read my fiction, yet, I am a completely mystery. 😉
And I use tons of "real" mythologies in my books. The whole basis of my world-building is that Jung was wrong . . . we don't have archetypal myths and legends because they tap into the antideluvian soup pooled at the bottom of our brain, but because all these myths and legends are REAL and humans caught glimpses of them, and then each culture built mythologies around them.
So your questions are GREAT. Good interview fodder. Thank you!
Is that your real hair?
Just kidding.
Many consider Joseph Campbell to be the father of much of the modern understanding of mythology, but in some academic circles he has fallen greatly out of favor. As a fiction writer, how much does the historical origins and understanding of mythology matter to your writing? Where have you found inspiration over the years?
did you get a crush on your male protag or hero? if so, what do you find hot about him?
have you put any of your own personality traits or interests in your heroine? or is she completely different from you?
Okay, LOVE these. You guys are great. Keep them coming! I am totally chuffed, thanks!
Do you listen to music when you write? If so, what would be the playlist for TEMPEST RISING?
Ooh fun!
Are any of your protag's experiences drawn from real-life experiences of your own?
What's your favorite thing to do (besides write)?
If you could have chosen any other career instead of being an author, what would you have been?
Do you share your first draft with anyone? What kind of input or support do you get from other people when you write?
Awesome! Thank you, thank you!!
Courtney, I will answer your third question here: writing IS my second job . . . I'm a full time university professor. Anyway, I'm supposed to be grading papers . . . 😉
GREAT questions, guys . . . I really like how they're all veering away from what I expected and what I've already answered a hundred times. These are all new and fresh and perfect!
Be sure and keep some of these to use on your web site FAQ later. Also, I was lazy and made Super Jennifer send me questions. Suck up.
How much research do you do on your subject matter? Do you find it helps inspire, gives you a launching point? Or does it bog you down?
What are some of your favorite research materials?
Brief, bikini, tanga, boyshort, G-string, thong or commando?
Okay, I slipped that last one in there. Didn't think you'd notice…
OOOOH, good point, Jaye. I am a total suck up. Did I tell you that you look beautiful today?
I will send you photos later, Gretchen. OF ME RESEARCHING, OF COURSE. You perv.
What could you possibly tell us that we don't already know about you? Huh? Huh?
Do you have a set routine when you are in writing mode? Music you listen to, a favourite tea/coffee/adult beverage, a special mug you use? Tell us your superstitions 🙂
What is the most important ingredient in :
a) your life
b) your food
c) your writing
d) your drink
Did I mention you're all amazing?
Except for Kathleen, who is a pain in the ass. And that's why the gods send raccoons to plague her.
My son, Dakota, is twelve. He is very excited that his mom knows a "famous" writer–and of course he was very impressed by your book cover!
He asked me this morning how old you were when you first ever thought about writing a book, and also if you were drawn to urban fantasy at a young age–or did you just read anything and everything?
WHERE do you write? Do you hide in a dark closet(like the offices in Bronson Hall) or do you have a sacred place? If so, tell us what that place is like?
What was it about selkies that appealed to you?
Did you get inspiration from other works with selkies in them, things like The Secret of Roan Inish or the various folk songs about them?
Since you're writing about selkies, will Orbit pay for you to fly to Scotland and do research?
How important is it having an eye catching cover for your book?
Thanks guys, these are GREAT. And I will definitely address all of them in a FAQ if they don't make the book.
Possible topics for you – maybe:
1. When do you write (first thing in the morning? late at night? whenever you are really pissed? etc.) and why then?
2. Can you give some advice to other ambitious and brilliant young novelists out there looking for help on the process of getting their ideas written/published?
3. Talk about your thesis situation and how you overcame all those obstacles and then realized you didn't always HAVE to write high-brow lit-ra-ture (read with British accent). In other words, talk about how you found the joy of writing fantasy.
I'm still thinking…