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Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Darkspell




Today, author Elizabeth Mueller is here to talk about her book, which will be released this fall...
Can you tell me what Darkspell is about?
Darkspell is a YA Paranormal Romance, a message to follow your dreams! Here's the scoop: Winter Sky believes she is everything ordinary . . . until she is kissed by Alex Stormhold. As seer of Stormhold Coven, Alex is sworn to be Winter’s protector against the darkness that hunts her.  Violently thrust into a magical realm she always thought impossible, she stumbles upon a disturbing secret of her own.  Will love prove thicker than magic?
How did you choose the names for your main characters?
I’ve always liked the name Winter. It reminds me of something beautiful, fragile, yet powerful at the same time. As for Alex, I think that name has appeal to it. Stormhold just burst into my head and made itself comfortable in the couches of my brain. As for the other main characters, the names just felt right.
Where did the idea come from? was it a 'what if' or something else?  
You'll never believe this. It's crazy. About 2 years ago (2009), my local library started a brand new writers group that thrilled me to death. Well, the librarian had a writer's book for us to read. It's Gail Carson Levine's Creating Magic: Writing Stories that Fly. In there, the author provides several prompts and one of them has to do with a boy drawing a tattoo on someone's arm and it numbed the person's arm for hours. Sorry, I can't remember the word for word version, but it was that prompt that unfurled into a full-fledged paranormal romance novel! Hint: you'll find the prompt within the first 30 pages! ;)

What other non-fiction books have you found helpful along the way?
I’ve read Stephen King’s On Writing where he breaks down writing to simple terms (warning: some vulgarity in first half of book.)  Another that really pulled me through and had me flourish is Margie Lawson. She is a psychiatrist who has a passion for writing and sells lectures on how to make your writing snap sharp!

How long from start to finish - excluding any revising your publisher may have requested.
It wasn't very hard for me to keep the magic flowing, but I wrote it by the seat-of-my-pants. It took me about 2 months to get it done! I sent it out to a handful of friends for them to test read it. I made the changes after I got it back. It was a major face lift that wounded me, but  I really wanted it to as wonderful as possible, so I went ahead and made the changes. It was about another month or so that it took me to rewrite the entire novel. Let me tell you something, it's crazy to change first person present tense into first person past! I think I got all the "present words" squashed now! It was just before TreasureLine asked for the book that I totally revamped. Okay, not totally, but enough to make it a faster ride. I deleted over 8,000 words, yikes! But you know what? I wasn't sad to do that, I really want my story to rock.

What's your favorite thing about the story?
 Wow, my favorite thing? I believe it is living through Winter Sky, the heroine. I had so much fun writing it, and forcing my heroine to endure so many teen problems. I also enjoyed her triumphs and especially the challenge in her new found love.

Who was your favorite character to write?
I would have to say Alex. He’s full of restrained passion that drives him crazy until he decides he’s had enough and breaks the rules to show how much he loves Winter! 

How long have you been writing and how did you start?
I can say, very safely, that I've been writing for over 20 years now. I know, that's jaw-dropping, isn't it? It all started when I wanted to escape my childhood life. I didn't know how to read when I started, so I made up my own stories by drawing them all out. I also did a lot of pretend role-playing. I remember those days, the magic of childhood. I am happy to say that I've recaptured the love of that whimsical magic now as adult through my writing. Books are truly the stuff of magic!

And since most of write what we read, which book, or books, inspired you? Why?
I would have to say the scriptures inspire me the most. This is how: reading them help me to keep a clear mind and focus—it’s like meditation for me. My mind is so filled with inspiration, the stories I write just bloom before me as easily as a movie does in the theatre.
Lastly, is there anything you would like to add?
Never, ever, let the nay-sayers bring you down. It is you and you alone who can make or break your dreams - follow your dreams!

Please join me in my celebration for Darkspell's fall release all July long. A pre-launch party if you will Click here for details.

I would like thank Elizabeth for answering my questions. She was fun to interview and Darkspell sounds like a fun book! If you want to know more about her check out her blog.

10 comments:

  1. Awesome interview. Sounds like a great read!

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  2. Great interview ladies! Elizabeth, someone commented on yesterday's post that Alex is a sexy name, so that must be the reason for the appeal.

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  3. Marcy, thank you SO much for having me over at your blog! *hugs*

    E.Arroyo, thank you!

    Alex, yes, it is! I also mentioned that myself over at your blog! Thanks for the loyal following, you make my heart sing! :)

    ♥.•*¨Elizabeth¨*•.♥
    Can Alex save Winter from the darkness that hunts her?
    YA Paranormal Romance, Darkspell coming fall of 2011!
    Pre-order your copy now!

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  4. Love the sound of this story and how it was created.

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  5. I'm so impressed with your focus and work ethic. You go1

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  6. Congrats Elizabeth! ...and Alex...LOL! You carck me up!!!

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  7. Carole, thank you! <3

    Susan, it's crazy!

    Silvina, thank you! Yes, Alex is funny, but what else can he say? ;)

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  8. Awesome interview. Wowed me that you actually had to cut 8k words, before you were satisfied. I'm having to go through those kind of edits right now, and it's so very painful.

    Can't wait to read Darkspell, btw!

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  9. Elizabeth is so amazing!! Thank you for a fabulous interview, mshatch! Congratulations, Elizabeth!!! Take care
    x

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  10. Alyssia, I know what you mean! I hope you've survived the cut's you've made.

    Jennifer, thank you! :)

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