How did you get started writing
paranormal romances?
I've always loved fairy tales and, really, that's what paranormals are - grown up fairy tales. Today's paranormal romances take all of the adventure and otherworldliness of books like Harry Potter and add the clashing, dynamic excitement of an emerging romance. I mean, who doesn't enjoy a good love story?
As far as how The Accidental Demon Slayer series began, I started with a kernel of an idea that amused me. What if a straight laced preschool teacher suddenly learns she's a demon slayer? And what if she has to learn about her powers while on the run from a fifth level demon? And wouldn't it be interesting if she's running with her long-lost Grandma's gang of geriatric biker witches?
I started writing and let the series
evolve based on the characters and that central issue of what happens when a
reluctant heroine is thrust into a series of extraordinary situations. And I
knew the story was working when I couldn't wait to get back to the keyboard
every day.
What authors and genres do you enjoy?
I’m one of those people who always has a
book on hand. Right now, I’m addicted to the Southern Vampires series by
Charlaine Harris. I like Jim Butcher's Dresden series about a modern-day
wizard. I'd also recommend the Amelia Peabody mystery series by
Elizabeth Peters. It follows a family of British Egyptologists in the late
1800's. The excavations are as interesting as the mysteries. I also enjoy single
title books by authors like Philippa Gregory (loved The Virgin's Lover
especially), Barbara Michaels (a favorite is Greygallows) and Agatha
Christie (my favorite is They Came to Baghdad). And, yes, Dewey The
Library Cat made me cry. In fact, I'm really glad I read it after I did
this big signing right next to the Dewey display in Barnes & Noble because
otherwise I would have been sniffling the whole time.
(Pictured above is Book Three A Tale Of Two Demon Slayers)
Now you’ve given us the third book in Accidental Demon Slayer series called A Tale of Two Demon Slayers. What inspired you to write it?
A Tale takes place on the Greek island of Santorini,
where Dimitri (one of the main characters in the books) has an estate. Think of
it as kind of a gothic Pemberly. There, Lizzie and her grandma’s biker gang
(who don’t really belong in Greece) learn more about Dimitri's family and a
threat that could destroy them all. I had a ball writing because I was able to
explore this amazing estate, Dimitri's griffin heritage and his family's juicy
past. Oh and somehow (I didn't plan this), Pirate the talking dog gets his own
pet. It's my editor's favourite part, I think.
What I love about
these books is that they all stand alone – so you can read one without reading
(or remembering) what happens in the entire series.
There will be five books total. I’m currently writing the fifth and last book, which is still untitled. That comes out in December of 2012.
There will be five books total. I’m currently writing the fifth and last book, which is still untitled. That comes out in December of 2012.
What has been the most exciting thing/best moment you have had in regards to your writing career?
That's a tough one. The first thing that comes to mind is when my agent called to tell me The Accidental Demon Slayer had made the New York Times bestseller list. The phone rang on a Friday afternoon, as I was writing the climax of The Dangerous Book for Demon Slayers. I almost didn’t answer. After all, who would call in smack dab in the middle of a demon invasion?
Luckily, I picked up because Jessica had
such great news - that my first book would be on the NY Times list the next
day. I didn’t know what to think. Heck, I’d just wanted to sell enough books so
that I could keep writing about biker witches, demon slayers and talking
terriers. I had to ask my agent to please email me too, just to make sure I
wasn’t phone-hallucinating.
Anyhow, I’m very thankful that it is all
going so well and I really appreciate you having me on the blog today!
(Pictured above Book Four Last Of The Demon Slayers)
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