Sunday, 1 February 2009
This weekend I have two author interviews and contests for you! The first interview and contest with author C. A. Milson is already live so make sure you go over there and take a look!My second is with Sharon Ashwood whose debut book, Ravenous, is released this week. I have had the pleasure of reading the book and you can read my review here. So get to know a new paranormal author and enter the contest and you may win a copy of this new book!
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Amber - Welcome to Amberkatze's book blog! Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. Maybe you can start things off by telling us a bit about your debut book 'Ravenous'.
Sharon - Ravenous is set in Fairview, a modern university town where supernatural creatures walk openly among us, holding jobs, paying taxes, and keeping their more, um, traditional pursuits off the media radar. Holly Carver, who busts ghosts for tuition money, learns she has the magic to control a portal to a demon realm. Suddenly the delicate balance between humans and the bump-in-the-night crew starts coming unglued.
Suddenly, Holly's on everyone's "must have" list, and not in a good way. Her Undead business partner, Alessandro Caravelli, wants to protect her. With six centuries of romantic experience, the vampire is walking seduction. The
down side? He's also a dangerous predator-and he's in a world of trouble himself.
Amber - How did you come up with the idea for Ravenous? Was it a long process or something that just came to you one day?
Sharon - It started as a joke. A friend and I were talking about insurance adjusters, and the conversation went downhill to the realm of the ridiculous. By the end of the conversation, I had created a witch who busted ghosts and verified paranormal insurance claims. From there, it just kept growing.
Amber - What was the easiest and what was the hardest part of Ravenous to write?
Sharon - The easy part was ordering a beer and telling my friends what a genius I am. The hard part was putting my backside in a chair and doing the work!
The comic scenes came easily, although they sometimes they took the most fine tuning. Scenes with a lot of choreography-battles, for instance-are a pain. I end up with diagrams to keep everything straight. I'd never make a military general--I'd have everyone marching the wrong way!
Amber - Ravenous is the first in the series. How many books will there be in the series and when is the next part due out?
Sharon - The series is called The Dark Forgotten. The second is due to be released in late 2009 and is tentatively called Scorched. How far it goes beyond that depends on how successful the first ones are. In other words, dear readers, here's your opportunity to a) vote me off Author Island or b) tell the publisher you want more!
Amber - Ravenous is definitely aimed for the paranormal shelves but there is a lot of romance and some horror in there. Which genre were you aiming for? Did you always want to write something for this genre?
Sharon - I hate defining genres too precisely, because there are so many passionate opinions around what terms like "urban fantasy" or "steampunk" mean. Debates like that aren't my thing. I leave such weighty matters to the professors of tomorrow.
If cornered, I'd say this book ranges between urban fantasy and paranormal romance, and that's pretty much what I wanted it to do. I craved the atmosphere, imagination and action of UF with the emotional satisfaction of a strong romance. Why let a dangerous vampire in black leather go to waste?
The dash of horror crept in because it's one of my great loves, and I wanted a spooky tone in certain scenes. This isn't a horror book--it's darkish but not that dark-I can't stop the jokes that long. Besides, I like a happy ending. Otherwise, my characters would just keep whining at me.
Hero: Whaaaaa, I didn't get the girl, whaaaaaaa.
Author: Yeah, whatever. Vampires are such weenie drama queens.
Amber - What made you start writing? Did you always want to write? Any other interesting jobs you have had?
Sharon - I've written off and on since I was a child. I think my parents encouraged me because it was a quiet activity and they could get something done if I was busy with a pen and paper.
I wrote freelance articles for about ten years, but most of my breadwinning jobs haven't involved skill with words. I've always worked in administration, mostly as a civil servant, and most recently in finance. Yup, I'm a spreadsheet jockey. No wonder I have a rich fantasy life!
I'd have to say the most colorful job I've had was in a jail for young offenders. That taught me a lot about my own attitudes and assumptions. Most of all I realized how blessed a life I have.
Amber - Are you working on any other projects that you would like to tell us about? Any writing aims you hope to achieve?
Sharon - I want to tell my stories to as many people as possible! And it's easier to do it by selling books rather than locking the general public in a shopping mall and reading my manuscript over the loudspeaker.
My current work in progress is the Dark Forgotten series. I'm editing book two and writing a proposal for book three. I'm also fiddling with a very spooky historical novel about demons that I started a long time ago but got stuck on. The rest of the plot came to me around New Year's when I was waiting for my car to be serviced. Maybe I was so anxious about the repair bill I started having morbid fantasies.
Amber - When you have time to read what do you read? Any favourite authors/series?
Sharon - I read a wide variety of books, but mostly fiction with a paranormal element and non-fiction history. I just picked up the most recent Morganville book and I'm itching to start that. I also have the newest Laurell K. Hamilton - that was a Christmas present from Santa!
Amber - What are your favourite movies/Tv Series/music? Do any of them influence your writing?
Sharon - Hmm, let's see . . . Underworld, Supernatural, Buffy . nope, no influence there
I listen mostly to alternative and classical. One of my favourite groups is Qntal because I get the best of both worlds. I don't listen to music when I write but I do to get into the mood. The last draft of Ravenous was my Smashing Pumpkins book.
Amber - You are stuck on a desert island. What 5 things do you hope to have with you?
Sharon - I'd start with a satellite phone to call for help! My survival skills are limited to opening snack food bags with my teeth. On the other hand, if it was a very nice, resort-type desert island with all the important creature comforts like food, shelter, and a poolside bar, I'd be perfectly content with a couple good friends and a bottle of chardonnay.
Amber - Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions! I hope you will stop by again sometime!
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Contest Time!Sharon has nicely said she will send one lucky person a copy of Ravenous! How can you win?
Make a comment here letting me know what makes you ravenous?
No answer = No entry!
You can earn an extra entry by posting about this interview and contest somewhere on the net. Make sure you leave me a link so I can confirm your entry.
The contest is open until Sunday 8th of February at 4pm CET. All entrants should check in to see if they have won. I will pick a new winner if the prize is not claimed within 7 days and I do not chase winners!
Enjoy!
Labels: Author Interviews, Contests
posted by Unknown at Sunday, February 01, 2009 | 
42 Comments:
At 1 February 2009 at 15:27, 
Unknown
The book sounds like a "Must-have" for sure. I look forward to getting my hands on a copy!
What makes me ravenous? The 1st thing that popped into my mind was really slow cooked barbecue ribs with a wonderful honey type sauce. Just thinking of it makes my mouth water badly!! Time to go to Tony Roma's!!!
At 2 February 2009 at 08:20, Daelith
Thank you for the interview. I had to go check out Qntal. Found their myspace page to listen to some tracks of their music. Interesting. I like it.
Things that make me ravenous: Food wise - chocolate, especially Peanut M&Ms, garlic cheese toast, honey BBQ Fritos
Other things - books! Especially library sales. Browsing through tables and tables of books to see what hidden treasures await to be found. Especially when they're on my wish list.
At 5 February 2009 at 18:47, Donna
This book sound great and good interview.
Blue Bell Chocolate Chip Ice Cream & a good book = Ravenous
Blogged here
At 7 February 2009 at 21:17, Chris J.
This one sounds awesome and it is on the to get list! :)
As to what makes me Ravenous, it's a toss up between fresh bread and coffee. Smelling the bread bake and then biting into it while it's warm and buttery...Yummy. Then it's smelling the coffee brewing, then having it cold or hot anytime of day. Walking into a Subway gets me my bread fix and walking into a Starbucks for my coffee fix!
by Kelley Armstrong
First off, I see this cover everywhere, but I never really read about this book, and it sounds fabulous! I love books that hit that sweet spot between paranormal and UF, with a bit of humor. Sounds fun, and good for you, Sharon for working and being able to turn out a series on the side! Not easy.
Okay, what makes me ravenous: the SIGHT of cheese in the refrigerator! I am powerless to resist.