Hi Liz, great to have you here! I see that your books are part of a trilogy. I have never written a series but am thinking about one right now. Have you got any tips of how to sustain that level of conflict in a story to keep readers coming back for more than one instalment? Are you books written around the same characters or does each book focus on new characters?
Okay, enough with the questions! Well, apart from the interview ones, lol...
1) What is your writing routine?
I wish I had one! I work full time and I am a mom to four, so my time is precious. I write mostly in the evenings and on the weekends when I can find some quiet.
2) Which author/s inspire you to write?
I love horror, fantasy, paranormal and mysteries. Some of my favourite authors are Anne Rice, Michael Slade, Karin Slaughter, P.N. Elrod, Poppy Brite. I love vampire stories, and have read far too many to list.
3) Which is your favorite romance subgenre to read? To write?
I write almost exclusively in the paranormal romance sub0genre, which is what I also enjoy reading in. I have written a contemporary erotic piece that will be coming out soon, and that was a lot of fun.
4) How do you deal with criticism/rejection?
Oh the usual. First I feel bad (and a bit angry), then I step back and put it in perspective. I understand that my writing will not appeal to everyone, and I’m ok with that. Books, like movies and TV, are subjective. You have to take the bad with the good.
5) What do you expect from an editor?
I like someone I can really collaborate with. I like being able to discuss their suggestions and changes, and come to a mutually satisfying end result. I have been very lucky in that I’ve have the opportunity to work with some really great editors.
6) Tell me about your latest release
Well I actually have four new works coming out this year. The final book in the Dark Kiss Trilogy will be out this summer. I have an erotic fantasy, The Embrace of Life and Death, coming from MLR Press and two novellas (one paranormal, one contemporary) being released by captive Press.
7) Tease us with a blurb or short excerpt
Here’s a short excerpt from The Embrace of Life and Death:
“I am the Angel of Death,” he whispered against my ear. His breath was fire, heavier than the air still humid from the earlier rain. I found his touch both pleasurable and draining, his words startled me with their fierceness.
My face now pressed to his chest as I responded. “What do you want with me?”
He lowered us to the ground. For the first time I noticed the complete silence of the world around us, as though time had literally stood still. The air had taken on the texture of molasses, and had I needed it to survive, I would have choked on its density. Azrael’s heart thrummed in his chest, steady and strong, a sound not to be found in my own immortal body.
“I need to understand why you are this way,” he answered, and the words made no sense to my racing brain.
“This way?”
He adjusted his hold on me, now cradling me in his powerful arms, and looking down onto my upturned face. A warm finger moved along the side of my face, and for one brief moment I thought he smiled. It seemed strange that I did not struggle, but I felt no need to. “We have been watching for a very long time, vampires I mean. For some reason, I find you different from the others of your kind,” he said. His voice shook the boundaries of reality the two of us existed in. “Though I have tasted your dark desires, witnessed your transgressions, I still wish to know you.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Nor do I Kieran, for I have never experienced a feeling like this before. I am greatly troubled and must think before I act further.”
Then the face came close to mine, pressing down until our lips met. His mouth was warm silk, and his kiss firm. He stayed against my lips for a long time. A light sprinkle of stubble rubbed against my cheek, startling me out of my reverie. My brain cleared enough to realize what was taking place. I had been returning the kiss with passion, despite the absurdity of the situation and the obvious dominance the creature had over me.
A throbbing, pulsing energy enveloped us, and a deafening, otherworldly wail broke the silence. The arms holding my body withdrew and I crumpled to the damp ground. Curling into a ball, I waited for the painful sound to end and reality to return.
When my eyes could focus again, I found that Azrael had disappeared. I was alone, with cooling tears on my cheeks, and his kiss still warm on my lips.
8) Which is your favorite character in the book? Why?
I love Kieran, who is one of the main characters. He was actually introduced in the Dark Kiss Trilogy, and I really wanted to explore his character in more depth, so this book was born. I just felt like he had more of a story to tell, and when the idea of a vampire and angel in a relationship together came to me, I knew this was for Kieran.
9) What are you working on right now?
I am actually trying my hand at a YA fantasy novel. It’s still in the early stages, but if it works out how I hope it will, I plan on it being a series.
10) Your biggest piece of advice to aspiring novelists?
DON’T GIVE UP! There is a lot of rejection, and it’s very competitive, but you can succeed. Keep writing and networking.
11) Where can readers find you?
You can find me at:
Website: www.lizstrange.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/LizStrangeVamp
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3360700.Liz_Strange
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=291798485838
Email: lstrange@cogeco.ca
Really enjoyed the interview, LIz and it's fab to 'meet' you! I'm not sure how you write at all working full-time and being mum to four kids. I struggle to get any writing done working part-time and mum to two!
Liz is waiting for questions and comments...
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