Character Interview with Alisa Cole

About Alisa Cole: 
At sixteen years old, Alisa Cole, main character of The Claiming Words, is a junior in high school. She is bullied by the other kids in school, picked on by her own cousin, and has never been kissed. When Jace Alexander moves to town, everything changes.

Hello, Alisa. I’ve read the novel you’re in and am so excited you’re here today. Did you ever think that your life would end up being in a book?
Are you kidding me? I have the most boring life ever, or at least I used to. Until I met my writer, I thought I was destined for a life of endless nothingness. Of course, there are times I crave the consistency of days past. Sometimes there’s a high price to pay for excitement.

Tell us about your favorite scene in the book.

*blushes* My first kiss. It was everything I’d ever hoped it would be and more. *sighs*

Oh yeah, that was a good scene. If you could rewrite anything in your book, what would it be?

Hmm. If you’d asked me that question last November, I would have had an entirely different answer. At the time, I begged my writer to write things differently, but now I wouldn’t change a thing. I’m currently in negotiations with my writer about a few situations she’s written me into in the next book. I can’t decide whether or not she’s cruel, or if she just likes to mess with me.

Probably just likes to mess with you. I know Tricia, and she can be full of mischief, but she’s really a very nice person. What impression do you make on people when they first meet you?

People think I’m a total geek when they meet me. I’m shy and awkward around people, so they usually write me off.

Been there, been that, sister. How about after people have known you for a while?

Once I get to know someone, I can be funny. I’m a very loyal friend, so for those few people who take the time to get to know me, I will fight to the death to defend them.

A good trait to have. Tell us about your best friend.

I have two best friends. My first best friend was a former crush. My second best friend is his girlfriend. Sound weird? Yeah, it sort of is, but my friends are the best. I’d trust them with my life.
What are you most afraid of?

Public speaking. No, really. I don’t mean to trivialize everything else I’ve been through, but public speaking is the absolute worst. Give me Hunters and Demons any day, but ask me to get up in front of my class and read something? Nope.

You and I are very alike, Alisa. Except you're the athletic type and I'm not. What’s the best trait your author has given you?

My author made me very perceptive.

What’s the worst?

Unfortunately, she also made me ridiculously self-conscious, so I’m always doubting myself.

How do you feel about your life right now?

My life is probably the best it’s ever been. That being said, everything is up in the air. I’m so afraid it’s all going to fall apart,like I don’t deserve the happiness I’ve been given. I’m surrounded by people who are special in every way, and I’m pretty ordinary. Sometimes I’m scared they’ll begin to wonder what they’re doing hanging around with someone so ordinary. Don’t tell Jace or Rachel I said that.

My lips are zipped. What, if anything, would you like to change about your life?

Nothing. And everything. It’s hard to explain without giving away all the Alexanders’ secrets.

Very intriguing. And since I’ve read The Claiming Words, I know some of the Alexanders’ secrets. And boy, are they some doozy secrets! It was good talking with you, Alisa. Come back when your next book comes out, okay? And keep Tricia on her toes.


You can find Alisa in The Claiming Words, and you can find The Claiming Words in paperback now, and Kindle and Nook soon, at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other online stores. 

You can find Alisa's author,Tricia Drammeh, at:

Her website

Her blog

Her Facebook page

Goodreads authorpage

Twitter

 
Leave a comment below for a chance to win The Claiming Words in eBook.

Book Excerpt: The Claiming Words

 

This week we're celebrating the launch of Tricia Drammeh's new YA novel, The Claiming Words, a paranormal romance. Yesterday we talked with the author about her book. Today we have an excerpt from the book.
The main characters are high school students, and Tricia has given them personalities we all know and love...and some we hate. In this excerpt, Alisa, the shy, quiet, unpopular type, is befriended by the new guy--a very handsome and very popular new guy named Jace...

The Claiming Words

By the time school rolled around the next day, I’d nearly convinced myself I’d dreamt everything from the walk home until I woke up in the morning. When I arrived in first period, I staked out my usual spot in the back of the classroom and tried to finish my homework.

Jace entered the classroom alone and took a seat beside me. “How are you today? Are you alright?”

“I’m fine. How are you, though?” I asked softly.

“Great. I’m looking forward to dinner tonight. You’re still coming, right?” He smiled at me, and I fell even more deeply in love with him.

“Absolutely,” I said, returning his smile.

“You should give me your phone number,” he said. I scribbled my number on a sheet of notebook paper. He hadn’t accepted Becky’s number when she offered; I wondered why.

Jace spoke to me for a couple of minutes and I struggled to think of witty, semi-coherent replies. I wasn’t a very skilled conversationalist, so I was somewhat relieved when he moved to his seat at the front of the room. He probably felt obligated to talk to me, I thought. I decided I wouldn’t embarrass myself by trailing after him like a lovesick puppy.

I expected our early morning conversation to be the extent of our interaction at school, but I was wrong. I sat alone at the back of the lunchroom and picked at the unrecognizable food on my lunch tray. A sudden wind lifted the wisps of hair at the nape of my neck, and in an instant, the hottest guy in our school pulled up a chair to sit next to me.

“What are you doing here?” I blurted, gaping at Jace.

“Do you mind if I sit next to you?” he asked, gesturing at the four empty chairs grouped around the table where we sat.

“You don’t have to,” I said. “That’s good to know. What is this crap?” The fact that he couldn’t identify the food before him didn’t seem to dampen his appetite. He shoved forkfuls into his mouth, and I cringed as he devoured the mystery meat. Jace chatted in between bites as if it were perfectly normal to be sitting there with me. I felt like I should tell him he was off the hook—that he didn’t have to pretend to like me just because he thought I’d saved his life.

“Hey, aren’t you eating?” he asked. I shook my head, and he attacked my food with gusto. “My brother and I will pick you up for dinner tonight.”

I shivered as I recalled Bryce’s penetrating, cold stare. “I can walk. I like walking.”

“Yeah, but still. It may not be safe,” he insisted, glancing around the cafeteria to make sure no one was watching. They were. Everyone was staring. Jace leaned in closer, and I shivered. “You need protection.”

“Your brother said I’m not the one they’re looking for. What does that mean?” I asked, shocking myself. Ordinarily, I let others ask the questions, but my curiosity couldn’t be contained.

“Shhh. We’ll talk about it later. So, do you want to come over right after school?”

“I don’t know if I can. I mean, I didn’t ask…” I stammered. “My mom’s picking me up today…” “Just make sure she lets you come over tonight.” His smile stole my breath away and I nodded in agreement. “Let me know if you need help convincing her, because I can be very persuasive,” he claimed. I blushed and glanced away. I imagined he could persuade me to do nearly anything.

Jace continued eating and talking to me as if it were the most natural thing in the world. He didn’t act martyred or uncomfortable. I briefly entertained the idea that perhaps Jace actually saw me as a real person. I’d barely said a word to him, and yet he continued an almost one-sided conversation until the bell rang.

As I scurried nervously from the lunchroom, Jace finished up the last couple of morsels of food on my tray. “Hey, Alisa,” Jace practically shouted across the still full lunchroom. “I’ll see you tonight.”

I nodded to indicate I’d heard him, and then made my hasty retreat. I was painfully aware that half the school was watching me as I rushed to my next class. If he continued to associate with me, he’d better be prepared to join me in the cesspool of Cooper High gossip. I hoped he wouldn’t choose his budding popularity over our newly established friendship. I was tired of being alone.

About the author:

The Claiming Words is Tricia Drammeh's debut novel, the first in a series. She is a mom, reader, blogger, writer, and coffee drinker living in St. Charles, Missouri with her husband and children. She can be reached at:

Talking With Tricia Drammeh

Hello, and welcome to TriciaPalooza! Tricia Drammeh’s debut  novel, a young adult paranormal romance called The Claiming Words, will launch on October 6 in St. Charles Missouri. If you’re in the area, stop by Main Street Books from one to three o’clock next Saturday for the official launch. If you can’t make it, watch this blog all week for a new TriciaPalooza post every day! And if you leave a comment each day, you'll be eligible for the giveaway of a Kindle version of The Claiming Words. We’ll have book excerpts, character interviews, and a review. First, a little about the book:


"Welcome back, Tricia. I’m so excited about your launch. The Claiming Words is a very intriguing title. Where did you get the idea for it?

The idea started with a random idea for a love triangle. The characters Alisa, Jace, and Bryce emerged first, and Rachel appeared once I began writing. The story didn’t exactly follow along my original train of thought, but that’s how it started.

The Claiming Words is a paranormal romance written for the young adult audience. Do you have any plans to write in any other genres?

I’ve dabbled in other genres. The Fifth Circle is geared toward an older YA market and there’s not a trace of fantasy or romance. It’s in first draft form and waiting for my attention. I’m also working on a chick-lit novel, a zombie book for an adult audience, and another paranormal YA novel.

You are prolific! What do you like best about writing?

My favorite thing about writing is having that ‘aha’ moment when everything comes together.

Aha! Sorry. Couldn't resist. What’s your least favorite thing?

My least favorite thing is writer’s block.

How did you come up with the title of your book?

I came up with the title for The Claiming Words when I was at work one day. The book was originally called “The Watchers,” but I wasn’t very fond of the title. I was doing a little brainstorming while entering Accounts Payable, and The Claiming Words just popped into my number-saturated brain.

I love it when the title of the book becomes clear in the story, and this scene is so good because Mordecai is so bad: “Bryce’s little brother will never choose you, and if the Alexanders were honest, you would have known that. The male of our species craves the magic of the female—power you do not possess. He will never whisper The Claiming Words in your ear. Perhaps you should run along now and find someone of your own kind.”

Which came first: the title or that scene with Mordecai?
The title came first. I was in the middle of a massive rewrite when I came up with the new title, and the scene with Mordecai was an add-on.

You have some real bad guys—and girls—in this story. What was the inspiration for them?

My bad girl, Becky, is just your typical snotty high school cheerleader. I went to school with a few Beckys. As for the bad guys, obviously the Demons are just stone cold evil, so they are figments of my imagination. I love the bad guys in my book, probably more than I love the good ones.

How did you create the plot for this book?

I am ashamed to tell you my book had no plot for probably the first five revisions. There was a lot of stuff going on, but I didn’t really form a coherent plot until much, much later. Needless to say, I ended up scrapping more than half the book and rewriting it.

I love your cover art. Did you have any say in it?
I couldn’t figure out what I wanted for a cover. My publisher had a view ideas that he passed on to a brilliant artist, Catherine LaPointe. She worked up a few sketches, and we chose one we really liked.

What do you think of it?

I was so impressed because her rendering of my characters is exactly how I envisioned them.

Tell us about the artist.
Catherine is a New York artist who does illustrations, book covers, shoes (how cool is that?) and just about anything else. She’s amazing. If you want to check out her work, here’s a link to her website: http://catherinelapointe.com/

There are a lot of characters in this novel. When you start a new book, do you know what the entire cast will be?

I usually have a main character or two in mind and work around that.

Tell us about your favorite scene in the book.

My favorite scene is when Alisa gets fed up with Bryce and challenges him to a battle in the sparring ring. She doesn’t defeat him, but manages to best him a few times and wipe the smug grin off his face. Like they always say, it’s the quiet ones you have to watch out for.

I love that scene! Why did you let Bryce eventually beat her? I would have loved for her to wipe the floor with him as she did with Jace.
There’s no way Alisa could ever defeat Bryce. He’s been professionally trained, unlike Jace who is still learning. I love that scene too.

What song would you pick to go with your book?

"You Belong With Me" by Taylor Swift.

Who are your favorite authors?

J.K. Rowling, J.R.R. Tolkien, Tad Williams, Nora Roberts, Maeve Binchy, and Marian Keyes to name a few.

What book are you currently reading and in what format (e-book/paperback/hardcover)?

I’m reading an Advance Review Copy of First Frost by Liz DeJesus. I’m also reading Heroes & Lovers by Wayne Zurl in paperback format.   

The reviews have been great for The Claiming Words, but criticism is part of the package for a writer. How do you handle criticism of your work?

It hurts when someone doesn’t like something you’ve put your heart and soul into. I try to remember that everyone has a different opinion and preferences. In nearly every negative critique, there’s at least a grain of truth. Sometimes the truth hurts.

You live in St Charles, Missouri. Tell us one weird thing, one nice thing, and one fact about where your town.
I live right down the road from the historic district. One weird thing...last year St Charles was in national news because the Sugar Plum Fairy got fired.

Oh no!

One nice thing about St Charles is Historic Main Street. It’s right by the Missouri River and has the most wonderful, interesting shops imaginable, including Main Street Books where my book launch is being held.

I’ve been there, and you aren’t exaggerating.

There are a dozen different festivals at the Riverfront, but I love Main Street even on a deserted Sunday night. One historical fact about St Charles is that it was the first state capital of Missouri.

Writer’s block is inevitable. What do you do when it happens?

I am well acquainted with writer’s block. I get writer’s block every time I get to the middle of a manuscript. I usually solve it by starting a new project. Maybe that’s why I have six unfinished novels in various stages of incompletion.

Is there anything in particular that you do to help the writing flow? Music? Acting out the scene? Long showers?

Music helps. Acting out the scene? I’ve never done that, but I have been known to talk to my characters while I was alone in my car. Is that weird?

No comment. What’s one of your favorite quotes?
"There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." - Albert Einstein.

I just finished reading The Claiming Words, and I'm ready for another Tricia Drammeh book. What are you working on now?

I’m working on a rewrite of The First Protector, which is a prequel to The Claiming Words.

Can you tell us a little bit about The First Protector? Will we see more of Jace, Rachel, Alisa, and Bryce?

Yes, we'll see Jace, Rachel, Alisa, and Bryce in The First Protector. The book takes a look at the story before The Claiming Words. It's written from the point of view of Jace & Bryce's father, Abe. It explains why the Demon Nevare has set his sites on destroying their family. The First Protector currently covers some of the territory explored in The Claiming Words, but delves more deeply into certain aspects of the Demon's vendetta against Abe.


Cool. Thanks for being here, Tricia. We'll talk to you more later in the week. 

About the author:

Tricia Drammeh is a wife and a mother of four children. Although she currently lives in Missouri, she has called many places home, including Georgia, Ohio, and California. She’s worked in retail, customer service, sales, and accounting, but writing has always been her dream career. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys reading, drinking vast amounts of coffee, and spending time with her family and the multitude of animals who have taken over her home. Tricia is currently working on her sixth novel.

Website 
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Author Interview with Diana Nixon

">The story begins with a strange dream, which has been torturing Eileen for nights. Trying to find out its hidden meaning she leans on her best friend Amanda for help. The two of them go to a fortune-teller, who predicts changes in Eileen’s life.

Christine Rice Answers Eight With Amy

I am happy to welcome the first non-fiction writer to my blog today. Christine Rice is the author of Freelance Writing Guide: What to Expect in Your First Year as a Freelance Writer.


About the book:

Freelance Writing Guide is a resourceful book that informs readers what they can expect during the first year of a freelance writing career. The information is presented honestly and directly, and covers everything the author experienced in her first year as a freelance writer in an informational and insightful manner.

The book covers ghostwriting, article writing, book writing, book reviewing, self-publishing, traditional publishing, business and finance topics for freelance writers, the lifestyle of a freelance writer, freelance writing income and types of pay, and many other topics. This is an informative book from an experienced freelance writer, written for writers who wish to start a freelance writing career.



And now, Eight with Amy

Your book sounds great, Christine. You’re a writer and an editor. What do you like best about writing?
My favorite thing about writing is being able to communicate clearly and descriptively. Along with that comes editing, which I enjoy. I like using writing to express my thoughts, to network with my friends and colleagues, to share my experiences, to relax, and for enjoyment. There is nothing that I dislike about writing or my career as a writer. I have truly found my dream job.

How would you describe your book in a tweet? (140 characters or less.)
Freelance Writing Guide: informative & resourceful guide that educates people on what 2 expect in the 1st yr of a freelance writing career.

For people who keep track—and I do—that’s 139 characters. Woohoo! Do you outline or write by the seat of your pants?
It depends. For the poetry that I wrote in my book, Poetry for the Heart, I sat down and just started typing my thoughts. For articles and essays, like the ones in Essays for the Soul, I start by writing the introduction paragraph and the topics - or in some cases the subheadings - I want to include, and then I fill in the rest. For my autobiography, My Not-So-Ordinary Life, I wrote about my experiences in chronological order, from the beginning of my life up until age 28, and I didn’t use an outline. But, for my latest book, Freelance Writing Guide, I created a thorough and detailed outline of the parts, chapter titles, topics, and main ideas. It was invaluable to my completing the book and including more information in it, than if I hadn’t done an outline beforehand.

What book are you currently reading and in what format (e-book/paperback/hardcover)?
I am reading ’59 by Anthony Sunderland in ebook format. It is a science-fiction novel that starts in the year 2059. Donald Lewis, a mission commander, goes on a space quest but doesn’t return as planned. His daughter, Janine, believes he’s still alive. That’s as far as I’ve read in the book so far. It is an interesting and entertaining story.

My laptop is permanently attached to me. Well, almost. Where and when do you prefer to do your writing?
I prefer to write at my desktop computer in my office. I have a widescreen monitor and a wireless mouse, a spacious desk - with all of my supplies and paperwork on it or nearby - and a printer within arm’s reach. All of these things help me with my writing. I’ve recently gotten into an earlier schedule, but I still usually write at night. Sometimes I write in the afternoon, but never in the morning, because that is when I go through and answer my emails and network online.  

Where’s home for you?
I live in a two-bedroom, third story apartment in the city of Worcester, Massachusetts USA with my husband and our cat. I am very content here. It is nice that everything is so close by and most of what we need is within walking distance.

Sounds wonderful. I love Massachusetts. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
I dream about living in the country, because I would have more peace and quiet for my writing and work. I don’t have a specific place in the country picked out, but I envision living in the mountains, maybe in New Hampshire where I grew up, where there are lots of trees, open land, and a stream or brook nearby. I enjoy hiking, so living in the mountains would give me a good opportunity to do it.

You’ve already published four books. What are you working on now?
I am working on three manuscripts at the moment:

Chronicles of a Troubled Girl - A memoir of my journal entries from age 9 to age 30 that reveals my emotional struggles and bad decisions during adolescence and adulthood. (November 2012)

Articles for the Mind - A compilation of all of the articles I published online in 2011. There is a large variety of different article topics. (December 2012)

Freedom from Fat - A memoir about my setbacks and success with trying to lose weight, and how I finally reach my goal weight. It is a collection of journal entries and blog posts from 2010-present (will go up to 2013.) (May 2013)

They all sound like great projects. And that’s eight questions. Thank you so much for being here. Best of luck with all of your works in progress. Please come back when your next book comes out.


About the author:

Christine Rice is a freelance writer, an editor, and an author. She has been publishing books since 2007. She is the author of four books - Poetry for the Heart, Essays for the Soul, My Not-So-Ordinary Life, and Freelance Writing Guide - and plans to publish two more books by the end of 2012. She has been a freelance writer and an editor since 2011.


Find Christine:
Website
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Lulu
Smashwords

Book Excerpt: Secrets Clad In Light

Excerpt from Secrets Clad in Light by Kyra Gregory

A petite shadow cast over them shortly. When he glanced up he saw the earlier person standing there in the water, shoulders low as it struggled in holding a medium sized trunk. “It sounds like you’ve made a decision.”

“How much good does it do? It only hurts more.” With this decision his heart felt heavier, sickness settling into his stomach. He glanced back up and then dropped his gaze to the trunk, “What is that?”

“Reinforcement.” A boot peaked out from beneath the long coat as it stepped up, approaching slowly before chucking the trunk on the bed. The weight of the trunk caused it to bounce on the poor mattress. “Do you need more of my help or do you think you can do it?”

“Who are you?” He couldn’t help asking. The figure reached up and grabbed at the hood, lowering it so that finally Henry could see the gentle face of a young woman.

Her face was what was tender but otherwise her gaze was rather hard and cold. Her voice hadn’t given in to her femininity as she was so cold, or perhaps he had been so distracted by Seth that he hadn’t noticed.

The woman knelt down onto the bed, reaching out to touch the man’s cheek with her gloved fingers before she snatched the scarf from around his neck and took a look at the wound. From then on her movements were rather prompt as she opened up the small trunk and placed a hand over his chest, feeling for his heart. “The choice is really yours. He can’t decide anything at this point.”

Henry shifted uncomfortably and glanced at the man’s constant fighting. He lowered his head, shoulders beginning to shake with emotion. “Please save him.”

The damage was as extensive as he had dreaded. It was a difficult procedure with what the woman murmured to be sub-humane medical conditions. Henry only watched and assisted where he could, attempting as much as possible to make the area sterile by making use of some alcohol on each instrument that the woman intended to use.

He watched her actions very carefully, not knowing what type of person she truly was but not so wary that he was inclined to stop her from trying to save Seth. Other than watch her he could only follow her sporadic and rather unfeeling orders, hold the man’s hand and comb back his soaking hair.

Occasionally he could feel the woman’s eyes wandering up to examine him as scrupulously as she did the gaping wound. He wasn’t too surprised by the reaction. The sight was certainly one to see and he would have been staring too had he been in her position.

She exhaled heavily, wiping her damp cheek and forehead in her shoulder, “He’s probably not going to be thanking you for any of this if he lives.”

“How high are the chances that he’ll live?” Henry’s response came quickly with no real response in mind to her statement.

“They’re not too bad.” She seated herself rather unlady-like on the dusty mattress, holding up a needle and thread to the dim lighting of the roaring fire.

Henry winced sharply at the sight of the pointed object; the thought alone of the woman stitching the man’s tender skin made him sick with unease. “I’m sure he’ll be angry at me at first. Maybe for a little while.” Her earlier statement finally sunk in and a response left his lips before he could really give it much thought. “You wouldn’t understand.”

“How well do you know him?” She enquired, eyes shooting to glance at Henry. She didn’t hold that gaze for very long, quickly beginning to stitch up the wound.

Henry clenched Seth’s hand tightly in his as though he were trying to comfort him, unsure about whether he was in a lot of pain or not.

“There’s a lot of damage here.” She pointed out. “If he ever wakes up I don’t think he’s going to be very pleased with the state he’ll be in.”

“I’ll tend to him for however long necessary.” Henry whispered, lifting the man’s hand in his own clasped ones. “I’m sure he’ll get better. He…he’s still breathing. He’s…survived a lot already.”

“Only so much.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

The young woman appeared to smirk meekly, no doubt satisfied that she had jerked a response out of him. “It means, my dear friend, that he’s most likely not going to be thanking you when he wakes up. He won’t berate you either. Or say much of anything else.”

Henry wasn’t sure what had happened but he suddenly couldn’t tell the difference between his own body and Seth’s. Both were ice cold. “I don’t understand… Are you…” 

Come back on October 10th for an interview with Henry. For more on Kyra Gregory, scroll down for an interview with the author.

Kyra Gregory Answers Eight With Amy

About the book:

London, 1888. Henry decides to abandon all social conventions and rescue his lover, Seth, from an abusive household. He has replayed the moment in his head and has always known it wouldn't be easy. He has never thought that it would be Seth who would cut his time too short. With Seth barely breathing, Henry must make the hardest decision of his life: try to save Seth, possibly condemning him to a life of suffering, or let him pass on in peace. But the arrival of a young stranger forces Henry's hand, doing little to ease his qualms of uncertainty as everything he thought he knew changes.

Caught between self-doubt and his own selfish desires, Henry learns to fight it all, using this stranger as a light to shine on what he hopes is the right path... All the while aware that there is still so much he doesn't yet know...

And now...

Eight Questions with Amy:

Welcome, Kyra. Thank you for being here all the way from Malta! How did you come up with Secrets Clad in Light as the title of your book?

I thought about it for a long time; it was called 'untitled' throughout the writing process and well into the second round of editing. I was going to simply call it 'Secrets' but felt like it didn't quite suit the story. I wanted a title that made one aware of the secrecy throughout the story but also to know from the start that a secret can be seen as something positive to some people. Light is what scares away the darkness, the negativity, and this is how Henry sees this young stranger; however little he knows this person is the light in the darkness he's been plunged into. 



Sounds mysterious. How did you create the plot for this book? 

I first came up with the idea for this story when I was completing Lady in Red; there were two characters in that novel that I wondered how they would have developed had the circumstances been a little bit different. I wanted to try writing 19th Century London again, having failed a few times, and once I developed the new circumstances for Henry, things went on from there. Henry became a very different character from what I first had in mind. There was little intention for the story to become as mysterious as it did though.



I love it when characters begin to write the story. How do you develop your characters?

They usually develop all by themselves actually. I usually have a few qualities in mind for them or at least have their role in part of the story decided, but they end up fleshing themselves out with time. Most end up being entirely out of my control very quickly; they decide what they need and when, and they won't let me do anything in the plot unless they're ready or agree with it. I love that about them though. 



Me too! When you start a new book, do you know what the entire cast will be?

Absolutely not. A character in Secrets Clad in Light was introduced when I felt like things would be best explained with their introduction.



Reviews go with the territory. How do you handle criticism of your work?

I think it's important as a writer to know where your limitations are in your skill of writing and storytelling. It's tough to accept criticism of portions of your work that you felt satisfied with, and you begin to question that skill. I try to keep an open mind when reading people's criticism of my work; I know where my limitations are and can accept it. Regardless, I try to think a bit about what people said and question whether I could have done something better or differently. There will be times I agree with the person after some thought, but there are still some I'll disagree with. I don't approach anyone with my thoughts though.



Do you (or I should say, your characters) outline or do you write by the seat of your pants?

I outline because it takes me so long to get to a story that I wouldn't want to forget certain scenes and developments that I'd been thinking about. It also speeds up the writing process somewhat. I don't put a lot of priority on outlining though since, as I said, the characters tend to do things against my initial intentions.



Do you and your imaginary friends have a routine for writing? Do you work better at night, in the afternoon or morning?

I'll write at any time I can but find myself writing most efficiently at night. I often write until about 7 a.m. before deciding it's about time to go to sleep. I wouldn't say I have a particular routine for writing though.



Where's home for you?

Home is where your heart is; the place you feel comfortable; where you can be yourself. I have trouble finding that place at this point in my life, but I want to work hard at the things I love in order to find that place for myself.



What are you working on now?

I'm finishing up a romance novel that very much has a summer feel to it. I think it's really sweet and had plenty of fun writing. I will soon be moving on to re-writing and expanding a series that I had started a few years ago. I'm really looking forward to it!



Sounds great. I hope you’ll come back when those projects are ready to be published. Thank you for talking about yourself and your book. 

Next up is an excerpt from Secrets Clad In Light. Don’t miss it!

About the author:

Kyra Gregory is a young author from the tiny island of Malta. In those rare moments when she isn't writing or even thinking about writing, she's furthering her education. Writing novels from a very young age, she began self-publishing in June 2011.

Find Kyra at:

Website/Blog

Goodreads

Twitter

Amazon