SECRET WORLDS available for only 99₵ for a limited time!
Get your copy now!
Today, I'd like to welcome A.J. Colby to my blog. Born
and raised in England until the age of thirteen, A.J. moved across the Atlantic
and settled in Colorado in the mid-nineties, where she has resided ever since. Enchanted
by science fiction and fantasy from an early age, she has made it her life’s mission
to one day pen her own story filled with vampires, werewolves, and ghouls (oh my!).
A.J.
lives in the shadow of the majestic Rocky Mountains with her fiancé/manager/pimp,
Mr. Awesome Sauce and their horde of feline minions. When not writing she divides
her time between reading, playing World of Warcraft, and collecting sewing machines
and neurosis.
My latest release was the follow-up to my debut novel
and picks up a couple months after the events of Hunted. Whereas Hunted was
an introduction to Riley and some of the other key players in the series, Bitten gives us a glimpse into the world
she inhabits. Riley finds herself having to navigate Denver’s supernatural community
while trying to figure out who is killing vampires and werewolves.
JET: What drew you to urban fantasy?
I’ve always been drawn to fantasy, especially anything
involving vampires or werewolves. When I first came across urban fantasy I instantly
fell in love with the juxtaposition of these classical monsters set against a modern
stage.
JET: What’s been your most challenging hurdle on the road to publication?
One of the hardest things for me is staying focused.
I’m definitely a bit of a “pantser” (though I’m working on being better at plotting
out my books) so sometimes it’s hard to keep the story heading in the right direction.
My characters have a tendency to veer off in different directions from what I had
in mind. I also suffer from a serious case of ADOS (Attention Deficit... Ooh Shiny!),
and can easily get distracted by one of my many other interests.
JET: What was your favorite moment in the journey?
I think finally reaching the end of my first novel
was the most rewarding/favorite part of the journey so far. Since then I’ve completed
another novel as well as a short story and have another one of each in the works,
but there’s nothing quite like the first time you’re able to write “The End.” It’s
been a long time coming (20 years), and to finally reach that point was like nothing
else I’ve ever experienced. I might even have cried a little.
JET: Which authors had the most influence over you growing up?
Anne Rice definitely is at the top of my list simply
because Interview with the Vampire was
my first introduction to the world of vampires, and gave birth to my love affair
with the creatures of the night. Next would have to be Jim Butcher – the Dresden Files gave me a glimpse into what
our world would be like if all the things that go bump in the night really existed.
It was after reading Jim’s work that I knew I wanted to take a modern approach to
my own writing.
JET: When did you know you wanted to take the plunge into the writing world?
After reading Interview
with the Vampire for the first time. I was ten years-old and instantly knew
that that was what I wanted to do with my life. I’d always been drawn to writing
stories as a kid, but it wasn’t until that point that I really felt the drive to
write come to life. Since then no matter what other pursuits and hobbies I’ve developed,
I always return to writing. My fiancé swears that I get a bit temperamental if I
don’t write regularly ;o)
JET: What’s the craziest thing you’ve done in the name of book research? Most interesting fact you uncovered?
So far, my research hasn’t required me to do anything
really crazy. I probably know more about the behavior of wolves than I ever thought
I would, and know every single word or term you can use to describe smell. I don’t
know if you’d consider it an interesting fact or not, but I discovered a breed of
wolf I’d never heard of – the Maned wolf of South America. It’s a strange looking
creature with a gorgeous russet and black coat and very long legs. I actually had intended to style my werewolves after
the Maned wolf, but my fiancé says they look really goofy! Oh well, I think they’re
cute.
JET: Of all the novels and stories you’ve written - which one is your favorite? Why?
Hunted of
course has to be my favorite simply because it was my first. It’s kind of like having
a first love – others will come along, many of which you’ll like better, but your
first will always have a special place in your heart.
JET: Any advice (from a writer’s standpoint) for the novices out there?
Beyond the usual “just write” that everyone says,
my biggest recommendation is finding a support group. Writing is typically a very
solitary activity and it’s all too easy to get stuck in your own head. It’s a huge
help having others to give you an outside perspective. The online community of KBoards
is an awesome archive of knowledge and advice from fellow writers in all stages
of success, but it’s important to have a local network of people too. Sometimes
you just need someone to say “Come have a beer.”
JET: All right - now that I’ve hammered you with the big questions,
let’s tackle my favorite (and geeky) quick ten...starting with Cat
or Dog?
Definitely cat. My fiancé and I have
horde of fuzzy minions, and I’m always on the lookout for another. Their names are
Severus, Lucius, Silas, Viktor, and Sammy (Samantha Be Wild).
JET: Steak or Tofu?
Steak. No self-respecting author of a
werewolf series would eat tofu!
JET: Beach or Mountains?
Mountains, but then I’m biased because
I get to look at them every day.
JET: Country or Rock-n-Roll?
Rock-n-roll, baby!
JET: Leather or Lace?
Hmm... that’s
actually a hard one; each other has their own allure. I think if I had to choose
just one though, I’d have to go with leather. It’s all about the smell. Mmm.
JET: Vamps or Wolves?
As blasphemous
as it may be for me to say given that my main character is a werewolf, I’d have
to say that vampires are my favorite. It harkens back to my introduction to the
world of fantasy.
JET: Star Trek or Star Wars?
Star Trek
for sure. My dad introduced me to Star Trek was a kid, and I’ve been hooked ever
since. Captain Jean Luc Picard is my dream man.
JET:
Paper or Digital?
As much as
I love the convenience of being able to carry around thousands of books on my cell
phone or tablet, there’s nothing that compares to the experience of reading a physical
book. It’s such a sensory experience – the feel of the paper beneath your fingers,
the sound of the pages turning, the smell of the ink on the page. Digital can’t
even come close to that.
JET:
Twilight or True Blood
True Blood just because of Eric Northman. Vikings are
hot, undead or not.
JET: Coffee or Tea?
I’m a Brit, so of course my only possible
answer is tea. But none of that iced crap. It should only be served hot with milk
and sugar.
JET: Thank you for indulging me. Before we wrap this up, can you tell us what you're working on now? What's next?
I’ve got another short story, and the
third Riley novel, Unleashed, in the works.
It’s been several months since Riley was thrust into the
middle of a plot to overthrow the Shepherd of the City and got a crash course in
supernatural politics. Meanwhile, Holbrook has been busy running the Denver field
office of the newly formed Arcane Investigations Bureau, and now they’re eager to
get out of town for a break.
Family tensions and old prejudices
are sure to make the trip to Holbrook’s hometown of Larkwood, TX an interesting
affair, and when locals start turning dead up all eyes of course turn to Riley.
It’s up to Riley and Holbrook to find the murderer before she ends up behind bars,
or worse.
Thank
you so much for taking the time to chat on my blog. Folks, you
can find out more about A.J. Colby and her work on her website or on Paranormal Book Deals!
Thanks for swinging in today!
Until next time,
Ciao.
JET
No comments:
Post a Comment