Today, I am pleased to introduce Robin P. Waldrop, the author of the YA Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy novel, Ties to the Blood Moon (click for my review). Her book was a fun and exciting read that was hard to put down. I now anxiously await the second book of her series because I simply have to know what is going to happen next. And the sneak peek Waldrop sent me has only upped my anticipation to nail-biting levels. For a chance to win Ties to the Blood Moon just click here.
Jennifer: I have to say that your YA paranormal romance/urban fantasy book, Ties
to the Blood Moon, was a very fun read. It had adventure, mystery, and romance.
But for those who have yet to read it, can you tell us a little more about your
book?
Robin: First
let me say thank you for having me on your blog, and also for writing such a
great review. It was detailed and just all around lovely.
Ties To
The Blood Moon is about Genevieve, a seventeen year old girl who’s just had her
world ripped apart with the loss of her only living parent … her mom who was
killed in a house fire. Genevieve is whisked away to her aunt’s house in Haven,
Alaska to finish out high school, or so she thinks. Little does she know her
life will never be her own again.
A very
old Native Alaskan tribe—one with certain secrets— has been waiting for the
return of their princess who will bring peace after many years of war. Not just
any war, but an ongoing battle between blood drinkers and shape-shifters.
Jennifer: Aww, thank you. It was a great book which made writing a review that much
easier. So how did you come up with the concept for Ties to the Blood Moon?
Robin: I’m
sure you’ve heard this before, but the original idea came to me in a dream, or
actually a nightmare. I woke up about one o’clock in the morning and shot out
of bed. Of course, I laughed when I realized I had been dreaming, but it seemed
so real I couldn’t stop thinking about it.
With
pen and paper in hand I sat up the rest of the night fleshing out the story and
early the next morning Ties To The Blood Moon was born.
Jennifer: I love when stories come from a dream. It's like it was meant to be, like
this is the book you were always destined to write. :) So can you tell us about
your writing routine? When, where, how often, and if you have any special
quirks or rituals?
Robin:
Do you
want the truth? Because I can promise a lie would sound much more
glamorous. Seriously though, I live in a
house full of folks, which makes it hard sometimes to get in any writing. I
don’t have an office yet so I am forced to write at the bar next to the
kitchen. Sometimes I need it to be quiet when I write and other times I enjoy
listening to music.
I
usually try to get up around four a.m. and write about an hour before the rest
of the crew starts to stir. After that it’s whenever I can get time to myself.
Whether it be midday or midnight, I try to write everyday. If not my mind gets
too flooded.
One of
my grandsons stays with me a lot. He’s only four and he demands my attention.
So, when I have him I divide my day between writing and playing transformers,
army men, and—my personal favorite—Batman and Robin.
Jennifer: Aww, that's just too dang adorable. So between writing and spending time
with your family, do you ever get the time to read? If so, what kind of books
do you like to read and which authors are your favorite?
Robin: Oh yes!
I always make time to read. I’ve talked with many different authors about
various things and have gotten a slew of different opinions about certain
things, but when it comes to reading they all have said the same thing: In
order to be a great author you have to make time to read. So, that’s what I do.
I sneak a little me time when I can and curl up someplace quiet with a cup of
coffee and one of my favorite authors like Catherine Coulter, John Grisham, and
Nicholas Sparks. I have too many favorites to list them all now, so these are
just the ones I am currently reading.
Jennifer: I have to say, you have some great taste in authors. You mentioned that you
have talked with many authors over the years. Is there any writing wisdom/tips
you have learned from them or along your writing journey that you can share
with us first-time writers?
Robin: Well,
there are way too many to speak of all of them, but a few of the ones that have
stuck with me the most or that I’ve put to use the most are:
Aaron
P. Lazar who is a wonderful mystery author and a great friend and mentor once
told me “Write like the wind, edit like an architect.” He told me this because
I have this big problem with trying to edit while I write. And any good author
will tell you if you try to write that way you will never finish anything,
because no matter how many times you look at it you will always find something
to change or tweak.
Catherine
Coulter who writes both FBI suspense/thrillers and historical romances told me
to “Never give up no matter what!” When I wrote my very first novel, which is
an FBI suspense/thriller, I queried about fifty agents. Long story short—they
all ended with rejections. I felt so defeated I wrote to her and thanked her
for all of her advice and told her I was hanging up my writing hat. Needless to
say, she had a fit. She told me no matter what anyone says, if you believe in
what you’re doing, if it makes you happy, never give up. Keep going and
eventually you will get wherever it is you’re trying to go—and I am getting
there … slowly but surely.
John
Marion Francis is not a big name author, but he is a great friend and
inspiration to me. He said, “Never stop writing.” When you finish writing a
book, short story, or novella, it’s okay to celebrate, but then you have to
write something else, then something else, then something else. So far, I’ve
written two novels, three short stories, and one novella.
There
is one other important piece of advice I have been told from every author I’ve
ever asked for advice. Read. Read. Read. Definitely read, and read more than
you write.
Jennifer: Wow, what great advice. I love what Lazar said "Write like the wind,
edit like an architect.” I have the same problem with editing while I write.
And thank goodness for Coulter because I think you have a very successful
future ahead of you if you keep writing the way you do. Okay, time for the odd
question. Which one of your characters would you most like to sit down and have
dinner with? What would the two of you talk about and eat?
Robin: Well, I
would have to say William. He was my idea of the perfect guy when I was
younger. He is alluring and mysterious. He also has a bit of the ‘bad boy’
syndrome. Even though he’s sexy as #@%$, he has a dark side that the reader
won’t see until book 2. Does that mean he’s a bad guy? Certainly not. However,
he does have some dangerous qualities. I can’t really describe what or that
would spoil it for folks.
As far
as eating, vampires don’t eat, so I think I would have some wine while William
had some of my blood. Gen describes it as the most intense, most wonderful,
knock your socks off feeling when someone drinks your blood. I would just have
to try it once and see for myself. As far as talking, well … I guess you know
there wouldn’t be much talking, now would there?
Jennifer: Sounds like a perfect date to me, lol. I love your honesty. And I can't wait
to see William's dark side in book 2. Now that I think about it, how do you
come up with your character's personalities and traits? Do you base any of them
off yourself or people you know or are they purely from scratch?
Robin: Honestly,
both. Some of their traits come from my children. I have five children and five
grandchildren so I have many different personalities to choose from. And
sometimes I base them solely on my idea of how I think that particular
character should be. Now, I look at the Ties characters as if I have known them
forever.
Jennifer: OMG. With such a big family I don't know how you find the time to write. But
at least they help you develop your character's personalities. So before I let
you go, can you share with us what was the best and worst part of writing Ties
to the Blood Moon?
Robin: I guess
the best part AND the worst part would be the time spent away from the
commotion of a large family. I wrote TIES in just over two months so I was
alone a great deal of that time, which meant peace and quiet. But on the other
hand, I missed out on a lot of things by not being available for them. Believe
me, they definitely like me better when I’m in between books.
Jennifer: I can't thank you enough for taking the time to answer a few of my
questions. I hope you had as much fun as I did. Is there anything else you
would like to mention to my readers before we part ways?
Robin: Yes,
Jennifer. First, I would like to thank you. It’s been fun and you are the
perfect blog hostess. I also want to thank you for taking a chance and reading
an unknown author. So many people still think that self published means you
aren’t good enough to get picked up by a publishing company. I’m sure it’s true
for some, but there are so many more good authors who go through all the same
steps as any traditionally published author, except one—we take charge of our
own publishing and marketing. Thanks to all the readers/reviewers who do
believe in us.
Book 2
in the series will be out in late March. I will be revealing the title and book
cover soon. TIES, as you know is available on all digital sites. It will be
released in print in about two weeks, and also in audio in about two months.
Jennifer,
I also would like to invite your audience to stop by my blog and say hi. Or
visit me on twitter and facebook.
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I appreciate all comments and read every one of them. Thank you for taking the time to read my ramblings.