Friday, April 29, 2011

Giveaway and Author Interview with Author Nicole Peeler!!

PhotobucketToday we have Ms. Nicole Peeler here for an interview, Hi!




So! Can you tell us a little about yourself?


Hi Melissa! I'm the author of the Jane True urban fantasy series for Orbit Books, and I'm also a professor of English literature and creative writing at Seton Hill University, in Pennsylvania. I teach undergrads, but I also teach in our MFA program, which is specifically for writing popular fiction. It's very fun!



Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?


I've always loved reading, and I would consider myself a reader, first and foremost. I think the writing came from wanting to give people the same pleasure that I got from books. But I think the fact I'm a reader, first, means that I always think about what I'd like to read and I take a lot of joy in the process, rather than focusing on being published, or being an author.



What surprised you the most about the writing/publishing process?


It's a lot more work than I realized. I didn't know anything about the business when I wrote my book, and I kind of assumed we'd just write stuff and that would be it. But it's a whole, huge process, that includes so much that's not writing. It's a joy to be a part of the industry, but it's definitely a lot of work.


Photobucket What were your inspirations for creating this story?


I was definitely inspired to write Tempest Rising by the urban fantasy I read as a child, especially Susan Cooper, Mercedes Lackey, and Charles de Lint. Then I was directly inspired by Charlaine Harris's book Dead as a Doornail. I was also inspired by the selkie mythology I'd read as a teenager. They're beautiful, heartbreaking legends.


How long did it take you to write it, and did you have any writer’s block along the way?


It takes me about 3 months to write a novel, although I plan for about a month before that. And I don't believe in writer's block. There are days that everything flows better than others, and days I'd rather edit than write. But if I'm feeling like I don't want to write, I sometimes have to make myself. I find that after an hour or so everything starts to move.


That kind of sounded like I'm talking about constipation, didn't it? I suppose it's an apt metaphor. ;-)


LOL! How do you develop your plots? Do you use any set formula?


I don't use formula, but I do outline. I think, first, about what's the "point" of each book, in terms of two things: the development of my protagonist and the development of my plot. Then I think about where I want to set things, and what I want to happen, and what I need to happen to fulfill the "points" of the book. It's a very organic process, but I'm very involved in the planning stage and would never, ever, attempt to write a book without an outline.


PhotobucketHow did you come up with the character of Jane True?


I wanted a female character who was vulnerable but still brave, and I'd always been fascinated by the children of selkies that so many legends mention. What would it be like to be part-magical, part-human? Jane came from these kernels of an idea, that grew and grew.


If you could pick one actress to portray Jane True on the big screen who would it be and why?


To be honest, I don't have an actress for Jane. Maybe that actress who played the older girl in Zombieland, maybe. But I always pictured Jane as anime, which I think was why I liked the covers that Orbit developed so much. So in an ideal world, for me, Tempest Rising would become an anime film.


What, in your opinion, are the most important elements of good writing?


I think the basics of form and structure and grammer have to be there, obviously. Ideas are a dime a dozen, but being able to adequately convey those ideas is a lot harder than people think. After that, I like fiction that has a strong voice, and that I can tell the author enjoyed writing.


This was a great story set with a divided world of humans and those from the supernatural. Was there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?


Definitely keeping track of everything! I haven't been very good about keeping records of the personality foibles of my characters, so each book I have to go through and remind myself who says what, and who does what, etc. I'm trying to change my ways with book five, and I've bought Scrivener and I'm trying to keep detailed records for this one that I can use for book six. But I wish I'd done that earlier in the series!


PhotobucketWhat were your feelings when you first saw the cover of your finished book?

I couldn't believe it! I still can't believe it. To this day I get a real kick out of seeing my books in stores.


Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?


Probably that bravery takes many forms, and that it's okay to be comfortable in your own skin. I think women are so often being told by our society that they should try to be something they're not, or to constantly work on "fixing" ourselves according to these really skewed standards. I hope Jane encourages women to be what they want to be: be sexy how they want to be sexy, be strong how they want to be strong, and really to think about what they want and what they think is right. We shouldn't let the people around us make our decisions for us.


Thank you so much! Come by and visit Ms. Peeler at:

Her Website
Twitter
Facebook


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Ms. Peeler will be giving away a UK edition of Tempest Rising and Tracking the Tempest to one lucky winner!
OPEN INTERNATIONALLY!
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16 comments:

Denise K. Rago said...

Nicole - your book covers are really beautiful and unique. Can you tell us how they came to be? Also, the selkie myths are so beautiful. Thank you.

tears_of_fire said...

These books sound like fun and the covers are really unique :) I want to enter this contest but I don't want my email viewed publicly. I don't see the form you usually have on here is there another way I can do this?

Melissa said...

Hey there!! Got it fixed! Sorry about that. I got a sick baby :( And was up all night. Thank you for letting me know.

Victoria said...

Hi -
Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/Jovial_1/status/63999661492535297

I've only read two selkie stories before and I really enjoyed them. They were so different from most of the other paranormal/fantasy stuff I read.
I love your covers and was wondering if it's the same artist or do you have more than one?

vsloboda(at)gmail(dot)com

Jolene and Family said...

Great interview!! I first came across these books on goodreads and was intrigued by the covers and was sold by all the love from the fans. I cannot wait to read these, they sound amazing!!!!

june111(at)att(dot)net

Melanie S. said...

Thanks for being here today - I' heard fantastic things about your series and can't wait to see for myself! and I already love the covers - they are sooo cute and unique :)
wish you all the best, Melanie

Anonymous said...

I picked up the first book in your series because of a recommendation from Jaye Wells. I'm almost 100 pages into book one and I can't wait to get home and read more. I love that Jane is smart, vulnerable, complicated, unsure, etc. just like we all are. I also love how you've used a host of supernatural "creatures" in new and unique ways. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.

Michelle O'Boyle said...

Love the interview. Nicole is such a fun person and her personality shines through her writing. I met her before I read one of her books and now I can't get enough of her writing. I only wish I had more self control not to read her books the same day they come out. It would be an honor to win the UK editions.

Tweeted: https://twitter.com/ndwakelady/status/64028500671201281

michelleoboyle(at)gmail(dot)com

Holly said...

I found Nicole on Ibooks as a $2.99 steal. I read the first book and then devoured the other two. She's now one of my top favorite authors. It's very rare for someone to be able to capture character, plot, sex appeal AND paranormal without some cheesy elements - Ms. Peeler is GREAT at this! Can't wait to read more!

lindalou said...

My sister has actually recommended your books to me before! So... Nicole is already on my TBR list. Thanks for the opportunity to win 2 of your books!
Linda T., USA
lindalou(at)cfl(dot)rr(dot)com

LinneaHall said...

These look like really interesting books! I'm always keeping my eye out for new and exciting ideas rather than the same old tired stories that are redone over and over. I have always loved the selkies being of Irish descent myself. These books look truly amazing. I can't wait to check them out on my new Kindle!!!

Amy said...

Nicole's books are on my wish list. I like stories with some humor. The covers look so cute!

Unknown said...

Great interview! These books sound incredible. I like the message and the image you portray. Jane doesn't have to be some expert gunslinger to be a badass. I like the idea that she is afraid and vulnerable, but she does what she has to. I could see Emma Stone being Jane, but I definitely like the idea of this being anime, that would be great to see. Thank you guys for the great interview and giveaway. Added this to my wishlist :)

Read Between the Lines said...

ur seriesd really sounds interesting. I would love to read ur books I will add them to my TBR Pile. I tweeted this giveaway and posted it to my facebook.

http://twitter.com/#!/amdase/status/64171799935594496

http://www.facebook.com/people/Anna-Dase/100001505243713


berrylicious_cutie(at)hotmail(.)com

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

Awesome covers! Can't wait to read this series.

http://twitter.com/#!/alterlisa/status/64178470804144129

Unknown said...

Your book's cover is really tempting..
just made me wanna read this series..

I tweeted this contest and posted on my facebook

http://twitter.com/#!/friendaflorentz

facebook.com/frinda florentina

florentine_frinda(at)yahoo(dot)com

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