Please welcome the Seal of Destiny blog tour to my blog today!
About the Author:
Want to know about me? April Angel (aka Milly Taiden) was
born in the prettiest part of the Caribbean known as the Dominican Republic.
She grew up between New York, Florida and Massachusetts. Currently, she resides
in New York City with her husband, bossy young son and their little dog Speedy.
She’s addicted to shopping for shoes, chocolate (but who
isn’t?) and Dunkin Donuts coffee.
A bookworm when she can get her hands on a good story, she
loves reading all Mina Carter, Cynthia Eden and Dianne Duvall among others.
Here's my interview:
Tell me a bit about yourself:
I’m a Midwest native. I love animals, quotes
and chocolate and can be a more than occasional smartass. I’m also currently
pursuing an MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University.
About the Author:
Traci is the author of paranormal/urban fantasy and
contemporary romances featuring a sly, urban edge, including her current Seven
Seals series. Her stories feature sizzling alpha-male heroes full of dark
humor, quick wits and major attitudes; smart, independent heroines who always
give as good as they get; and scrumptiously evil villains who are—more often
than not—bent on world destruction. She enjoys weaving ancient curses and
mythology, modern science and old religion, and great dialogue together to
build red-hot, sizzling chemistry between her main characters.
A storyteller since childhood,
she began putting her tales down on paper in November 2011 after the idea for
the Seven Seals Series occurred to her in a dream. She finished the first draft
of what was to become Seal of Destiny in one month and decided to pursue a
full-time writing career in January of 2012. Life has now been a rollercoaster,
crash course in pursuing your dreams.
Traci is an active member of
Romance Writers of America (RWA), Indiana Romance Writers of America (IRWA) and
Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal Writers (FF&P) and is pursing a
Masters of Fine Arts degree in Writing Popular Fiction through Seton Hill
University. Her stories have made the final rounds in several RWA chapter
contests, including the 2012 Duel on the Delta, the 2012 Molly Awards, and the
2012 Catherine Awards. An earlier draft of Seal of Destiny won the paranormal
category of the 2012 Marlene Awards sponsored by the Washington Romance
Writers.
Other current projects
include upcoming books in the Seven Seals series and a new futuristic detective
series with hints of the paranormal and plenty of romance.
What type of genre do you write?
I
currently write Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy and Contemporary Romance. My
MFA Thesis Project will take me into Paranormal Romantic Suspense territory, with
tinges of horror.
What genre to you personally read?
I
read mainly paranormal romance, urban fantasy and historical romance.
Tell me about your latest?
Seal
Of Destiny, and the Seven Seals Series, is about the human-bound Seven Seals of
the Apocalypse and the elite team of divine immortal warriors who protect them.
What sparked your passion for books and the
art of a good story?
I’m
an only child so reading and books were companions of mine from an early age. I
invented stories to entertain myself.
Is there a particular book that changed or
affected your life in a big way?
I
love the classics. Jane Austen’s Pride
and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility. And Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyrs. Great stuff! I love a tragic
hero and triumph over adversity.
Is there a message in your book that you
want readers to grasp?
Good
will prevail, if defended. And true love happens in the most unlikely places.
What challenges have you faced in your
writing career?
Seal
of Destiny is my first book, so the whole experience has been a learning
process. Trying to master everything that goes into good writing and good
storytelling.
What has been your best moment as a writer?
Getting
the call from the publisher saying they wanted to buy my book. And seeing my
name on the cover.
Who is your author idol?
Wow.
I’d have to say Stephen King. He doesn’t write my genre, but the guy has
longevity. And he continues to produce good work year after year. He’s humble
and a really great wordsmith. And then there’s J.K. Rowling. Such a fantastic
world in Harry Potter and she conducts her life with grace.
Do you see yourself in any of your
characters?
Sure.
There’s a bit of me in each of them.
Do you feel like your dream has come true
or is there much more to do?
I
feel like my dream has started to come true. There’s always more to be done,
unless your dead.
What does your workspace look like?
My
office is the third bedroom in my house. It’s pretty messy right now. Best not
to look… J
Have you ever had a day when you just
wanted to quit?
Absolutely.
Writing isn’t for sissies. If someone tells you it’s easy to write everyday,
they’re lying or insane. Some days it flows, some days it’s like pulling teeth.
But you show up and sit your butt in the chair until it’s done.
What do you do when you’re not writing?
Reading,
listening to music, playing with my dogs, eating chocolate. J I’m
also a Project Runway fanatic and love the comedy line-up on ABC Wednesdays.
What are the most important attributes to
remaining sane as a writer?
Turn
off your inner critic and just write. Get the story down on paper and fix it
later. And develop a thick skin, the sooner the better. Distance yourself from
your story once its done. Reading and taste is subjective. Not everyone is
going to love everything you do. Accept it and move on. And have fun. That’s
why we become writers in the first place. J
Did you have a moment when you realized you
were meant to be a writer?
Not
really. The idea for Seal Of Destiny came to me in a dream about a year and a
half ago now and I couldn’t get it out of my head until I wrote it down.
What advice would you give to aspiring
authors?
Write.
Everyday. Read. Lots. Join the national organization for your genre and get
yourself a good critique group.
After this book, what is next?
Crimson
Romance just contracted the second book in the series, Seal Of Surrender. That
book will be available May 2013.
The
third book in the series is done and on my hard drive, awaiting edits, and I’m
starting work on the fourth book and writing my thesis project.
Your website?
www.tracidouglass.net
Your blog?
www.tracidouglass.net/blog
Other websites?
Amazon Author Page: http:// www.amazon.co/author/tracidouglass
Where can your book be found?
Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AWWONDQ
Barnes & Noble - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/seal-of-destiny-traci-douglass/1114140320?ean=9781440563447
Please thank Traci for visiting with us today. Please check out her websites and book!
Keep Writing!
Jodie Pierce
Thank you for having me on your blog today, Jodie! :)
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