Hi all!
Please help me welcome
Author BR Kingsolver to my blog today!
About the author:
I made silver and
turquoise jewelry for almost a decade, ended up in nursing school, then took a
master’s in business. Along the way I worked in construction, as a newspaper
editor, a teacher, and somehow found a career working with computers.
I love the outdoors,
especially the Rocky Mountains. I’ve skied since high school and I’ve hiked and
camped all my life. I love to travel, though I haven’t done enough of it. I’ve
seen a lot of Russia and Mexico, not enough of England. Amsterdam is amazing,
and the Romanian Alps are breathtaking. Lake Tahoe is a favorite, and someday
I’d like to see Banff in Canada.
I have a very
significant other, two cats and two Basset Hounds. I’m currently living in
Baltimore, nine blocks from the harbor, but still own a home in New Mexico that
I see too infrequently.
Here’s my interview with
the Author:
1)
Where did you find the
inspiration to write The Telepathic Clans Saga?
When
I started thinking about what kind of character could be strong, kick-ass, and
blatantly sexual while still being one of the good guys.
I
started researching paranormal "powers", and managed to put together
a coherent list of talents and myths people have envisioned through the
centuries. One of the myths I find particularly humorous is that of the
succubus. The medieval church used that myth to demonize sexual women. I thought about the idea of a different kind
of succubus, a telepath who could drain a man’s life energy, but wasn’t aligned
with the devil, and didn’t do him permanent harm.
From
there the idea started to grow. I envisioned a matriarchal society, worshipping
a Goddess, with Telepathic Gifts where the women are as strong as the men -- a
society of equals. And in an equal society, women and men are free to express
their sexual identities.
The
idea of a powerful succubus, a member of a telepathic race, as a character for
my books was born. Who better to fight against evil than the one thing a
patriarchal society fears the most?
2)
Was there a scene in the book
you found particularly hard to write?
Not
really. But making the sex scenes hot is hard, much more difficult than people
think. When I first wrote them, they were very mechanical. It took a lot of
revision and help from my beta readers.
3)
Did you get inspiration from
someone specific to write your characters?
The
characters just come to me. I don’t have a problem dreaming up characters. In
fact, I’ve been told that I include too many characters in my books. There are
some fascinating people that ended up being cut. My books tend to start as an
idea for a character, and then I develop a story for them.
4)
How did you become a writer?
I’ve
always had an active imagination and composed stories in my head. I started
reading urban fantasy a couple of years ago and loved the stories. When I
received a Nook for my birthday, I discovered self-published works. I was talking
about that with a friend and mentioned that I thought I had a story that people
would like and she encouraged me to try and write it.
5)
Do you have a writing
process/schedule? Is there a particular place you feel more inspired to write?
I
can write anywhere. I’ve written in coffee shops, on planes, at a desk and
sitting on the couch watching TV. When the story is flowing, it’s very easy and
I can write anywhere, anytime. It’s the revisions and editing stages where it
becomes difficult and I have to force myself to sit down and work.
6)
What is the most satisfying
part of being an author?
Seeing
the cover on a web site is one. It’s a feeling of accomplishment. The other is
having people tell me they enjoyed one of my books.
7)
What do you usually do when
you’re not writing?
Right
now, I just started a new job and I’m working a lot of hours. That’s why the
third book took so long to finish. Over the past four years, I’ve renovated a
100-year-old row house in Baltimore, doing much of the work myself. I like to travel
and see new places, hike and ski. My two basset hounds like the hiking part
most of all.
8)
Are you working on any new
projects at the moment?
I
have two projects I’ve started. One is a paranormal mystery/thriller set in the
Telepathic Clans’ world with a telepathic s detective. The other is a YA or New
Adult paranormal romance in a completely different setting. The main character
in that book is a Valkyrie going to university at Oxford. Eventually, I need to
write the fourth book to finish Brenna and Rebecca’s story, but I have to get
away from that world for awhile.
9)
What advice would you give to
anyone who wants to start writing?
First,
have a good story. Second, spend some time learning the technical aspects of
writing, i.e. how to tell that story. When I first started, I didn’t understand
“show” versus “tell”. I still have some trouble with that. Third, find beta
readers who will give you honest, in-depth criticism and listen to them. Last,
find a good editor. I was a newspaper editor for five years and have been
writing and editing in the business world all my working life. No one is
qualified to edit their own writing. The easiest way to turn a reader off,
especially a reviewer, is to have a book full of technical errors.
The Succubus Gift,
Book 1 of the Telepathic Clans Saga
BR Kingsolver
Genre: Urban
Fantasy/Paranormal Romance (Adult/New Adult)
ISBN: 9781476406077
ASIN: B007X7POWW
Number of pages: 240
Word Count: 85,000
Cover Artist: Rebecca
Sinz
INDIGO.CA Also
available on Apple iTunes book store
Book
Description:
The history of the Clans, called the Sidhe by the Irish, stretches back to antiquity. The Goddess blesses Her people with 25 Telepathic Gifts. In addition to Telepathy, the Gifts include command over Air and Fire, Telekinesis and Teleportation. In over 2,500 years, She has never bestowed more than 15 Gifts on a single person.
Brenna Morgan was orphaned at eight when her parents were killed in a plane crash. Through one foster home after another, she carried the ornate, carved wooden box her mother had left with her, keeping it always a secret. Then one night she stumbles over a man who claims her as family.
Brenna’s life isn’t the same after she discovers her unusual and mysterious heritage. In addition to being a telepath, Brenna learns she has the Succubus Gift.
That’s just the beginning of her problems. Someone is stalking her. Then there’s the tall, dangerous woman who shadows her and hints a Goddess has linked them. And what is she going to do with a handsome, charismatic, womanizing man she knows she should avoid?
Some days a girl just wants to pull the covers over her head and stay in bed -- with a willing young man of course.
Succubus Unleashed
Book 2 of the Telepathic Clans Saga
BR Kingsolver
Genre: Urban
Fantasy/Paranormal Romance (Adult/New Adult)
ISBN: 9780985763800
ASIN: B008EMW4Q4
Number of pages: 248
Word Count: 85,600
Cover Artist: Mia Darien
Also available on Apple
iTunes book store
Book Description:
It's not easy being a
succubus.
After a crash course in
learning about her genetic heritage, Brenna O'Donnell has discovered what it
really means to be a succubus and has learned to embrace her strange Gift. Her
major concern is whether Collin will accept her for what she is. As she adjusts
to telepathic society, others in the Clan have plans that will strip the last
of her freedom. Rival Clans still hunt succubi, and discovering their dark
motives is paramount.
The social season is
also around the corner, including events that Brenna never imagined in her
wildest dreams. The succubi, representatives of the Goddess on earth, are at
the center of an ancient worship. And if a girl is going to be the center of
attention, then obviously she needs a new dress.
Succubus Rising
Book 3 of the Telepathic Clans Saga
BR Kingsolver
Genre: Urban
Fantasy/Paranormal Romance (Adult/New Adult)
Word Count: 87,000
Book Description:
The Goddess has plans
for Brenna and Rebecca, and the Goddess has a wicked sense of humor.
Rebecca Healy is a true
wilder, growing up with no contact or knowledge of other telepaths. Discovered
by a Clan member on the streets of San Francisco, she felt like she’d hit the jackpot.
Finally, she knew what she was, or at least she thought she did.
When Brenna O’Donnell,
long-lost heir of the O’Donnell Clan, and the strongest telepath in history, is
returned to her family, she and Rebecca form a tight bond. Brenna has it all, looks,
money, power, and men falling all over her.
Rebecca isn’t jealous,
but it would be nice to find someone who would really love her and stick around
in the morning. She’s intrigued by a handsome South American general, but of
course, he has his sights set on Brenna. Carlos de Vargas wants more than love.
His Clan has its back to the wall, and they hope for an alliance with
O’Donnell. An alliance that would lead to war.
The story began in The
Succubus Gift and continued in Succubus Unleashed. In Succubus Rising,
questions are answered and new mysteries are revealed.
Long excerpt:
Brenna had no choice about taking a limo, so she offered a
ride to the group. They all went out to eat together then rode to the
reception. Watching Jeremy and Margaret over dinner, it became obvious to her
they were falling hard for each other. She counted Jeremy as a close friend and
was happy for him.
Still fresh to Washington, Brenna enjoyed the reception. It
was so much like being in a movie with all the beautiful dresses and elegant
surroundings. Carlos was the perfect escort, introducing her to many
influential people, and she also made a number of contacts through Margaret. There
was some hostility from a few of the Argentine telepaths, but the ambassador
was very polite. Indeed, he was complimentary about her work on the Ecuadorian trade
treaty and asked for her card.
Flushed and feeling quite good, she thanked Carlos for
holding her coat as they prepared to leave. He proposed a place for late drinks
and dessert and Margaret agreed. Rebecca called for the limo and they went
outside.
There was a line of cars waiting, and their limo was fourth
in line. As they waited, she watched the other people standing around. Finally,
their car pulled up, and as Carlos stepped forward she had a flash of danger
from the entrance of the embassy.
“Gun,” Rebecca cried.
Jeremy pushed Margaret behind him and leapt at Carlos,
pushing him. Brenna located the woman holding the gun and smashed her shields,
seizing control of her mind, but it took far longer than it normally did, and
she was too late to stop her pulling the trigger. The shot sounded very loud,
and she saw Jeremy and Carlos fall.
JEREMY! A mental
scream assaulted the minds of all who were able to hear it.
Rebecca jumped toward the shooter, wresting the pistol from
her hand. O’Donnell Protectors swarmed the scene along with the security guards
from the embassy. Hands urged Brenna into the limo, and she resisted only long
enough to make sure Margaret was with her. She saw Rebecca grab the shooter and
physically pick her up and carry her to the car, throwing her in the open
trunk. One of the Protectors slammed it shut while a line of O’Donnell
Protectors stopped several men who attempted to follow her.
Clambering into the limo, Brenna saw Carlos who was pale but
alert. Jeremy lay against the far door, holding his arm and covered in blood.
Margaret frantically scrambled toward him, but Rebecca
restrained her.
“Let Brenna see to him,” Rebecca spoke into Margaret’s ear,
“she’s a healer. He’s only wounded and it’s not too bad. He’ll be okay,
Margaret, he’ll be okay.” She tried to enter the older woman’s mind to calm
her, but found shields blocking her.
My God, Brenna, she’s
a telepath.
I know. She’s the one
who screamed, Brenna answered. Then she entered Jeremy’s mind and sought
out the wound. He’d taken the bullet in the right bicep, but it missed the
bone. She searched for any damage to major veins or arteries and didn’t find
any. A huge sense of relief rushed through her and she started working on
shutting off the bleeding. The other Protector in the back of the limo with
them handed her a pressure bandage.
I need two. It’s all
the way through, she told him. He fumbled in his kit and handed her
another. She got Jeremy out of his jacket and ripped the sleeve of his shirt,
exposing the wounds. She applied the pressure bandages and then took the roll
of tape the Protector handed her. The wound covered, she began shutting off the
bleeding with her Healing Gift.
Do we need a hospital?
Rebecca asked.
No, Brenna
answered. The limo took a turn and she knew it was headed for the O’Donnell
compound.
Two healers were awaiting them when they arrived. She turned
Jeremy over to them and looked down at the blood on her dress. It would never
come out of the silk.
“Well, this was an expensive evening,” she said to no one in
particular. Turning around she found the rest of her party standing in the
foyer. Rebecca still held Margaret and Carlos stood with Protectors close
around him.
“He’s okay,” she told them and saw them relax. “Where’s the
bitch who shot Jeremy?”
“On her way to the basement,” Rebecca told her. “Do you
still have her mind?”
“Yeah. Margaret, Jeremy is going to be all right. The wound
isn’t very bad. Do you understand me? He’s going to be all right.”
Townsend stared at
Brenna, wide-eyed and confused.
Margaret, Jeremy’s
going to be okay. He’s not badly hurt, Brenna sent on a spear.
“Oh my God. What are you?” the congresswoman asked, terror
filled her voice.
I’m a telepath, just
like you are. Margaret, we’re the good guys. Please, let us help you.
“A telepath?” Margaret said, her face blank and her eyes
wild.
Brenna could feel the chaos in the woman’s mind. Using her
O’Donnell Gift as carefully and gently as she could, she found her way through
weaknesses in the woman’s shields and managed to lay a comfort on her. Margaret
calmed, and the tension seemed to drain out of her body. She slumped and
Rebecca held her up. Two Protectors picked her up and carried her to an
upstairs bedroom.
-----------------------------------------------------
Short exerpt:
The three of them were walking along from the Wharf back to
their car. Their protection team was being discreet and keeping their distance.
A man stepped out from between two buildings with a gun.
“Just give me your purses and no one will get hurt.”
Rebecca and Brenna immediately braced, linking their minds
and setting up a strategy for disabling him.
“What are you doing?” Rosie asked.
Confused, they looked at her, and then at the man with the
gun. He stood frozen, not moving.
Rosie turned to him. “Give me the gun.” He walked over and
gave it to her. “Now go find a busy street and play in traffic.” He turned and
stepped off the curb, almost into the path of a car, walking off down the
middle of the street. Rosie walked over to the curb and tossed the pistol in a
storm drain.
“He’s a norm. All you have to do is control his mind.
Wilders,” she said in disgust. “Lord, you were going to complicate things,
weren’t you?” She continued down the street chuckling.
--------------------------------------------------
Short excerpt:
Carlos stared at Don Rodrigo, writhing on the ground before
him. Rebecca appeared by his side, startling him. His lover walked toward the
Argentine Clan head, picked up his rifle, and pulled his pistol from its
holster.
“Good God, Rebecca,”
Carlos exclaimed, standing over the Argentine Don. “What did you do?”
“I haven’t done anything to him yet. Brenna has captured
their minds. Now we need to figure out what to do with them.”
He turned and looked at the young woman standing behind him,
her black hair floating in the wind. She held a rifle in her hands.
“All of them?”
“Huh?” Rebecca followed his eyes. “Oh, yeah, she has all of
them that still have minds. She wasn’t sure if she could take thirty at once,
and she was worried about the distance.” Rebecca checked with Brenna mentally.
“She says she has seventeen captured. That’s fewer
casualties than Paris. I still get sick to my stomach when I remember that
disaster. We weren’t trained as well then, and we were younger.”
Donny walked over to Brenna and she handed him the rifle.
“Whew,” Rebecca breathed a sigh of relief. “Try to keep
loaded firearms out of her hands. She’s the worst shot in the world. If you
think she needs a weapon, give her a frying pan.”
Twitter: @BRKINGSOLVER
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/brkingsolver
Web site: http://brkingsolver.com/
Please thank BR Kingslver for joining us today! Check out the websites and buy a book!
Keep Writing!
Jodie Pierce
What an interesting approach at starting a novel. I love to hear how writer start writing and what inspires them :)
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