Hello! Today's post is about the interview with Anastasia Rabiyah, who kindly accepted. Anastasia Rabiyah writes erotic romance, paranormal erotic romance, and dark fantasy. She often crosses genres in order to follow her muses into the darkness where they seek out destiny in all its forms. She believes in fairies, demons, angels, magic, passion, chocolate, supportive friends, e-books, and writing critique groups. Her deepest desire is to pursue her creative dreams and realize them. Every spare moment she devotes to writing for her haunting muses. She lives in Tucson, Arizona with her husband and three sons. Visit her on the web at: www.RabiyahBooks.com
> What is your favorite subject?
My favorie writing subject is always dark fantasy. I like a good tale with an anti-hero that I love to hate and love but long to see redeemed. It's a recurring theme in many of the stories I write and often in stories I like to read. Fantasy has always been my genre of first choice. I grew up reading, watching, and playing fantasy through movies, books, and good old Dungeons and Dragons. I've always had an overactive imagination and was prone to doodling dragons and unicorns in my school notebooks. I like the feeling of being taken away to a place where anything is possible and where creatures of myth roam free. Since breaking in to the erotic romance genre in 2007, I've been unable to stop weaving elements of romance into my stories.
I'm glad I'm not the only one who draws during class and have dragons and fantasy as my ultimate subject!
> How are your novels coming along?
In the past two years I've gotten really bad about not finishing works and about starting many more than I can get done. My New Year's resolution this year is to clean out my works in progress file. With well over 20 manuscripts in various stages of completion, that's a huge challenge, but one that I need to accomplish. This year I have succeeded in finishing Wolf Next Door (contracted with Amira Press), Lost and Found Again (contracted with Sugar and Spice Press), and Althyn and the Othian Dagger (to go to Purple Sword). In March I'd like to get 2-3 more works done, at least 1 or 2 novellas, but hopefully one large work as well.
You can do it! All it takes is some time. :) Congrats with the contracts!Althyn I started over a year ago and was only able to write her when I was in a foul mood. She's an anti-heroine that does not want redemption. This is her first novel. If she has success, I may write a sequel because truly, this one felt like the backstory to her evil reign to come.
Sounds interesting. *big grin*I have two full length fantasy novels that need going through. One is Rook and the other is Jamillah. Both need tweaking. I wrote Rook a very long time ago and all in first person, which is no longer my style. As well I want more romance in that one. Jamillah needs some plot flaws worked out.
> If your plane is about to crash in a lake and carries all of your favorite books, which books will you try to save (Keep in mind you only have time to save five books)?
In all seriousness, I'd be worried more about surviving and saving anyone else I could! I generally read a book once. I have favorites that I hold onto like good memories or photo albums that I always think I'll want to go through again. My favorites are Stephen King's The Stand because it scared the hell out of me, Patterson's When the Wind Blows, and every single one of Anne Rice's novels that I can get my hands on, top faves are Servant of the Bones, Blood and Gold, and Interview With the Vampire.
Anne Rice's vampire books are great.
> Do you have any writing rituals or writing routines?
My daily goal is 2,000 words a day. I try to meet that, but with all the demands of life, it's not always possible. Today I've done a little over 4,000.
You accomplish much more than what I accomplish! HeheI tend to need my daily cup of iced coffee to get my brain going. My writing time is ruled by demands from my husband and children. We have two restaurants and I have three young boys that need a lot of attention. So, I must write in the mornings when they're all out at work or school, or very late at night when the kids have gone to bed.
> What has inspired you to write?
Sometimes inspiration is an odd thing. A setting, a beautiful place that catches my attention and makes my imagination churn up all kinds of scenarios. The weirdest kind of inspiration is when I actually hear snippets of sentences in my head. The eeriest one was the first line in the novella Demon in the Basement which I had orginally started writing as a magazine submission. "Emme found the demon in the basement, curled in on himself under a pile of crumpled newspapers." Very strange beginning to a haunting and unusually erotic tale.
I've written settings from my favorite places: Oklahoma, Tucson, and Greece. Sometimes just being away from home on vacation is a great way for the brain to get cracking on new characters and plots. Unfortuantely, I don't get many vacations!
Odd yet great inspirations too!
> How many books have you published?
At present I have 35 titles available. Most are novellas, not full length novels. Many are in e-book formats but I do have works in print as well.
E-book or print, it's quite an accomplishment to be able to have over 30 books published. =)
> Purple Sword e-book publishing company looks awsome- so well organized and beautiful. Are your specialized genres, romance and speculative fiction, also the genres you write in the most?
Absoultely. Romantic speculative fiction is something I love to read, write, edit, and design cover art for. When a press I was published iwth, Forbidden Publications, closed its doors unexpectedly in March of 2009, I wanted a new home for all the works I had there, a home that really summed up the kind of stories I love to write.
And I think Purple Swords is a great accomplishment for being able to continue a lovable career you have.
> Gotta love NaNoWriMo: If you were to enter NaNo what type of book do you think it will end up?
I entered NaNo last year because I needed a good kick in the behind to get a novella done for Sugar and Spice Press. I succeeded and penned The Stolen Warrior, which is available now http://sugarnspicepress.com as a part of a themed series set in a city called Bisura. If I enter this year, I'd like it to be something new, something dark and erotic, but I can only do that if I get more of my works in progress done and in submission land.
> What is the craziest scenerio could you come up with?
In a story? Gee, I've written some weird ones. Hiram's Secret is about a young man who leaves his village to find a bride and ends up falling in love with a beautiful young woman who is half human and half gremlin.
Demon in the Basement is about a quirky woman who falls in love with a ruined demon.
Goodness knows what else I'll come up with...
Crazy and yet awsome! :)
> What kind of feelings do you love to have whenever you read your specialized genres?
I want to be taken away from the mundane. I want to fall in love with the hero, hate the villain and maybe even sympathize with the villain. I want a plot that has unusual twists that I didn't see coming. I want the romance, the pasison, the adventure and sometimes I like to be scared a little!
Those make up great stories. I love surprises and adventures.
> Want to add any comments or advice for anyone- about anything?
I think for readers, buy as close to the original publisher as you can if you believe in supporting the authors you love. Especially with small presses, the authors get more royalty when you buy directly from the source as opposed to 3rd party retailers and book stores. I know that's a lot to ask.
For authors, the best advice I can offer is to really know what you're getting yourself into. I have some tips for authors on my blog at http://rabiyahbooks.blogspot.com and also at http://rabiyahbooks.com that may offer some help.
And for anyone out there with a dream, follow it.
Excellent advice! Hmm Hopefully once I move out from my parents I can start doing that.
I had lots of fun with this interview! Thanks for letting me interview with you Anastasia. (And you welcome for glad to be picked.) I am looking forward to doing more interviews similiar to this- beware of random questions- to any author I enjoy. 8D
Monday, March 1, 2010
Friday, February 26, 2010
Interview with Harley D. Palmer
Harley D. Palmer is a fantasy writer who is currently working to become published. She is gracious enough to allow me to give my first interview with her as the chosen author to interview. (Yep she's written multiple books.) She also runs The Writers Academy, a great place to expand the writing skills! At least it'd be great for me. Harley is light blue and I am- purple. Now for the interview:
What is your favorite color?
Black - until they make something darker! I'm not sure why this is my favorite color, it just is. It matches with everything and it usually matches my mood too. I'm a dark, cynical sort of person, so it just works for me.
I love black too!
How are your novels coming along?
Slow. I tend to skip around a bit and I am easily distracted by other things. That's why I love NaNo as it forces me to stay on track! I am a flighty sort of person - I have to write everything down in order to remember it!
I love NaNo too! What would life be without such a challenge?
If a plane is about to crash in a lake and carries all of your favorite books, which books will you try to save (keep in mind you only have enough time to pick five)?
Taking into account this is my favorite books by OTHER authors and not MY own books, then I'd have to say I'd save::
"A Cry in the Night" by Mary Higgins Clark
"Wicked" by Gregory McGuire
"The Forgotten Soldier" by Guy Sajer
"The Rose and the Beast: Fairy Tales Retold" by Fransesca Lia Block
"Dancing with Dragons" by D.J. Conway
(Maybe I should go read this book!)That was hard to only choose five!
Do you have any writing rituals or writing routines?
It varies but it always starts with smoking a cigarette. Terrible habit, I know, but it helps me get my mind in the right place. Then it's a matter of sitting at the computer and typing. I usually have music playing. If I'm really stuck (or if my husband needs the computer) I get out the pencil and paper instead. I am inspired by so many things, it's hard to say that I have a ritual or a routine. I write when I'm inspired which could be at any moment - a TV show, something funny my husband said, a telephone call, something cute my son did, etc. I just get to writing when the muse is tapping me on the shoulder (or keeping me awake!)
What has inspired you to write?
Well that's easy, my son and my husband. I love writing and I always have but it seems that lately it is really part of who I am. Before it was just a hobby and something to do on the side for fun. Now, with the support and love from my husband, I am really seeing this as a career, not just a "It'd be nice to get published, maybe, someday." I am actively researching and learning and now it's "I'm going to get published!"
Must be exciting!
What happens down in the Abyss?
I'm not sure you really want to know that! It's a pretty scary place inside my head! (For those that don't know, The Abyss is what I call my soul, my mind, my heart.) It's an endless scary place, seriously. I have characters talking to me all the time, then all of my alter egos and personalities talking, story ideas, dreams, nightmares, and memories! If you do want to know, you can check out my blog Abyss of My Soul.
How many books do you have published?
None -- Yet! But I will. I'm working toward that goal as we speak!
Oh... And probably nothing I do can speed up that goal. hehehe
How many books are you working on?
Seven - technically 9 since 1 is split into three parts. Seriously, I warned you it was crazy inside my head - now do you see why?
That's a lot of books!
I'm looking forward to NaNo, and if you are able to join NaNo, what kind of book do you think it will end up?
Well for MarNoWriMo this year, I'm working on "The Faery's Tale: Part Two", so that'll be a fantasy novel of course. Then for NaNoWriMo, I might start on actually writing the story for my new character (who is really pushy) William Archer. That seems to be going towards Sci-Fi/Fantasy. I usually write Fantasy but I am lately having thoughts about Sci-Fi so who knows how it might end up!
Fantasy rocks!
Like I said, I love NaNo at it really helps to keep me focused. I should really force myself to do NaNo type rules EVERY month, but without anyone to bring out my competitve nature, it really doesn't help much! LOL
I mimic you. =)
What is the craziest scenerio could you come up with?
I hope you don't mean right this second! LOL I think at least the funniest scene I have written is in "Adventures of Ryn and Ciyme". Ciyme is a small pink, hyperactive dragon - small like the size of a kitten. She goes through the entire novel talking about eating people! I mean can you imagine? I giggle every time I think about it.
I'd love Ciyme! Even if she is crazy. LOL
I don't know if I have a "crazy" scenerio in my work....I have a lot of fight scenes, and funny moments, but nothing really crazy. Which is odd considering I'm am seriously out there. I mean, I think of crazy stuff like - if my husband is half an hour late coming home from work, I have this fear that he was hit by a car and is lying in a coma in the hospital, and he lost his phone so the doctors couldn't call me and so I will never know!! Yea, pretty crazy, ay?
Want to add any comments or advice for anyone about- anything?
Don't let others stand in the way of your dreams. Don't let their opinions or skills, or whatever stop you from doing what you love! (I did this once, married to my first husband, seriously don't ever sacrifice your dreams for the sake of another person!)
Great advice!
Thank you for taking the time to accept my first interview! I love your responses and had fun. This means I might do more interviews, well not might, I will do more interviews for a blast! I hope you had a great time too. I can't wait to pull off a different interview when you become published either... Hehe okay have fun!
What is your favorite color?
Black - until they make something darker! I'm not sure why this is my favorite color, it just is. It matches with everything and it usually matches my mood too. I'm a dark, cynical sort of person, so it just works for me.
I love black too!
How are your novels coming along?
Slow. I tend to skip around a bit and I am easily distracted by other things. That's why I love NaNo as it forces me to stay on track! I am a flighty sort of person - I have to write everything down in order to remember it!
I love NaNo too! What would life be without such a challenge?
If a plane is about to crash in a lake and carries all of your favorite books, which books will you try to save (keep in mind you only have enough time to pick five)?
Taking into account this is my favorite books by OTHER authors and not MY own books, then I'd have to say I'd save::
"A Cry in the Night" by Mary Higgins Clark
"Wicked" by Gregory McGuire
"The Forgotten Soldier" by Guy Sajer
"The Rose and the Beast: Fairy Tales Retold" by Fransesca Lia Block
"Dancing with Dragons" by D.J. Conway
(Maybe I should go read this book!)That was hard to only choose five!
Do you have any writing rituals or writing routines?
It varies but it always starts with smoking a cigarette. Terrible habit, I know, but it helps me get my mind in the right place. Then it's a matter of sitting at the computer and typing. I usually have music playing. If I'm really stuck (or if my husband needs the computer) I get out the pencil and paper instead. I am inspired by so many things, it's hard to say that I have a ritual or a routine. I write when I'm inspired which could be at any moment - a TV show, something funny my husband said, a telephone call, something cute my son did, etc. I just get to writing when the muse is tapping me on the shoulder (or keeping me awake!)
What has inspired you to write?
Well that's easy, my son and my husband. I love writing and I always have but it seems that lately it is really part of who I am. Before it was just a hobby and something to do on the side for fun. Now, with the support and love from my husband, I am really seeing this as a career, not just a "It'd be nice to get published, maybe, someday." I am actively researching and learning and now it's "I'm going to get published!"
Must be exciting!
What happens down in the Abyss?
I'm not sure you really want to know that! It's a pretty scary place inside my head! (For those that don't know, The Abyss is what I call my soul, my mind, my heart.) It's an endless scary place, seriously. I have characters talking to me all the time, then all of my alter egos and personalities talking, story ideas, dreams, nightmares, and memories! If you do want to know, you can check out my blog Abyss of My Soul.
How many books do you have published?
None -- Yet! But I will. I'm working toward that goal as we speak!
Oh... And probably nothing I do can speed up that goal. hehehe
How many books are you working on?
Seven - technically 9 since 1 is split into three parts. Seriously, I warned you it was crazy inside my head - now do you see why?
That's a lot of books!
I'm looking forward to NaNo, and if you are able to join NaNo, what kind of book do you think it will end up?
Well for MarNoWriMo this year, I'm working on "The Faery's Tale: Part Two", so that'll be a fantasy novel of course. Then for NaNoWriMo, I might start on actually writing the story for my new character (who is really pushy) William Archer. That seems to be going towards Sci-Fi/Fantasy. I usually write Fantasy but I am lately having thoughts about Sci-Fi so who knows how it might end up!
Fantasy rocks!
Like I said, I love NaNo at it really helps to keep me focused. I should really force myself to do NaNo type rules EVERY month, but without anyone to bring out my competitve nature, it really doesn't help much! LOL
I mimic you. =)
What is the craziest scenerio could you come up with?
I hope you don't mean right this second! LOL I think at least the funniest scene I have written is in "Adventures of Ryn and Ciyme". Ciyme is a small pink, hyperactive dragon - small like the size of a kitten. She goes through the entire novel talking about eating people! I mean can you imagine? I giggle every time I think about it.
I'd love Ciyme! Even if she is crazy. LOL
I don't know if I have a "crazy" scenerio in my work....I have a lot of fight scenes, and funny moments, but nothing really crazy. Which is odd considering I'm am seriously out there. I mean, I think of crazy stuff like - if my husband is half an hour late coming home from work, I have this fear that he was hit by a car and is lying in a coma in the hospital, and he lost his phone so the doctors couldn't call me and so I will never know!! Yea, pretty crazy, ay?
Want to add any comments or advice for anyone about- anything?
Don't let others stand in the way of your dreams. Don't let their opinions or skills, or whatever stop you from doing what you love! (I did this once, married to my first husband, seriously don't ever sacrifice your dreams for the sake of another person!)
Great advice!
Thank you for taking the time to accept my first interview! I love your responses and had fun. This means I might do more interviews, well not might, I will do more interviews for a blast! I hope you had a great time too. I can't wait to pull off a different interview when you become published either... Hehe okay have fun!
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Today
Okay what started out good can end up bad. I went to a seminar and ate. After eating went to a book signing of which all her books were sold before I can get a chance to see what the book is about. I was way late to class in the end and my glasses broke to end the day. So far my parents don't know... I've broke my glasses once, I can't get in trouble again however. If lucky, they won't even notice. Stomach ache? That happens everyday, starting from since I moved to Wyoming. I gotta move someplace closer to sea level as soon as possible.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Time to take a break...
Since my essay is now finished!!! Weee! Time to return to reading Tom McCaffrey's "Dragonheart" now and see if they figure out a way to stop the dragons from dying! (It's so sad to see them dying.)
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Dragonheart- Dragonriders of Pern book
I bought Dragonheart which is written by Tom McCaffrey. It was published in 2008, though I never saw this book until at WalMart today, and it is a continuation of Anne McCaffrey's Dragonriders of Pern. I hope to be able to read it soon after writting this 4-6 page essay that's due Monday. (I won't even finish my English homework until after it is due. Grrr) http://www.toddmccaffrey.org/ Here's his website, which is set up very well. I wonder, since WalMart did not have ANY of the other books he's written, where I can buy THOSE. I would definitely love to continue my hunt on reading ALL of the Dragonriders of Pern novels that has been written. So far my rate is 8/??.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
A List to Pass on
Little questionnaire that got passed onto me by SM Blooding. Thanks, SM! Rules: Answer the following questions with Single Word answers then pass this along to 5 other bloggers. Make sure you let them know about it.
Your Cell Phone? Blue
Your Hair? Black
Your Mother? Fabric
Your Father? Wal-Mart
Your Favorite Food? Shrimp
Your Dream Last Night? None
Your Favorite Drink? Juice
Your Dream/Goal? Illustrator
What Room Are You In? Living
Your Hobby? Drawing
Your Fear? Rejected
Where Do You See Yourself In Six Years? College
Where Were You Last Night? Car
Something That You Aren't? Angry
Muffins? Blueberry
Wish List Item? Fun
Where Did You Grow Up? Nebraska
Last Thing You Did? Homework
What Are You Wearing? Sweater
Your TV? Dragon
Your Pets? Dragonfish
Friends? Online
Your Life? Sucks
Your Mood? Tired
Missing Someone? YES
Vehicle? Volvo
Something You Aren't Wearing? Jewelry
Your Favorite Store? B&N
Your Favorite Color? Blue
When Was The Last Time You Laughed? Ancient
Last Time You Cried? Today
Your Best Friend? Nazrindi
One Place You Go To Over And Over Again? Library
Favorite Place To Eat? Home
And I pass this on to... *drumroll*
Ransom Noble - I wanna read her published book!
Renegade - From SM Blooding's blog!
Julie Romero - Same here!
Richard Myrtle - New Blog!!
Supertwin - My super twin!
Your Cell Phone? Blue
Your Hair? Black
Your Mother? Fabric
Your Father? Wal-Mart
Your Favorite Food? Shrimp
Your Dream Last Night? None
Your Favorite Drink? Juice
Your Dream/Goal? Illustrator
What Room Are You In? Living
Your Hobby? Drawing
Your Fear? Rejected
Where Do You See Yourself In Six Years? College
Where Were You Last Night? Car
Something That You Aren't? Angry
Muffins? Blueberry
Wish List Item? Fun
Where Did You Grow Up? Nebraska
Last Thing You Did? Homework
What Are You Wearing? Sweater
Your TV? Dragon
Your Pets? Dragonfish
Friends? Online
Your Life? Sucks
Your Mood? Tired
Missing Someone? YES
Vehicle? Volvo
Something You Aren't Wearing? Jewelry
Your Favorite Store? B&N
Your Favorite Color? Blue
When Was The Last Time You Laughed? Ancient
Last Time You Cried? Today
Your Best Friend? Nazrindi
One Place You Go To Over And Over Again? Library
Favorite Place To Eat? Home
And I pass this on to... *drumroll*
Ransom Noble - I wanna read her published book!
Renegade - From SM Blooding's blog!
Julie Romero - Same here!
Richard Myrtle - New Blog!!
Supertwin - My super twin!
What I am on...
This is in the newspaper my step-mom showed me. I am on the vice president honor roll list! Must have: GPA 3.5-3.99 to be on that list. Wow! 4.0 is the president honor roll list. Hmmm... I doubt if I'd be able to hit all As in classes when I don't do well with writing assignments. If it does not involve writing I'm good. :-)
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