How did you start out your writing career?
I've been writing since I was about 11, but didn't begin to take it seriously until around 2003. I've always loved to read, so it seemed natural to want to tell stories like the ones I enjoyed.
What did you learn while writing this book?
That the paranormal side of things can be really fun. I'm a really serious person most of the time, so escaping into fantasy was a lot of fun.
What did you hope to accomplish with this book?
I wanted to expand my writing to other genres. I already write contemporary/ suspense under the name Kianna Alexander. So I guess you can say I 'm branching out.
Which character did you have the most fun writing about?
Probably Junjie, the hero. I'm really interested in Asian culture and Junjie is Chinese, so that gave me an excuse to delve into some interesting things about that country and the way they do things.
What has surprised you most about becoming a published author?
Probably the way people say, "I've never met a real writer before!" That kind of tickles me, and I hear it almost every time I tell someone what I do.
What aspect of writing do you love the best, and which do you hate the most?
I love the creation and the research phase, where I can take a really vague idea that I have and expand it into what I hope will be a great story. There are so many different paths an idea can take before it becomes the finished work and I love that journey. I don't really care for the editing, but I know it's got to be done.
What are three things you wish you’d known before you reached where you are now?
Hmm. I wish I'd known that not all other writers would be supportive. Some can be catty, and some of the non fiction writers look down on romantic fiction. I wish I'd known how long the publishing process can take, because I can be impatient and it's a bit trying for me. I wish I'd known how great it would feel to have your work praised, I got some really great reviews on my Kianna Alexander book and I was so excited I had them laminated, now I'm going to get them framed!
Can you give us one do and one don’t for those aspiring to be a writer?
What one thing about writing do you wish other non-writers would understand?That it is not easy and it takes a lot of time and effort to turn out a finished product that's good! I have had a lot of readers rush me to finish the next book, but I am not going to release my work into the world until I'm satisfied with it.
If you could be a character from any book you've read, who would you be?
Probably Kate Love from Beverly Jenkins' Topaz. She was full of fire and journalistic spirit.
When you're not writing, what do you like to do in your spare time?
What it this spare time you speak of? I have two small children and my husband is a soldier, so I have very little time to myself. I like to cross stitch when I can, and I like to look up random articles on Wikipedia. Those random factoids become fodder for my stories.
What do you do to interact with your readers?
I have a Facebook Fan page and most of the interacting happens there. I just don't have time to manage a thousand and one social networks, and the very idea of Twitter turns me off.
Our theme for this month is Writing the book, what advice do you have for staying motivated to complete the book?
Stay away from negative folks. The ones who say you can't, or shouldn't bother to finish your book are not worthy of time you could be using to complete it.
Oprah always asks, What do you know for sure?
That God controls everything and I control next to nothing. Hard lesson but I've learned it well.
Can you give us a sneak peek of your next book?
Well, my next book in the PHOENIX Files series is called Embrace the Night. Here's the blurb:
John Groves is a professor of World History in Raleigh by day. But outside the world of academia, he uses his special talents as a telekinetic to fight crime as a member of PHOENIX.
Tatiana Yates owns a beauty shop in downtown Durham. After leaving the hot curlers and shampoo bowl behind, she releases the tigress within, running free in the forests around RTP. And ripping the bad guys a new one as a seasoned PHOENIX operative.
When the two are paired together to solve the mysterious disappearance of priceless artifacts from North Carolina's museums, can they fight their fiery attraction long enough to get the job done?
How can readers get in contact with you? (mail, email, website)
The best way to reach me is by email (I'm kind of an obsessive email checker, ha ha). The address is alexandrakane_1ATyahooDOTcom.
Alexandra's Web Site:
http://www.kiannaalexander.com/Writing-as-Alexandra-Kane.php
Become a fan on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/pages/Alexandra-Kane/156797787681924
DARKNESS RISING
When Lalah Norris, a city council secretary in Fayetteville, North Carolina is kidnapped twice in one night,she doesn't know who to trust. Yet she can't shake her attraction to the mysterious Asian man holding her hostage.
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