Author Interview:
Can you tell the readers a little about yourself?
Greetings from fabulous Las Vegas!
Actually … I’m writing from the ghetto – pretty much – where the neighbor’s dogs are barking, the other neighbors really like mariachi, and it looks like the guy with the hydraulic-lifted Pontiac is about to be arrested. Pass the chocolate, and I’m good to go.
I’m a musician by day, author of historical and paranormal romance by night. The Valkyrie’s Guardian is my first paranormal release. Song for Sophia, my historical debut, finaled in the 2012 RWA Golden Heart contest and released June 2012 from Crimson Romance.
Do you write full time?
That’s the dream. For now I’ve learned to write for ten minutes, correct a math problem, write for five minutes, put out a small kitchen fire, write for seven minutes, tie a shoe … you get it.
What are 5 fun/interesting facts about you?
Greetings from fabulous Las Vegas!
Actually … I’m writing from the ghetto – pretty much – where the neighbor’s dogs are barking, the other neighbors really like mariachi, and it looks like the guy with the hydraulic-lifted Pontiac is about to be arrested. Pass the chocolate, and I’m good to go.
That’s the dream. For now I’ve learned to write for ten minutes, correct a math problem, write for five minutes, put out a small kitchen fire, write for seven minutes, tie a shoe … you get it.
- I have a concealed weapons permit.
- I’ve gone streaking. Twice.
- I have four kids, including a set of twins.
- I have a moderate case of dyslexia.
- I play in a fiddle band.
What are the “must haves” for you when you sit down to write a book?
A thesaurus, a notebook for tangent ideas, and earplugs.
What made you decide to become a writer and how old were you?
Before last year, the closest I came to creative writing was a research paper on violin pedagogy. I’m a music geek, it’s my day job. Needless to say, learning craft has been a long journey for me.
Who or what was your inspiration for writing The Valkyrie’s Guardian?
The idea for The Valkyrie’s Guardian came to me while I was waterskiing at Lake Powell, my family’s perennial vacation spot in Arizona. The only thing I do impressively on a ski is wipe out, but I got a kick out of watching the pros. I saw some crazy stunts, and it made me think “What if?” I’d already been researching Celtic and Norse mythology, so it occurred to me a berserker would have a ball with water sports. The Barney Fife-inspired park ranger required little embellishment.
Do you feel that you can relate to one character in The Valkyrie’s Guardian more than any other? And why?
Poor Cassie. She’s surrounded by epically talented immortal superheroes, and she’s a healer who flunked out of her medical residency. Being someone who learns almost everything “the hard way,” I sympathize with the feeling that everyone else has a Logical Humanity 101 manual, and I’m reading a comic book instead.
What do you Love most about writing?
When I’ve finally edited a scene so it reads exactly the way imagined it? Magic!
What is your biggest challenge when you write?
My “artistic temperament.” I get obsessed with a WIP and write nonstop for days, even weeks on end, then burn out for a while. I envy those methodical, steady writers with shiny organized plots. (Incurable pantser here.)
Do you have any advice for any other aspiring writers out there?
The times I’ve tried to write something mainstream in hopes of appealing to a wide audience, editors told me it wasn’t distinctive and didn’t hook the reader. When I tried being original and unique, editors said it wasn’t marketable. The successful projects have been those I wrote out of sheer love for the story and craft. I think it comes through, so authors: Plot with the market in mind, but forget about it when you write the story.
What do you do when you are not writing?
I’m into marksmanship, so I practice at the gun range a lot. I also love collecting unique or bizarre beads and making jewelry – but hate wearing it – so I usually give it away as gifts. As a “part-time fitness junkie,” I catch a Zumba, kick-boxing or yoga class at the gym almost every day, but you’ll also catch me stuffing my face with chocolate cake at a party.
When you’re not writing what kind of books do you like to read?
Charlotte Brontë was a mad genius. I also love Orson Scott Card, Diana Gabaldon, Meredith Duran, and Linda Howard. Nods to Judith Martin, a.k.a. “Miss Manners,” whom I consider my muse.
Since becoming published, what has been your favorite part of the process?
Hitting “send” on a freshly edited manuscript.
If you can, tell us what is up next for you?
You bet! I’m having a blast with my “geekfest,” which is what happens when a hero and heroine meet on a university campus. Kyros Vassalos, the “boss” à la Professor Xavier of X-Men, is a three-centuries-old Greek warrior/physicist with the power to alter electromagnetism. He meets his match in Lyssa Logan, a sassy crime-fighting violinist who doesn’t even know she’s a rare “extra-sentient” with extraordinary power.
The idea for The Valkyrie’s Guardian came to me while I was waterskiing at Lake Powell, my family’s perennial vacation spot in Arizona. The only thing I do impressively on a ski is wipe out, but I got a kick out of watching the pros. I saw some crazy stunts, and it made me think “What if?” I’d already been researching Celtic and Norse mythology, so it occurred to me a berserker would have a ball with water sports. The Barney Fife-inspired park ranger required little embellishment.
Poor Cassie. She’s surrounded by epically talented immortal superheroes, and she’s a healer who flunked out of her medical residency. Being someone who learns almost everything “the hard way,” I sympathize with the feeling that everyone else has a Logical Humanity 101 manual, and I’m reading a comic book instead.
When I’ve finally edited a scene so it reads exactly the way imagined it? Magic!
My “artistic temperament.” I get obsessed with a WIP and write nonstop for days, even weeks on end, then burn out for a while. I envy those methodical, steady writers with shiny organized plots. (Incurable pantser here.)
The times I’ve tried to write something mainstream in hopes of appealing to a wide audience, editors told me it wasn’t distinctive and didn’t hook the reader. When I tried being original and unique, editors said it wasn’t marketable. The successful projects have been those I wrote out of sheer love for the story and craft. I think it comes through, so authors: Plot with the market in mind, but forget about it when you write the story.
I’m into marksmanship, so I practice at the gun range a lot. I also love collecting unique or bizarre beads and making jewelry – but hate wearing it – so I usually give it away as gifts. As a “part-time fitness junkie,” I catch a Zumba, kick-boxing or yoga class at the gym almost every day, but you’ll also catch me stuffing my face with chocolate cake at a party.
Charlotte Brontë was a mad genius. I also love Orson Scott Card, Diana Gabaldon, Meredith Duran, and Linda Howard. Nods to Judith Martin, a.k.a. “Miss Manners,” whom I consider my muse.
You bet! I’m having a blast with my “geekfest,” which is what happens when a hero and heroine meet on a university campus. Kyros Vassalos, the “boss” à la Professor Xavier of X-Men, is a three-centuries-old Greek warrior/physicist with the power to alter electromagnetism. He meets his match in Lyssa Logan, a sassy crime-fighting violinist who doesn’t even know she’s a rare “extra-sentient” with extraordinary power.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
The Valkyrie’s Guardian
File Size: 501 KB
Print Length: 280 pages
Publisher: Crimson Romance (October 22, 2012)
Language: English
ASIN: B009LQH1EWSummary: “Augmented strength, lightning weapon, chronic PMS – you’re a valkyrie, Cass.”
You might call them superheroes. “Extra-sentients” are one in 4.5 million with the extraordinary ability to unlock the full potential of the mind.
Cassiopeia Noyon is descended from the most powerful known extra-sentient, but she’s a dud – no impressive talents except a healing ability which lands her in trouble. She’s all wrong for Jack MacGunn, her dazzling immortal berserker bodyguard.
Cassiopeia Noyon has a medical degree at age twenty-one, which makes her a total loser … for an extra-sentient with merely superhuman strength and healing powers but not much else. Cassie may not even be immortal, which is a downer since the man she’s adored since age six, is.
Jack MacGunn is King of the Bad Pick-Up Line. A true blue kilt-wearing, pipe-playing Scot descended from a long line of berserker warriors; if he’s awake, he’s either hungry or itching for a fight. Lately Jack feels lost. His career as a Navy SEAL detachment agent is on a slow train to nowhere. He suspects it has something to do with his out-of-control superhuman rages.
The one task Jack has never failed at is guarding Cassie from their enemies, but now he fears he can’t protect her from himself. Even if they could go a single day without fighting, Jack knows he’ll never be good enough for her. The boss’ granddaughter is off-limits anyway.
A chance encounter with a villain long assumed dead sends Jack and Cassie on a race to save the children secreted away at Network One, the academy for genius extra-sentients. Jack discovers a new side of Cassie when in the heat of combat she invokes unheard-of powers. Has Jack finally met his match?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
2012 RWA Golden Heart finalist Moriah Densley sees nothing odd at all about keeping both a violin case and a range bag stuffed with pistols in the back seat of her car. They hold up the stack of books in the middle, of course. She enjoys writing about Victorians, assassins, and geeks. Her muses are summoned by the smell of chocolate, usually at odd hours of the night. By day her alter ego is your friendly neighborhood music teacher. Moriah lives in Las Vegas with her husband.
Disclosure: This Interview was provided by the Author as a part of the Bewitching Book Tours. This is NOT a compensated post.
