Details about the giveaway are below! But now lets get to know a little about our lovely new author!!
How old were you when you first realized you wanted to write?
Don’t really know. I have always loved to read and even when little wrote a lot. I didn’t often allow anyone to read what I’d written though, often using it to release frustration, pain, or fear. But, it was never a decision I made, I just wrote. In high school I joined an arts and writers group called Artists Unlimited, which I loved. So reading and writing are just parts of me, not a conscious realization or decision.
Most authors have an unusual story or way that they come up with their ideas for books… Do you have one?
Well, in the case of Blood’s Voice, I came at it sideways really. When I was 18 or 19 I started gaming with my husband and some friends, Palladium Books – Heroes Unlimited and Palladium Fantasy mainly – which let to me often ‘getting in to the head of’ my characters easily. One day I was chatting about a new game we were starting up and had had this idea bouncing around in my head. Through talking it out via the idea of creating the character for the game, I fleshed out a lot of the ideas. Hubby said I should try writing some of it out, as it sounded like a good story. I thought he was nuts but decided to play with the idea of this damaged, blank vamp girl.
I actually wrote out the beginning scene, though it’s not in the book – where Anya awoke in Star’s home. How she dealt with learning about what she was and about the missing knowledge. It was a great way to really ‘get’ Anya.
What was your biggest influence that steered you towards writing?
Dr. Seuss! I loved Seuss (still remember reading The Cat In The Hat Comes Back to my mom when I was little and she was sick. She says it had memorized it by that point and wasn’t really reading but hey… to-ma-to, to-maah-to) and from him learned that you don’t have to think logically, linearly, or ‘normal’ to have fun or be successful.
I have to ask, what are the hardest scenes for you to write?
The hardest scenes for me at the flashbacks where Anya remembers the tortures she’s suffered. It’s very painful to put myself into her head and try to think through what they could have done to her, how she would react, and the lingering pain she still suffers. I’ve never gone through what she has but no matter what kind of creature she is, those are hard to visualize and then write.
Do you see yourself writing in another genre?
You mean other than paranormal romance? Hum, honestly I don’t know. I like the above mentioned gaming and have thought of writing some fantasy based off of one of my old characters that I especially playing.
While I love reading many other genres I just don’t know that I would feel engaged or comfortable writing them.
Has your family been supportive?
Very! More than I had expected honestly considering most of my family is very conservative. I had been worried that some would not approve of the vampirism in the first place, much less the triad-relationship between Anya, Nicholas, and Declán. The GLBT elements were also a concern for me but when all is said and done, my mom called to say how proud she was right after finishing reading Blood’s Voice. My 15 yo son even has his own copy (print and digital, lol).
Are any of your characters reflective of you?
Well, yes and no. There is no character that is “me” but I was informed that some of my weird thoughts and wordings has leaked into the story, especially into Declán. My mom got as far as the word ‘parentals’ and decided to point out that he sounded like me. It was also pointed out that I had planned originally to go to college for architecture, lol.
What do you like to do when you're not writing?
Read and listen to music (at the same time preferably). Play with the kids. Hang out with friends. Just normal, fun things.
Who is your favorite book heroine?
I would probably have to say Kahlan Amnell from Terry Goodkind’s “Sword of Truth” series. Described various places on the net as a kind and generous soul, remarkable for her resolution and devotion to her people, but only the brutal Mord-Sith have less pity for their enemies than does the Mother Confessor.
She’s beautiful, seriously intelligent and learned, generous, and kicks serious butt when needed. A warrior, ruler, lover, and compassionate soul that spends most of her life on the outside of people while giving her life to the people that very often fear her. Seriously, what a great heroine!
Do you have any unusual habits that revolve around writing?
I’ve been told that my thing of reading from the beginning before starting the next section of writing is pretty unusual but for me it helps ground me in the world I’m writing about. I’ve tried just picking up the thread of what I did before without rereading and ended up scrapping what I wrote every time. I don’t have a special pen, pencil, kind of paper or anything to weird though. Actually, I don’t write any of it out longhand . . . gotta love laptops! :D
What is you favorite mystical creature?
That would be the alicorn followed closely by the unicorn. I have loved them for as long as I can remember. I still the hand blown glass unicorn my Grandy (maternal grandfather) had made for me when I was little. There is just something wondrous and special about a creature that loves and protects the innocent and those who are weaker. I always thought of them as sort of ‘white knights’ with hooves. Not all unicorn stories fit that ideal but that’s mine.
What were some of your biggest challenges at the beginning of your career?
Finding the time to around my kids. Believing that what I wrote was good enough for others to want to read. Those would be the biggies for me. I was never overly worried about getting a contract, Indy Author here by choice, so that didn’t phase me any. With 4 children in home, one has Aspergers and one has a communication delay, they take up an extraordinary amount of time and energy. However, all but my youngest has supported me 100% (he’s only 3 so…), even to the point my 12 yo offers to ‘babysit’ outside or in their play area, to give me time other than late-late at night to write. They’re great kids, huh? :D
How do you feel about reader comments?
Honestly, that would depend on what the reader has to say. I am very critical of my own work so when I read or hear negative comments I tend to take them a little harder than I probably should. I’ve always been that way though. One of my English teachers is school always grumped that I needed to learn to take the good with the bad and understand that negative isn’t always a bad thing. Something I’m still working on.
When it’s good though, I feel like Queen of the World. J
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes! Ignore those that say you can’t. Writing is something that you have to enjoy and believe in, no matter what others think or say about it. Many of The Greats were dogged, insulted, belittled, ignored by publishers, etc early on. Don’t let ‘their’ opinions change who you are. That doesn’t mean that all criticism is bad, take the useful stuff and make your writing better, but never give up!
Where are your books available?
All eBook formats –
Smashwords – http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/housemillar
Print –
eStore - https://www.createspace.com/3625128
What can we expect from you in the future?
Well, I’m already working on the third book, Glamour Blade. It is written from the POV of a new character, Rory. It will focus more on what Guardians are, whether there is a way to revive the sub-class of humans (other that just Declán) and at least part of what makes Anya so unique will be revealed.
Eventually I plan to write more in the same word but focusing on other creatures and maybe even a few non-mythical beings. We’ll just have to wait and see. ;)
Where can we reach you and become informed of updates?
Twitter – @AnyaMillar
Facebook – http://facebook.com/BloodsVoice I'd like to thank Aine for taking the time to answer all of my questions! Up for grabs is a copy of Blood's Voice! You just have to be a GFC follower and comment below with an email address!
+1 for asking Aine questions
You can follow her on her book tour by clicking the links below!!
6 comments:
if it's a print copy i would like to be entered please ( and if it's international of course)
thanks for the giveaway
gfc name: isabelle frisch
isabelle(dot)frisch(at)gmail(dot)com
I'm a newbie here and just joined in. I enjoyed the post. Please count me in for the giveaway if you accept international entries.
Tamsyn/GFC follower
tamsyn5@yahoo.com
This is for a eCopy so yes, it's international! I hope you enjoy my books :)
Aine @ House Millar series
desithelbonde@msn.com
i have you on twitter and face book and good read all over the inter net wo ho
Great interview. Again, just stopping by to see how Aine was doing today! Don't enter me in the contest as I am part of the tour.
Kristin
Hi! Thanks for the interview,Aine. This one looks really interesting. I'm not a huge YA reader anymore, although that's where I started when I began reading paranormal books, but I'd love to read this one.
Oh and I follow on GFC and email as MJB.
Thanks for the giveaway,
MJB
msmjb65 AT gmail DOT com
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