Indie Author Interview with Keira des Anges - Author of the Paranormal Novel Flick.
By day, Keira des Anges has the distinct pleasure of assisting teenagers with disabilities find employment while helping empower one life at a time.
By night, she is a writer and avid reader of anything spooky, magical and totally out of this world.
Interview with Keira des Anges
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| Author Keira des Anges |
Keira des Anges: I love J.K. Rowling and the Harry Potter series as well Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson and the Heroes of Olympus series. But Judy Blume was my biggest influence as a child. I enjoyed her books, connected with the characters and remember laughing out loud as I read them. In my teenage years, I began reading Stephen King and became addicted to anything and everything he wrote. My two favorites are ‘It’ and “The Stand.’ They are brilliant reads.
When did you first know that you wanted to be a writer?
I first knew I wanted to be a writer at nine years old. When I finished reading, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, I picked up a little spiral notebook and wrote my first story. I didn’t get very far because I didn’t know what I was doing, but I knew one day I’d try again.
Tell us about your writing process. Do you have a writing routine?
I have day job and I’m a mother of two teenagers, so a set routine is necessary…and difficult. Generally, I reserve my writing time for the weekends. I give my family my scheduled writing time so if they need anything, they let me know in advance. This way I can focus on writing without the interruptions.
"The hardest part is editing and getting the story in your head to sound just as great on paper."
What do you find easiest about writing? What the hardest?
In my opinion, the easiest part of writing is the story development. As I write, the characters seem to evolve and take form. This is definitely the most enjoyable part. The hardest part is editing and getting the story in your head to sound just as great on paper. Sometimes scenes that you absolutely love are deleted, chapters are rearranged and some characters may not make it at all.
Keira, please tell us a little about your Book 'Flick.’
Sure! There is always a moment in a young person’s life that is transformative, that molds us into the person we become. For Leanna Matthews, this happens the summer following her freshman year of high school. Fearing ridicule and rejection, Leanna’s hidden the fact she’s an astral traveling, telekinetic since she was a child. She learns to fly just below the radar; lying when necessary and revealing only what she wants people to see.
But life flips suddenly when tragedy strikes the family, and when she discovers her best friend Drew’s hazardous living conditions. Unfortunately, the more she tries to help, the worse things seems to get; especially when Simora, a bizarre, little spirit lady, pops out of nowhere to warn her about an impending encounter with a sinister evil.
Then she meets Piper. In a sea of uncertainty, he is the one thing she is absolutely sure of. But since she isn’t allowed to date, he becomes another one of her little secrets. As the weeks progress, Leanna pushes her problems to the side - including Simora’s ominous message. Yet Leanna learns life, and people, aren’t always what they seem. The funny thing is, neither is she.
.jpg "Flick (Keira des Anges)") |
| Click to Read an Excerpt |
What inspired you to write the book?
I’m drawn to stories with paranormal themes as well as the middle-grade and young adult fiction. Young people have so many endless possibilities and there’s something sweet and magnificent about that. But I don’t know if there was an inspiration, per se. I simply wrote a story I, myself, would like to read and hope others will enjoy it as well.
Who do you see as your target audience and where can we buy the book?
Flick is a clean read and my target audience is middle grade on up. But for full disclosure, there is a teensy, weensy bit of creepiness. It is a paranormal novel after all! Flick is available on amazon.com.
Did you hire an editor and/or Cover Designer for your book?
My cover art was done by Michelle Lee via Books we Love Publishing, Ltd. People who know me thought the girl on the cover favored me (when I was younger, of course), but that is sheer coincidence.
"Research, research, research – and then research some more."
Can you give some tips for other Indie Authors regarding the writing and self-publishing process?
My advice is short and sweet: Research, research, research – and then research some more. Connect with authors who already went through the process and even with those who are still learning their way. I found that there are always people willing to help and share their experiences and offer guidance. Sites like Absolute Write Water Cooler and Preditor and Editor are invaluable. Many writers on the forum give practical, first-hand advice on writing and publishing, what to look out for and who to avoid.
Are you working on another book project? Can you tell us a little about it?
Right now I am writing a sequel to Flick. Leanna’s journey is far from over.
Where do you see the book market in 5 or 10 years? Will there be only eBooks and will book stores disappear like record stores disappeared?
I think eBooks will continue to grow. I wasn’t a big fan of them initially, but my Apple iPad made a believer out of me. That being said, there is nothing like the smell and feel of a nice, new book and I have a hard time believing book stores will disappear entirely. Maybe I’m old fashioned, I don’t know. But I sincerely pray they stay in existence forever.
Do you write full-time or do you have a day job?
I have a day job I thoroughly enjoy. I work for an agency that helps teenagers with disabilities find employment. It’s wonderful to watch young people grow into happy, productive adults.
"[...] say ‘hi’ on Twitter"
How can readers connect with you?
Please visit my blog at Keiradesanges.com, say ‘hi’ on Twitter @KeiradesAnges and find me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/KeiraDesAnges
Thank you very much for the Interview, Keira.
About the Book Flick
.jpg "Flick (Keira des Anges)") |
| Click to Read an Excerpt |
But life turns around when Leanna meets Piper one sunny afternoon. She's inexplicably drawn to him, almost as if she's been waiting for him to come. Forbidden to have a boyfriend Leanna throws caution to the wind, lying to her family and friends to be with him, while ignoring Simora's ominous message.
Yet Piper has a secret of his own. He is on a mission and Leanna, unwittingly, is the key.
Link to the Book
Link to the eBook Flick with Excerpt on Amazon
1 comment:
Great interview. I enjoyed finding more about Keira and her writing.
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