Today has been a long day... already. So I think this author is REALLY brave to join us here on the couch at The Menagerie. Let's get started. Please welcome, Katina Abram.
Welcome to our madhouse, Katina. Make yourself comfortable. Where are you from?
You would swear another universe. But no, from Oregon and Washington, which can seem like another universe. Hmm, the weirdness explained.
LOL, yup that sort of explains it. So, tell us your latest news.
I reached level 29 on plunder at big fish games. Hmm. There's a collaboration between playing games versus writing done. Huh. Needs more research, yes, I should keep playing.
LOL, it's a conspiracy... the men are affraid we'll tell the women that this is what they should be looking for. When and why did you begin writing?
Eight years old, and I think because I always wanted to be a writer, and a rock star and a private detective. I'm tune deaf and can't detect, so good thing I can do one of those.
Absolutely a good thing... it's what you need to do. When did you first consider yourself a writer?
When I sold the first short story. Actually, gave the first away and sold the second, but who cares. It was publication in a e-zine no one has heard of that probably doesn't exist, but again, who cares? It's publication. Whee.
I can certainly relate to that, that's when it happened for me too. How did you come up with the title?
I tried to sound romancy. Forbidden passion. And the next one, dark supers, (maybe,) because the super heroes have darker powers. I had always heard that the title would be changed, so I just called it something to save it under and the publishing company (whispers, the awesomest) has been wonderful about letting the authors have creative administration powers over their books.
LOL, sounds great.Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
In dark supers, the darker superheroes are looked down on, and she looks down on herself a bit, but they still are just as good as anyone around them, yes "believe in yourself and blah blah blah) is a bit cliched, and I normally hate clichés, but a lot of people will hate you for no good reason. Ignore them.
That's a good philosophy to have. How much of the book is realistic?
Obviously, almost none of it. If I want reality I'll look out a window thanks. I read for something more than plain life.
LOL, sometiems that's just what you have to do. Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
Forbidden passion was based a little bit on me ( I have déjà vu powers, who doesn't?) but mostly I write non realistically.
What books have most influenced your life most?
I love Tanith Lee's fantasy, Doris Pierschia, and thousands of others. I'm quite the bookworm.
Me too, I guess I'll have to find these authors... if I haven't already. LOL If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
Tanith lee, maybe, because her books were good reads with great prose, though lawernce block wrote a erotica book a month, so it would probably be him. I mean, a book a month? National novel writing month (50,000 words in November, look it up) kicked my butt, and he did this every month for years? Awesome!
Wow, sounds amazing. What book are you reading now?
A Sophia Kinsella, Lawernce Block and Meg Cabot. I can't limit myself to one when there's a library nearby.
I never limit myself, I usually have at least three books going at once... sometims more. Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
Sophia kinsella. Her shopaholic series is so far funny, light, and well paced. I started with confessions on an undomestic goddess, which was just great. Meg cabot writes young adult, but this is my favorite genre and she does it well, with a real kickbutt heroine, in the mediator series.
Hmmm... I don't think I've read these.. but maybe I should start. What are your current projects?
Two comedies, a fantasy, and lots more erotica.
Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.
Coffee count? No? then the plot pirates of Newport from nanowrimo. This was my first year writing with others, and it went well, meeting in libraries and coffe houses and dessert. I love dessert.
Sounds like a great group of friends to have in your corner. Do you see writing as a career?
Oh I hope so. When I make enough money, that will change to h--- yes. And a thank you Jesus.
Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
Nope. Way to far back in time. I do remember my parents sitting down with me and going over the alphabet. Make sure your kids can read! And volunteer to help others. Their the future readers of our books.
Can you share a little of your current work with us?
"That's a lovely dress you have on," Chad said lovingly. He leaned cautiously on the table.
"Do you like it?" Sheila asked, smoothing it out as she sat down next to him, shoving his sister out of the way with her hip.
"I have never seen anything so beautiful in my life." Chad replied, looking into her eyes.
"That's my dress," his sister snarled. "I wore it last year."
"Mean? Mean?" his sister repeated, soaking her dress liberally in soda and salt. "You should have seen him at my fifteenth birthday party. I. Looked. Gorgeous." Julie emphasized every word. "And do you know what happened? My false breast sprung a leak. That's right, a leak. Right at the duke of Conning. I just stood there and watched this arc of fluid spring forth and deflate an otherwise perfect set of men catchers. I was stuck entertaining guests for another two hours. With one boob! I looked like a Picasso painting come to life before I was done." Julie's face was red with memories. (from the cursed prince, coming next.)
Looks like a fun read. Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
Spelling. I type very, very fast and make lots of mistakes. Also, all authors know what is going on and have to make sure they have left a scene out or been misunderstood, because the reader doesn't know what they know.
I think most of us who type fast have that problem. Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?
Gosh, I have so many, and what strikes me most is of course how much I enjoy reading them. pacing, plot, the one liners! It's all so good.
Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)?
um. Occasionally I want to run out of the house and fine a nice quiet corner. Thankfully, I volunteer with a local fire department and often hide out there. So, a couple of miles a month or so, I would say, since I also write in libraries, star bucks and places that serve dessert. I have an alphasmart, absolutely recommend it for writers. I love it.
Who designed the covers?
Whispers art staff. They did a great job, considering I sent them this crappy picture from Microsoft paint program. I love the colors and the design.
What was the hardest part of writing your book?
Re editing. They say everyone does it, but in dark supers I completely moved several chapters. A major headache and added some, then had to go back over and make sure what they said matched up to where they were in the story. Definitely, the hardest part for me is getting right in regards to spelling and tenses. Ugh!
Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?
The great feeling of finishing something so difficult. Feelings of success come rarely in life, especially when you see how little a beginner author makes, but still. For a while, there a success feeling, and that wham of joy when a publishing company offers you the contract.
Do you have any advice for other writers?
Keep plugging at it. Try different things. Everyone says it, and if you don’t' have a book yet, you still need it.
Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
My blog has a contest. Buy the book, and tell me what you'd like to see in the next one. Note, it has to be a honest critique, not a vague 'me no like. Me get money now?' if you think the lack of names is annoying, or too much narration in an action scene, drop me a line and you're almost guaranteed to be a winner for your money back.
Sounds pretty simple. When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
Didn't you ask me something similar? Ah, my deja vu powers again. He he. Impressive yes? Um, I don't remember that far back in time, too young, sorry. I always wanted to be one, probably since I could read, who knows why at that age. also, I wanted to fly an alien space ship for almost as long. Probably why I like sci fi.
I dunno, probably, I didn't prepare the questions, LOL. How long does it take you to write a book?
A couple of months normally, though it's hard to tell when I constantly get distracted by the next got to write it now book.
What is your work schedule like when you're writing?
Off and on.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I flop out somewhere comfortable with the old alphasmart and type. Also, I daydream quite a bit, and run plots through my head, so it's a lot fo staring into space. Oh wait the question asks for interesting quirks, ah, skip. I'm dull.
When did you write your first book and how old were you?
Ten years ago, and I'm old enough not to want to say. Somewhere in the thirties range, with a lot of half finished books, but they all helped me to improve and learn better writing. But going by book, meaning done, somewhere around ten years, sure let's go with that.
What do you like to do when you're not writing?
Firefighting, jogging, reading, lots of reading, tv watching and playing computer games. Way too much tv watching and computer games.
What is your strangest habit?
I like broccoli with sugar and pepper. Who likes vegetables, for heaven's sake? And with toppings like that? It's like a Scooby doo thing.
What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever eaten?
My sister's cooking. It has damaged my taste buds to the point I prefer the taste of aspirin to almost anything she cooks. Mind you, this was when she first started, and I made some horrible whoppers myself when learning to cook. You should defrost chicken before you fry it. Just a hint. Does not work so well when the ice melts and takes the coating with it before it all goes black. And still raw.
What do you want to know about the future?
When will it all end and do I have enough time to write enough books by then?
Have you ever cried during a movie? If yes, which one and why?
Everyone has cried over bambi since we're kids when we see it, but what counts was 'nightmare before Christmas'. Jack wants a better life so bad, and yet he's not very good at it. It's tragic. It's everyone. When they shoot the sleigh and he lands in the cemetery, I get teary eyed.
What is your favorite pizza?
Chicken barbeque from papa murphys. It's a small town, we're lucky to have them. and the pizza doesn't have gobs of pasty tomato sauce, but smoky barbeque and sharp mild onions and so much cheese.
What stereotype would you label yourself as?
Bookworm.
Lord of the Hunt by Katina Abram
The Hunt race is a non-human species that move between their world and the earth effortlessly. Generations of Hunt have found their mates from earth females as they only have male offspring. When a Hunt finds his mate, he must claim her within two red moon cycles. A Hunt without his mate faces death and madness. Unique to the Hunt is the curse- a mating ceremony that is described as 'hell on earth' as the mate experiences agony at the first mating. Only after this is she claimed by her Hunt lord a week later, forever ensuring the procreation of the species.
Leon, as the Lord of the Hunt, has found Dana who will be his mate. Having witnessed what the Hunt mating had meant to his sister-in-law, he wishes no pain for his mate. To ensure the future of his race, he is passionate and ruthless in wooing his mate. Keeping her on the edge of torment, he plays her body with the skill that leaves her overwhelmed. Their meetings are fraught with high emotion and a sensual interplay with Leon very clearly the master. His sexual advances test Dana to the limit, but she succumbs to her attraction for him despite her virginal fears and wishes to be his mate.
Will she ever be ready for the claiming that is marked by the curse? Will her body cope with Leon's relentless, dark passion and his claiming? The Lord of the Hunt will brook no refusal. Only the claiming night will show whether Dana survives the curse of the Hunt mates.
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