Today I’m interviewing author Miranda as part of the blog tour for her new book, Souls Discovered.
Are you a full-time author or do you have another job as well and if so how do either of these fit in with writing time?
I don’t have another job but I’m not a full-time author, either. I wish! I have a five-year-old and a three-year-old that take up most of my time. I write during their naps or in between loads of laundry or while supper is simmering on the stove. If I’m not completely exhausted by the end of the day, I will stay up late to write, or sometimes I’ll get up early. It can be hard to balance the kids, cleaning, and running errands but that makes my writing time all the more wonderful.
Do you write on your novel daily or do you try to have days off?
I tend to write in bursts. I will work on a novel for several days, thinking of pretty much nothing else. After all of the intense writing I take a couple of days off. I love to draw and paint so on days I’m not writing that is what I like to do. Although, I often find myself doing character sketches. My characters just won’t leave my head! I think taking a couple of days off from writing really helps me to gather my thoughts. I find that when I start to miss my story and my characters my writing end up better.
If you have a ‘baddy’ in your book, can you tell us a little about this character?
I love this question! I’m very rarely asked about the villains in Souls Discovered and they deserve attention, too. Dehmons are the forces of evil you’ll find in my novel and they are ruled over by the Masters. Though I do not outright mention it in Souls Discovered, the seven Masters are fashioned after the seven deadly sins. The main ‘baddy’ of the Masters is Jackson. On the outside, he’s extremely courteous and pleasant, though he has a near constant rage inside of him (bet you can guess what deadly sin influenced him!). He very rarely has angry outbursts. Instead, his wrath simmers constantly beneath the surface, which I think makes him more dangerous.
Is there any romance in your story and if so can you tell us a little about this?
There is definitely some romance in Souls Discovered. The heroine, Autumn, finds herself ripped from everything she knows and thrown into a house with seven young men so, of course, the inevitable happens. The tricky part is, as Keeper, Autumn isn’t supposed to have a romantic relationship with any of her Searchers. This fact is ignored and Autumn falls for one of the eligible bachelors. As with any romance, things get complicated, especially when another Searcher starts to fall for Autumn, as well.
Do you ever write sad scenes and do you feel the sadness as you write it?
Sad scenes can be difficult to write because, well, they make me sad! If I didn’t feel the sadness and heartbreak of my characters, I do not believe the writing would be as authentic. I want my readers to feel the what the characters are feeling and the readers won’t feel that if I don’t experience it as I write. I remember one time I was writing a really heart-wrenching scene and the music video for Jake Owens ‘What We Ain’t Got’ came on and I bawled! The song was just too perfect for the scene and it really hit me. I’ve had people tell me that particular scene made them cry, so I guess it worked!
Did you write as a child or did you come into your talent as an adult?
I’ve always been very creative and a big reader. I remember in school when I was around eight we got to make books and I loved it. I’ve always enjoyed making stories but I got really serious about writing in high school. I took a creative writing class and I was hooked. I had a wonderful teacher who saw my talent and eagerness to write and really encouraged me. I started writing almost constantly, I couldn’t get enough. I still can’t 🙂
Do you prefer to write as a series or one off books?
Right now, I prefer series. I really love seeing the growth and development of my characters as I move along from one book to the next. I have so much to say, I think I would have a hard time fitting all of it into one book! I do, however, have a couple of stand-alone ideas. I may find it a bit of a challenge whenever I get around to them, but I’m looking forward to it.
When you receive reviews do you find yourself influenced to make changes?
Sometimes, I do. I’ve had reviewers point out issues that I hadn’t thought of but when I looked into it, made sense. I’ve also had a reviewer bring up an issue they had but I did not feel influenced to change at all because the certain problem is something that will resolve in subsequent books. I can’t give everything away in book one, where would the fun be in that? So, it really just depends. Reviews can bring up some very good advice and other times you just have to let reviewers have their opinions and remember at the end of the day, your writing is your writing.
Blog Tour ~ Souls Discovered
Author: Miranda Brock
Genre: Fantasy/Romance
Tour Dates: 27th-31st of March
Hosted by: Ultimate Fantasy Book Tours
Blurb:
Spin away with young Autumn as she finds a seemingly innocuous gold necklace on her family’s farm and inadvertently uncovers her destiny as “The Keeper.” Autumn’s discovery of the necklace activates “The Window” and alerts both good and evil forces to her whereabouts. Autumn is pulled from everything she knows, and is tossed into a life of unknowns. Enigmatic enemies called Dehmons hunt her at every turn, and if captured the very world she lives in will fall into destruction. With the help of seven Searchers Autumn must learn to use the power she has been given before it is too late. Will she choose to follow the dangerous destiny thrust upon her? Will she be able to withstand the temptation of a relationship that could jeapordize everything? Most importantly, will Autumn be able to find the strength within herself to fight the dead-eyed evil Dehmon souls?
↓Buy Links↓
Author Bio:
From an early age Miranda Brock has always loved fantasy and adventure everything. Since she doesn’t live in a world of enchanting powers, mythical beasts, and things unbelievable she has decided to write about them. (Although, if you happen to see a dragon flying around, do tell her.) Born in southern Illinois, where she still resides with her husband and two children, she grew up running through the woods, playing in creeks, and riding horses. What started out as writing poetry grew into short stories and eventually led to her first novel, Souls Discovered. Miranda lives in the country where she finds inspiration in the simplicity and beauty around her. With the help of a ridiculous amount of coffee and some good music she writes whenever she gets a chance.
Visit her at:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Miranda_Brock1
Website: http://whimsicalwanderingwords.blogspot.ie/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/miranda.brockauthor
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Miranda-Brock/e/B01J5Y44HG/
