For our very first interview, we have Grace White, the author of the Lilituria Prophecy Series. Grace's new work, Allure, just came out on March 30th. You can find our review on Allure here. When did you first realize you wanted to become a Writer/Author?About three-and-a-half years ago. I was going through some stuff and reading like it was going out of fashion. I completely tuned out of life. And one day, after reading a particular book, I had a brainwave of seeing if I could channel my frustrations and stress into writing (as opposed to reading). I didn’t know if I’d be any good, or if I’d ever do anything with it, but a year later, I had published two books… the rest, as they say, is history. Do you write full-time or part-time and what made you come to the decision to do so?Full-time (well, as much as you can with two small children). I gave up my part-time job two years ago, to focus on my writing. It’s hard work, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. What does literary success look like to you? If I can keep writing the books I love full-time, I’ll be a happy fish (maybe that should be my mascot). What is your writing Kryptonite? Facebook – said every writer everywhere. It’s so easy to get sucked into social media when you’re supposed to be focusing. Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want? I’m quite stubborn – I write the kinds of books, I would want to read … that said, I am learning that to grow a business in writing, you can’t ignore market trends. So a mix really. But I’m not afraid of doing something outside the box (and I love a BIG cliffhanger… readers who read my contemporary stuff under L A Cotton, have come to expect that, I think). If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be? Start sooner. I really wished I’d have discovered writing earlier in my life. What do you think makes a great story? Strong characters, tension, and a great plot. I also love lots of realistic dialogue. Which Writer/Authors inspire you? So many. I didn’t know anything about the Indie Community until I started writing. I was just a reader who enjoyed reading good books, but the work ethic and creativity of some of these Indies is phenomenal. Tijan, Rachel Van Dyken, Amy A Bartol, Alyssa Rose Ivy, C L Stone, K Webster … I could go on and on and on, are all big inspirations to me. Have you read anything that made you think differently about fiction? Last year, I read a book called Forbidden by Tabatha Suzuma and it affected me so deeply. I can’t really put into words, it’s one of those things you just have to experience. I think because it deals with a subject matter so taboo, in a way that can’t help but have you rooting for the main characters, that you come away really feeling like right and wrong in the eyes of the law and society, isn’t always as cut and dry. It was fiction, but it felt so real – if that makes sense…. Now I’m just rambling! What kind of things do you enjoy when not writing? Family is important to me, so when I’m not writing, I’m usually hanging out with my family and children. I also enjoy going to the movies and eating out. Grace White is your pseudonym. What made you want to write paranormal stories under a pseudonym? Originally, I’d planned to keep my pseudonym completely separate (and anonymous) – I had so much fun writing Awaken, and I think so of that was because there was no expectation attached to it. I basically wrote it for me, and it was refreshing. However, when I released it, I quickly realized maintaining two sets of social media was HARD WORK! So I decided to ‘out’ myself. I still keep the two relatively separate, but now I don’t have to worry about the ‘secret’. How can Readers discover more about you and your work? Goodreads is a great place to get started (you can check me out here: https://goo.gl/4JSYx2) or I have a small reader group where I share my progress, talk about my projects (here: https://goo.gl/7UtJbA) What was your favorite/least favorite thing to write in regards to the dynamic between the Cattiva sisters? I wanted so many times for Devlin to redeem herself - she's such a mean girl. But overall, i love the dynamic. Given everything they've been through and who they are, it feels authentic. The fierce protector in Demi, the rebel in Devlin, and the confused baby sister in Daiya. I can't wait to see how the dynamic changes and develops in book three. Are there any scenes that you edited out of this book in the end that you wish had been included? My writing process is such that I don’t usually end up with a lot of cut scenes. I edit as I write so as the story moves, the chapters before are usually quite polished. However, when I read it back before starting the third book, I’m sure I’ll be thinking ‘darn, I should have included that…' What was your hardest scene to write in this book? The ending… I knew it was going to get readers riled up. Without saying too much, Daiya and Kai have to fight so hard to be together, I really wanted to give them a smoother time… but I take my lead from my characters and that is the path they led me on. In this book, you switch POV back and forth between the two main characters. What made you come to this decision? And do you find it difficult to write from the opposite sexes point of view? Awaken was very much about Daiya’s journey and coming to terms with who she is. By the end of that book, I felt like Kai had a lot to say that wouldn’t be captured through Daiya’s POV. I hope it’s brought a ‘wholeness’ to their story. And I actually love writing a male POV – girls are tricky. They over-analyze. Guys are a little more straight talking and thinking. Can you share any teasers or anything to look forward to in regards to your next release? I can’t say much about my next Grace White release as it’s part of a group project – but I will say, it’s going to be a little bit of change up. Still PNR but with a Sci-fi element. I’m excited. Hopefully, I’ll have the cover soon and be able to announce more! As for the final chapter in Daiya and Kai’s story, that should be coming around June/July time.
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