Guest Blog/ Giveaway: Anathema

Hello and Welcome Ms. Tucker, author of Anathema!

Thank you so much Ms. Tucker for being here today and answering my questions.

1. What inspired you to write?
For anyone following the tour day-by-day, say it with me now: “For sanity!” J I was on maternity leave with my second daughter and I was finding it extra-tough in the face of an adorable but screeching 3mth-old, a 2 year old special needs child, diapers & bottles up to my eyeballs, and two dogs doing laps around my ankles all day long. I needed an escape and some way to stimulate my brain. Writing fiction seemed like the perfect option. I had no idea at the time how much I would love it. 

2. Why vampires?

I guess I’ve always had a fascination with vampires. When I was young, they scared me to death. Where most kids slept with their closet doors closed, I needed them open so I could see if a vampire was hiding inside.  I slept with my sheets up to my neck because I believed that if they couldn’t see my neck, they wouldn’t kill me. I know… a tad weird. I’ve always had an overactive imagination. Growing up, couldn’t get enough of Lost Boys. Interview with a Vampire is one of my favourite stories. I felt sorry for Bram Stoker’s poor, unloved Dracula. I’ve always held a special interest for these creatures.  But to write a book about them?... An idea just fell onto my head one day and, well, you should always take an idea and see where it takes you because you never know what will come of it.  From a business aspect – I don’t care what anyone says about vampire stories being old news - they’re still a hot read and there’s a large group of people who will run to the store or Amazon if they hear about another good vampire novel. If you’re a new author with your first book, writing in a genre that has a big fan base is generally a good idea.

3. I love the cover of your book. How did you come up with the design?

I hired a very talented book cover designer J (Carl Graves). I wrote a creative brief that outlined the plot, key aspects of the story, the ‘feel’ I wanted from my cover, as well as examples of covers I loved and those I wasn’t crazy about. Then, I let Carl do his thing and be ‘creative’. When I opened the cover file for the first time, I think my eyes may have popped out of their sockets a little bit. It was nothing like I had imagined and it was absolutely perfect. I’ve lined Carl up to produce the cover of the second book in the series for September. I’m DYING to see what he comes up with.

4. What elements do you find are important in a story?

You must must must have a plot that ties together well, compelling conflict that people will care about, and strong characters. That last one is the most important for me. Reading a book with a good story but without any depth to the characters is like watching a movie with awesome special-effects but weak acting. You’ll watch it once, you may be mildly entertained, but if the main character bites the dust in the end, it probably won’t phase you in the least. You may even cheer.

5. How long did it take you to write Anathema?

I finished the first draft in eight months, just as I was going back to work.  That was my self-imposed deadline. I assumed that when I went back to work, I would no longer be able to write. I quickly learned that not writing wasn’t an option for me. I needed to continue. I also felt that I needed to learn how to write a novel. So I enrolled in a course I had been eyeing for awhile: “How to Revise Your Novel,” by Holly Lisle. I spent five months in that course, tearing apart my manuscript. It was a painful time and one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. In January of 2011, I decided I would leap into the publishing world and by March, my final manuscript was in the hands of my editor.

6. When writing Anathema, did you listen to any music. If so, what was it?

Off and on. Sometimes I find it distracting, sometimes I find it helpful – it changes based on the day, my energy leve, and what I’m writing about.  I typically listen to music when I’m in revision. Sometimes I’ll find one song that I love and put it on repeat.  My play list is a mish mash -  you’ll find Muse, Metric, Bon Iver, Adele, Kings of Leon, Feist, and Eminem on there, along with many others.

7. I love how the title coincides with the story. How did you come up with the title?

In a brilliant and methodical way… I typed the word ‘cursed’ into my online thesaurus.J As soon as it spat out ‘Anathema’ and I read the meaning, I knew it was perfect.

8. Will there be a sequel? If so, when?

I’m working on Book 2 now, called Asylum. It’s another title that I think fits the story perfectly. First draft and revised outline is finished and I’ll begin revisions shortly. I’m aiming to have it out before Christmas, budget and time-permitting.

9. What is the last book you read?

I’ve just started Meant To Be by Tiffany King, an extremely sweet and supportive indie author I met on Twitter.  I’m only a few pages in but I’m super-excited to read this one. It has received great reviews!

Thank you to Savannah for hosting me on my Anathema Book Tour! I’ve followed your blog for months and I think you’re doing a wonderful thing, connecting authors with readers!

Giveaway!

Kathleen is giving away a signed, print copy of Anathema to one lucky winner at the end of the blog tour. Anyone can enter by visiting her site at www.katuckerbooks.com (read giveaway rules posted). 

Do you want up to 10 extra chances to win? Visit each blog stop for an Anathema Quiz question. Answer it correctly and your name is entered! Simple!

Here's your quiz question for today, Blog Stop # 5 : Who does Evangeline meet on the park bench in Central Park?

To submit your answer, click here  http://www.katuckerbooks.com/10-days-of-anathema-grand-prize-entry-form.html

And if you haven't read Anathema yet... what are you waiting for?! 

Yes, what are you waiting for! Go get it now!

Happy Reading!