Congratulations to author Mia Jo Celeste on her debut novel, Other Than!
I’m excited to have this opportunity to visit Laurel. When we were in buddies in the Mudpuddle, the critique site of the Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal Romance Writers of America, I used to search for her chapters because her settings and concepts were so vivid and original. Her worldbuilding was an inspiration for me. Now we are launching new releases and I’m pleased to share a little bit about mine, Other Than, and my writing life with her readers.
- Does writing energize or exhaust you? Writing energizes me. I love brainstorming, creating new characters and scenes and then I love working out their personalities and their choices.
- If you didn’t write, what would you do for work? I’m an English teacher, so words are really a big part of my life. I plan to continue writing and teaching.
- How do you select the names of your characters? I like baby name sites and books. My favorites are written by Bruce Lansky. He surveyed people to find out what impressions names created. I try to match the impressions with the personalities I want my characters to have.
- Do you view writing as a kind of spiritual practice? Yes, I believe whenever we get to do what we love–that’s a gift from God.
- We all need a hero! Tell us about your protagonist(s)? Was there a real-life inspiration? Victor is mercurial. He can be sweet and gallant, but boy, does he have a temper. Growing up, I loved the Bronte sisters’ romances and I think he came out of that. He’s my homage to Heathcliff and Rochester. Evie, my heroine, is as plucky, smart, and as curious as Jane Eyre. She’s a good counterbalance to him.
- If Other Than was a movie, who would you want to play her heroine? Emily Blunt. She is vulnerable and sensitive, but she has an inner strength and she can be tough.
- A good villain is hard to write. How did you get in touch with your inner villain(s) to write this book? Was there a real-life inspiration for him/her/it? There are several villains in Other Than. My favorite one to write about was Lady Malka Lowell. She’s the hero’s mother. I’m a mother, too, so I could relate with her desire to protect and fix the lives around her. I gave her the fierce love I have for my children then I pushed her need to control situations and make everything work out to the extreme. I guess she might be every daughter-in-law’s worst nightmare.
- Can you share an excerpt? I’d love to.
Chilling as a January draft, the statue’s eyes drilled into Evie. Let him be.
“I will not help you.”
Why ever not? I’ve helped you, kitten. Several times we’ve had our little mouseling cornered—yet you let him go and now you’re endeavoring to release my chosen tiger.
Without a doubt. Her gaze sought Victor. “Stay with me.”
Victor stumbled. His steps reeled as if he were in his cups. Evie hoped, part of him battled to return to her. She tried to follow and found her feet planted. Her knees locked as if the Maiden had clamped a giant hand around her, but Evie was a skin-slider—a being versed in mental combat and a master of her own flesh. She gritted her teeth and fought for control.
You resist only because someone sacrificed a life for you. A life easily stripped away.
Shuddering, Evie let the thought hang.
Victor stumbled to the statue and fell to his knees. He flung his arms around the stone. “I can’t lose my hands.”
Jaw tight, she strained. Suddenly in a sensation like ice cracking off her skin, Evie’s body returned to her. She rushed to Victor and crouched beside him.
The statue’s brows lowered. Her sculpted eyes sparked with hatred. One would think we were enemies. Persist and we shall be.
Evie had made her choice. This lovely tormented man was hers. She had to save him, all of him, including his hands. She grabbed his chin. Turning his face, she pressed her lips to his. Skin-to-skin, her resolve and defiance transferred, as did her growing affection.
He blinked, then blinked again. The stunning corona of his irises strobed then snuffed out. Brows popped upward while wonder widened his wholly blue, wholly Victor eyes. “You love me?”
“I do.” Evie swallowed hard. Time to tell a lie and make it count. Convince herself as well as Victor. “The Maiden’s refused you, but you can rely on me. I’ve studied with the Moorish Master physicians and know of a poultice. Poultices are the strongest healing remedies.”
“Honestly?” Voice as buoyant as his brows, he leaned toward her.
“Honestly. Come.” She flashed him her brightest smile, grabbed his wrist and took advantage of his momentary daze to tug him into the hall. “We’re going to the conservatory.”
He shook his head. “Jessup’s concoctions don’t work.”
“This won’t be his. It’ll be mine.” An assurance she struggled for internally rang true in her voice.
Last chance, kitten. Turn Around. Return my tiger.
No!
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Other Than released Friday, January 27th. Find it here:
Wild Rose Press | Kobo | iTunes | GooglePlay | Barnes & Noble | Amazon
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Can readers get in touch with or follow you? I’m pretty much open. I work hard on my blog. I’ve done it for years, and I love it when people respond to my posts. That said, I just became a Goodreads member and I’m an avid reader, so I’m hoping to spend more time there. Here are my links:
GoodReads | Facebook | Twitter | Website | Blog
Excellent! Thanks for visiting today, Mia, and best wishes on your release!
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Question Sources
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1761180-sample-author-interview-questions
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