Kelley Armstrong

Best-selling author Kelley Armstrong answers my questions about vampires, werewolves and the Women of the Otherworld and tells us more about her upcoming books…

Hi Kelley, thank you for being on “Veronika Asks” for the “Books & Shivers” October special! First, would you please introduce yourself to our readers? How would you describe yourself in three words?
I’m the author of the “Women of the Otherworld” paranormal suspense series, “Darkest Powers”  YA urban fantasy trilogy, and the Nadia Stafford crime series.  I grew up in Ontario, Canada, where I still live with my family.  A former computer programmer, I’ve now escaped my corporate cubicle and hope never to return. 
How would I describe myself in three words?  Averse to normality.

“Frostbitten”, the tenth novel in the “Women of the Otherworld” series is on stores this month. Can you tell us more about it?
It returns to my first and most popular heroine, werewolf Elena Michaels.  Together with her husband, she goes to Alaska to warn a young werewolf that he’s in trouble…and gets into a whole lot of trouble herself.

Can we have a few tiny spoilers about the 11th “Otherworld” book? Some hints, maybe…
It’s done, so I can give a few hints   The narrator is Savannah Levine, who has grown up over the course of the series, having first appeared in Stolen at the age of 12.  In book 11 (Waking the Witch) she’s 21 and gets her first investigation.

And in December 2009 comes out “Angelic”, a short novella (in limited edition!)… What is it about, why a novella and why in limited edition?
I don’t get a lot of opportunity to publish novellas and I have a lot of ideas that just aren’t novel length.  The requests I get are for anthologies where they want a specific theme, meaning I can’t use one of my ideas!  With Subterranean Press, I get the chance to write about anything I want–in this case, it’s an Eve Levine story.  They do a fancy hardcover edition with four original full-colour illustrations, which is why it’s a limited edition. I did a short story for them last year and was thrilled with the result.

Why did you chose to write about witches, vampires and werewolves? How was the “Otherworld” series born?
I love writing paranormal fiction.  I’ve been fascinated by the supernatural since childhood.  When Bitten sold, the plan was to follow up with another stand-alone supernatural thriller.  Then my publishers suggested turning it into a series.  I loved the idea, but couldn’t imagine a whole series on Elena so I introduced other supernatural types in Stolen.

You’re now a New York Times bestselling author. Do you remember how it all started? Can you tell us more about your “Want my book published” quest?
I’ve been writing all my life.  In my twenties I started working on novels, and would sporadically send out query letters and sample chapters, but never got anything more than a form letter rejection. When I finished Bitten, I had an instructor look at it, to see how well I was progressing.  He offered to recommend it to an agent, and things happened very quickly from there.  Within a couple of months I went from being unpublished to having multiple book contracts.  So it was a long empty road, with a very quick stop at the end!

How do you explain such a success? Why do you think paranormal novels are so popular nowadays?
I wish I knew! I’ve heard many theories floated, but I suspect it’s just the cyclical nature of the medium.  Paranormal books come into fashion, then fade out, and after they’ve been gone a while, people are hungry for them again.

How do you work? Do you have a few rituals or habits that help you?
I don’t really have any rituals or habits.  That’s a necessity for me.  With a full household of husband, kids and pets, I need to be able to jump into writing at a moment’s notice.  If I could only write at certain times, under certain circumstances, I’d be in big trouble.  My basic routine is to start when they kids go to school and work (writing, editing, outlining, etc) until they come home, then get things like business done after dinner and on weekends.  It’s not a regular 9-to-5, Monday-to-Friday job–I can say that much!

What do you think is the perfect “paranormal fiction” cocktail?
I’m not sure there is one.  I know what works for me as a reader–fast-pacing, high action, humour, light romance and good world-building.

If you had a magic wand, how would you use it?
That’s one of those questions that requires a big answer, like the kind they give in beauty pageants.  Bring world peace, end world hunger… 

I see there’s a Role Playing Game devoted to the “Otherworld”. If you could live in the “Otherworld”, who would you be?
Which character? None. LOL  There’s not one of my characters I’d trade lives with.  Now, if you forced me to become one, I’d pick Elena, mainly because we share a lot of superficial qualities–same age, similar educational background, Canadian, married, kids.

Is there a book you wish you’d written?
Oh, there are lots!  At least a few times a year, I pick up a book and think “I wish I could write like that.”  I know my strengths and weaknesses as a writer, and I envy anyone whose strengths are my weaknesses.

What are you working on right now?
I just finished my fourth young adult novel, and I’m currently proofreading the third–The Reckoning–which comes out in May.

Do you want to add something (or perhaps wish a happy Halloween to our readers? While we’re at it, do you celebrate it and how?)?
Yes, a huge Happy Halloween to all.  It’s always been a favourite holiday of mine.  I used to decorate my parents’ house with a front yard cemetery, tableau in the garage etc.  Unfortunately, where I live now, we’re lucky to get one trick-or-treater a year–it’s a rural area and religiously conservative (many kids don’t go out for Halloween)

Finally, the “Nothing-to-do-with-books-question”: you’ve found $100, how will you use your newly acquired money?
Books of course!

“Favourite…”

Author & Book: Richard Adams, Watership Down
Movie & TV show: The Princess Bride, Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Food: Cheesecake
City: Montreal
Music: Just regular top-forties rock/pop
Hobby: Reading!
Place to write in: Curled up in a recliner
Quote or Motto: Mae West quote: When choosing between two evils, I always like to try the one I’ve never tried before.

“Tea or Coffee?”

Tea or Coffee? Coffee.
Saturday night. Disco & Restaurant or Home, Books & DVDs? Home with books and DVDs
Going on holidays. Beach or Mountains? Mountains
Sleepy Little Town or Crazy Megapolis? Hmmm, prefer rural life, but if it had to be urban, I’d go with the big city
Pick a DVD: Comedy or Weepy Drama? Not really keen on either…
Like To Travel or Hate to Move? Both.  I like travelling for business/pleasure, but I don’t like moving permanently
Sport Lover or Couch Potato? Couch potato
Leader or Follower? Leader (I’m bossy)
Shy or Easy-going? Shy
Serious or Funny? Both

Thank you, Kelley!
You can learn more about Kelley Armstrong and her books at http://kelleyarmstrong.com/ 

we regret to inform you....

Today I received an email stating that one of the companies I had interviewed with (a lengthy one at that) had hired another applicant.  While it can be disheartening when you have placed a lot of effort into researching the company, interviewing, and following up it is also a relief.  A relief because even though the company is amazing it was not the right place in the long run.  My active search for work is now on its 2nd month and at times it is difficult to feel optimistic.  What helps me immensely is having a strong network of friends and a very loving family.  Meditating a couple times a week doesn’t hurt either.

NM Soundtrack: OK Go On “Shooting the Moon”

In an interview with Buzznet, OK Go’s frontman Damien Kulash discusses the band’s song Shooting the Moon which appears on the New Moon soundtrack.

doubter re: the US moon landing, but the story fascinates me. The story, that is, that would be, were the conspiracy theory true. One of the most iconic heros of all time would have to live with the guilt. He’d have to keep such a heavy, terrible secret: that this huge historical watershed was a cynical lie. As the basis of a song, it let me get at a feeling that I otherwise have a hard time describing, the feeling of dread and conviction at the same time. Of wanting to say it’s going to be OK, when in fact it probably isn’t. It’s a feeling I have a lot. The hero knows the only way to make things better in the long run is to unleash this awful truth which is going to break everyone’s heart.

Buzznet: Did you create this song with the intention of having it on the New Moon soundtrack? Was “Shooting The Moon” recorded at the same time that you recorded your songs on your upcoming album?

Damian: It was recorded along with the songs on our new album, but it was a perfect fit for New Moon. Our record’s already nearly an hour long, so we could afford it let this one go on to greener pastures. Which is no euphemism. The song is in such great company on this soundtrack that it’s probably happier in its new home.

Buzznet: What is your favorite song off of the original Twilight Soundtrack?

Damian: I like the Iron and Wine song a lot.

Buzznet: If you were to have to choose 1 OK Go song to “set the mood” for Bella and Edward, what song would you play?

Damian: Hmm. I’m gonna give a few answers. Sorta depends on their mood. They’re both earnest types, so perhaps the super-honest love song is the way to go. There’s one on our new album called Last Leaf, in which I tell the woman I love that I will wait for her forever, which, sentiment-wise, seems pretty on-the-nose for B&E. But whether it’d get them feeling randy, I don’t know. There’s a dancier love song called “I Want You So Bad I Can’t Breathe,” and again, bingo, right? Or do vampires breathe? To me, the sexiest song on the record is this one that we’ve already released online called “Skyscrapers.” But I have sorta different parameters for sexy than most folks; it’s probably only advisable as an aphrodisiac for the slow-jam inclined.                                                                                    

Read the entire interview HERE!

Masquerading Marionettes: Interview with Scott Radke

If magical marionettes with soulful eyes and anthropomorphic tendencies wandered through a dark forest in search of an unspoken mystery, they would have certainly wandered out of Scott Radke’s rear window. Radke is a painter and sculptor whose marionettes bear cherub faces of concern and curiousity with spindly limbs and stocking caps. Some wear organic outfits of twigs and earthen tones while others are disguised in animals skins of swan suites or octopus hoods.  Radke animates his transfixed creations with explicitly human expressions and naturalistic spirits. It is not surprising that his marionettes have been featured in films including Voices In My Head, a BBC documentary directed by David Malone; Desolation Sound, starring Jennifer Beals; God in the Machine, starring Thomas Jay Ryan; and Birthday Massacre’s music video, Blue. Radke’s work has been published in Bizarre, Juxtapoz and Hi-Fructose.

1) Can you remember the first sculpture or drawing that you made as a kid growing up?
Hmm. The first thing that comes to mind is a drawing I did of birds flying. I remember drawing them with four wings which is what they looked like to me when they were flying and it was the only way I thought it would look right when I tired to draw them. I did not really sculpt until I was in my 20’s and that started with sand sculpting.

2) What inspires your art?
Faces, happiness(believe it or not), love, and nature quite a bit.

3) What was your first gallery show and how did it happen?
I started out showing in bars and small galleries here in Cleveland. I lived in a great little part of town called Tremont. It changed my life. Everyone was so supportive and friendly and open to my work. Outside of Cleveland, my first show was in 2003 at CBGB’s 313 Gallery. I was in New York and I just went in and showed Micheline my work and she set up a show for me.

4) How did you support and promote your art early on?
Here, in town, I would show wherever and whenever I could. It was not until my roommate Vic Sabula, set up a website for me in 1997 that things took off from there. I’d say 99% of whatever happens for my work happens because of my web presence.

5) You illustrate and sculpt. What made you to decide to pursue sculpting more?
I don’t consider myself a great sculptor or painter but when I combine the two, I feel right at home.

6) If you could go back in time, what advice would you give yourself ten years ago from now?
Stop fooling around, don’t take things too seriously, focus and for Gods sake, eat something.

7) What are some upcoming or current projects that you’re working on?
I am just moving along doing what I have been. I just finished a set of dancer type things and I am not sure what I will do next. I have some work in the Beyond Eden Art Fair in LA thanks to Thinkpsace Gallery.

Every Generation Festival under way

From today it’s on for young and old… literally.

The 2009 Every Generation Festival will be running for the entire month of October, aiming to bring together the community from young and old in a celebration of life.

Council of the Ageing General Manager of National Programs, Debra Petrys, spoke to Peter this morning about what we should expect to see.

DOWNLOAD INTERVIEW or CLICK BELOW TO LISTEN

Swine Flu vaccine

Today the country’s biggest ever vaccination program gets underway with the Federal Government making available 5 million doses of a Swine flu vaccine to the general public, and another 16 million on order.

Although all Australians are being urged to get themselves vaccinated, earlier this week Meryl Dorey from the Australian Vaccination Network called the scheme unsafe, untested and unnecessary.

Former federal health minister Dr Michael Wooldridge disagrees and here’s what he has to say about it:

Download interview

Swine Flu

 

Listen here

Reformation

Maybe one of you remembers that general jerk I told you all about… They were actually pretty tolerable today. Faaaabulous. But still my internal conflict isn’t resolved.

Prepare for some extreme vagueness…

So now I can’t even look at him with a straight face. As in, my face contorts as soon as I see him. Eye contact? Out. Of. The. Question. I mean, we’ve had eye contact a few times, now, but it’s… indescribable. *is slapped* No, honestly! Not in a good way, either. In a what-the-heck-are-you-trying-to-say way… which isn’t exactly all that comforting.

And… I kind of wish I could look at him with a straight face again. Some part of me wants to go back and erase this. According to one of my recent dreams, I should be taking part in some rather scandalous activities soon. Eeps.

Vagueness may or may not stop here.

So we had Aca-Deca practice today, which was fun… ish. We spent the time doing interviews, thanks to someone’s feminine wiles. Or so we had planned it. I don’t actually know who decided to do interviews. But they were so serious. I had to inject a bit of myself into the questions. You do understand how I had to ask, “Do you know how to read an analog clock?” Mm-hm, I thought so.

And, to anyone who  thinks I’m psychotic because I confessed that I locked myself into my room for five hours just writing: I am. Partially. However, I’m not a control freak like how it might have appeared… *flashback*

Interviewer: “So why do you like writing?”

Swanktown: “I like having control over the outcome of my story. I like being responsible for someone, and having a world with any rules I like.”

…Yeah, that was what it was like. I’m not that crazy, sheesh. xD I do understand how insane I sounded, though. Don’t worry; I won’t do that in an actual interview.

So today was pretty nice, overall. A bit confusing, which means I should be posting some more poetry soon.