I'm loyal, hardworking, and I'm very maturity-challenged.
2. What’s your favorite part of being an author?
Writing fiction! You'd be surprised how much I write these days that has nothing to do with fiction! LOL I'm learning that the business-side of being an author really cuts into your fiction writing time... Shew!
A very close second is hearing readers talking about my characters!!! It's surreal and super fun to see people posting about how much they love Calisto! :)
3. What’s the most important thing you’ve learned on your publishing journey?
That there's no magic recipe to follow to make you a better writer. You have to practice. A lot! :)
4. You originally wrote horror. What made you decide to delve into writing paranormal romance?
My original version of Night Walker was a horror novel with romantic elements. When Christine Feehan started publishing her Dark Carpathian series, and more books started to have the "Paranormal Romance" label on the spines, I realized if I rewrote Night Walker and enhanced the love story, it could fall into this category. That was the first step. Although the romance takes center stage, my books still tend to be very dark with horror elements in them.
5. Tell us about your newest release, NIGHT WALKER.
The tagline on the book really captures the heart of the story "He gave up his soul for a second chance to love her." He's waited over 200 ears for his one true love's spirit to be reborn, but when he finds her again, her destiny seems to be repeating itself and he'll do anything to keep it from ending in tragedy again.
6. What inspired NIGHT WALKER?
I wanted to write a vampire novel, but I didn't want the immortals to be from Europe. I started researching the Maya because they were one of the most ancient civilizations in the Americas. Then I stumbled over an unsolved historical mystery surrounding the Mission De Alcala here in San Diego, and Calisto's story came to life. I had the 1st draft of Night Walker finished less than 6 months later.
7. What do you have in the works next?
I'm editing Night Demon, book 2 in the Night Series now, and I'm also editing my short story anthology that I'll be self-publishing soon.
8. What’s one thing you’d tell an aspiring author?
Keep practicing your craft and writing as often as you can.
Lisa Kessler
Night Walker - Available now! http://is.gd/QETE1E
Across the Veil - Available now! http://amzn.to/e98xZo
http://lisakessler.wordpress.com
http://twitter.com/LdyDisney
http://facebook.com/LisaKesslerWriter
Hi, Lisa!!! Nice to see you here. Love your advice to keep practicing your craft and write as often as you can. Spot on!!!!
ReplyDeleteHi Lisa!
ReplyDeleteAh yes, writing fiction...it's amazing how little time for that there is! LOL Sigh
Sarah
Hey Lisa. Happy Tuesday. Great post. L
ReplyDeleteWhen you said "There's no magic formula" it clicked. You are right! This is a tough business. Luck helps, but you won't sell if the book isn't the best it can be.
ReplyDeleteHi Lynn! *waving*
ReplyDeleteGreat to see you too!!! :)
Isn't it scary how much less time you have to actually write your fiction once you sell your book? Yow!!!
Thanks for commenting!
Lisa :)
Hi Sarah! *waving*
ReplyDeleteRemember when we just got to write stories we loved? LOL
I've been in the editing cave so long doing edits for 2 books back to back... I had no idea before I sold that the business side of writing could be so overwhelming...
Not that I would trade it for the world though! LOL I'm VERY grateful to finally have my book published! :)
Thanks for coming by and commenting!
Lisa :)
Hi Lucianne! *waving*
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by and commenting!
I hope you have a great Tuesday too!
Lisa :)
Hi Nancy -
ReplyDeleteExactly!!! You got it! :) I think sometimes we spin our wheels looking for the right book or teacher and sometimes it just comes down to writing... a lot... over and over... LOL
Thanks for commenting!
Lisa :)
Great post, Lisa. You're so right: there is no magic formula to improving in writing. But while practice doesn't necessarily make perfect in this industry, it does usually make it better. :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Rosalie! *waving*
ReplyDeleteAnd you know, who wants to read perfect, right? We've all got our own voice and writing quirks, but the more you do it the better and faster you get... :)
Or at least that's what I keep telling myself! LOL
Thanks for commenting!
*HUGS*
Lisa :)
Thank you so much for guest blogging with me today, Lisa! You're so right about writing fiction being one of the most fun parts of being an author. The business of writing can be definitely cut into time and it's pretty intense to learn sometimes.
ReplyDeleteHi Sarah -
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great questions! :)
It's always fun to visit your blog... :)
*HUGS*
Lisa