Author Interview With Pixie Lynn Whitfield + Giveaway!

Okay lovelies, I've got some super fun stuff to share! I had the pleasure of interviewing my good friend Pixie Lynn Whitfield to celebrate the release of her debut novel Darkness Comes This Way. I was lucky enough to get an ARC of her book, which I loved! You can see my review of it here.

So, without further ado, I'd just like to welcome my lovely friend Pixie to the blog :D Hope you guys enjoy!

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Where are you from? 

Pixie: I’m from a little town in Northeast Texas called Jefferson. I’m serious when I say little. There’s only a couple stop lights, and the biggest thing here is the McDonald’s. It’s a historic, Civil War tourist town. Luckily, we are in the middle of everything. I’m one hour from Shreveport, LA. Three hours from Dallas. An hour and a half from Texarkana. Right in the middle. I guess it works out.


What are some of your hobbies outside of writing? 

Pixie: I’m a total bookworm. When I’m not writing, I’m reading. That’s a bit of a given though, I’m sure. So when I’m not writing AND reading, I love just relaxing with some of my favorite television shows (Supernatural junkie!), shopping with friends, and playing games. Sometimes I break into my crafty side and make things. I like making bookmarks and homemade journals and doing woodworking, too. 

What started your interest in writing? 

Pixie: I started reading when I was four. My father taught me. I think my interest mostly began not too much longer after that. I didn’t know how to write well at that time, but I could tell stories. I liked books and reading so much, that I wanted to create my own. I wasn’t a normal kid. While kids were told about Santa and the Tooth Fairy, I was learning about the “Bogey Man”, vampires, and ghosts. I had a natural inclination toward the scary stories and it never went away. Lol. I began fully writing my first set of stories when I was around nine or ten. I always knew writing was what I wanted to do, thanks to my love of reading, myths, and history.

Which books/authors have influenced your life the most? 

Pixie: Dr. Seuss for my start in reading. Stephen King for the dark, thrilling and scary. Anne Rice for the vampires and romance. Then later in life, over the last several years, I’ve found new influences among some great YA authors like Richelle Mead and Melissa Marr.

What was your inspiration for writing Darkness Comes This Way? 

Pixie: It started a couple years ago. This was not my first novel. My first one is shelved away, perhaps never seeing any public eyes ever. But what started Darkness Comes This Way was actually a prompt for a writing contest on a site for what was to originally be a short story. It was a one word prompt (the word: insanity), and I was trying to come up with an idea. Later that night, I dreamed of sequences for bits and pieces throughout the novel and had to wake up the next day to jot them down before forgetting. I dream very vividly. The character of Draven came through the strongest. I kept seeing this long-haired, tall guy with the oddest shade of blue eyes, and had a deep Irish accent. He holds an air of mystery. He’s angry a lot. This was a character I wanted to mold and shape. And what can I say? I like accents.

My characters talk to me a lot. And Zarah does. Sound crazy? Maybe it is. She’s sarcastic. I liked her tone though, and that’s what inspired me to create her in this world. I wanted to create a world that had my favorite creature that could be realistic with the characters and the backdrop.

When I began putting it together though, I had no idea in the beginning that it was going to turn out to be a novel, much less a trilogy.

How did you come up with the title? 

Pixie: Darkness Comes This Way actually is NOT the first title. You wouldn’t believe how many titles I went through over the last year before I finally came up with this one and thought it was best. An author will probably go through several themselves, so I know I’m not alone. I was just working on my edits one day a few months back when the title occurred to me. There’s not really a fancy story to it, but I think it’s fitting for the first book. Why? That I can’t say or it may give away a very crucial spoiler at the end.

Which character from Darkness Comes This Way has been your favorite to write? Did you have a least favorite? 

Pixie: Thomas was my favorite to write. He is such a sarcastic and witty character but has strong loyalties and very protective of his sister, no matter his current status. My least favorite would have to be Alyssa. She was a tough one to write honestly, because there’s not much backstory to give about her in this book, but I have a feeling she’ll have more presence in the next.

Were the characters in Darkness Comes This Way based on any real life people? 

Pixie: Haha. Yes, actually. Well, inspired would be a better term. My own brother totally inspired Zarah’s brother, Thomas. Mine is older also, and while their relationship is not exactly like the one me and my brother have, I just have a strong feeling that if we were in that situation, we would be like that. My brother and I are very close and would protect each other at all costs if necessary. Speaking of my brother, I did use his actual name for a character in the book just to make his butt happy. A minor character, but still…I proved my love. :P

What was the most challenging thing about writing Darkness Comes his Way? 

Pixie: Simple. Writing. Editing. Writing. Editing. Writing. Editing.
Hahaha! Just kidding. Not really. The most challenging thing would have to be trying to avoid a lot of the romance. I knew from the start that while I want romance in the trilogy, I didn’t want it to be the main focus for the first book anyway.

Were you nervous about publishing your first book? 

Pixie: Oh yes. I’m still all nerves.


When it comes to writing do you prefer to write by hand or on a computer? 

Pixie: It really depends on my mood and the place. If I’m at home, I’m writing on the computer nowadays because I’ve become spoiled with that piece of technology and my laptop has everything on it. If I’m out, I always carry a small notebook and pen in my purse, and any ideas that come across, I jot down there. I used to write a lot by hand. My first novel (the shelved away one I mentioned in an earlier question), is completely handwritten in a notebook. 

How do you deal with writer's block?

Pixie: Every writer deals with that pesky thing differently. Personally, when I get stuck or have that “writer’s block”, I step back, take a small break, and read over the work I have. Maybe there’s a line that needs to be changed somewhere, or some editing in some places? If so, then I work on that. Or I’ll find my stopping point and force myself to write a sentence no matter how bad it may come out. Either way, it usually gets my words flowing again at least. I try to write at least 600 words per day, minimum, in order to stay out of that nasty rut.

Can you tell us about any projects you're currently working on? 

Pixie: Oh, yes, I’d be happy to! Right now, I’m working on book two of The Guardians of the Night trilogy. I can’t give away the title yet, but it’s going to be released around January of 2013. It’s almost finished, then onto editing while I start book three. Asides from the trilogy, I’m also working on a YA Dystopian/Horror novel that has been in the works for months. It’s been my little side project, but this one has been insanely fun to work on. It also revolves around vampires, but much different than The Guardians of the Night trilogy. There’s no set date yet on when this one will be out though.
I’m constantly writing and creating new novels and ideas. Just the other day, I started a new one. A YA Contemporary Romance. Outside of my normal genre, but it’s going to be fun writing as well.

Thanks so much for having me on your blog, Taylor!

Thanks for taking the time to do the interview Pixie! It was my pleasure to have you here :D

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If you'd like more info on the author, you can visit her authors blog: Pixie Lynn Whitfield. 

She also has a book blog you should check out as well: The Bookaholic.

You can find her on Twitter: @addiction2books. 

You can also find her on Goodreads and add Darkness Come This Way to your TBR lists! Also her novel is on sale in Kindle format as of today!

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Now I know what you've all really been waiting for are the details for the giveaway! I'm happy to announce that there will be 2 winners! One US winner and one International winner!

The prizes are as follows:

US winner: A signed copy of Darkness Comes This Way + Bookmarks
International winner: An ebook copy of Darkness Comes This Way

All you have to do to enter is fill out the rafflecopter form below!

**ATTENTION**
If you live outside of the US please be sure to fill out the International form so things don't get too confusing.


The giveaway will run until midnight on Thursday, May 24th. Good luck everyone!

a Rafflecopter giveaway a Rafflecopter giveaway

Author Interview With Linda Anne Wulf!

I've read a lot of books already this year, and many of them were really wonderful books. The Heart Denied by Linda Anne Wulf being one of them. I truly enjoyed this book and I would have to say that it has definitely made it's way onto my favorites list! If you'd like, you can see my review of it here. 

I recently had the honor of being able to interview the lovely Linda Anne Wulf! 

So, without further ado, I'd just like to say welcome to my blog, Mrs. Wulf! It's such a pleasure to have you here!

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First off a bit more about the author:

Where are you from?

Linda: I was born in Holyoke MA at Westover AFB, but raised in Louisville KY, where I still live.

Where is one place you've always wanted to travel to?

Linda: Scotland. And I wanted it long before Scotland became a popular film subject and tourist attraction. As far back as my 1950/60s childhood, the sound of bagpipes has brought me to tears, and I have no idea why. As an adult with lots of books on Scotland, I'm intrigued to realize how similar in appearance my favorite vacation spot, Lake Cumberland in KY (except for the trees), is to the Scottish Highlands and lochs. In the 1990s I learned that my Robinson/Robertson ancestors were from Perth and were part of the oldest existing clan in Scotland today, Clan Donnachaidh. So maybe I can blame my sentimentalism for Scotland on genetic memory. And after meeting an actual Scotsman wearing an actual kilt a few years ago--well, let's just say the experience did nothing to discourage my dream of traveling there!

Favorite kind of music?

Linda: It's a pretty eclectic mix, from classical to bluegrass to alternative rock to "new age." Right now the Twilight soundtrack is in my CD player, and right behind it was Sting and Chris Isaak. But if I had to choose one artist over all the others, I guess it would be Loreena McKennitt. Or maybe Clannad.

What are some of your hobbies?

Linda: My main hobby, also a business, is quilt art, landscape quilts in particular (see the lwulf shop at etsy.com). I also love reading, knitting and crochet, genealogy, working with herbs and oils, and studying the energy body and energy medicine. And I practice Reiki, a wonderful stress-reduction technique.

I just have to say her quilts are amazing! They're definitely worth checking out!

 

Name four of your favorite authors?

Linda: Charlotte Bronte, Emily Bronte, Sergeanne (Anne) Golon, and Phillipa Gregory.  

We would all love to know a bit more about your writing:

What started your interest in writing?

Linda: I wrote a short story for the school paper in grade school, and then was asked to write another. In high school, I spent my last two summer breaks writing two novels based on a classmate who really got under my skin, and it was then that I realized how cathartic writing could be--and better yet, how entertained my sister and cousins were by what I'd written!

What inspired you to write The Heart Denied? 

Linda: A dream--but a dream like none other I'd ever experienced. It was like watching a movie set in a bygone era, right down to the British-accented dialog and the old-fashioned house. A woman in a long, high-necked dress was raking her husband over the coals for being unfaithful to her. He, in turn, was begging for forgiveness, but what really got my attention was when he begged the woman to stop haunting him. I realized then that she was the ghost of his wife. I found myself sympathizing far more with him than with her, by the way. Anyone who reads the Heart Denied will see how that influenced the story, although it's only part of the overall plot.

 

Which character from The Heart Denied was your favorite to write? which was your least favorite?

Linda: Thorne Neville was definitely my favorite to write, with all of his qualities and flaws and his struggles--which are not always successful--to do the right thing. My least favorite was Lord Whittingham; he is so disgusting and unsavory, not to mention utterly without conscience.

Where did you draw inspiration from for the characters in The Heart Denied?

Linda: A ninety-year-old writer once told me the main character in your first novel is always you, the author. That's probably somewhat true of Thorne Neville, although I see some Edward Rochester (from Jane Eyre) in him as well. Caroline was inspired partly by Scarlett O'Hara. Arthur is somewhat based on John Gielgud's role as Hobson in the original Arthur movie. Everyone else is pretty much constructed from traits and quirks I've observed in myself and those around me. Except for Whittingham. I don't know anyone that despicable, thank goodness.   

Were you nervous about publishing The Heart Denied?

Linda: Not at all. Of the 23 people who read the original manuscript, several said it kept them up all night. Being a shy person who secretly wants to entertain, I can't think of a better way than to write something people lose sleep over!

 

When it comes to writing do you prefer to write by hand or on a computer?

Linda: Computer. In all honesty, I'm not sure I would ever have attempted this novel without a computer. The typewriter/correction fluid method just doesn't appeal to me. And my last longhand efforts were in high school.

How do you deal with the beast that is writer's block?

    

Linda: I just put two characters in a simple setting, and have one say something--anything--and soon there's a conversation/situation going. It may not be anything I can use in my manuscript, but it will lube the writing gears and get things moving again.

And lastly: 

Do you have any projects you're currently working on? Will there be a sequel to The Heart Denied?

    

Linda: There is one chapter written for a sequel to The Heart Denied, but I haven't decided whether it will go any further. Meanwhile, my second book, Heart of the Hunter, is in final edit and should be out early next year. It is a historical but is written more toward the romance market this time, with a strong emphasis on suspense; in fact there is a psychopath involved, and I can't tell you how much fun that was to write! The manuscript won first place in two national contests sponsored by Romance Writers of America, so I have hopes that it will do well as a published historical romance.

Oh that sounds like another great one! I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for Heart of the Hunter! :) 

I enjoyed this SO much!!! Thank you again!

Linda

Thank you, Mrs. Wulf for taking the time to do this interview. I really enjoyed reading all of your answers! :)

If you want to find more information about the author and her books, you can visit her site: http://www.lindaannewulf.com/ 

You can also find her on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4744566.Linda_Anne_Wulf

And on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Linda-Anne-Wulf/179786212050499