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!
-------------------------------------------------------------
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
-------------------------------------------------------------
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.
-------------------------------------------------------------
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
