Reading Lark After Dark would like to welcome author, Michaela Debelius, to the Dark Nest today. She was kind enough to stop by to answer some of our questions and to offer up a giveaway for our readers. The giveaway details are at the end of this post. Also, be sure to stop back on Sunday to read Blysse's review of Decoy.After Dark: When and why did you begin writing?
Michaela: I’ve written short stories since I was a child. I remember my first story was about a young girl with a magical dagger that compelled her to kill. I guess I’ve always been kind of warped. I’ve always enjoyed writing because you get to live vicariously through your characters. Writing allows the author to do something they wouldn’t ordinarily do. As an example, I wouldn’t get sassy with hot men that were designed to kill. Noel on the other hand…
After Dark: What inspired this story?
Michaela: I’ve always loved a good conspiracy, especially when it involves the military. Anything with a dark overtone and some action catches my interest. But when I sat down to write, I knew there had to be some amount of romance. It can never hurt to throw some salacious details into the mix.
Michaela: Taylor Russo is my favorite. If I were Noel, Taylor would be my guy. He’s considerate with a good sense of humor, and I like those qualities in men. Plus, I’m a sucker for the underdog.
After Dark: Which of your characters are you most like?
Michaela: That’s a tough one because I’ve never really thought about it. I’d have to say Lieutenant Colonial Daniels. He keeps to himself for the most part but jumps in when needed. I act similarly in social situations. He’s also a really loyal friend. I’d like to think we share that quality.
After Dark: Which book(s) have most influenced your life and/or writing career?
Michaela: I believe every single book you read contributes to who you are, especially when you’re a writer. It allows you to see the world through someone else’s perspective, not only the characters’ but the writers’ as well. For my own writing, Dean Koontz is a huge inspiration. He’s got a phenomenal way of instilling a truly terrifying feeling into each book. If I read too many of his in a row, I find myself anticipating dead bodies when I walk into a room. He’s that convincing.
There are two books that really stand out as far as influencing my life. One would be The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom. The concept of a small action significantly affecting someone else’s life made for an awe-inspiring story. The second would be a book I read as a child called Winter of Fire by Sherryl Jordan. The main character, Elsha, has stuck with me throughout my life. I don’t have any children, but if I did I’d name my daughter Elsha simply because I’d want her to invoke everything that Elsha is. As a character she had that much of an impact on me. It’s amazing that someone on the other side of the world (the author is from New Zealand) could have that affect without ever knowing it, which brings us back to The Five People You Meet in Heaven!
After Dark: Why did you choose to write in this genre?
Michaela: It’s rare for me to read books that don’t involve some amount of horror or suspense. I thoroughly enjoy reading books that take you into another world. Reading fiction that’s realistic and doesn’t have some amount of fantasy is too much like regular life for me. That’s not to say I never read those types of books or don’t appreciate them, I just find myself drawn to more mystical novels. If someone’s not being chased, hunted, or attacked I have trouble staying interested. As far as the romance aspect, what woman could refuse a good sex scene with an inexplicably attractive man?
After Dark: Can you share a little bit about your next project with us?
Michaela: I’m currently working on a new novel with an immortal protagonist. Unlike the usual immortal characters, she doesn’t have any special abilities. She’s jaded and detached, even from her own kind. Her character developed after spending too much time watching the news and thinking about what it would be like to live forever in a world that can often be far too cruel. It’d be easy to become completely overwhelmed with negativity if you felt like life was endless and lacking an outcome. Of course, there’s a romantic sub-plot as well.
As far as Decoy, Noel’s story is definitely not over. I’m anticipating her sequel to be released in early 2013.
After Dark: Who is your dream book boyfriend?
Michaela: Christopher Snow from Dean Koontz’s Moonlight Bay series. He’s got Xeroderma pigmentosum which prevents him from being exposed to sunlight. Therefore, he only comes out at night. Inevitably he’s always dodging trouble in one form or another. He’s self-assured, heroic, and looks like James Dean. I find myself getting jealous of his girlfriend, which is just crazy because I’m married and he’s, well, fictional.
Pick One:
Love or Lust? Love
Dog or Cat? Anything furry
Book or Movie? Book
Chocolate or Vanilla? Chocolate!
Cookies or Brownies? Cookies. As much as I love chocolate, I don’t care for brownies.
I would love to read this book. It sounds very good. Thanks for the giveaway. Tore923@aol.com
ReplyDeleteThanks for checking out Michaela's interview.
Delete