Interview With C.J. Redwine -- Signed ARC Giveaway!

Today, I'm interviewing author C.J. Redwine. Don't miss your chance to win an ARC copy of her recently released YA Dystopian, Defiance!

Author Bio: C.J. Redwine loves stilettos, lemon bars, and any movie starring Johnny Depp. She is the author of Defiance, the first in a post-apocalyptic fantasy trilogy from Balzer + Bray/Harper Collins. C.J. lives in Nashville with her husband, four kids, two cats, and one long-suffering dog. To learn more about C.J., visit her website at: http://cjredwine.blogspot.com/

Some of you may know what I had to say about her debut, Defiance. But for those of you who missed it: RedPeril's Review O' Defiance

Blurb: Within the walls of Baalboden, beneath the shadow of the city's brutal leader, Rachel Adams has a secret. While other girls sew dresses, host dinner parties, and obey their male Protectors, Rachel knows how to survive in the wilderness and deftly wield a sword. When her father, Jared, fails to return from a courier mission and is declared dead, the Commander assigns Rachel a new Protector, her father's apprentice, Logan--the same boy Rachel declared her love for two years ago, and the same boy who handed her heart right back to her. Left with nothing but fierce belief in her father's survival, Rachel decides to escape and find him herself. But treason against the Commander carries a heavy price, and what awaits her in the Wasteland could destroy her.

At nineteen, Logan McEntire is many things. Orphan. Outcast. Inventor. As apprentice to the city's top courier, Logan is focused on learning his trade so he can escape the tyranny of Baalboden. But his plan never included being responsible for his mentor's impulsive daughter. Logan is determined to protect her, but when his escape plan goes wrong and Rachel pays the price, he realizes he has more at stake than disappointing Jared.
-----

To start out, could you tell us a little bit about your journey toward publication?

"I've been writing stories since I was in second grade, but I didn't seriously begin pursuing publication until I was 30. I'd kept waiting for life to slow down (Four kids! Part time job! Life!), but after fighting cancer at the age of 30, I realized it was foolish to wait around for life to be perfect before I followed my dreams. I finished my first novel and started querying. After receiving a slew of rejections, I realized my first book wasn't going to get published. It was a training ground for honing my craft.

"My next book garnered me my fabulous agent, but it took two more years, and two more books, before I landed a publishing contract. I'd started to feel like the girl who couldn't sell a book to save my life, but I figured I could either quit or take on the project that felt almost too big for me and keep trying. When my agent called to tell me an editor was going to make an offer on Defiance, I just sat there and cried. I could hardly believe it!"

I doubt anyone could argue you didn't already have a full plate before you dedicated yourself to writing. Clearly, it's been a hard-fought victory.
Looking back at all you've undergone up to this point in your career as an author, what would you have done differently?

"I'd have figured out faster that I function best when I shut out other voices--reviews, opinions, chat etc--and focus on just my writing and what my trusted team of critique partners and my editor have to say about it. Learning that has been so freeing for me."

Noise-canceling headphones, eyes off the reviews, clicker off the social media, and faith in your hand-picked cohorts--gotchya!
What does your writing process look like?

"My books live in my head for a long time before I start writing. At any moment, I have 6-8 books in my head, slowly taking shape. Once I do start writing, I usually have a first draft in about 3 months. Then, I rip it apart and revise, revise, revise! The magic happens during revision." :)

Ah, so you marinate in your ruminations. I bet you're plotting even now...
What made you choose Young Adult as your preferred writing genre?

"It's the genre I love to read, so that felt like a natural fit for me, plus I just love the immediacy in the YA genre. It's the first love, first heartbreak, first step away from home, first real risk ... and it all feels life or death. YA is such an amazing age range because it's just on the cusp of figuring out who we'll be as adults. Nothing is yet set in stone so anything can happen. I also adore that the YA genre has so few restrictions. If you can execute the story well, you can write it. There really aren't many boundaries, and that's perfect for a speculative fiction writer like me."

Well, thank you--you've just put into words what I've always had trouble articulating. There's really something to be said for getting to experience new things along with a character you're rooting for.
Would you tell us a little about your current Work In Progress, and what you have in mind for your next project?

"I'm currently co-writing a middle grade book that is kind of like Grimm meets Howl's Moving Castle. I'm super excited about it! Once I finish that, I'll be writing the third and final book of the Defiance trilogy."

Ooo...Grimm AND Howl's Moving Castle? You have my attention, Madame. 

Irrelevant, nonsensical questions:

If you could have any Disney sidekick creature as a manifestation of
your muse, which one would you pick and why?

"Pascal, from Tangled. He just GETS me."

A loyal, comedic chameleon. Sounds all shades of fitting. ;)
Paper, plastic, or BYOB (bring your own bag)?

"Paper. I love paper bags. I know that's weird. I accept it."

I hear acceptance is the first step on the road to recovery...
If you were left stranded on an island infested by zombies, what two items would you want to have with you?

"A machete and Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow, complete with his sword."

There you have it, folks. She's hands-on in the Zombie eradication department, AND she has impeccable taste in male protagonists.

Now, for those of you who'd like to procure your very own ARC copy of Defiance, you have one week to enter this drawing! And for you oft left-out international peeps, I want to assure you that I am willing to ship this book anywhere that is not currently facing U.S. sanctions. :D (Winner will be announced after 9am on Friday, November 23rd. Winner will have 48 hours to claim or otherwise leave me contact information via a comment--after that, I will have to redraw.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

     For more information on C.J., The Defiance Trilogy, or any of her other projects (I strongly recommend query-prepping authors pick up a copy of her instructional guide: http://www.amazon.com/QUERY-Everything-Started-Noticed-ebook/dp/B0074P5UV8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1328816582&sr=8-1 ) , please help yourself to the following linkage:

Website: http://cjredwine.blogspot.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/CJ-Redwine-Author/214211451945062?fref=ts

Twitter: @cjredwine

.

Author Frederick J. Arceneaux

My guest today is the debut author of the recently released supernatural thriller: Mirrored.



Blurb: Christine Albright was drawn into the center of an eight year old double homicide while furnishing an old Thibodaux, Louisiana plantation house under renovations. The only survivor of the attack on her family, then eight year old Celestine Badeau is now sixteen and being pursued by the demon sent by the voodoo woman Old Tre intent on killing her. The mystery of these murders exposes Christine’s dark past, being possessed by a demon as a teenager. The accidental meeting between Christine and Celestine sets into motion horrors straight out of Hell. Their only defense is their faith in God.

Alright Fred, could you tell me a little about how you found Astraea Press, and what made you decide to go with an e-publisher?

“On the (RWA) Southern Magic loop in early Aug. 2011, they mentioned that publisher Stephanie Taylor of Astraea Press would be attending Southern Magic’s Readers Luncheon that Nov. I just took a chance and queried them. A week later, they offered me a contract.”

Wow. I guess that's just how fast things can change.
How have you liked your experience with Astraea thus far?

“Stephanie Taylor and the entire staff at Astraea Press have been wonderful. As a debut author, they saw something in my writing that 100 other publishers and agents didn’t see. I’m the most blessed author in the world to be with Astraea Press.”

Looking back at all you've undergone regarding publication, what would you have done differently?

“I would have followed my own instincts instead of listening to people who gave advice but never attempted to get published themselves.”

I understand that you did a good bit of research as you were writing 'Mirrored'. What did this research consist of, and what was the most interesting thing you came across in that process?

“I drew upon my 40+ years of genealogy research and searched the web studying towns, people, and reading books authored by actual exorcist priests.

The most interesting part of my research was also the scariest. I read at least 4 books written by exorcists and the forms of possession that demons take while possessing a person just made me have nightmares. The other thing was that most often demons don't possess people so much as oppress them. Demonic oppression takes the form of aggravating a person's health issues, or exaggerating a person's imagination.”

On that note, I'd like to take this opportunity to offer a sneak peek excerpt from Mirrored:

CHAPTER ONE
October 1997, Birmingham Alabama

While the events of that day were far from ordinary for the fourteen-year-old girl tied to her bed, for Father Victolini they were all in a day’s work. His calm, however, did little to ease the mind of the girl’s mother.

Although only thirty-nine, lines of weariness and distress etched Cynthia Albright’s cheeks, and she grasped the priest’s arm in a gesture both pleading and full of fear. “Father Victolini, do something.”

His hand covered hers, white against the austere blackness of his sleeve, as it clutched him, and he squeezed gently in a gesture of reassurance.

“Cynthia, I promise I won’t give up until Christine is freed. But I caution you, cases such as your daughter’s often take days to resolve.” He looked over at her husband. “Robert, take your boys downstairs, and don’t let them back up tonight!”

The older boy, seventeen-year-old Bobby, protested as he pulled his arm free from his father’s restraining hand. “No! She’s my sister, and I can’t leave her, not while she’s like this.”

Father Victolini caught Bobby’s eye, his look stern yet compassionate as he spoke to him. “Tonight will be too dangerous for you and your family. Take your brother, Steve, and stay downstairs. No matter what you hear, do not come up here! Do you understand me?”

Bobby knew by Father Victolini’s tone that he had no choice but to obey. Stubborn reluctance etched on his face, he led his brother down to the sitting room, followed by their father, and the three of them sat without looking at one another. Robert quietly instructed them to take out their rosaries. As the sound of their strong voices lifted in prayer, the hallway lights outside Christine’s bedroom suddenly went out, leaving Cynthia and Father Victolini temporarily blinded by the unexpected darkness.

From inside Christine’s room, an unnaturally deep, coarse, guttural male voice said: “Come in Priest. I have been waiting for you.”

Cynthia looked at the priest, tried to say something to him, but the shock of that unearthly voice stunned her senses and prevented her from getting a sound out of her throat.

Father Victolini sighed and let his eyes adjust to the darkness as he slowly entered the room.
Once inside, he heard the bedroom door slam shut behind him and whirled around to grab the door handle, turning it as he attempted to open the door. It jiggled but remained, to all intents and purposes, firmly locked.

“Father, open this door! Why did you shut and lock it?” Cynthia’s frantic voice rose in evident fear, then she called out to her husband. “Bob, get up here. Father Victolini has locked himself inside Christine’s room.”

Bob Junior and Steve bolted past their father, headed for the stairs, but their father’s stern command stopped them in their tracks. “Hold it, boys. Stay down here, and keep praying. I’ll take care of this.” Robert ran up the stairs to his wife’s side and attempted to open the
door. “Father, unlock this door now!”

“I didn’t lock the door. Get the key, and try to open it.”

Bob rushed to the end of the hall and into the master bedroom. A moment later, he came back with the key and inserted it into the lock. The key turned easily but the tumblers did not, and he scowled his bewilderment and rattled the handle in frustration. “Father, the door is unlocked.”

“Be patient, Bob. The door will open soon.” Father Victolini turned to the figure lying in bed. He knew it was Christine, but it did not look like her. Staring up at him was a voluptuous blonde in a nightgown with her hands and feet tied to the bedposts. The figure spoke with a soft and seductive tone.

“Father, come closer. You like what you see; you used to. Come closer and untie me so I can give you what you’ve not had in years. You loved it and took it as often as you could. Don’t you still miss it? You can have it again.”

Father reached for the crucifix hanging from a cord around his neck. “May God rebuke you for tempting me and possessing this innocent girl.”

The thing that controlled Christine’s body ignored Father Victolini’s commands. “Innocent? Who is innocent? Look at me, priest. This is what you crave. You couldn’t get enough when you didn’t have that collar around your throat.”

The thing had the appearance of sensual lust and Father Victolini struggled within himself to resist its temptations. “In the name of Jesus Christ, I command that you depart from her now!”

At these words, the figure in bed changed back to Christine and called out to her mother. “Mommy, come here and help me. It’s gone, and I’m okay now.”

The bedroom door instantly opened, and Cynthia saw her little girl. She looked tired but appeared normal. Cynthia rushed past Father Victolini to her daughter’s bedside.

“Mommy, untie me, and let me hug you.”

Cynthia began loosening Christine’s right wrist.

“No, don’t; get away from her!” Father Victolini shouted a warning, but too late. Her right wrist freed, the figure in bed struck Cynthia across her face and blood welled from a long scratch to run down Cynthia’s left cheek. She looked bewildered, and small wonder. Her daughter would have never done such a thing.

Repulsed, she jumped away with her gaze fixed upon Christine’s face, which was suddenly dry and covered with fine scales, having a serpent’s open mouth with fangs ready to strike.

Well, that's an intense way to jump into a story!

Did you work with critique partners?

“No. I tried that several times before and they all quit and left me to finish the work all alone.”

That's unfortunate. I know it can be a tough business, finding someone to work with. I'd liken it to speed dating a less-than-indulgent American Idol judge. >.> But I digress.
What book or movie would you claim as your favorite supernatural thriller?

“Midnight Bayou by Nora Roberts. It’s the closest thing to what I write out there.”

What do you have in mind for your next project?

“Mirrored is the first of a planned 12 book series. They are set in three groups. The first three, then 4, and then another 4. Currently I’m about half way into the second novel in the series.”

Irrelevant, nonsensical questions:

If you could have any Disney sidekick animal as a manifestation of
your muse, which one would you pick?

“The dog Scotty from Lady and the Tramp.”

I'd love my muse to have a sassy Scottish accent.
Paper, plastic, or BYOB (bring your own bag)?

“Paper, later you can wrap a package with it.”

Ah, such an economical answer! I'll have to remember that. Alright, last but not least...
If you were left stranded on an island infested by zombies, what one item would you want to have with you?

“A gun, definitely a gun with unlimited bullets.”

I see you are well versed in zombie protocol. Touche', sir!

And thank you for humoring your interrogator. ^_^ I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.

Bio: Frederick J Arceneaux grew up in St. Petersburg, Florida. After two
years of college, he entered the insurance industry, selling, and
teaching. At age fifty, a severe back injury forced him to retire on
disability. He and his wife Christine moved to north Alabama and in
2003, Fred began writing as a pastime. Using his knowledge of
genealogy, he developed his signature style in the genre of
supernatural thrillers. In August 2011, he sold his first novel
“MIRRORED” to Astraea Press.

Learn more about Fred:

Website: http://frederickjarceneaux.webs.com/
Blog: http://frederickjarceneaux.wordpress.com/

Check out Astraea Press here: http://www.astraeapress.com/




Please feel free to leave any questions or comments for Fred. This is my first interview, so we're all learning as we go here. ^_^