It's time for the "August Authorpalooza!"
Kicking off this exciting event is the uber talented author of "The Gastar Series", book #1 ACT OF REDEMPTION & book #2 CHILDREN OF DISCORD. Please leave lots of comments, and show your support for the fantastic
C.C. Cole!
L.C. Hello Ms. Cole, and welcome to the blog! Can you give us a brief synopsis of "The Gastar Series, and tell us what genre it falls into?
L.C. Sounds quite intriguing. How long have you been writing? Have you always known that you wanted to write?
C.C. I started writing in 1997 following the death of my sister in a domestic violence incident. Since I wasn’t in a position to take off work for six months to a year, I turned to writing for a creative outlet, which helped me gain closure during a difficult time.
L.C. Well I, for one, am glad you were able to find writing as a creative and positive outlet! I'm sure many readers have benefited as a result. What, would you say, has been your greatest triumph as an author?
C.C. As a new author, the biggest triumph is completing each book. Writing is very difficult, and I’ve learned much appreciation for other writers in other genres. My lead character Shevata won a Goodreads poll for Most Memorable Female Assassin, and “Children of Discord” recently won a Pinnacle Achievement Award for fiction, so I’m proud of that.
L.C. Awesome! I know what you mean about gaining an appreciation for writers! Sounds like Shevata is one amazing character. So, if you were stuck on a desert island with one of your characters, who would you want it to be, and why?
C.C. Shevata, she’s been to hell and back many times, and her upbringing as a slave child of war makes her a very tough adversary and survivor.
L.C. Okay…now, a couple of questions just for fun, where is the most exotic or strange place you've ever traveled to?
C.C. The Pacific Northwestern Coast of the US. That may not seem very strange or exotic, but from Mississippi it’s certainly different and very beautiful. My favorite was the redwood forest, it had a very surreal feel while I was there.
L.C. I took a trip to the Pacific Northwest this year, myself! It certainly is breathtaking. Next random question…what is your favorite movie of all time, and why?
C.C. Ouch, a tough question because I’m a fan of so many films. One of my all-time favorites is “Coal Miner’s Daughter.” Though I don’t gravitate to country music, the story of Loretta Lynn was done so well, and I could relate to an extent of growing up in a very rural environment.
L.C. Speaking of movies, if a big-shot Hollywood producer offered to turn "The Gastar Series" into a motion picture (or a couple), who would you want to play the lead roles?
C.C. I’ve thought of it many times, and while I don’t have an actor in mind for the supporting roles, actress Amber Tamblyn has the most similar physical resemblance to Shevata, at least when she was younger, like in “Joan of Arcadia.” I’ve never seen her in an action movie, though. Mila Kunis possibly also.
L.C. Author to author… I have some weird things that I do when I'm writing. Do you have any strange habits or rituals when you write?
C.C. Yes, I like to have something on TV that inspires me, which could be anything from a historic documentary about WWI to a Lifetime movie.
L.C. So, what do you like to do when you're not writing?
C.C. I like martial arts (hapkido, but hurt my knee), and I read books by other Indie writers. After about four or five Indie books, I pick up a classic, such as “1984” by George Orwell or a mainstream bestseller such as “Freedom” by Jonathan Franzen. I usually post reviews on the Indie books and some kind of analysis of the classics.
L.C. It's so great that you support self-published authors! We Indies have to stick together! Alright, here's the toughy! Last, but not least, SELL IT! Tell us why we should read your book(s). (The heat is on, buah ha ha!)
C.C. The Gastar series is a fun, action-packed, non-boring series that is very entertaining. The reader will not stop smoking or change religion by reading these novellas. But most readers connect with good vs. evil and the gray area that Shevata creates. Her life isn’t easy, but she makes life even harder for the bad guys. She doesn’t look dangerous, but is respected by those that know her. Sometimes I think we all need a little Shevata in us. Thank you for the interview!!
L.C. Thank YOU, C.C.! It's been a pleasure having you & thanks for helping us kick off the August Authorpalooza!!!
C.C.Cole is an author from rural Mississippi. Schooled in medicine, she lives a suburban life with her family. Following her sister's death in a domestic violence incident, she began writing as a creative outlet.
Her debut novel is The First Book of the Gastar Series "Act of Redemption," a dark fantasy story about a heroine with a dark past who protects the people of the city of Gastar and seeks to re-claim her soul.
Book Two of the Gastar Series, "Children of Discord," is currently in the editing process. There will be four Gastar books in all.
Wanna see a couple of really cool book trailers? Check out these for ACT OF REDEMPTION and CHILDREN OF DISCORD!!!
* Okay, readers...be sure to leave your comments! And come back tomorrow for some writing tips from Amy M. Jones who has just kicked off her "Soul Quest" blog tour!!
I'm going to look for this on the kindle, see what is going on in one of these stories, at least. Actually sounds nuts.
ReplyDeleteGreat interview! Definitely wanna check this out.
ReplyDeleteSarah Allen
(my creative writing blog)