Let's Celebrate!

One, because the sensational Patti Larsen is here for an interview today; two, because she has just released an exciting new book; and three, because she's giving an ecopy away!

So get out your party hats and confetti, everyone, and let's learn more about Patti and her book "Run".

LC: Hi Patti and welcome! Can you give us a brief synopsis of "Run" as well as its genre?

PL: Run is the first in the Hunted series, about a sixteen-year-old who is rescued from foster care by his screwed up big sister, only to be kidnapped and dumped in the middle of the night in a wild stretch of forest. Lost and afraid, he is forced to run from the hunters who try to kill him.

LC: Ooo! That sound's intense. I've been looking forward to this series. I know, from following your blog, that you're one busily-writing lady right now. What do you like to do when you're not writing?

PL: Watch a little TV, read, play with my kitties (I have four!), think about writing, talk about writing, plan my next book… you see the trend! I was supposed to take August off from writing but just couldn’t… the muse is too strong, the voices so loud I gave in. So a few days without here and there to make sure I don’t burn out and I’m back at it.

LC: Yep, I was right...busy! :o) So, when you write, do you have any strange habits or rituals you could tell us about?

PL: I make a plan before I start a new book—I have to lay it all out chapter by chapter, each in its own file, and plotted out on my day planner. And I used to have an addiction to Hershey’s Drops—would go through a bag so fast! But I’ve given up sugar… sad! But I write better without so I know it was holding me back. Other than that? Just total quiet. I’m Miss Cranky Pants when interrupted.

LC: Haha...I'm Miss Cranky Pants when I don't have sugar! But, seriously, I really admire your dedication and stick-to-it-iveness. I'm sure it's paid off, and will continue to, which leads me to my next question. What, would you say, has been your greatest triumph as an author?

PL: Finally committing to this life of writing after all these years of dreaming. This is all I have ever wanted. The day I sold my business and chose another destiny, the one I was born for, has kept me going every single day, kept me writing and creating and so full of joy I can’t ever imagine going back. But if you want a tangible answer? Selling my first book to a publisher and proving I am good enough—even though now I know how silly that need for validation was. But it still makes me smile.

LC:  Wow! All I can say is congratulations what a rewarding "triumph"! How long have you been writing? Have you always known that you wanted to write?

PL: My parents were both avid readers and taught me that dreams happen in the pages of books. When I was twelve, I set aside a novel I’d just finished and decided I wanted to try that myself. How hard could it be? My first book was horrible, but I’ve managed to learn a thing or two since then. And I’ve been writing ever since.

LC: Very cool. So, if you were stuck on a desert island with one of your characters, who would you want it to be, and why?

PL: Definitely Sydlynn Hayle. She is a witch, the daughter of a coven leader and a demon lord of the Seventh Plane (Family Magic, October 2011). Syd would rather be ordinary, thanks—but I’m pretty sure I could convince her to tap into her demon power and call her dad Harry. He’d run us home. But not until I got her to confess she’s in love with… never mind. :)

LC: Oh, tricky! Way to hook us! Just for fun, where is the most exotic or strange place you've ever traveled to?

PL: I’m so boring… although I’ve been all over North America and to Mexico, Cuba… The strangest has to be a roadhouse somewhere in North Dakota where we stopped for lunch. The whole place was choc-o-bloc with taxidermy animals. We literally had a giant grizzly standing over us while we ate. But the weirdest part was the fact they all had logo T-shirts on, advertising the place. Made us wonder if they wandered around at night, looking for customers.

LC: Oh m'gosh. How funny! That sounds like a scene out of a really bad movie! Speaking of which, what is your favorite movie of all time, and why?

PL: This is so hard!!! Okay, let’s see… I don’t really have just one but I’ll say The Princess Bride. It has everything—action, adventure, love, comedy, tragedy… and a happy ending.

 LC: And if a big-shot Hollywood producer offered to turn your new book "Run" into a motion picture, who would you want to play the lead roles?

PL: When it comes to Run, I really like Liam Hemsworth for Reid. He has that look, and I enjoy his acting—although I really would love to have the chance to find fresh talent!

For Leila, I’d choose Evan Rachel Wood. She has that ethereal quality to her that Leila has.

LC: Great choices! Well, Patti. We're almost finished for now, however, there is one last thing. Here's your opportunity to SELL IT! Tell us why we should read your books. (No pressure...*sly giggle*.)

PL: You know how when you find a novel you love, you never want it to end and can’t stand having to wait for the sequel? You talk about it with your friends all the time, go online to see when the next book is coming, email the author begging for info? Or read something so intense and heart pounding you need to leave the lights on when you try to sleep? You love it but it keeps you awake all night wondering if there really is something out there hunting you. Or sob over the loss of one of your favorite characters in a terrible tragedy, as he or she dies to save the MC? Mourn them like a good friend instead of a fictional person in a book you love, cry with your friends over the grief… Or wish so much you lived in that hometown and went to that school with those friends and had powers just like her… not to mention two hot guys to choose from.

Yeah. You need to read my books.

LC: Thank you, Patti. It's been a true pleasure!

Alright everyone, here's more about "Run":

Sixteen-year-old Reid thinks life is back to normal when his sister rescues him from foster care, promising to take care of him. Until he is kidnapped and dumped in the forest with no idea why he is there. He learns to run from the hunters who prowl the darkness, chasing kids like him. And killing them.

If -- like me -- you're just itching to read this book, let Patti know in the comments. Then, on or around September 4, Ms. Larsen will choose one lucky commenter as the winner of a FREE ecopy of "Run". Entries must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. EST on Sept. 3, and, although you are welcome to comment as often as you want, only one per person will be entered to win. Please remember to leave your email address so that we can contact you if you are the winner!

     Patti Larsen is a middle grade, young adult and adult author with a passion for the paranormal who writes a great deal of horror for someone who is afraid of the dark. She lives on the East Coast of Canada with her very patient husband Scott and four enormous cats.

     Her new book, Run, is available now at Smashwords    

     You can find her at

http://www.pattilarsenbooks.blogspot.com,

http://www.pattilarsen.com,

http://www.pattilarsen.blogspot.com 

and her work on Amazon.com.