Deal Sharing Aunt: Pretty Dark Sacrifice by Heather L. Reid Interview & Giveaway

Monday, August 3, 2015

Pretty Dark Sacrifice by Heather L. Reid Interview & Giveaway

ABOUT PRETTY DARK SACRIFICE:

Title: Pretty Dark Sacrifice (Pretty Dark Nothing #2)

Publication date: July 28, 2015

Publisher: Month9Books, LLC.

Author: Heather L. Reid

It’s been five weeks, two days, and eight hours since the demons forced Quinn to throw herself into the raging river, since Aaron sacrificed himself to save her, since his body disappeared without a trace.

Everyone wants Quinn to move on, but she can’t, not after a spirit appears to her at Aaron's memorial, convincing her he’s still alive.

When a mysterious box materializes on the very spot Aaron disappeared, Quinn finds she’s at the center of an ancient prophesy of betrayal, revenge, and sacrifice that takes her to the depths of the underworld to face Lilith—Adam’s first wife.

If Quinn can stop Lilith from unleashing the demon horde Eve, trapped inside the box during the Battle of Eden millennia ago, she will save the human realm and free Aaron from an eternity in torment.

All it will cost is her blood.

ABOUT HEATHER L. REID:

Heather L. Reid is both American and British and has called six different cities in three different countries, home. Her strong sense of wanderlust and craving for a new adventure mean you might find her wandering the moors of her beloved Scotland, exploring haunted castles, or hiking through a magical forest in search of fairies and sprites. When she’s not venturing into the unknown in her real life, she loves getting lost in the worlds of video games or curling up by the fire with good story. For now, this native Texan is back in the Lone Star State, settling down with her Scottish husband and writing new tales of fantasy and horror.

Interview

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

I’ve always loved books, spending countless hours in libraries and bookstores devouring stories. I told my parents I wanted to be published by the age of sixteen. I also told them I wanted to be Wonder Woman, a Dallas Cowboy cheerleader, a Broadway star, and an archaeologist. Those dreams faded. I never did get that invisible jet, but the dream of being a writer stayed with me. I think I’ve always known, at some level, but it took a long time to realize it. After college I decided to stop dreaming and start doing. I joined the Society of Children’s book Writers and Illustrators, joined a writer’s group, read books on writing, went to conferences, workshops, and most importantly, I started writing every day. Some of it was crap. Ok, at first, a lot of it was crap, but writing takes work. After years of studying and writing, my first young adult novel, PRETTY DARK NOTHING, finally sold! The road to publication isn’t an easy one, and each author’s path is a little different.

What is your work schedule like when you're writing?

I usually get up around 8:30, get dressed and ready for the day. Then I make tea, do some yoga stretches and turn on my laptop. My first order of business is to check in with my critique partners and exchange goals for the day. Then I check my e-mail and do a little bit of virtual housekeeping before opening my word document. I’m usually ready to start writing around 11 and stay at my laptop until 5 or 6. I don’t usually work on the weekends, reserving that for family time.

Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?

Ideas can come from anywhere and everywhere if you’re paying attention. I’ve had ideas while on long road trips, walking the dog, from a snippet of conversation overheard at a restaurant, while watching a movie or reading a book, from a piece of artwork, a walk in the forest, staring out the window, and my favorite idea generating place, the shower.

When did you write your first book and how old were you?

I remember writing and illustrating my first book at age six. It was a story about a little angel who lost her wings. My mother, an artist, did the illustrations for me and I wrote the text, letting her help me spell the words and form sentences and stapling the pages together into a book. She held onto it for a long time. Then, in fourth grade, I managed an entire picture book titled Haunted Dreams complete with cardboard binding and fabric cover. My mother kept that one as well. Then, at the age of 11 I decided to attempt my first novel. (No, you can’t read it. It’s buried in a deep dark hole somewhere in the Tasmanian Outback and guarded by a three-headed dingo.) Seriously, I don’t even want to talk about that one.

What do you like to do when you're not writing?

I love gaming. Xbox, PC, or tabletop, games are one of my favorite ways to relax. I also love playing with my Labrador, hiking, and swimming. My wanderlust also urges me to travel and experience new adventures.

What does your family think of your writing?

My family has always been supportive. From my mother encouraging me from the time I was little, to my grandfather buying me a subscription to Writer’s Digest magazine for Christmas when I was sixteen. I can’t tell you how much encouragement I’ve had. My dad, sisters, husband, nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws have proudly stood by me through my journey. I am truly blessed and humbled by their love and continued support. I couldn’t have done it without each and every one of them.

How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

How many have a written or how many have I completed? I’ve completed three novels and the newest one is always my favorite. I’ve also written countless short stories and poems and there have been several books I’ve started and abandoned for various reasons over the years.

Do you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer? If so, what are they?

Read everything you can. Read inside your genre and outside your genre, fiction and non-fiction. Then start writing. Experiment with different styles and point of views until you find your own voice. It takes time to develop your unique voice, and the only way to get there is by writing, no matter how bad it is at first. And if you’re passionate about writing, don’t give up. Look for mentors, ask questions, and learn what you can about the craft and about the business.

Do you like to create books for adults?

I love to write stories, all kinds of stories. Some are short, some are novels, some end up being for adults, and others are for teens. I’ve even written a few picture books in my time. Each character, each book is different.