Tuesday, October 27, 2015

The Priestess Trilogy By- Melissa Sasina Interview


Defiance
The Priestess Trilogy # 1
By- Melissa Sasina
Genre-  Fantasy/Romance

Shiovra has been named High Priestess of the village Tara, but she quickly finds herself hunted by the Milidh, a clan born of war and vengeance. With the safety of Tara at stake, it is decided that she is to seek aid from her betrothed, one she considers the enemy. At her side is Odhrán, a Milidh warrior sworn to protect her and determined to gain her trust. But their journey is fraught with peril and Shiovra learns that darkness lurks in the hearts of her own kin. Steeped in ancient Irish myth, this tale is spun of love, war, and DEFIANCE.

  


Betrayal
The Priestess Trilogy # 2
By- Melissa Sasina
Genre- Fantasy/ Romance

Shiovra, High Priestess of the village Tara, is set to wed one considered the enemy for the sake of her clan. Torn between her heart and her people, between love and duty, Shiovra decides her fate and faces the truth about Odhrán. Still hunted by both the Milidh clan and her own kin, she learns that not all enemies are quite what they seem. Loyalty is brought into question and power lost within enemy ranks in what shall ultimately lead to one thing: BETRAYAL.

  


Eclipse
The Priestess Trilogy # 3
By- Melissa Sasina
Genre- Fantasy/ Romance

Tensions escalate between two clans, threatening their fragile peace. On one side stand the Túath, on the other the Milidh. The prize: control of the land of Éire. Yet amidst this brewing conflict, another more dangerous threat looms. The village of Tara is ripped apart, not by war, but by the seed of betrayal as the priestess' own kinswoman, Gráinne, conspires to seize control. Enemies shall become allies and Shiovra is faced with a difficult choice, one that will ultimately engulf her world in an irreversible ECLIPSE.

  



About the Author-
Born in 1982 in Cleveland, Ohio, Melissa has always been an avid lover of fantasy. In her youth she would write short stories and add artwork to them. While in high school, she decided to change her career path from graphic art to writing, though she still enjoys drawing up a random picture or two, usually of her characters. During her younger school years, she won a Young Authors Honorable Mention for a short story she had written. She has also won a few Visual Arts awards during her school years and upon graduation from High School, she was given a President’s award for Outstanding Academic Achievement. The first book she began to write seriously for publication was The Priestess. Completed in 2008, the book was separated into a trilogy and published in 2010. After undergoing heavy revisions, the trilogy was re-released beginning in 2012 and completed in 2015. Melissa still lives in Ohio with her husband, son, cat Trinity, and ferret Rope.

Interview:
1.  When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer? During high school. My freshman English teacher always encouraged me to keep writing and, when the career center dropped the graphics arts course I wanted to take, I started to consider writing quite a bit more.

2.  How long does it take you to write a book? For me, generally a year (however my current project had been put on hold so I could make revisions to me trilogy, so when I picked it back up recently, it has been over three years. I feel terrible about that).

3.  What is your work schedule like when you're writing? I don’t really have one. Between my day job and being a wife and mother, I write whenever I get the chance--which tends to be later in the day.

4.  What would you say is your interesting writing quirk? My writing quirk? I’m not entirely sure I have one. I do keep a pad on paper in my car, one by the bed, spare paper at work by my supplies, and bath crayons in the shower so anytime an idea comes, I can write it down.

5.  How do books get published? Are you asking how I get my books published? The question is a bit unclear. I tried to get traditionally published originally, but after having a publisher tell me that “While we loved your book, it’s not what we’re looking for.” Being politely turned down, I began wondering what publisher to go with next. My father-in-law asked if I had ever considered becoming independently published. Looking further into it, I jumped in and a week or so later had my trilogy published. Due to several issues involving that publishing company, I pulled all my books from them and switched to one owned by Amazon. I am much happier now and my trilogy was re-released with a much improved upon story.

6.  Where do you get your information or ideas for your books? Ideas come to me randomly, sometimes from dreams and sometimes while in the middle of work. I have a journal that I write all ideas in and I expand from there. As for information, with the Priestess Trilogy I read several myths and legends and visited the library often getting out books on Ireland, since I wanted to have it set in ancient Ireland. With the Chronicles of Midgard, Norse myth only influences the story, so I just did research on Norse myths and played with them a bit.

7.  When did you write your first book and how old were you? I’ve been writing stories since I was a little kid. How old I was when I wrote my first book, I honestly have no idea. My mother has a collection of all the little stories I used to write. I started writing seriously during high school. Sadly that book never went anywhere.

8.  What do you like to do when you're not writing? Mostly play video games, read, and doodle my own characters (with a tiny bit of freelance art on the side).

9.  What does your family think of your writing? Half of them claim to have read it, but won’t answer my questions about the books, so I have no idea. However my mother, some of my cousins, and my husband are very supportive.

10.             What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books? That you can’t please everyone. There will be people who absolutely love my books and then there are people who will tear every little thing apart. I’ve learned to get over it and focus on the constructive criticism more than what’s said by people you just can’t make happy. I know my books aren’t perfect, and I never claimed they were. I’ve only been published for five years and I’m still learning how to make my writing better. I’m just happy there are people out there who enjoy my writing and stick by me. :)

11.             How many books have you written? Which is your favorite? I have written five so far with a sixth in the works. I think, honestly, that my current project is my favorite. Even though it isn’t finished yet, I’ve learned a great deal since I was first published, and I think that is reflected in this book.

12.             Do you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer? If so, what are they? Listen to what others have to say about your writing. You can’t make everyone happy, but if many readers point out something they noticed and didn’t like, take their words into consideration. Aside from that, I believe that the more you write, you’ll grow better and better by keeping certain things in mind. At least that is what I’ve always hoped, especially for myself. :)

13.             Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say? I don’t hear from them a whole lot, at least not the ones I know personally. I’ll get the occasional message telling me they enjoyed my writing and eagerly await my next book, but that’s pretty much it. I think I still have a rather small fan base right now.

14.             Do you like to create books for adults? Yes. I’m not good with children's books. I helped my son publish his little book about our ferret when he was seven and I much more prefer writing for adult and older teens.

15.             What do you think makes a good story? Honestly, there are too many factors to list and it different for every person. What makes a good story to me is pace of the story and climax. I’ve read a few books that are so terribly slow that they don’t even reach a noticeable climax and leave you hanging at the end thinking “that’s it?” Those types of books turn me off from the author.

16.             As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up? I wanted very much to become an artist. that dream passed, but I do still do some freelance work here and there. I still quite enjoy drawing very much.

17.             What would you like my readers to know? Hmm...I’m looking for book bloggers who would be interested in becoming an Early Reviewer. They would receive digital ARC copies of upcoming releases I may have. If they are interested, they can sign up on my blog www.melissa-sasina.blogspot.com under “The Books” tab.

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