Hi, everyone! Today I am thrilled to have talented author Ann Aguirre as my interview victim. Ann has an awesome new release on bookstore shelves right now–BLUE DIABLO just released. (And one lucky commenter will get this great book!)
Ann, thanks for joining me today!
On to the interview!
1. Please tell us a bit about yourself and the genre (or genres) that you write.
If you don’t know me, I’m Ann Aguirre. I was born in the Midwest, and I have a degree in English Lit, but I now live in Mexico, which I love, with my husband, Andres, and two great kids. I write romantic science fiction, urban fantasy, and action romance. The first two are published under my real name. My action romances will release via the pseudonym Ava Gray.
2. Describe BLUE DIABLO in 15 words or less.
Unique urban fantasy with an habañero kick
3. LOL—okay, now use as many words as you’d like to describe your story.
Well, here’s a short blurb:
Corine Solomon is a handler—when she touches an object she instantly knows its history and its future. Using her ability, she can find the missing—which is why people never stop trying to find her. Like her ex-boyfriend Chance, who needs Corine’s gift to find someone dear to them both. But the search proves dangerous as it leads them into a strange world of demons and sorcerers, ghosts and witchcraft, zombies—and black magic…
In the Corine Solomon books, I explore the idea of two people loving each other desperately, but–apart from their shared history, they probably don’t belong together. What happens when you want something that’s not good for you? What happens when two people aren’t soulmates, destined to be together forever? What happens when a relationship between them is difficult and raw and every inch gained is a struggle? Is it worth fighting for? Is it worth battling to make the pieces fit? Well, you’ll have to read the series to get my take.
4. Which character do you like better from BLUE DIABLO—the hero or the heroine? Why?
That’s an easy question: the heroine, of course, but only because I write in first person, and I’m in her head all the time. I understand her from the inside out. Plus, this is urban fantasy, so there isn’t one clear-cut hero/love interest from the jump. We’ll have to wait and see as the series goes on to see who emerges the victor in the romantic thunderdome.
5. What is the most challenging part of being a writer?
Well, there are two answers to this: a personal one and a general one. Personally, I grapple with the discipline needed to meet my word count every single day I’m working on a contracted project. I live by daily goals that add up to meeting my deadlines, every time.
In a more general sense, from before I landed my first contract, I think dealing with rejection is the most challenging part for any writer. It takes dedication to keep your ass in the chair when there’s so little immediate gratification. We wait years for feedback. We get told we stink repeatedly until we have to grow elephant skin in order to keep trying at all. This is one of the only jobs where you can spend twenty years hearing how terrible you are — and then overnight, all that can change. One editor likes you, and suddenly readers get a look at your stuff. Surprise! They love it. So does that mean you didn’t suck after all or you spent twenty years learning NOT to suck? It’s a question for the ages. This is not a world with absolutes; the subjectivity can be crazy-making.
6. In a fight, who would win…Dracula or the wolf-man? What? This question seems odd? Please, folks are dying to know this answer.
Well, obviously it would depend on whether Drac could drain Wolfie dry. Is were blood poisonous to vampires or is it a mega-boost? If Drac can drain him, he wins. If he cannot, then Wolfie wins.
7. What’s your favorite scary movie? Come on, spill. No explanations—just name it. Let everyone else guess why.
Pitch Black
8. Tell me the one thing you wish you’d known about being a writer, um, before you became a writer.
That being published isn’t a panacea. I thought once I was published, I could quit worrying. All I’d need to do is sit around in my happy place, writing books.
9. What is your writing schedule like?
I write while the kids are in school, 8-2:30. In that time, I get my 3K done. I write five days a week, so it takes six weeks to finish a draft. Then I take some time off, depending on the deadline; a week is ideal to clear my mental palate. At that point, I go through the book with my editor hat on, and I polish the manuscript. My agent and beta reader(s) read over it and give me feedback. With their suggestions, I make a second pass, until I feel the book is as shiny as I can make it. My editor receives it then, and I wait for her comments. I work on edits and revisions simultaneously with my writing. If I have edits, revisions or galleys, I take care of them in the afternoon / evening, after I’ve met my word count.
10. Tell me anything you’d like to tell me.
I have lots of free reads on my website, and I love hearing from readers. They should check out my blog for frequent contests, too. Thanks for having me!
Thanks for answering my interview questions!
Now…do you want to win a shiny new copy of BLUE DIABLO? Then leave a comment for Ann. (You must provide a valid email address to be eligible.) Tell Ann what you think of urban fantasy stories. Ask her questions about BLUE DIABLO–ask those questions that you are burning to ask! A commenter will be randomly selected After 10 a.m. (Eastern time) on Thursday, April 8. Good luck!
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