Author Interview Tiffany Allee and INT Giveaway

You might remember I reviewed Tiffany Allee's book Banshee Charmer a while ago, you can see the review by clicking here. I gave four stars to her book so it is well worth entering the lovely giveaway down at the bottom there...

But first, I would like to welcome to Passion for Novels

Tiffany Allee...

First of all what sparked off your Passion for Novels?

I've always been an avid reader. I think that my own storytelling probably started because I liked to think about what happened after the story ended. Or, if I wasn't satisfied with something in the story I'd read, I would rewrite it in my head to fit how I thought it should go.

All authors have a struggle, what was the moment when you knew you'd made it? Was there a point where you ever nearly gave up?

 To be honest, I still haven't hit a point where I know I've made it. Although the success that I have had has thrilled me, I'm conscious that I have no laurels upon which to rest. So I try to treat every day I get to write as a treat. And I hope that people will want to read what I'm coming up with next.  

 I've never given up, although that's not to say that I've never felt discouraged. I've managed those feelings by always keeping my expectations in line with reality. This is a tough business to make it in. But, I strongly believe that there's a difference between being a realist and a pessimist, and I do try to keep my thoughts and expectations positive, if grounded. J

Have you always wanted to be an author or did you just get that magical idea for a novel?

Ever since I was a kid, I've scribbled stories in notebooks, word processors, and (thank goodness) finally computers. I always wanted to be a writer, but I think that I had to grow into the profession. I had to learn how to pursue something that required real work and perseverance. I had to learn to accept rejection without giving up. Of all places, I honed many of the skills I use as a writer as a cubical-dwelling CPA.

  

Where do you write? Do you have a special place?

A special place? No. My office and my living room are about as special as I get. I don't do well with distractions, so I can't easily write in places like the library or a coffee shop.

What authors are your inspirations for writing?

Too many to name! Regan Summers inspires me with her tireless work ethic and amazing stories. Stacia Kane inspires and awes me with her heart-wrenching characters.

 I have to say that my passion really started back when I was a teenager. So I'd definitely have to credit Mercedes Lackey and Tamora Pierce and countless others for inspiring me with their stories.

Favourite books?

 This is such a hard question! I guess if I had to choose, I would say Stacia Kane's Downside series.

What was the first writing project you can remember thinking up? (even if it was when you were young)

 Oh goodness. The first that comes to mind was an epic fantasy I started when I was around twelve. I had around forty pages of character intros and backstories, but I think that was as far as I made it with that project.

What made you use your main character as a banshee, is it a favourite paranormal form for you or did it just appear in your mind?

 I find banshees fascinating because they have been thought of as both good and evil. Or at least as neutral and evil. I wanted Mac to be something different—separate from the normal world but also not really a part of the banshee world. I also thought it would be fun to put an otherworlder character whose abilities were not extremely powerful into a situation like the one she finds herself in.

Do you base your characters on people you know or are they just inventions?

 Purely inventions. I'm sure there are bits and pieces of real people in there (myself included), but they sneak in through an organic process. I certainly don't try to model characters after real people.

Is there a character in the novel you think you'd get along best with?

 I think that I'd get along well with Marisol—the succubus secondary character from Banshee Charmer, who is the main character of the second novella in the series—better than I would with Mac. I love Mac. But she always says what's on her mind, and isn't much of a people person.

I really like that we doubt this devilish good looking man in the story who we are unsure of, How did Aidan come about?

 Aidan came about because I thought a mischievously-minded man with a mysterious past would be so fun to read about. And I thought he would be perfect for Mac—his willingness to bend the truth aside. He sees the humor and goodness in things, and I think Mac needed someone with that kind of positive attitude to shake up her life.

 Can we expect to see more from this heroine?

 While Mac is not the main character in any of the other books, mentions and occasional cameos can be expected. ;)

A lot of writers have a song which they think captures their novel, if you could sum up the essence of your book with a song which one would it be?

 I'm the worst at all song-related things (just ask my exasperated husband who swears he will never play music trivia with me again), so I don't really relate Banshee Charmer to one. And if I did, I'd probably guess the name or artist wrong here, so for the sake of not embarrassing myself, I'll refrain, haha.

Any advice to wannabe writers like me?

 Persistence is (in my opinion) key to getting published. Write and read a ton, learn all the technical stuff you can, and be willing to accept criticism and use it to improve without taking it personally. Experiment and give yourself permission to write unreadable things to find your niche. Above all, be ready to put in the time and effort. 

Giveaway INT 

The winner will receive ONE copy of Banshee Charmer in either pdf or epub format. 

As always a few rules

• Please do not put your email addresses in the comment boxes, be safe on the net! If you do not use the rafflecopter form your entry won't count. Sorry (but it is actually quicker to use rafflecopter for you too!)
• You must be a follower of Passion for Novels via GFC to enter this hop, in the extra info I will need to address of the blogs you follow in order to verify your entry. 
• This hop will run from May 3rd - May 18th 12:01am EST
• If you win you will be emailed, I will only use your email address for this purpose and will not pass it onto any third party. In this giveaway I will pass your email onto the publisher, this is only so they can email you your prize. 
• Please note this is open INT

Please just fill in the rafflecopter below.

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