Crystal Collier - SOULLESS Interview

Welcome back to my blog, Crystal.  It's been awhile and you can see I've undergone a few changes around here. You've obviously been busy. What changes (other than the book we're about to discuss) have there been in your life?

Change is the name of the game, isn’t it? (And I for one think many of the changes happening around here are awesomesauce.) Let’s see, for me? A new book release, a new house, and a new baby on the way. Nothing much. ;)

Busy is an understatement!  Congrats all around. As you know I like to make my authors feel comfortable when they drop by, so...can I offer you some cheese?

*slows chewing around bulging cheeks* Erm…was that your fridge I just raided? Awesome Swiss, btw.

Uhhhh...okay. Let's just dive right in, shall we? With MOONLESS you said you went through approximately two hundred version before you felt it was ready.  I'm guessing that wasn't the case with SOULLESS?

LOL. No. SOULLESS was up against a deadline with a publisher in the wings, so the edits were more precise and direct. This one probably went through 6 to 8 major edits—including rounds with two different editors. Those editors make a difference.

Without giving too much away, what can your readers expect from SOULLESS that they might not have seen coming from the 1st book?

Avoiding spoilers here…) Action. Okay, maybe they saw that coming. Regardless, the war we only got hints of in the first book comes full front and center in SOULLESS, and it’s a pretty non-stop ride. Readers will also notice new gifts/powers… I won’t say more than that.

Can't wait! What's your favorite part of the writing process? Idea nurturing...outlining...1st draft...revisions...editing...something else entirely?

It changes with every book. (Ooh, watch out for that buzz word—change.) With MOONLESS it was editing (OBVIOUSLY), but with SOULLESS it was the beta reading. (Probably because I had such an overwhelming response.) With other books it’s been the brainstorming of new worlds, societies, or cultures. For some works it’s been delving into the psyche of a character, and once it was the first draft. (Just once.)

There isn't a writer alive who doesn't struggle with their self-confidence at some point. How do you deal with that?

I spend more time with my family.

Good answer. If you have to pick one tool, or reference guide, that you most benefited as you wound your way along the writers path, what would you say that would be?

Yikes. Just one? Probably working with real live people: a literary agent early on, my writing coach for Pitch Wars, critique partners and beta readers. (Is that a cheat?)

 

Yes, but I'll let it slide. :) You still operate a successful blog, which last time we talked you attributed 60% of what you know about writing came from the blogosphere.  Do you still struggle to find the balance between writing, revisions, hanging with bloggies, and other promotions?

My blogging has become more focused and organized, but no. If I calendar out certain aspects of writing, editing, social media, and promotions, it’s entirely doable. I guess the real struggle comes in seeing another opportunity to promote and telling myself I can’t fit that one into the schedule. (But I ALWAYS want to.)

MOONLESS was the first book in a tri-series (that’s right, TRI-series) with SOULLESS being the second leg. What advice would you offer other aspiring novelists about writing multi-book series?

PLOT. (Need I say more?)

Yes, but I know how busy you are. :) What's next for you?

I’m working on the third book in the Maiden of Time trilogy, TIMELESS, and a pet project (a serial story with a couple of the side characters) titled BELLEZZA (coming early-ish 2015). I’m also working on growing a baby, which is going especially well.

Awesome! Thank you for taking the time to visit us today. I wish you all the luck with your SOULLESS launch and look forward to many books to follow.

 
Thank you so much for having me! Oh, and here’s a wedge of cheese for each of you readers. (Choose your own the flavor.)



Title: SOULLESS

Author: Crystal Collier
Publisher: Raybourne Publishing

Series: Maiden of Time, #2

Publication: October 13th, 2014

Category: Young Adult (YA)
Genre: Paranormal Historical

Tag Line: The Soulless are coming

Log Line: When Alexia's wedding is destroyed by the Soulless—who then steal the only protection her people have—she's forced to unleash her true power and risk losing everything.

Short description:

Alexia manipulated time to save the man of her dreams, and lost her best friend to red-eyed wraiths. Still grieving, she struggles to reconcile her loss with what was gained: her impending marriage. But when her wedding is destroyed by the Soulless—who then steal the only protection her people have—she’s forced to unleash her true power.

And risk losing everything.

PREORDER LINK: http://www.amazon.com/Soulless-Maiden-Time-Book-2-ebook/dp/B00N636ITK/ 

Or PREORDER

Praise for SOULLESS: 

What people are saying about this series: 

"With a completely unique plot that keeps you guessing and interested, it brings you close to the characters, sympathizing with them and understanding their trials and tribulations." --SC, Amazon reviewer

"It's clean, classy and supernaturally packed with suspense, longing, intrigue and magic." --Jill Jennings, TX

"SWOON." --Sherlyn, Mermaid with a Book Reviewer

Author Bio: Crystal Collier is a young adult author who pens dark fantasy, historical, and romance hybrids. She can be found practicing her brother-induced ninja skills while teaching children or madly typing about fantastic and impossible creatures. She has lived from coast to coast and now calls Florida home with her creative husband, three littles, and “friend” (a.k.a. the zombie locked in her closet). Secretly, she dreams of world domination and a bottomless supply of cheese. You can find her on her blog and Facebook, or follow her on Twitter.

Author Tag Line: ❀ Unleashing the dream world, one book at a time ❀

Website: www.crystal-collier.com

Blog: http://crystalcollier.blogspot.com

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/crystalcollier1

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/2598146-crystal

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/crystalcollierauthor 

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