Meghan Ciana Doidge Author Interview

Hello everyone! Today, I am having an author over to interrogate, I mean interview, LOL. It was supposed to be part of the blog tour stop, but some technical difficulties and craziness, and here were are LOL  if you want to see the original post, go HERE! But I loved this book, and I thought the author needed to share her words a little bit more… so here we go… 

Description:

Spirit Binder is a fantasy set a thousand years after spirit (aka magic) rises to take back the world in an apocalyptic event. It is book one of the Cascadian Chronicles.The first book of the Spirit Bound young adult series, TIME WALKER, will be released in the fall of 2012.

Blurb:

Theo woke severely injured, covered in blood, and missing ten years of her life. Just to complicate matters further, Theo was born under a prophecy; one that has rabid followers with three different interpretations, all of whom are willing to sacrifice her in order to fulfill it.

Not knowing if she can trust the stranger she’s betrothed to, the warrior visiting her dreams, or even her own mother, Theo tries to piece together her past only to find that her present is far more dangerous. It’s the power of her own blood that scares her most of all. This is a responsibility Theo never wanted, and a destiny she cannot deny, “All because of a prophecy she was trying not to believe in, but kept fulfilling.”

Keywords: fantasy, magic, swords, troll, castles, love story, romance, post-apocalyptic, prophecy, spirit, love triangle, destiny, blood

I’d now like to welcome the author!! thanks so much for being here!!

Do you recall how your interest in writing originated or did you always just know?

I came to the writing after I received my BFA in Theatre and minor in English. I was always a voracious reader from a young age … I’ve been told I chew books up. I wanted to make films, and I had a few ideas for some short films, so I wrote and filmed them. Then, I took a number of screenwriting classes, and I wrote screenplays for over ten years. I stumbled into writing my first novel, After The Virus, thinking I was just working on an extended treatment for another screenplay. And, now, it seems there is no turning back … because there are more novels/stories in my head than I can actually physically write!

What inspired you to write your first book and what was it?

That would be After The Virus. The initial idea was actually short film script that consisted of the scene where Rhiannon and Will meet for the first time. I was interested in the idea of the world being almost dead, and a man meeting a woman – when most of the women in this world have succumb to the virus – and what that meeting would be like … throw in a dog, some back story, and you have my first novel, After The Virus!

Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

Everything, every moment, or character, or situation is always stolen from moments I’ve experienced. But what once was fact becomes fiction when written down. I often take every day moments or conflicts and place them in a heightened reality – thriller, horror, fantasy genres, usually – and then see how that genre affects everyday moments.

How do you choose when/which characters die in your books?

I would say this is situational and plot driven. My stories are bloody and action-oriented, but I don’t usually go around just killing characters off for the sake of plot though … I am big on happy endings, no matter how hard it is to get there.

Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest or that you recommend, other than yourself of course?

Suzie Ivy, I love her cops/detective memoir series. I also really loved the book Blood Red Road last year, and I looking forward to the next in the series. My editor, Scott Fitzgerald Gray recently released a gamer fantasy/action-adventure called, We Can Be Heroes, that I also really liked. If I feel compelled to buy the books for anyone else, specifically my nephew, then I know I really like them.

Who do you look up to as a writer?

Hmmm, It is a long list. Here are a few, William Gibson, Stephen King, Margaret Atwood, Michael Ondaatje, The Coen Brothers, Quentin Tarantino, etc, etc, etc.

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your book?

Not a thing.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

Not judging work in progress. Also not judging a new story by one I just completed and still love.

What book are you reading now? Or what genre?

Hmmm, I have a straight up fantasy, a paranormal (vampire) YA book, and Eats, Shoots and Leaves, on my iPAD right now. I am active at Goodreads, so my currently reading list is usually up to date.

Who designed the cover? And do you help with them?

The cover artist is Irene Langholm. She is amazing. I send her what I call a pitch sheet that includes the synopsis, keywords, key locations, and key quotes. I share some of my favorite scenes, and then she does her magic.

Have you ever bought a book based on the cover?

Not without reading a sample, but I pick up books based on the cover all the time.

Did you learn anything from writing your books and what was it?

I think I learn how to become a better writer with everything I write, whether or not it ends up being release worthy or not. It’s a slow process, learning to hone your writing.

If you could be one of your characters, who would you chose?

None. I am blissfully happy with my life. I am exceedingly lucky. With that said, each of my female lead characters has a little bit of me in her.

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

Just that I am still thrilled every time someone reads one of my books, and even more when they offer me feedback (reviews, questions, etc) (positive and negative). I write all day everyday, I cannot stop myself from doing so, and to have someone actually read and maybe even enjoy my stories, is amazing and inspiring.

About the Author

Meghan Ciana Doidge is an award-winning writer based out of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. She has a penchant for bloody love stories, superheroes, and the supernatural. She also has a bit of a thing for chocolate, potatoes, and sock yarn; though not all together, that would just be yucky.

Author blog: http://www.madebymeghan.ca

Book page (on blog): http://wp.me/PP9tA-iG

Twitter, http://www.twitter.com/mcdoidge

Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/MeghanCianaDoidge

Of course, I want to thank the author! Not only do I love her name, though it’s spelled different than mine, I also love her book!! I can’t wait to have more of them!!! I hope she let’s me in on when they’ll be coming out!! 🙂 Maybe soon we can do a giveaway LOL 🙂 Thanks for stopping by, and as always happy reading my gators!! 🙂