Get to Know....Kelly Keaton!

Today, I am lucky enough to have Kelly Keaton on the blog answering a few quick questions! Kelly is the author of Darkness Becomes Her, the first book in the Gods and Monsters series. (You can read my raving gold star review, here!!) Book two, A Beautiful Evil will be out in February 2012 and I can't wait!!



1. I loved the way that you explored the decadence and rich history of New Orleans to create New 2. Have you ever lived in New Orleans? Did you do a lot of research into the city’s history?

No, never lived there, though I have dreamed of that for ages! I started my love affair with NOLA over twenty years ago and have just been gathering details in my mind with each trip, each fact, photo, or book I read. A lot of the info in DBH was pulled from what I already know about the city or from previous notes I’d made that I found interesting. Most of my research beyond that was map checking and fact checking or digging through my personal photos and such.
*I have to say that I've never wanted to visit New Orleans so much as I did after finishing this book!*

2. What was your inspiration in deciding to have New Orleans become its own independent nation, outside of US government control?

I had this vision of Ari in a dark, lush, creepy world ruled by supernatural beings, and I knew that in order to make that a reality I had to rethink and recreate the city a little bit. I’d always wanted to set a story in NOLA, but never felt I had the right one until Ari came along. It was a very natural fit and the world fell into place perfectly. I wanted the city to retain its unique characteristics and charm while creating a new era where the Novem is in control, where real life rules and laws don’t always apply. So the inspiration came from those ideas, to do something different, make new rules, and create a supernatural playground for my characters that would be incredibly gothic, seeped in history, and had such beauty and hope in the midst of decay.

3. What were your favorite myths to read while you were growing up?

Mostly Greek and Egyptian. Anything that I could get my hands on in regards to the ancients. I love the stories of Pandora, Persephone, Prometheus (what’s with all the P’s?, LOL). I had dreams of being an archaeologist and would lie on my bedroom floor with old National Geographic maps and Time Life books, tracing the journeys of Greek heroes and gods. I was in elementary school when I started doing that, so mythology has been a part of my life for a long time. I adore Arthurian legend as well.

4. I know that book 2, A Beautiful Evil, is slated to come out in February. Are there more books that you would like to write in the series after that?

Absolutely. I would love to write a 3rd book to, at least, wrap things up in a trilogy. But I can see going beyond that as well. I plan to write Violet’s story, too, as her past and what she is has been known to me from almost the beginning – and it’s pretty shocking!
*Oooh! I'm beyond excited to find out!!*

5. What was the last book that you read that you would recommend to other readers?

Infinity by Sherrilyn Kenyon.
*I just read this too! I love Sherrilyn Kenyon's books.*

6. Quick Picks: Favorite Vacation Destination? Beach. Favorite Childhood Book? The Black Stallion. Favorite Movie? The Fifth Element. Favorite Food? Potatoes, in any form (except raw) Favorite Clothing Item? Crazy socks and plain white V-neck T-shirt.
*I'll eat potatoes any way, too, even small pieces raw. I <3 Potatoes!*


Kelly, thank you SO much for letting me interview you!

If you haven't checked out Kelly's book, Darkness Becomes Her, I suggest you check it out ASAP! *Sooo good!!* For more information, you can also check out her website and like her on Facebook!!

Get to Know...Valerie Thomas

Photo by Julienne Schaer
(click on photo to go to the Karma Bites website)

Recently I reviewed Karma Bites, an adorable, fun, and soul-searching middle grade novel. Valerie Thomas, one of the authors, very graciously granted me an interview for my blog!!

1. I love the title Karma Bites because it not only speaks to all of the great little recipes that are mentioned then shown in the book, but also because it references how karma can come back around if someone is constantly awful. How did you come up with that specific title?

As is often the case, we had a hard time coming up with a title at first. We had a few that were quite long, too long, and some that were just bad. The phrase “Karma Bites” was in the book before we realized it would make a great, punchy title. And we love it because it really is what the book is about. The idea that your actions matter, and that they will come back to you, good or bad.

2. If you could ask for one recipe from the Karma box…what would you want it to do?

In all honesty I think I wouldn’t want one, because, as Franny finds out, once you begin to tinker with things like that, it’s a bit of a domino effect. But…if I had to choose one, I would say a recipe that keeps my whirling mind at peace a little more. Especially as a writer, I find that my constant stream of thoughts, good and bad, gets in the way of my work, and my life, so I’d love a recipe that could counter that.
*Ohhh! That's a good one...

3. How was the process of working with another author to create a novel? Different from working with other authors for TV/movies?

Stacy and I have a great working relationship which we’ve honed over the years. We used to write screenplays together, and though the formats are different, it’s the same basic process when you’re writing with a partner. We are very honest with one another, and we respect each other, so we are able to plough forward without getting our feelings hurt too much. We talk about plot and story a lot, and then one of us dives into a chapter, eventually passing it back to the other. This goes on and on and on, with constant rewrites and polishes, until there’s a draft.

4. Will you and Stacy Kramer be writing another book starring the same characters?

At the moment we are writing a YA novel which we just sold (partial manuscript) to Simon and Schuster!! *squee!!* So, we are very excited about that. It has nothing to do with Karma Bites, but we would be delighted to write a sequel to Karma Bites if that’s in the cards.

5. What was the last book that you read that you would recommend to other readers?

I read a lot, but the last YA book I read that really blew me away was BEFORE I FALL. I thought it was incredibly well crafted, and even though it’s kind of glossy on the surface, it’s very moving and meaningful.
*One of my top picks for this year, too. Excellent book...you can see my review here.

6. Quick Picks: Favorite Vacation Destination? Favorite Childhood Book? Favorite Movie? Favorite Food? Favorite Clothing Item?

Hawaii. Island of the Blue Dolphins. Silence of the Lambs (partly because it was the first movie I worked on). My Mom’s Chinese noodles. Perfect tank top.


Thank you so much, Valerie, for answering my questions!
If you haven't already picked up Karma Bites, check it out!!