Come Selahway With Me…

We’re back with another great tour brought to you by Tomorrow Comes Media! This time it’s for The Storm Sullivan Saga boxed set!

 

It began with tragedy.
Continued with rebirth.
Faithful friends…with secrets of their own.
Intensified with an uncovered past.
How will it all END?
Storm Sullivan’s life is a mystical mine field following the death of her Aunt Trin and it only gets worse. Thrown into the battle of the ages, Storm finds herself surrounded by Immortals, Seraphs, Fairies, Vampires, Witches and a Phoenix! Can she unravel the mysteries of her family’s past in time to save them all?

For the first time ever, the Kindle Bestselling Emerald Seer Series is brought to you in one massive box set. Magic and mystery, adventure and romance converge in this series touted as “unique and imaginative.” Mystical beings from Deities to Seraphs, a Phoenix, Immortals and more, the Emerald Seer Series is a fantastical ride with several converging story lines that will keep you guessing.

 

Ryder on the Story Print      Kindle Boxed Set

Storm Sullivan is a Seer from an ancient line forced to return home after the brutal murder of her aunt. But Storm finds she’s inherited more than just the family estate.

Ryder Cohen is an Immortal, a former enforcer commissioned to eradicate the Sullivan line and prevent the rise of the Emerald. But Ryder has come to question his mission and the reasons behind it.

Ryder On the Storm is the first in the Emerald Seer series. An urban fantasy with a supporting cast of Immortals, Seraphs, and Deities this is just the beginning of Storm’s journey.

The Emerald Seer saga continues with rebirth in LIGHT MY FIRE and intensifies with an uncovered past in LOVE HER MADLY. Still craving more Emerald Seer action? Check out WHISKEY, MYSTICS, and MEN to discover Angeline’s secrets.

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And because I haven’t done one in nine hundred years, today is an interview day! 🙂

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SJ:  Every writer has some sort of process. Give us a glimpse into yours. Do you meticulously outline? Do you write depending on what calls are out there?

*Bonus question – Do you put on a cape and do a chant before hunkering down to work? Sacrifice anything? Along with your process, what’s your quirkiest writing habit?

VP: I think I usually make people crazy when I answer this question because I do not outline.  I just let my characters weave their ways through my mind and write what I see.  It’s a lot like watching a movie in my head and describing it in intricate detail.  I write what I feel like writing which explains why I always have a few projects I am working on at any given time. 

While I don’t don a cape, I do occasionally slip into one of my costumes to get into the mood.  I rather enjoy wearing a full Steampunk ensemble to a coffee shop for an afternoon of writing.  People are very receptive and it creates a little extra inspiration if I am struggling with writer’s block. 

Sacrifice for writing? Does sleep count?  I have stayed up until 3 or 4am to write only to turn around and get up for work at 6am.  It happens less frequently these days because I have so much going on but if I go too long without writing I get more than a little cranky. 

 

SJ: Are you a meticulous planner or do you believe in the muse? Where do your ideas come from? Do they filter in through your dreams? Do they show up at inopportune times and whap you upside the head? Do they result in a shady deal with a dark power?

* bonus question – If your muse had a physical manifestation, what would he or she look like and how would she or he act? Is it a sexy superhero version of Callisto? A sharp-tongued rogue? A reptilian alien? Do they have a catch phrase?

VP: Planning is something I’ve had to learn since becoming a Mom because it is just something I do not enjoy.   I preferred living life as a “fly by the seat of my pants” gal and that is just not possible anymore so when it comes to my writing I play it as loose as I can without losing my story completely.  It is one aspect of my life that allows me to be as relaxed and creative as possible.  My kids are very used to me “shushing” them for a moment while I jot something down or record it in my phone or even tell it to them to help me remember it while I’m driving.  I am so grateful for their support and patience!  I get random ideas at any time so I keep something with me nearly all the time be it my phone, my tablet, my netbook or one of my journals.  It’s an obsession.  I even have a few napkins from pubs in Ireland because I was on vacation and was struck with some awesome ideas that I couldn’t let go. 

I think if my muse were personified she would look and act a whole lot like Storm, complete with the slightly foul mouth and snarky remarks.  Though, I do so like the idea of a Phoenix as my muse.  Perhaps I will amend my mental image.

SJ: What’s the book/story that’s closest to your heart? Is there a piece that you clearly feel is a piece of you? Do you play favorites?

VP: There are two stories very close to my heart but they are not complete yet.  One may never be released but the other is a film noir style that is dark and wretched but also could be quite brilliant if I can pull it off.  I am not sure that they are necessarily pieces of me as much as they are things I need to express and expel.  As for playing favorites, it is not really a habit of mine though I suppose my character would argue that I favor whomever is most vocal at a given time. 

SJ: If you could only write one genre ever again upon pain of being sacrificed to Cthulhu, what would it be and why?

VP: Fantasy.  No doubt about it.  I can turn anything into a fantasy novel and I love the idea of being able to write all of my own rules.  I can make it work.

SJ: What’s your biggest frustration as a writer? What do you consider the downside, or is there one? Is there any cliché that makes you want to wring people’s necks?

VP: My biggest frustration is finding time to write followed very closely by the difficulty in getting my books in front of the right people.  I know there are downsides, there have to be but I can’t bring myself to come across as whiny or sad because I am not.  I wish I could write full time but I accept that that is a difficult road to land on.  Perhaps I will luck out someday but if not I can keep working so long as I am able to write on the side.   As for clichés that make me nuts, I really take exception to people who think you write a book and put it out there and should automatically become a bestseller with no effort at all.  I see it every day and it is just sad to me.

SJ:  If you had to be stuck in one of your own books/stories for the rest of your life, what would it be and why? If you had to stick a loved one in one of your own books, what would it be and why? An enemy?

VP: I would want to live with Dorian in Immortal Machinations.  The clothes alone beckon to me but adding in all the awesome devices makes it perfect for me!  Depending on the loved one I would lean toward Light My Fire.  It’s my favorite Emerald Seer Book and it is where things really start to heat up.  An enemy?  That’s tougher.  I would have to go with End of the Night because that’s when all Hell breaks loose and I could hope they get their just deserves.

 SJ: Do you think it’s possible to develop a sure-fire recipe/formula for success as a writer? Would you want to, or does that compromise the art or the fun of it?

VP: No, I think this is one of those industries that changes so dramatically and so frequently that it is impossible to draft and carry out a winning plan of any kind.  In the two years since I first published I’ve changed my strategy so many times I’ve lost count.  It’s all about evolving and adapting to the changes.  I write what I write and then seek out people to read my finished products.  I have a lot to learn and I know that I will continue to evolve as a writer and marketing agent.  I’m lucky that I’ve found some amazing, supportive people over the last two years and I hope that luck continues because this is one tough industry and the more trustworthy friends you can find the better off you are.

SJ: Everyone has words of wisdom for young writers, so I’m not going to ask you about that. With a few unknown writers becoming success stories, a lot of people seem to think it’s an easy career choice. What would your words of wisdom be to these people?

VP: It’s not easy.  There is nothing easy about it.  If you want the longevity you’d better be prepared to put in the effort long term.  I don’t know many writers who can survive on their book royalties alone.  Most authors I know use their royalties to fund marketing efforts, book covers, editors, etc.  On top of all of that, you have to have thick skin.  People are going to shred you and they are going to shred your work.  If you cannot handle a critical review – no matter how off base it is – you should not be doing this.  I’ve said this a lot lately and I tend to see a lot of backlash but it is true nonetheless. Not everybody is going to like what you write no matter how amazing it is.  If you need proof of this, look at reviews for the chronic bestsellers and look at the classics.  I sound harsh but that’s only because there is no glamour in this industry.  Maybe if you “make it” there is some glamour but I would guess not as much as one would think.  How do you make millions of readers happy 100% of the time?  I doubt it is possible.  I would take the millions of readers though.

SJ: It seems like everyone likes to gang up on certain genres as being inferior, less meaningful, or cheap entertainment (especially if it’s speculative in nature). Make a case for the genre you write.

VP: This is a tough one for me because I’ve had a tough time categorizing my books.  I’ve gone with Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy but have received comments that I don’t really fit either one.  I guess I don’t think as much about genre as I should.  The only constant is that I have heavy fantasy/magical/mystical elements in almost everything I write.  I have a wild and vivid imagination so having the fantastical components in my stories gives me a freedom I would not otherwise have.  It allows me to bend natural rules and create creatures (including villains) that otherwise may never exist.  I can mold and shape the world as I would like it to be to create entirely new strengths and weaknesses and challenges for my characters to encounter.  Though my stories may have serious undertones and touch on issues that are near and dear to me, I can approach them from different angles and still convey my message.  I also like to make up words and non-fiction or dramatic stories are not accustomed to such nonsense! 

 SJ: What do you want people to instantly think of when they hear your name or your work mentioned?

VP: Fun.  I want people to enjoy what I do as much as I do.  When I am at an event I like to put on a show – if you’ve seen me as Willy Wonka you will know what I mean.  But I also want my books to entertain.  So far I have not written anything that is overwhelming or serious simply because I wrote them for people I hoped to entertain.  Are there serious messages camouflaged in the pages of my books?  Of course.  But in the end, I am an entertainer and I simply want people to think of me that way.

SJ: Please tell us about your latest/favorite work or a little bit about what you’re working on right now. It’s plug time, so go for it!

VP: Well, I just released my Emerald Seer Box Set – in ebook and paperback as The Storm Sullivan Saga – and I’ve been slowly adding to my WattPad stories but primarily I am working on Immortal Machinations which I may have mentioned a few times already.  I’ve plucked Dorian the Vampire, his brother and a few others from the Emerald Seer Series for a Steampunk Fantasy adventure.  The first book is very light on the Steampunk aspect (it begins with Dorian’s life as a mortal during the time of Henry VIII) but you will see my take on the evolution of the awe-inspiring gadgetry of Steampunk.  The second and third books will be much heavier in the Steampunk world including the attire.  It has been a challenge to work this one out and I’ve done at least two re-writes on it but I am pleased with the direction it is going in.

 You can find out more about Violet at the following places, and be sure to check out the boxed set and the newest title in her series!

Blog: http://emeraldseer.blogspot.com

Twitter: @booksbyviolet

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Violet-Patterson/292923177397400