As part of her blogtour for Karma & Melodies Katie Salidas stopped by my blog today to answer some questions.
So give a warm welcome to: Katie Salidas
Hmm, let’s see, background on me. I was never very good at just talking about myself. I’m a complete introvert, which I guess helps with writing. I’m much more comfortable with my notebook and pen, writing down stories than I am in public speaking about things. So, really, my life is not hugely exciting. I grew up in a small town in Texas and at the age of 14 moved to Sin City, Las Vegas, Nevada. Being an introvert, I spent a lot of time people watching , which I think also helps when it comes to creating characters. You learn a lot by observation.
2. When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I spent a lot of my teenage years reading books and writing down my own silly stories. I never expected them to become a career. It was always just a fun hobby. As I got older, I really wanted to share them with others. That’s when I started seriously considering publishing.
3. What comes first? The story, the character(s) or the idea for the novel?
I get an idea for a situation and then I begin to fill in the blanks. If that makes any sense. The story forms around it and the characters take on life as well.
4. What would be your favourite past time activity when you are not writing?
I love to go out an hike at Red Rock. It’s just beautiful out there. I’ve been trying to get my daughter interestd in it but she’s not quite as enthusiastic about “walking.” LoL.
5. Are there any writers out there that have inspired you?
Inspiration comes from everywhere. I woul d be fibbing if I said I didn’t not take inspiration from the great authors who have given me many hours of reading enjoyment. I’m an avid paranormal reader. =)
6. Can you tell a little more about your book: Karma & Melodies?
In Karma & Melodies, I ask: What would you go through for a second chance at love?
Second chances at love don't come very often, even for a vampire who has eternity.Kendra used to spend her days organizing events for Café Enigma while daydreaming about Marcus, the sexy lead singer of Normal Paradox. But all those dreams of becoming Mrs. Rock Star died, along with her mortality, the moment Hector entered her life. He tricked her and seduced her into becoming a vampire, stealing Kendra away from Marcus forever.
Ten torturous years later; however, Kendra finds a way to escape Hector and is reunited with her lost love, Marcus. Now that she's found him she doesn't want to let him go. But, whispered threats from Hector begin invading her dreams. He's tracking her down, and she can feel it. He's a true monster, capable of unspeakable horrors, and Kendra knows what he will do if he catches them.
She'll have to make a choice: stay and fight for the man she's always loved, or protect him by leaving and keeping Marcus off of Hector's radar?
7. What inspired you to write this story?
Karma & Melodies came to me as a snippet of idea and blossomed from there. I see a lot of stories where the man is the vampire and must save the woman. I wanted to turn things around a little. In this story Kendra is the vampire and she is the one trying to protect Marcus.
While coming up with the background for these characters, I was listening to a lot of music and had planned on going to the Coachella music festival. There was a band playing that year that hadn’t played in the States for over 10 years. I ended up missing the concert, but it gave me inspiration. In the beginning, Kendra attends the concert where Marcus is singing and begins the chain of events that connects their lives again after 10 years apart. From there, the story took off.
8. Which character dit you enjoy writing about most and why?
I’m going to go unexpected for a moment and talk about Mikey. He’s not one of the main characters but he was just so much fun to write about. He’s my male diva! He’s the guitarist in the band Normal Paradox and he has a slight prejudice against supernatural creatures.
What made him fun to write about was the conflict between him and Kendra (a vampire) and also his love for his band. He needed to keep Kendra around for Marcus’s sake but he hated every minute of it. Kendra creeped him out, he worried that she was going to use him for a midnight snack, and also didn’t appreciate the effect she was having on his lead singer, Marcus. However, even with all of that anger, he couldn’t tell her to take a hike, or drive a stake through her heart because ultimately she was a necessary evil.
The temper tantrums he threw and the names he called her along the way were just so much fun to write. I have to admit, I love writing argumentative characters.
9. If you could have dinner with one of your characters who would you choose and why?
10. Do you get a lot of responses from your readers?
I love to hear from readers! One of the greates joys of being an author is seeing that other people are enjoying the work you have created. I’ve had quite a few tell me they loved the twist of having a female vampire main character instead of a male. They also really enjoyed the musical aspect as well. That puts a smile on my face. I want to be sure I am crafting stories that people will want to read.
11. What are you currently working on?
My next, or should I say latest, big release is the third installment of the Immortalis series, Pandora’s Box
Summary
After a few months as a vampire, Alyssa thought she’d learned all she needed to know about the supernatural world. But her confidence is shattered by the delivery of a mysterious package – a Pandora’s Box.
Seemingly innocuous, the box is in reality an ancient prison, generated by a magic more powerful than anyone in her clan has ever known. But what manner of evil could need such force to contain it?
When the box is opened, the sinister creature within is released, and only supernatural blood will satiate its thirst. The clan soon learns how it feels when the hunter becomes the hunted.
Powerless against the ancient evil, the clan flees Las Vegas for Boston, with only a slim hope for salvation. Could Lysander’s old journals hold the key? And what if they don’t?
And how welcome will they be in a city run by a whole different kind of supernatural being?
Werewolves…
12. Is there anything you would like to say to your readers?
Thank you, dear reader! You are the reason I do this!
If you’d like to check out my latest work, Karma & Melodies stop by www.katiesalidas.com and read a sample or two. If you like what you see, all of my novels and novellas are available in every ebook format!
Search for me on any of your favorite ebook retailer’s website.
And if you can believe all of those lies, there is some beautiful swamp land in Florida for sale…
Katie Salidas resides in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mother, wife, and author, she does try to do it all, often causing sleep deprivation and many nights passed out at the computer. Writing books is her passion, and she hopes that her passion will bring you hours of entertainment.
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Thank you so much Katie for stopping by my blog today and taking the time to answer my questions and good luck with the rest of the blogtour!
Giveaway:
Now it's giveaway time, as part of the blogtour I can give away one e-book copy of Karma & Melodies. If you want to win this leave a comment on this interview and include your e-mail adress. I'll pick a winner at the last day of june.
Thank you so much for the wonderful interview and for reading Karma & Melodies as well.
ReplyDeleteGood luck to those participating in the giveaway!!
~Katie
I have been trying to follow this book around all of it's blog stops. This story sounds great. I want to know how Kendra solves her dillema!
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