Today I’m interviewing Adrienne Monson, author of the just-out-this-weekend newest-vampire-novel-on-the-shelves DISSENSION. She’s a cool chick with the most gorgeously stunning auburn hair you’ll ever see, and I appreciate her taking time to answer all my questions.
Tell me this hair isn’t fabulous! It’s amazing.
First off, the most important question: do you snack when you write? If so, on what? (Don’t say blood.)
How’d you know I was going to say blood? 😉 Yes, I snack, eat lunch – you name it – while I’m writing. As for the what – it’s different every day. I eat a lot of salads, but they’re hard to eat while writing. If I could choose a favorite snack, it would probably be cookies. (I know, so terrible, yet so true!)
Tell me about your your new book!
Vampires and Immortals war with each other, both hoping to find the prophecy child first. Leisha is a reluctant vampire who still loves her estranged husband, an immortal who’s sworn to kill all vampires.
I love the art on this cover. Super creepy and artsy!
What got you started writing? Have you always written?
I used to write when I was in fifth grade. I even won a couple of writing contests. It tapered off when I got to Jr. High. When I became a stay-at-home-mom, I started writing again. I really felt my novel had potential and immersed myself in the writing industry. It taught me a lot and helped me to grow as an author. The rest, as they say, is history.
Who are your biggest literary influences?
There’s too many to name them all. Just a few authors: Terry Goodkind, Brandon Sanderson, Kim Harrison, and Karen Marie Moning.
In Dissension, there is a whole slew of vampire lore you tap into. Is all of that part of known folklore, or did some of it spring from your imagination?
Most of it came from my imagination. I think reading lots of books just help to tap into that part of the imagination to create your own stories.
I saw an article where you were referred to as a “local vampire expert” a short while ago. How does one become such an illustrious thing?
Lol. Well, have an obsession (like vampires) for the majority of your life, read anything and everything related to said obsession… and I guess you become an expert. I certainly didn’t take a course and become certified online.
I heard that Dissension has more than one installment. Tell me about that. Are you finished with the sequel(s)?
I’ve just turned in the second manuscript (Defiance) and have started book three (Deliverance). I’ve always known how this trilogy would end. So even though it’s not completed, I know exactly where I’m going with it.
I’m a writing mom. You’re also a writing mom. How do you balance that?
First off, you have more kids than I do, Jennifer. So you’re probably more qualified to answer this!
I do try make sure that my family is the first priority. I have a toddler who naps while my older child is at school. So I utilize that time. I’m also a stickler about early bedtime. My kids are in bed by eight. So that gives me a total of three or four hours a day to work. It may not seem like much, but it’s what I have to work with right now. I very much look forward to the day when both kids are in school. 🙂
When you first found out your novel had been selected for publication, what did you do/think?
I was floored. It was almost surreal. Then I signed the contract and realized it was actually happening! My husband and I called everyone to let them know. It was like having a baby or getting married.
Do you see yourself writing about the undead exclusively, or do you plan to branch out?
My next WIP after the trilogy will be about demons – which is loosely related to what I’m writing now. I also have another idea for a psychic living in regency times. So, I definitely plan to branch out. That’s the great thing about writing paranormal romance. There’s a lot of different paranormal elements to be used.
Where can someone find you on the web?
Ready for this? There’s quite a few. Here’s all my author links:
Web site: http://www.adriennemonson.com/
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/adriennemonson
Twitter: https://twitter.com/adriennemonson
Thanks so much for being part of this bloggy blog today, Adrienne. I hope DISSENSION sells a zillion copies!
Fabulous interview! Well done to you both!
Great interview!
Cookies can be dipped in blood. Just sayin’.
Mmmm. Delicious. Can you imagine an ad, “Oreos and Vampires” at Halloween? Maybe on an internet ad.
Great interview!!
Thanks, Rebekah!
Thanks, Teri and Lehua!
Nice interview! Terry Goodkind is one of my influences as well. Read some Brandon Sanderson as well, and I absolutely love and admire how he was able to finish Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time with such class and panache.
Wishing you both the best, and good luck killing it (no pun intended) with Deliverance! 🙂
Thanks, Dan. My husband just read the Wheel series and it made him read Mistborn. Good writer!