Friday, April 16, 2010

Addison Fox's debut Warrior Ascended


Tell us about yourself. How long have you been writing?


AF: I’ve been writing in some form or fashion since high school, but I’ve been focused on the romance genre for about 13 years now.


How did you get from _________ career to writing romance?


AF: Well, I’m still in my day job in addition to writing romance. I work in advertising.


Who is your favorite author(s) and why?




AF: Ooooh – this is one of my favorite topics! Hands down, my absolute favorite author is Nora Roberts. As a reader I just love her work and as a writer I have a tremendous amount of respect for her and her work ethic.


I also love Jayne Ann Krentz (across all her pseudonyms!), Meg Cabot, Jim Butcher, Elizabeth Peters (her Egyptian mysteries are the best!), Lorraine Heath, J.R. Ward. I recently discovered Gail Carriger’s work and she is just awesome (pick up Soulless – it’s fantastic.)


I am also right now in the middle of Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake by Sarah MacLean. The book is her debut adult romance and it is just incredible.


Tell us about your new book.


AF: WARRIOR ASCENDED launches the paranormal series, The Sons of the Zodiac. Millennia ago, the Greek goddess of justice, Themis, created a race of warriors to do battle with the goddess of war, Enyo.


My Leo Warrior, Brody Talbot, is the hero of the first book. Brody is an archaeologist and he’s tasked to protect Dr. Ava Harrison, a curator at the Museum of Natural History in New York. Ava’s father discovered the five Summoning Stones of Egypt two decades prior and was soon after murdered for his discovery.


For the first time since their discovery, the stones are going to be placed together in one exhibit, curated by Ava in her first major project. Although she wants to honor her father, Ava hides a dark secret – she’s always had an unconscious fear of the stones.


Fortunately for Ava, the Warriors recognize the Stones aren’t as innocuous as they seem and they send Brody in to keep her safe. As every good romance reader knows, there’s no way these two people aren’t going to experience a heck of a lot of sparks the moment they meet!!



What is the appeal of writing (genre)___________?


AF: I have been a romance reader since the fifth grade. I started on teen romances and then worked my way up to adult romances and, although I read a lot across several genres, romance novels are always my genre of choice.


What kind of writings turns you off? What stops you from writing?


AF: Not much turns me off of reading, although I’ve never been a fan of heroes that don’t have any sense of compassion about them.


Not much stops me from writing, either! I’m so lucky to have this job and I truly find my bliss when I’m tapping away at my keyboard.


How have you shocked your readers?


AF: I don’t know!  With this being my first book, I haven’t had a lot of time to shock yet!!!


How do you get your ideas? What is your writing day like?


AF: I find ideas to be the most amazing, wonderful, awesome thing about being a writer. Especially because they really are all over.


I don’t really have a typical writing day. My day job has some very busy periods during the year and there are weeks where my productivity suffers. That said, by the time I get back to the keyboard again, I’m so excited to be there, I’m usually fortunate to have some really good writing time.


Can you share three writing tips?


AF: Finish the book. There is an incredible sense of accomplishment when you complete an entire manuscript. Not only can you say you’ve done it, but finishing a manuscript forces you to go through the entire roller coaster of writing a book.


The second one is to not be afraid of your gift. I believe that we are drawn to things in life that matter to us and that are important to us. Don’t be afraid to put yourself on the page and make your readers feel something.


Finally, while it’s important to finish a book, it can also be an overwhelming thought. Someone told me this early on and it’s been an invaluable tip. Just focus on finishing a chapter at a time. You’ll be amazed how much faster the work flows!


Fill in this blank: Your ideal fictional hero would think you gorgeous if you____________.


AF: did something nice for someone else.


How much do you love cake?


AF: How many stars are in the sky? That would be my love for cake (especially if it’s pound cake or vanilla cake!)











16 comments:

Susan Macatee said...

Great interview, Vicki and Addison!

Finishing the book is an absolute must, but it can be a hard task for aspiring writers. When I was young, I left many a book or story unfinished. LOL.

And I'll go for cake anytime too, but chocolate is my all-time favorite!

Vicki Batman, sassy writer said...

Thank you, Susan. My latest cake fav is white with chocolate frosting.

I think finishing anything is a must. I'm looking over at my needlepoint bag right now and the pillow I half finished is taunting me. The good news is the lap blanket and pillow top are finished!

Thank you for posting.

Jennifer August said...

Fantastic interview! Addison, I felt a sense of deja vu as I read it, we have very similar tastes and I just bought Sarah MacLean's Rake book. It's my reward for writing. My son also just discovered Jim Butcher, so I've been buying about a book every two days for that.
Your book sounds fascinating, I can't wait to read it!

Lori Wilde said...

Congratulations on your debut book, Addison!

Elizabeth Essex said...

Glad to have your recommendation for Sarah M's book. To celebrate finishing a manuscript I'm going on a reading spree, so I'll put her book on the second rung on my list. I've put Warrior Ascended in the top spot!
Cheers!

Barbara Monajem said...

Usually I can finish a book, but as for needlework... I've been working on the same shawl for three years now. It's gotten way too big and cumbersome, but I still have some periwinkle yarn left, so it's not done!! Maybe it will be a blanket some day.

Congrats on the release, Addison.

Pamela Stone said...

Hi Addison and Vicki! Congrats on the new book, Addison. Exciting times. We do share the same favorite author. I feel just as strongly about Nora as you do. She's awesome.

When I finish a book, which BTW I don't know how to NOT finish, I reward myself with reading a novel to clear my mind and escape.

Again, congrats!

Karilyn Bentley said...

Hi Addison,
I can hardly wait to get your new book and see you this Saturday!

Addison said...

Susan - thanks for posting! I so agree about the unfinished manuscripts early on. It takes a while and I think one of the reasons is that early on you don't necessarily have a feel for the ideas that truly have enough conflict for an entire book or not.

And I do hear you on the cake - one of life's greatest pleasures!! :-)

Addison

Addison said...

Hi Author!

ooooh - white cake w/ chocolate frosting - YUM!

Thanks for visiting!
Addison

Addison said...

Jennifer:

Thanks so much for your note! And you will LOVE "9 Rules...." - it is a truly exceptional book.

And that's wonderful that your son't found the Dresden Files. It's such a fun series!

Addison

Addison said...

Thanks, Lori!!!

Thanks for stopping by. And I am so excited to start reading THE TRUE LOVE QUILTING CLUB! I hope to see you soon :-)

Addison

Addison said...

Thanks, Elizabeth!

Good luck finishing the manuscript! And you will LOVE "9 Rules!!"

Addison

Addison said...

Hi Barbara!

Thanks for stopping by. Confession time....I have a blanket I've been crocheting....for 7 years! (the worst part of all....it was supposed to be a gift for a friend).

I manage to get through a skein of yarn about every two years..... :-)

Addison

Addison said...

Hi Pam!!!

It's so good to *see* you here! And I always love talking to you about the latest Nora book - they're all fabulous!

Addison

Addison said...

Hi Karen!!!

Can't wait to see you this weekend! Thanks so much for stopping by and for all your support!! :-)

Addison