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Author Interview: Riley Quinn

Posted by rachelfirasek on December 2, 2010 at 12:00 AM

Please welcome to the stage, the fabulously talented Paranormal and Urban Fantasy Author, Riley Quinn. I was lucky enough to rub shoulders with Riley last year at the RWA conference, where we enjoyed too much sushi and passed each other too many times while on our way to book signings, book giveaways and the occasional class-meh. She's a super sweet gal, and I'm so glad she's planted her bottom here to let us all celebrate in her new release!!!

Getting down to business:

ME: We all have that creative piece in our brain that demands we express ourselves. If not, we wouldn’t be doing this crazy thing that takes so much sweat and tears. But, what would you say motivated you most to become an author?

Riley: For me, I think that would be those pesky voices in my head. I had characters living in my brain, acting out scenes. It wasn’t until I started writing those down that I realized how much writing revitalizes me and makes me happy.

ME: We know now why you do what you do, but I want to know where you get your ideas. If you’re like me, everyone is suspect to my overactive imagination. A nice man at Starbucks, playing the pay-it-forward game will probably be in my next shifter book. Do you suffer from this uncontrollable urge to create stories for everyone you pass?

Riley: Actually I don’t. At least, not consciously. My characters seem to rise out of my head and introduce themselves to me. They tell me their goals, dreams, about their life growing up. I get it all down on the myriad worksheets I use until I feel like I know them. Then I can figure out their story. I can’t ever remember a real-life person sparking a character for me, but as I said, perhaps it happens subconsciously.

Me: Now, I have a bad habit of writing in circles. It’s not intentional, but I have to really watch what I’m doing or I’ll end up repeating my first thought in a paragraph at the end. I just have to say that circular movement nags me. (See) Do you have any writing quirks that you wish you could squash?

Riley: I tend to repeat myself too. I know I don’t have to repeat it 5 times for the reader to get my point, but like you said, it’s unintentional. I also tend to pick a favorite word per story and use the heck out of it. At least with that, I now recognize when I’m doing it (most of the time, anyway) while I’m doing it. I usually highlight the word to fix later. I like to keep writing when I’m on a roll. Those kinds of things can be fixed later.

 

ME: Who is your favorite author and why?

Riley: I read so much and love so many. It’s kind of like your kids. You don’t have a favorite and you love them all equally, just in different ways. I do tend to read mostly urban fantasy and paranormal romance.

 ME: Everyone’s writing times vary and each story can have its own pace, but how long would you say it took to complete your last project?

Riley: :D The last project I finished or the last project I started, because they are two different things. The last project I started (not counting the one I’m working on now) would be Blood Diamond, which released from The Wild Rose Press on December 1. I started it in January and finished in late March. I was working for a March 31 deadline and made it almost a week early.The last project I finished was Out of the Shadows, my full-length paranormal romance. I actually started this story 2 years ago for NaNoWriMo. About 2 weeks into November, I found out we were moving to Germany. Oh, and I had 4 weeks to pack up a 2400 sq. ft. house and deal with all the details involved with a transatlantic move, plus a full-time job, plus school. Well, you get the idea. I haven’t worked on it continuously, but I finished it up this past summer.

Me: Do you have a favorite tip you like to pass on to other writers? Is there a tip that a publisher/editor passed on to you that changed something you do in your writing?

Riley: My favorite tip is the one I got from a favored writer. That is to write. Keep at it. Be consistent. It’s the best way to improve your craft. Books and classes are all well and good, but if you’re not producing anything to try those techniques, it’s all theoretical.

 

Me: Now, on to the nitty gritty. What brings you to the other side, the “Dark” side of Romance? Why not contemporary or one of the other genres?

Riley: First of all, I have nothing against contemporary or any of the other genres. In fact, I’m planning a contemporary later this year. That being said, I think we all have a dark side. That side of us that we don’t show others. Urban fantasy and paranormal allows us to explore that dark side, expose it even, without fear of ridicule. Also, in a world where we feel that we can’t really make a difference, it’s fun to create an alternate universe where someone has special powers or abilities and we can save that world through them. Personally, I wouldn’t like having the fate of the world resting on my shoulders, but I sure do love to put it on my characters’.

 

Me: Where do you see the paranormal/UF/Fantasy/Scifi Genre heading? Is there anything that you’re tired of reading as a reader?

Riley: I don’t think it will ever go away. There are too many readers out there hungry for these kinds of stories with these kinds of stakes. It’s a challenge to us as writers, to provide them with fresh, entertaining stories that feed that need. I don’t know that there’s anything I’m tired of reading, per se, but I do look for the fresh spin or the new mythology behind someone’s worldbuilding.

Thank you so much for coming by and answering all of my questions. I really enjoyed learning even more about you and your writing. And for all my guest, please be sure to check out her website, it's absolutely beautiful. Links are below.

Also!!! Wait!!! Don't Go!!! Riley was kind enough to offer a book giveaway! Woo-Hoo!!! She and I would both like to know if you've ever been to the Congo? or what's the most exotic vacation you've had? Maybe you found diamonds and a hot guy on a frantic adventure...please share.

Leave a comment below and I'll reveal the winner on Friday!!

Here's Riley's newest release:

 

 

Blurb:

Dodging an angry warlord and running through the rain forest in Congo Brazzaville was not what Jillian St. James expected when she signed up with Doctors Without Borders. Yet that’s exactly what she gets after a mysterious visit from her brother.

Mercenary Mack Nichols doesn’t have much faith in humanity these days. When a beautiful young doctor denies being part of the theft of a blue diamond from his client, he doesn’t put much stock in her story.

Neither have reason to trust the other and their mutual attraction is an inconvenience to both. A betrayal and the reveal of an evil plan pit these two against an army. Can they put aside their doubts and work together to bring down a corrupt, power-hungry overlord or will their chance at love be over before it ever starts?

Excerpt:

“Are you all right, Jillian?”

The husky timber of his voice sent another shiver through her, this time having nothing to do with fear.

How could she be aroused after being scared so bad? Especially with a man like this one, a man who worked for the General. She was one sick puppy.

“Jillian?” A hand came down on her shoulder and she jumped.

Finally lifting her head, she ignored Mack and trained her attention on the log where she’d been sitting. As recognition set in, her entire body began to shake and her heart pounded so hard she feared cracking a rib. Dear God. A yellow-green snake with ridged scales lay in two pieces on the log she’d occupied. Eyes the same color of its body stared sightlessly toward the fire.

She swallowed, trying to wet her dry throat. “Is that—”

“An African Bush Viper? Yep. I think in the firelight, your hand must have looked like dinner.” Though the snake now lay dead, Mack’s voice still sounded strained.

She stood on shaky legs. “I didn’t even see it there.”

“I’m not surprised. It had coiled its tail around the branch overhead and dropped from there.”

If he hadn’t seen the highly poisonous snake, she’d be dead right now. She launched herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck and burying her face in his throat. She heard a thud and then his arms were around her, surrounding her in a blanket of safety. For the first time, she thought maybe he really would keep his promise.

 

Stalk Riley Quinn at:

Website: http://www.riley-quinn.com/

Blog: http://rileyquinnauthor.blogspot.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Riley-Quinn/221823930058

Twitter: http://twitter.com/RileyQuinn

Categories: INTERVIEWS

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45 Comments

Reply C.J. Ellisson
07:28 AM on December 02, 2010 
Terrific interview and an excellent excerpt! I don't need to win it, thank you though, because I plan on buying my copy pronto!

Where was my most exotic vacation? In a National park on St. John we were stayed in an "eco lodge". The whole place was powered by solar energy and it was basically a screened in cabin (no walls, but rafters and beams) with a canvas roof if it rained. It stood on stilts on the side of a steep hill, perched above the scavenging hermit crabs (we were instructed to throw our food scraps over the railing) and the feral cats covered in fleas.

But the hill gave us a 180 degree view of the ocean on one side, a long peninsula in the middle, and a protected bay on the other - complete with picturesque sailboats moored off the white beach.

We'll over look the composting toilet in the separate shower house, or the 7-inch millipede I had to scream for my husband to remove from my shower enjoyment one day (the damn thing even scared him!). I swear it was coming right toward me and I didn't know what the hell to do!

Great question!
Reply Rachel Firasek
07:48 AM on December 02, 2010 
Woo-Hoo! C.J, Thanks for stopping by and I'm sure Riley will be thrilled that you're eager to grab this great read. Your exotic vaca sounds like something out of a Crocodile Dundee movie, hold the crocs. Lol. I love the idea of roughing it, but doubt I could make it a day. I like my comforts. Thanks for stopping by!!!
Reply JC Coy
07:54 AM on December 02, 2010 
Great interview, Riley. And enjoyed the excerpt, too. Sounds like something I'd love to read.
Reply Sharon Hamilton
07:59 AM on December 02, 2010 
Super interview and Riley, your book exerpt has me major intrigued. Congrats on the new release. going to get my copy today!

Great ideas on writing, too.
Reply nancy echevarria
08:06 AM on December 02, 2010 
thanks to J.C. for the posting this link it is amazing.I need to confess that more than reading a lot I am working on my book I will love to be a writer,but doing a book take time and confidence which am working on.By the way amazing interview I will be doing research on this book,it sounds really good,I hope to win it,I bet I will devour it in just one night,Thanks a lot to the author and congratulations I know how you fell,I bet it is close to having a baby,LOL.Love you all,thanks for sharing your imagination with us the readers.

"I have found great passion and pleasure on reading good books."
Reply Carly Carson
08:25 AM on December 02, 2010 
Never been to the Congo. Not sure I want to go either. lol I'm not really the adventurous type so I guess I'll say my current claim to fame is I've been to Chile and even been in a Chilean mine. Not everyone can say that! It's a beautiful country and the people are warm and friendly. Long, beautiful coast and awesome mountains. Oh and I was in an earthquake there as well. Not something I want to repeat. I guess I should use some of that stuff in a story, huh?
Reply SusanJPOwens
08:33 AM on December 02, 2010 
Great Interview and I'm intrigued with the excerpt.! I will be picking up a copy too!
Exotic ? Barbados... and I'll stop there :)
Reply Lynn Rush
08:40 AM on December 02, 2010 
Nice to meet you, Riley. Loved the interview. I have never been to Congo, but I'd say my most exotic trip was to Cayman Islands. Well, we took a cruise for our honeymoon and got to visit Cayman and Jamaica on that trip...so I guess I'd have to say the entire cruise was pretty freaking awesome. LOL.

Loved this interview. Best of luck to you, Riley!
Reply Dawn
08:41 AM on December 02, 2010 
Hi Riley. Fun interview. The most exotic place I've been is Costa Rica. That was pretty wild and beautiful. Lots of monkeys and lizards...
Reply Suzanne Johnson
08:52 AM on December 02, 2010 
Great interview, and congrats on the new release! It sounds hot and exotic--a great combination :-) You don't have to enter me in the contest--I'll buy the book anyway. Just loved hearing another author's writing process!
Reply Riley Quinn
09:02 AM on December 02, 2010 
CJ, that place sounds like a little bit of heaven with just enough reality to keep you grounded. I'm not fond of bugs of any kinds so I don't blame you for calling for your man. That's one of his jobs, after all. It's in the fine print of the marriage certificate.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for purchasing Blood Diamond. Your support means a great deal.
Reply Riley Quinn
09:03 AM on December 02, 2010 
Thanks JC. Glad you could stop by. I'm sharing a different never-seen-before excerpt at my blog tomorrow with another chance to win a copy. Stop by and say hi.

I appreciate you stopping by today.
Reply Riley Quinn
09:04 AM on December 02, 2010 
Thanks for stopping by today, Sharon. I'm always happy to provide some inspiration. LOL
Reply Gale
09:06 AM on December 02, 2010 
Good interview! The excerpt sounds great, makes me want to read more. And I love your cover.
Reply Riley Quinn
09:06 AM on December 02, 2010 
Nancy, thank you so much for stopping by. Good luck on your own book. You can do it. The feeling of accomplishment is awesome and when people like it? Indescribable. But you'll know that feeling soon. Keep writing, girl.
Reply Riley Quinn
09:08 AM on December 02, 2010 
Carly, going to Chile sounds amazing. Well, without the earthquake. You have more adventure in you that you realize. And definitely use it in a story.

Thanks for stopping by today.
Reply Riley Quinn
09:09 AM on December 02, 2010 
Ooh, Susan, do tell! LOL I haven't made it to Barbados yet but I'd really like to. Thanks for stopping by and your support. It's greatly appreciated.
Reply sharon Hamilton
09:14 AM on December 02, 2010 
Forgot to say we took a soccer team to Belize and did the eco tourist route like CJ. The first night with all the monkeys I was scared to death. In the morning we woke up to what all the fuss was about: they'd had a great time with the bunch of bananas (5' long bunch) we'd bought at the farmer's market that day, and made the mess hall just that.
Donalted equipment to 3 elementary schools with kids who didn't wear shoes, so soccer cleats were pretty cool to them. And getting to play with a real soccer ball, not a coconut. Salt water showers. My husband had the great fortune to hit a Border Patrol Officer's car at the checkpoint to Guatemala, and was arrested. A little cash, and hey! we were good to go. Sort of ruined one day for me, though, and about as third world as I ever want to get again.
Reply Rachel Firasek
09:24 AM on December 02, 2010 
JC: Woo-Hoo! Thanks for stopping in and for reposting . You're great!!

Sharon: Thanks for stopping in and happy reading!

Nancy: Checkl back often, on top of Riley's amazing interview, there are many more to come. Best of luck on the writing and the contest!
Reply JC Coy
09:30 AM on December 02, 2010 
Riley Quinn says...
Thanks JC. Glad you could stop by. I'm sharing a different never-seen-before excerpt at my blog tomorrow with another chance to win a copy. Stop by and say hi.

I appreciate you stopping by today.

Riley, I'll be picking up a copy so you don't have to enter me in the contest...let someone else have a shot at it. Sounds like a good read.

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