Join us today with a Q&A with FIONA SKYE

1. Tell our followers about yourself Fiona. 

Well, let's see. I live in Tucson, Arizona, with my husband, two kids, three cats, and a Border Collie named Cooper. I've been writing since I was twelve years old; the first thing I wrote that wasn't a school assignment was a short story based on a song by the band White Lion. Remember them? They had a song called “Lady of the Valley” and the lyrics were very evocative. I had an image in my head after listening to it, and just had to write it down. When I was done, I gave it to my English teacher and she helped me improve it. I had a great time writing and editing (I was young; it's my only excuse for enjoying the revision process) and I knew that I'd finally discovered what I wanted to do with the rest of my life.

I'm originally from Edinburgh, Scotland, but I moved to the States in 1992, to attend New York University. I lived in New Orleans and Denver before moving to Tucson in 2000.

I'm a big nerd—I love science fiction, high fantasy, Star Trek, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, role playing games, video games...you get the idea. I also love to cook, crochet, garden (which is really difficult in the desert), and embarrass my teen-aged daughter in front of her friends. It builds character.

2. Would you tell us about THE NIGHT OF REVELATIONS?

It's actually the first chapter of Faerie Tales, which is the first book in a trilogy that I'm calling the Revelations Trilogy. But since it stands on its own and introduces the characters and world I've created, I released it as a short story to whet people's appetites and get them interested in reading more.

The story is about a Tucson reporter, Riley O'Rourke, who is also a werejaguar, and her mentor, who is a 3,000-year-old vampire. Through a series of events, they inadvertently expose their true natures to the world and instead of covering up the evidence, as Riley's done throughout her entire career, she and Onyx decide to reveal the fact that vampires, werecreatures, and things like that are real.

Download a sample chapter HERE

3. Will we find out more of the characters back-story in the next book?

Yes, you'll definitely find out a lot of Riley's backstory, including the reason she moved to Tucson.

4. How many books do you have planned out if this is a series?

As I said, I have three books planned for the moment, but I have more stories in mind. Whether or not they're released as books or novellas or short stories is something I'm still deciding. I like the current trend amongst authors who write big series, where they release short stories and novellas in between books, to sort of fill in blank spots in their characters' lives. I'll probably end up doing something very similar. Plus, it'll help me learn to write short stories, which is something I struggle with. I'm too wordy!  :-D

5. Will we find out how Riley was changed?

Yep, there is a little flashback scene in Faerie Tales, that includes details of the attack that turned Riley into a werejaguar.

6. Where did the inspiration for this originate?

Believe it or not, it was a thunderstorm. Arizona, contrary to popular belief, isn't always dry and hot. During the summer months, we experience some pretty wicked rainstorms, usually accompanied by the most amazing lightning and thunder. Since I'm from a place that doesn't typically have such violent thunderstorms, I was really kind of freaked out. I started thinking about how the wildlife in the area handled it and whether they had an easier time than some humans. One thing led to another, and I built up this character in my head—a woman who is human and animal and how she balances the two sides of her personality.

7. Do you see yourself writing in other areas beside urban horror and fantasy in the future, or is this strictly where you want to continue to work?

I have a half-written murder mystery and maybe the first third of a sci-fi spy novel lingering on my hard drive. I would like to develop these more, since I love both genres as a reader. But I don't think I'll ever leave horror and fantasy behind. It seems like everything I write has some sort of supernatural flavor.

8. Tell us about a typical writing day for you.

I get up at 6:00, make coffee or tea, and immediately turn on the computer. Depending on what my editor has for me, I either work on edits and revisions, or tackle whatever I'm currently working on, for an hour or so. Then, I send my kids off to school, take the dog for a ramble, and eat breakfast. After that, it's back to work until lunch. I do my best work in the morning, so I don't usually work after 1:00. I don't have the TV on while I work—it's way too distracting, but I do always have music on. I have a couple of play lists I created using Spotify that I use, depending on what I'm writing.

9. We have learned that you have a love of yarn and crocheting. Would you tell us about it? What kind of things do you make? 

I actually learned to crochet about four years ago. My sister-in-law was pregnant with her first child and was making the cutest blankets and hats and stuff for the baby. I watched for a while and then decided, “Hey, I can do that, too!” I asked her to teach me the basics, then went to my local yarn store and bought a book that had very basic patterns, some yarn, some hooks, and taught myself the rest. 

 It's incredibly relaxing, mindless work that I can do while my family's watching TV. I also find that I can work through any kind of writer's block I might be having, and figure out tough scenes or plot holes that are driving me crazy. 
I really like making bags. My daughter accuses me of being addicted to making bags, and I don't deny it. I currently have ten or eleven of all different sizes and styles that I've made. I also like making amigurumi, which are Japanese stuffed animals. I've made a couple of owls, a hippo, a few turtles, a rainbow zebra, two one-eyed aliens, and an entire army of tiny bunnies. 

 

10. When you have time, what do you like to read and what are the next three books on your TBR list?I love fantasy, spy thrillers, murder mysteries, and the occasional classic novel, too—especially Jane Austen. I'm currently reading the seventh book in Anne Bishop's “The Black Jewels” series. After I'm done with that, I'll be reading the eighth book in that series, then Kevin Hearne's Hunted, and The Way Of Kings by Brandon Sanderson.

11. Who is your favorite author and if you could spend 15 minutes with them, for a one on one conversation, what would you want to talk about?

This is actually a tough choice for me. I have two favorite authors, Diana Gabaldon and Jim Butcher, and their work is so different from each other's. If I had the proverbial gun to my head, though, I'd choose Jim Butcher. I'd ask all kinds of geeky, technical writer stuff like, “When you wrote Storm Front, did you have Harry's entire story planned out? All fourteen books worth? Do you outline each book or are you a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of guy?” Basically, I'd just like to get into his head and understand his writing process.

12. What are you working on now and what can we look for in the near future from you?

Currently, I'm writing the second book in the Revelations Trilogy, and my weekly serial, called “Gorillas Are Aliens”. I'm also editing Faerie Tales in preparation for the query process, so I can find a home for the trilogy and get it out to my fans...all twenty of you!  ;-)

13. For more information about you, where can our followers find you?

Facebook / Twitter / Website / Goodreads / Pinterest

Fiona is giving away a copy of  THE NIGHT OF REVELATIONS in kindle format to a randomly drawn follower. So leave any comment or question below and be entered to win this exciting new release.