Author Spotlight Ashes and Ice by Rochelle Maya Callen

Title: Ashes & Ice
Author: Rochelle Maya Callen
Series: Ashes & Ice (#1)
Genre: YA/Fantasy/Paranormal
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: February 4 2013




She is desperate to remember.
He is aching to forget.
Together, they are not broken.
But together, one may not survive.

​Jade wakes up with no memory of her past and blood on her hands.

Plagued by wicked thoughts, she searches for answers. Instead, she finds a boy who doesn't offer her answers, but hope. But sometimes, when nightmares turn into reality and death follows you everywhere, hope is not enough.

Where do the ideas for your books come from?

With Ashes and Ice, the whole story was based on a character sketch I made when I was 12. With other stories, a scene or specific image will hit me and then I just sit and think about the world that image came from. The process looks like this: image hits! Free write! Outline! Repeat :) 

Have you ever co-written book/books? If so was it difficult? If not would you ever consider co-writing with another author?

I haven't! I'm not sure... it requires incredible skill to be able to collaborate on a manuscript. I think it would be a fun (and difficult) process.

Where do you get your character names from?

I use some of my favorite names. Other names, I mess around with letters or check into name meanings. Baby name books are awesome!

What type of research goes into your writing?

So far, much of my research has been for very specific issues I am trying to work out. I enjoy writing fantasy because I can create so much. I do LOVE researching ghost stories, mythology, and anything supernatural. A few things I thought were cool were I would create a world or magical element and then would find some sort of myth/legend that was associated with it. I have a few books in mind that will require a lot of research! I look forward to those!

Are your family and friends supportive of your writing?

My mother's side of the family has always been extremely supportive of creative expression. We used to publish annual art and poetry books as a family. On the flip side, I think it important to mention (especially for those who have been in this situation) that I also had people who were very close to me who were very much opposed to my writing. It hurt terribly. I even tried to let go of it.  But my love for writing was too much a part of me, so I was direct: be supportive (or at least be quiet) or go away (or I'm going away) or watch me be unhappy. The message was recieved and I am now happily writing with support on all sides :)

Do you remember when your interest in writing came about?

Seven. I would do little picture books. I wanted to be a novelist until I was 13. When I was 13, I went into high school and lost interest in writing until after college. I started writing again when I was 22 (2 years after college).

Other then writing what are your interest?

Family is #1. Reading, Movies, Dancing all fall in after that :)

Did you learn anything from writing your books, if so what was it?

Get 'er done! It is so easy to procrastinate. But even if you just spend 15 minutes a day writing (or working toward any goal) then you'll work 5,475 minutes a year on that project. That's a lot of minutes! Think of all you could accomplish!

What are your current WIP? Can you share with us?

Ashes and Ice book 2! I'll announce the release date later this year. Then I will decide if I will release book 3 or a stand-alone after that. The stand-alone will be set in Mexico and will be a contemporary fantasy that revolves around mexican myths. I wish I could write faster! I have 3 other projects on the bench right now.

Faves

Food

EEK. Depends on mood: Mole (no not the blind mouse, Mole with an accent over the "e". It is a Mexican dish with chicken, sauce, tortillas, and queso fresco), Shrimp Ceviche, or Seafood Alfredo.

Color

Blue

Movie

OMG. This is so hard. Top faves: Braveheart, A Time To Kill, Justice for All, and pretty much any romantic comedy :)

This or That

Day or Night

Night

Rain or Snow

I love thunderstorms.

Facebook or Twitter

Facebook... but I have started Twitter!

Mac or PC

PC. I am debating making the switch.

Coffee or Tea

COFFEE!!! I love coffee.

 Rochelle grew up dreaming up stories. When she entered high school, she tucked away her creative side and jumped head-first into academics, work, and service projects. She graduated summa cum laude with a degree in Political Science and Communication when she was twenty years old. After years away from her writing, Rochelle picked up a pen and started fleshing out a character sketch that she outlined when she was twelve. That sketch was the start of the Ashes and Ice story. Rochelle lives in the DC metro area with her husband and daughter. By day she works as a behavioral therapist. By night, she is a dreamer and is busy tapping out new stories on her keyboard.

Places to Find Rochelle

Facebook 

Goodreads

Twitter

Website

Places to Find Ashes & Ice

Amazon

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