Welcome To Club Hell: Interview & Book Spotlight with Adrian Phoenix

I would love to welcome the Awesome & Kick Ass  Adrian Phoenix author of The Maker’s Song Series and The HooDoo Series to the blog today. (FAN~GIRL MOMENT SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEE) This is an awesome birthday gift having you visit me today. Maybe if I am lucky Dante will stop by. :)

I had the privilege to interview Adrian and I am going to share that with you now along with a book spotlight on On Midnight Wings book 5 in The Maker's Song Series. Adrian is also giving 2 LUCKY Winners a copy of any of her books that are out I will List Them Below 

Adrian can you please tell us a little bit about yourself?

Adrian: First, let me wish you a very happy birthday, Anna! I’ve heard rumors that Dante plans to drop by on Twitter on your special day (Well, I guess it’d be evening since he’ll be Sleeping during the day.) And thanks so much for having me. As for about me, not much to say, really. I’m a writer (duh), I love reading, watching movies, and trying to think up ways to entertain my feline brood.  LOL.

What do you come up with first in starting a story: Title? Characters? Plot? Setting? Conflict?

Adrian: I always start with characters. Everything revolves around the characters. The setting is second, then the plot. Title is dead last. Sometimes a what-if idea will spark the whole thing.

Who or what is your inspiration?

Adrian: Music is generally my inspiration. Lyrics and songs trigger various emotions and images. Some of my favorites are NIN, Linkin Park, Anders Manga, C.C. Adcock and tons of movie soundtracks and scores.

What keeps you writing?

Adrian: I love it. And now that I have readers, all of you keep me writing too. J

How long have you been writing?

Adrian: Since school. I used to write angsty teen short stories for my sisters and my friends.  LOL. I guess things haven’t changed all that much.

Is there a genre you wouldn’t write in? Why?

Adrian: No, not really. I would write in whatever genre my story belonged in. 

Is there a genre you would like to write in that you have not done yet? Why?

Adrian: I’ve written in several different genres, just haven’t published in them yet. I love historicals (paranormal and not), and mysteries. I plan to publish stories that I’ve written in those genres under different names so readers will know what to expect when they pick up a book/story under that name. 

Authors have their ups and downs – choosing whether or not to self publish or try traditional route, dry spells (writers block), or just the real life chaos that demands their attention – has there ever been a moment you thought to yourself “ why in the hell am I doing this “? Since we are having this interview we know you worked out the problem, how did you get past it?

Adrian: I think self-publishing and traditional are both valid paths and have followed both. I plan to self-publish more of my short stories. No, there’s never been a time when I wondered why I was writing—that has never been in doubt or an issue. For me, I’ve had more difficulties with time management and health issues. The pulmonary embolism I survived in 2009 had a huge impact on me, a larger one than I even realized at the time. Between day jobs, deadlines, and life, time management has been my bane—something I’m working on improving every day. J

Any WIP? Care to share it with us?

Adrian: I’m working on book 6 of The Maker’s Song and then I’ll be jumping into book 3 of the Hoodoo series. I hope to squeeze in the time to start the first book in The Sons of Darkness series too. J

Here’s links to the opening chapters in a couple of my books:

You can read a chapter from the first book in The Maker’s Song series. Here’s a link to the first chapter of A Rush of Wings.

Here’s the first chapter of Black Dust Mambo. (Hoodoo Book 1)

And the first two chapters of Black Heart Loa. (Hoodoo Book 2)

Do you have a particular time or place that makes writing easier?

Adrian: Nope. I prefer my own office, of course, but I’ll take any time that’s available since I’ve got a full-time day job at the moment. I’ve even used lunch hours and breaks to work on my current project.

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

Adrian: No, I haven’t. But I’d be willing, depending on the co-author. I’d love to write with Jeaniene Frost or D.B. Reynolds.

Do you remember when your interest in writing came about?

Adrian: Not an exact moment, no. I’ve always loved reading since the first moment I learned how and the desire to write just evolved naturally from there.

Any parting words for aspiring authors readers and or fans?

Adrian: Just always be true to yourself and follow your heart. You truly can do anything you set your heart and mind on. I also want to thank everyone for their support, love, and patience during this last difficult year. It means more to me than you know. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I love y’all!

Happy Birthday, Anna!!

Just for FUN

Mac or PC? PC.

Twitter or Facebook? Facebook (though I like Twitter too).

Tea of Coffee? Coffee.

Favorite Adult Beverage? Red wine.

Favorite Quote? A lyric from Muse: “Don’t waste time or time will waste you.”

Favorite Movie? Well, one of my favorites is: MegaMind.

Title: On Midnight Wings

Author: Adrian Phoenix

Series: The Maker's Song (#5)

Genre: Paranormal/Urban Fantasy

Publisher: Pocket

Release Date: Oct. 1 2013

Editions/Formats It Will Be Available In: E~Book and Print

As Dante Baptiste’s true identity as both True Blood and Fallen ripples throughout New Orleans, he and Heather struggle for their lives against different foes, fighting their way back to each other. To free herself from her father’s treachery, Heather accepts help from an ally–and steps into even greater danger. Dante, lost to his brutal past, wavers between his own sense of self and the Bad Seed-programmed S that lurks within, between the never-ending Road and the Great Destroyer. And the danger of becoming both.

Lucien searches frantically for the lovers, all too aware that time is running out. Dark forces continue to gather, eager to possess and manipulate the young vampire for their own ends. The fate of mortals, nightkind, and the Fallen pivots around Dante as he struggles to piece together his shattered psyche and gain control of his power before he rips all three worlds asunder.

Where did the inspiration for this story come from?  What is the story behind the story so to speak? 

This is the fifth book in the series, so it continues from what went before. LOL. But the inspiration for the story that began in the first book of the series, A Rush of Wings, was the NIN album, The Downward Spiral. The music gave birth to Dante, then his world fell into place.

Tell us about the book cover. How does it represent your book?  How did you choose the artwork? 

I didn’t choose the artwork, the publisher does that. I think the art (by Craig White) is wonderful and represents the characters well enough. Would I do them differently, sure. But I’m happy with the art.

Where can readers find out more about you and your work?

www.adrianphoenix.com, Facebook Fan Page,  Twitter,  MySpace,  Goodreads, Pocket After Dark

The Maker's Song Series
A Rush of Wings (#1)
In The Blood (#2)
Beneath The Skin (#3)
Etched In Bone (#4)
The Hoodoo Series
Black Dust Mambo  (#1)
Black Heart Loa (#2)
Caught Forever Between (#2.5) E~Book Only Available For This One 

As a writer, a person, and a mother, I’ve always believed in following your dreams, following your heart. It’s also important to keep your heart, so I also believe in being prepared for zombie attacks and can’t stress enough the importance of having regular family drills so every member of the household is zombie-ready. One never knows. Make sure the sofa is ready to push in front of the door. Be clear that if a member of the family is on the wrong side of the door when the zombie action goes down. They remain on the wrong side of the door. The greater good, etc.

I live in Springfield, Oregon in a zombie-free home (except when meeting deadlines) with three cats, Amiga, Keats, and Emily and have two sons and three grandchildren and two granddogs. I’m the author of The Maker’s Song and Hoodoo series and short stories (the short stuff usually under Adrian Nikolas Phoenix).
I love to read and see movies, enjoy hiking with my granddog, Cielo, (immortalized in Black Dust Mambo and Black Heart Loa), and hanging out with friends.
I also love creepy things and yearns to go on a paranormal investigation. I also hope to do a haunted tour one day.
I also love, love, love music – and anything by Trent Reznor is high on the list. I also love to hear from my readers and fans, So please feel free to contact me via my website or any other social media.