The Next Big Thing… we all like to think we will be.  I suppose there can only be so many Twilight’s in a lifetime, but you never know… right?

We are blog hopping our way through some new reads.  For those who aren’t familiar with a blog hop… To me it’s kind of like a treasure hunt – once you find something on one blog you hop on over to the next blog link for more treasure.  In this case, the treasure is a wealth of new and exciting books.  Some are still being written, some are just being released.  Either way, for fiction lovers… It’s a treasure and I’d like to thank Victoria Danann for tagging me to participate.

In this particular hop I answer 10 questions… you get to learn about my current WIP (work in progress), some of the characters I’ve come to think of as real, and how I got to the point of being nuts enough to write down over 70 thousand words worth of what the voices in my head have been whispering to me.  When it’s all said & done… comments and questions are always welcome.

What is the working title of your book?

‘Vortex,’ it is the first book in a trilogy called Return of The Effra. I am currently writing the second book which is called ‘Wicked Game.’

Where did the idea come from for the book?

It came from a number of places. It is set in our world where Sam comes from and in an alternative parallel universe where Damian is from. Damian’s world has been in my head since I was a young teenager, but the story itself was influenced mainly by music I listen too. At the time I had the idea for the story I had just bought Muse’s album ‘Haarp‘ which I love and I while googling Magi I discovered a Swedish group called Grand Magus, who I really love too. I tend to have music playing continuously and I’m always listening out for songs that I think go with the stories I’m writing or maybe dreaming up stories that go with the music I’m listening to!

What genre does your book fall under?

Definitely fantasy, it also falls into the YA genre though it could also be described as fantasy romance, paranormal or paranormal romance!

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

I haven’t found anyone for Sam yet, suggestions would be welcome! 😀

When I started to write Vortex I had a very definite idea what Damian looked like. After I had written around a fifth of the manuscript I had also been reading Eragon and I took out the film to watch. Half way through the film the character Murtagh turns up and he looked exactly like I had imagined Damian would look. So I would definitely cast Garrett Hedlund as Damian.

There is only one actor I can imagine playing Etienne, Rutger Hauer . He is one of my favourite actors and he played a character called Etienne Navarre in one of my most favourite films from when I was a young ‘Lady Hawk‘. Well worth a watch, if only for the scene near the end with the horses in the cathedral!

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

Sam must overcome her distrust, fear and disbelief in order to help Damian save his world from ours.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

I have self published Vortex as I wanted to be able to make my own decisions. I originally sent my manuscript to a few agents, but at the time it still needed work. After I had revisited it and sorted out the issues I then made the decision not to resend it. I set up my own publishing company and set about publishing it myself. I have to admit to making plenty of mistakes, but I’m very proud of the final result and have to say I have enjoyed the whole process, it has left me with a great sense of achievement.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

The first draft took me around 18 months, but I was only writing for pleasure and when I had time. When I started I didn’t imagine I would ever get round to finishing it, so I hadn’t given myself any time scales. I have to say I was quite shocked when I actually did finish it!

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

To be honest I can’t think of any books I have read that compare to Vortex, but that is because I haven’t read many books in this particular genre

Who or What inspired you to write this book?

When I read books I get so absorbed in the story that I feel lost when I arrive at the end. If I feel the story doesn’t have a satisfactory ending I feel let down. I had just read such a book before I started ‘Vortex’ and it made me wonder whether I could write a story and then I would be able to have it end how I wanted it to.

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

Unlike a lot of other stories in this genre Vortex is told in the third person from two points of view. The greater part of the story is told from Sam’s point of view, but it is interlaced with chapters told from Damian’s point of view too, so you get to see the story unfold  from both sides. Vortex is not only a romance, but an adventure with a race against time, there’s mystery and distrust woven around a struggle against evil and all tied up in fate and an old prophesy.

Now to tag some fabulous blogs to follow on next week!

Kay Kauffmen – Suddenly They All Died

Corina Lombardi – Pink Fluffy Hearts

Jodie Pierce – The Vampire Queen

So far I have only found three blogs to tag so there is space for another two. If you would like to take part just let me know!

Thanks again to the lovely Victoria Danann for tagging me, if you haven’t visited her awesome blog yet then go here and check it out!!