So, Kayelle, what inspired you to become a writer?
My mother loved writing, and always wanted to be published. She loved crossword puzzles, and I would do them with her. I probably annoyed her because I had to ask for help so often, but she always told me the words or showed me how to find the answers. The upshot was, I fell in love with words and language. In Junior High School, my literature teacher taught us how authors made us see an image -- what the secrets were. I was awestruck. And then later, when I read Mary Renault's book The Persian Boy, I knew I wanted to be able to create a world that breathed the way hers did. It took me most of my life to get up the gumption to try, but I did it.
When did you attempt your first story? What length was it? What's become of it?
I was 18 when I wrote my first novel. It's in a box somewhere in the basement, but pieces of it survived and became part of the universe I created for my current books.
How many stories did you complete before you sold your first?
I'm not sure I completed more than the first one. That was my problem. I would start, get well into the story, and lose interest. Or, I'd be most of the way through and not finish because I couldn't figure out how to end it. I don't do that anymore. I begin with the end in mind now. That's one of the habits of highly effective people -- and it works for me as a writer.
What genre(s) do you write in? What drew you to write in it/them? What’s your favorite genre of all to write in?
I write Science Fiction Romance, Fantasy, and non-fiction. I've loved SciFi since I was a little girl. Both my parents read it, loved it on TV, and so I sort of fell into it naturally. Although I must say that I didn't love everything they did -- I could never get into sitcoms as a kid and still don't like them -- they were influential in my SciFi reading habits. I prefer SciFi to everything else.
What are the best and worst pieces of writing advice you ever received?
Worst: Don't bother writing because you're over 40 and no one will read your work. Best: Don't let anyone steal your dream. (I give this advice out now myself.)
How do you celebrate/deal with acceptance/rejection letters?
In regard to the book you’re promoting, which actor and actress do you envision playing the roles of your hero and heroine? If there’s a villain or other characters who are pertinent to the story, who would play those parts?
You know, I don't have anyone in mind for the roles of my two heroes, Luc and Izzorah. But there is a model who'd be wonderful as the villain, Pietas. I don't know his name, but if you'd like to see what he looks like, I created wallpaper with his face on it and you can download it from my website. http://kayelleallen.com/Wallpaper.html He's about halfway down the page. I created the images myself in Photoshop, using royalty free stock photos. I spent a lot of time searching for the right look for my two heroes, but so far, have only found torso shots (no heads). Wish I could!
The book you’re promoting, is it a stand-alone story or part of a series? If it’s part of a series, please list the order the books need to be read in for maximum reading enjoyment.
Surrender Love is book one of a series, and contains characters from two other series. It can be read by itself. Enough backstory is sprinkled throughout the book to get the gist of anything missed. However, if you really want the entire story of how Luc came to be where he is, then the Tales of the Chosen trilogy is the place to start.
*** Now for some fun info… ***
Would you/have you own(ed) a snake or some other exotic pet?
No snakes, but I do have birds. My husband and I live in north Georgia with two banshee-shrieking parakeets, a territorial dove, and a neurotic cockatiel. Despite our pets, we're quite sane. Well...most of the time.
Which do you prefer: rain or sun & warm weather or cold weather?
I grew up in Nevada, and walked to school in 100 degree temperatures. Heat didn't bother me. My husband grew up in Alaska, and walked to school in snow. (Our poor kids could never use weather as an excuse not to go to school.) Now, I live in north Georgia, and the weather is never the same from hour to hour. Honestly, if you don't like the weather here, just wait a few minutes. ;)
If you could live anywhere in the universe, where would it be and why?
I'd want to live on the planet Tarth, across the galaxy from here. Fat chance, but since I created it for my books, I know it well enough to feel as if I'd be at home. Besides, I also created Luc Saint-Cyr, who lives there in the largest, most grand building in Tarth City, and I know he'd take me in. ^_^ His home is the Nizamrak Building, which is Karmazin backward. I named it to honor author Barbara Karmazin, who was my mentor when I first began writing. She passed away from cancer, and every time I see or write the name, I think of her, and remember the good times and good advice she shared with me.
*** About Kayelle’s book/series… ***
Not rebound, payback, loneliness, or great sex, and far beyond love. This is surrender.
In the beds of countless lovers, the immortal Luc Saint-Cyr has been mastered as well as master, commanded as well as commander. When his mortal lover leaves him, the distraught Luc withdraws and devotes himself to work. His entertainment company throws a ceremony for their most successful rock group, and Luc meets drummer Izzorah "Rah" Ceeow, one of the feline Kin race. Rah's dark hair and velvety, golden furskin captivate Luc. Pert cat's ears and a quick smile lighten his mood, and one look into Rah's emerald eyes, deep and tranquil as a forest pool, and troubles cease.
He suspects the mid-twenties male is a virgin, and Luc, fascinated by Rah's quiet serenity and lack of guile, longs for a deeper, closer relationship. Savoring Rah's surrender will be as delicious as taking him. Luc will force nothing. Rah will give himself to Luc when he is ready to surrender his innocence, to capitulate every part of himself to Luc's command. Rah will open himself and let himself be taken. Luc's anticipation and desire are palpable; as real as his hunger for faithful, unconditional love. But to gain Rah, how much of himself is Luc willing to surrender?
Buy Surrender Love here:
Loose Id: http://www.loose-id.com/Surrender-Love.aspxKindle: http://is.gd/surrenderlove_amz
Nook: http://is.gd/surrenderlove_bn
Fictionwise: http://is.gd/surrenderlove_fw
Heat Level: R=graphic sex, plus extreme cuddling, tenderness, and the seduction of a virgin who knows exactly what -- and who -- he wants.
This book is the 2010 EPIC Award Winner in Science Fiction Erotic Romance, and was the Love Romances & More runner up for Best SciFi/Futuristic of 2009. It won their contest for Best Cover. Anne Cain was the artist. It also made the Romance Junkies Reviewers' Favorite List in 2009. I've been working on a sequel to it for three long freaking years, called Surrender Trust. I told my editor I was seriously thinking of calling it Surrender Hope, when I finally realized what the problem was with the book. I have since corrected it, am working on a rewrite, and hope to be able to say it's been turned in to the publisher by the time this blog goes live. Either way, it won't defeat me. I will finish it. I do not quit. It might take me awhile to get started, but I don't quit.
***Find Kayelle here***
Homeworld ~ http://kayelleallen.com
Facebook ~ http://facebook.com/kayelleallen.author and/or http://facebook.com/kayelle.allen
Twitter ~ http://twitter.com/kayelleallen
Romance Lives Forever Yahoo Group ~ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/romancelivesforever
The Edge of Peril - the world of the immortals ~ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/edgeofperil/
Unstoppable Heroes ~ http://kayelleallen.blogspot.com
Romance Lives Forever – Blog ~ http://romancelivesforever.blogspot.com/
Thank you for joining us here today, Kayelle! It was a pleasure getting to know you and your work.
CONTEST! Yay! Kayelle says...
I'll provide a copy of the book Jawk, Tales of the Chosen. This book was released prior to Surrender Love, and details the reason that Luc is a bachelor in the beginning of Surrender Love. To win a copy of the book, email me at kayelle@kayelleallen.com and put CR Moss blog in the subject. I'll send everyone who enters a book of puzzles created to go along with my books. I'll draw one name to win a download of Jawk three days after this post appears, and contact them by email. When you enter the contest, let me know if you prefer Jawk in pdf format, or mobi (for Kindle).
3 comments:
Thank you for hosting me, CR! I'm glad to be here and have been looking forward to it. I'll check comments throughout the day and reply to any questions. Don't forget to email me for a copy of the puzzle book!
Revealing interview. I fell in love with The Persian Boy because of a gay friend's recommendation. He looks like your model for Wulf.
Funny you should say that, Julie. Wulf is masculine and yet has a gentleness about him that I think fits the Persian Boy character as well. I'm planning another book in the future that will feature Wulf and Alitus, who get together in Jawk. It's odd to have characters who are in relationships in one book end up with other characters, but in this world, that happens. Thanks for the comment.
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