Author Interview & SIGNED “Ascension” Giveaway w/ Sable Grace!

Sable Grace is the writing team of Heather Waters & Laura Barone. They are behind the great new series “Dark Breed” with its first installment, Ascension!

Check out my interview with the writing team and the awesome giveaway they are offering! =)

When did you first start writing?

As Sable Grace, we started writing together in late 2007. That story was set aside because we’d written ourselves in so many circles we couldn’t find a way out anymore and began the Dark Breed novels in December of 2008 and sold it in June of 2009.

Did each of you start individually or did you always write together?

Lauren: I can’t think of a time when I didn’t write. I started out writing poetry while in school, then moved to rewriting short stories because I didn’t like the way a song or book left the ending open, to novels. I think it’s just a part of who I am and what I’ve always done.

Heather: I never got into poetry but I’ve been writing novels and songs since I was in elementary school. I began trying to write for “real” in 2000 and sold my first two books to Berkley in 2005 under my own name.

Have you always enjoyed Fantasy?

L: There aren’t many genres I don’t enjoy. If it’s a good story then I’m open to give it a try.

H: I’ll read pretty much anything that doesn’t have laser guns and space ships. I love horror, fantasy, romance, historical romance, women’s fiction, suspense. If it can hook me fast, I’m along for the ride.

Why write Urban Fantasy?

H: Wow, why not? What’s not to love? Virtually anything goes, everyone has a sexy side and no one takes crap from anyone. It’s amazing!

L: It’s an awesome genre where all the amazing creatures that usually hide in the shadows get to come out and play.

Were there any Books, Movies or Writers that have inspired either you?

L: Growing up, I lost myself in the world of Garwood and Deveraux and just about any Harlequin/Silhouette author out there. Their stories helped me get through some of the toughest times of my life and I will always be grateful to them all for doing what they love.

H: Don’t let her fool you. I’m the Garwood fan in this duo. I actually met her in Reno and (I never cry) bawled like a fan girl groupie. That said, I was influenced a lot earlier than my first romance novel. I read authors like Christopher Pike and RL Stine like they were candy when I was young and progressed to historical romance before I hit high school – thanks to my mom who knew I was smart enough to read it
with some semblance of maturity.

What is your favorite subject in the Urban Fantasy Realm?

H: Girl saves guy. Loving that one A LOT.

L: Well, it’s not a subject, but I love that there’s always the opportunity to explore new ideas, give a twist on an old idea, and let your imagination soar with all the awesome creatures that we’ve all read about and had hoped to one day see in a book.

I loved the Mythology elements in "Ascension" and how it melded with the usual UF lore, any particular reason why you decided to have this world built around it?

When the book originally opened, the Fates were the ones in need of replacement and the books were going to revolve around the three Chosen who would take their place. Then, when our heroine turned out not to be the true heroine of the story, it shifted to finding replacements for all the gods.

Favorites:

Favorite Paranormal themed Movie?

L: The Exorcist

H: I’m a sucker for horror. Blair Witch, even Paranormal Activity have been highlights over the last decade. Early on, though, a movie called the Changeling scared the sh*t out of me.

Favorite Paranormal themed TV Show?

L: Supernatural

H: Used to be Supernatural. Then it went and got a little too silly for me. I miss Charmed, though!

Favorite Paranormal themed Book?

L: Harry Potter

H:Definitely Harry Potter. Though, I think that’s fantasy. So um, paranormal would have to be Dance with the Devil by Sherrilyn Kenyon. Sucker punch right to the gut with that book.

Favorite Author?

L: Stephen King

H: JK Rowling, Julie Garwood

Favorite Urban Fantasy Author?

H: I have A LOT, and have made a lot of friend who write the genre. Rather not leave any of them out, so I’ll just say all the ladies at supernaturalunderground.blogspot.com are brilliant.

L: I’m going to bow to Heather on this one because her answer is so true and deserves repeating.

Favorite Genre that is NOT your own?

L: Horror

H: Still a sucker for a good historical romance

Favorite one of your Books?

L: Well, I would say Book 3 because we just finished it, but I have to go with Ascension because it just came out and being the first, it deserves the honor of favorite . . . for now

H: I can’t pick that! They all are for different reasons!

Who is your favorite of your own characters?

L: Geoffrey because he just enjoys himself so much.

H: I have a soft spot for Haven. Wish I could have been nicer to her.

Which was the hardest to write?

L: Nettles. Absolutely adore her and we spent more time digging her out of the deleted files than we have snarky comebacks.

H: Again, haven. For reasons I don’t want to spoil here.

What would you be if not a writer?

L: An alcoholic? It would be one way to deal with the depression associated with not writing. Really, though, I guess an English teacher because I owe my love for reading and writing to a lot of really good teachers.

H: Forensic psychologist. I’m excellent at reading people’s motives and intentions and would love to develop that particular quirk a bit more.

If you could be a Paranormal Being, Who would you be?

L: A Vampire. The strength and power would be nice, but not sure I could deal with the drinking of blood part. Maybe a demigod might be a better answer. I still get fangs, have strength and power, and none of the blood.

H: A witch. I like the normalcy that comes with it compared to other races.

If you could meet any Urban Fantasy Character out there, Who would you like to meet?

L: Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Zarek. In my heart, he still needs a homemade loaf of bread.

H: I’d love to meet Kyana. I’d introduce her to my husband so she’d know there really are good guys out there.

Quickies:

Vampires or Werewolves?
L: Vampires
H: Vamps
Angels or Demons?
L: Demons
H:angels
Gods or Demigods?
L: demigods
H:gods
Reading or Writing?
L: Both?
H: writing
Print or eBook?
L:Print

H:print
Hardback or Paperback?
L: Paperback
H: paperback
YA novels or Adult novels?
L: Adult novel
H:adult
Library or Bookstore?
L: Library
H: bookstore
Summer or Winter?
L: Winter
H:winter
The Movie or The Book?
L: The Book
H: the book
PNR or UF?
L: PRN
H: both!

What is your favorite part of the writing process?

L: The start of a new story, the creating process and seeing where the story is going to go and what curves the characters are going to throw into the mix.

H: The plotting and world building. After that, the revision after the mess has been made.

What is your least favorite part?

L: Trying to make the idea in my head turn into a logical explanation when it’s on the page.

H: The synopsis!

The Dark Breed Series in your own words?

Girl hates humans. Saves humans. Hates men, saves men. Is helped by men and humans. Girl has to suck it up and thank them. Girl tries to save world, fails, tries, fails, tries, fails…..

Any plans for more Books in the series?

Absolutely! We hope to see the series live on for a very long time. We know for sure you’ll see Kyana again in books 2 and 3, and have book 4 in progress. That’s all we can say for now!

Do you have a long term plan for the characters and the series in general, or are you writing it as you go along?

L: We have a pretty good idea where the characters are going to end up but the how we’re going to get them there is still in the works.

H: She’s such a liar! LOL. We know where the characters were when we wrapped up book 3. But as for where they are headed, I’m clueless! And since I plot them, so is she!!!!!!!!!!!

L: I was trying to make us look like we knew what we were doing. Way to screw it up

What is coming up next for you?

Book 2 of the Dark Breed Novel series is scheduled for a Jan 2012 release, so that’s our next milestone. Well, that and revision on Book 3 and writing Book 4 and ….

What are you working on right now?

Book 4 of the Dark Breed Novel series. We haven’t started it yet, but as soon as we have some idea of what torture to bring down on the characters, we’ll start to get our hands dirty again.

Do you have any advice or tip to those that want to become a published Author someday?

Stay hungry and never give up. Anything worth having is worth working and fighting for. Put your fear aside and toss your hat in the ring as many times as it takes to see your dreams become a reality.

Rejection isn’t proof of failure. It’s proof of trying. Any more clichés we can throw in here? Think we got ‘em all.

Thank you so much for being here!

Thanks so much for having us!

Find Sable Grace Online:

Facebook fan page | Twitter | Goodreads | Blog

Buy Sable’s Books:

Amazon.com | Book Depot | Barnes and Noble

Check Out:

My Review of Ascension!

 

 

1st Prize:

A SIGNED Copy of “Ascension” + Signed Cover Flat!

2nd Prize:

Signed Cover Flat!

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