NRR: Can you share with us when you
knew you wanted to become a writer?
I think always. I’ve written
something at pretty much every period in my life. I wrote my first novel,
if you can call it that—I’m not sure it deserves the title—when I was in my
early twenties. But at the time, I was in college and working a full-time
job to stay there, and my free time each week could be counted in
minutes. I used to joke that I had to schedule time to do the laundry,
but it wasn’t that far from the truth! So, bad as the book was, I was
proud of having finished it at all. But at that point, there was simply
no opportunity to work on getting any better. That had to wait until I
finished my studies.
NRR: What was the most challenging
part of writing Hunt The Moon?
I think fitting in everything that
needed to be there and still making it a fun read. Hunt the Moon is a
pivotal book in the series and it contains a lot of information, both about the
characters and about the overarching plot of the series. But I didn’t
want it to read like it. Character development and plot exposition are
great, but they need to be done in conjunction with the crazier/funnier aspects
of the book or they can get a little overwhelming. I think the trickiest part
of Hunt the Moon for me was finding that balance.
NRR: How were you inspired to write
Cassie's character?
I suppose reading a lot of other
urban fantasy and wondering why there wasn’t a character like that. I
wanted to write something different and no one was doing anything with
seers. Plus Cassie had to be the way she is for the plot of the series to
work. All of the characters are really there for plot-related reasons.
NRR: What is your guilty pleasure?
World of Warcraft. Yes, I am
that much of a geek. I have a level 80 undead warrior I am dying to try
out in Cataclysm—the newest release--but haven’t had the time. WOW, for
those not on the crack yet, is one of the internet’s biggest time sinks, and
these days, I am being forced to go cold turkey due to RL concerns. But I
will be back! Oh, yes. And the Alliance shall tremble.
NRR: Readers enjoy following the
adventures of Cassie's life. Is there one scene out of all your novels that is
your favorite?
That’s like asking a parent which of
their kids they prefer! But if I had to choose, I’d probably say the scenes
in Hunt the Moon when Cassie and Pritkin are discussing what happened to his
wife. I had wanted to write those for a while, but didn’t have a good
plot-related reason. But they were needed in this book, and I was really happy
with how they came out.
NRR: I'm sure you are asked this
question repeatedly. Which male lead do you find better suited for Cassie.
Mircea or Pritkin? (It is a tie for me!)
Hm, I’m not sure how to answer
that. They are both complex characters who have their good points and
their not-so-good points. And both of them interact with Cassie in very
different ways. She brings out different things in each man, and they in her,
so each of the relationships is unique. Comparing them is like apples and
oranges; it doesn’t really work.
NRR: Can you share the storyline to
Hunt The Moon?
Because this book is so full of
answers, I can’t say much about the plot without also giving spoilers.
But I can say that I think Hunt the Moon does for the series’ character
development what Curse the Dawn did for its world building. You don’t
learn all of everyone’s secrets (or there’d be no need for more books!)
But you do get the pivotal moment in each of the three main characters’ pasts
that made them the way they are today.
NRR: What can fans expect to see
next from you?
I am currently working on the next
Dorina Basarab novel and, of course, the next Cassie. There’s also a Dory
short story in the anthology Chicks Kick Ass due out June 7, the same day as
Hunt The Moon.
