Do you plan everything or just let the story flow?
Hi! Thanks so much for hosting me today. It’s great to be here.
Planning a story? No. I usually have a few plot points in mind, and I know my characters before I start writing, but I like to be surprised along the way.
Do your characters ever want to take over the story?
All the time! They’re very pushy, and if I don’t follow their lead, I get lost in the weeds.
What is your favourite food?
Tex-Mex. Nachos with all the trimmings—beef, tomatoes, guacamole, sour cream, and black olives. Mmm!
Are you a morning person or a night owl?
A night owl. I fall asleep a few hours before my husband gets up to go to work. I’ve tried to be a morning person, but it isn’t in the cards.
Where do you dream of travelling to and why?
Coincidentally, the UK. I want to see London in the worst way. I write British heroes in my Beauty and the Brit series and am a bit of an Anglophile.
Do distant places feature in your books?
Despite my British heroes, I’ve stuck to the US for my settings—places I’ve visited and know well.
Do you listen to music while writing?
Never. I listen to white noise.
Could you tell us a bit about your latest release?
Dispelled features my heroine, Holly James. She’s a null—an outcast in the magical community—but hires herself out to Others when they need to suppress their powers. When two witches turn up dead, Holly nullifies spell. Soon, she finds herself tangled in a mystery and butting heads with lead investigator, Cade McAllister.
What have you learned about writing and publishing since you first started?
I’ve worked with a smaller press which gave me a lot of experience promoting my work. My larger press has great distribution. I really didn’t understand anything about distribution until signing with them. This is my first indie book, and I’ve learned so much doing everything myself, from the cover, to hiring editors, and formatting. I think indie publishing has taught me the nuts and bolts of the business.
Is there anything you would do differently?
No. I don’t believe in regrets. I wouldn’t change a thing. Starting with a smaller press was a great way to get my feet wet in this business.
Who, or what, if anything has influenced your writing?
I’m influenced by the types of books I like to read. I’m drawn to great dialog and smart heroines with a sassy attitude.
Anything you would say to those just starting out in the craft?
I’m a firm believer that there’s no “right way” of starting. Just jump in and play around with the process. Find out what works for you. It might be outlining or a mind map. Get into a good critique group of people you can trust with your work and strive to get better with each manuscript.
What are three words that describe you?
Snarky. Quirky. Homebody.
What's your favourite book or who is your favourite writer?
Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning. I’ve read it so many times, and it never gets old.
List of previous books if any
The Rose Strickland Mystery series:
Diners, Dives and Dead Ends
Last Diner Standing
Diner Impossible
Diner Knock Out
Heartache Motel
Beauty and the Brit series:
His Every Need
To Be His
His Kind of Trouble
His to Keep
Any websites/places readers can find you on the web.
Website: http://www.terrilaustin.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAustin
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TerriLAustin
All About the Tea: https://www.allaboutthetea.com
Thanks again for having me on Books and Tales!
***
A
Null for Hire Novel
Book
One
Terri
L. Austin
Genre:
urban fantasy
Date
of Publication: Nov. 1, 2016
ISBN
ebook: 978-1-946066-00-8
ISBN
print: 978-1-946066-01-5
Number
of pages: 340
Word
Count: 90,000
Cover
Artist: http://www.thedarkrayne.com/
Book
Description:
They
call me an abomination. A mutant. A curse on their kind.
I
don’t let it bother me. Much.
My
name is Holly James, and what they say is true. I’m a freak of
nature—a null. My mere presence zaps the magic from Others,
rendering them powerless. That’s why they hate me. But here’s the
kicker: I’ve found a way to profit from my lack of mojo.
Whether
it’s acting as a mystical wet blanket in a dispute between
pyromancers or keeping hormonal shifters from changing during a sweet
sixteen party, I provide a highly specialized service. For a hefty
fee.
When
a young witch turns up dead, clutching an amulet cursed with black
magic, my estranged grandfather asks for my help. In return for
nullifying the necklace, Gramps promises to find my missing mother—a
witch who vanished after my birth. Of course there’s a catch. He
wants me to assist Cade McAllister, the arrogant sorcerer in charge
of investigating the case.
Cade
resents my existence, let alone my attempts to help. Still, I’ll do
whatever it takes to find my mom. For my own peace of mind I have to
know what happened to her, and I won’t allow anything to get in my
way. Not even this crazy, irrational longing I feel for a hot
sorcerer with the sexiest scowl I’ve ever seen.
About
the Author:
Terri
L. Austin is a mild-mannered writer by day and a reality TV junkie by
night. She lives in Missouri with her family, and loves to hear from
readers.
Drop
her a line at http://www.terrilaustin.com/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAustin
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/TerriLAustin
Pinterest:
https://www.pinterest.com/terrilaustin/
All
About the Tea: https://www.allaboutthetea.com
Tour
giveaway
1
7” Kindle Fire Tablet
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thanks so much for having me on today!
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