Elizabeth Mueller is an amazing Author and Mother! A great friend and over all one of the kindest people you'll ever meet! I had the privilege of interviewing her and I am glad that I can share it with you! Come join in the celebration of the release of Darkspell by a fabulous and award winning author!
Konstanz: Tell me about your book. How did you come up with that (story, angle, idea)?
Elizabeth: If you venture into Gail Carson Levine’s Writing Magic, on page 4, there is a writing prompt. It is the 5th one down if you want to see how Darkspell was born! As I jotted the prompt down, I let my muse take full control. Since I love romance, the first thing I thought was how would it be if the second person was a girl? And what if the first one fell in love with her? What if there was something special about her that lured him to her that she didn’t know? My mind deepened so wide, I didn’t think on the 2 dimensional level of these questions, but I felt them stirring as people bursting to be born on paper. About Darkspell:
Winter Sky believes she is everything ordinary . . . until she is kissed by Alex Stormhold.
As seer of Stormhold Coven, Alex is sworn to be Winter’s protector against the darkness that hunts her. Violently thrust into a magical realm she always thought impossible, she stumbles upon a disturbing secret of her own.
Will love prove thicker than magic?
Konstanz: How did you get interested in writing this particular genre? And writing in General?
Elizabeth: It was the prompt that pointed me into this direction. It provided the magical element and my muse did the rest. Writing has always been a source of escapism for me. It helps me to regroup on so many levels. I don’t know what I’d do without writing.
Konstanz: What kind of research did you do for this book?
Elizabeth: I interviewed a friend of mine on marathon dates for the prom scene. A marathon date is basically a date that extends the entire day, but you go home to change into the next set of clothes that suit the next stage of the date. For example, you change into something comfortable since you’re going bungee jumping. Then you change out of that into diving gear for your scuba lesson, then after that, evening gown for dinner, after that . . . You get the picture! I researched on what exactly a coven is and its purposes. I also read up onCopenhagen and its climate and setting and language. I also did tons of pondering for the names of the people in the coven and for each of their gifts.
Konstanz: What's a typical working day like for you? When and where do you write? Do you set a daily writing goal?
Elizabeth: I have to admit that my work day has morphed into something entirely different ever since Darkspell was picked up. I used to dedicate every possible quiet moment to editing/writing. That was when the kids were either at school or sleeping for the night. Now, I am dedicating any possible chance at networking. Networking is fun, but it’s never ending with all the projects I have going.
Konstanz: What is the hardest part of writing for you?
Elizabeth: For me it’s finding the time. I can write an entire novel in 8 days if it was just me, but I would never trade my family away for a career. Why would I when I can do both? Since I never am left wanting for inspiration, I can still write a novel in a few months around my family’s schedule.
Konstanz: What’s the best thing about being an author?
Elizabeth: The satisfaction of achieving a huge dream and letting my kids see that it is possible.
Konstanz What are you working on now?
Elizabeth: I’ve been working hard on my networking. I’m celebrating Darkspell’s release with a pre-book launch throughout the month of July. Visit my website for updates! Konstanz: What advice would you give aspiring writers?
Elizabeth: Believe in yourself!
Konstanz Do you have any favorite authors or favorite books?
Elizabeth: Kim Wilkins, Liz Kessler, Helen Dunmore, and Michele Bell.
Konstanz What question have you always wanted to be asked in an interview? How would you answer that question?
Elizabeth: If/when I become New York’s best seller, what do I plan to do with that influence? I would be like Oprah Winfrey. I would give of myself because God gave to me. I would do what I could to help others achieve their dreams—whether it would be as writers, as the struggling school systems, even empowering those who feel powerless. I would do my best to help others become stronger.
Konstanz: If you were writing a book about your life, what would the title be?
Elizabeth: Dark Thorns, White Roses
Please join me in my celebration for Darkspell’s fall release all July long! A pre-book launch party if you will. Click here for details.
Winter Sky believes she is everything ordinary . . . until she is kissed by Alex Stormhold.
As seer of Stormhold Coven, Alex is sworn to be Winter’s protector against the darkness that hunts her. Violently thrust into a magical realm she always thought impossible, she stumbles upon a disturbing secret of her own.
Will love prove thicker than magic?
And now a sneak peak of Darkspell:
Alex reached out and took my hands. A spark of magic passed between us. I didn’t resist and his gaze deepened. Another wave tore through me and I felt his powerful drive to protect me and the desire to share the rest of his life with me. I could see forever, eternity was wide and deep.
I would never be alone again.
Having tasted Alex so strongly, so close, so dear, left me empty; a starving sensation that could only be filled by him. I had no idea he felt so intensely for me. His love washed away all doubt from me.
I leaned into Alex as my world spun fast on a crooked axis. I breathed him in. I was intoxicated with his burning hold, I was so alive. Every sound was louder, the wind richer as it flowed through me. I was so free, so alive, so untainted by any wicked thing. I closed my eyes, shivering with desire, and imagined the breeze encircling us; bringing us to our feet and drawing us closer like a child’s ribbon.
Just as I opened my eyes, he whispered, “Listen, Winter. Listen to me.”
He brought me to him and gently pressed my face to his heart. It was a wild thing, trapped and yearning to be free. My blood sang and my eyes drifted closed. It felt as if my feet lifted from the ground. One hand was soft in my hair as he caressed my back with the other.
“How have you come by such magic? Such power to control? Can I come into your world? Can you teach me?” I trembled, savoring every sensation.
Find Elizabeth Online!
http://elizabethmueller.blogspot.com
http://mormonmommywriters.blogspot.com
http://elizabethmueller-illustrator.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/author.elizabethmueller
http://twitter.com/ElizbethMueller
http://www.goodreads.com/elizabethmueller
