This Week's author is Ceri Clark. Ceri has written 3 books: Two in her A Simpler Guide instructional series on Gmail and Android Apps and her first fiction book: Children of the Elementi. I've read COTE, and I thought it was great! It's an epic fantasy adventure with interesting characters, fascinating other worlds, mysterious powers, events etc. It has a little bit of everything and is very well-written.
You can check out Ceri's website and find links to buy and learn more about her books here: http://cericlark.com/
And you can find out more about her and link up with her on Facebook, Twitter etc. here: http://about.me/cericlark
TAS: Let's get the plug out of the way. Tell us a little bit about the project you are currently promoting - who will be interested and why?
CC: I’m promoting Children of the Elementi at the moment. It is a fantasy novel with a smidgeon of science-fiction. The prologue starts off with an Empire defeated and five children sent through time and space to grow up in safety but the real story begins on present day Earth.
Jake has just turned 14 and has already discovered that he can do a few party ‘tricks’ but when he finds an ancient crystal heirloom his powers are magnified and he learns he is the next High-King in another dimension. The story then follows Jake as he searches for the other heirs before the people who killed his parents finds them first.
TAS: What aspects of being an author do you most enjoy?
CC: I've always been a daydreamer but being an author means I get to share the weird ideas and worlds I think of with other people.
TAS: What aspects of being an author do you least enjoy?
CC: I really hate promotion. I am a bit shy and if I could spend my days hiding behind a keyboard tapping away I would.
TAS: What moment as an author have you experienced that you are likely to remember 20 years from now (good or bad)?
CC: I sent Elementi to a critique agency after I first finished it. Before this I was going through a bit of a crisis in confidence. I can’t tell you how great I felt when the critiquer said it was a page turner in the best possible sense! I nearly cried. oh, ok I did cry - but just a little.
TAS: What bad habits do you have when it comes to writing/promoting your books and/or what do you wish you could do better?
CC: I do procrastinate a lot. I am a messy soul but when I come to a particularly difficult part of the book, or any promotion my study sparkles, and the bathroom, and the kitchen...
TAS: What is your favorite book and why?
CC: I don’t really have a favourite book. I do love the Darkover series by Marion Zimmer Bradley. I think she was an amazing writer and I could read her books time and time again.
TAS: Do you prefer to write when the room is quiet . . . or do you like to have some background noise?
CC: I couldn’t write without a bit of Bon Jovi or Bryan Adams blaring in the background.
TAS: Do you have any pet peeves related to writing?
CC: Not really. I wish there were more hours in the day but everyone probably thinks that!
TAS: Do you think bestsellers are typically better books than books that don't sell as well? Why or why not?
CC: I think bestsellers are lucky. If you were traditionally published in the past then you have a name (and your lucky to have written books in the past!) but I think otherwise you have to strike a chord with people. it has to be enough that they want to share the book with their friends and they want to share with their friends etc.
CC: I’m promoting Children of the Elementi at the moment. It is a fantasy novel with a smidgeon of science-fiction. The prologue starts off with an Empire defeated and five children sent through time and space to grow up in safety but the real story begins on present day Earth.
Jake has just turned 14 and has already discovered that he can do a few party ‘tricks’ but when he finds an ancient crystal heirloom his powers are magnified and he learns he is the next High-King in another dimension. The story then follows Jake as he searches for the other heirs before the people who killed his parents finds them first.
TAS: What aspects of being an author do you most enjoy?
CC: I've always been a daydreamer but being an author means I get to share the weird ideas and worlds I think of with other people.
TAS: What aspects of being an author do you least enjoy?
CC: I really hate promotion. I am a bit shy and if I could spend my days hiding behind a keyboard tapping away I would.
TAS: What moment as an author have you experienced that you are likely to remember 20 years from now (good or bad)?
CC: I sent Elementi to a critique agency after I first finished it. Before this I was going through a bit of a crisis in confidence. I can’t tell you how great I felt when the critiquer said it was a page turner in the best possible sense! I nearly cried. oh, ok I did cry - but just a little.
TAS: What bad habits do you have when it comes to writing/promoting your books and/or what do you wish you could do better?
CC: I do procrastinate a lot. I am a messy soul but when I come to a particularly difficult part of the book, or any promotion my study sparkles, and the bathroom, and the kitchen...
TAS: What is your favorite book and why?
CC: I don’t really have a favourite book. I do love the Darkover series by Marion Zimmer Bradley. I think she was an amazing writer and I could read her books time and time again.
TAS: Do you prefer to write when the room is quiet . . . or do you like to have some background noise?
CC: I couldn’t write without a bit of Bon Jovi or Bryan Adams blaring in the background.
TAS: Do you have any pet peeves related to writing?
CC: Not really. I wish there were more hours in the day but everyone probably thinks that!
TAS: Do you think bestsellers are typically better books than books that don't sell as well? Why or why not?
CC: I think bestsellers are lucky. If you were traditionally published in the past then you have a name (and your lucky to have written books in the past!) but I think otherwise you have to strike a chord with people. it has to be enough that they want to share the book with their friends and they want to share with their friends etc.
TAS: Is there anything that you look forward to that gets you through a tough day?
CC: Chocolate!
TAS: Is the World a better or worse place in 2011 than it was in 1970 and why do you answer the way you do?
CC: The world was a worse place, because I wasn’t in it yet - just kidding. I think it was worse because of the technology we have now. I can’t imaging living in a world where I can’t look at the internet while waiting for a bus, get my frozen shopping delivered to me ice-cold after ordering it online the night before or having less than four channels on the TV!
TAS: If an aging friend with painful, terminal cancer asked you to kill them, and you knew there wouldn't be any legal problems, would you do it?
CC: I don't think I could. Only because I can't bear the idea of hurting anyone. I know the cancer would be hurting them but it wouldn't be me physically doing it. I can't even scratch my husbands back when he asks me to! Maybe I shouldn't have said that...
6 comments:
How wonderful to be able to share your daydreams with everyone! Children of the Elementi is a vivid and compelling fantasy adventure, and I highly reccommend it!
I love to know out follow FIBP writer better and this blog fulfills the purpose. I'm looking forward to read Ceri's book.
As her husband I can safely confirm that Ceri does indeed refuse to scratch my back!
I remember seeing your cover and loving it, Ceri! I agree--luck plays an enormous role. Best of it to you!!
Lovely interview! Best of luck with the book promotion. The story sounds like a wonderful read!
Loving this blog, the feel, and the posts. Do pay me a visit, (my blog i mean lol) when you are chanced.... I am an author, and i would love to be interviewed on your blog, and maybe do a guest post... http://theseven-piecestone.blogspot.com
now following you
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