I was able to interview Tina
Smith last year about her Wolf Siren series. Now I am interviewing Tina again
to get the gossip on the inspiration of her Wolf siren series and what she has
coming up this year.
1. When naming your characters do you look at their
meanings?
Yes, I have
definitely googled baby names a few times!
I like to think
about all aspects of a name -- the sound, the meaning and the type of character
that would have that name. Some characters are so strong that they own the
name. Your name says a lot about you and what kind of parents you had. I think
names are important and beautiful, and very interesting! I often write down
names I hear, that are unusual, for use at a future date.
2. What was the best book you read in 2013?
I didn’t get a
lot of reading done, I read game of Thrones, Song of Fire and Ice. And I read
Promise me Darkness, because it was an indie success. I have a few half read
books on my Ipad. I have written and released four novel length books in a
little over 14 months. I actually developed eye strain and bursitis -- I really
pushed myself. My fave book was Colleen Hoover’s Slammed, which I read around
Christmas, it was a tear jerker. All of last year I was finishing study for my
advanced Diploma of Naturopathy and Western Herbal Medicine, working a job and
I am a mum -- I was burning the candle at both ends big time.
3. What is your favourite part of a book to write?
Sometimes things
just flow. In Wolf Sirens the scenes between Cres and Lila just flowed, I got
in the zone and the scenes came together well. I loved describing Cres and Lila
on the hunt. Cresida’s quirky wardrobe and actions make her a great character
to work with.
Anytime I reach a
scene that I have been working towards for some time is great. Letting the cat
out of the bag, like when Reid grabs Cres and pashes her. It’s like Christmas.
4. Of the 4 books that are published in the Wolf Siren
series which is your favourite?
Book #2 Fever.
It’s a guilty indulgence. I love the cover and I relished describing life in
Shade for Lila and Cres at that time. It’s all singlet tops, the jeep and
hidden guns. The back stories of the pack and all the gritty details were
really great to sink my teeth into. It’s close to my heart. I think in general
it is the most disliked book in the series, but if you are a true fan of Wolf
Sirens you’ll love it as much as I do.
5. And which is your least favourite and what would
you do to change it?
I couldn’t tell
you, they are like my children. They are each their own complete work. I wrote
them so quickly and they are still so fresh in my mind that I honestly don’t
know. I know what people expected, but I do my own thing. If you like the
unexpected plot, I’m your woman. Go in with no expectations. I’ll need more
distance to decide if there was anything I would change. I am happy – I try to
consider all the angles. I seem like a manic pantser, but I am a deep thinker.
I try to have foresight and I write what I want to read, so no regrets.
6. Who are your target readers?
My genre is Y/A –
which features characters from 15 to 18. But basically that means women from 14
to 40 should enjoy it. Young adult has a broad scope, which is good. I’m 30 and
I find that women in that age range and below really enjoy the series. We can all
relate to an angst ridden teenager or two. Like other series I do turn up the
heat level slightly in the later books as well as the pace.
7. What do you think readers look for in a book?
I think people
look for what they can relate to. Like medicine, not every person responds
well. We are complex creatures. Mostly we are looking for escape and something
to relate to. When a writer writes about feelings that you have experienced we
feel less alone. I know from my own experience that being understood and listened
to, go a long way to making us feel validated and important. It gives us loners
a sense of community.
8. Do you use real-life stories (your life, a friends
life or a piece of news) to inspire
your writing?
Yeah, I’m a whore
for inspiration. I have a pretty wild imagination (so I have been told) so I
can take something and run with it -- probably why I love reality T.V.
9. What do you find is the easiest part of a book to
write?
It’s not an easy
thing to do as a whole. There are so many elements. I think for me because I am
an emotional person I find it very therapeutic and almost second nature to
write about a character’s emotions. The hardest part is when you aren’t 100
percent where to go next. That requires pushing through, leaving it for a while
and brain storming. Being a writer is a constant internal battle. I feel like
there are different people in my head all arguing the point -- all with
different motivation. I take their advice and continue on. Sometimes it flows, sometimes
it dries up, you need to recharge. You have to be the perfect mix of robot and
emotional wreck to be a writer.
10. …… And the hardest?
The isolation,
though that’s also the best part. I love all the people that my work has
brought into my life. I love discussing imaginary characters and arguing over
them like they are real, it’s both hilarious and gratifying. To take people on
a journey with you is immensely gratifying. It’s a way of being close to people
without having to interact. So that’s both a blessing and a curse.
11. What research did you do to write the Wolf Siren
series?
I googled
Artemis, read some Greek myth. Wolf Sirens came from inside me, I developed it
slowly based on what I felt was lacking. I wrote a hero’s journey based on what
I wanted to read. I saw a lack of real, tough women featured in our culture.
Strong female
characters with a realistic edge were, and are, lacking in literature and
movies. Women aren’t either homemakers or cold warriors; we are everything in
between – both strong and vulnerable. The paranormal genre really allowed me a
format to present my fantasy. It all goes back to when I was 5, I wanted to be
Atreyu in The Never Ending Story. I see a need for strong female role models,
particularly for young women. I want books to feature female roles where historically
and currently male roles are played -- let’s face it women are more dynamic and
interesting.
We need to take
the reins in a male dominant environment. It takes confidence to demand respect
-- confidence that perhaps can come from having such role models.
12. With wolves being a popular theme in books (just
like vampires) do you think you chose
the right theme for your series? Or should you have picked something else to write about?
No, I love
wolves. If anything perhaps I should have written about vampires, they seem so
overwhelmingly popular. But I felt it had been done and they are so dark.
Wolves are lighter, but they still have some grit. I hope wolf themes become
more popular. I’m a smart cookie I didn’t choose to spend years of my life on a
series that I didn’t think would be in some respects commercially popular. I
took a gamble at doing something that revealed my heart and soul, but I looked
a bit at the chasm below before I leapt.
13. Why should a reader pick up your book over other
books about wolves?
Because I am a
genius! Only joking. I can’t please everyone, and I didn’t try. If you want a
book with depth of emotion and a story that builds, within the paranormal
genre, I could suit your taste. It’s a journey. Try a bite. It could be
cleverly written. Spend a night with the good the bad and the bitten. Warning:
might be contagious, riveting and heart wrenching!
14. What do you find the hardest part about getting
your books out there?
Doing it all
myself. So while I should be writing and being my own writer, editor and
publisher, I also have to be a manager and marketer and agent. I feel sometimes
as though my time is better spent writing, because it can be a huge emotional
drain promoting yourself and it takes a lot of time. But I have
learnt a lot and I enjoy social networking, especially with readers.
15. What can we look forward to in 2014?
I have started a
Writers Co-op Anthology group. I have managed to get 9 authors on board and we
plan to publish 2 books this year that are filled with paranormal stories.
Night Fall is a Young Adult title novel of short stories and Lacing Shadows
will be the second book, a New Adult genre Anthology. Both are due for release
in in later 2014
I also plan to
publish the 5th book in the Wolf Sirens series, Dawn in Shade.
The fight picks up pace, there are some steamy reunions and a pretty epic
ending.
I would just like to thank Tina for taking the time to do
this interview much appreciated.
