Author Interview & Giveaway: Elizabeth Kirke

Today I am super excited to welcome the fabulous Elizabeth Kirke to the blog. 

About the Author:

Elizabeth Kirke wanted to be an author before she even knew what an author was. She used to say that she wanted to be an artist, but that was only because she was too young to write and had to tell stories with pictures instead. She hasn't stopped writing since she learned how. It wasn't long before she dreamed of becoming an author and couldn't be happier now that that dream is a reality.

If she isn't writing...well, let's be honest; if she isn't writing she's probably on Facebook thinking that she should start writing. But, if she isn't writing or on Facebook, she's probably doing something involving books, baking, gardening, or yarn. In an ideal world, she'd be reading and knitting while something from the garden is in the oven. Then again, in an ideal world, she'd have a flock of ducks and a couple of goats.

Like most slightly-nosy, avid readers, Elizabeth can't resist trying to catch a peek at books she sees people reading when out in public to see if she can figure out what it is. While doing just that one day, she realized that it would probably be the coolest-thing-ever if she caught a complete stranger reading one of her books. That's her new dream.

Interview

Who or what first inspired you to start writing?

You know, I don't really know. I've been writing for as long as I can remember. I think the desire has always been in me.

What is the best and worst thing about being a writer?

That's a tough one. I'd love to say that the best thing is that I can make my own schedule. But, I work a day job, so I can't! I guess the best thing is just that writing is what I've always wanted to do. I enjoy writing, it makes me happy, and writing is my dream job. So, being able to say I'm a writer IS the best thing about it. As for the worst, at the moment I think the worst is that being a writer doesn't pay the bills. Few writers are that lucky. I hope someday I can make enough off my writing to quit my job and just focus on writing, but who knows. That's a dream too, I suppose.

Describe the More than Magic series in the length of a tweet, 140 characters or less.

And I thought the last question was tough. I feel like it would be cheap to use my tagline, which is "More magic(s), more heart(s), less sparkling."  Let's go with "New Adult urban fantasy about the adventures of a group of different species of magical beings. Told by Jen, a young witch just starting to learn about the world of magic" There we are, exactly 140 characters!

How did the idea for the More than Magic series come to you?

I went into crazy, long-winded depth about this on my blog, but I'll try to sum it up here! Long story short, I created the characters with a very different setting and similar plot. The story just never seemed to come together in a way I was happy with. Years later, I tried (and failed) to write a number of stories set at sea. And then one magical day, I took the characters I had created ages before and threw them onto a ship. From there Semester Aboard just kept writing itself.

What can readers expect in book 2, Snow Bound?

They can expect to see the return of the whole gang - Jen, Thomas, TS, Charlie, Dani, and Mariana! They can also expect a couple of new faces! There's lots of action, lots of snow, and I hope a few laughs. Last, but not least, I think certain readers will be very happy!  And, like Semester Aboard, fun little 'Easter Eggs' for the extra observant readers to look for!

Me: I know I was VERY happy! ;)

Who is your favourite character from the books?

I have to be honest, I love them all! It's hard to really pick a favorite because if I didn't like them, I wouldn't write them! I even love (to hate) my villians.

How many books are planned for the More than Magic series?

You know, I have no idea. There's the two that are out (or about to be out). Then the short stories. I've got a plan for a 3rd, but I'm still tumbling it around and polishing it up. I've also got a different series that I started years ago that has started whispering to me again. If nothing else, I'll probably take a break from More than Magic series and work on that one. But I wouldn't be surprised to see more books from More than Magic in the future.

Me: As I always say, the more the merrier. Especially when it comes to this series :)

You’re releasing a book about Dani’s past. Do you plan to do the same for any of the other characters?

Are you stalking me? =P  I haven't planned to at the moment. Dani's got a rather long, colorful past, that lends itself quite well to an entire book. Many of the other characters and their pasts will be popping up in this one. As for if there will be another short story collection down the road...it's possible. We shall see!

Me: Stalking is such a strong word... :P

Do you have any other projects lined up?

Well, as I said, I've got that other series stewing. That will, for the record, be 'high' fantasy, as opposed to urban fantasy. Think elves and unicorns instead of vampires and cruise ships. I'm currently occupied with the Dani short story collection, I'm shooting to have that available in March. I also have an idea for a children's series and (on the complete other end of the spectrum) an adult romance series. For now, I'm focused on More than Magic.

What do you like to do when you aren't writing?

Usually, I end up telling myself that I should be writing. I knit and crochet, I love baking. I enjoy traveling, of course. I'm a big sports fan. Even though I reference football in the More than Magic books, I'm actually a bigger fan of hockey. I cannot tell you how excited I am that hockey is back this year! That said, football is always on the tv during a game. Sadly, I'm pretty busy between life and writing. A typical week for me is my day job, dinner, an hour (if I'm lucky) to sit and write, and then I spend some time with my husband. Lately we've been marathoning Star Trek: Voyager every night. Then, I do the dishes (he cooks and I clean). And then we go to bed. On weekends (up until this one, sadly) it's been Football all day Sunday out at "our" bar with friends. Saturdays are usually cleaning house and couples-time. Maybe a party. Phew!

What is the one piece of advice you would give to aspiring writers?

I usually say something about writing every day and stretching your abilities. All true. But this time I have a different one. Find a good alpha-reader. We all know what a beta-reader is. You write a book and then they read it. You need an alpha-reader. Send them every five chapters. Send them every chapter if you want! Bounce ideas off of them, talk about characters and plots. Find someone who will find your earliest errors and plotholes in your first draft, someone who will tell you what's confusing and what's awesome. Someone who isn't afraid to correct your typos and tell you when something sucks. But make it someone who can talk about your book with you for as long as you can. A good alpha-reader is incredible to have. (Love to Erin and Sarah!)

Any finally, if you could be any “magic”, what would you be?

I'm slightly torn. I'm inclined to say water elemental, simply because water is totally my thing. I could stare at the ocean (hell, even a lake) for hours. I started swimming like a fish when I was still crawling. I can't get enough of water!  That said, one of the coolest things about being a water elemental would be exploring the ocean, which is something that a witch (with enough skill) could do nearly as easily. And a water elemental wouldn't get the familiar or the ability to use all of the other spells! So, I'm going to have to go with witch!

Me: I would love to be a water elemental! I adore the ocean. But being a witch would also be pretty cool. Would a hybrid of both be possible? :P

Thank you so much to Ms Kirke for doing the interview :) I love love love this series! If you haven't started it yet then you are seriously missing out! 

Semester Aboard (More than Magic #1)

by Elizabeth Kirke

Summary:

Jen is looking forward to spending an entire summer studying abroad on a cruise ship and she knows the experience will change her life. Then she sees something she wasn't supposed to see, something she can't explain. Jen finds herself thrust into a world she never knew existed and her life will change more than she imagined. That is, if she can survive the dangers lurking on the ship.

Read my review here 

Snow Bound (More than Magic #2)
by Elizabeth Kirke


Summary:
After learning how to use magic and fighting vampires, anyone would be bored going back to normal college life. As if that wasn’t enough, Jen didn’t realize how hard it would be to tiptoe around her non-magic family and friends. She can’t even talk to her familiar, Rak, without making sure no one else is around! Worst of all, Jen misses the friends she made over the summer. Aside from Rak, they’re the only other magics she knows and she hasn’t seen them in almost five months!

Jen is all too happy to accept an invitation to go skiing with the gang. She gears up for two weeks of snow, magic, and fun. Just when everything seems to be going great, an uninvited guest turns up. Soon the skiers aren’t the only things going downhill. Jen thought that vampires were just about the most dangerous thing the magical world could throw at her. Unfortunately, she’s about to learn that people with no magic at all can be just as deadly ...

Read my review here 

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Giveaway

To spread my love for this series I am going to give away one ecopy of either Semester Aboard or Snow Bound (when it releases) to one lucky person. It will be coming from Smashwords so anyone can enter.

To enter just leave a comment below with your email address and then tell me why you want to read this series if you haven't already or what you loved about Semester Aboard if you have.

Giveaway ends on Monday 21st January

Yvonne