I'm glad we're able to bring you a Blog Ring of Power interview this week, even if it's on Wednesday instead of Monday. The timing is actually perfect, as our guest author, Camille Faye, is holding a Facebook party tonight. Here's the official announcement:
Voodoo Butterfly Book Party--November 19 from 6-9 PM (CST)
Voodoo Butterfly
is officially available on Amazon, so let's P-A-R-T-Y! Wear PJs if you
want, because you can enjoy the fun from the comfort of your own home.
At the party, we will have "door prizes", a live online psychic reading,
and a Q&A so that you can ask any burning questions about Camille
Faye's writing or her paranormal novel, Voodoo Butterfly. Join the party by clicking on this link and hit the JOIN button. Invite your friends for a
magically fun time. See you on the Facebook event page at 6 PM.Here's that link again: https://www.facebook.com/events/1479342722348711/
Where do you get your story ideas?
Funny enough, Sophie's story came to me in a dream when I was actually visiting New Orleans with my family. I dreamt of this woman who had the power to change evil people good. The next flash of my dream showed Saint Louis Cathedral in New Orleans absolutely covered in monarch butterflies. I tried to fall back asleep, but couldn't, so I wrote the dream in my journal. One year later I decided to write a novel about that character and since voodoo is such a big part of the New Orleans culture, I decided to have her unexpectedly inherit a voodoo shop down there. The catch? She knows nothing about voodoo or her secret power when the book starts.
How do you deal with writer’s block?
I actually don't get writer's block. [Insert crickets chirping]. Since I'm always taking notes and only have limited writing time daily, I always know what I'm going to write about. Right now, I have two folders full of notes containing my plans for book 2 in the Voodoo Butterfly series.
Are you a “plotter” or a “pantser” (do you plan/outline the story ahead of time or write “by the seat of your pants”)?
For Voodoo Butterfly, I was a pantser. A scene would flash in my mind, I'd jot it down, and then deal with it during my writing time. When I had enough of these bits and pieces, I worked them into a loose outline. With the second book in the series, I decided to try an outline, but I give myself flexibility to move things around.
Do you use critique partners or beta readers? Why or why not?
Both. A few beta readers provided feedback for the first version of Voodoo Butterfly. I did have several agents and NYC editors request a partial or full manuscript, but it just wasn't getting picked up. Then I was asked to join The Lit Ladies critique group. They provided feedback and I worked through the manuscript for about three years (in the midst of moving twice, having a surgery, having a baby, etc.). After I went through all of their suggestions, I submitted to some writing contests. In October 2013 I finaled in the NW Houston RWA's Lone Star Contest. One of the judges was the owner of Soul Mate Publishing, who offered me a contract. So that's how I landed a publisher.
How much time do you spend on research? What type of research do you do?
"Research" for my books is extremely fun. I utilize some of my own experiences (from growing up in a haunted house and visiting haunted locations), but I've also made a trip down to New Orleans in the name of "research." On that trip, I was pregnant so I couldn't get into too much trouble. (Ha!) But I did get to go on a cemetery walking tour through Saint Louis Cemetery Number One and I also stayed at Oak Alley Plantation (which was made famous by the movie Interview with a Vampire).
Is there anything you find particularly challenging to write?
Writing is soooo hard for me, but the challenge is a part of why I love it.
Camille Faye lives in Missouri, loves on her family, and writes during the baby’s naptime. She grew up in a haunted house, which sparked her fascination with the paranormal. The Northwest Houston RWA named her novel, Voodoo Butterfly, a 2013 Lone Star Contest finalist. Read an excerpt at www.camillefaye.com.
Author Contact Information
Website: www.camillefaye.com
Blog: www.thelitladies.com
Facebook page: www.facebook.com/camillefaye
Twitter: @CamilleFaye
When twenty-five-year old Sophie Nouveau inherits her grandmother's voodoo shop she knows nothing about voodoo. Or her family's history of Mind Changers, who have the power to change evil people good. To complicate matters, someone doesn't want Sophie in New Orleans and sends a series of death threats to scare her away from her new enchanted life.
Tipped off by her grandmother's ghost, Sophie realizes her mind-changing spell's been missing one magic ingredient: true love. If Sophie cannot experience transformative love, she cannot make her spell work, and she will be powerless to fight back when confronted by the one who wants her dead.
D. Buy/Book Links:
Amazon: Voodoo Butterfly by: Camille Faye
Is your book in print, ebook or both?
Ebook for now, but will be released in print in early 2015.
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