Interview and Giveaway with Lindsay Avalon

Good morning fans! Today starts our interview spotlight on Lindsay Avalon. Author of Breaking the Nexus!

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When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
Honestly? Not until fairly recently. My sister got me to do NaNoWriMo with her in 2010 and although I failed abysmally, it got some ideas churning around in my head. I had tried to write an epic fantasy and just completely lost my way with it, but luckily my husband gave me the best advice ever: write what I love to read. Since I love to read romance, especially paranormal romance, when I tried NaNo in 2011, I followed his advice and Breaking the Nexus was born.


How long did it take you to write your book?
That’s a loaded question. I got most of it written during November 2011 but it needed a lot of love. I worked on it off and on until September/October 2012 when I shelved it to work on a novella. When I went back to it with fresh eyes, I decided to completely rewrite it. The rewritten version took about 6 weeks to write.

What genre is your book? What made you choose to write in that category?
I’d classify it as paranormal romance, dark fantasy romance or urban fantasy romance. Take your pick lol. As for why I wrote this, it’s what I love to read and I’m most comfortable writing it.


What was your work schedule like when you were writing?
I work full time and I’m a wife and owner of a special needs dog so I mostly write in the evenings when I can squeeze in time and writing on the weekends. I don’t have a set schedule. I don’t believe in schedules or organization ;)


What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I love to crank up epic music and dance around in my chair. I can’t write in complete silence, it just doesn’t work for me.


Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?
I draw from all sorts of legends and myths. Some comes from what my sister told me (she’s a HUGE classics buff and majored in Latin) and some comes from some nifty mythology books I have.


How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?
I’ve written a full length novel and a novella in an anthology with several other authors. I think the novel, Breaking the Nexus, is by far my favorite because it’s my baby and the story I’ve had in my head forever.


Where can your books be found?
Amazon US - Breaking the Nexus: http://www.amazon.com/Breaking-Nexus-Mythrian-Realm-ebook/dp/B00AMPXDLQ

Amazon UK - Breaking the Nexus: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Breaking-Nexus-Mythrian-Realm-ebook/dp/B00AMPXDLQ

Paperback - Breaking the Nexus: http://www.amazon.com/Breaking-Nexus-Volume-Lindsay-Avalon/dp/0615753140

Amazon Author: http://amazon.com/author/lindsayavalon


Are you currently working on another book? If so, is it part of a series or something different?
Yes, I’m working on a novella set in the Mythrian Realm that sets up a major plot point for my trilogy. It will tentatively be called “Warrior Unleashed”. I’m also working on book 2 of my trilogy that started with Breaking the Nexus. This will be called Waking the Phoenix and will feature Sha and Connor from book 1. I expect this to be out sometime late spring or early summer.


What do you like to do when you're not writing?
I have very little free time but I love reading, crafts, especially crochet, sewing sock monkeys, scrapbooking, etc. I also love to bake. Mostly I enjoy spending time with my husband and our mini Schnauzer.


What does your family think of your writing?
They’re all very proud of me. My husband says that when he’s officially a doctor, I can quit my day job and write full time if I want to :)


What was one of the most surprising things you learned about yourself in creating your books?
Just how much I loved to write and how my mind works. I can be struggling for ideas and someone just needs to ask me an innocuous question and bam! The ideas just start flowing.


Do you have any suggestions to help others become a better writer? If so, what are they?
Don’t let yourself get discouraged if you’re truly in love with writing. Chances are, you won’t become famous over night. It’s hard work and you should write because you love to write, not because you’re hoping to get rich quick.


Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say
I do! So far they all seem to love Breaking the Nexus and are dying for book 2. My nefarious plan to get people hooked on my series is working! *evil laugh* :)


What do you think makes a good story?
Characters. You can have a fantastically interesting plot but if you don’t have the characters to back up that plot, it will fall flat.


As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
Believe it or not, a forensic scientist. I used to get the best reactions when I’d tell people I wanted to be a forensic scientist. Ultimately I went into computer science.



Are you self published or do you have a publisher? If self published, what made you decide to go that route?
I’m self-published and I chose this route mainly because I’m a control freak and impatient. I love being able to control who does my covers, my editing, etc and I’m able to release books on my schedule. Breaking the Nexus was supposed to be much longer and stand alone, however I had health issues with my hands that led me to approach it as a trilogy. If I’d been with a publisher, I may not have been able to change my direction like that so close to my intended release.


You can enter to win a copy of Breaking the Nexus from Lindsay below! Good luck and enjoy!  a Rafflecopter giveaway