I would like to thank Once Upon a Twilight for hosting this Blog Tour and for asking me to be apart of it.
Not only is this my first book blog tour...but also my first author interview. So I would also like to Thank Killian for doing the interview.
First of all I am loving 12-21-12. It's a book that keeps you on your toes, no fluff.
Why 12-21-12?? What about this theory that intriged you?
Wherever possible, I love to integrate real-world history and prophecies into my stories. This one is just loaded with blossoms that can bloom into fruit. It was too good to let slip by (and there are many other books out or about to be released that are also wrapped around the Mayan prophecy).
What research did you do to prepare for this book?
For the Egyptian elements, I didn't require too much additional research. I have a degree in Near Eastern history, and part of the studies in pursuit of that degree focused on Ancient Egypt. I was unfamiliar, however, with MesoAmerican cultures, so I had to read up a bit on the Maya and the Olmec.
Your characters are very believeable and easy to love...who was your favorite to write?? Mine was Vick.
Vick is fun, no doubt, but I also love Alex. He's at that stage in life where he's becoming aware there's a lot he doesn't know, but he's not yet ready to admit it out loud. He's ignorantly brave. It just makes him so lovable.
How did you choose names for your characters??
I decided Victoria remakes herself every couple hundred years, and I thought her current incarnation would have probably rode in with the imperial age. In my eyes, then, I saw the options as Spanish or British. As far as Dmitri- if you're going to have a Russian mobster, it seems the natural way to go. Unless you prefer Vladimir. And I don't.
Shep's name is a little play on Judeo-Christian philosophy. I wanted him to be a secret messiah type in hiding. Of course, not divine or a Christ figure per se- but that's how he became Sheppard and his wife's name is Christine.
When writing 12-21-12 did you have a playlist you listened to?
I can't listen to music while I'm writing. My mind gets distracted by it, especially if there are words in any language I understand. But, yes, I do have a playlist of songs I used when thinking about the plot or the characters. You can actually find the playlist on my website at www.killianmcrae.com/1222112. The song on that list that was probably the most inspirational to me was "I Love You (til the end of the world)" by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. In fact, it is the only song mentioned by name in the book.
Who is your favorite author? Fav Book??
Depends on the time of day you ask me and the weather. Usually, I'll answer L. Frank Baum. And of his books, "Ozma in Oz" is my favorite. My favorite book of all time is "Les Miserables" by Victor Hugo. I've read it several times, and each time it presents something new to me.
When growing up was writing something that you always wanted to do?
Yes and yes. I tried to write my first book at age 8. That didn't get too far, mostly because I didn't know how to type then and I was too lazy to sit and write things down at a 8-year-old's pace. But I started writing stories in eighth grade, and I wrote my first novel-length book in eleventh grade. Still, it never occurred to me until the last few years to actually try to publish something. Writing is just something I've always done, and probably - hopefully- will always do.
Has there been any intrest from Hollywood to turn your book into a movie??
Sadly, no. Nor do I expect something. As much as I love my book and my publisher, we are a pretty small operation, and it's unlikely anybody in the WGA or SAG is going to run across my little o' book. Still, a girl can dream, can't she?
Any new books in the works??
My second book is under contract and will likely come out late Fall/early winter.
I always have something brewing, so, yes... I'm sure there's more yet to come.
Don't give up on that dream for Hollywood...I think it would make one heck of a movie!
Also don't forget to check out the other blogs participating in this event
Julie @ A Tale of Many Reviews - Review - March 1st 2011
Yelania @ The Itzel Library - Interview - March 2nd 2011
Damaris @ Good Choice Reading - Top Ten/Giveaway - March 3rd 2011
Mandy (me) @ Twimom101's book blog - Interview - March 4th 2011
Casey @ Dark Readers Blog - Interview - March 5th 2011
Alisha @ My need to Read - Character post - March 6th 2011
Jules @ One Book Shy of a Full Shelf - Interview/Giveaway - March 7th 2011
Lisa K. @ Baffled Books - review - March 8th 2011
Sarah @ The Book Bee - Character Interview - March 9th 2011
Page @ One Book at a time - Guest post/Interview - March 10th 2011
Michelle @ Hooked To Books - Giveaway/Review - March 11th 2011
Kristin @ My Bookish Ways - review - March 12th 2011
Celine @ Nyx Book Reviews - Top Ten - March 13th 2011
Sherri @ Urban Girl Reader - review/Q&A/giveaway - March 14th 2011
Cherry @ Cherry Mischievous - Guest post - March 15th 2011
Bianca @ Sweet Nothings xo - review/giveaway - March 16th 2011
Rebecca @ My Life with Boys and Books- review - March 17th 2011
Megan @ A Trail of Books Left Behind - review/character interview - March 18th 2011
Jennifer @ Ponytails Book Reviews - review - March 19th 2011
Tammy @ Into The Mystic - - March 20th 2011
Lisa @ Bookworm Lisa - Top Ten/Giveaway - March 21st 2011
Tara @ Taming the Bookshelf - - March 22nd 2011
Rachel @ Parajunkee's View - - March 23rd 2011
Melissa @ I Swim for Oceans - review/interview - March 24th 2011
Kathy @ I Am A Reader, Not A Writer - giveaway/interview - March 25th 2011
Christin @ Between the Covers - review - March 26th 2011
Stacy @ Girls in the Stacks - review - March 27th 2011
Ash @ Smash Attack Reads - character interview - March 28th 2011
Aleetha @ bacaan-ally blog - review - March 29th 2011
Ashlie @ Bookish Novelties - review/interview - March 30th 2011
Yara @ Once Upon a Twilight - Review/Giveaway - March 31st 2011
Once Upon a Twilight Author Live chat - March 31st 2011 @ 9pm CT
Killian McRae's website
Great interview! I had to laugh because I'm currently writing a novel involving Russian mobsters and the head guy is naturally named Vladimir. ;D I also love Les Mis and I'm seeing the stage production for the third time on March 15th, yay!
ReplyDeleteMandy, good luck with your blog and Killian, best wishes for your blog tour.
thanks!!
ReplyDeleteGreat interview! Killian sounds so down to earth and sweet. All your questions were great, concise and just the right info to get people interested to read the book. Loved it! I am reviewing the book on the 17th, can't wait. Love your blog by the way! :)
ReplyDeleteoh thanks! I was hoping I didn't sound too stupid lol! can't wait to see your review!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your interview. Great questions. Wasn't this a fun book? I liked it a lot as well. I'm on deck for the 7th so I hope you'll check mine out too.
ReplyDeleteJules
I sure will Jules!!! this has been alot of fun.
ReplyDeleteLovely interview! I love the little piece on the names. I really enjoy the historical aspects of the book, you can tell Killian has put a lot of effort in them.
ReplyDeleteI'm in the blog tour too, I hope you're enjoying it! It's my first tour too, hehe.