Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I could dither about my massage therapist day job or my
inexplicable hatred of Nicolas Cage, but I’d like to think I know myself pretty
well on an emotional level. Obviously, I write. It’s been an obsession of mine
since I was a kid, and something I sank my teeth into early on, one of the few
things I’m absolutely stubborn about. I’m a control freak. I hate sudden change
and when close friends move away, and really, I do a lot of subconscious things
to control my environment. However, I’m open about my emotions and don’t keep
many secrets for long. Most of what’s going on in my head spills out over the
course of the day, because I like laying things out on front street. I’m an
Aries-Taurus cusp, which means something to me because I adore astrology. And
though I didn’t quite come to this realization until later in life, I’m very in
tune with my empathy. Coincides with massage a lot, but feeling other people’s
emotions comes naturally for me and has always helped with my writing.
What are you currently working on?
Better question, what am I not working on? I’m a project
juggler, and I like having a cycle of one project I’m submitting, one I’m
editing, one I’m writing, and during the busiest spells, one that’s percolating
before I crack into edits. Right now I’m in a busy spell, since I just finished
the sequel for An Airship Named Desire, titled A Tale of Two Airships. I’ve
been going through rounds with my editor at Loose Id on Hunting for Spring,
which hopefully will be out beginning of next year! It’s a sexy urban fantasy with
fae hijinks and hunters of the supernatural, all set in my local city, Philly!
If that’s not enough, a new idea just hit me for a dark paranormal romance that
I just dove into. Snarky female lead who can tango with the biggest, baddest
boys? I’m enjoying this story already.
If you could be any paranormal creature what would you be?
Probably a werewolf. Sure, the turning on a full moon would
be a bitch (if we’re talking traditional werewolf and not some of the many
variations), but there are a lot of perks. The strength and enhanced abilities
are some, for sure. But what I like the most about wolf shapechangers is the
sense of pack that tends to come with that territory. I love feeling like part
of a big community and family, so the idea of all working together really
appeals to me. I also enjoy the simplicity of the animalistic urges werewolves
tend to have—I’m a pretty honest, straight shooter, so the idea of a lot of
folks acting that way definitely has its perks.
For
readers who haven't tried your books yet, how do you think your editor or loyal
readers would describe your books?
If I
have any trademarks in my books, it’s my penchant for take charge women,
emotionally intelligent guys, and passionate speeches. What can I say? I write
what I like. My husband has to laugh every time he reads one of my books,
because if they’re heading off to face a big bad, there is always a big
rallying speech beforehand.
I’m
always looking for book recommendations. What books have you been reading?
Would you recommend them?
I stepped into the Nalini Singh trap—help me! I can’t stop
reading her Psy-Changeling Chronicles! Though the number one series I always
recommend is Kate Daniels by Ilona Andrews. I’m eternally a sucker for snarky
dialogue. My tastes hop all across the board though, because over the summer I
read Shiver, by Maggie Stievater, and utterly enjoyed that, same as I enjoyed
her book the Scorpio Races.
How often does your muse distract you from day to day
minutiae?
All the time. I’ll be the first to admit I’m a slob. I’d like
to say I have no time, or I’m too busy, but that’d be a load of crap. The
reality is, writing takes priority for me over more nitpicky housework and
tidying. While I keep my appointments, I rely on those for social time—I’m not
great for last minute stuff, especially if I’m in the throes of a new story.
Even when I have downtime or slow points at my job, I keep my notebook on hand
so I can jot down whatever crops into my mind.
Writer’s block—real or hype?
It’s a real thing for sure, but I do think you can fight
through it. There are days where I sit in front of my laptop to write and I’m
blinking at the page for a minute or so before I start opening tabs to social
media to distract myself. I allow myself short bursts and then force myself
back on task, even if it’s just a couple sentences at a time. Those days,
writing’s tough. I think those are the writer’s block days, but I’m just so
used to working through them that the habit overcomes so that I’m at least able
to make a little headway. Other days, I sit and can write thousands upon
thousands of words in a single sitting, and it all comes together and is
glorious. I treasure those days, because they’re not often. That’s why I don’t
necessarily buy into waiting for a muse to strike—because writing a novel in
particular takes discipline. Like any craft, you have good and bad days, but
time and consistent effort help you overcome the bad ones.
Do you prefer to extensively plot your stories, or do you
write them as they come to you?
I write them as they hit. My slapdash method would make most
plotters cry. I do keep notes, mostly as I go along, and I usually have some
skeleton plot consisting of a couple bullet points here and there. But to be
honest, I think my tendency has to do with my personality. I’m bad at hiding
things, so if I know it’s coming, chances are it’ll be obvious to the readers.
However, what I do LOVE about plotting as I go, is the constant problem solving
involved. Every time I think I write myself into a corner, I can usually find a
way out of it, and the challenge presses me to find innovative ways. I wrote a
story recently where a character died—mind you, I had a vague plan that they
were going to die, but no when and how. So I was writing through a chapter and
I paused. That’s when it hit me—this, this is the moment. It was at the perfect
time in the story and completely unexpected—to me, and the readers. Hence why I
work best with that approach: my feelings as I’m writing my manuscript are
genuine.
Do you have a favorite genre? Is it the same genre you prefer
to write?
I adore urban fantasy and paranormal romance. I think it
appeals to the kid in me that always saw magic in our world, but I love taking
a familiar landscape and making it wildly different. Those stories tend to have
a darker, slick-talking city vibe to them as well that I love reading and
writing. Snarky banter is my absolute favorite. I’ll be honest too, while I
enjoy high fantasy, sometimes I want a little more romance in it, but regular
romance doesn’t tend to draw me in as much, because I miss the action. Hence
urban fantasy and paranormal romance tend to be that perfect balance.
When and where do you like to write? Are there any favourite
places you like to go?
I tend to write on my couch where my adorable cat Chrono
loves to keep me company by curling up on my feet. If I’ve got a day off where
I can spend a good chunk of time writing, I’ll head to our guest room/my office
and set up my station there. Unfortunately, that means no kitty foot warmer.
Though those are my two main places, I’ll also go out on the screen-in porch
and write out there when it’s gorgeous out, or sometimes I’ll even take my
laptop or a notebook to the picnic table outside. Meanwhile, I always carry a
notebook to jot down scenes, or cram in writing whenever I can.
How much of your own personality bleeds into your characters?
Always aspects. There are certain characters that beat with
the same heart as me, though they’re bolder and braver than I imagine I’d be.
There are others that channel certain elements that aren’t only mine, but I
think shared by many, like my fear of loneliness, and the constant pressure I
put on myself to succeed. My husband laughs reading some of my main characters
because they’re as honest and frank as I can be, as well as short tempered and
resilient. I like to write fiery characters, though as of late, I’ve enjoyed
exploring some different types, like survivalists, or more pragmatic leads. Even
still, one thread exists throughout—they’re passionate at their core.
Soul Solution
A Beyond Fairytales story
Decadent Publishing
An
Adaptation of String of Pearls by Hans Christian Andersen
For Erik Anderson, the Copenhagen line is his curse. He
takes the train every night en route to collect souls. Like any lovelorn fool,
he bargained his own long ago, and now pays the price—a lifetime of loneliness
as a grim reaper. Stay distant—that’s
been his mantra and what keeps him sane.
Until Mina Castner drops into his life like a whirlwind, one
spilled drink leading to staying up until dawn with the woman. He believed one
night couldn’t hurt, but he sorely underestimated her determination. Every
encounter between them is a reprieve from the guilt of reaping souls every
night, but it can’t last. Even if she sparks long buried feelings, and even if
her sheer presence intoxicates him, he can’t let this continue. For humans, his
touch is poison, and if he slips up, it could cost her life.
Excerpt:
The
whole date thing had been a bad idea.
She
rounded a corner, stepping onto the street where the club was located. The Hive
stood out even from a couple of blocks away. Its glass-and-steel exterior was
slick, and lights flashed on different floors, granting glimpses of the chaos
inside. Like other top-notch places, this one didn’t advertise—no sign out
front since the building was imposing enough. A strain of music filtered from
it, but the noise was muted—she’d bet the inside was the opposite.
She
wrinkled her nose as she got closer. Great.
A line. My perfect Saturday
night—waiting in a line to get into a loud room with blinding lights, blaring
music, and sweaty guys. No thanks.
One
glance at the people waiting to get inside and she wanted to turn around. Caked
on makeup, glittery dresses, and overly gelled hair dominated the crowd, all part
of a scene in which she didn’t fit. A slight breeze carried the cloud of
perfume teeming around the line her way. She fought not to gag.
Strands
of her auburn-dyed hair kept slipping from her bun and trailing along her
shoulders. Why did I even bother doing my
hair? Once I get inside, the sheer heat from the place will frizz it out.
Mina sighed, trying to calm her frazzled nerves. This is why I don’t date.
Up
ahead, the bouncers were either admitting people or turning them away at the
door. She joined the end of the line, checking her phone while she waited. He
was already inside. Joy. Too late to suggest a detour to a coffee shop instead.
A man
tall enough to stand out approached the entrance. With hoops in his eyebrows,
ears, and, chances were, elsewhere, too, he didn’t mesh with the rest of the
crowd. Nor was he wearing a polo or suit, the type of club attire the rest of
these guys wore. Instead, his sleeveless, fitted hoodie made an impression of
its own as did his tailored black pants, which were accented by his leather
stompers. Even in a sack, the man would’ve looked good. When the guy opened the
club door, the bouncers didn’t even give him a second glance. Seems they know their regulars.
She
hoped her date stacked up. The line moved forward a couple of paces, and she
crossed her arms over her chest. This was going to be a long night.
Author
Bio:
A
modern day Renaissance-woman, Katherine McIntyre has learned soapmaking, beer
brewing, tea blending, and most recently roasting coffee. Most of which make
sure she’s hydrated and bathed while she spends the rest of her time writing.
With a desire to travel and more imagination than she knows what to do with,
all the stories jumping around in her head led to the logical route of jotting
them down on paper. Not only can her poetry and prose be found in different
magazines, but she’s had an array of novels and novellas published through
Decadent Publishing, Boroughs Publishing, Hazardous Press, and Jupiter Gardens
Press. For more casual content, she’s a regular contributor on
CaffeineCrew.com, a geek news website.
Author
Links:
Website:
http://www.katherine-mcintyre.com
Pinterest:
http://www.pinterest.com/kmcintyremt
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/kmcintyreauthor
Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/pixierants
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