Monday, June 20, 2011

WRITER WEEK-FEATURED RACHEL FIRASEK

This week's feature writer is Rachel Firasek

She is affectionately called Boss Lady by my Sassy Street Siren Sisters and I. Learn more about us here Rachel Firasek's Sassy Streen Sirens
And being the generous soul she is, she has offered up a free copy of Piper's Fury to one lucky commenter. The only requirement is to leave a comment with your email address and tell me what psychic power you would like to possess and why. Winner chosen by Random.org


Do you listen to music when you write? And if you do what would be on your playlist?

OH, I absolutely do! I write my fastest and most creative works to Emilie Autumn. She's deliciously dark and twisted.


What do you do to get in the book writing zone??

I turn off my email. I can't write knowing that it's so close. I'm an email addict. I lower my music to a soft background noise, then I plant my butt in the chair and play pretend.

If you could be any of your characters, who would you choose and why?

I'd be Arabella from my new Curse of the Phoenix series. She's a voodoo priestess and is wise beyond her years. I love how she's hesitant to manipulate the magic that comes so easy to her. I can't wait to share her with you all.

What inspires you?

I'm inspired by people and art. I can look at a picture and a story comes to life. It's almost like I see a movie in my head from a static snapshot. It's crazy. Expressions are vivid, even if they're dower. There's always a story behind an emotion.

What do you do to overcome writer's block?

Fortunately, I don't really get writer's block. More likely I struggle with too many stories in my head. They usually don't let me pay attention to the story I'm working on. Lol. Sometimes a simple change of scenery or schedule will fix me.

How do you connect with your characters? Do you have conversations in your head? Dreams about them? Or do they just tell you their story?

A little of all three. When I worked on Piper's Fury. If I didn't play with Piper enough, I'd find myself dreaming about her. I had my husband help me act out a few of the scenes. ;-)

If you could choose a movie to define your life, what would it be and why?

Wow, this is a first. I don't watch much TV, but have you ever seen The Adventures in Babysitting? The heroine has so many hurdles to overcome and for everyone she leaps, two more pop up. That's exactly my life. It's a constant struggle, but I'm anxious to overcome each one.

What advice do you have to share with other writers like myself just starting out?

Write. Read. Write some more. When you feel like you've learned everything you can from your own writing, craft books, and reading—find some critique partners and learn some more. Take classes from veterans that know what they're doing. I still take classes. In fact this year, I've taken 8. Doh! Savvy Authors has some very affordable and fabulous workshops. Invest in your career in small quantities. :) But, most importantly, keep writing. When you stop, you get rusty.

How do you create your story?? Do you see your beginning, middle and ending or do your characters surprise you?

I'm always surprised. I'll plan a scene in my head, but when I sit down to write, bam! I'm thrown for a loop. Oh, and I hate the middle. Maybe I can get a gig that just lets me write the beginning and the end. Oh, wait, I hate those too. The End is hard, I hate parting with my characters.

What is your favorite quote and why?

I became insane, with long intervals of horrible sanity.”~~Edgar Allan Poe

And if you could have dinner with anyone alive or dead, who would it be and why??

I'd dine with Vlad Dracula! I want to know what he thought of when he had that dinner with all the carnage surrounding him. Some day I will walk on the grounds surrounding his castle and absorb the horror of his legacy.



14 comments:

  1. OK - this may fall into the category of TMI but I have a bit of a thing for Vlad. What psychic power would I choose? Telekenisis (OK - can't spell) Moving stuff with my mind would be so cool.
    danakburgess(at)gmail(dot)com

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  2. Dana, there is something exciting and heroic about the real history behind Vlad. Thanks for commenting and good luck! TeleK is a good one. Think CARRIE Oh, yes, very good!

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  3. Awesome interview ladies, and I must confess I too have a thing for Vlad. I love his whole persona, I heard a story once about him, "He had one of his soldiers complain that with all the death and caous Vlad was causing, he said to Vlad I find I cannot eat my supper with the smell of death so close to me, so Vlad being who he is, cut off his head and stuck it on a pike very high up, higher than the others who he has killed, and then said to the solider, "I guess the smell wont bother you anymore now will it". LOL I thought that was a funny little story to share about our beloved Vlad.
    Just popped in to say very awesome post Heather and Rachel. :)
    Sassy Nattie

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  4. Nattie, I know exactly the story you're talking about. Love it. Okay, that's the cruel beast inside me talking. lol. My husband accidentally stopped on a doc on the history channel about Vlad. His mistake, my enthrallment. Couldn't look away.

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  5. I would choose telekinesis too. However, I have a feeling I might regret it-people probably randomly insult me at least 4x a day...on the other hand, I might hear some good stuff *shrugs* Either way, it sounds like a cool power that would be pretty awesome to utilize in real life. I saw the synopsis of your novel on Good Reads and love it! *fingers crossed* edysicecreamlover18@gmailDOTcom

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  6. Hi Rachel & All! I just wanted to pop in to say HI!
    Great interview! I've already read Piper's Fury and it was FABULOUS! I'm still dreaming about Piper AND Slade...
    Don't enter me in the contest!
    I'm going to send out a tweet about this contest as soon as I post this.
    Linda, a Sassy Street Siren

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  7. I think I would like the ability communicate via mental telepathy; wouldn't it be cool to talk to someone without anyone else knowing what you were saying??

    Enjoyed the interview! Question: Even though you take a lot of courses to enhance your craft, do you reach a point where you feel you need to just do what you feel works for you? Thanks!!

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  8. I'd like to be able to read people's minds. That could be both an advantage and also a disadvantage, I suppose. It would be hard to hear what other people think of you!

    I'm following you on GFC (Darlene), and my email address is darlenesbooknook at gmail dot com.

    Thanks for the giveaway!

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  9. Sorry it's taking me so long to get back to everyone. I've had a bit of power trouble the last few nights.

    Krystal? Which novel? I'm curious, did they put up the Last Rising? I haven't seen it up yet? Hmmm... must go investigate. lol

    Lindalou, Lindalou, I <3 you! Thank you so much, sweets. I wish everyone could enjoy what I consider to be a fab hero!

    Karen, I always do what I feel works for me. :) I take the classes to stay current on technique. (Sometimes I want to write the way it is in my head and that's not always correct) I also take the classes to find inspiration. You'd be surprised at what a good class can inspire. But, yes, I always get back to just writing. :)

    Darlene, I'd love to know what my hubs really thinks of my writing. He's supportive, but I often wonder if he doesn't think I'm a bit of a loon.

    Thanks for stopping by and good luck!!

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  10. Hey fellow sassy siren.

    Great post! And congrats to whoever wins, you will LOVE this book!

    -Michelle

    Bookbriefs.blogspot.com

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  11. I want all sorts of psychic powers. I think I'd like telekinesis the most though, because when my son yells "Mommy, I need..." I can just whisk it to him without moving.

    Love your blog! I'm a new follower.

    nmetolen@gmail.com

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  12. Rad, love the name and you are definitely entered. :)

    Thanks, Michelle.

    Nikki, that's a great reason. I never even thought of that. :)

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  13. KAREN WHAT IS YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS SO I CAN ENTER YOU IN THE GIVEAWAY.

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  14. I'm sorry I missed adding my email!!

    kacbooks(at)hotmail(dot)com

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Thanks for commenting:)