From USA, Sharon Ricklin Jones is a creative fiction
writer, currently finishing final Book 4 edits of her Ravenswynd series; a collection of intriguing characters, heralding landscapes, and unforgettable plots, to be released in December 2013.
A writer of epic fantasy, myth, and romance, Sharon
invites you to peruse her novels; enter the world of night, shadows, fangs...
Welcome Sharon!
Have you
always wanted to be a writer?
Yes, from as far back as I can remember I wanted to be a
writer. I recall reading Little Women
and wanting to be just like Jo. There was a space of time during my high
school years when I thought I’d like to be a nurse, but then I found out about
all the math classes one has to take in college (yuck). I’d rather write any
day than do math!
What is
the first book that you remember reading?
I remember the Dick
and Jane books in grade school.
Congratulations
on your new book release! Describe the genre, plot, and premise for your
series...
My paranormal romance series Ravenswynd is about a college gal who meets up with the man of her
dreams, but before she can get to know him, she receives an invitation to a
clandestine party – legend has it that the hosts are vampires. Along with her
twin sister and best friend, they decide to attend this party, and as you can
imagine, their lives will never be the same. Vampires like to change things…
The rest of the series deals with Elizabeth’s life as a vampire…moving
to the UK, meeting the rest of the vampire society, and of course, dealing with
the evil rogue vampire - always out to destroy her life.
How do you
maintain thoughts and ideas?
Notebooks, post-it notes, and loads of scratch pads;
I usually keep a large notebook handy with sections for each major scene
or idea, jot down notes and important facts so that I don’t forget names, ages,
descriptions of characters, etc. (Sometimes I even remember to use them).
Are the
creative schemes, drama, and events in your series from personal experience, or
your own creation?
Both. For Ravenswynd,
it started with a vivid dream about (me) being bitten by a vampire!
<grin> The description of my main male character came from a real
event at a local mall. I had seen a man with long black hair (from the back)
several months prior to starting the book, and then while writing - it hit me -
HE WAS the man!
Now and then an idea will spark while I’m doing some
mundane thing around the house, like washing dishes, cooking, or taking a
shower. For example, River of Time (a
time-travel romance) starts almost exactly with what I was actually doing when
the idea came to me – standing at the kitchen sink, rinsing out a hand lotion
dispenser. Once I sit down and start typing, most often, the rest of the
story just comes to me.
Please
share a paragraph or two to entice readers...
From Ravenswynd
Legends (book 1):
Within the darkness came a peace I had never felt
before. No sounds, no tastes, no feelings, or scents. First, only a
dim awareness of myself - my spirit or my soul, my mind or my being, it all
felt the same - it was still me. Then, little by little, all of my
memories came back. I traced my whole life: from childhood to
college, as a movie screen in my mind, I saw everything. And then, (name
withheld) came to my mind’s eye.
Pure,
unfathomable feelings of love flowed over me. I knew he loved me - all of
me: my past, my present, and my future. It was undeniably beautiful.
“Drink, my sweet Elizabeth. Drink of my élan
vital as I have of yours.”
With the sound of his soft whisper came the
realization that I was not dead. As he cradled my head in his hand,
lifting it with a gentle touch, I became aware of his sweet, spicy scent. Something
pressed up against my lips and all at once a new aroma filled my senses.
The warm liquid spilled into my mouth. It was dense and sweet,
coating my throat with a velvety smoothness. It warmed my insides
immediately and gave me the sensation of being aware, having life, and waking
up for the first time after a long, deep sleep. I never knew being alive
could feel so incredible, so marvelous. I lifted my hands to his hand,
feeling the warmth of his skin as he gripped the goblet. I pulled his
hand closer and tipped the cup up, drinking in more and more of his vital
essence, his life force...his blood.
Copyright © 2013 Sharon Ricklin Jones
From River of Time, where you can find Gina’s poem: Choices on page 173...<big grin>
The computer was already on, and Logan sat in front of
it after pulling up another chair from the dining room for me. He asked
me exactly where we needed to go first, and without thinking, I said, “Spokane,
Washington.”
“And what’s there?” he asked curiously without taking
his eyes off the screen.
“My mother,” I explained. “I’d like to stop and
say hi to her before I try to find Brent.”
Logan turned his head toward me and asked, “Do you
think that’s a smart idea, Maggie? What about changing the time-space
continuum and all that?”
“What difference does it make? That’s my plan
anyway; to change my future.” I frowned at him. “Besides, I think
we have to go now. I remember my mother talking about a visit from me
that, until now, made no sense.” I explained in detail, everything she
had said.
“I hope you’re right. I’d hate to think your
actions would cause the world to implode upon itself or something!” His
smile was wide and his dimple deep as he winked at me.
“It’s so strange to think about now. It’s almost
as if time is a giant circle. Some things we remember doing already and
label it déjà vu,” I mused. “I don’t remember driving from Wisconsin to
see my mother before, but in my past, at least according to her, it already
happened.”
It was dizzying trying to think this all through; I
put a hand on my forehead and closed my eyes for a moment. Logan clicked
on a map of the whole United States and took a pad of paper and a pencil, and
started jotting down routes.
“No Google-maps quite yet?” I asked
rhetorically. “This will be easier in 2010. Way easier!” I
elbowed him without thinking - trying to be funny. He peered closely at
me and a strange look came over his face. I immediately sat up straight
in the chair and pulled away.
“I don’t bite, Maggie,” he said with a smile.
“You don’t have to be afraid to be yourself with me.”
“It’s just that you make me…” I paused for a
moment. “Never mind.” My cheeks burned and I wished I hadn’t opened
my mouth at all.
“What? I make you uncomfortable, don’t I?”
Logan’s face was serious and he leaned back into his seat. “I think
I understand. You need me to help you get back to your ex-husband, even
though he sounds like a schmuck. I have been nothing but kind and helpful
to you, but I’m the one who makes you uncomfortable. I think you might be
a little confused, Maggie. I’m the good guy. Try to remember that.”
Copyright
© 2013 Sharon Ricklin Jones
If your
book was being made into a movie, do you already have actors in mind for each
role? What bands/singers would you put on the soundtrack?
Wow, that’s a hard one. I’ve never really thought
about it…but if the model on my cover of book 4 was an actor, he could
definitely play Emrys in Ravenswynd!
(Cover reveal coming soon and book should be available by Dec. 1).
As far as music goes, I rarely listen to music while I
write since it’s too distracting for me, however, when I wrote my first novel
(a contemporary romance currently waiting to be rewritten and edited), I
listened to Yanni the entire time, so I suppose I’d like soft, contemporary
music playing for that one. Of course, in Ravenswynd, during the more intense scenes like being kidnapped by
a rogue vampire (book 2) or being chased by Vampire Hunters (book 4), I’d like
more intense music, like the type I found for the book-trailer video for book
4. All of my book-trailers can be found on my You-tube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/user/sharonjones191/videos
https://www.youtube.com/user/sharonjones191/videos
List 10
random facts about yourself….
I stopped dying my hair about 4
years ago and don’t miss it a bit.
I hate winter, and I live in
Wisconsin.
I’m a storyteller who’s afraid of
public speaking.
I’m a homebody at heart, but want
to see the world.
I love vegetables; yes, even
broccoli.
I detest injustice, haters and
liars.
I love cats, but am allergic to
them.
I said I’d never own a Kindle…but
I do. (Christmas gift from DH)
I miss living on a farm/ranch.
I love chocolate - enough said.
Connect with Sharon…
Besides Amazon, all of Sharon’s books are, or will be
available at Barnes & Noble, All Romance and Smashwords, as well as several
other online ebook stores.
Thank you
Sharon for selecting my poem Choices to be included in your new book release!
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2 comments:
Thanks for the interview, Gina!
You are such a sweetheart~
Sharon
Simply amazing!!!
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