Interview with paranormal romance novelist Casey Wyatt

Today's guest is paranormal romance novelist Casey Wyatt to share a bit about her newest novel, The Undead Space Initiative, as she virtually travels on a book tour.

Casey will be awarding a $25 Amazon gift card and an e-copy of Mystic Ink to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. So if you'd like to be entered to win, make sure to leave an email address with a comment below. And if you want to increase your odds of winning, feel free to visit other stops and comment there. If you don't want to be entered in the contest, feel free to still leave a comment!

Bio:

Casey Wyatt has no personal knowledge of the paranormal, but she hopes someday that may change. If there are ancient Gods, elves, or satyrs living nearby, they’re more than welcome to visit. Bring pizza and chocolate please!

Her paranormal romance and urban fantasy novels have won or placed in numerous RWA contests. When not writing, Casey enjoys time with her family, loves to read, and enjoys knitting and crocheting.

She lives in a bustling Connecticut town with her husband, two sons, and an assortment of pets (none of which are shape-shifters).

Visit Casey on the web: www.caseywyatt.com or at http://secretsof7scribes.wordpress.com/. You can also find Casey on Facebook, Twitter (@CaseyWyatt1), and Tumblr. 

Welcome, Casey. Please tell us about your current release.

My current release is a paranormal romance called The Undead Space Initiative.

It’s a paranormal romance about a vampire stripper named Cherry Cordial. Cherry rescues a vampire hottie named Ian McDevitt from a gang of blood thirsty revenants and soon regrets it. When the vampire queen is murdered, she and Ian are the number one suspects. Her only chance: escape to Mars, where she has a chance to survive, or remain on Earth and die for sure.

What inspired you to write this book?

I distinctly remember the moment, while I was driving my car when the idea popped into my head – vampire stripper, Cherry Cordial, has to flee to Mars. I was in the process of writing another paranormal, Mystic Ink (my first published novel), so I had to set the idea aside for a while. But Cherry stuck with me and I just had to write to book. I didn’t care if no one wanted to buy it, she was too fun to resist.

Excerpt:

Reality settled in. We were leaving the Earth. I’d be strapped into a tube and hurtled into space. If we survived the journey, I’d be on my way to Mars.

 My kneecaps dissolved to water. I clutched the railing, trying to calm my stomach and stay upright.

“You don’t have to go, Cherry,” Ian said from behind me.

I stiffened. His offer seemed more tempting by the minute, yet I couldn’t abandon my family. “I’m afraid to board the ship. But I can’t disobey my sire.”

“You could ask him to emancipate you. You’re plenty old enough.”

“Why are you still here?” Old enough? No woman likes to be told she’s old. Especially when it’s true.

“Concerned is all,” he shrugged and joined me by the railing. He stared out, side profile as handsome as the full frontal.

“Don’t be. I’m a big girl,” I chirped with way more bravado than I felt. Now I knew what Alice experienced when she fell into the rabbit hole. Afraid, confused. Freaked out. I reminded myself Jonathan was a great leader. Even though we had our personal baggage, he would do his best to ensure we survived. He hadn’t let us down yet.

Heavy machines moved into position. The workers unlatched more hoses, wires and mechanical items from the ship’s side. Blood pounded in my head, caused by my tight jaw and grinding teeth.

“I didn’t mean to offend. Or imply Jonathan can’t defend you.” Ian’s voice softened. The low tone made my toes curl. “I hoped we could prove our innocence together.”

What exciting story are you working on next?

I just completed a paranormal romance called Misfortune Cookie. Here’s a peek:

When Radiance Ashworth inherits the family fortune and a nasty supernatural curse, life as she knows it is over forever. Instead of luxurious pampering, she’s stuck chasing wayward spirits and sending them back to the Hereafter. Her new normal consists of ectoplasmic goo, bruises, and ruined clothes.

Fortunately, she doesn’t have to navigate the supernatural world alone. Luca, sexy, confident, and so damn tempting, is happy to guide her – if she’d only accept his help.  She quickly learns how much she needs his assistance just to stay alive, when a Jiang Shi – a vengeful Chinese spirit – starts systematically murdering the city’s elite businessmen. While the Jiang Shi proves to be a formidable opponent, Radiance finds the growing attraction between her and Luca to be even scarier.

I’m also in trying to complete Mystic Storm, the next book after Mystic Ink.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

Probably back in the mid-nineties when I first started seriously writing. But really, I didn’t feel like a real writer until last year when I sold my first book and started telling family and friends. Prior to that, very few people knew I was writing. I didn’t like to talk about it and face the inevitable questions (“What’s your book about? Are you finished with it yet?”). For a while, I stopped writing so I always felt like a failure if someone I’d told remembered and brought it up. After I sold my book, naturally, there was a bit of surprise from the relatives. Now, I’m peppered with questions like “how well is the book doing?” “Have you sold a lot?” I just laugh it off and say “I don’t know, I have to wait for my publisher to tell me.” 

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

Sadly, I have a necessary day job that I must work before any writing gets done. Fortunately, I work from home so my commute consists of changing rooms and computers. I usually get a few hours a day to write. I actually spend more time plotting my books than writing them. Even with 2 or 3 hours a night I can get a novel completed in about 6 weeks.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

Hmm. I’m not sure that I have one. I don’t know if this counts as a quirk, but I like to write alone. I can’t sit in a room with other people and just write. I’m pretty chatty so having my friends around is too big a temptation. And I think it reminds me too much of school, when we used to have to write essays on demand!

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be several different things depending on my age at the time. For a while I wanted to be a biologist, then an astronomer, but I loved art and writing best of all. I thought I would go to art school in college, but I talked myself out of it. If I had to name one regret in life that would be it.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

I love to meet readers and make new friends. You can find me hanging around on Facebook, at my blog or on Twitter. Please drop by and say hello. Thank you so much for having me as your guest today!