Interview with sci-fi fantasy author Karen Fainges

Today’s guest is sci-fi/fantasy author Karen Fainges. She’s chatting a bit about herself and her novel, Book 1 of the Shaytonian Chronicles - Destiny Sets.

Karen has some giveaways during her tour, including: a 3 pack of e-books Shaytonian Chronicles Book 1-3; a 3-pack of paperback Shaytonian Chronicles Book 1-3 (Signed if willing to wait for post from Australia or from Amazon if not). Use the form below to enter.

Bio:

Born in Lismore NSW, a rev head/surfer, dairy town, Karen Fainges moved to Nimbin at the tender age of six to learn the ups and downs of living in a hippie based economy, and moved again to Coonabarabran - rural, wear your hat if you are going into town, set your watch back, type of place.

She learnt all about culture shock and is sure her desire to write a world of her own came from all that moving around. Here was one world that followed the rules. Except...she never was too good at following rules. And neither are her characters.

Story telling was a part of life, whether it was reading books or sitting around a camp fire, her happiest times were spent lifting on the clouds of words into the worlds above. Fairies, aliens, westerns, historical, it didn't really matter. Anything that showed the world through different eye

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

Destiny Sets tells of a vampiric slave race that escaped their masters to hide between dimensions. Together they create a perfect being to save them all.

The Fates have other ideas.

An irreverant stab at old B movies where a race of women capture men to breed.

What inspired you to write this book?

As a child, I found that if it was too hot to play, stories kept my younger sister and cousin interested. Later, I went on to create a way more adult version of those tales of shapechanging, aliens.

Excerpt:

Lightning sears a scene against the eye. Trapped between reality and death, every scrap of life is fighting for existence. To stop fighting is to die. Some precious moments of peace can be stolen from small pockets of calm. Life can take a breath and wonder at the harsh beauty. But only for a moment, then struggle resumes. And others watch. The Shayton Chronicles begins in Destiny Sets, the story of one man. He is that drop of chaos that can spell success or failure. Born from a vampiric race of slaves, genetically moulded to provide comfort for their masters, he alone decides to be truly free. Irreverent humour and a fierce need to know 'why', war within him and entire worlds are changed. "The Stainless Steel Rat with fangs."

What exciting story are you working on next?

I am currently working on two books. The first is Book 4 of the Chronicles. The second is a sequel to my humour book, Can You Smell Burning tentatively entitled My breeze smells like dog spit.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

The first time I got paid for it which was some academic writing.

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?

I work for myself as a computer trainer, so some days will be all writing, some students, some avoiding housework. I bought a donger, which is a shipping container fitted out with air conditioning and power. It is my Mummy Mansion and I can sneak in there and write. We also have a computer in the lounge so I can write and still be with the family. Last but not least, there is our local coffee shop and my trustee tablet. You know, with all these ways to write, you think I would do it a lot more.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I like to run the scenes through in my mind first in full 3D-Karenvision to make sure they work.

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

Dolphin trainer, astronaut, professional mattress and chocolate tester, rollercoaster engineer, circus trainer, dog whisperer, the lot really. So lucky I am a writer, I can do all of it.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

Smile, it drives them crazy wondering what you are thinking about.

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Thanks, Karen!

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