Interview with YA paranormal author Rebecca Ripley

Author Rebecca Ripley is chatting with me today about her new YA paranormal fantasy, The Aberrant Sword. 

>>The book is currently available for $.99 on Kindle.<<

Bio:

Rebecca Ripley grew up playing in the heather on the rolling hills of the Hampshire New Forest. Growing up in a region where witchcraft, legends and lore shape the history and even future of the region, she developed a deep love for fantasy. In her books she tries to marry the concepts of fantasy with strong storytelling and fast-paced young-adult action. 

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

The Aberrant Sword is a fast-paced young adult paranormal fantasy book and the first in the Abarynthian Artefacts series. The story is about Isabelle who ‘finally’ gets to become a real-life kick-ass demon hunter… except that everything goes terribly wrong. 

She ends up befriending the Demon and, on a back,-breaking quest for a sword that is supposedly key in Evil’s plan to conquer the world. 

I wanted to write a fast-paced yet fluffy and maybe even a bit romantic Young-Adult book – that now has turned into a full-concept series. 

What inspired you to write this book?

I currently live in South East-London (my husband works outside of London so it is easier for him to hit the M25 that way) and I work near Green park. My commutes are hella long! I am talking an hour at least. One morning I finished my audiobook and I was hit with the lethargy that comes after finishing a really good series or an amazing book – What should I do now?

Opposite me sat this absolutely gorgeous woman – dark features, eyes that pierce into your soul, beautiful brown curls, tall and so incredibly stylish in leather… 

I could see her being a bad-ass demon hunter! 

On the train back home I started writing my book. 

What exciting story are you working on next?

I am currently working on the second book in the series. I have planned 5 books in this series and I already have plans for 2 spin-offs. One is an Academia series and one spin-off will take place in the USA. I am so excited for them but I can’t seem to write fast enough! 

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I don’t think I consider myself a writer yet. It’s hard. In the end I am just a girl on her way home or to work hammering out words on a keyboard. I guess I will consider myself a real writer if people buy my books and like them – I think that would be a real milestone for me: getting good reviews and people mailing me or signing up to the mailing list because they like my stories. 

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?

 No – I mostly write on my commutes and when I am home in the evenings. I basically take a bus to the train station and open up my laptop as soon as I am on the train. I tried writing during my lunch breaks but all what happens is that I just forget to eat. In the evenings I write after dinner – most of the time with a large glass of red wine. I think that is my favourite way of writing: comfy P-Jay bottoms, band shirt and a big glass of red wine. 

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I talk to myself and my characters when writing. It’s very annoying on the train and tube because people literally think I am

a) talking to them 

and when they notice I am not 

b) batshit crazy 

  

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

I wanted to become a vet. Very unique – I know… 

Later on I wanted to become a journalist and travel the world.
I don’t know about the journalist stuff but if my books would be successful (touch wood) I do think I would travel the world non-stop. I would be a digital-nomad-author. 

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

Adventure may hurt you but monotony will kill you. Get out there! Go explore! But always take a book

Thanks for being here today!