Guest Blog + Giveaway: Erica Hayes

Today I'd like to welcome Erica Hayes, who is stopping by to talk about her new Urban Fantasy release, Shadowglass, which released on March 2nd. I have not gotten a chance to read Shadowglass yet, but you can read my 5 review of Shadowfae, book 1 of the Shadowfae Chronicles, here. Her topic for this guest blog is where she gets her ideas. I found it very interesting, and hope you do to! And stick around, there's a giveaway at the bottom of the post.

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Hi everyone, and thanks so much to Sara for hosting me on her blog today. It's a pleasure!

Authors are often asked: "Where do you get your ideas?" With fantasy authors in particular, people are fascinated by that spark of an idea that became a story.

And I always have trouble with that question. Ideas come from so many places, and rarely can I put my finger on the exact time or place that the first inkling of a book idea occurred to me. For me, it's more of a matter of knowing what I like, and creating the stories I want to read – because hey, I can't be the only one, right?

For instance, when I started SHADOWGLASS, I knew I wanted to write a magic mirror story. Ever since Snow White, I've loved the idea of a mischievous mirror that messes with your mind and shows you what it wants to. And I knew I wanted it to be about fairies, just because they're cool and sexy and have a rockin' good time. But how to incorporate fairies and magic mirrors into an urban fantasy story that I'd want to read?

Hmm, I thought. Well, I know I love strong heroines. Not necessarily kick-ass chicks, but girls who make the best of the skills they have, and don't whine when things go wrong. So I made my fairy heroine like that. Ice from SHADOWGLASS makes a really big mistake by peeking into that mirror, and it lands her in big trouble. Everything she does to put it right just makes things worse. But she doesn't complain, or give up. She just tries harder. Ice might not be powerful, but she sure is persistent.

So when she meets Indigo, the sexy metalfairy of her dreams, she isn't giving up. No matter how many times he insists he's not interested. I don't wish to give too much away, but believe me: Indigo has dark and urgent reasons why Ice is the last woman in town he should get involved with…

Stubborn heroine. Equally stubborn, conflicted hero. Magic mirror messing with their minds. Throw in some vengeful demons, a pair of greedy gangsters and a weird bodysnatching angel, and voila! SHADOWGLASS.

And all because I read Snow White as a kid, and like resourceful heroines.

Getting ideas. It's easy :)

Thanks to everyone for dropping by! You can find out about my books, and read excerpts, at http://www.shadowfae.net

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And now for the giveaway. Erica has graciously offered one lucky commenter a signed copy of Shadowglass. All you have to do is leave a comment.

Welcome to a secret world hidden behind shadowy fairy glamour, where thieving spriggans rob you blind, beautiful banshees mesmerize you with their song, big green trolls kick heads at nightclubs and vampire Mafiosi rule the streets. Here a seductive magic mirror lies hidden deep in a demon's lair, with a simple warning: don't stare at the glass... Ice is a light-fingered fairy who can't resist a look at the powerful mirror. The mirror offers her a chance to achieve everything she's ever dreamed of. But when she pilfers it, she discovers that its power comes with a price: the mirror is a gateway to obsession and madness... and it will take every trick in her arsenal just to survive.

Giveaway Rules:

You must leave a vaild e-mail address.
This contest is open to the US and Canada only.
Please, only one comment per person.

Extra entries:
+1 For being a follower (new or old)
+3 For tweeting the contest @sara_UFblog (must leave link in comment)
+5 For a blog post (must leave link in comment)

** This giveaway will end at midnight EST on Thursday 03/11 and the winner will be announced Friday 02/12. Winners will be chosen using Random.org.