Author Interview + Giveaway: Linda Robertson

First off, I'd like to thank Linda Robertson for dropping by to answer some questions. I really enjoyed her first novel, Vicious Circle (you can see my review here). The latest book in her Persephone Alcmedi series, Arcane Circle, was released last December.

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Sara: How would you describe your Persephone Alcmedi novels, for readers who haven’t heard of them before?

Linda: They are about a witch who, in discovering her destiny, also finds her life will never be the same. There’s family and love and romance, but there’s also danger, betrayal, death and secrets.

Sara: How would you describe each of your main characters in three words?

Linda:
Persephone: Loyal, stubborn, responsible
Johnny: Rock-n-roll, tattoos, sexy
Menessos: Manipulative, regal, sexy

Sara: What sets your series apart from the rest of the Urban Fantasy genre?

Linda: Let me set this up with what doesn’t set me apart. :) Urban Fantasy has its tropes, like the big destiny and the witch-werewolf-vampire union. I’ve got those. I have some of the usual “tools” as well: the powerful spell book, the broom, the wand, the ley line. What’s different is the ley line is painful and addictive, I made up a protrepticus—a spirit housed in a cell phone, etc. I’ve given her tools/powers/sagely-advisors and I’ve also taken them away. I don’t want her to be all powerful. She’s just a dependable girl-next-door who’s forced into all this and struggling with it. I’m on book five and she’s just starting to accept it. Also the series is tight time-wise. We’ve covered only about six weeks of her life.

Sara: Tell us a little about your writing process. Are you a plotter or a pantser?

Linda: Yes.*giggles* None of the books have been the same as far as process. Where I am now, I do a little of both. When I played guitar in a cover band, I did my own solos but made sure to hit the high points and low points on time with the original recorded solo. Writing is like that. I document the high and low points of the story in bullet form, arrange them chronologically, check my moon phases etc, and then I write. I used to outline strictly everything thinking it would maximize my time. Um... no. I’ve learned I need to be free to the inspiration of the moment, so I don’t define every detail in outline because I like to let it flow as I work. Admittedly, that sometimes doesn’t work out and I have to go back and re-write as something later seems like a much cooler way to handle the situation. My half-and-half system is the evolution of my process and I suspect it will continue to evolve.

Sara: Where did the idea for the Persephone Alcmedi series come from? Are they novels you have always wanted to write or did they sneak up on you?

Linda: I blame the po-boy I ate at the New Orleans airport while waiting for my flight. I was sitting there wondering what to write next, as I am a writer who has about ten useless manuscripts in the drawer. (My learning curve is LONG :) ) Johnny “appeared” first. They say write what you know... so he was Rock-n-roll Bad boy. But what if he’s just playing that role because of the tattoos. What if he didn’t get the tattoos... what if his memory is gone and he doesn’t know where they came from? He evolved that way. Persephone developed out of what his perfect woman would be and she took over.

Sara: One of my favorite characters is Persephone’s grandmother. Did you base this character off of a relative? Or did she come solely from your imagination?

Linda: Ahhh, Nana. Nana is my mother, my aunts, and my mother’s friends rolled into one. I was going to sprinkle her with CRASS, but it was one of those moments where the seasoning shaker’s inner lid was loose and I didn’t know it. She got a heaping helping of it. I want to do more with her, but this series is Persephone’s story. I may have to revisit Nana as a lead character later.

Sara: Can we look forward to more books in your Persephone Alcmedi series, after Arcane Circle?

Linda: Presently I am contracted for two more books. Wicked Circle is set for release in January 2012. The sixth book is not yet titled. I hope to do nine books. That’s the overarching plot I have worked out.

Sara: What are your influences both in and out of Urban Fantasy?

Linda: Jennifer Roberson, Sword Dancer series; Steven Brust, Jhereg series; Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman, Dragonlance series, Darksword series, Rose of the Prophet series; Kim Harrison, Rachel Morgan series.

Sara: What are you currently reading?

Linda: Maria Lima’s Blood Heat.

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Thanks again to Linda for stopping by and answering some questions. She has also offered up two copies of Arcane Circle to two lucky readers! All you have to do is answer Linda's question: How do you celebrate St. Patrick's Day -- and are you really Irish?

Title: Arcane Circle
Author: Linda Robertson
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release Date: 12/28/10
Summary:

Even magic can’t solve everything...

After facing down the forces of Fairy in mortal combat, Persephone Alcmedi still must deal with the aftermath. Not only does Seph now possess deadly secrets she must hide from the arcane and mundane world alike, but the dozens of magical creatures who’ve taken up residence behind her cornfield need food and shelter, and there’s still her foster daughter Beverly’s tenth birthday party to plan.

And that’s not all... Seph’s boyfriend Johnny has revealed himself as the wærewolf Domn Lup, and the ruler of the wære world is en route from Romania to make sure Johnny really is the “king” he claims to be. But Johnny’s hiding a dangerous secret: his magic is locked in his mysterious tattoos. He and Seph must find a way for him to reclaim it—fast—despite those who have no intention of letting Johnny gain his full powers. Seph knows that, in the arcane world, strength is always a necessity and power must be constantly proven, but how far is she willing to go to succeed... and at what cost?

Giveaway Rules:
Open internationally.
Note: US/Canada winners will receive a signed book straight from the author, but international winners will receive a new unsigned book from a different supplier.
Must ask answer the question or leave a question.
Must leave a valid e-mail address.
Contest ends at midnight on Saturday 26th.