This virtual book tour is presented by Bewitching Book Tours.
You can see the entire tour schedule by clicking HERE.
Welcome to The Wormhole and my day on the tour!
I am pleased to present Marie Treanor!
When I was a small child.
? How many jobs did you have before you became a writer?
Hmm, let’s see, I was an Editorial Assistant, a librarian (twice) and a researcher. I suppose that’s four, not counting voluntary jobs, summer jobs and Saturday jobs.
? How long does it take you to write a book?
Probably about three months, if all goes well and real life co-operates. I may go back to it after that for one more self-editing pass, but it should be in at least reasonable nick by this time!
Although obviously it depends on the length. Novellas and short stories can take as little as four or even one week.
? Do you have a routine that you use to get into the right frame of mind to write?
No, I’ve never quite got out of the way of grabbing any and every opportunity! Stems from the days of trying to write while at work or looking after children!
? Where do you get your ideas or inspiration for your characters?
From all sorts of places – a face on a train, a snippet from a book, a few words overheard, a bit of history or an atmospheric building or ruin. I once wrote a story (THE DEVIL AND VIA), inspired by an item of news in Italy when I was on holiday there, about how priests were being trained to deal with disaffected young people who’d turned to Satanism. And KILLING JOE popped into my head with a television advert!
Others have a longer simmering time: BLOOD ON SILK and the other AWAKENED BY BLOOD books grew at least partly out of my longstanding love of gothic romance novels and Dracula films. Then one day Saloman appeared in my head, arising from his tomb and advancing on my terrified heroine through the dust.
? How do you decide what you want to write about?
I think the story decides for me! I write the one that wants to be written most.
? What books have most influenced your life?
I suppose the ones I read as a kid that made me want to be a writer: adventure stories mainly, by Enid Blyton, then Malcolm Saville. Jane Eyre made a big, early impression too.
Then Georgette Heyer’s The Masqueraders introduced me to a whole new world of fun and I was addicted to all kinds of historical. Loved The Stranger Prince by Margaret Irwin. And The Game of Kings by Dorothy Dunnett blew me away. All her books do! The epic scale of War and Peace inspired me too. They also inspired in me a love of history which I went on to study at university, where I met most of my best friends of today.
Reading Dracula was another turning point. The idea and the weird sensuality of vampires began to fascinate me, and I sought out all the vampire books I could find. Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire made a HUGE impression that’s still with me.
Later, I discovered ebooks and paranormal romance. I think it was Ciar Cullen’s Ghosts of Key West (now re-published as Key West Magic) that opened my mind to the possibilities of the romance genre.
? What is the first book you remember reading by yourself?
Enid Blyton’s Book of Fairies.
? What are you reading right now?
Alinor by Roberta Gellis – lovely romantic historical, part of a medieval series.
? What do you like to do when you are not writing?
I like to read, watch films, spend time with my family and friends. I love travelling too, seeing new places and spending time in the sun.
? What is your favorite comfort food?
Cake. Chocolate. Ice cream…Mmm.
? What do you think makes a good story?
Appealing characters, good pace and fine, evocative writing.
? Who would you consider your favorite author and why?
The late Dorothy Dunnett, a Scottish historical novelist, although she also wrote some very fun and quirky thrillers. She just tells a wonderful story, with characters who get under your skin, and settings that spring to life. Her writing is clear and witty, often understated and yet tugs at your emotions.
? What book, if any, do you read over and over again?
I tend not to re-read books very much now, unless I discover a sequel and find I’ve forgotten important parts of the book that came before! I did go through a phase of re-reading Georgette Heyer for the sheer escapism, but I haven’t done that for years – there are too many new books out there that I’m desperate to read!
Fun random questions:
· dogs or cats? Dogs
· Coffee or tea? Coffee
· Dark or milk chocolate? Both, please! And if you could manage some white in there too, I’d be forever grateful…
· Rocks or flowers? Flowers
· Night or day? Got to have both!
· Favorite color? Red
· Crayons or markers? Neither
· Pens or pencils? Both
Author Bio: Marie Treanor lives in Scotland with her eccentric husband and three much-too-smart children. Having grown bored with city life, she resides these days in a picturesque village by the sea where she is lucky enough to enjoy herself avoiding housework and writing sensual stories of paranormal romance and fantasy. Marie Treanor has published more than twenty ebooks with small presses, (Samhain Publishing, Ellora’s Cave, Changeling Press and The Wild Rose Press), including a former Kindle bestseller, Killing Joe. Blood on Silk: an Awakened by Blood novel, was her New York debut with NAL. In the Awakened by Blood series, Marie is delighted to be able to bring together her long-standing loves of vampire stories and Gothic romance. Website: www.MarieTreanor.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Marie-Treanor-Paranormal-Romance/105866982782360.
Newsletter: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marietreanornewsletter.
Blog: Marie Treanor's Romantic Theme Party:
http://romanticthemeparty.blogspot.com/
