WATCH OUT: Bitten2ice

SC:I want to welcome you all to another edition of Watch Out. This week I’m excited to bring you author Bitten2ice.
Welcome to Watch Out, it is so great to have you here.

B2:Thank you for having me, the pleasure is all mine.

SC:For the readers out there who might not know about you or your work, can you please tell them a little about yourself.

B2:I love to read, write, and enjoy life to the fullest. I currently live in sunny south Florida with my boyfriend, two children, and two dogs. I can usually be found online, in one forum or another. I love to write in the science fiction and fantasy realms. My writings are rarely without a vampire, a shifter, or some other paranormal medium.

SC:Can you tell us a little about your current release?

B2:No matter how old you are life boils down to decisions and choices. A Blood Moon (first of the Macedo Ink series) is a story of love and conflict. Alexander Macedo is a 2000year old vampire who in death was Alexander the Great but now masquerades under many aliases. However, he is best known to his friends as Alex. 2000 years is a long time to live and there aren’t many who can survive that type of change. Alex realizes that he has fallen in love with Jacqui (Jack) Brunson just about the time an old flame Catalina arrives on scene. Does he follow his heart or the woman (demon) he can spend eternity with?

SC: What draws you to the paranormal genre?

B2:The paranormal has a lure that is just beyond the blink of an eye. While it is an escape from reality, didn’t you ever wonder if those flickers in your peripheral vision were something other tricks of light? When our eyes fail during the change of light; dusk and dawn, do you ever wonder what is really out there? And is it the wind that is whistling at the windows? The paranormal is mysterious and it peaks my curiosity.
I have to stay away from true horror though, I would never sleep.

SC: Which do you prefer eBooks or paperback?

B2:I love the smell of a freshly cracked bind and the feel of newly thumbed pages, but I will have to say that in today’s world I can appreciate the eBook so much more. I don’t have to worry about shelf space, reading light, and bookmarks. Why not repurpose the trees for the making of oxygen per se? I don’t mind waiting until we get to 35,000 feet before I can turn on my approved electronic ereader and the time to ship when I order my book is as fast as my link to the internet. You can even rent an eBook from many local libraries these days. I believe eBooks are the way of the future.

SC: What influences the topics, and genre’s that you pick to write a story in?

B2:Passion influences me. A couple of years ago I listened to the tale of a Doctor who returned from a country in Europe. He talked about human trafficking and I was so caught up emotionally in the story, that I immediately wrote about 60K words. I called it “Unbroken”. I’m still unclear whether or not I’ll ever publish it, but although it exposes the harsh realities it is a positive paranormal piece about one who fought back and won.

Similarly I remember seeing a homeless fellow be sneered at in New York. Whatever his circumstance, I could well imagine him as a shifter running through New York besting them for breakfast. That piece is posted for free reading on my website and is called “As You Were”.
Aside from topical influences, I leave it to the voices in my head and allow the story to unravel as my fingers fly over the keyboard. I like to have fun with any topic. So I try not to write about anything too sombre.

SC:If you had the chance to become a vampire would you?

B2:I’m on the fence. I don’t think it’s the blood drinking that would get me. After all we strive to maintain our position of being at the top of the food chain today. Getting our food on Styrofoam trays from the supermarket could be no different than getting blood in bags from the blood bank. ? I think it would be the immortality that would get to me. The living longer than everyone else part would bother me. I think if you casually made me the offer, I’d probably refuse. On the other hand if I was gasping for my last breath of air and the offer was made, I could see myself jumping at the opportunity.

SC: Where do you see yourself in the next few years?

B2: I’d love to think that I will be sitting in front of my computer as I am right now, tapping out a new story.
One thing readers might be surprised to know about you?
I’m a geek. I love technology and crave the latest gadgets.

SC:What is the biggest misconception you think people have about authors?

B2:When you hold a paperback book in your hand, it feels so simple. Two jackets, the spine, and content. Similarly and even more simply, the eBook… Who here knows how to type in Microsoft Word?
I believe that very few outside the industry understand what it takes to produce a quality book. Forget the writing of the story, it’s everything that comes after the first draft and before the finished product and the ongoing marketing initiatives thereafter that’s the challenge.

SC:Your favourite part about being an author?

B2:I love the ability to unleash my imagination. Of course, I must answer to my editor and rein it in a bit during the revision sessions but the creation, development, and satisfaction upon conclusion is such a wonderful feeling.
Just before I publish anything, in the quiet of the night I’ll boot up my reader and have one last read. If I still like it, it’s good to go.

SC:What are you currently reading?

B2:I’m actually just in between books having finished Cara Mia by Denise Verrico and about to start Twilight of the Gods also by Denise Verrico.

SC:Currently listening to?

B2:Buju Banton – One to One

SC:What do you think sets your stories apart from other authors?

B2:I would not be so bold as to compare my writing to any other author’s. Though I will say while we all strive to be different, I’ve tried to keep the things I believe the readers like about the vampire. I also like the storyline to take on unpredictable twists. Sometimes I’m even surprised where the story leads me.

SC:Are any of your stories influenced by personal events?

B2:I do draw from experience when creating dialogue. If I don’t personally have an experience to draw from I’ll call a friend, a lifeline, or reach out to the audience. I’m never afraid to ask when I don’t know. Folks are so helpful. If you pose a question on Facebook or Twitter someone will respond with a suggestion. People are the best to learn from. I think there’s a little bit of me in every story, just because I’m crafting it; but no more than that. Other people are so much more interesting to me and much more worthy of a novel.

SC:Is there anything you’re currently working on that you can give us a taste of?

B2:I’m in the midst of putting the wrappings on my March 2011 release called “Marked”.
I’m also working on “As Blood Rages (#2 in the Macedo Ink series)”. Here’s a teaser from #2 As Blood Rages target release date June 2011:

Alex’s hand swept under her hair to cup her jaw his fingertips lightly touching the length of her neck pulling her into him softly. His grey eyes stared into the emerald depths of hers. After a moment he found the yielding softness that he was looking for, and his lips lightly brushed hers. Firm yet tender.
“Alex… What’s wrong?” Jack managed to whisper.
Alex’s lips moved against her neck. “My empire is under attack. My family is under attack, and the best way that I found to protect you was to leave you in the custody of the police?”
What is the best advice you ever got with regards to writing?
Increase my circle of influence to include like-minded people. If you want to be a duck, you have to learn to eat, sleep, and breathe like a duck.
I don’t know why I picked such an unobtrusive animal like a duck for the metaphor. I think that just fell out. Next thing you know the duck will have fangs.

SC:Any advice for new writers out there?

B2:Writing is not just an art it is a business. If you are serious, hone your craft and learn everything there is to know about the industry at the time you opt to enter it. This is a time of flux where the industry is being redefined by the advances of technology.

SC:Where can readers find out more about you and your work?

B2:Thank you again for having me.
I can be found at:
http://www.bitten2ice.co.uk
http://www.bitten2ice.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/BittenTwice/295323473457
Twitter: @Bitten2ice
Blog: http://www.bitten2ice.com/TheFullFang