Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Break Out the Bubbly & the Dark Chocolate: Celebrating M.V. Freeman's Debut Novel INCANDESCENT


Debut Author M.V. Freeman
Hi Everyone! I'm very happy to interview my friend and fellow writer M.V. Freeman about her writing journey and her debut novel INCANDESCENT. I have had the privilege of reading this paranormal/urban fantasy romance in its infancy. And now it's a published book. Welcome to the Veranda, Mary. *Pop*Sizzle*Pour*Sipping champagne now!
Hello Christine, I am excited to be here! It is always a pleasure to spend time with you and I’m glad to say hey to everyone.
I've read this book in many different formats. Tell my readers a little about your debut novel. 
My book INCANDESCENT  is published by Crimson Romance and is available at all digital supported outlets (like Amazon and Barnes and Noble). Here's the blurb:
A gorgeous cover!
Some gifts are unwanted, and Laurie’s Hudson’s affinity for fire is one she hates. It has destroyed her relationship with her family and she has few friends. She’s fought hard to keep the fire inside suppressed, living a low key life as a bartender, until a brutal and charming man blows into her life.

Around Mikhail Petrov, her careful control disintegrates. She is at once drawn to his urbane, cool demeanor and irritated by his overbearing manner. Her options are taken away when he kidnaps her, forcing her into a fight she wants nothing to do with.

As she learns to survive, Laurie faces the hardest choice of all, her freedom or the destruction of the frustrating man she’s come to care for.

You know I love this story. I hope your new readers will, too. And that you get lots and lots of people clamoring for more of your stories. What is your favorite genre to write?  
I adore Urban Fantasy. That is my true love, and I like Romance. I tend to try to blend the two.  Although technically my current story could be considered a Paranormal, I bend the rules. This has gotten me into trouble, because either someone hates my story or loves it. There is no in-between. The bottom line is at the end of the story—I want a happy/satisfactory ending.
It's important to be true to your muse and your writing heart. The people who love your stories will want more. What do you read? What are your favorite genres? Who are your favorite authors? 
Oh, I read Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, YA, Historical and some contemporary. Of course, my favorite genres will always be Fantasy/Urban Fantasy.  I am not an author that avoids my genre because it inspires me. I wish I could read more than I do. Some of my favorite authors include but are not limited to—Anne Stuart, Ilona Andrews, Garth Nix, Stacia Kane and Moriah Densley. (I could go on and on).
I love Anne Stuart. She's a Goddess of Writing. And I also like reading my favorite genre to write as the books definitely inspire and uplift my own writing. What is your current project?
I am currently working on a sequel for my book INCANDESCENT.  I am tentatively titling it ILLUMINATION. It continues the story from book one, using two different main characters. Here is the current blurb:
In an effort to stop a war, Mina Tepes started one. Fleeing those among her own kind who want her dead, she turns to the one man who defended her as a child. She’ll risk it all to be with him, but she will have to learn to face her fears and mistakes but it may cost her the man she loves.
Mage Xander Fjordson is sworn to destroy Mina. Demoted for failure to contain a renegade Elemental, Xander is determined to regain his position and power. But he doesn't anticipate dealing with the Darkling, Mina. Now he faces a choice: help her and lose everything, or betray her and regain it all.

Sounds like a great continuation of the series. I can't wait to read it! Where do you get your ideas for your stories?
I get my stories from everywhere. I am constantly daydreaming, asking what if’s. Some of my ideas actually are based from dreams. My current book came from watching the movie “Eastern Promises”.  I also have friends that inspire me, just by talking to them (looks at Christine).  
We do a lot of bouncing around of ideas, don't we? And that's the fun part of building the stories. Now that you're published, what encouragement can you give writers who face rejection?  
This is hard. Rejection sucks no matter what, when, where, or why. It’s never easy. We ALL get rejections no matter what we do in our lives (writing, day job, school, relationships). I wish I could tell you great things. I’d say have a moment of despair, eat some chocolate, call your closest friend, and then get back up. Keep going. You will get there.
One of my favorite quotes:   “No means not yet.” by Candice Accola.  Remember that. 
 I will remember that quote. A keeper and so true. What is the most difficult part about writing for you? 
Writing wise—specifically--dialogue tags, and dialogue. But, I think there is nothing that doesn’t make me have to work for it. Sometimes I *love* writing and sometimes I want to bang my head against the wall. I have to fight for it—and I wouldn’t give it up for the world.
It's a challenging enterprise to tackle a story and wrestle it into shape. *grin* What is the most surprising thing you discovered after you received the call? 
That it seems so surrealistic. Then the business side of it kicks in. I knew it was coming, BUT the reality of it is quite sobering. The trick is balance. (Visualize me on a balance beam with one foot—I’m waving my arms.) I’ll get a hang of it. J
Hmmm. M.V. Freeman on a balance beam? I think you've got the hang of it for sure! Now it's time to go out there and walk the beam again. Write great books and market them, too. I'm so glad that I was part of this amazing journey with you. Best of luck in all that you do and in the future of the books. 

Thanks again, for letting me stop by.  I have one ebook that I would like to give away to one commentator.
You're very welcome, Mary! I hope that this is the beginning of a long and successful writing career. :-)
Author Bio: M.V. Freeman is a native of Minnesota, but calls North Alabama her home. She is a member of RWA, and the following romance chapters: Georgia Romance Writers, Southern Magic, and Heart of Dixie. By day her mind is filled with medical jargon at the local health clinic, but at night she finds herself exploring alternate worlds within our own. Heavily influenced by Slavic languages and culture, you will find she weaves these elements into her stories. Her award winning current story INCANDESCENT is the first in a series. She is currently working on the second book in the series while plotting another series. When she is not writing, she's reading, cooking, throwing around kettle bells, or making coffee. You can find her at  www.mvfreeman.com

28 comments:

Callie James said...

I'm so excited for you this week!

You know I love your stories.

*Waves at both Christine and MV*

Patricia Preston said...

Congrats, Mary! Sounds like a terrific story.

Lexi said...

Two of my favorite people on the same veranda! So excited for you, Mary! Yes, the business side is a bit of a shocker, even when you call yourself "prepared" for it!

Lynn Raye Harris said...

I already like the sound of that sequel! Great job, Mary! And yeah, the business side is sobering.

Naima Simone said...

Congratulations, Mary!! I'm so thrilled for you and I can't wait to read Incandescent. And what a great cover! Wishing you much success with the new release!

Heather said...

Great post MV and Christine! I think MV needs to put together a workshop on the business side of being an author - "All the Things I Wish I Had Known." We all work so hard at writing that the practical/business side of the profession can easily blindside us.

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Incandescent.

M.V.Freeman said...

Callie-- *waves back*

Thank you, that means a lot to me!

M.V.Freeman said...

Hi Patricia,

Thank you! :) I had a lot of fun writing it.

M.V.Freeman said...

Lexi--I am always happy to see you! :) And you warm my heart with your kind words.

The business side is indeed sobering!

M.V.Freeman said...

Lynn,
I am very happy that you like the idea I have for the sequel! Thank you! :)

M.V.Freeman said...

Thank you Naima!

I really hope you enjoy it. ;) and I also love my cover. You can't go wrong with flames!

M.V.Freeman said...

Heather,
I think that is a great idea. There is so much more to all of this and I thought I was informed.

I'm beginning to realize that I am only beginning to learn.

And it makes me happy that you love Incandescent.. :) You are awesome!

Suzanne Johnson said...

I'm absolutely thrilled for you, Mary. And, yes, the business side of it was a shocker for me too. If you aren't already there, you'll sort of long for the days when you could just write. :-)

M.V.Freeman said...

Thank you Suzanne! :)

And ooh, I do long for it. But, its like with any job--there is always something about it that have to learn when you get there.

The trick now is to keep writing around it, and that can be slippery.

Sharon Wray said...

I'm so happy for you, Mary. Hugs and congrats!
I can't wait to hear more about the second book. :)

M.V.Freeman said...

Thank you Sharon!
I appreciate it--as for the second book, I am in the midst of it even as we speak.

I am going to have to get far more emotional than I am used to. This could get interesting!

Stephanie Jones AKA Alicia Hunter Pace said...

M.V. and Christine, great blog!

I really enjoyed reading about this story. I love the idea of another book in the same fantastic world!

Thanks for sharing your journey with us.

Gwen Hernandez said...

Happy release day, Mary! I'm so excited for you. I read the beginning of your book back when it was on the contest circuit and I'm happy I'll be able to read the rest of the story now. :-)

Great interview, Christine!

M.V.Freeman said...

Hi Stephanie,
Thank you so much and I am happ you are looking forward to the second book. That makes my day!

M.V.Freeman said...

Hi Gwen,

Awesome! I hope you like it, I enjoyed the characters very much.

Thank you! ;)

Christy Reece said...

Hi Mary! Congratulations! So sorry I missed your official release day. Incandescent is on my Kindle and I'm looking forward to reading it. Sounds like you've created a vibrant, exciting world that people are going to love.

Hope your release week is everything you dreamed it would be. I wish you mega sales and much success!

Katherine Bone said...

Mary, I'm so proud of you and this book! You never gave up, even when the business got you down. Kudos to you, my friend. I'm also proud to be your sister at Crimson Romance!

I can't wait to get started reading my copy of INCANDESCENT. Once I get my edits done, I'm so there.

Wishing you the greatest success, Mary!!!

Great interview, Christine!

Patricia Bradley said...

Incandescent sounds like a great read. Beautiful cover!

M.V.Freeman said...

Christy,
Thank you so much--I hope you enjoy the story. I have too much fun writing in that world.

I appreciate everything--you have always inspired me!

M.V.Freeman said...

Lynn!
So glad you stopped by (and silly me I forgot to respond earlier)--and I agree the business side has me juggling a lot.

But, it will get better. ;)

M.V.Freeman said...

Thank you Pat!

I love the cover of my book. I think it speaks volumes. :)

Carla Swafford said...

YAAY!!! Congratulations, Mary. Great interview, Christine.

M.V.Freeman said...

Thank you Carla! Hugs to you!