When & why did you begin writing?
I began writing because after I got Fibromyalgia
and left college there was a stronger need for me to write. "Soul Sisters" was
the first book I had started after leaving school and it was the first book
I’ve ever finished writing. I really felt like I had to tell this story or it
would keep nagging at me. There is a
grave yard of unfinished books prior to that.What inspired you to write your first book?
My father always had a
passion for writing and I was determined to finish at least one book to
dedicate to him. Also, I knew when I was diagnosed with Fibro, I would have to
find a profession I could do from home. This is it. I’m a freelance writer but
my dream is to be a professional full-time writer.
How personal is your writing? Are any of your characters a
reflection of you?
Even though my writing
is fiction, it is very personal to me. I include a lot of things in my books I
can’t say out loud. The twins Ani and Dana are actually reflections of two different
sides of me. Ani is a bold vampire so I get to have a lot of fun with her.
While Dana is a more reserved deep thinker but she’s still got a lot of fire in
her. I like pouring these different sides of me into these vampires.
Soul Sisters is an urban fantasy novel about African-American twin sisters Ani and Dana who have a rather unique secret: one sister is human while the other is a vampire. While the sisters have lived peacefully with each other for many years one fateful night will change both their lives forever. When a drunken man tries to attack Dana (the human sister) Ani (the vampire sister) protects her sister with all of her ferocious power.
However, when the vampire’s leader Donovan finds out about the public display he calls for the sisters to be assassinated for disobedience. Ani & Dana now are in for the fight of their lives to protect each other as well as the lives of their dedicated friends who have joined them on their mission for survival. If Dana & Ani can make it through this time of uncertainty, Ani can take her new place as vampire queen.
What does reading mean to you?
Reading is a chance
for me to travel to another place or time without leaving my house. I love to
get caught up in someone else life for a change.
What is your favorite book or who is your favorite author?
My favorite book is "The Help" which literally changed my life and made me want to get more active in subjects like marriage
equality. I couldn’t possibly point out
my favorite author. I’ve done it in the past but I just end up confused. LOL My
favorites include Edgar Allen Poe, Stephen King and Dean Koontz.
What advice do you have for someone who wants to become a
published writer?
Well, I’m an indie
author. So my best advice is don’t let the traditional world give you the value
of YOUR book. If they won’t tell your story to the world then make it your
priority to do so.
If you could be a character from a literature classic, who
would it be and why?
I don’t read the
classics; I think they’re over rated. The only “classics” I enjoy are Edgar
Allen Poe stories and those women usually wind up dead.
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Blog: Beauty and Books - http://janieraeldridge.blogspot.com
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