Interview

1) Thank you for being here today with me to talk about your book. I am so happy to have you. Your book, Death’s Kiss is a new Dystopian fiction novel, perfect for those who love the Hunger Games. Could you tell us a little about your novel and where the inspiration to combine a virus and BlackJack came from?

Most stories start with protagonists falling in love, so I started Death’s Kiss differently. Yuri’s life was perfect, from having a complete family to having someone she already found true love with. But what’s the point of having a perfect story if I don’t destroy it right from the beginning? Death’s Kiss is about a story of two people in love trying to find their way to each other again, but things change when the peace that reigns the country of Yliria was a facade that is covered in blood, buried deep with lies. They need to find a way to stop the government because

Death’s Kiss was born from the question, what if something so romantic as a kiss can actually kill? Thus the title, and everything after that was to create a once perfect love story that was destroyed by circumstances. The BlackJack virus was inspired by generation wars. I often heard older generation criticizing the young generation for what it is, how it has disregarded some tradition, how the young ones changed their morals and of course forgetting the old ways that the old generation was accustomed to. So, since writers are very messed up in the head, I thought what happens if I destroyed the old generation and only those 21 years old and younger survived a virus outbreak? I’m sure I started writing DK when I was 21, then I had an idea from the card game Blackjack (this is how I decided the age group of who I was going to save).

Wow, what a unique way to choose who to save. That really goes to show inspiration can come from anywhere! I always hear the older generations talking about that as well and I agree, authors seem to be considered messed up in the head because we think about all the “what ifs” no matter how terrible they might be. I think your story really sticks out among the crowd because of the different approach you took, especially in the beginning.

2) I love your characters, especially their names (Ryoma and Yuri). It can be difficult to develop interesting characters that readers can feel engaged with. Did you have any inspiration for your main protagonists? Did they come to you all at once or were they developed over time?

Ryoma was a reflection of my ideal type. haha He’s kind, understanding and loves Yuri unconditionally. He’s perfect. He loves her 100%, if Yuri tells him to jump a bridge, he’ll do it, no questions asked. Through Ryoma, I wanted to show the readers how a love so pure can be a hindrance or a danger to one’s identity.

Yuri’s just an ordinary girl. She can be childish, annoying, but mature when she needs to be, wise when time calls for it, and she’s also very naïve but that doesn’t make her stupid. She’ll do everything to protect the people she cares about. She grew up in a loving family, a country that is at peace, goes to college without having to worry about student loans, then she has Ryoma, so when her perfect life was crushed to ground, she didn’t know what to do. She felt really weak and helpless. I wanted to create a character who didn’t know pain or what it meant to lose something, so it was interesting following her around and seeing how she’ll deal with these new painful occurrences.

I knew I wanted Sam to be the spoiled, rich girl. Chrys is the comic-relief. But as time goes by, most of the time, all four of them decided to talk back to me and led the stories their way.

I think that this is exactly why I love your characters so much. They are relatable and realistic, have emotions and experience pain and love. They can teach readers lessons. Very well done.

3) Considering there seems to be an ‘anime-like’ feel to this book, and many readers agree…do you watch anime? What are some of your favorites and which was the first one you watched? Could you recommend an anime show or manga to those who fell in love with Death’s Kiss?

Anime is a way of life. I just don’t watch anime, I devour them. Many stories influenced my youth and how I see things. My stepdad once asked me how I can be so wise? I blushed and in my head, because of Anime, I answered. If I were to name all my favorites, we’ll be here forever, but the ones that are really special to me and I’d watched many times were: Code Geass, Full Metal Alchemist, Naruto, One Piece, Fairy Tail, Fruits Basket, Soul Eater, and Inuyasha, and…there will be no end to it. For anyone who’d like to experience the awesomeness of Anime, they can watch any of those I mentioned. If you’re a booklover, I’m sure Anime will give you a grand experience and you’ll never stop. Anime is for all ages, I’m sure even when I’m a granny, I’d still be watching Anime with my grandchildren.

I am over here fangirling because I love so many of the same ones you do! Inuyasha, Full metal Alchemist, One Piece, Naruto…all ones I grew up on basically. My husband and I watched Sword Art Online together. I completely agree that it is for all ages and I’ll still be watching it as an old woman.

 

 

 

 

4) It is common to see authors create inspiration boards or aesthetics. Have you ever created any for your novel? Can we see them?

Honestly, I’ve never heard of aesthetics until I joined the writing community late last year. When I scrolled on tweets, I’d see a lot of posts about aesthetics and they’re just beautiful, but no I don’t have any aesthetics done. When I write I actually draw a cover illustration that I use to inspire me or I do character designs.

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I love your drawings, they are so beautiful. I can see your characters take on an “anime-like” appearance as well.

5) Sometimes there is one place where you write the best. Recently, for me, it has been my local Barnes and Noble. Do you have a place where you happen to get most of your writing done? What would your ideal writing day look like? Snacks? Drinks? Music? Comfy chair?

Yes! BN is like a home. I can totally write at Barnes & Noble all day, but since my son was born in 2017, the best place I write is on the bed, late at night when my son is asleep. He’ll type on my keyboard whenever he gets the chance so I just stopped writing during the day. I finished Death’s Kiss when I was on deployment in Kuwait 2017. I’d hang out at Starbucks after work and do all my writing there, drinking vanilla bean frappe. I don’t usually drink coffee or anything when I write at home. Music? I YouTube Anime Instrumentals by The Soul of Wind. It works like magic.

I completely understand not writing while your son is around. I have two boys, ages 2 and 7. Me trying to get any work done while they are awake is useless. I barely get any reading done…writing…forget about it! I love instrumental music and I think I might have to add yours to a playlist.

6) If you could look back to when you first began this novel, knowing what you do now, what would you tell yourself? Is there any advice you would bestow upon anyone else beginning their debut novel?

I’d scold myself about joining the writing community so late. There were so many amazing and inspiring individuals I met in Twitter in a matter of six months and I wished I knew sooner. I’d tell myself to keep reading and learn more about the craft because I’m still a novice when it comes to writing. Since the release of Death’s Kiss in November 2018, sometimes I doubt myself because I know I’m lacking, but if there’s one important thing I learned from the writing community, Believe in yourself, will always put me back on the right track.

To those who are working on their debut, it will be a long process, it will be hard and painful, but don’t stop, just write and don’t lose track of why you even started writing. Everyone has a story to tell, but we writers are the brave ones because we took the risk and the chance to put ourselves out there and our words on paper. Even if there’s only one heart you touched with your story, then you did things right. And lastly, life is a gamble. Take a risk, take a chance, and stand by your decision, even if the path you’ve chosen is covered in pain, I’m sure you will be alright because you took a step toward your dream.

Thank you Cassandra for giving me the time and a spot in your blog. I cannot thank you enough! More power to The Bibliophagist!

Thank you for agreeing to it. I love supporting authors, especially ones such as yourself who have created a beautiful book. I look forward to seeing more from you in the future.