Feature Friday Guest Author ~ Elizabeth Kirke

This weeks Feature Friday guest is Elizabeth Kirke

Elizabeth Kirke wanted to be an author before she even knew what an author was. She used to say that she wanted to be an artist, but that was only because she was too young to write and had to tell stories with pictures instead. She hasn’t stopped writing since she learned how. It wasn’t long before she dreamed of becoming an author and couldn’t be happier now that that dream is a reality.

If she isn’t writing…well, let’s be honest; if she isn’t writing she’s probably on Facebook thinking that she should start writing. But, if she isn’t writing or on Facebook, she’s probably doing something involving books, baking, gardening, or yarn. In an ideal world, she’d be reading and knitting while something from the garden is in the oven. Then again, in an ideal world, she’d have a flock of ducks and a couple of goats.

Here’s my interview with Ms. Kirke:

What’s your inspiration?

My inspiration, for Semester Aboard at least, was a similar study abroad program that I did. I took those experiences and wove a fantasy tale around them. Now, I’ve fallen in love with the characters and the plot. My inspiration now is to keep telling their story, because it’s all in my head begging to come out.

Why do you write?

That, I don’t know. I’ve always wanted to write. Ever since I was little I’ve been a storyteller. I suppose it’s just in my blood, my heart. I’ve written pages and pages that nobody will ever read, but I write them because I can, they call to me.

At the same time, I’ve always wanted to become an author too. Not a Rowling or a Tolkien. But, I’ve always wanted to craft a story that someone reads and enjoys. Maybe they can escape into my world, like I’ve gone into so many others.

Would you write more than one series at a time?

I do and it makes me crazy. Right now I’m working on 2 books from the More than Magic series. I’ve written about a chapter of each a week. I’m inspired (see below), but I think writing both at the same time is affecting the writing. I’m bouncing between POVs, for one thing. One of the books is YA, like Semester Aboard, the other is actually not YA. And I’m having trouble going from writing @%*%@ and %$#@ and dirty jokes to censoring myself.

In addition to that, I have another series I stick a paragraph or two onto once in a while.

What’s your writing process? Write when inspired? Make time? Daily word goal? Etc.

I try to write every day. I only get discouraged if I set a daily goal, but I try to write something. Even if it has nothing to do with my current story, I try to write something. When I’m inspired the words just flow. As I said before, my “prequel,” if I can call it that, has been calling to me more than More than Magic: Book Two has recently. The problem is that I want to publish Book 2 before the “prequel”. So, I’m trying to just write them both. Some days one of them speaks to me, some days neither does.

Do you write to music, other noise, or have to have silence?

Ideally, I write to music. Usually in the mood of what I’m writing. I also pace around and mumble to myself.

If you write to some set noisemaker, list a few, give us an idea of your preferences.

For Semester Aboard, I was writing to nautical music. Mostly the Pirates of the Caribbean soundtrack, but also the soundtrack from Muppets’ Treasure Island. Wintry music for the sequel. And when there’s no “theme” music to be had, I just put on something like a New Age or Soundscapes station and let that play.

Of all your books, which is your favorite?

That I’ve written? Well…that’s one. Hah!

Semester Aboard will always have a soft spot in my heart as my favorite, because it was my first. I poured my heart and soul into it. That said, so far, I’m very proud of the “prequel” I’m writing. It’s not YA, not at all. It’s dark and violent and I’ve nearly teared up just writing it. It’s almost scary seeing what my mind can come up with. It surprises me, in a way. It’s also a challenge. I suppose that one is my favorite in the sense that it’s really stretching me as a writer. We’ll just see what happens when it’s published…

Are you a Mac or are you a PC?

PC born and raised. I’m totally in love with the iPad, but I know the PC and all related software so well that I can’t imagine ever switching and being comfortable.

Thanks so much for your time Elizabeth, and thanks for answering my questions.

You can find more of Elizabeth Kirke on these sites: Facebook, Blog, Goodreads.

More about More than Magic: Semester Aboard:

Jen Maddox is a few days into her summer study abroad program and has loved every moment. She just left Mexico and is back on her cruise ship campus, ready to sail to Panama. Everyone tells her that the experience will change her life, but none of them realize just how drastic the change will be.

One night she goes out on deck and encounters five other students. She knows Charlie from one of her classes and he’s a funny, friendly, regular guy. Picture-perfect Dani and his gorgeous wife Mariana live right down the hall from Jen. And she has seen TS, who’s built like a truck, around the ship and recognizes the cute, but quiet Thomas as well.

Then Jen sees something that isn’t humanly possible. Jen would have thought that it was all a dream, if not for the fact that Charlie, Dani, Mariana, TS, and Thomas are making every effort to cover it up. Suddenly, the five of them are everything but normal and Jen is determined to figure out what they’re hiding.

When she does, her life really does change. Jen expected to spend her summer studying new worlds, but she never dreamed she’d learn about a magical one. Or find herself in it.

But Jen’s childhood fantasy come true is about to turn into a nightmare; there’s something on the ship. Something dangerous. Suddenly, everyone on board is threatened by a creature Jen never even believed existed. Jen and her new friends might be the only people who can stop it!

Now Jen has to learn everything she can about her new world before it kills her. And her friends. And maybe everyone on the entire ship.

More than Magic: Semester Aboard can be purchased for Kindle, at Smashwords, and in paperback