T.R. RAVEN-Interview and Giveaway with the Author

TRC: Hi T.R. and welcome to The Reading Café. We would like to start with some background information. Would you please tell us something about yourself?

T.R.: Thanks, I’m so excited to be here today! I live with my family in rural southern NH, which suits me-I’m a country girl at heart despite growing up in a Boston suburb. I’m writing at this point in my life but I hold an Associate’s Degree in science, specifically Radiologic Technology. Although I have not worked as an x-ray technologist since the birth of my middle child I still keep up with my professional requirements in case I decide to rejoin the field in the future. We’ll see-I really love what I’m doing now and feel like I’m finally exploring my passion for writing.

TRC: What does the T.R. stand for?? 😉

T.R.: T.R. Raven is actually my pen name. As I tend to be a rather private person I decided to publish using a pseudonym. It stems from a name I often use on forums, but if I reveal it in full my online secret identity will be compromised! I spent a lot of time fussing over a good pen name initially only to realize the perfect one had been staring me in the face all along.

TRC: Many authors develop their love for books at an early age. What precipitated your desire to write? What books or authors have influenced
your writing?

T.R.: As a child my parents read to me frequently, and once I learned to read independently I simply devoured books. I still do to this day, when time allows. I always excelled at writing in school and grew to enjoy it more and more as I grew older. With a mother who taught high school English and a brother who chose a career in journalism it was hard to avoid getting bitten by the ‘writing bug’!

I read a wide variety of genres and authors, so it’s hard to pin down who is the biggest influence in my writing style. Some of my current YA authors include Carrie Ryan, Lauren DeStefano, and Amanda Hocking. I also am in a decidedly adult horror phase, and my favorites in that genre include Jonathan Maberry, David Wellington, and David Moody. J.Maberry not only writes adult horror but also has a great YA horror/coming of age series as well as a thriller series that mingles in some paranormal bits. I get a little breathless every time I hear he’s got a new release coming out!

TRC: THE GUARDIAN’S KEEPER is your first novel. Would you please tell us something about the premise?

Read our review HERE

ORDER LINKS: Amazon

T.R.: Kidnapped by the handsome young vampire, eighteen year old Claire discovers she holds the relic capable of resurrecting the most dangerous vampire in history. She should be repulsed by her kidnapper, but instead she’s irresistibly drawn to him-and he to her as well. Claire wants to explore their feelings for each other but Nikoli resists, worried their romance will distract him from his part in the dangerous task at hand. Together they must seek the help of the Gypsy Queen Renka in order to destroy the relic. Their lives are on the line as they travel across the globe in search of Renka and her Gypsies while safeguarding the relic from those who would use it to resurrect their Master. Claire and Nikoli also struggle with a possessive unwanted suitor, surprising news about Claire’s lineage, and a meddling ancient Greek Goddess-all while holding the fate of the world in their hands. They must destroy the relic- but at what cost to them both? Is the Gypsy Queen’s prophecy about their love true?

While it has a lot of the elements of a paranormal romance, there’s a ton of action in this fantasy as well. There are some unexpected twists in the story and fans who’ve been kind enough to contact me convey how much they enjoyed the story and loved the twists.

TRC: How many books do you have planned for the series?

T.R.: The Guardian’s Keeper is the first book in the trilogy I’ve titled ‘The Guardian Trilogy’. The Guardian’s Curse will be the second book and the third is currently unnamed. After The Guardian Trilogy is complete I am considering writing an off-shoot or two centered around some of the minor characters in the trilogy, though nothing is set in stone yet.

TRC: If you could virtually cast The Guardian’s Keeper, which models or actors would best represent your storyline characters?

T.R.: I think Crystal Reed, who plays ‘Allison’ on MTV’s Teen Wolf series would make the perfect Claire. Drew Roy, currently known for his role as ‘Hal’ on TNT’s Falling Skies could fit the part of Nikoli. Both are great looking in that all-American girl/boy next door way, which is what I’ve always pictured for Claire and Nikoli.

TRC: What or who is the inspiration behind The Guardian’s Keeper?

T.R.: There was no particular inspiration for the trilogy that I can recall. -Something- inspired me during a long drive home from a relative’s house one evening. There I was, on little back country roads in the dark, pulling over to throw on the overhead car light and jot down ideas in a little notebook I kept in my purse. I put that little notebook away for almost two years but as time went on Claire, Nikoli, and their story kept creeping back into my mind. By the time I actually sat down and began writing the story it felt like Claire and Nikoli were already family-I knew all their joys, all their fears, all their secrets.

TRC: What difficulties or challenges did you face getting your book published?

T.R.: There are so many avenues to choose from to publish these days one of the biggest challenges was deciding where to begin! It took a lot of research before I had a game plan for how to release my work. The Guardian’s Keeper is currently exclusively available through Amazon.com, but starting in mid-February it will be available at Barnes and Nobles as well, along with the sequel novel. I’m currently investigating my best choices for putting the trilogy into print to make it accessible to those who don’t own an e-reader. Weeding through all of my options has really been one of the biggest challenges to publishing.

TRC: Did you learn anything while writing your book? On the road to publication?

T.R.: Oh yes, what a learning experience it’s been! As so many people often say, treat writing like a job, not a hobby. I learned to treat my writing as a priority, not something I fit in around the rest of my life. As for publishing- I learned there are a lot of things I didn’t know that I didn’t know. I’m still learning what some of those things are even now! The scariest part for me was not the moment I published my book, but the next morning when the self-doubt set in. I woke up certain no one would read it but my parents and a handful of friends, who would all give me good feedback out of pity, while the rest of the world ignored it or disliked it. Thankfully neither part of that came true in the least (phew)!

TRC: Writer’s block is a very real phenomenon that many authors experience. How do you handle the stress and anxiety of writer’s block?

T.R.: Ugh, writer’s block is a nasty little gremlin, isn’t it? I’ve found when the words just won’t come there’s no forcing it. Forced writing feels tense and unnatural, and no one wants to read that. It’s also boring to write! When I get really, truly stuck while writing I take a break and switch to something unrelated for a bit. If I’m still stuck after stepping it away from it a few times I take a good hard look at the direction I’m headed in. Chances are I’m on the wrong track. Writing doesn’t always come easily but at some point you have to draw a line in the sand and move away from concepts that just won’t flow.
I still keep my little notebook going, full of notes for ideas for future stories I may write. Later on I can refer to it to see which ideas inspire me to begin another work. Hopefully when I’ve finished The Guardian Trilogy some of my previous notes will spark the inspiration for my next work.

TRC: Many authors bounce ideas with other authors and, family and friends. With whom do you bounce ideas and information?

T.R.: (chuckles) I’m a wee bit embarrassed to admit this publically- my dogs. I promise I haven’t lost my mind! Writing is a rather private experience for me, so while a handful of folks closest to me knew I was working on The Guardian’s Keeper I didn’t discuss it much with anyone. So where do my pugs come in, you ask? While they’re not much for giving feedback about my ideas, just the simple act of explaining something out loud has helped me to assess where I’m at and where I want to go with the storyline. It works for me and they work for dog biscuits- it’s win-win. 😉

As for ideas and information about writing and publishing in general, I have one friend who is currently co-writing a sci-fi novel with someone else. We can spend hours discussing general ‘author stuff’!

TRC: What five things would you like to accomplish in the next ten years?

T.R.: 1 -I plan to forward my writing career- After The Guardian Trilogy wraps up I will either branch off to the stories of some of the minor characters or move on to something new altogether. I’m not yet sure which direction I’ll go in, but I am sure I will be writing something. Writing this book just fueled my fire to write more down the line.

2-Travel more-We haven’t done enough of it the last few years as my children have been small, but we’re working on changing that now that they’re a little older and easier to travel with. It’s not time to go yet, but five to ten years from now I’d like to take the family to Hungary. My husband is Hungarian, though he became an official U.S. citizen a few years ago. I’d love to see his homeland and show my children part of their heritage.

3-Build a house- We own a home of our own, and it’s a good little house, but someday I dream of building our own home from the ground up, exactly as we’d like it.

4-Get back into horseback riding-I rode for years as a girl, but as an adult I have not made it a priority in my life. While I’m not ready to purchase my own horse, I hope to lease one down the line so that ten years from now you’ll find me enjoying one of my favorite hobbies a few times a week again.

5-Volunteer more-I currently volunteer a time or two a month at my town’s free thrift center (think Goodwill or Salvation Army, but everything’s free for town members). Once my kids are all in school full-time I’d like to volunteer for Meals on Wheels, a group that delivers free meals to the elderly and shut-ins. I enjoy volunteering and would love to do more of it than I have time for right now.

TRC: We have been unable to locate an author’s website. Do you have plans for a website?

T.R.: Yes, I’m planning to have an author’s website up by summertime 2013. In the meantime my Facebook page is the best place to find the latest updates about my work. Keep your eyes open-sometimes I’ll post a sneak peak at the next book in the trilogy, The Guardian’s Curse! Find me under T.R.Raven on Facebook.

TRC: On what are you currently working?

T.R.: The second book in the trilogy, The Guardian’s Curse, is currently in the works. I’m planning to publish it in late February or early March of this year. I’ve just begun the editing process so the actual writing is done, time now to fine tune it. I’ll be posting the upcoming release date on my Facebook page once I’ve settled on one.

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

T.R.: I am one of the probably 0.2% of people who enjoy paranormal novels but have not read the ‘Twilight’ series yet. I am waiting to see the last movie, then I’ll read the books. I find reading the books before seeing the movie always ruins the movie for me- it never lives up to the book. I can’t wait to begin the series!

Ironically enough, I published The Guardian’s Keeper before I even owned an e-reader. Santa has remedied that by finally bringing me a Kindle. I guess I must have been a good girl last year! 😉

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LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food- Nachos!

Favorite Dessert –Anything cheesecake related

Favorites TV Show-The Walking Dead and American Horror Story, Asylum

Favorite Movie- too many to pick just one, but I tend to prefer comedies

Last Movie You Saw- The Hobbit

Dark or Milk Chocolate-milk, though I’m more of a jellybeans kind of girl

Last Vacation Destination-Virginia Beach, VA (but we’re off on a Caribbean cruise next month so that’s about to change!)

Favorite Flower-daylilies or lilacs

Secret Crush-Jon Bernthal, who played Shane on The Walking Dead

TRC: Thank you T.R for taking the time to answer our questions. Congratulations on the release of The Guardian’s Keeper. We wish you all the best.

T.R.: Thanks so much for taking the time to speak with me, it’s been a pleasure.

T.R. Raven is offering an ebook copy of THE GUARDIAN’S KEEPER to one lucky member at The Reading Cafe.

1. You must be a member at The Reading Cafe. If you are not a member, please register using the social log-in at the top of the page or by using one of the social log-ins.

2. If you are using a social log-in such as twitter, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Giveaway is open internationally.

4. Giveaway runs from January 8 to 11, 2013