Persephone by Kaitlin Bevis Blog Tour Interview

Author Kaitlin Bevis has stopped by today for an interview for the Persephone Daughters of Zeus blog tour.

About the Book:
Give me the blurb for the book in 140 characters or less:

The "talk" was but enough, but how many teens get told that they're a goddess? When her mom tells her, Persephone is sure her mother has lost her mind. It isn't until Boreas, the god of winter, tries to abduct her that she realizes her mother was telling the truth. Hades rescues her, and in order to safely bring Persephone to the Underworld he marks her as his bride. But Boreas will stop at nothing to get Persephone. Despite her growing feelings for Hades, Persephone wants to return to the living realm. Persephone must find a way to defeat Boreas and reclaim her life.

Do you have a favorite character? Why is she your favorite?

Melissa. I've read books about characters with fantastic abilities my entire life. I've wished magic was real with every fiber of my being, and you know what I eventually figured out? If all the stuff I read about was real, I'd probably still just be a regular human. That's why I love Melissa. She has to deal with the knowledge that everything is real, just not for her, and she manages to deal with that crushing disappointment while still being a good friend. I admire her for that, it can't be easy having a goddess for a best friend.

What do you hope readers will get from your book?

I just hope that people enjoy reading it. I don't have an agenda and I'm not trying to pass on any pearls of wisdom, I just like good stories. I did a ton of research so if you're familiar with the myths there's all kinds of fun references in there, but I'm not trying to teach anyone anything. I just want people to have fun reading my book.


About the Author:
What/Who inspires you?

It's completely random. Sometimes it's movies or shows or trailers that get me thinking along a completely different path and start a story. Sometimes it's bad dreams. Sometimes it's other books or things that happen in real life. Most of the time is a combination of so many different things I can't really pinpoint it. Other times it's a name. Right now I've got a half formed idea floating around because I really want to name a character Chance. I think Chance probably has an attitude problem and might be a thief. Who knows what will come of that.

Hardest aspect of writing? Best/Easiest?

The hardest part to me is writing the query letter, synopsis, blurb, or anything to shorten this idea that I've spent every single bit of my energy into pouring MORE detail in, and expanding into a novel. The easiest part is writing the dialogue. I probably let my characters talk too much, but their dialogue is so fun to write.

Who is your writing hero?

Peter Beagle. I love his novels. He manages to write really good novels. His novels are good literature yet still manage to tell a great story without getting dragged down in craft. And to top it off, most of his stories are for children, so it does it in a very concise space. He's amazing. My favorite novel by him is Tamsin, but The Last Unicorn is a close second.


About the Future:
What’s next for you?

Finishing the trilogy. My sequel is done, and waiting on edits. So now I'm working on the third book. The third books a lot of fun because it's a dual narrative between Persephone and Hades, and it's fun to be in Hades' head.

One outrageous goal for the future?

I want to go on the Supernatural Summer tour with all my favorite authors. It's through their publisher so it's not going to happen for a very long time, but it's my goal. Mostly just so I can meet all my favorite authors!

Do you have any advice you'd like to share with other aspiring writers?

Join a writers group and listen to what they say. I see so many writers complain that they tried writers groups but the people just "didn't get" their story, or their advice was just too off the wall. Here's the thing about people in the writers group. They are your best gauge of what your reviews are going to look like should you ever get published. If they, avid readers and writers, don't understand your work, I guarantee they are not the problem. My books would not be a fraction as good if I didn't have them to bounce ideas off of or to say "wow, your character is being really bitchy right now, do you want us to hate her?" If you can't handle constructive criticism you're never going to be able to handle your edits, much less your readers!


Randomness:
Sweet or salty?

Sweet. My favorite candy is the Reeses cups shaped like eggs. Yum.

Beach, plains or mountains?

The Beach. I got married on the beach. I love it, it's so beautiful. I'm not a huge fan of the ocean though. I have a short story called Siren Song published (if there's a way to link to it I'd appreciate it) that goes into all the creepiness of the ocean. I mean think about it. It's huge. An entire ecosystem lives in it. It's this entire other realm and we go swimming in it? It's a little crazy.

Online, letters or in person?

In person. I know this is weird for a writer to say but I tend to get in trouble if people can't see/hear me. I use happy sarcasm. When people hear me in real life, they say I'm nice and sometimes a little tiny bit funny (not often) but somehow that doesn't translate well to email or text or letters. I just come off condescending and mean. I read other people all wrong too. Talking in person prevents any misunderstandings.

Ebook or print?

EBook. When you've moved as often as I have the novelty of print becomes a bit of an encumbrance. Plus I like having my entire library on me at all times. Stuck waiting in the doctors office? No problem, I have a book. Can't remember something I've read, I can pull it up. I'm never going back to print!


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