As you know, I’m working feverishly on a story that will be published later this year. Since it finally has a title, I thought now would be the time to tell everyone more about it. As luck would have it, I’ve also been tagged by the lovely Tameri Etherton for an internet game called The Next Big Thing.

The rules are simple: Answer the ten questions about your current WIP (Work In Progress), then tag five other writers/bloggers and add their links so we can hop over and meet them.

 

What is the working title of your book?

Stronger Than Magic

 

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

An heir to a magic artifact must protect it by completing an archaic breeding ritual triggered by a demon attack, before the demon is able to siphon away her power and use it to steal her birthright.

 

Where did the idea come from for the book?

I honestly have no idea. One day I was cleaning out a drawer and found an old notebook. Judging by the penmanship, I was probably in high school or the first couple of years of college. It was basically a blend of journal entries and story bits, and I was about to throw it away when I happened on a couple of pages that caught my eye. It might have been my use of a curse word (it took a long, long time for me to start using curse words in writing), or maybe I was just curious about what kind of story it was.

I don’t know where I originally intended to go with the story because I didn’t even remember writing it. It was about four pages long, and described a busy city street, with cafes lining both sides. On one side, a man with dark hair sat at one of the sidewalk tables, casually talking with another man. Across the street a woman occupied another table, watching them. She was there to arrest the dark haired man, and was merely biding her time until the right moment came along. She was smug, full of herself, and thinking “he has no idea what’s about to hit him.” The man had noticed her watching, and smirked. “She has no idea who she’s dealing with.”

In other words, it was a tiny little scene in which two powerhouse people are about to clash.

I was hooked from the first word, and eagerly turned the page to find out what happened. And wouldn’t you know… nothing happened because I never finished the story! I was so frustrated that I decided to go ahead and finish what I’d started so long ago.

 

What genre does your book fall under?

Urban fantasy with strong romantic elements.

 

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

Originally I pictured Jessica Alba (with darker hair) for Tarian, but I think Serinda Swan would look the part as well. Daric is a dark haired Irish man. I’m going to have to keep looking for someone to play that part.

I’ve started a Pinterest board for this book, to share what visually inspired me.

 

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

I am self-publishing this story. Although I’m not opposed to traditional publishing, I feel like this is the right move for me at this time for this particular book. It’s time to get the story out into the world and start working on the next Big Thing.

 

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

Hmmm. I’m not exactly sure. There were so many drafts! I would say the original first draft took two months or so. That doesn’t count the revisions, of course. It’s been in the process now for about two years, give or take. I had a lot of things to learn, and a lot of growing to do, before I ended up with a story I thought was worth a reader’s time.

 

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

I would say Illona Andrews’ Kate Daniels series, although my story ended up with more sex in it than hers usually do. It’s hard not to include sex if one of the main story problems is a Succession Ritual during which the heir is supposed to end up pregnant. At least, if you’re a human.

 

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

Stronger than Magic is set in our modern day world, with a secretive magical Society mixed in with our own. To Tarian, the strongest thing in her world is her own magic power. When something comes along to rip that away, she’s forced to figure out just what is stronger than magic. The answer is there; I just hope she sees it in time to help herself.

 

You might have noticed I didn’t tag anyone else. I don’t tend to do that, as I don’t want people to feel pressured to participate in what can end up feeling like a chain letter. However, if you would like to be a part of the fun, let me know and I’ll tag you!