Interview with Celia Breslin

Affaire de Coeur's

June Calendar Girl

Celia Breslin 

 

Celia lives in California with her husband, daughter, and two feisty cats. She writes urban fantasy and paranormal romance, and has a particular fondness for werewolves, vampires, and the Fae. When not writing, you’ll find Celia editing for other authors, exercising, reading a good book, hanging with her family, or indulging her addiction to Joss Whedon’s TV shows and movies, as well as everything in the Marvel Universe franchise.

 

When you write, do you outline first, or are you a pantser? 

I’m a blend of both pantser and plotter. I outline first, but my characters have been known to veer off-script from time to time and add new and exciting developments I hadn’t originally planned. While the structure and key points of the story remain intact, how the characters move from that beginning point to the end (for their HEA) may then vary, given the fun surprises popping up along the way.

 

What type of characters do you like to create?

I like to create vivid characters with flaws, quirks, strengths and weaknesses, hopes, and dreams. Of course, my characters would say they create themselves. :-)

 

Tell us about your new book or series.

In September 2019, ORIGINS was released by Champagne Books. It’s the third book in my urban fantasy vampire series, the Tranquilli Bloodline, and it completes our heroine Carina’s story arc. While each book in the trilogy, HAVEN, DESTINY, and ORIGINS, can stand alone, I recommend reading them in order to get the most bang for your reading pleasure.

 

What is your favorite passages/scenes in your current release or WIP?

I had a lot of fun writing ORIGINS. It is most definitely action-packed and it’s hard to pick only one scene. There are also a lot of emotional moments where Carina is reunited with loved ones after a lengthy forced separation. I particularly got all misty-eyed when she reunites with her father because she hasn’t seen him in many years. That’s all I’ll say for now. No spoilers! ;-)

 

What motivates you for a perfect writing day?

I’m motivated to write because I love it. There’s great joy to be had in following your passion. A perfect writing work day usually involves sunlight streaming through my office window (although I enjoy a good rainstorm, too) and cats napping nearby.

 

How/where do you get your plot ideas?

My stories tend to be character-driven, so my characters come first. As I get to know them, the plot develops itself. It boils down to asking A LOT of  questions, including “what if” questions. For example: what if you discovered your family had lied to you for twenty-five years? What if you found out you had powers? What if your new boyfriend was undead? What would you do if your bestie was kidnapped by a vampire?

 

Did you need to do research for the story? And what kind of research did you need to do?

I do research for every story. We’re lucky to have the world literally at our fingertips thanks to the Internet. Research ranges from Big Picture items such as the setting to small items like clothing styles. Speaking of settings, the first two books of the Tranquilli Bloodline (HAVEN and DESTINY) are set in San Francisco where I live, so I was able to use locations I’m very familiar with such as Golden Gate Park and Dolores Park. ORIGINS is set in Italy. I have spent some time in Italy, but I did additional research on the terrain, weather, and architecture.

 

What is your favorite thing about being an author?

The journey. Each step of the writing process itself is fascinating and rewarding in its own way. It’s fun to bring characters to life on the page and share their stories with interested readers.

 

Is there a genre that you've been wanting to try writing?

I write urban fantasy (with and without romance) and paranormal romance. I have a few science fiction ideas that may get my attention one of these days.

 

How many books do you currently have out on the market and what genres do they fall into?

The Tranquilli Bloodline series (urban fantasy with romance) has three novels and one free short story on the market. In the multi-author, Black Hills Wolves series (paranormal romance), I have three novellas on the market (Diamond Moon, Under A Mating Moon, Jasmine Moon). Coming up in 2020:  some novellas in the multi-author Cupid Dating Agency series (paranormal romance).

 

Will you be attending any book signings or conventions? 

Given the current state of the world with the global pandemic, I have no travel plans. We are Shelter-In-Place over here in San Francisco. I hope you all stay safe and healthy during these uncertain times!

 

Pass on some words of wisdom, please, to aspiring authors.

Write, write, write.  It’s easy to procrastinate with all the distractions available to us. Set writing goals, gather some accountability author buddies, make the time for your writing, and then go for it!

 

Please give us the following contact information:

Web site: http://www.celiabreslin.com/   

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/celiabreslin 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CeliaBreslinAuthor  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/celiabreslin/

Newsletter:  http://eepurl.com/bxqwRL              

 

 

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