Special Guest: Candace Knoebel

This week I am happy to welcome Candace Knoebel author of the new YA urban fantasy novel Born in Flames published by 48Fourteen!

Red mirrored scales race up my arms as the haze of pain blurs my vision. My bones crack, breaking to realign. I scream. It is then that the realization of my unavoidable fate sinks in; I am of a dying race. I am dragon.

Aurora Megalos, orphaned and teetering on the edge of adulthood, thought finding her past would curb the sting of being an outcast. Having no memories of the time before she awoke on her foster mother’s doorstep, she yearns for the emptiness inside her to be filled. With her fellow orphaned best friend, Fenn, by her side, she has nothing to lose and everything to gain. But something powerful stirred within her that she couldn’t explain. Something wanted out.

In the dark of night, a crazed Seer, dubbed Mr.Creepy, erases everything she’s ever known with an impending prophecy. She now faces two paths. Return to her true home to protect a dying race against a growing evil, or stay hidden in the safety of our realm with a shot at a true love. With a vengeful Arch Enemy stopping at nothing to see her dead, she’s running out of time; a decision must be made. What would you choose?

Thanks for coming today, Candace and let’s move on with the questions! 

Where do you get your inspiration?

I haven’t had as much time to read lately, so when a good book is no where to be found, I turn to music. Music, just like in the movies, plays on my emotions while writing. It affects the scenes I write and helps me tap into the emotions of the characters. It’s the only thing that helps me concentrate actually.

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

Quite a few things actually. I play with my kids and watch movies with my husband. I find myself at my bestie’s house at least twice a week. I try to fit in time to read and jog. I guess you could say just the normal stuff. But the number one, most favorite activity of mine, is visiting Universal so I can have a Butterbeer!!! I go at least once a month.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned while writing your first book?

Patience…:) I’ve always been one to rush everything. If it didn’t happen fast, then I usually wasn’t doing it. But you can’t write a good story and go through the publication process like that. It takes time to plot and imagine the storyline. It also takes time to query. Throughout this whole process (since 2009), I have gained so much patience and understanding. I don’t think the old me would tolerate the new me.

Do you have any suggestions for aspiring writers?

Take your time and don’t give up hope. There will be days when you aren’t into it, days when you think it will never work, and days where you can’t stop typing! If you really have a passion for writing, and you really want to see your story in the hands of readers, then you have to be willing to work hard. Late nights, tears, mad fits of laughter, tattered dreams, glimpses of hope, all of these things will come to pass. Just hang in there and continue believing that it WILL happen…and it will.

What kind of books do you like to read?

Mostly YA, Dystopian, Urban Fantasy, Fantasy, Paranormal Romance…anything good really.

What are you reading now?

Well, because I am always multi-tasking, I am reading The Fallen Star, Eternal Eden, The Wizard of Time, Gregor the Overlander, and Out of Nowhere. Lol. But if you watch my Goodreads, you will notice that my progress is slow.

Who is your favorite character in Born in Flames?

Sheesh…tough question…umm…I have to go with the main character Aurora. I relate the most to her and admire her strength. She doesn’t give herself enough credit sometimes, especially considering her circumstance and inevitable fate that constantly threatens her well-being. She’s just fun and easy to write.

Did you always want to be a writer and if not, what else did you want to do?

Oddly enough, I didn’t realize I could actually do it until 2009. I know most authors say they always wanted this, but that wasn’t my case. I have always been good at it. Excelled in English in school and won a lot of story contests, but at that time, I was deep into my dancing career. I danced for 15 years and had planned on doing that for my future. But obviously it didn’t pan out. Typical high school love story I suppose. Fell in love, married, had a baby. Then one day, an idea struck me and I blindly sat down and started typing, just for fun. When it kept coming and the story wouldn’t leave my head, that’s when I realized it was something I wanted…more than anything!

Tell us about your next project.

I’m still on the Trilogy. I’ve finished the first draft of Embracing the Flames, the second novel to the trilogy. I’m hoping to be finished with my edits within the next month or so and then it will go to my publisher for editing. Then I have to start the third novel! I have tons of ideas, and one in particular that I will be jumping on as soon as I see this project through…but I force myself to stay focused. Juggling multiple projects just doesn’t work for me.

Born in Flames is available at Amazon

Barnes&Noble

and 48Fourteen

 

Check out the Born in Flames Book Trailer!