This week I’m joined by Asta Idonea (aka Nicki J Markus) who has kindly answered some questions about her writing and her books. I love getting some insight into the behind the scenes of how an author goes about producing a wonderful book!
What comes first, plot or characters?
It varies. If I’m writing something for a call with a particular theme, I am more likely to start with the plot. However, if it’s simply something that’s sprung up in my mind, it tends to be the characters who kick things off, and the plot develops around them.
Where does this magic occur? Describe your writing space.
I have two. Initial drafts are done on pen and paper in my library/music room, seated in my comfy chair by the window. It’s my private space and I love being there. I then move into my study to type things up. I do that as I go, so it’s only a matter of typing a chapter or two at a time. It’s back to the library for first and second edits (printed off), marking changes in red pen. Then I do the final edits/proofread on the PC.
Wow. I can’t believe you do all that writing by hand! How much ‘world building’ takes place before you start writing?
Generally not much. I mean, I know it all in my head, but I’m not a plotter, so I don’t do a lot of detailed note-taking before putting pen to paper. Blood Is Forever is a slight exception to the rule. Because of the ritualistic murders taking place, I had to have an exact, unwavering timeline for when certain events would occur. This involved a lot more planning than usual. I also designed the demon sigils in the early stages, and they, along with some other character-related sketches I produced, really helped me to get a feel for the world and what has happening in it.
Describe your perfect book hero or heroine.
I like them flawed. I hate heroes and heroines who are too good to be true. I prefer them to have a little darkness, or at least a mix of good and bad qualities, as that makes them more believable as characters. No one in real life is 100% perfect all of the time.
Can you share a snippet that isn’t in the blurb or excerpt?
Well, okay. Just for you! 😊
Thank you!
Blood was a powerful tool in the right hands. It held memories—flashes of the life of the one in whose veins it had dwelt. Those memories faded after a time, though, once the heart stopped beating. Hence the need for a swift assessment. Holden rolled the blood on his tongue, seeking a connection. At this point, images usually bombarded him, coming so thick and fast it took concentration and practice to sort through them, separating ancient memories from recent events, picking out the important details from amidst the mundane. It was a skill, and he was adept. But on this occasion, there was nothing but blackness.
Does one of the main characters hold a special place in your heart? If so, why?
Yes, and it’s Val, rather than Holden (the POV character). There’s just something about Val that appeals to me. He’s a more complex figure and it takes longer to get a sense of who he is. With Holden, while he does grow during the story, it’s more a case of ‘what you see is what you get’. To understand Val, you have to slowly peel back the layers.
What is the significance of the title?
The title—Blood Is Forever—ties into the story in a number of ways. Firstly, in connection with the bloody murders taking place. Secondly, in terms of the vampire characters and Holden’s role at crime scenes. And finally in a more abstract way in so far as family bonds play an important part in the progression of the plot, particularly father–son relationships. Actually, I originally had the title in Latin—Sanguis Est In Aeternum—but my editor thought readers might struggle to remember it when searching for the book, so we changed it to English.
If your book was to be made into a movie, who are the celebrities that would star in it?
I actually had strong inclinations for this as I was writing, and it would go as follows:
Holden Fay – Reeve Carney
Valerius Blackwood – Daniel Gillies
Raoul Dubois – Colin O’Donoghue
Captain Owens – Queen Latifah
And wouldn’t it be a fabulous dream to come true. We need many more of our books made into movies. What is your favourite book/story you have read as an adult
This is one of those questions where the answer will change from week to week, month to month. However, at the time of writing, I would choose Katherine Arden’s Winternight trilogy. The story captivates me with the way it blends Slavic folklore and history into an original fairytale-style fantasy. Plus, I am completely in lust with Morozko, the winter-king!
What famous author do you wish would be your mentor?
Chelsea Quinn Yarbro. I love her Saint Germain historical vampire series and I really admire her research skills and careful plotting.
Sometimes catching a murderer means risking one’s heart.
As a fae-vampire hybrid, scorned by all, Holden’s life has never been easy. The one bright spot is his job testing blood at supernatural crime scenes. It’s routine work, until the day he finds a victim he can’t read.
When one murder becomes two, and then three, it’s clear there’s a serial killer on the loose—one with a penchant for collecting hearts. Finding the bad guy could cement Holden’s career, but he’s drawing a blank. And it doesn’t help that the expert his boss calls in to assist him is the man Holden’s been crushing on for years.
With lives hanging in the balance, Holden and Val must solve the case before the killer strikes again. But will they come out with their hearts still intact?
SoundCloud Excerpt: https://soundcloud.com/nickijmarkus/blood-is-forever-by-asta-idonea-audioexcerpt
YouTube Excerpt: https://youtu.be/CuYWU05z_8w
BUY LINKS
NineStar Press: https://ninestarpress.com/product/blood-is-forever/
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07S8Y4J15
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07S8Y4J15
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/ebook/blood-is-forever-1
B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1131770704?ean=2940161326251
AUTHOR BIO & LINKS
Asta Idonea (aka Nicki J Markus) was born in England but now lives in Adelaide, South Australia. She has loved both reading and writing from a young age and is also a keen linguist, having studied several foreign languages.
Asta launched her writing career in 2011 and divides her efforts not only between MM and mainstream works but also between traditional and indie publishing. Her works span the genres, from paranormal to historical and from contemporary to fantasy. It just depends what story and which characters spring into her mind!
As a day job, Asta works as a freelance editor and proofreader, and in her spare time she enjoys music, theatre, cinema, photography, and sketching. She also loves history, folklore and mythology, pen-palling, and travel, all of which have provided plenty of inspiration for her writing.
Blog: http://www.nickijmarkus.com
Newsletter: https://forms.sendpulse.com/519d85da9c/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NickiJMarkus
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickijmarkus/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/aleera21
Linktree (for all other links): https://linktr.ee/nickijmarkus
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