February 12, 2013 – YA Chit Chat

Today I have a very special guest, author K. L. Schwengel. Her new novel, FIRST OF HER KIND, is out and she’s here to talk a little bit about it and also what helps her to write.

Kathi, tell us a little about you before you begin your post.

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I live in southeast Wisconsin on a small farm with my husband, a handful of Australian Shepherds, Her Royal Highness Princess Fionna (the cat) and assorted livestock. Growing up as the youngest daughter of a librarian, I spent more time between stacks of books and secluded away in the dusty archives than was probably even remotely normal. With so many characters and ideas spinning in my head, I had to get them out onto paper or risk what little sanity I possessed. (Try being the youngest of nine children and see how sane you stay.) I have been spending my free time sitting in front of some type of keyboard or another since I was a kid and got my first typewriter. It wasn’t even electric. Before that it was pen and paper, which I still resort to from time to time. I have published a few poems and non-fiction articles, but my real passion is fantasy and urban fantasy.

When not writing, I train and trial working Australian Shepherds, paint, dabble in photography, graphic design and anything else creative my assorted muses send my way.

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I knew there was a reason I liked you, other than being an author. You have Aussies like me. What a great breed! Ah, so before I digress any further, you have complete control of my blog at this point. Take it away.

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THE WRITE RHYTHM

Music cleanses the understanding; inspires it, and lifts it into a realm which it would not reach if it were left to itself. ~ Henry Ward Beecher

There is nothing that can move my soul like the right piece of music. Whether it takes me to the heights of emotion, or has me bouncing across the floor in a carefree, childlike (though I won’t say graceful) dance of joy, it never fails to affect my mood.

When I’m writing, there is always music playing. My collection is vastly eclectic, containing everything from Gregorian Chants to Heavy Metal. I load my 6 disk player with whatever I think will best reflect the section I’m working on, and set it on shuffle. On really good days, the music fades into the background as I lose myself in my characters and the dance of words across the page. On bad days, when stringing words together is like trying to tie a knot with frozen fingers, it draws me along, guiding, helping set mood and create images.

No one can deny the power of music. Everyone, I’m sure, has that song that will immediately whisk them back to a time and place, that will move them to tears, make them smile, or evoke a memory so strong they are momentarily back within it. It’s probably the closest to time travel as we’ll ever actually come.

As I write, there are certain songs that connect with my characters or scenes in much the same way. Currently, working on book two of my Darkness & Light series, I find myself leaning on Dead Can Dance, a fairly recent discovery for me. If you write fantasy, I’d suggest giving it a listen. Powerful. Great music to read to as well. And what were some of my influences and inspiration while writing First of Her Kind, book one of the series? Definitely The Two Towers soundtrack, Sully Erna’s album Avalon, some Evanescence, and a healthy dose of Clannad, Enya, and Loreena McKennitt.

Words and music have been joined since the beginnings of time, and together, create magic. Who am I to argue?

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Wow, even our taste in music is similar! I love Loreena McKennit and Enya! At times I listen to music when I write. When I do, it is usually Celtic instrumental or classical music playing in the background. In fact, I’ve picked several scores I’d like played during certain scenes of my novels when they are made into movies. (yes, I dream of my novels being turned into movies. I know. I’m such a dork.)

I loved your post, Kathi, and agree with the power music has over us and the feeling it can invoke. I can’t imagine a world without music.

So, can you share a blurb of FIRST OF HER KIND, please?

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Everyone, it seems, wants to dictate what Ciara does with her life: Serve the Goddess, destroy the Goddess, do as you promised your aunt. All Ciara wants is to keep the two magics she possesses from ripping her apart.

And that won’t be easy.

Not only are they in complete opposition to each other, blood ties pull her in divergent directions as well. And then there’s Bolin, the man sworn to protect her. There’s no denying the growing attraction between them, but is it Ciara he wants? Or her power?

None of which will matter if Ciara can’t overcome her fear and learn to use her gifts. No one knows the depths of the ancient power she possesses, or what will happen if it manages to escape her control.

Will she lose herself entirely? Or be forever trapped between darkness & light?

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Awesome!! A book right up my ally! Where can everyone find you, Kathi?

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You can find me at all these places:

IAN:

You can also find my books at any of the following:

e-books: