Welcome to one of my favorite interviews, ever! Meet S.M. Blooding, author of 'Fall of Sky City.' Her real life adventures will intrigue you as much as her novel.
What
was the inspiration behind 'Fall of Sky City'?
It started off as an adventure story because I wanted to write something that was just different than anything else I’d written, which was mainly romance; adult and YA. I really dug outside of the box on this one. I have several solar systems growing inside my head. *shrug* It’s what I do. So I picked my favorite one, chose a moon and just started building this world.
As I started to get to know their ways and their histories, the story just evolved. When Synn came to me, all I knew was that I wanted a male main character. It took me about a year to get into his POV. I tried writing him in third person. It wasn’t until I switched to first person that I really got him. He’s a much different person on the inside than he is on the outside, which is one of the reasons why I like him so-so much! I’m getting excited to see him through the eyes of some of my other characters as I write the other trilogies.
Also, I was studying World Wars I and II. A lot of inspiration came from there, and I think you’ll see that as the trilogy and the series progress. There was just something about that era that I love. I think it’s the fact that people came out of those years stronger. So many elements came together at a time when the world was already changing radically. People stood up. We had heroes everywhere, both on the fronts and at home. I don’t know if we’d see that today.
Which character spoke to you the most during the writing process?
Initially, it was Nix, our villain. She’s just so…hmm. Twisted is a really small word for this woman. She thinks she’s in the right. Really and truly, and she doesn’t fully comprehend how evil she’s become, so it was intriguing for me to delve into her head.
However, once I started writing the book in first person, it was Synn. Oh my word! I couldn’t get that man to talk to me and now I can’t get him to shut up! Not that I want to, mind you. I enjoy the conversations I have with him. Okay. Most times. He is a real character with real depth, at least in my head. He can be a butt. Really and truly.
Right now, we’re researching how to re-design his armada. Tehehehe!! It’s so much fun and oober geeky! I’m thinking about writing some of our conversations because it’s not just Synn involved here. It’s everyone and we’re having so much fun. It might be a neat added feature in a special edition or something. You just never know.
Which scene was your favorite?
Honestly, it depends on what day it is. LOL!! Yesterday, when I read this question, my immediate answer was, “The sphynktor bug chase!” I wrote it during NaNoWriMo. I was doing word sprints and I was just getting to the 2000 word/hour mark. Then I hit this chapter with all the running and the chasing and the explosions and the sand – and then the snakes and the quicksand! LOL! I was typing so fast, my fingers felt like they were on fire! This was the first time I cleared 3000+ words/hour.
However, today, I’d have to say my favorite scene is where Synn is fighting to get rid of his compulsion. His mother has him working with their herb witch/spiritual leader. The old woman opens a magic portal of sorts and brings Nix to Synn. That’s the first time Synn really sees what Nix did to him. It’s more than just a bond, more than just a few headaches. She somehow has a hold on his soul. It’s a very powerful scene and the emotion from that scene carries through book 2, which was a real eye-opening experience for both Synn and myself.
This book is the first in a trilogy. When can we expect the next installment?
Around Christmas. It might be closer to Thanksgiving, but Christmas for sure. Knight of Wands is deeply entrenched in edits right now. We’re well ahead of schedule, but I’m working on my other series right now. Also, I should give the readers a chance to read book 1 first.
Knight of Wands is so…COOL! When we started this book, it was supposed to go a completely different direction. I’ve seen this book since the day Synn and I finally started writing his story. However, about two chapters in, he changed his mind. Synn just said, “I can’t do this, Frankie. It’s all wrong! Please don’t force it.” So, I did the one thing I haven’t done since I started writing professionally. I dropped the outline and let Synn lead me to where he was going. It was an amazing experience and made for a fantastic book! I think you’re really going to love it! Synn earned a lot of my respect here. Just wait. You’ll see.
Are you working on any other projects?
Yup. I got a whole lot of crazy up in this head of mine. I’m working on my Dreamland Stories series right now. Nightmare’s Dream should be ready to launch in the fall. I’m also writing book 3, which I’m calling Hunter. Not original, I know, but it’s a working title. They don’t have to be all glam. I just need a title so people know what I’m talking about.
In Nightmare’s Dream, we get to meet the people who keep Dreamland running smoothly, and they are in trouble! OMW! Working with Nightmare Keme and Keeley has been awesome. We still have a lot of work ahead of us. What they did started a domino effect of changes in Dreamland. It’s going to be a challenge to write fast enough to keep up with all these fantastic characters!
Which genre is your favorite to write?
The mish-mash of genres that is Fall of Sky City, for sure! Fantasy, sci-fi, steampunk adventure is by FAR my favorite. I’ve written romance for years. I’ve written urban paranormal thrillers which are a blast as well, but there’s just so much freedom with this fantasy, sci-fi, steampunk adventure. I don’t have to provide a HEA (Happily Ever After) if it doesn’t feel right. If there are two people who kinda like each other, I don’t have to play cupid and force them together. I love world building! I love wild plot-rides! There’s no telling where we’re going to go next!
You have had a lot of jobs in your life. Which ones were your favorites? Would you ever go back to them?
Oh my gosh. LOL! Um. If I didn’t have kids and bills to think about, I’d go back to working as a technician for scientists and engineers. I don’t have the schooling to be a scientist or engineer. Literally, you have to possess the credentials, but it was so much fun to listen to their ideas and go, “I can build that!” I think that was my most rewarding job.
Well, kind of. Scientists and research engineers are funny people. They’re so in their own headspace, they forget how to be people sometimes. So you just learn to listen to their words, not their tone. Well, and you learn how to duck. They throw things all the time. Okay, some of them do, especially if they’re concentrating. Walking takes a lot of concentration.
Describe one of your most interesting dating experiences.
*chuckle* Okay, well, my most interesting dating experience is one of the reasons, I’m sure, that I’m still single. I had joined a bagpipe band, and I was teaching several people how to play. One of those people was Mr. Ginger. He was tall, fairly good looking, had a nice personality and we hit it off well. There was chemistry, like OMW! Electric chemistry!
Well, things were going well. I’m Wiccan, but I’m a solitaire. So when his mother invited me over for a real All Hallow’s Eve celebration, I was excited. We finished our feast and we’re getting ready to cast. I’d cleared the table with Mr. Ginger and we were sitting at the table. His mom is nowhere to be seen.
Then I hear chanting in the room next to us. I’m nervous because I’ve never cast with others before. I’m not ceremonial in the least! I don’t do flashy incantations, so I was secretly praying that we didn’t have any of that.
Well…the curtain-door is thrown back and there’s his mother with an athame in hand, cutting a magic portal, chanting and dancing…in all her sky clad glory!
I was just shocked, you know. I’d heard about sky clad casting, but I’d never experienced it before. I got up and stepped outside. I told her, “Go ahead and finish this while I’m out. Sorry! Tehe.” Yeah. When I came back, she started up all over again. Most uncomfortable experience EVER.
However…it gets better.
Mr. Ginger and I are two weeks away from being married. We’re at my place and we’re experiencing, you know, adult activity. He pulls way back, and then zeros in on my neck. He bites. Hard. I’m like, “Uh, okay. This is interesting.” Then he wipes his mouth with a smile and says, “I am a vampire and I have turned you.”
Wait. *blink, blink* What? Is this a joke?
No. *shakes head* It wasn’t.
Oh man! I pushed him out of my bed, threw his clothes at him and KICKED him out of my apartment.
But wait. It doesn’t end there.
He calls me about, oh five or so minutes later, and leaves a message on my machine. “Hey, baby. I understand that the change can be difficult, but we can work this out. You’ve got to be strong.”
I’m like, “Is he SERIOUS?! He really thinks he’s a VAMPIRE?! You’ve got to be KIDDING me! How. Did I. Not. SEE THIS?!!”
Then he calls back. “Baby, if we’re really breaking up, I need to know. I just got the call. The US government wants me to fake my death so I can become an assassin.”
Oh. My. WORD! Really?!
I haven’t heard from him since. I’m just hoping that the president is happy with his bagpipe playing, vampiric, reincarnation of Merlin, U.S. government assassin.
What is something readers may be surprised to learn about you?
After the story I just told, could there be anything else? *face palm* Really. I’m boring. I swear.
Anything else you wish to add?
I just want to thank everyone for coming! I hope you enjoyed the interview! This was a real hoot! Check out Fall of Sky City. It’s a great book and will be $0.99 for the month of May! Please, please, please review it if you read it!
Fall of Sky City
Genre: New Adult Fantasy, Steampunk Adventure
In a world governed by the opposing forces of the mystical House of Tarot and the tribal Great Families, Synn is caught in the crossfire. He witnesses the slaughter of innocent people, and the devastating murder of his father. This act awakens his Mark of power, a Mark greater than any the world has seen in a very long time.
Queen Nix thought she won a great prize when she destroyed Synn’s father, the leader of the strongest Great Families. She had no idea she’d be doubly blessed by capturing his son. However, before Synn can become her treasured weapon, before she can use him to bring the rest of the world to its knees, she must break him and bind his soul to hers.
She does her job with brutal brilliance. Synn’s mind is broken and his soul is seared to hers in an unbreakable bond.
That doesn’t stop him from wanting to be free. She may have broken his mind and claimed his soul, but he will find a way to destroy her.
Experience a world of ships that sail the clouds and cites buried beneath the ocean, and survive the fiery battle brought forth by those who control the forces of nature!
About Author SM Blooding
SM Blooding lives in Colorado with her pet rock, Rockie, Ms. Bird, the Chicken and SistaPITA. It's quite the zoo. She’s taken a break from the piano, which Ms, Bird is quite happy about, and now knows more than one word in Arabic. Basically, she can say hello, good-bye, give it to me, and hurry up!
She’s dated vampires, werewolves, sorcerers, weapons smugglers and US Government assassins. Yes. She has stories.
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