Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Interview with Elizabeth J Kolodziej


Can you tell readers a little bit about yourself and what inspired to write in this particular genre?

Well, I always tell people that I blame my mother. She was into the paranormal long before I was even born! So I kind of grew up on knowing of and then learning it all. It was just fascinating to read the folklore of vampires, witches, and werewolves. When I was eight was when I began to write little stories and since authors write what they know best I wrote about the supernatural.

What is it about the paranormal, in particular vampires (or insert the paranormal creature featured in your book here instead), that fascinates you so much?

I think it is the mystery of it all. It’s the idea of a creature so powerful but so gentle all at the same time (depending on which story you read). And it’s not just vampires but witches that really fascinate me too. Just the idea of being able to light a candle by blowing on it, or levitating in the air, who wouldn’t be fascinated by that?

What inspired you to write this book?

I can honestly say I have no friggin’ clue. I started it when I was around 19 and the way I come up with stories is by fantasizing. I almost want to say it was just fated and I am lucky for that. Ever since the first book the ideas for the next book and the ones after just keep coming to me.

Please tell us about your latest release.

My latest release is Werewolf Descent, the second book in The Last Witch Series. This one was actually a lot of fun to write since my own abilities as a writer had grown since Vampyre Kisses. It’s packed with a lot more romance and tons more action.

Do you have a special formula for creating characters' names? Do you try to match a name with a certain meaning to attributes of the character or do you search for names popular in certain time periods or regions?

Actually, when I come up with a character I find out where they are from and a little on their background. Now sometimes I will go through names and connect the persons name by region. However, what I love best is when the character tells me the name themselves, which happens more times than not. It’s normally what holds up my writing when a character is talking to me but won’t tell me their name. That can be terribly frustrating.

Is there a character that you enjoyed writing more than any of the others?

I think the character I normally enjoy most is writing Faith or Kane (an no not Cain from biblical times, my story of Kane is drastically different). Faith I really can relate to when it comes to problems she goes through so it makes it easier but Kane is so loud and demanding that when he says you’re going to write this then I write that.

What is your favorite scene from the book? Could you share a little bit of it, without spoilers of course?

I think I can do that; here is a scene between Louis (a slayer) and Faith (the main witch) straight from the book: (if it is too long you can start it later or end it earlier)

“Daughter like mother and all that.” He quickly bit his lip. He must have seen the shocked expression on my face. “Sorry.”

“I’m nothing like her.” I bent down and came back up with the Jack I kept in one of the pots-and-pans cabinets. After reaching up for a couple of shot glasses, I looked at his face. He seemed upset.

“She wasn’t that bad.”

“Hmm. Being in the same business as her, I can see why you would say that.”

“Faith.” He stretched out my name in almost a whine. “Let’s just…agree to disagree.” He took one of the shots of Jack from the counter and raised the glass. “To your mother.”

“To my father,” I countered and downed my shot. After feeling like I was breathing out fire, I was finally able to speak again. “Want another?” He nodded and I poured us both one more.

After that shot, I took his glass and turned around to rinse them both out. With the water running I asked, “So what brings you here, Louis?”

Turning back around I was shocked to see Trent holding Louis up by his throat. Lucky for me he had worn his boxers while sleeping this time.

“Trent!” I screamed at him while rushing over. Louis had both his hands on Trent’s wrist. “Let go of him!”

His blackened eyes met mine. “He is a slayer, Faith.” His fangs showed through every word.

“I know that.”

His expression became perplexed. “What?”

“This is Louis, that slayer I told you about.” I heard a few gags come from Louis, and I looked up to see his face starting to turn a pastel bluish color. “Let. Him. Go,” I demanded with enough emphasis that he must have known better than to disagree with me.

“Fine.” He let Louis go, but not in the way I’d intended. He fell to his feet and lost his balance, sending him to his butt.

“That was not what I meant and you know it!” I went to my knees and put both hands on either side of Louis’s face. “Are you okay?”

He put a hand to his throat and rubbed the reddened area. “I’ll be fine,” he choked out. “So this must be your vampire boyfriend. He seems nice.” I rolled my eyes and linked an arm through his to help him up. “It’s okay, I can do it.”

While Louis got to his feet, I noticed Oran run by and onto Trent’s shoulder. Trent looked at him with as much amazement as I did.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

I agree with Trent.

“Oh for heaven’s sake,” I blurted out without thinking.

Trent looked at me and then at Oran before a righteous smile found its way to his face. “I guess he agrees with me.”

“Bite me.”

“Maybe later.”

“Faith, you don’t…” Louis let his words trail off.

“It doesn’t matter.” I was looking at Louis but talking to both of them.

“It will when he brings his little swarm to your place. We are going to have to move again.”

“No, he won’t,” I said while sighing. “I trust Louis. He helped us.”

Trent took a few steps closer. “Did you ever stop and think that he helped us to further his own plans?” I looked at Louis, but before I could say anything Trent added, “And by the way, Louis” He said his name in a mocking way. “She is nothing like her mother.”

Crap. How much had he heard? The phone rang and I was glad for the interruption. It was Trent’s cell phone coming from his bedroom. He stormed off to answer it.

“I only came here to give you some information about Lilith. I was sure you would want to know about her.”

“What information?” My anger was lost in my need to find the vampire who’d saved Morgan.

Louis just shook his head. “He has a little bit of a temper.” Louis began making his way to the door.

I followed behind him. “Well, you are a slayer and all, out to kill him and all of his kind.”

“Is it any wonder we want to kill those monsters off? He just attacked me for no reason.”

Now that pissed me off. “Wait a minute.” I grabbed his arm and pulled him around to face me. “He only attacked you because you are a slayer, and even though it isn’t your sworn duty to kill a witch, it wouldn’t be the first time one tried to take my life. Trent was only protecting me.” By the way his mouth dropped open, it looked like I had surprised the hell out of him. “Now, what information do you have on Lilith?”

Did you find anything really interesting while researching this or another book?

Yes! While researching alchemy for this book I came by a book by Robert Bartlett. Well! I contacted Robert because I had questions. This gentlemen and his wife are real alchemists and even teach classes on the subject. That just sent me through a loop. Both of them were so helpful in answering all my questions (even if some of them were hypothetical). I even wrote Robert into my book to show my appreciation to him.

What is the most interesting thing you have physically done for book related research purposes?

I wanted to go skydiving to see what it was like to fly but I couldn’t afford it so I went parasailing. Then there was the time I went to Ireland for a month after college to see where Trent came from and get a good look at where a certain battle would take place. I don’t think there is much I wouldn’t do (if I can afford it) to do research for a book. I love hands on research!

Can you tell readers a little bit about the world building in the book/series? How does this world differ from our normal world?

I think the big difference in my book compared others would be the mix of Greek mythology. I have goddess like Aphrodite and Zeus, while I have gods I made up like Kane, god of vampires, and Daeka, god of werewolves. Something about that element really intrigues readers.

With the book being part of a series, are there any character or story arcs, that readers jumping in somewhere other than the first book, need to be aware of? Can these books be read as stand alones?

I get mixed reviews about this but if I went by the majority I would say Werewolf Descent could be read as a stand-alone. It gives great back-story to the first book so I don’t think the reader will feel like they are missing too much.

Do you write in different genres?

I have tried to! Haha. I always come back to making someone a vampire or something though. However, even though I do put the paranormal in my writing I do try other genres. For instance, The Hunger Within (part of an anthology book, I Believe in Werewolves) forced me to write horror when I didn’t think I could. Then there is another short of mine that got accepted by Sizzler about a half demon and that is considered Erotica. So yes, but no at the same time.

What can readers expect next from you?

Next, I will have short stories and novellas coming out in anthologies but the biggest of my writing (coming out in 2012) is going to be Witch Devotions. Werewolf Descent was left with a major “incident” that happened at the end. One that made my fans apparently want to kick me in the shins. Witch Devotions is going to solve a lot of the questions my fans have.

Where can readers find you on the web?

http://www.vampyrekisses.com

http://www.facebook.com/ejkolodziej

http://www.twitter.com/ejkolodziej

My book are available on amazon, b&n, and smashwords..com. So whatever eReader you have you can get this book and if you still love paperbacks (like I do!) they are available too.

VAMPYRE KISSES

1st Book in The Last Witch Series

ELOQUENT PUBLISHING

MAY, 2010

Vampyre Kisses is an enthralling story about a young woman named Faith, who was content with her life, but deep down craved more excitement. Then a mysterious man named Trent enters her life and everything changes. Surprising to Faith, Trent is a green-eyed vampire from Ireland. She is even more surprised to find out that she is a witch, and the last of her kind.

Faith finds out that she is destined to restore her witch line and becomes more powerful as she gains confidence and knowledge, but danger lurks everywhere. Especially when unknown assailants steal the most important gems from the vampire master and werewolf royalty.

Now surrounded by a world full of mystifying vampires and werewolves, can Faith gain enough power to help her friends and rescue the stolen gems?

“Kolodziej created a mystical tale full of magic and mystery. It’s a fascinating world, completely unique compared to the cookie cutout worlds most vampireauthors use.” – Vampires.com


“The storyline was full of action and excitement, clearly described, and I would be interested in reading more about Faith and Trent’s continuing journey.” – Bitten By Books


You can buy this book at any of the following (just click on it):

Amazon.com

Publisher’s Website

Barns and Nobles

Kindle Edition


6 comments:

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Elizabeth Kolodziej said...

I'm so glad to see the interview up! Thank you so much for having me here. :)

<3's and fangs,
Liz ^_^

Bill Blodgett said...

Hi Elizabeth, I really enjoyed your interview. I blame my dad because he was always telling us creepy ghost stories just before bed!! Your book sounds great. Good luck with it and your future works!!

Tina C said...

oooookay sooo gonna have to get that book too next week!

Denise Z said...

Thank you for sharing with us today. Vampyre Kisses has been on my wishlist for a while, today I have hopped over and bought it and look forward to the tasty read. Of course Werewolf Descent also sounds awesome and I look forward to that read as well. On a woolier note - sharing some sheeply luv my friends. Fangtastic Books is one of the fun stops I enjoy making as often as I can and I appreciate the smiles you bring me.

Katie Dalton said...

Vampires are where it's at I tell ya. Who needs anything else when you have these boys? I love it and I love this author and fellow vamp gal. Rock on Elizabeth and keep the bite going!

Sheep in the house! xoxoxo

 
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