Interview with Author Elizabeth Mueller

 Elizabeth Mueller is a talented author and an awesome woman. Her debut YA novel, DARKSPELL is coming out this fall! She has agreed to be one of the authors to present a class at Teen Author Boot Camp 2012 (put on again by Writers Cubed). I had the opportunity to interview Elizabeth and am excited to share her with all of you. (=

 1.Tell us a bit about yourself and how long you've been writing.

I’ve been creating stories since I was a small girl. It was my way to escape the awful things I faced while growing up. I fell in love with writing when I was 11 years old and haven’t stopped since. I’m a stay-at-home mom of four creative kids who share my passion of writing or drawing or making friends.

2.  As a mom, how do you make time for your writing?

It’s hard to write with the kids running amuck. I need absolute silence to feed my muse, so I create my time. When I’m I the zone, I have what’s called “quiet time”.  It is an hour where the kids play or read by themselves in their respective rooms. I write during that precious time. I also write from the time they are in bed or while they are away at school.

3. Who are some of your favorite authors? Favorite books?

Kim Wilkins, Liz Kessler, Helen Dunmore, and Michele Bell are a few of them. I love Giants of the Frost, that one has made me cry the hardest.

4. What inspires your writing?

Anything can inspire my writing. If I see a twisted branch hiding under dead leaves, a whole world of fairies comes to mind. If I see a bloody sunset, a story about vampires rises. Seeing my hubby in a jetted tub filled with foaming bubbles over his head made me think of a mermaid book, too! Have you seen those little cupids from Night at the Museum, Battle of the Smithsonian? An entire novel was born from that. My ideas come from anything and anywhere.

5. Tell us a bit about your writing journey from first draft to publication.

I started writing because it gives me a sense of peace—it is the best way for me to regroup. It was interesting, the pathway that has led me to where I am at now. Although I’ve been writing for years, I felt the sudden drive to take it a step further: publication. I knew that if I wanted to be published, I needed to learn more on how authors became published. I went to my first writers conference in 2009. I learned about marketing, how other authors became published and creating my platform. My local library gave me what I wanted—a writers group! I was in heaven! I attended two more writers conferences and made so many new friends with published as well as aspiring authors. Basically, I am where I am now because I stepped out of my comfort zone and reached out to other writers—they are one of the best kinds of “co-workers” anyone can have in my opinion.

6. What is Darkspell about?

Winter Sky believes she is everything ordinary . . . until she is kissed by Alex Stormhold.

As seer of Stormhold Coven, Alex is sworn to be Winter’s protector against the darkness that hunts her.  Violently thrust into a magical realm she always thought impossible, she stumbles upon a disturbing secret of her own.

Will love prove thicker than magic?

7. Of all your characters who do you feel closest to and why?

I would have to say Winter. First, because it is in first person. I have to admit that I made myself look out of her eyes, to see what she saw and feel what she felt. Winter has gone through so many obstacles and she always found the courage to move on, despite struggles. That’s how it has been for me in my past as well as finding the place in my heart for forgiveness.

8. How would Winter describe Alex and visa versa?

Winter would describe Alex as powerful, courageous, passionate, and alluring. She always felt safe whenever he was near and fell in love with him at the very start. Alex would say that Winter is fragile, forgiving, has the strength to overcome anything that she encounters and passionate. He has always had the drive to protect her from anything that could harm her.

9. What themes or aspects of your book do you think will resonate with readers?

I feel that my book runs on many levels with themes. There’s one to find the strength to believe in yourself, one on forgiveness and compassion, resisting temptations, finding the courage to discover your true self, endurance lends strength to purpose and purpose lends strength to endurance, and fighting for what you believe no matter who or what.

10. Where and when can we get our hands on a copy of Darkspell?

You can pre-order you autographed copy now at my website!

Please join me in my celebration for Darkspell’s fall release all July long! It’s a pre book launch party! Click here for details.

Thanks, for hanging out, Elizabeth. Best wishes on your book release and all your creative endeavors! (=