An interview with the amazing Willow Cross!

Hi Willow! Thank you for agreeing to do an interview for my first proper blog post!! I am honoured, really! Without any further ado, take it away!!

1) Hi Willow, please would you mind telling me a little about yourself and your books?

            Hello!  My name is Willow and I’m a fantaholic. ;)  I’m a complete and total genre-ist.  Any type of fantasy, be it Epic, vampires, werewolves, ghosts, witches, or demon hunters--I’m there.  I’m married to a man who seems to have made peace with my eccentricities and we live in Arkansas with most of our children and grandchildren.

            Currently, I’ve published 3 books: 

            The Dark Gifts: Birthright YA urban fantasy/paranormal romance (featuring vampires, witches, ghosts, and a druid)

            The Dark Gifts: Inheritance YA urban fantasy/paranormal romance (featuring werewolves, druids, and vampire cameos)

            Oceans of Red volume one (Urban fantasy loosely based on the 2012 prophecy, featuring demon hunters.) 

2) How do you spend your time when you’re not writing?

            Pretty much the usual.  Babysitting grandchildren, dishes, laundry, the ever-dreaded dusting, watching TV/Movies, and reading.  One of my favourite things to do (when I can find the time) is to watch scary movies with my sister and my friends.  I spend gobs of time on the phone because most of my friends live in other states.  (I’m long winded in real life too.)

3) Do you have an outlined ‘plan’ when you write, or do you just write and see where it takes you?

            I never know where a story is going to go.  I’m as surprised as the reader when a plot twist occurs.  The characters seem to have minds of their own, and my job is to write down their interpretations of the story.

4) How do you manage to come up with your amazing plots and ideas?

            I’ve been asked that before, and my answer is always the same.  I have no clue.  I’ll see something, hear something, have a dream…it just comes to me.  I have a few friends who believe it might be insanity leaking through.  (They could be right, who knows?)  lol

5) It’s a hard question I know, but do you have a favourite character of yours?

            I really don’t have a favourite.  To me, they are all interesting and important.  I’m attached to all of them.

6) What was the most challenging part when you’re writing?

            Finding the time to do it and being in the ‘mood’ when I find the time.  Sometimes the words just won’t come.  There’s no rhyme or reason to it.  Other times, sentences and scenes are swirling around in my head begging to get out.  When time and need collides--it’s an awesome day! ;)

7) Was it a challenging task in order to get published?

            I spent roughly 2 years trying to find an agent and secure a traditional publisher for Birthright.  It was incredibly daunting.  If I received replies, they’d usually say we love your writing style, the plot seems solid, and your characters are well rounded.   However, due to market saturation, we must decline.  And yet, I kept seeing more and more new vampire books, movies, TV shows--all the time.  Finally, I decided that I wasn’t going to wait any longer and self-published.  I believe it was the best thing I could have done.  It is exceeding easy to self-publish an eBook.  That said, it is exceedingly difficult to make sure said book is ready for publishing.  You need a decent sized group of people to run through the manuscript to iron out all the kinks.  Even with a professional editor, 14 beta readers, and another 4 proof readers, you can still find mistakes here and there.  So my advice to anyone wanting to self-publish is to make sure you have that group in place.

8) Which author would you most like to meet and why?

            Anne Rice.  I think she’s just a phenomenal person on top of being a huge fan of her writing.

9) If you could travel to one country/place in the world where would you go and why?

            Ireland.  My heritage is mostly Irish and Scottish.  I can’t see pictures of the rolling green hills, cliffs surrounded by the azure sea, or the old dilapidated castles without yearning to be there.  I have this strange feeling that even though I’ve never stepped foot on the soil, just the act of being there would feel like coming home. 

     

10)  Do you have a favourite type of food/s?

            I love all kinds of food.  My favourite is usually whatever I’m in the mood for.  I can totally eat chili for a week though.  Lol

11) What’s your favourite colour?

            Pink!

12)  Do you have a favourite word that you love to say? 

            Facetious.  I totally love that word!! LOL

13)   Do you have any advice for the aspiring authors out there?

            If you’ve always wanted to write a book, then write it.  Don’t say things like: “I wish I had time.” Or “I wish I could.”  You can.  Just do it.  Understand that the chances of anyone (other than friends and family) buying the book are slim to none.  Understand that you may just be writing for you.  Write it anyway.  You never know what might happen. ;) 

14) Finally, would you like to add anything/say anything to your fans etc.?

            Just this (and I know I always say the same thing, but it’s because it’s so very true) :  A book is only as good as the reader believes it is.  I’m so very thankful for each and every person that has taken the time out of their lives to sit down and come into my world with me.  I’ve enjoyed having you here, and I hope your visit was a nice vacation.  Thanks for believing in me!!!  *insert big smile here*

Thank you so much Willow, for taking the time to answer my questions! I really appreciate it! I hope you have an amazing rest of your day! <3

Willow is over at: https://www.facebook.com/willowcrossbooks

And has her own website: http://willowcrossbooks.weebly.com/index.html
Make sure you check her out :)
~Katie