Today I'm thrilled to share with you the an interview I was lucky enough to snag with the very talented Terra Harmony. She took the time to answer my many questions which I'm known for. Her answers are original and really great so I hope you enjoy getting to know a little more and what makes her tick.
Mandy - Where did you get the inspiration for The Rising?
Terra - Mermaids have been on my mind for a long time, well before I began finishing up my last series. With the 'eco' themes my novels carry, how perfect would it be to concentrate on the oceans? I began reading as many mermaid books as I could get my hands on, and I was left feeling wholly unsatisfied. I took it as a personal challenge to do better, and hopefully readers will let me know if I did! I recently talked more in depth about inspiration here (URL: WILL SEND YOU THE LINK BEFORE YOUR POST IS DUE) – be sure to check it out!
Mandy - Are you happy with the way the cover turned out?
Terra - Very happy, and believe me, it went through several revisions. I had to take into account 'branding' for future books of the trilogy, the young adult genre, and the fact that a cover itself will attract many of the buyers. I ended up using another self-published author, Keary Taylor, to do the cover. She has done all of my covers thus far and she is amazing! I wrote a whole long blog post about the my cover's story here (URL: http://harmonylit.wordpress.com/2013/09/06/my-covers-story/).
Mandy - Do you see yourself in any of the characters?
Terra - Not really – in fact in this book I tried not to put any of myself in the main character. I'm not sure why I was so against it this time around. Maybe because the main character in the last series had almost too much of me in her. I tried to focus on the qualities of my younger sister – her rebellious nature that often conflicts with the desire to stay within her comfort zone.
Mandy - Did you always know you wanted to be a writer?
Terra - Nope – and I still don't know if that is what I want to do. I think for me it is mainly about trying new things. But so far, I haven't grown tired of the exciting world of writing, so I think I'll stick with it!
Mandy - Do you prefer eBooks or physical books?
Terra - I prefer whatever fits in my purse – or better yet, my pocket. For now I read most of my books on my phone, just because that sucker is always with me.
Mandy - What is your preferred atmosphere when you write?
Terra - Lately, I've been hammering away at the computer between 5 and 7:30 am every morning before the kids get up. I have three kids, a full-time job outside of writing, and my husband is gone often for work so the rest of my day fills up pretty quick. I key up some classical music on Pandora and enjoy the peace that won't come again until the next morning.
Mandy - If you had a magic power what would it be?
Terra - The answer to that question depends on my mood! For right now, I'd say 'conjuring'. I really want to 'magic' a hot cup of coffee in my hands.
Mandy - Do you have a favorite beverage?
Terra - Coffee (speaking of magic), until it is time to switch to wine!
Mandy - Do you have a guilty pleasure?
Terra - Vampires – totally!
Mandy - What are 5 things you never leave home without?
Terra - Kid 1, Kid 2, Kid 3, keys and purse. You know – the essentials.
Mandy - Do you have a favorite quote?
Terra - Write drunk and edit sober. Though in reality it should say 'write drunk and edit hung-over', which really doesn't work.
Mandy - Is there anything you want to tell your readers?
Terra - If you check out my book, please, please, please let me know what you think by leaving a review or sending me an email directly. Also – keep our oceans healthy!
Mandy - Where can we STALK you?
Terra - Soooooo many places to stalk me:
E-mail: terra.harmony11@gmail.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/terraharmony
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/harmonygirlit
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/terraharmony/
The Rising on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18300412-the-rising
Author Bio:
Terra is author of the eco-fantasy novels in the Akasha Series, 'Water', 'Air', 'Fire' and 'Earth', as well as the Painted Maidens Trilogy. Terra was born and raised in Colorado but has since lived in California, Texas, Utah, North Carolina, and Virginia. Terra has served a 5½ year enlistment in the Marine Corp, has earned her bachelor's and master's degree and presently runs the language services division of a small business.
Terra currently lives in a suburb of Washington, DC with her husband of 14 years and three children.
Thank you so much Terra for being here today it's been a absolute pleasure and the highlight of my day!
Thanks so much for doing the interview with me, Mandy! :) And very awesome review!!!
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