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Friday, November 6, 2015

Fire Falling by Elise Kova Release Tour: Interview + Giveaway







Summary of Fire Falling: Soldier… Sorcerer… Savior… Who is Vhalla Yarl?

Vhalla Yarl marches to war as property of the Solaris Empire. The Emperor counts on her to bring victory, the Senate counts on her death, and the only thing Vhalla can count on is the fight of her life. As she grapples with the ghosts of her past, new challenges in the present threaten to shatter the remnants of her fragile sanity. Will she maintain her humanity? Or will she truly become the Empire’s monster?


Author Bio: Elise Kova has always had a passion for storytelling. She wrote her first novella, a high-fantasy, in sixth grade. Over the years she’s honed her love of literature with everything from fantasy to romance, science fiction to mystery, and whatever else catches her eye.

Elise lives in Saint Petersburg, Florida, where she’s currently working on the next installment in her debut YA fantasy series: Air Awakens. She enjoys video games, anime, table-top role playing games, and many other forms of “geekdom.” She loves talking with fans on Twitter (@EliseKova) and Facebook.

Links: Fire Falling Page | WebsiteGoodreads | Amazon | Instagram | Tumblr |

Interview



Q: What was the most memorable moment for you on your journey to becoming an author?

A: You know, the first moment that I thought of was the moment I decided that I was really going to be an author. As most people know, I started drafting my novels on Fictionpress and didn't even think of "being an author" at that point. I was just doing something for fun. When my novels were finished and my readers asked if I was going to publish I decided to do that and began querying.

There was one point in my querying when I'd gotten a partial request from the agent that I swore was going to be "the one". I remember the day they rejected me and I quite literally broke down on my kitchen floor in a puddle of tears, I'm talking messy crying. I felt like nothing was going to happen with my story and, more than anything, I felt like I was letting my characters and their world down. I'd been on the fence until then about what I'd do if I never got an agent to agree to take me on, but that was when I decided that no matter what I was making it work.

So I wiped my face, pried myself off the floor, and drew a line in the excel spreadsheet that I was using to track my queries. I told myself that if I got to that line and no agent had picked me up I was going to go the Indie Pub route. And, that's what ended up happening. At the time it wasn't the happiest moment, but I'm glad I had it. Because I think that's when my journey really started.

Q:What are your favorite and least favorite scenes to write?

A: Oh can I be cliche and say my favorites are the scenes with Vhalla and Aldrik? Half the time it doesn't feel like I'm writing them. It feels like they take control and I'm just watching their lives progress, penning it down. In the first book all of my favorite chapters involve them together.

Least favorite... Perhaps the scenes that I know won't make sense until someone has read more of the story. There are moments that I know will be frustrating for readers, or will seem unimportant, or like it's happening for no reason, but there IS a method. I get great enjoyment out of writing them, because it's my way of trying to craft a greater world with undercurrents always moving in and around our main character. But I say they're my least favorite because I worry they'll lose or dissuade people from continuing reading and I continually question them as a result.

Q: Do you have any particular habits or habitual rituals you have when you're writing? (Ex: always having chocolate on hand)

A: I usually listen to music when I write, it's an important part of my process and that's why for all the books I have playlists with songs often times fitting individual scenes. So, even if I don't have music on I'll usually have my earbuds in now.

I also have a "writing blanket". It's just a random IKEA blanket and had no sentimental value, but I hate being cold and it began perpetually living at my writing desk. Now it feels weird if I don't have it over my lap or thrown around my shoulders when I write. Sometimes I'll throw it over my head when I'm frustrated and need to really focus, like a horse with blinders on.

Q: What was your favorite book growing up?

A: All right, let me be really unoriginal and say Harry Potter. Specifically, my favorite book in that series is Goblet of Fire. Harry Potter came out when I was eleven, so it basically defined my childhood.

Q: What are 5 adjectives you would pick to describe yourself?

A: This is hard... Aren't we all far too critical of ourselves? I suppose if I had to think about five adjectives I try to embody, and hope people describe me as, they would be: Kind, Fun, Thoughtful, Intelligent, Creative.

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20 comments:

  1. The covers are so cool, and awesome interview!

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    1. Being able to control fire has always been a dream of mine haha

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  3. Awesome interview Brittany <3 I think I'd want to be a Firebearer because the ability to control flames? How cool is that? Can you tell I want to be cool? Lol... Windwalker sounds awesome too but I'll let Vhalla figure that one out ;)

    Oh Elise, I'm so sorry about that rejection :( Although I'm super glad it helped you decide you were going to make it work. You totally did. All happy tears now! *hugs*

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    1. Often when I've imagined myself with powers, I've wanted to be able to conjure and control fire so *high five* =)

      Rejection is part of the writing world but looks like it all worked out!

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  4. What a great interview. Love the journey aspect and though it's heartbreaking about the rejection, I adored Air Awakens and I'm so glad book two comes out so quickly after!!
    I think it would be so cool to be a firebearer or water!

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    1. Thank you!

      You're the first person who has said water but it'd be awesome to be both lol I mean if you accidentally let a fire get out of hand, then water!

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  6. I hadn't heard of this series until my library got a copy of the first two books. Now I feel like it's all my bookish friends are talking about. Clearly I'm missing out on something big!

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    1. I know what you mean, seems like everyone is talking about Kova these days =)

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  7. Great post- I love this blog and Air Awakes was fantastic!!

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    1. Thank you! I'm glad you love our blog, we work really hard on it =)

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  8. Ahaha, I love reading interviews about the arduous (but amazing) writing process! I absolutely can't wait for Fire Falling-- especially for more Vhalla and Aldrik in this whole different setting. C::

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    1. I think a lot of people love hearing about an author's writing process, especially those of us who are trying to become authors ourselves.

      I hope you love Fire Falling!

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  9. Great interview! I love hearing about the author and how they write. It makes the book(s) more personal. Can't wait to read it.

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    1. Thanks! I always love hearing about author's writing preferences and processes, it's so interesting and relatable =)

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