Tell us about your latest book. What inspired it? Is this a series and if so, how many books are you planning? If not, do you plan to have any spin-off’s from secondary characters in the future?
My current book is definitely out of my normal venue. It’s called Subtle Invasion and it’s about a woman who has been abducted by aliens for the purpose of their procreation but no one believes her. It’s different because it isn’t a romance and it’s definitely not erotic.
I have two books I’m working on right now which are part of a series. The first one started with a book called Fluke about a space ship’s engineer, Fallon Montgomery, who has been brainwashed. A rebel faction is trying to switch her out with a clonedroid, a clone cybernetic robot, but it never happens. This was the first book in a series I called The Orchid Series. Orchid is the special ops group in that future world.
The book I’m working on is called More Than Robotics and it’s about Fallon’s best friend, Commander Rheeanon Taylor, who is next in line for clonedroid replacement. Fallon sends Orchid operative, Lieutinent Javed Malik to protect her. It’s a fast pace book with lots of action and excitement.
The other series I’m working on is called Protectors of the Earth series. The first book is Of Earth and Fire. It is a combination of two stories, Avenging Aingeal and Playing with Fyre. It too is a futuristic, sci-fi story about a group of people with paranormal abilities caused by an infusion of nanite particles. On this world they are what is known as elementals and protect Earth by use of those powers. Loose Id has signed for the whole series and I hope to have the first book out this year.
What element of writing in your genre is hardest for you? Easiest?
I wouldn’t say any of them are hardest. There are certain things that I have to research more to make sure they work. So maybe those elements are a little bit harder. The only other hardest thing is just to actually sit down and write the story. I tend to get distracted easily some days. LOL!
The easiest for me is the writing provided I’ve done all my research and have all my plans in order.
Do you have any pet peeves as a writer? As a reader?
I think my biggest pet peeve applies to both writing and reading. I really have issue when writers don’t do their research and when writers just ignore those errors. I also don’t like to re-read the same story over and over again from authors. Every story should be new and fresh even if it is using some of the same elements over and over again.
If you could ask readers in your genre one question, what would it be and why?
What do elements would you like to see more of?
The reason I would ask this is because I would like to know what readers are tired of and why they don’t want to see any more of those elements. This is important to me as I am starting to go back to my first love which is sci-fi and fantasy. I don’t want to over do anything.
What do you think is most important in the relationship between the main characters?
Mutual love and respect for each other. When a partner realizes that the other is an individual and not an extension of themselves, great things can happen.
How long does it take for you to create, write and submit to your editor a finished book?
It really depends upon the book. With the Protector series, it took me about 6-8 months to create and plan, then about 3 weeks to pound out the first book. With the Orchid book I’m working on, it will take me about 10 days to get my first draft out then another week to polish and get it to my editor.
If one of your books was made into a movie, who do you think would capture your characters perfectly?
If we’re talking about writing team, it would have to be the group which did Battlestar Galactica. It was so dark and deep and had me on the edge of my seat every moment.
If we’re talking about actors, it would be a lot of different people as I get a picture in my mind of the character and I hold onto that until the story is done.
For the current Orchid book, it would be Mary McDonnell from BSG for the main character and Sendhil Ramamurthy of Heroes for the male lead. For the first book of Protectors, I immediately thought of Kate Beckinsale and Hugh Jackman.
Understand though, I take their basic image and tweak them until they fit my character.
Anything in the pipeline for 2009? Can we get a sneak look into upcoming projects?
These are some unedited excerpts from upcoming work. Here’s a sneak peak of More Than Robotics:
I turned to look at him suspiciously. “What is she talking about?”
In less than the blink of an eye, he was again by my side, pulling me up from my chair, his hands taking my face to gaze in my eyes. “Don’t struggle,” he whispered close to my ears. “I think we have prying eyes.” His lips came down fiercely on mine, his tongue snaking in to dominate me and I wanted to do the very thing he asked that I not do. Instead I tried to let myself enjoy the moment as it had been quite some time since I had had this type of human contact.
My hands gripped his waist and pulled him even closer to me. I could feel his legs press harder into me as his arms went completely around me. Within moments, I could feel the hard bulge of his body and mine responded in kind. There was nothing more I wanted to do except rip his clothes off that luscious male form.
He pulled away from me and shuddered, resting his forehead against mine. “We should really stop right now.” His brown eyes looked deep into mine and I nearly passed out as his next words flashed across my consciousness. You are an amazing woman and rest assured, we will finish this.
The last bit had exploded across my brain and I raised a shaky hand to rub my forehead. It was as if he were right inside me, whispering his thoughts.
Don’t fight it. Let it happen. The clonedroids helped us to perfect one of their technologies for our us. This is the major way they communicate between each other. You are now the proud owner of some audiobotic nanotechnology. They attach to your nerves for hearing and other pertainent areas of your brain associated with the function. From now on, we’ll be able to communication this way as we are attuned only to each other. No one else is on this frequency.
I glanced quickly toward the camera I knew Trevor had poised on us. You realize that Trevor was the only one spying on us, don’t you?
A slow lazy smile crossed his face and he gentle caressed my cheek. That’s what you think. The other ability that we’ve been given is you will actually sense when someone is a clonedroid. It’s an ability they have as well as they can immediately tell who is clonedroid or who is human. Fallon 2 has been so helpful in our development of these abilities.
I swallowed hard. It would be hard but I knew what I had to do. “Just what do you think you were doing?”
And here’s a bit from the Protector series book, Of Earth and Fire:
“You’re gonna get your ass kicked today. You mark my words.”
Arching an eyebrow, I stared at him. No one in this facility could begin to hold a candle to me and I knew it. Worse, they knew it. “What ever gave you the idea any one could kick my butt? Cause I know you can’t.” I sat there and listened to his buddies all crack up as Jonathan’s ears turned red.
“Ever heard of Lukas Everhard?”
“You’re joking right? Everhard?” I laughed so hard tears flowed from my eyes. That would be the day.
“You’re just a bitch who won’t know what hit her.”
“And you’re just an ass who will.” The orb bobbed in my hand as I stood, dangerously close to being thrown when something huge grabbed my wrist.
“You know the rules here. No fighting in the mess hall.”
I whirled furious, energy in both hands now and was stopped short by the man who stood before me. I was not a small woman, yet this man dwarfed me. Slowly, my gaze moved from his wide shoulders to his face and stopped there. Ice blue eyes stared at me without one bit of emotion attached to the look. He’s one cold cookie. I blinked rapidly almost as if I had been hit in the gut. This man was not going to take my crap in any way, shape or form. While I might be able to fool Darien somewhat as I had learned since I had arrived, I would never be able to fool this man.
Then there was the fact I felt more aware of him sexually than I had been with anyone else. Ever. There was a charisma about him which made me want to throw myself into his arms and beg to be taken. And it was more than his physical appearance because if truth be told, this man looked good…the best I had ever seen…again a rarity for me to note. It was as if he were palpable under my hands even though we weren’t touching. My crotch clenched once more and I shook my head to clear my errant thoughts.
“Told you.”
I turned to look at my accuser, electricity leaping to my hand yet again. Some days I couldn’t control it at all.
Stepping in front of me, the big man’s forefinger jabbed my chest. “You. Me. In the sparring room immediately.”
Yeah, I know, I’m really into first person right now because I’m writing it so much better. For once everything is just flowing out of me and as a writer that can be a very important part of the creative process.
For fun: If you could meet any character you want, who would it be & what would you do?
From a contemporary nover, that would probably be Aeryn DeLancie from Where’s My Underwear, Anyway? which is another work in progress. There is a lot of me from my younger years in Aeryn which is why I really love that character.
Now if we’re talking about one of my sci-fi/futuristics novel, it would be a toss up between Aingeal Cochran or Camden Jayde which is from a book I’m now plotting out. Both of these characters are strong women who have a lot to give as well as a lot to learn. I really like them though because while they are very human they have a little something which makes them a little better. You’ll have to read the stories to see what I mean.
Thanks for having me here! I really enjoyed myself!
Sneak Peek into Subtle Invasion:
NOW at Devine Destinies
http://tinyurl.com/SubtleInvasion
The table was metal and very cold. Melinda gasped at the coldness surrounding her. Don’t they realize people can’t function in a room this cold? She thought, hesitated before opening her eyes even though they felt as if they had lead in them to keep them shut.
Bright, much too bright. This could blind me.
Squinting, she scanned the room. The outlines were vague and indistinct in the harsh, cold light. Something sensed her discomfort and the brightness receded. Opening her eyes more, Melinda tried to keep her wits about her. The room was too new, too sterile to be a local hospital.
A single tear fell onto her cheek. Why is this happening to me? What have I ever done to deserve this? she thought. Still part of her wry humor was intact. Except marry Frank. The reality of the situation had to be dealt with soon. She could almost hear her blood freeze.
Not long after, she began to shake from the cold. At least the blood would keep flowing for a while longer. Finally, brave enough to look at something more than the ceiling, she began to scan the room for an exit. The walls were smooth throughout, nothing resembled a door. Melinda started wiggling her toes to promote circulation, trying to decide if she should make a run for it or not. She felt her fate was already sealed, whatever it may be, even if she did run.
An almost undetectable sound penetrated her cold daze. Slowly, she turned in the direction from which it appeared to be coming. Any expression she might have had was frozen on her face as the alien walked through the door. It appeared startled by her scream.
Comments
3 Responses to “Guest Author Day with Lynn Crain”
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Hi Lynn and thanks for coming by. I am intrigued by your two series. They sound really good.
Is there a genre you haven’t done yet that you want to do in the future?
Raine D.
Mmmm…what an interesting question…I can’t say there’s anything I want to try. I would like to be able to do comedy better. And I definitely want more time to finish some fantasy work I have. You know the old adage…too many ideas…so little time. LOL!
Lynn
I love the cover and it sounds like a great book.
I will put you on a new author to read. Was on vacation and have alot of e-mail to get thur