Interview with author Lisa Kessler

Hello book lovers! Please help me welcome the lovely and talented Lisa Kessler to my blog. I am a member of Lisa's street team and am thrilled to have her on the blog today! Lisa is the author of the book Night Walker!

You might remember the review post I did about it on the blog. (You can find it here: http://kristinasbooksandmore.blogspot.com/2011/09/night-walker-by-lisa-kessler-review.html)

If you have not already picked up a copy of the book for yourself, you should go get one! Now!

And now... The interview!
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First off, can you tell everyone a little more about yourself, Lisa?

I’m a wife and Mom. I also sing professionally around San Diego.
I absolutely loved your book Night Walker! Where did you get the idea for the book? Why did you decide to make Calisto a vampire-but way different from any vampire we've ever seen?

I wanted to write a vampire novel, but I wanted a new race from the Americas instead of Transylvania. I started researching ancient civilizations on this side of the globe and decided the Mayans had so many mysteries to share, I couldn’t resist giving them a paranormal twist!

How long did it take you to write Night Walker?

The first draft was done in less than 6 months. It went through a couple more rewrites over the years though! LOL

You've told me that book 2 is about someone else we meet in the first book. Why did you decide to change characters instead of focusing on Calisto and Kate?

It was a choice between Paranormal Romance or Urban Fantasy, and I love the passion of paranormal romance, so while Calisto and Kate play an important part in Night Demon, I have a new couple stepping into the spotlight and finding love when they least expect it.
Which is your favorite couple/character and which book was easier to write?

Oh I can’t pick! That would be like having a favorite child! LOL

Do you have a favorite line or scene from either book?

My favorite scene in Night Walker is the moment Calisto my all-powerful Night Walker is forced to drive Kate’s car… That scene humanized him for me and I fell in love with him from that moment on.

Are any of your characters a lot like you, or based on people you know?

Not really, but characteristics of people I know and of myself are probably sprinkled in some characters. Kate sings in Night Walker and music was a big part of the book. And in Night Demon, Gretchen describes music as background noise which is a characteristic of my mother for sure! LOL I don’t think any characters are purposefully like anyone I know, but I do notice aspects of friends and relatives creeping in at times.
For someone that has not already picked up Night Walker, can you tell them a little bit about it?

I think the tagline really captures the heart of the book. He gave up his soul for a second chance to love her… It’s a very dark paranormal romance with lots of danger and passion.
Do you listen to music while you write? Do you have playlists for your books?

I do! The playlists are really important to me. It helps me stay in the right mood for the book I’m working on. It also helps me find that same emotional place moths later when I go back to edit.

What are you currently working on?

Right now I’m working on edits for Night Demon, and editing a short story anthology.
When is the release for book 2 and can you tell us anything about it?

It will release in the Spring, and you’re going to meet lots of ancient Night Walkers. Night Demon’s hero is Lukas who you meet briefly during a flashback in Night Walker.

The cover for Night Walker was pretty spectacular! ;) Have you seen what the cover for book 2 will look like? Will it be as sexy?

Hehe. I haven’t seen the cover for Night Demon yet, but I have heard from my publisher that "There will be abs…" Woot! LOL

How many books will there be in the Night series?

3 novels and one novella that’s a standalone prequel to Night Walker.

What age did you start writing? What inspired you to start?

My elementary school published my first book, The Wonders of Unicorn Creek, when I was in 6<sup>th grade. I’ve always loved to tell stories.
Do you have a certain time/place that you write? Do you need anything to help you write? (like a soda or candles?)

I’m a Night Owl so I’m more creative when it’s dark outside. My playlist helps me stay inspired, and I chew gum like a cow while I’m working! LOL You should see the gum wrappers toward the end of a book! Yikes!

What do you do when you're not writing?

I cheer at my son’s water polo games (Go Eagles! Woot!) and I sing. I also still love to read whenever I get the chance… I’m currently reading Patricia Briggs’ Mercy Thompson series right now and really enjoying it!

Do you read all the reviews about your books?

I do… I can’t help it! Even if the review isn’t glowing, I do appreciate someone took the time to read my book. It means a lot to me, and as a reader I also get that a book isn’t going to appeal to everyone.

Tell us about your journey to get published?

It was long and bumpy! LOL Night Walker mixed historical with contemporary paranormal and made it a tough sell for me. I posted a blog about it if you’re interested… http://lisakessler.wordpress.com/2011/09/11/never-give-up/

Do you read? Who is your favorite author?

Oh I have so many favorites! My current have-to-read-the-book-the-second-it-comes-out author is Kelley Armstrong. I love her Women of the Otherworld series and her Darkest Powers YA series. She’s got some amazing pacing and characterizations that always leave me coming back for more.

Do you have any advice for aspiring authors like myself?

If you’ve never finished a novel. If you keep wallowing int eh middle and then shifting to a new idea, try writing short stories. When you get a better feel for writing Beginning-Middle-End you’ll find the story arc for a novel comes much easier. A novel is like a marathon. Would you run a marathon without ever training with shorter distances? Yikes! LOL ---So don’t beat yourself up about not finishing, or realizing your book is over 100,000 words long with no ending in sight. Take a step back and "practice". Writing is a craft. There’s no magic recipe. You have to keep practicing…

Where can fans find you?

I’m all over the place online and I promise I’m approachable so don’t be afraid to say hi! http://lisakessler.wordpress.com
http://twitter.com/LdyDisney
http://facebook.com/LisaKesslerWriter</sup>
Night Walker - Available now! http://is.gd/QETE1E
Across the Veil - Available now! http://amzn.to/e98xZo
http://facebook.com/NightSeries


Anything else you like to tell everyone?

Thanks so much to Kristina for all your help spreading the word about Night Walker! The challenge as a debut author is building a readership and I couldn’t do it without all your help!

Thanks so much for allowing me to interview you, Lisa! :)

Happy Reading!
*Kristina*