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Meow! My guest to ring in 2013 is none other than...Ilona Andrews!
“Ilona
Andrews” is the pseudonym for a husband-and-wife writing team. Ilona is a
native-born Russian and Gordon is a former communications sergeant in the U.S.
Army. Contrary to popular belief, Gordon was never an intelligence officer with
a license to kill, and Ilona was never the mysterious Russian spy who seduced
him. They met in college, in English Composition 101, where Ilona got a better
grade. (Gordon is still sore about that.)
Gordon
and Ilona currently reside in Texas with their two children and many dogs and
cats. They have co-authored two NYT and USAT bestselling series, the urban
fantasy of Kate Daniels and romantic urban fantasy of The Edge and working on
the next volumes for both.
R:
How did you become interested in writing? At what point in your life did
you realize it was the career for you?
It’s just
kind of happened organically. I never
wanted to be a writer. I just started
writing down stories because it made me happy.
My first attempt was when I was fifteen.
It was written in Russian on an ancient typewriter and while it was
terrible, working on it made me happy.
R: Tell us about your upcoming release, Steel’s Edge
It’s a story of a woman who is trying
very hard to not become a monster and a man who thinks he is one already. They
both experience injustice and separately decide to stand up against it. Here is the official synopsis:
Charlotte de Ney is as noble as they
come, a blueblood straight out of the Weird. But even though she possesses rare
magical healing abilities, her life has brought her nothing but pain. After her
marriage crumbles, she flees to the Edge to build a new home for herself. Until
Richard Mar is brought to her for treatment, and Charlotte’s life is turned
upside down once again.
Richard is a swordsman without peer,
future head of his large and rambunctious Edger clan—and he’s on a clandestine
quest to wipe out slavers trafficking humans in the Weird. So when his presence
leads his very dangerous enemies to Charlotte, she vows to help Richard destroy
them. The slavers’ operation, however, goes deeper than Richard knows, and even
working together, Charlotte and Richard may not survive...
Steel’s Edge also happens to be the
final book in the Edge series.
R: How different was this series to write than your Kate Daniels
one, and do you have a preference?
I enjoyed working on it. It gave us a really nice break between Kate
releases. I don’t really prefer one
storyline over the other – each series came with their unique challenges. I can tell you that now that the series is
over, I’m excited to work on something new.
R: What is it about the
fantasy genre that drew you to it?
I don’t
know. I suppose I always gravitated
toward it. The possibility of magic is
just too intriguing to pass up.
R: Which of (your character) adventures
was the most fun for you to write? Were any of them the least amount of fun?
I pretty
much hate everything we’ve written. I
enjoyed working on Magic Strikes and Bayou Moon the most, I think. I’m also enjoying the current manuscript,
Magic Rises.
R: What’s a must have for you when you are writing? What aids
the creative process?
I have several soundtracks, which I
play in a giant playlist while I write.
I also really like having scented candles or essential oils in a
warmer. Because we work form home,
having little rituals signals to my brain that it’s time to work. It helps me concentrate.
I would like to see Moon landing,
although I’d need a time machine and a space suit for that. I think that was such a hopeful time for us
as a civilization. A promise of things
to come.
R: What is one thing your readers would be most surprised to
know about you?
I’m not
sure I have any deep dark secrets. I
like to knit and I’m an avid computer gamer.
I like to watch anime. That’s
about it.
R: What other writing genre would
you like to try that you haven’t yet? Historical, screenwriting, etc?
I thought
of doing a murder mystery once, but I think it would turn into a paranormal
murder mystery. That’s just the way I’m
wired.
R: What are you working on at the moment / next?
Working
on Magic Rises, Book 6 in Kate Daniels series.
We also have a free serial going, which is a lot of fun. Here is a link: http://demo.ilona-andrews.com
R: Are you a plotter or a pantser?
I
prefer to have some idea of where we’re going.
I think this is essential when writing with a collaborator, because we
have to be able to discuss things knowing what they are connecting to and why
they must be included.
R: What is the craziest thing you've ever done?
I came to US with no money. I had like $60 to my name. I didn’t speak the language, didn’t know
anybody, and had never been in a boarding school before.
R: What do you hope readers will most take away from your
writing?
I hope that they will see that despite
all of the difficulties, our character stick to their principles. Honor, integrity, and loyalty – sometimes
people say they are outdated words, but I believe they define who we are.
Just for Fun:
Night or Day? Dusk.
Dog or Cat? (answer carefully) Dog.
Sorry, but I have yet to find that one perfect cat who will like me
enough to cuddle with me without simultaneously demanding food. (R:
Aha, you haven’t met me yet, Meow!)
Beach or Pool? Beach.
Steak or salad? Steak.
Favorite Drink? Tea.
Favorite Book? Many.
Favorite TV Series? Right
now, Arrow. Ask me tomorrow, it might
change. J
Favorite Movie? It
changes. I have several comfort movies
which I won’t miss if I stumble on them while flipping channels: 13th
Warrior, Star Wars (the old ones), first Indiana Jones, Galaxy Quest… If I had to pick one, it would be the
Emperor’s New Groove.
