Welcome to
Christmas on Keira’s Corner. We will be discussing everything this month from
Holiday movies to TV specials and everything in between and I will also have
featured books.
Interview between Keira
Kroft and Amber
Welcome to Keira’s
Corner, where there is always chocolate, and lots and lots of coffee. Thank you for the warm welcome. Great to
connect with a fellow coffee fiend!
Keira: The second edition of your debut novel was released this week.
What is the book about?
It’s a dark tale and the first part of a three book saga. The epitome of
darkness falls in love with a mortal and the book charts the progress of the
unlikely couple as they bond, fall in love and overcome obstacles in this
Gothic romance with a supernatural twist.
Keira: What do you wear, to write? It totally depends
what mood I’m in and what scene I’m writing. I know I sound kooky, but if I’m
writing a dark chapter, I’ll wear my black skinny jeans and black polo. If I’m
writing a fun, romantic bit, I’ll wear a flouncy dress. But I’ll always, always
wear my heels (Nine West nude heels and Vivienne Westwood wedges are the usual
suspects)!
Keira: Is writing your only talent? I think so! Although
I also dabble in PR.
Keira: Where in the Hell did you find time
to write? When I
first started writing, I’d arise at 4:45am (HELL for a night owl like me), fit
in an hour of writing first thing, go out and do my 9:00am – 5:30pm, return
home and resume writing. Now, I juggle like crazy, with a part-time job,
freelance writing and everything else in between. I hear people complain all
the time that they don’t have the time to write. If you want to do something
badly enough, you’ll make time. Simple.
Keira: Why are you a writer? It’s a part of me. I
can’t imagine not writing. I write because I love creating something out of
nothing. I love giving the characters in my head airspace – this may sound a
little odd, but writers out there will probably get what I mean.
Keira: If you could choose anyone, who would
you pick as your mentor? Aung San Suu Kyi would be amazing. That lady is astute, intelligent and has
the patience of a saint; I could learn a lot from her.
Keira: How many hours a day do you dedicate
to writing? It
varies from project to project, but at the moment, I write a minimum of three
hours each day. I write whenever I have a free moment. That means I always have
my trusty notepad and pen to hand. Although I am on the lookout for a tablet,
to make writing in transit easier.
Keira: Do you use a particular writing
method? I have
two main methods; writing in a crowded café and in the quiet solitude of my
home. A whole chunk of Screaming Snowflakes was written in various coffee shops
(thank you Rhode Island and Starbucks)! The darker parts of the book were
written at home. When writing indoors, I sit at my clear desk, have Classic FM
playing in the background (or anything by Michael Nyman or Alexandre Desplat)
and I’m all set for a solid writing sesh.
Keira: What time of day, do you write best? I’m a night owl and
find myself coming alive in the evening. I have been known to write till three
/ four am, I just love writing at night!
Keira: Do you use one or more pen names? No pen names at the
moment, but I’m contemplating using a pen-name if I dabble in different genres.
I’m currently co-writing a book with another writer-friend, another YA novel
(it’s a genre which I seem to enjoy)! I had an idea earlier this evening
inspired by an advert I happened to see on TV, so who knows, I may use a
pen-name for that. Watch this space!
Keira: Please share a particular detail about
one of characters, please. Raphael is the main male protagonist in Screaming Snowflakes.
He is Eleanor’s love interest and has a supernatural secret which is literally
out of this world. He’s something of a paradox, because although he is named
after an archangel, he is evil at heart, the brooding anti-hero reminiscent of
Marlon Brando embodying disaffected youth and rebellion. Raphael has some
mind-boggling super-powers and plays a mean game of chess too.
Keira:
What advice would you give to an unpublished writer? In this digital age, a literary agent and publishing house are not
imperative. I eschewed a publishing contract and decided to self-publish via
Amazon. Anyone can do it, if they put their heart and soul into it. Seriously.
Just one thing – write, write and write like there’s no tomorrow!
Keira:
Did you always know you wanted to be a writer or was
there something else you wanted to do as a career? I’ve always
been a voracious reader and enjoyed writing since my student days (my degree was
in English Literature and Creative Writing). I’ve worked in diverse industries,
from fashion, local government and energy, but writing has always been my first
love. If I wasn’t a writer, I would probably be doing something else creative,
a chef of some sort perhaps?
Keira:
Is there one author that you have read every book that
they have written? Yes, Agatha Christie. She is
my guru. Also, I’m a little bit in love with Hercule Poirot (it’s those little
grey cells that do it for me).
Keira:
In your opinion what is the best movie adaptation of a
book that you've read? The Hunger Games wins hands
down.
Keira:
When you are browsing book stores what is the first
section you go to?
I work my way from the front
to the back of the store, because I like to know what’s going on in different
genres. Waterstones is my second home, so I usually head upstairs, grab a
take-out coffee and browse the shelves steaming hot latte in hand. And because
I write YA fiction, I spend the bulk of time in that section.
Keira:
If your book was being made into a movie do you already
have actors in mind for each role? I am currently working on
the screenplay (I adapted one chapter of the novel into a screenplay which was
showcased at The Bolton Octagon Theatre earlier this year). I imagine scenes
being played out fluidly in my mind and I’m really enjoying writing for a
different medium. I already have actors in mind; Johnny Depp would be
exceptional as Lucifer. Depp has that rare quality of being quietly belligerent
with edgy cool and I’m writing Lucifer’s role with Depp in mind. Aleesha Dixon
would make a stunning Eleanor; the character is eighteen, but I think Aleesha’s
youthful good looks would ensure she made the role her own. I’d love for
Douglas Booth to play Raphael, but suspect he’s too perfect – does that make
sense..? I’m still on the look-out for Raphael, although I envisage a young
mean and moody Sean Connery.
Keira:
When you're creating characters do you incorporate traits
from people you know? I think that’s only natural.
When that happens, I’m very careful to change the names of the person who
inspired me. The last thing I want to do is cause offence..!
Keira:
If you had the chance to have a sit down with any author
alive or deceased who would it be and why? It would have
to be Richard Branson. I would love to climb into his head and find out what inspires
him and why he thinks the way he does. The guy is a total genius.
Lets get Personal...
Keira: What is your
favorite food? It depends what mood I’m in,
but at the moment, it’s Franca’s Tiger Tomatoes (this beyond gorgeous relish). I’m
a sucker for Tampopo’s Green Thai Curry too.
Keira: What is your guilty
Pleasure? I’ll sometimes listen to the Spice Girls. Yes,
I was a fan back in the day and I’m stoked that the musical will be imminently
released.
Keira: What is your
favorite Smell? Freshly baked bread is up there. Hermes Eau De Mervailles is my
favorite perfume.
Keira: If you could change
one your physical feature? Would you? What would it be? I’ve finally made my peace with God with the way I look. I wouldn’t
change anything about myself. I’m happy and content! J
Keira: What is your
favorite color? Teal. It’s that vibrant
mixture of green and petrol blue that I love so much.
Keira: What is your
favorite day of the week? It used to be Saturday, but
because I now do a lot of freelance work, I don’t usually distinguish between
weekends and weekdays. Sorry for the rambling answer, but I’d say I like all
days of the week equally! Sorry, is that a boring answer..? J
Keira: What is your
favorite animal? I’d love to own a Samoyed
one day because they’re such gorgeous creatures. Either that or a tiger cub.
Keira: Do you have pets? I’ve never had a pet, but I will do in the near future. Maybe at the
end of 2013..? That gives me a year to get properly used to the idea.
Keira: What do you
consider a household staple? Coffee from EightPointNine.com.
They’re this really cool online company that provides bespoke coffee. Yes, they
send you freshly roasted, totally scrummy coffee. Heaven.
Keira: What are you
reading? I’m an ardent book juggler. I’m reading Val
McDermid, Shakespeare, Shelly Crane, Richard Branson and Dale Carnegie.
Keira: Can you share your blurb with us? Yes, here it is below:
Swirling alcohol around the glass, Lucifer remained
silent for a few moments. He continued with a slick smile, ‘Raphael. You have
to tell her about yourself. Once she knows, she won’t want to be near you.’
Fresh from a break-up, the thoughtful and witty
Eleanor moves half-way across the country to study at King’s College University
in London. Staying in her recently deceased great great grandmother’s house,
Eleanor knows there is more to the crumbling property when she discovers a
mysterious locked room. A century old tragic secret risks being unearthed by
Eleanor, who reluctantly settles into her new surroundings.
Eleanor is the antithesis of the rebellious Raphael,
whose damned and tainted soul threatens her very existence. Unseen supernatural
forces conspire to keep the lovers apart, yet nothing can harm Eleanor as she
remains under Raphael’s protection. As the boundaries of good and evil become
blurred and transgression becomes inevitable, this gripping, thought provoking
tale will engage all who have ever questioned love and humanity.
With an unprecedented alliance between a human and the
epitome of darkness can a pure, forbidden love conquer all?
100,000 words.
You can find Screaming Snowflakes at:
Happy Holidays!
Cheers,
Keira
Nell Dixon is a Black Country author, married to the same man for over twenty-eight years she has three daughters, a tank of tropical fish and a cactus called Spike. Winner of the RNA’s prestigious Romance Prize in 2007 and 2010, she writes warm-hearted contemporary romance for a number of publishers in the US and the UK including Astraea Press, Myrmidon Press, Samhain Publishing, Little Black Dress, E-Scape Press and Freya’s Bower. 
