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Spotlight On Author: Beth Fantaskey

Happy Friday All,

I'm sorry for all the silence! This week I was helping a friend with something and it took longer than I anticipated. But it's okay, I was happy to help her and well, what are friends for, right?

***GIVEAWAY PORTION OF THIS INTERVIEW IS NOW CLOSED. THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HAVE PARTICIPATED, THANK YOU TO BETH FANTASKEY AS WELL***


Today I have a special treat. This author has fast become one of my favorites. The two books of hers (she's got more than 2 published, but I've only read two of them so far--she does have a novella that is published on her website that is a prelude to the 2nd book I read by her), are very romantic, fun, suspenseful, and I really enjoyed them. Here's the great thing:  she's graciously agreed to not only do an interview, but also agreed to giveaway a copy of the first one that I read by her on my blog today. After the interview, I will post details about the giveaway and how to enter. Please be sure to read everything carefully--there's some things that are very important to know in order to be entered. ***GIVEAWAY PORTION OF THIS INTERVIEW IS NOW CLOSED. THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HAVE PARTICIPATED, THANK YOU TO BETH FANTASKEY AS WELL***

Anyway, without anymore delay, I give you the awesome Beth Fantaskey!

Me:  What made you choose Romania for your vampires' location?


Beth Fantaskey:  To me, there was really no other choice. It’s the classic vampire locale, and the source of the great “undead” myths. I had to have royal Lucius and Antanasia hail from the true “motherland.” Plus, I love the whole vibe of Eastern Europe. It’s very mysterious and beautiful. I think the entire region has a lovely gothic feeling that’s very suitable for vampires.

Me:  Will Mindy and Raniero have their own story?

Beth Fantaskey:  No, but if I write a third book in the “Jessica” series, as is now under discussion – a scoop for you! – I will definitely continue, and of course, complicate, Mindy and Raniero’s romance.


Me:  For fun: Coffee or Tea?

Beth Fantaskey:  Coffee. Tea = Ugh.

Me:  What advice do you have for aspiring authors?


Beth Fantaskey:  My advice is to treat writing like anything else you want to be good at, which means practice every day. I get the sense that some people think writing is a “gift” that you either have or don’t have. But it’s also a talent that you can develop with hard work and practice. So I always encourage aspiring writers to sit down and work, just like you’d practice piano if you wanted to be a concert pianist or do soccer drills if you wanted to be a soccer star.


I was a professional writer for nearly twenty years before I tried a novel, and I learned something every day that I worked.


Me:  You have another YA story, Jekel Loves Hyde. What made you choose The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde as a foundation for this story?


Beth Fantaskey:  I actually came up with the title first. The phrase “Jekyll Loves Hyde” just popped into my brain one day, and I sort of latched onto it. And the more I thought about the original story, the more I believed it was suited for adaptation as a YA novel. After all, the original tale is about a person who’s torn between being good and bad, and isn’t that exactly what teenagers are dealing with? The whole struggle to set your character and determine who you want to be? In my book, I chose to have tortured Tristen try to become a better person, while goody-two-shoes Jill learns that even the best individual can harbor a dark side.


Me:  What's your favorite thing about writing?


Beth Fantaskey:  Spending time with my characters. I honestly start to believe that the people in my books are real, and at a certain point, I look forward to hanging out with them every day. And when a book is over, I miss them for awhile, like when a friend moves away. I’d say that’s kind of weird, but I think anybody who’s ever become attached to characters, as a reader or writer, will completely understand.

Me:  When you're not writing, what do you like to do?


Beth Fantaskey:  I’m kind of an exercise fiend – that’s when I psych myself up to write or get ideas, usually while I run on the treadmill. I also like to cook, watch awful reality TV shows, and hang out with my three kids. They keep me pretty busy – enough that I ditched most of the hobbies I used to have.


Me:  For fun: What's your ideal vacation spot?


Beth Fantaskey:  I like cities, the bigger and crazier the better. Wandering the alleys of Shanghai or exploring Chennai are my ideas of the perfect escape.


Me:   Do you have a favorite character? If so, who and why is that one your favorite?

Beth Fantaskey:  It seems almost awful to say it, because my characters really do become like my children, but I’d have to say Lucius Vladescu. I love his wit, his courage and the way he’s so protective of Jessica, but knows when to let her stand on her own. He also battles those darker aspects of his personality, which I find compelling.

Me:  Can you reveal anything about future stories?

Beth FantaskeyI’m afraid that – aside from the aforementioned possible third book about Jessica – I don’t have anything to report right now!

Me:  Can you reveal anything about future stories?



Beth Fantaskey:  I’m afraid that – aside from the aforementioned possible third book about Jessica – I don’t have anything to report right now!


Me:  Anything else you'd like to add?


Beth Fantaskey:  I’d just like to say thank you for hosting me on your blog, and thanks to everyone who’s supported my books. I am a very, very grateful author. Readers have been incredibly kind and generous to me, and I hope I do my part to return that favor. Keep in touch!

***GIVEAWAY PORTION OF THIS INTERVIEW IS NOW CLOSED. THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HAVE PARTICIPATED, THANK YOU TO BETH FANTASKEY AS WELL***


Now that you know a bit more about Ms. Fantaskey, here's an opportunity for you to get to know her favorite character, Lucius Vladescu. Today ONLY Ms. Fantaskey is giving away a copy of the first book in the 2-book series entitled, Jessica's Guide To Dating On The Dark Side. 
Please note:  ONLY open to USA Residents. Giveaway will close on Friday, May 11, 2012 at 10:45  p.m. Central Time. Any entries received AFTER that time will NOT be entered.

There are TWO ways to enter. Here's your options:

Option 1: You may leave a comment in the comment section of my blog. You MUST leave a FIRST name and an email address where you can be commented (I will notify the winner by email). **Please note that ALL comments go through moderation BEFORE they are published on the blog. If you don't see your comment within 2-3 hours of posting it, please send me an email.**  Any comment that does not leave a first name and an email address will be disqualified (however, you can still enter if you go back and put in a new comment with a first name and an email address, but I will not enter people without a first name and an email address).

Or, if you prefer you may use:

Option 2:  You may send me an email at bethany.averie@yahoo.com Please include a first name. I will send you an email in reply letting you know I have received your entry. If you do not get an email from me stating that I've received it within 2-3 hours of emailing me, please re-send your entry.

ALL ENTRIES MUST BE USA RESIDENTS ONLY. ALL ENTRIES MUST BE RECEIVED BY 10:45 P.M. Central Time today, May 11, 2012.

***GIVEAWAY IS NOW OFFICIALLY CLOSED***

Have fun :-)

Have A Fantastic Friday!

Comments

Anonymous said…
What a great interview! I wish you so much luck with your books, Beth!!!
Bethany said…
Thank you so much, Tess :-)
Bethany said…
******THE GIVEAWAY PORTION OF THIS INTERVIEW IS NOW OFFICIALLY CLOSED. THANK YOU TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED. ALSO, THANK YOU TO BETH FANTASKEY FOR THE INTERVIEW AND GIVEAWAY********

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