VBT Pit Stop & Giveaway - At The Round Table with Author Nora Weston

 

Welcome to the Round Table. May I offer you a beverage before we begin?
Tantalizing Tea...thank you!

Thank you so much for taking time to chat with me today.  It's so nice to have you at the Round Table.  Nora is also offering you a chance to win a copy of Guardian 2632!  Please find the rules below.


BK:  Please tell us a bit about yourself....
NW: I grew up in Wheeling, WV in a small neighborhood that was nestled down in a beautiful valley...complete with spooky woods, howling owls, and mysterious things that tapped upon my bedroom window. Stephen King’s “Salem’s Lot” seemed as though it could’ve taken place in my backyard. Okay, I’m going to date myself, but I never grew tired of watching The Twilight Zone, Dark Shadows, and the original Star Trek. I graduated from West Liberty University with a teaching degree (K-12) and have taught in Pennsylvania and Florida. My husband, six children, and two, tiny dogs...who think they are human, have moved quite a few times with his company. I’ve discovered we are good at relocating; it’s always a grand adventure seeing new places and meeting unusual people.


BK:  What inspired you to pen this novel?
NW: “Guardian 2632” was inspired from a series of relentless dreams about Zane Grayson and Julia Emerson. At first, the dreams were only about Julia’s crumbling marriage to Jack. The fights, his reckless behavior, and his irresponsibility toward his family soon entangled him with a mobster, named Marshall Pickett. Julia’s life was put in harm’s way. It all played out, night after night, like a soap opera, which was really bizarre, because I’ve never watched any soaps! Before long, Zane Grayson...a mastermind from the future, entered to make sure I awoke every morning preoccupied with these ghosts from dreamland. So, “Guardian 2632” became a short story and then grew into a full length novel.

BK:  What draws you to write in this genre?
NW: I suppose the mystifying woods behind my childhood home started it all. Those woods and surrounding train tunnels...with legends of their own, plus the magnificent, haunted-looking homes in Wheeling fueled my imagination. Although fueling my imagination is not a difficult thing to do! Nothing is ever as simple as it seems, and that’s what I explore in my writing. People, places, and things all have a past that can inspire amazing works of fiction.

BK:  How do you keep your writing different from all the other novels in this genre?
NW: Hopefully, what sets my writing apart is not how scary, or futuristic the plot is...because many writers can send a chill down a reader’s spine, but that I strive to write fiction and poetry to encourage a reader to examine their past and present situations, so the future is better. People should dream, should feel that tomorrow can be improved, and that’s found in most of my work. I can’t say it’s in all of it...because there are those days when my sense of humor is attacked by sarcasm...and then well, watch out. People get hurt, some die, and mayhem is unleashed, however I do my best to keep my protagonists alive and well.

BK:  Who is your favorite character and why?
NW: Tough question! I really like the quantum computer in “Guardian 2632,” named Gabriel, but it has to be number 2...because Zane Grayson wins. Zane is a flawed, yet likeable character because although he does make mistakes, and break his law against time surfing...ultimately, he wants to do the right thing. Zane admires Guardian TMF’s view, taken from Albert Einstein, who said, “Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.” I can respect that.

BK:  Which character would you most invite to dinner?
NW: No doubt about it, Zane Grayson. He’s gorgeous, intelligent...a body to die for, and thoughtful.
Yes, he came from a dream...

BK:  What is your favorite part about writing?
NW:  No boundaries! As a mother of six children, let me tell you my daylight to midnight madness has boundaries, which is mainly in the laundry room. That place is a nightmare.

BK:  Did you find any particular challenges during the writing of this novel?
NW: The main difficulty I had was when I started writing “Guardian 2632,” I only knew of silicon-based computers, so the technology in the novel mirrored that. Research enlightened me pretty quickly that silicon-based technology would be a joke in the year 2632. I had to revamp my technology to quantum computers which are based on a molecular level, but that was as far in the future as I could imagine. My technology utilizes a neuro-nantransmitter (positioned inside a person’s neck) along with a portable quantum device that attaches to a person’s wrist to replace computers like we have in 2011. Everything is then projected like a holoscape...no actual screen or hard drive.

BK:  Did you learn anything about yourself as a result of writing this novel?
NW: I learned I should have paid better attention to my chemistry and physics teachers! My father always says, “No knowledge is ever wasted.” Yep, he was right. Had I paid attention in class, way back then...this novel would’ve evolved much faster. Writing “Guardian 2632” made me more aware of the fact I need to learn a lot more...about everything I can. Juicy tidbits of new information can always lead characterization and plot construction down a totally new path.


BK:  Are you currently working on any projects?
NW: Currently, I’m getting ready to do the final edit on my next release from Melange Books, called “The Twelfth Paladin.” It’s a smoking-hot, heaven/hell adventure that involves a fallen angel named Micah, a rebellious hero...Jake Cottrell, and a temptress extraordinaire named Rachel Darnell. It’s a reworking of an older novel.

BK:  Any advice for new aspiring authors?
NW: When submitting work to publishers, agents, or any market, always make a sincere effort to find the contact person’s name.
Follow all submission guidelines...exactly as they’ve been posted. For example, do not send science fiction to a fantasy market if that market has declared itself to be strictly fantasy.
Spelling and grammar do count, so read like crazy, and use the Internet to find websites/blogs that can assist with any grammar questions that may be plaguing you.
Take pride in your unique perspective on life and use it to develop your writer’s personality. You’ll be surprised what comes out of your head.
I can’t leave out...edit, edit, and then edit some more.

BK:  Where can readers find you?
Website: http://www.2noraweston.com
Twitter: @almostsanelady
Blog: http://noraweston.wordpress.com

Fun Facts:

BK:  Fantasy or Horror?
NW: Horror

BK:  Day or Night?
NW: Night

BK:  Favorite Drink?
NW: Scorching hot tea

BK:  Favorite Movie?
NW: Serenity

BK:  What is a must have to write?

NW: Scorching hot tea...and Twizzlers

BK:  If you could possess a supernatural power, what would it be and why?
NW: I’d like the ability to make laundry for my clan wash and dry itself and then have it all walk upstairs and get put away. Nope. That’s too selfish!  I’d love to be able to see the future and prevent harm to others.

BK:  Favorite Book?
NW: Too many!

BK:  Favorite Author?
NW: Edgar Allan Poe

BK:  Favorite Song?
NW: Miss You/Blink 182

BK:  Favorite Saying?
NW: I have to agree with Zane on this, Albert Einstein’s, “Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.”

BK:  What is one thing your readers would be most surprised to know about you?
NW: I have no idea what my natural hair color is at this point in my life.

BK:  What is the craziest thing you've ever done?
NW: That is up for debate! I’ve lived long enough that there are quite a few things to choose from.

BK:  What do you hope readers will most take away from your writing?
NW: Dream better dreams and make them come true. Life is too short for regret, don’t you think?

BK:  If someone could describe you in one word, what would it be?
NW: I don’t know. Short always seems to be a popular one, but hopefully...kind.

Thank you so much for being at the Round Table today.  It's been such a pleasure chatting with you and I wish you much success in the future.

Thank you for having me as your guest today!

Now for the contest:  Win a Paperback Edition of Guardian 2632

Simply leave a comment for Nora telling her what you would love about time travel,  include your email and please become a follower of the blog.  Winners will be drawn March 4 using Random Number Generator.  No answer,  no entry.  It's that simple.  Paperback for US & Canada.  Ebook for International.

You can follow Nora's virtual book tour by visiting The Virtual Book Tour Cafe' Calendar of Events page.  There will be some more giveaways coming up with some fantastic prizes you won't want to miss,  plus the chance for you to win Guardian 2632.


Until next time,