I am so excited to introduce you to our guests today. They are a Mother-Daughter writing team of the series - The Iron Altar. They're on tour with their newest release, Frostbite and I had a chance to chat with this duo today. Welcome to IAB Shelley & Emma, better known as Casey Lea!
Casey Lea is a mother and daughter writing team with a strong interest in science fantasy. The Casey
Lea
partnership began in 1990, with the arrival of Emma Casey Frost,
first daughter of Shelley Lea and Gary. Although Emma was a very
precocious child, it took another fifteen years before she began
working with her mother.
Welcome
to IAB. I'm so glad you could stop in today to chat. May I offer you
a beverage?
Two
Vampire
Wines,
please.
Red
of
course.
Now
that we are settled in, let's get to know you better.
BK:
Looking out the nearest window, describe the scene you see.
The
mountains
in
the
distance,
the
lake
outside
our
house
and our old dog on the deck, looking suspiciously through her
cataracts at everyone walking past.
BK:
Tell us about your office. Is it a mess like mine, or is everything
in its place?
What
office?
I’m
afraid
it’s
a
tablet in the lap and a comfy couch. Serious work gets done at
Emma’s. She’s got two computer screens, which I used to think was
overkill, but is brilliant for editing. It makes comparing different
versions, or cutting and pasting very easy.
BK:
What is a must-have, such as coffee or a favorite pen,
that you need to write?
Shelley
needs
plenty
of
water
to
keep
the
aging
brain
hydrated
and
regular
calories
to
keep
the
fingers
twitching.
Emma
finds insomnia extremely productive, especially when followed by
copious caffeine.
BK:
Do you like to write in silence, or do you need music or background
noise?
Shelley
tends
to write
with
favourite
programs
playing
on
the
TV.
Admittedly
this
can
be
distracting,
especially during Battlestar
Galactica or
Game
of Thrones or
The
Gilmore Girls,
so rereading has to be done in silence.
Emma
definitely needs the sound of silence.
BK:
Tell us a bit about your hero/heroine, and their development.
We’ve
got
two
heroines,
which
makes
life
interesting.
They
were
created
to
fit
their
roles
and
were
initially
pretty
simple.
Darsey
was
an
ordinary
girl,
smart
and
feisty
when
she
had
to
be,
but
basically
trying
to
find
herself
and
her
place
in
the
universe.
In
contrast
Amber
Grace
was
an
old
lady
with
an iron
will,
determined
to
make
the
ultimate
sacrifice.
Strangely,
once
we
let
them
loose
on
the
page
they
instantly
gravitated
toward
each
other.
It
turned
out
they’d
both
suffered
traumatic
losses
and
then
carried
guilt
over
them.
They
both
became
survivors
who
were driven to protect others. They dealt with their similar
experiences in a similar way and this similarity became more marked
after Amber entered her new body.
She
became young again, with all the hormonal challenges that entailed
and also shared cells and DNA with Darsey. They started to converge
which seemed to make sense as they headed toward the same altar.
They’re both smart, loyal women capable of great courage and
conviction. Amber has the advantage of moral perspective and knows
what she has to do, while Darsey flails around being overprotective.
Amber remains more cynical and impatient of incompetence, with a
potentially sharp tongue.
However,
they ended up with similar personalities and that made their
different knowledge of the altar a nice contrast. Darsey had no idea
what was coming and would fight it tooth and nail. Amber understood
it completely and would fight to take her place on it.
So
we unexpectedly had our heroines trying to merge, with some
convergent evolution, but it suited what happened to them and what
they were then destined to share.
BK:
What is your unique twist that you've brought to your storyline?
The
sacrifice made at the end of the trilogy wasn’t quite what we
thought it would be initially. So that might be a surprise, but it
grew very naturally from each character’s motivation.
BK:
As a writer myself, I'm always curious how other writers get through
stumble blocks. When you find a story not flowing, or a character
trying to fight you, how do you correct it?
This
is
the
best
part
of
writing
together.
It’s
much
easier
to
get
going
again
when
you
can
discuss
what’s
happening
and
then
brainstorm
options.
In
fact
we
recommend
talking
to
yourself
if
necessary.
Just going over things out loud can help. The planning board is also
useful. Write down every idea you can, color them in (just for fun),
slap them on the board and see how they fit. If nothing works step
away from the book for a while and do something that relaxes and
distracts the brain. Get those creative juices flowing.
When
it
comes
to
wrestling
with
our
characters
we
always
let
the
characters
win.
They
know
who
they
are
and
we’re
just
along
for
the
ride.
BK:
Using the letters of your first name as an acronym, describe your
book...
S
– space
opera
H
– hectic
E
– entertaining
L
– lovable
characters
L
– loving
each
other
(in
a
range
of
ways.
It’s
not
all
about
the
sex,
people!)
E
– exotic
Y
– why
not?
E
– erotic
M
– mesmerizing
M
– marvellous
A
– absolutely
amazing.
Buy,
buy,
buy!
BK:
How did your writing journey begin?
With
learning
to
talk.
We’re
lucky
to
come
from
an
extended
family
of
journalists
and
English
teachers,
so
writing
is
in
the
genes.
I
think
that’s
true
of
many
people
and
all
authors
probably
have
a shared history of
creating
stories
from
an early age!
BK:
Using the letters from the word, Summer, how would friends and family
describe you?
S
– smart
(both
of
us,
though
some
people
might
add
‘ass’
to
that)
U
– unicorns
(we
can
dream)
M
– mysterious
(cultivate
it,
ladies)
M
– motivated
(gotta
write)
E
– eccentric
(speaks
for
itself)
R
– romantic
(who
needs
cynicism.
Let’s
wrap
the
world
up
in
a
bow.
And
unicorns.)
BK:
What is the craziest thing you've ever written about, whether it got
published or not?
The
sidle
pougar,
which
was
a
story
told
by
Shelley’s
father that found its way into one of her children’s poems. The
sidle pougar is a type of cougar that only runs around mountains in
one direction, so two of its legs are shorter than the other pair. We
used to pretend it was chasing us whenever we were in the mountains,
but it was easy to escape. You only had to change direction and it
would fall over, with its two longer legs flailing.
BK:
Tell us one thing you've done in life that readers would be most
surprised to know.
This
question
was
a
real
sticker.
It
hung
around
long
after
the
others,
though
we
don’t
know
why,
because we’re both interesting and surprising.
Yes
we
are!
Who
said
that?
Ooh,
Shelley
has
one.
She
used
to
work
for
a
small,
local
press
called
Hazard
as
a
manuscript
assessor.
Yes,
she
was
working
for
the
enemy,
but
she
always
put
some
encouragement,
along
with
constructive
ideas
in
her
rejection
letters.
BK:
What can we expect from you in the future?
More
and
more.
We’ve
got
three
trilogies
mapped
out.
Yes,
that’s
nine
books;
all
set
in
the
same
multiverse, but
moving
between
worlds
of
fantasy,
technology
and
both.
We
really
love
our
science-fantasy!
We’ve
also
got
a
folder
of
ideas,
including
YA, so
will
probably
be
busy
for
a
very
long
time.
This
or That...
Coke
or Pepsi?
Coke.
Night
Owl or Early Bird? Night
owl
all
the
way!
Fantasy
or Mystery?
Fantasy.
Pen/Paper
or Computer? What
slash
what?
Computers
for
sure. It makes writing together possible.
Pizza
or Burger? Pizza.
Cheese
ranks
almost
as high as
chocolate!
Rock
or Country? Rock.
Chocolate
or Vanilla? Really?
Chocolate!!!
Beach
or Mountains? A
beach
for
Emma,
as
long
as
it’s
tropical,
otherwise
it’s
two
votes
for
the
mountains.
Thank
you so much for having us as one of your stops today. It has been
great getting to know more about you and your book, and hope you will
come back when the next release is out (*hinthint*)
Wishing
you much success!
BK
Walker
Casey Lea is a mother and daughter writing team with a strong interest in science fantasy. The Casey
Shelley Lea (pronounced ‘lee’) was
born on a snowy June day, near the bottom of the world, in
Invercargill, New Zealand. Reluctant to supply a date of birth, she
would rather claim several decades of maturity, but only a few days
of actual wisdom. Those decades have covered a range of jobs, a
couple of degrees (including English Lit), one great husband, plenty
of travel, two gorgeous daughters, several scatty cats and one
charmingly dumb dog. They’ve also included an on-going struggle to
put pen to paper in any spare second. This has led to some dire
poetry, some eyebrow raising children’s stories and finally to
something resembling a novel. This languished in a sadly disjointed
and hand written form until…
Emma Casey inherited her mother’s
love of books and the ability to string two sentences together
(sometimes three). She proved to be the missing link in trying to
actually finish a manuscript. Younger, savvier and able to turn on a
computer without causing it to explode, she picked up the book and
ran with it. Emma is also studying graphic design and happily
provides Casey Lea’s cover artwork.
Author Links:
Book Genre: Science
Fiction/Romance
Publisher: Pegasus
Press
Release Date: IceFlight
– December 8th, 2013. Frostbite – TBA (March
2014)
Buy Link(s): IceFlight
-
http://www.amazon.com/IceFlight-The-Iron-Altar-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B008DO6Q5S
Frostbite - TBA
Book Description:
The Iron Altar trilogy –
The Iron Altar trilogy follows the paths of two women, one young and
the other ancient beyond belief. Both are destined to die on the same
altar.
One death would precipitate mass murder
and destroy billions. The other sacrifice would claim only two lives
– the martyr and the monster who made the Iron Altar.
Amber Grace will be that martyr, but
only if she reaches the altar first. And only if she still thinks we
are worth dying for…
IceFlight –
Darsey Ice never thought her first trip past Jupiter would claim the
lives of her crew. But then she hadn’t expected to become the first
person to make contact with aliens either. Kidnapped, enslaved and
lost on the Outer Rim of a mighty civilization light-years from
Earth, the only person she can turn to is her enigmatic new owner.
A dishonored outcast, he is just as
alone as Darsey. Exiled by his people and struggling to survive, the
last thing he wants is a rebellious primitive as a slave. She
complicates his efforts to hide a dangerous secret and to complete a
quest that is likely to claim both their lives.
Frostbite – When
the ice comes for you… When it has already taken your friends…
What do you do?
Amber Grace has spent countless lives
preparing for battle, but has finally run out of time. She is mortal
now and can only hope that her enemy is close, that when the monster
comes to devour them all, she will be ready.
All Amber has to do is hide and wait,
keeping herself safe so she will be there to save everyone when death
comes for them. But one thing the Universe never guarantees is
safety.
Forced from hiding and trapped on the
Rim with the criminal scum of every interstellar species, Amber finds
herself truly living in a way she hasn’t for millennia. Suddenly
her choices are more than equations and the potential of billions
killed must be balanced against protecting her friends.
Amber finally dares to embrace her last
life, but a single mistake costs everything she has won.
Now the ice is coming… and it’s not
alone.
Excerpts:
IceFlight -
In
front
of
them
a massive
waterfall
fell
through
the
pyramid,
a
silver
curtain
blocking
their
path.
It filled
the
entire
landing and
Darsey
tried to
stop
and
stare,
but
the
floor
wouldn’t
let
her.
Instead
it
kept flowing
forward and
carried
her
with
it.
She
tried
to
walk
backwards,
but the strange cushion of
air accelerated to
waft
her
faster,
straight at the
monstrous waterfall.
"Wing,"
she squeaked and her fingers found her companion's hand. She squeezed
tighter than she intended, but Nightwing didn't flinch.
"It's
kay. See."
Darsey
stared unblinking at the silent curtain of water she was rushing
toward. They
hurtled
into
it
and
she
grabbed
Wing’s
arm with her
other hand, but the flow
parted
ahead
of
them.
A
v-shaped
gap
appeared
above the
path,
looking like
the ripple
left by a speedboat. She had to duck her head against his shoulder to
fit, but it worked.
Wing
put his arm around Darsey while they slowed to a sedate drift under
the weight of a ten story waterfall. Silver boiled above them and the
light grew dim. The path under their feet began to glow blue and when
she glanced up at the kres he looked haggard. He also looked starkly
alien and she suddenly realized how familiar his strange features had
become to her. She’d started to see him as just another person, but
that didn’t mean he was human. Not even close.
Darsey
looked away with a shudder and her spasm seemed to trigger a
nightmare. The bridge under them pulsed red while a siren sounded and
then the silent waterfall began to roar. She looked up just as the
shield protecting them vanished.
The
water fell and Darsey fell with it. The weight of a giant fist
pounded her while she plummeted down into darkness and the noise was
so overwhelming it seemed as solid as the water. She could hardly
feel Wing’s fingers clamped tight round her wrist, but she knew
they must be there because she was still alive. His com field was the
only thing keeping her that way and she prayed he wouldn’t let go.
Not that it really mattered, because the impact when they finally hit
the bottom was going to be brutal. His shield would be overloaded and
they would both die anyway.
Frostbite
-
Zak broke off when his
words were lost in a thud and a grunt. Misty ducked her head
Unfortunately,
Zak arched hard enough to throw Ace off and they came to their feet
together. Two swords appeared and they attacked each other instantly.
Their blades clashed repeatedly, without pause or hesitation.
Misty
stopped and stared. She had never seen such a fight. Every blow was
countered and each riposte was blocked. It was like watching someone
fence with a mirror. There were no advances and no retreats. The
fighters stood toe-to-toe, perfectly matched. The pace increased,
until their swords were a blur, but still no
one broke through with a blade.
Zak
decompressed a second sword and slashed at Ace recklessly, driving
him toward the cliff. The clash of blades was constant as the Beserk
pushed forward. Misty took half a step toward them, but Ace
spun around Zak, away from the drop. He swung his sword over his
shoulders to guard his back and caught the blades trying to cut him
down from behind. He twisted his arms while crouching, to turn and
sweep one of the weapons from Zak’s hand.
Ace
leapt high,
while
Zak jumped too. Their swords collided
and
they both swung a fist as well. Ace smashed his opponent in the
mouth, but a punch like an anvil glanced from
his chin
and he staggered. He fell to a knee, before
surging
upright to
back away and look for the Beserk. He attacked
as soon as he saw the
stranger -
still on his
back in the dirt.
Zak
sprang to his feet
just
in
time
to
counter
the
blow, then
took an unsteady step and Ace
paused too, breathing
heavily despite com support. The stranger used the back of his hand
to wipe blood from his lips and frowned when he saw Ace
wiping his own bloody mouth.
“Get
out of my head, snot balls.”
“Glad
to,”
Ace
sneered.
“I don't usually play in garbage.”
Zak
sprang
forward,
but this time he put his full weight behind his
swing. The wild blow was a risk, but Ace
was too surprised to take advantage of it. He belatedly tried to
block Zak’s sword, but its momentum was too great. Both swords flew
through the air and Misty jumped aside when they clattered past. Ace
reached to his wrist for another blade, but was too slow. This time
Zak tackled him and they went down together. They grappled with each
other and rolled across the plateau toward the cliff.
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