"TheLostSigns Interview Author AnAutumnRose!!!"

Today, TheLostSigns blog brings you an interview by the lovely AnAutumnRose. A long time friend of TheLostSigns, AnAutumnRose is a prolific artist, as well as, an author. This interview will mainly go over the authors story "The Identical Rule" which is available on Fiction Press. Feel free to check out her other types of art on her Deviantart Profile.

TheLostSigns(TLS): First off i'd like to thank you for agreeing to be interviewed for The Lost Signs blog, Autumn. Is there anything you haven't gotten to say or would like to say to readers of your work?

Autumn(ARW): Thank you! For interviewing me. I am so excited to be doing this with you! To the readers of my work, I want to thank them for being so patient with me (it's been a long while since I have updated my current story) and let them know that they won't have to wait much longer for the next installment.

TLS: Speaking of you current story, you make a point of mentioning that the main character's(MC's) mother is a traditionalist. What role do you feel tradition plays in your writing?

ARW: Tradition is the key issue for all of my characters in my writing, and especially in "The Identical Rule" The MC's Mother is trying to uphold traditions that have been set for at least the last 100 generations of Rulers. The MC's themselves will be forced to decide whether or not they agree with the current traditions and what that means for them, and their entire universe, in the long run. I think I focus on tradition so much in my stories because it's something I really didn't have growing up, and the very few traditions I did have were exceptionally hard to hold on to. I feel like that comes out in Lady Wynn (my MC's mother). She is a magnification of my desire for some solid traditions. So it plays a huge roll in my writing.

TLS: Speaking of Rulers, in the initial chapter of "The Identical Rule" you reveal that there are number of brother-Kings and their wives the queens. Can you speak a little on why this system exists in the story, the purpose it serves, or how it's been implemented in your stories universe?

ARW:  It's a tad bit complicated, but essentially within the area of the Universe that this story takes place it has become much more common for people to give birth to Multiple-sets of children instead of one Single child at a time. Scientists there believe that it is because the Ancients used so much artificial medication to boost fertility that it eventually became the norm for a woman's body to produce multiple offspring. Before the transition, The Galaxy-System (GS) was Ruled by one King and his Queen, but for a few generations the King (or Queen) would always have a set of identical multiples born (this trend continues to be the norm). There were generally a set quadruplets born in line to the throne, and it became increasingly harder to choose the son or daughter that would succeed the throne because they were all essentially the same age, give or take a few minutes. One generation the King died suddenly and his sons had not agreed with what order their father had put them in line for the throne and a giant civil war broke out amongst the four sons. Long story short, eventually all of the sons died but one, and during his reign he and his Queen had 6 children, an elder quadruple set of boys, and twin daughters. He decided that since the family line always had a quadruple pair born each generation, that should they be the first in line to rule the throne, they must rule together. Eventually it became a tradition that ONLY a quadruple set rule, and there are a whole bunch of other complicated things going on within the tradition in present day Ua'flor, and those will be explained in the book. A more mundane reason for this GS's tradition is that I am fascinated by identical children. I came up with the four sisters that this story is about when I was younger, and expanded on them as I have gotten older and more experienced about the need for explanations for things. I really hope that answers that question fully. ^_^

 *A picture of an Ua'flor system courtesy of AnAutumRose's Deviantart Profile.*

TLS: Can you explain why as an author it felt necessary for you to create a Galaxy-System within the universe of your story, and what exactly a Galaxy-System is?

ARW: Well, I created the term Galaxy-System to describe the many planets and Solar Systems that comprise Ua'flor because there just wasn't any other name out there for it. There are four main planets in the Solar System that the MC's live in, and some odd planets that aren't habitable. There are 4 or 5 Solar Systems within the Galaxy that they live in, and there are 2-3 Galaxy's within the entire System. (For my story's purpose, a Galaxy is a territorially defined set of Solar Systems. Ua'flor is Ruled by the Maji family, and it has been for thousands of years. There are a few more Galaxy Systems in existence, but they will only be briefly spoken about in the book.
I felt it necessary to create a Galaxy-System because I wanted to make sure that the idea's for this universe that I came up with when I was a 5th grader just dreaming things up could be in the story and make viable sense.. At least to me. :D

TLS: Your MC's appear to be telepathic, and you explain a bit about why that is shortly after introducing the characters. I've spoken before on my feeling about telepathy, and was wondering if you'd care to explain the limitations, beyond being limited to between sets of siblings?

ARW: My MC's are definitely telepathic, but they can't read anyone's mind. I would describe their telepathy as "purely projective telepathy," or "projective-receptive telepathy" and I would do this because Sibling sets can only hear the thoughts that their siblings send to them. They are purposefully talking to each other by using the ability. I haven't created any characters that have been able to forcefully read someones mind. Even the odd character that I've created that can project into anyone's mind cannot read anyone's mind unless there is particular spell cast, and then there is a lot of red-tape, so to speak, to go through for those particular characters in order to do so. I felt the need to include telepathy because, well, I like it, and because of the situation I put the four newest royals into. I mentioned in the the story that identical's can speak the clearest to each other, but that even mixed sets can speak to one another, and that is very important to the story line.

 *Artwork by AnAutumnRose entitled Earth Ankh.*

TLS: Moving on to environmental conditions, you mention in the initial chapters that it's raining. Is this rain in the way a person in real life would think of rain? How different our the planets in your story from earth in terms of climate and environmental conditions?

ARW: Yes, it was raining really, really hard... and it's exactly the kind of rain that we would experience here on Earth, just more all encompassing. The planet that the story is taking place in right now is mostly comprised of rain forests, and they get a lot of rain, but that day it was like a blanket on them. I would say that the individual climates and environments are essentially the same, just on a larger scale. In Mandhari, the Solar System that the Capital Planet is, there are four livable planets and their compositions are vastly different. Riana (the working name for my capital planet) is the one comprised of rain forests, Aigua is mostly oceans and seas, Mwali has a vast range of very high altitude mountains (The tectonic plates there are thicker and created more mountain ranges), and there is another un-named planet with volcanoes and swamps, and it's closer to the systems dual-suns. So I guess it's dependent on where the planet is, but everything is just an ecosystem that we could find here on Earth magnified to a global scale.

*Artwork by AnAutumnRose entitled Water Ankh V.2*

TLS: That's one of the things i greatly enjoy about your work. It's well thought out, and even if you find that changes are necessary they don't negate the whole that you've been building. I'd like to ask as a follow up and paired question to the last one: What kind of fauna can we expect in your story given the similar yet dissimilar environments when compared to Earths?

ARW: I'm so excited that you like it. Ooh, Even I'm not sure what exactly lurks everywhere on these planets... I'm excited to find out as I continue to write and build the universe and all its extremely diverse settings. There are definitely animals that look and seem like the ones we have here on Earth. For instance, in the next installment, which I will be posting soon, there are farms with what could be goats, and pets that are descendants of cats. There will be sentient creatures as well that even take part in the government, seeing as how they live where the Maji's rule... Basically, in the same fashion that the ecosystems on Earth are scaled up, you'll find creatures from Earth on a larger scale, and things that have evolved because of the immense planetary environments. For instance, since Aigua is covered with vast oceans and seas, the sea creatures have evolved to outnumber the people that have colonized there, and Riana is sure to have its fair share of giant insects. I am working on a private work book comprised of all the flora and fauna that will be found within the different planet systems... Like I said, I'm excited about them, creatures are so interesting to me.

TLS: Now, since your setting spans numerous worlds, i'd like to ask about technology within the Galaxy-Systems. The initial chapters give the impression of a sort of low technological environment similar to feudal earths, but during our interview you've mentioned fertility enhancement, which i'd think would necessitate a higher scale of technology then is immediately discernible. Can you share how technology plays a part in your universe?

ARW: Yes... well, Traditions play a part with what you've seen so far. . . The castle that they're in is extremely "high tech," but tradition mandates that the birth of the Royal Children be done in castle with a midwife and her assistants present. Lady Wynn is extremely interested in Tradition, and although there are what we would call modern hospitals on Riana, there was no way that she would give birth to the first set of children in line to the throne in a non-traditional way. There are planets within the Galaxy System that are technological to the extreme, with city-scapes that reflect what you can see on the Republics Capital planet, Coruscant in Star Wars I: The Phantom Menace. There are teleportation devices, but those have to be used with Magick, and space travel... which I haven't sorted out all the kinks, but I am working on the exact science behind all of it.

 *Artwork by AnAutumnRose entitled Fire Ankh.*

TLS: Ohhh, Magick!! You know i love me some Magick, lol. Can you tell us a bit about Magick in your universe, as well as clarify whether you mean natural Magick (i.e. abilities such as pyrokinesis) or ritual Magick (i.e. general spellcraft)?

ARW: Of course I do! and I couldn't exclude Magick, it's one of my most favorite things to read about. Magick is something that is pretty normal within the Universe at the time the story takes place, although, of course, there are planets/groups of peoples that are opposed to it's use. I'm sure that somewhere in the Royal Library there is a history book with some War fought on the subject.... But getting back to what we were talking about. There is natural Magick, such as the pyrokinesis that you mentioned, and other nature specific abilities. The spell for Teleportation is a form of ritual Magick, but it definitely helps if the person casting that spell has natural Magick abilities. Telepathic ability is also helpful with Teleportation, because communicating between the planets isn't always the easiest. Twins (who generally have the strongest telepathic abilities) are sought out to work at opposite teleport stations because they can speak with each other the clearest and for longer distances.

TLS: Also a sensitive subject when it comes to different culture is that of religion, which often walks hand in hand with tradition. Can you describe how religion is handled in your Galaxy-System, and what form it takes?

ARW: My Galaxy-System is poly-theistic. The general belief is that there is one greater higher power that manifests itself in a way that will best fit the people that it's serving... which is why the Maji family has been able to rule with so little religious discord for so many generations. There is a planet or two that believes that their Deity is the One True Deity and have tried to make a muck about it... and the Royals have had to be crafty in handling those people in rough times... The most trouble comes from outer Galaxy-Systems that believe in different Gods and Goddesses.. But all-in-all, since their religious beliefs are pretty much all-encompassing... it doesn't cause too many problems for the MC's. Which is all to the better for me, since religion can be really tricky.
I nearly forgot to add that there are no sentient beings that worship other sentient beings. I don't think I'm comfortable with that. So it's more ethereal.

*Artwork by AnAutumnRose entitled Air Ankh.*

TLS:  It's sadly time for last question. Having been a good friend of TheLostSigns for quite a few years, the fact that your bi-lingual is well known. How do you feel that affects not only your views on language within your universe, but also the ability to work with language, as all authors do, when creating your story?

ARW: Language has always fascinated me, which is why I have worked towards being multi-lingual and am bi-lingual now. I think that it has made me more aware of the importance of language within a culture, and it has made me want to incorporate more languages in my story. There are different languages in each solar system, and vastly different dialects on each planet within those, and there is a language that is used to communicate in political settings (that language is closely related to our English). I think that having the ability to speak in more than one language has made it easier for me to work with words in my own language, because I understood more of English and all of its intricacies after I took classes in other languages and Linguistics.

TLS: Sorry that took so long, and thank you so much once more for stopping by and doing an interview with me. As always TheLostSigns is hopeful your fans out there will enjoy hearing these questions answered and other interviewers or reviewers will have a bit more information to add to their write ups. Would you like to say anything else to the readers?

ARW: No problem, I have really enjoyed this. I am also hoping that they like it, as this is the first time any of the information has been posted about the way Ua'flor functions as a story-book universe. I want to let the readers know that I am so grateful for them reading my work and that I look forward to continuing the story on FictionPress and hearing what they think about it. Thanks so much for having me on your blog! I hope that this won't be the only time that I'm here. :)

TLS: Until next time, ya'll!! (^_^)

AnAutumRose can be found at her Fiction Press and Deviantart profiles.

CHECK IT OUT!!

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As always, TheLostSigns encourages you to support you favorite artists if you can.

W/S: Vampires

This weeks "Writing Supernaturals" post is brought to you by esteemed author Katica Locke, who can be located a http://katicalocke.wordpress.com/  .

On Ms. Locke's website she has a number of articles which provide details into her writing process and views on the types of character she uses in her writing.

Below I've reposted with her permission her article on Vampires in it's entirety. Ms. Lock says:

I was brainstorming the other day, working on a plot for my next Suburban Fantasy story, and I realized I hadn’t written an article on vampires yet. I have been a vampire fan for many years–so long ago that I can’t remember what started my fascination. I do remember chasing my little sister around the house as a child, the broken tines from a white plastic fork held tight between my upper lip and gums like fangs. Yes, I was a strange child. I haven’t changed much.
I grew up in the era of romantic vamps, the dark, brooding sort who lament their lost mortality and strive to atone for their crimes, the kind that can be dangerous, but fight against their baser instincts and thirst for blood. That’s the kind of vampire I like to write about.
In my universe, being turned into a vampire is a deliberate act that takes three days to complete. The act of biting a mortal does not turn them into a vampire. The vampire-to-be must either be willing, or held captive. The first step is to have a significant amount of blood removed and replaced with vampire blood. This works best through a transfusion. Within the first twelve hours of the first transfusion, subsequent transfusions may take place, which help speed the process and may be necessary if the vampire donor is young.
After the blood is transfused, the vampire-to-be must remain out of direct sunlight for sixty to eighty hours, depending on the potency of the vampire blood. Exposure to sunlight, for as little as a few minutes, halts the transformation progress. If exposed during the first day, the vampire-to-be remains mortal and can make another attempt to be turned at a later date.
If exposed during the second or third day, the vampire-to-be is stuck as a ghoul and cannot ever complete the change into a vampire. Ghouls are halfway between mortal and vampire–they live longer, are stronger and faster, hear, see, and smell better, are sensitive to sunlight and heat, and crave blood. The will eventually die of old age, but sunlight will not kill them and do not need to feed exclusively on blood to survive.
After the third day, the mortal has become a vampire, though it can take up to a week for their fangs to grow in and sunlight to become fatal. During this transitional period, they are very vulnerable, at the mercy of a terrible thirst for blood, but not yet strong enough to protect themselves. Most die before having been a vampire for fifty years–more than half of those within the first few months.
Vampires do not technically feed on blood. Their internal organs are repurposed, their digestive system transforming into a storage and distribution center. Blood is held in the stomach until needed, then moved into the intestines, where connective blood vessels have attached, allowing the blood to be sent where needed.
Since a vampire’s heart ceases to beat within a few days of being turned, the circulatory system is no longer needed. Veins, arteries, blood vessels, and capillaries are rerouted into one-way streets, taking blood out to the tissue that needs it. As blood is consumed by tissue, it creates negative pressure, drawing more blood to fill the space. Vampire tissue is so efficient at consuming blood that it produces very little waste product. What is produced cannot be removed in the normal, mortal fashion since the system is no longer circulatory. The waste is simply pushed to the surface and exuded in minute amounts through the pores as a slightly waxy substance, not unlike mortal sweat. This waste is virtually undetectable unless the vampire has poor personal hygiene, in which case it builds up on the skin and their clothes, giving them a musty smell that has long been associated with the undead in folklore.
Speaking of myth and folklore, I ran into an interesting dilemma when I had to choose which parts of the vampire legends to keep and which to disregard, and come up with good reasons for both. I decided the religious aspects had to go since few of my books take place on Earth, and it would seem strange for a vampire who had never heard of Christianity to be repelled by crosses and holy water. Also, it insinuated that vampires are inherently evil, which was something I wanted to avoid.
I changed garlic from vampire repellant to simply repugnant due to its strong odor and a vampire’s keen sense of smell. I didn’t see a use for the OCD behavior of needing to untie knots or pick up and count small items that had spilled, like seeds or rice, except as comic relief. In a truly life or death situation, it would seem silly.
My vampires do have trouble crossing moving water, and they can’t touch hawthorn or garnet, though those particular traits haven’t made an appearance in any book yet. Their bodies are cold, right around room temperature, since all metabolic functions have ceased. Heat degrades vampire tissue, so the colder they can stay, the less blood they need to drink. They don’t have reflections, nor do they show up on film or in digital photographs, however, they are not simply absent from the picture, they appear as a blur. In mirrors, they are like a mirage, a hazy, indistinct form seen out of the corner of the eye, but gone when looked at directly. They will die if exposed to the sun, the light burning exposed skin, the heat and UV radiation damaging the tissue until all the blood inside them is used up and their tissue cannibalizes itself trying to repair the damage being done.
They are adapted to feeding on humans, with small, slender fangs that pierce the skin and arteries without tearing out huge chunks of flesh. They are inconspicuous predators, often trying to blend in with their prey. Their saliva contains pain-killing enzymes which act quickly on open wounds. The act of drinking is often pleasurable and even erotic to the one being drunk from–a unique way to subdue a frightened or struggling victim–though not everyone responds this way. Some mortals take no pleasure from it, while others are intensely sensitive to it. Most find that the act becomes more pleasurable with each subsequent bite.
Now, as far them being evil or soulless, I prefer to let my characters be individuals. A kind mortal is going to become a kind vampire (with some understandable issues about his thirst for blood). An arrogant mortal is going to become an arrogant vampire (perhaps with new narcissistic tendencies due to new-found eternal youth). A timid mortal is going to become a timid vampire (or maybe not–maybe his new strength and urge to kill will give him the push he’s been waiting for to tip him over the edge and he goes on a killing spree). I like having the option to develop the characters. Vampire = monster doesn’t leave a lot of room for character development.
Picking a favorite vampire from among my characters is easy–Lucifer, the vampire stallion. He’s every bit the vicious predator, but with almost human intelligence. You can read about him in The Devil’s Hunt and Broken Wings, both free on FictionPress, and in Magebound, available through Amazon.com and other online book retailers.
Second favorite is Julian Marcellos. He’s dark and sexy, with decades of practice in the art of seduction, but still young enough to be insecure about his vampirism. I’m a sucker for that kind of vulnerability in a character; makes me want to huggle them. You can read about Julian in A Crash-course in Kinsa-sitting here on the website, and in the Suburban Fantasy series, which can be purchased from Shadowfire Press.
As far as vampire villains go, I actually have a couple. In Sparkles & Strawberries, Ezarali and Zarik must infiltrate an S&M club run by a sadistic vampire, and in Empathetic Magic (currently unreleased) the heroes must return a lost necklace to Lord Raethen, a crazed teenaged vampire. Of course, there is hope of redemption for Lord Raethen, because I cannot seem to create unredeemable villains.
That’s everything I can think of. I hope you enjoyed reading this article and if you have any questions, don’t be afraid to ask!

I appreciate how Ms. Locke hasn't adhered to common stereotypes when writing her version of the Vampire mythology. She's put a lot of thought into what she wants these characters to be like as well as realizing that the world she has placed them in would have an effect on them and they're mythology.

Personally, Vampires aren't my favorite type of supernatural/paranormal creature, and i studiously avoid fiction in which they are the main character due to their over abundance. Also, i'm more than a little put off by the "blood focus" which is often associated and quit frankly unavoidable when a story is told from a Vampires perspective. 

In my multi-verse, Vampires are relegated to the Gate's Crossing Universe (also known as Earth #1). They are actually part of the Komu (Japanese spider demons) Hierarchy. 

The Komu Hierarchy is organized as follows:
Komu: At the top are the Komu themselves. Komu are always Female, and are "pure blooded" descendents. They live in Japan and rarely leave the compounds which are referred to as nests. There are 4 nests coinciding with the cardinal directions. They consider males disposable.
Pure blooded males ( Master Vampires ): Next are Pure blooded males which the Komu breed with in order to create more Komu, although pure blooded males are also born of such unions. They often have enhanced strength and speed. They are also susceptible to sunlight, but it simply causes severe sunburn and they are capable of remaining awake during the day. They are required to obey the Komu.
 Non-Pure blooded Vampires (Vampires) : These types of vampires are created by Master Vampires. They are also technically undead. While they are not forcibly/magically controlled by their masters, they often trade their servitude for the "immortality" associated with being a vampire. They cannot create vampires themselves, and their ranking within their covens/seethes are based on what they bring in. They have enhanced strength and speed. while the Komu acknowledge the usefulness of Pure blooded males, non pure blood vampires are ignored, in the event they make nuisances of themselves or draw the attention of a Komu they are killed. They are susceptible to sunlight, they are also highly flammable. They "sleep" during the day, although a master vampire can adjust them to be awake during the day but that is at the master vampires discretion.

So that's what i've got on Vampires, Check out Ms. Locke when you have the chance. 
And remember to pick up "Broken Wings" on Smashwords at https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/katicalocke

Iron Druid Chronicles

So I'm still sick, but I just got finished reading books 1-5 of the Iron Druid Chronicle by Kevin Hearne. It's a very well thought out series. I'd reccomend it to people who enjoy urban fantasy.

http://www.kevinhearne.com/

My one point of contention is that I'm not very big on seemingly random killings off of existing characters with lots of "screen time" unless they're written in a way that lets you know in advance they're going to die.
I also don't care for characters who end up switching sides without any precoursing activity that the reader can easily identify as shifty behavior. Ie. if you're gonna be a manipulative bastard BE a manipulative bastard.

"The Lost Signs interviews author Katica Locke!!!"

Hello, everybody. Guess what? One of my favorite authors agreed to do an interview for my blog! Yey me!!

Now a bit of backstory for those of you who might not know her work. First off, she's AWESOME!! No really, she is! ^_^ Katica Locke is the author of the books "Broken Wings", "Breach", and "Mage Bound". As well as the author of numerous other books, short stories, and novellas. To find out more information on purchasing or to receive updates on Ms. Locke's works I suggest you visit Ms. Locke's website: http://katicalocke.wordpress.com . There you can also find links to her facebook, tumblr, twitter, and smashwords. The website also includes her own blog and numerous "free reads" all of which are amazing. I encourage everyone to go out and buy and read Ms. Locke's work! DOOOO IIITTTT!!! ^_^

Click here! To purchase "Broken Wings" by Katica Locke.

Okay so I got a little side tracked there... (>_>)
Sooo, let's get interviewing!


The Lost Signs: I'd like to start by saying thank you, thank you, thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to do this interview and welcome you to my blog. Also fangirl squee... *SQUUUEEEEE*

Katica Locke: Thank you so much for such a warm and enthusiastic welcome! I'm thrilled to be here.

TLS: Now Ms. Locke. Despite what some would consider "complications" on the business side of getting your work out to the people, you have a decidedly loyal fan base. Is there anything you'd like to say to, or about your fans that you may not have gotten the chance to say in the past?

KL: To all my fans, Thank You!! I try to say it as often as I can, because I know that without their love and support, I would not have the same drive to write these stories that I do. I've always been a writer, from the age of ten, but before I discovered that I could share my work online with other people, I rarely finished a story. I didn't feel the need to, because I already knew how it would end. Now, I have fans who want to know how the story ends, and I want to tell them. So again, thank you from the bottom of my heart. <3

TLS: Moving on to your works. The fantasy genre often includes the idea of True Love as being a form of magical, physical, or spiritual "whammy" that characters fall under or are compelled by. I've noticed in your works you tend to avoid this form of True Love instead portraying the truest love as one which is based on developing the relationships between your characters in very real and often seemingly small ways over time. In fact, in your book "Broken Wings" you deconstruct this trope in two ways, the first is comparing an insidious magical love with a love that grows naturally over time. The second is by showing, how, in the case of Soldias sidhe, instant forced attraction is actually very disturbing to those viewing it or feeling it. Was this intentionally done on your part?

KL: I wouldn't say that it was intentionally done. Not in the sense of sitting down with the intent to write a story that rails against True Love tropes. I just write what I feel. I believe that True Love is magic. Mages who can truly love can cast the most powerful spells. Love restores a damaged soul. Love can turn a man into a dragon. Love works miracles. Love is very important in my stories, because it is so hard to attain, and so hard to keep. That's all I ever really try to show in my stories, anything else is just me getting lucky.

TLS: Also, while many of your works contain fantasy elements they also contain science fiction elements, and a lot of your worlds have similar rules for how forces (physics and magic) work. I was wondering if your works all take place in the same "universe"?

KL: Yes, they do. Most of them take place on different planets, sometimes centuries apart, but it's all the same universe. Most of my stories have inside jokes or brief mentions of other worlds or characters in them. For example, in "Broken Wings", Jak mentions his great-great-uncle who owns a magic shop - who happens to be Lord Sactaren from "Magebound". In "Breach", Roan's brother shows up pretending to be a Detective Aris Kalavon - who is actually the detective who helped Julian from my Suburban Fantasy series.

This is a copy of the original cover for "Mage Bound" by Katica Locke...

...and here the new version of the cover! ^_^
Click here! Order a copy of "Mage Bound" by Katica Locke today.

 
TLS: In a few of your books you've made references to a galactic/universal government which mandates some worlds such as in "Breach" where some forms of transportation are outlawed on the planet the book takes place on because of the type of fuel they use, or in "Broken Wings" where Jak reveals to the reader that Earth is a restricted planet. Can you expand a bit on this governmental body? What it is or how it works compared to the governments of earth in real life?

KL: The governmental body that rules over all inhabited planets in the galaxy is called the Great Council and is a bit like the United Nations. Every sentient species is entitled to have a representative sit on the Council. Together they decide on laws and regulations. One such regulation is touched on in "Breach", where the burning of fossil fuels and major industrialization is restricted. The Council places technology restrictions on different planets, to keep them at different stages of growth, so that people can choose if they want to live in a big, futuristic city like Siva Delta on the planet Nethmalon, or if they'd rather live a quiet, pastoral life on Eshaedra. There are worlds at every level of technology, from primitive stone tools to advancements far beyond that of Earth. As a writer, this allows me to write in any setting while still maintaining the consistency of the universe that I built.


TLS: In your article about vampires (http://katicalocke.wordpress.com/vampires/) you mention that you chose not to include the weakness to religious icons in their mythology because "it would seem strange for a vampire who had never heard of Christianity to be repelled by crosses and holy water.". However, religion does appear to exist in your universe. So my question would be considering the sci-fi nature of your work, which would place religion as a form of communal faith, in comparison to the fantasy nature of your works, which would place religion as a communal faith based on the reality of their existence( i.e. the gods really do or did exist), do the gods mentioned in your works exist within your universe and if so what are they doing?

KL: Good question. Religion isn't really something that I've delved very deeply into in my stories. I've mainly used them as worldbuilding scenery, because all fantasy universes have to have their own gods, right? The answer is yes, some of them do exist. Others are purely mythological figures that never existed. The human gods and goddesses do exist and are busy watching over a myriad of worlds -- anywhere the humans inhabit -- which is why they rarely get involved in human affairs. The goddess of the Werefolk, the Great Spirit, definitely exists and actually shows up in one of my books. I haven't decided if the faerie goddess, Elias, really exists. The gryphlian gods and goddesses are mythological, based on individuals that really lived long ago. Those are the only four widespread belief systems that I have worked out.

TLS: Switching from gods to science, how much do you feel real life science comes into play when creating your worlds and the species that inhabit them? Is it more an issue with certain creations/characters than it is with others (i.e. the dracs inability to mix genetically with other species[broken wings] versus the goblins being able to mix with fae [slave to the crown])?

KL: I try to use real life science in my stories whenever possible. I feel it lends realism to the fantastical and helps the reader suspend their disbelief. I did a unicorn birthing scene in one of my books, and I researched horse pregnancy and complications in order to make it as realistic as possible. Often, real science will give me ideas for stories, like the two races of gryphons, which evolved from golden gryphons into black and white due to leucisim and melanism and selective breeding. The science becomes more of an issue when dealing with non-human characters. The more alien the character, the better I have to understand them, because everything about them must be described to the reader.

TLS: Understanding characters is important from a writers perspective, i've noticed. As a reader I've also noticed that you have what appears to be an exceedingly strong grasp of your characters which makes for incredibly engaging reading. Relationships are relationships, but as a woman how do you approach the thoughts, feelings, and physicality behind your male characters? Is it observational extrapolation, sympathy (putting yourself in their shoes), research, etc.?

KL: Hmm, that’s an interesting question. I’m not sure there’s a simple answer, either. I suppose it’s a combination of observation, sympathy, and research, plus a lot of imagination. Writing romantic relationships for me goes beyond just being a woman writing about men. I don’t have much experience in those kind of relationships at all (probably TMI, lol), so it’s all about making it up and hoping I get it right. I read a lot, so I’m able to use what I read to allow me to put myself into my characters’ minds, and I do feel what they’re feeling. As far as specifically being a woman writing about men, I write about a lot of different kinds of people, vampires and dragons and faeries, and they’re all unique in their own way, just like real people are all different. I try to avoid the common stereotypes that women have regarding men, because I regard men as just another type of people, and they’re all different, and however I write them, as long as I give them reasonable actions and motivations and feelings, hopefully they’ll ring true with my readers.

TLS: Well said. As a member of the LGBTQ community I should chide myself for asking such a sexist question. (>_<) Speaking of the LGBTQ community, your books contain all sorts of people, in all sorts of relationships, with all sorts of orientations. One such character, rarely seen as not a running joke in other authors works, would be Darike. Would you mind sharing a bit about this character and his place in fey society? Namely, given the way Izeri acts in "Broken Wings" and "Moonlight" fae appear to have different modes of dress for males and females, leading me to discount the idea that Darike is simply "a fae, who like all fae believe clothes to be clothes" since that does not appear to be the case given Izeri's reaction to Darike's presence. Given Darike's form of dress and relationship with Zaiden, i wonder if he considers himself to be transgendered or a transvestite/cross dresser since the two are quite different and how this relates to his place in fey society? Also are any of these things related to his glamour, and what would his glamour happen to be?

KL: Oh, that's another interesting question. Darike came into being on the spur of the moment, just a whim, really. I didn't have any idea what I would do with him, I just wanted some more variety at the university. While his wardrobe choices are unusual for his species and he does get some grief for it, he is certainly not comic relief, or like you said, a running joke. He identifies as male, is physically male, and enjoys being male, he just likes wearing female clothing, partly because of the attention it gets him (he has really great legs ^_^), but also because it just feels good to him. He likes the way he looks. It does not, as far I know, have anything to do with his glamour. He is a brionaid fey - a dream faerie. His glamour allows him to enter the dreams of a sleeping person and manipulate the dreams. Make him mad and he'll literally give you nightmares.

TLS: Speaking of glamour, your work uses a lot of color. In fact quite a few of your systems use color as a sort of identifier. What's that all about?

KL: Lol, I like colors! I tried to be an artist, but I can't draw or paint to save my life, so I use words to paint my pictures instead. I like color because it's almost universal. Unless someone is blind, they know what red, or blue, or green looks like. It makes it easier for me to create my worlds in my readers' imaginations. Colors also carry their own subliminal meanings. Red can mean stop, danger, hot, anger, or love. Blue can be sad, cold, or calm. It's kind of a shortcut for putting ideas into the readers' minds without actually having to say it.

TLS: Last question I promise! Characters in your works have a very subtle way of speaking. So going completely off track, I'd like to ask if, with a last name like Locke, you've had a lot of people make Key innuendos or jokes about you, and if so has it lost all sense of originality, lol? (^_^)

KL: Actually, unless they're doing it behind my back, I can't say I've ever had anyone make a Key joke about me. I must be doing something wrong. XD

TLS: Sorry that took so long, and thank you so much once more for stopping by and doing an interview with me. Hopefully your fans out there will enjoy hearing these questions answered and other interviewers or reviewers will have a bit more information to add to their write ups. Would you like to say anything else to the readers?

KL: Anytime! That was wonderful. I'd just like to say thank you for being such a gracious host. I'd also like to thank the readers, and I hope I wasn't too boring, lol!

TLS: Until next time, ya'll!! (^_^)

Katica Locke can be found on her website, http://katicalocke.wordpress.com.
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I encourage everyone to support your favorite authors if you can!

Update 9/17/2014: Added the new version of the cover for "Mage Bound" and changed purchasing link from Amazon to Smashwords.

Coming Soon: Katica Locke interview, hopefully! ^_^

Author Katica Locke has agreed to possibly let me interview her for my blog. I just sent the questions to her, and hopefully she'll like them and answer them and send it back with her okay for posting.

Here is Ms. Locke's website: katicalocke.wordpress.com

Her work is amazing so i recommend you check it out. ^_^