Fallen Angel Reviews would like to welcome author Rian Monaire. Rian, thank you very much for taking a few minutes to answer these questions for us. Inquiring minds always want to know.

For those who may not know, Rian is an Eppie finalist and Capa Nominee for her work THOSE HILLS and her second book SUMMER PIRATES has just been published at eXtasy Books.

What made you finally make that push from only editing at eXtasy Books to being an author of your own?

The push was made ON me. (g) My mother thought I should write. Then my husband chimed in. So I wrote something up quick and posted it to eX Chatters list, figuring it would get shot down. Instead, I gained more people telling me to finish it. Oddly enough, that one's still not completed yet, but I started the two currently published soon after.

Do you feel that being an editor helped you or do you feel you might over criticize yourself?

Oh, I definitely over criticize myself. The worst thing about being an editor AND writer is that I think subconsciously I have the red flags pop up as I go, and sometimes go overboard trying to avoid common errors. Then I'm left with four sentences where there should be fourteen.

What is your best personality trait? Worst?

Best personality trait... Probably that I'm very outgoing and friendly...I truly love meeting new people. Worst? I have a very rotten temper when provoked. It takes quite at bit to get it to appear, but when it does...run

.

How did it feel when your first book, THOSE HILLS, was released?

Well, it was a bit odd because although the edits were done by Tina, my other persona, the EEE actually formatted it, so I had to go back in the cage to make sure it was done right. It went up and she finished the rest of the books going up that night. Only then, as she was checking the website to make sure the covers were all up, did it hit me. That's MY book. I wrote that. I then proceeded to do a somewhat restrained but most exuberant happy dance...good thing the cage was fairly tall. Then I escaped, kicked the EEE out of the way and emailed everyone I knew and told them to go buy it. (g)

When you received your first review?

I didn't want to look. I imagined every horrible possibility, then steeled myself and looked. A great one. So life went on again, and I danced, renewed, though this time I did bang my elbow on the cage.

Did you find it harder to write THOSE HILLS or SUMMER PIRATES? Why?

THOSE HILLS was harder, because it was longer. You laugh, but it's true. The hardest part for me is not coming up with ideas, but getting the damned EEE out of my way long enough to write it all down. Time and patience is the biggest bit.

Where did you come up with the idea for SUMMER PIRATES?

Typical What-If scenario. Nickelodeon had a contest about pirates on the TV show, and my five-year-old pestered me to enter her. I was thinking, hmm...Love pirates. Wouldn't it be cool to have a cruise with a bunch of hotties in pirate outfits? Onward from there.

She also named a character. I needed a name for my heroine's best friend, and asked her for a girl's name. She called back, "Lala." I shrugged and went with it.

Do you find it hard to balance time to write with working and editing?

Oh, dear God, yes. It wouldn't be right to put our authors on hold for my own selfish reasons, so I write when I feel things are under control...which is why my books are so short. (smirk)

Is there one person you think influences your writing the most?

Tina, she's the one who hacks it to ribbons. Actually, it's my husband...he keeps me rolling along, and is so supportive of both eXtasy and my writing.

If you had to spend one year on Survivor Island and could only pack one backpack, what would we find in your backpack?

I'd take my big one I used for school, and in it would be pictures of my family, several packs of gum, books, assorted things like nail clippers and tweezers, a first-aid kit, trail mix, some clothes, blankets, and earplugs, because if I disappeared for a year, Tina would be heard yelling all the way from Canada.

What do you have in store for us in the future? Can you give us a sneak peek?

Well, I just completed the first draft of my story for the Hierophant tarot card, CYBER DAEMON...it should be out fairly soon. That one's a bit of a departure for Rian...it's a paranormal, and it's a bit darker. I do have several story ideas, and hope to submit to a couple of anthologies.

Is there anything you would like to add to this interview?

I would, but the EEE is dangling the keys to my cage and tapping her foot. So I'll just say love ya all, and big kisses to FAR for having me!

Rian, thank you for answering our questions. For those who would like to find out more about Rian Monaire, you can visit her website.



Interviewed by: JoAnn