Interview: Fiona Skye

Every year I try to run interviews with authors, both traditionally and independently published. Previous interviewees have been the likes of Alan Dean Foster, Meg Gardiner, Richard Roberts, Emma Newman, Bernard Schaffer . . . the list goes on. If you’re reading this and would like to take part, you know the email address. It’s tonyleehealey at gmail dot com.

Today I’m interviewing Fiona Skye and we’re going to be discussing her book, Silver Shackles, Revelations Trilogy, Book Two. I know Fiona from a very cool writing group on Facebook called The Dragon’s Rocketship, a collective of writers in scifi and fantasy. Recently she has been working with me in an editorial capacity on the latest installments of my Far From Home series. You can check our efforts out by clicking here: Black Nova – Part One and here: Black Nova – Part Two.

Firstly, welcome to the site.
Thanks so much for inviting me to come yammer on about my books!

Tell us about Silver Shackles. What’s it about?
It’s the second book in my Revelations Trilogy, about a were-jaguar and her dealings with the Fae. In the first book, Taming Shadows, my main character committed grand larceny as part of a deal she made with the Summer Fae to keep her safe from the Winter Fae. In this new book, the consequences of that theft become apparent.

What compelled you to write the Revelations Trilogy?
It was born of a marathon game of What If. What if that barista serving me coffee is actually a werewolf? What if that bartender is actually a vampire? What if that kind elderly lady next door is actually a witch? The world would probably look the same as it does now if the things that go bump in the night are real, but it sure wouldn’t feel the same!

How has the response been so far to your trilogy?
Pretty positive, I think. People seem to enjoy the world I’ve created and they relate well to my characters, too. It took me about two years to write Silver Shackles and in that time, I had people bugging me to finish and hurry up and publish it, so that’s a nice feeling, knowing that there are readers eager to get the next part of the series.

So, let’s talk about the process of writing. What works for you?
A schedule that’s easy to stick to. Some good instrumental music. Snacks—gummi worms, almonds and cashews, dried fruit. Coffee in the morning, juice or iced tea in the afternoon. A clear plan of where the words will take me that day.

If you could impart one piece of valuable advice on a fellow writer, what would it be?
Make writing daily a habit and you will never experience writer’s block.

With the current state of publishing, it’s a whole new playing field out there. What are your thoughts on independent and traditional publishing?
Regardless of which publishing path an author chooses, she’s still going to have to do a hefty bit of marketing on her own, something that—for me at least—is difficult. Plus, if that same author chooses to get her book traditionally published, there’s no guarantee that what she’s written is what will be published. It seems as though traditionally published authors lose a lot of creative control. They often don’t even have any say over the title or cover of their book. That’s ultimately why I decided to self-publish. Sure, in the end, it required a lot more work and money, but since the book on the shelf is the same book I wrote, I think it all works out in the end.

What are your hopes for the Revelations Trilogy?
That more people discover and enjoy my version of the world.

Writing and publishing aside, what does a normal day look like for you?
I’m also working as a freelance book editor, so as soon as I get up and have breakfast in the morning, I’m editing until lunchtime. Then I write until my kids get home from school and I get to be a mom for a couple of hours, and ifI’m still mentally functioning after dinner, homework, and housework, I write for another hour or so at night. Tuesdays nights are for TV—The Flash, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, and Person of Interest.

Totally stealing from James Lipton here so forgive me. Here are the classic ten questions from the French “Bouillon de Culture,” hosted by Bernard Pivot. Answer with the first thing that comes to mind, as honestly as possible. If you’d rather not answer a specific question, that’s fine too.
What is your favorite word?
Susurrus
What is your least favourite word?
Moist
What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
Passion
What turns you off?
Tedium
What is your favourite curse word?
The F-bomb
What sound or noise do you love?
My children’s laughter
What sound or noise do you hate?
My cat scratching to be let out at 3 a.m.
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
Professional chef
What profession would you not like to do?
Anything involving medicine
If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
Normally Buddhists don’t stay long…