Interview Angela Verdenius

by

Billie A Williams

Soul Of A Witch by Angela Verdenius angela@modnet.com.au

In a bid to save a boy's soul from powerful dark forces, a famous witch and a notorious pirate must unite. Will their growing love survive what is to come?

1. I know people ask authors all the time where they get their ideas for stories and I have to be a copy cat--because this is such a unique premise I am very curious--where did you come up with the idea for this one?

Soul Of A Witch was the book I 'had to do'. LOL I knew Sinya needed his own story, and Beulah was a growing character in my mind. The fact that Sinya's little brother was such an amazing, suffering, side character, meant he had to see the witch-woman from the other books in the series. It somehow seemed right to match Beulah and Sinya. Perhaps others may think they are mismatched, but I think they fit together so well <g>.

2. Am I right in assuming this work is a fantasy--is that the only genre you write in? If not what other genre(s) Also, if you write in other genres do you use a pen name?

It's actually a futuristic romance, still part of the Heart And Soul futuristic romance series. It's just that it's more mystical than what I'm used to doing <g>. Some might say that qualifies it for a fantasy, but to me, its just delving further into the mysteries of space and beyond.

I haven't published in other genres, but I am playing with a fantasy and a horror story. If they ever get finished, I'll submit them under my own name still.

3. I know you have many other books published--which character was the hardest for you to let go when the story was finished and why?

Probably Reya from Soul Of A Mercenary... or maybe it was Sabra from Soul Of A Hunter. It's hard to say. Both were tortured souls, who eventually found love and peace. I guess the fact that deep within themselves, they didn't change and become 'better people', but instead, grew and developed, while maintaining their individual personalities, really appealed to me. Though now married to their heroes, they are still strong enough to stand on their own if the need ever arises--and they still have their private secrets <g>.

4. If you could sit down and talk with anyone living or dead who would that be and what would you be interested in finding out about from them?

Laurell K Hamilton, who is one of my favorite authors. Her Anita Blake and Merry Gentry series fascinate me. The dark side she takes her characters to, her research--the whole two worlds she has built, in our own world, is phenomenal. I'd love to just sit and chat to her about her characters.

5. What do you think makes a writer successful?

A successful writer, to me, is measured in a couple of different ways. One of them is that the author needs to be comfortable and satisfied with what they have written--if you're not happy, how can you be sure you've given the book your best? A successful writer is one who learns, knows there's more to life than what there appears, is willing to stretch the boundaries of the imagination, interacts with readers and other writers... and never forgets who they are, and their original dream. They also need to know the value of their readers.

6. How long does it take you to write a book--normally--if there is such a thing as normally--and tell us a little about your writing process?

It can take anywhere from three to six months, depending on my inspiration. If I'm running out of time, pressure makes me knuckle down and write faster. Work and other activities can sometimes take up a lot of my time, then I struggle a bit, but I make sure I write something almost every day.

Writing process? It never really differs. Music goes on first--I must have music. A glass of diet coke on the desk. Scrap paper and pen for my notes. On work nights, I write for about an hour or two before I have my evening meal and go to work. On my days off, anything from eight to twelve hours... unless I'm going to a movie, then that might be cut down a couple of hours LOL.

7. Are there any more books in the works for you--similar or different from this one--how?

There are probably about 5 more books in this series... though ideas are always coming, so I never make a set number <g>. As I said, there is a fantasy I play with, and a horror, and recently I thought of a contemporary. But I must admit that my Heart And Soul series, at this time, comes first.

8. Have you based any of your characters (more or less) on “real” people--people you know?

No, I can't say I have. My characters tend to have the characteristics I admire or hate in people, depending on if they're the villain or hero/heroine <g>. Though I admit that my Felys (feline-type) characters, were based on my cats' habits LOL.

9. Is any part of your story based in real life--something that you have had happen that you wanted to fictionalize perhaps to help some one else learn a valuable lesson?

Geez, I'd like to be honorable and say yes... but unfortunately, I can't. *blush*. But I will say that loyalty is one of the main characteristics I value, and loyalty is one of the main characteristics that my characters have.

10. One last question--is there anything you would like to tell us that I haven’t asked about?

On my website, I have a journal that is updated fortnightly. This journal usually discusses more in depth or trivial things about the characters and settings of my series. Just a little tid-bit for anyone wanting to know <g>. Also, I'm always available for anyone who has questions about my books.

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions.

Thank you Billie