Interview with Paranormal Romance and Romantic Suspense Author BRYNNA CURRY!

 

 GRACIE: I’m excited to have you here at The G-Spot, Brynna! Please tell us a little about yourself (or a lot J) and how and when you got into writing?

BRYNNA: Hi, Gracie. I’m thrilled to be here!  I was born in Russellville, Alabama, but I moved around all over the south, always the new kid.  After my parents divorced, we finally landed in Haleyville, Alabama. I married my high school sweetheart Jackie and we settled in the rural area of Haleyville near Bear Creek with our son and two daughters. It’s quiet here and always very green in the summer with all the trees on our property. The dense forests and rolling countryside make great inspiration for my paranormal romance and suspense novel

GRACIE: Is there any one thing or person in your life that inspired your writing? Any one thing or person that influenced the genre you write in?

BRYNNA:  I can’t remember a specific event that triggered the writing bug. It was more a gradual thing evolving out of a difficult childhood.  Domestic violence was an everyday occurrence in my home as a child. My parents fought constantly.  Books were my sanctuary. I can remember locking me and my little sister in the closet and reading to her very loudly to block them out.  My Aunt Brenda impressed on me at a very young age that reading was important.  I started making up my own stories, embracing my wild imagination. Brenda was the first person I trusted with my story worlds and she encouraged me to keep at it. 

I love all things spooky, so my writing took a decidedly paranormal bent. Still, I just couldn’t write romance.  At the time, happy endings didn’t exist in my world. Once I was old enough to read romances, each one I picked up featured wilting wallflower heroines endlessly waiting for some hero to step in and save them. It annoyed me.  I wanted them to be strong, to save themselves and maybe their hero too. I mean, what was wrong with that? I guess I couldn’t identify with those characters because I’m a take charge kind of girl.

After I’d read through the mysteries, suspense, fantasy books at the library, the librarian suggested a Nora Roberts book with mystery elements.  I chose Sea Swept off the shelf. I remember thinking this is a romance novel? Written heavily in the hero’s point of view?  Anna is so strong.  Cam didn’t ‘lord’ over her as if she was incapable of doing anything (included thinking) for herself. And I thought, this is what I want to write but let’s throw in witches, vampires and shifters.

GRACIE: When did you get The Call and what was your first published book?

BRYNNA:  The call was an email from Lyrical Press, Inc. offering a contract for Earth Enchanted. After careful consideration, I signed in May of 2009. I absolutely love working with the staff at Lyrical and Piper (my editor) is the greatest.  I’ve been through some extremely tough spots over the last few years. Both she and Renee have gone above and beyond for me.  I have a new piece almost ready for submission and three others waiting in the wings. Piper will get the ‘first look’ because I respect and trust her opinion. Two things I give to a very rare few.

GRACIE: What do you know now about writing and the publishing industry that you wish you’d known before you started?

BRYNNA:  You need the patience of a saint and skin thicker than molasses in January to survive.  Never stop trying to learn something new and always pay it forward.  Don’t expect anyone to help you, but be that person who reaches out to help others.

GRACIE: Please, give us a little story behind the story and what inspired your series, Elemental Magic?

BRYNNA:  Elemental Magic was inspired by a weird dream. In that shadowy realm of sleep, I saw a beautiful sorceress in drowning rain standing inside a stone dance casting a spell. Her lover fought to get through the barrier to stop her.  The dream became the prologue for Earth Enchanted. Sadly, the material was cut in editing which made for a lot of confusion at first. I was able to add bits and pieces throughout the series that helped shed light on the Corrigans’ history.  The dream inspired four of the books in the series, but Fire’s Ice is fan inspired.

From the first book, Devin’s character took on a life of his own. With each story, his role changed and he grew into a better person. In the beginning, there were only four planned books. Fans loved Dev so much, that I knew I would have to give him his happy ending too.

GRACIE: For Devin McLoch of Fire’s Ice, what do you believe is his Achilles’ heel and how do you go about stomping it?

BRYNNA: Devin’s one true weakness is his family. They are also his greatest strength. He loves them fiercely and will do anything to protect those in his charge.  Rather than eliminate it, I prefer to indulge his weakness. His caring nature balances out all that wicked power. *wink*

GRACIE: In Sea’s Sorceress, what do you think it is that makes Skye Corrigan a perfect match for Rhiannon O'Malley and vice versa?

 

BRYNNA:  Skye is used to having women chase him. His stunning looks and flirty nature naturally attract attention. Rhiannon brings his ego back down to earth. She takes care of her family, even though the emotional toll is beginning to affect her physically. They balance each other.  He brings Rhia out of her shell indulging the naughty streak she keeps buried, while Rhia encourages his better qualities and supports his art.

GRACIE: What do you find appealing about the story themes of healing and redemption that seem to be prevalent for your characters throughout your Elemental Magic series?

BRYNNA:  No one is without flaws. Our flaws and individuality makes us who we are. Imagine how boring the world would be if everyone was exactly the same. My characters are wonderfully flawed. They hurt, feel, love and make mistakes with the same passion we all do. There is a desire to be more, to seek redemption for past sins in all of us. Overcoming the road blocks I set in their path challenges the character to grow and change and most importantly they breathe. It makes them human.

GRACIE: Of all the stories you’ve written, which is your favorite and why?

BRYNNA:  Fire’s Ice – because it’s the most magical and it’s Devin’s story. I love the others too, but I find myself rereading Fire over and over.

GRACIE: I know this is like asking a mother which is her favorite child, but which of your characters is your favorite and why?

BRYNNA: Devin McLoch, always. He speaks the loudest to me, maybe because of his background, his magic or perhaps just his kindness and fiercely protective nature. We have a lot in common (well, except the magic lol).  Even when I thought it was time for him to fade into the background, Dev kept popping up where I least expected him. He is a just wicked enough to be fun. 

GRACIE: What is your favorite aspect of the writing process? Your least favorite?

BRYNNA: Spinning the webs that will become stories.  I can’t really think of anything I don’t find appealing about writing except being interrupted in the middle of a scene.

GRACIE: Are you a pantser or do you outline?

BRYNNA:  When it comes to the actual writing I am a pantser. I know where I am going, but the characters lead me. As long as we end up where I want, it’s all good. That said, I do plan ahead specific story points that must be included if the book is part of a series.  But those points stay in my head. I loathe making outlines. Guess I’m just too impatient for those. My characters are like real people to me, so I don’t need notes to remember things about them. I just know who they are and that works for me.

GRACIE: If you weren’t a writer, what other profession would you have chosen to pursue?

BRYNNA: I would want to be in law enforcement, or maybe a private investigator.

GRACIE: Who are some of your favorite authors and why? Name some of your favorite books and why they’re your favorites.

BRYNNA: Sherrilyn Kenyon is my favorite author, but I love to read Nora Roberts, Hannah Howell, Julie Garwood, Jayne Ann Krentz and many others. SK’s Dark-Hunters are addictive. ACHERON is my favorite book by her, but I’m anxiously awaiting the release of STYXX.

GRACIE: I adored ACHERON too! What are you working on now and what should readers be looking forward to from you in the future?

BRYNNA: I’m putting the finishing touches on a rewrite that will be the beginning of a new suspense series. Claiming Ana brings together veterinarian/witch Ana Brannon and private investigator/werewolf Howl Raven and introduces readers to a new cast of characters. Their attraction is instant and red hot, but Howl discovers he may have found more than his mate. Ana may be the one witch who can cure him of his curse. Amidst their personal battles, Howl is digging into dangerous territory with his work for Chief Cade Murphy. Cade and his brothers are determined to find their father’s killer and doing so will risk everything they hold dear.

I love stories with strong male leads. The Murphys of Triple Star (http://triplestarranchseries.blogspot.com/) are both dangerous and delicious and I think readers will enjoy watching them fall while searching for the answers they seek.

On the paranormal side of the coin are the Shadow books. Shadows of Seven (http://shadowsofsevenseries.blogspot.com/)  is the continuance of Elemental Magic (http://elementalmagicseries.blogspot.com/)  Beginning with Charm of Light (http://shadowsofsevenseries.blogspot.com/) readers will step into a very deadly future with Allaina Corrigan. As she begins to discover the true reach of her powers, vampire Kail McKenna joins her to fight those of his kind. Together, they will search for and train the other charms.

I’m very excited about this series. I’ve loved vampires since my aunt first introduced me to Dark Shadows (the original).  I promise you won’t find any sparkly guys here. My vamp and his guardian counterparts are warriors sworn to protect the charms at all costs. Following these books will be Highland Magic, which is the story of Vaughn, Cian and Grayson McLoch.

Curious? You can read about these new series here.

http://shadowsofsevenseries.blogspot.com

http://brynnacurrystriplestarranchseries
htttp://brynnacurryshighlandmagic.blogspot.com  

GRACIE: Wow, looks like readers have a lot of exciting reads to look forward to from you! Do you have a website and/or how can readers contact you?

BRYNNA:  Readers can find me at my site In Shadows (http://www.brynnacurry.com),  on Facebook, and Twitter. I’m also on LinkedIn, Goodreads, and pretty much everywhere as Brynna Curry.

GRACIE: Where and how can readers purchase and/or read samples of your work?

BRYNNA: For blurbs, exclusive excerpts, character profiles and more, visit the Elemental Magic page at http://www.brynnacurry.com Elemental Magic is available through iTunes, Amazon, B & N, Kobo and wherever ebooks are sold. Also available in print through Amazon and Createspace.

http://www.amazon.com/Brynna-Curry/e/B0043WRLUS
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/brynna-curry
http://ebookstore.sony.com/author/brynna-curry_135783  

GRACIE: What advice do you have for beginning writers?

BRYNNA: Always do your homework. No way around it. Research is as important as the writing. Read books in the genre you want to write. See what sells. Read agent/publisher/author blogs. They are a fountain of invaluable advice. And mostly just work very hard. Treat it like a job, because it is. Never give up.

GRACIE: Brynna, thanks so much for taking time from your busy schedule to share yourself and your work with us at The G-Spot and giving us a little insight into your writing and the writing process! We’ll let you get back to writing those wonderful books you write! All the best!

BRYNNA:  I’ve enjoyed chatting with you! Thanks for inviting me to visit.