Interview with Tiffany Allee

Happy Monday, everyone! Today we're chatting with author Tiffany Allee about her debut book BANSHEE CHARMER.

Tiffany, it's great to have you here. Tell us a bit about yourself.

First of all, thank you so much for having me here! I am a thirty-something married woman with a background in accounting and finance. While this probably doesn't sound like the most likely background for a writer, I have loved reading and writing my whole life, and becoming a published writer has always been my dream.

How long have you been writing with the purpose of getting published?

I've been writing since I can remember, although I've only focused on writing for publication during the last couple of years. But during that time, I've spent thousands of hours writing, and enjoying every minute of it.

The cover of BANSHEE CHARMER looks great! What’s the story about?

Thank you! The story is about a half-banshee police detective trying to track down a serial killer, with a gorgeous, mysterious man at her side. The story has danger and romance and mystery. And even a vampire or two, haha.

Sounds cool! How did the idea of the story come to you?

You know, I get this question a lot. To be perfectly honest, I can't pinpoint the exact moment the idea hit me. I know that when I started writing it around a year ago, the idea was pretty firmly built in my mind. When I come up with ideas, they generally hit me as a one sentence plot or character summary and build gradually from there.

Is this going to be a series?

Yes, this is the first novella in a series that currently has four titles planned. The second one will be out in April.

Tell us about Entangled Publishing. I've heard great things about them.

Entangled is a fabulous publisher that combines high quality editing, cover art, and marketing with really unique and wonderful writers. I am very lucky to be a part of such a talented group of people.

Besides your editor at Entangled, do you have a critique group/partner or beta readers, or do you self-edit?

I self-edit and have two amazing beta readers who always give it to me straight. They're not only helpful when it comes to my writing, but they're awesomely supportive and hilarious. They're also both wonderful writers, and I'm in awe of their work. I don't know how writers work without beta readers or critique partners; I'd be lost without mine.

I totally agree. Are you a planner or a pantser?

I am a planner—down to the scene. That being said, my stories always end up varying from my original outline. The changes aren't usually huge, but they can be significant. When this happens, it's almost always to the benefit of the story.

What’s the hardest part of writing for you?

Oh wow, it depends on what I'm doing at the time, haha. Seriously though, I love writing and revising and editing and polishing. The hardest part for me is picking what I want to write next. I want to write all the things. And I want to write them right now. Unfortunately, I haven't figured a way to do that, haha.

I know what you mean. I'm still waiting for someone to invent a machine that downloads story ideas from my brain directly to my computer in a millisecond. What do you absolutely have to have nearby when writing?

If I'm zero drafting it really helps me to have music in the background—not loud, just background noise. Or if that's not available, silence. But the only thing I must have is a comfortable place to sit or stand, and my laptop.

If you could have any super power, what would it be?

I think being able to fly would be fantastic.

What's the weirdest thing you've googled?

Oh jeez. Well I've googled weird things like how long it takes for a body to start to smell, and what police databases are used in Illinois. Um…demon types and names. Lots of mythology and legend stuff—leaning toward the creepy. I'm pretty sure I'm on a watchlist or two. *waves to the FBI*

LOL, I'm sure writers are big on the watchlists. Quick writing test! Use the following words in a sentence: fiber, conducted, and misdealt.

The coarse fiber of my gloves caressed my fingertips as I misdealt him the extra card on purpose, but he conducted himself as if I'd done it accidentally. Sucker.

(Please don't judge my writing from this sample, haha!)

I thought it was mysterious and intriguing. :) Here’s the part where you thank the people who are supporting you. Let's hear your shout outs.

Thank you to all the wonderful readers who are willing to take a chance on a new author by buying my book! I'd also like to thank all of the great people at Entangled Publishing for their support, especially my editor, Kerry Vail. Also a shout-out to my fabulous beta readers and my family. You all rock!

And finally, where can people find you and your book online?

Website: http://tiffanyallee.com/
Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/authortiffanyallee
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/TiffanyAllee


BANSHEE CHARMER is available at Barnes & Noble:
 http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/banshee-charmer-tiffany-allee/1108122582?e%3Ean=2940013712102&itm=1&usri=banshee+charmer 

And at Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Banshee-Charmer-Otherworlder-Enforcement-ebook/dp/B0070J7IEK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1328477015&sr=8-1

Tiffany, thanks so much for letting us get to know you and your book. It's been great talking with you, and I wish you lots of success with your series!