Emerald Barnes is my guest today. She is the author of two amazing books. Read Me Dead and Piercing Through the Darkness. Below you will have an opportunity to win a fun give away pack, so be sure to read all the way down!!!
With out further ado...
Emerald, Welcome!
I think Christian Fiction writers always have an amazing God moment or two when they write their stories. Did you have one? What was it?
I agree. And yes, I did. While I was writing Read Me Dead, I totally freaked out. I began doubting myself and my work. Honestly, I spent a lot of time in tears. And then one day, I kind of had a revelation. God wouldn’t have put me on this path if He didn’t have plans for me. After that, I stayed in prayer and persevered through it.
Why did you choose to write Read Me Dead in first person, present tense point of view?
Well, I had originally written it in third person, past tense. It wasn’t working because I felt like I had too many points of view, and I needed to strongly dismiss those. I wanted it to be more mysterious, especially since I didn’t want people figuring out who the killer was too early in the book. So, I took all of that out and wrote it in first person. It worked better to me, and I felt like that was what the reader needed to see. I wanted people to understand why Alex was the way she was. As far as present tense, I thought it would help with the suspense. If the reader feels like s/he’s right there, reading it in present tense, I thought it would help the tension. The decision wasn’t taken lightly. I can promise you that.
Are any of your characters based on a real person? Can you tell us who?
They aren’t. I don’t really draw from real-life inspiration. Unless you count me writing my guys as someone I wish was real. ;)
Your dialog was spot-on for the age of your characters. How did you do that?
Thank you. I read a lot of young adult fiction, and that helped. But, I have friends who are teens and talking to them really helped out. It’s easier to keep up with what the kids say these days when you’re texting or talking to them all the time. J
What inspired you to write this story? It seems like something that could have really happened.
Read Me Dead was inspired by a dream that I had. All I dreamed about at the time was a young girl being chased by a killer because of something that she’d said. I had written this story a few times before my finished product, focusing on a robbery gone wrong, but it just never worked out. Until, I had a new idea. Alex saw the murder of her parents, and she had this terrible secret about who the killer is. I tried to keep it as realistic as possible. I didn’t want it to seem like it couldn’t really happen. It just didn’t seem right to me to write it that way.
What are your hobbies, other interests besides writing?
I’m a huge fan of TV. I love watching it and movies. I read, which is probably obvious. ;) And, I like to crochet, believe it or not. I’m not a very creative person (outside of writing that is), but this is one thing that I like to do. It keeps me focused on that instead of my mind racing with editing ideas or new stories. Sometimes, I need that break.
Can you tell us something interesting about you that most people do not know?
It may not be interesting, but I sing. I used to sing in church all of the time, but I quit that when we changed churches. However, now, I believe God is calling me back to singing. So, I’ll probably be picking that back up soon-ish.
Thanks for hosting me, Lynn! It’s been a pleasure being on your blog! J
I love it that this story, Read Me Dead, started with a dream. I believe dreams are how God contacts us sometimes.
Check out Emerald's other book: Piercing Through The Darkness. It is excellent. I have read both and recommend them to any body who loves a good story.
Here's a little peek into Read Me Dead and Piercing Through The Darkness. And how to buy them online.
Alexia Wheaton’s problems go far beyond picking a dress and a date for the homecoming dance.
For seven years, Alex has lived with a painful memory - the memory of her parents' horrific murder. As the sole witness, she has kept quiet about the identity of the murderer to protect herself and her family and friends, but when a journalist over hears her secret and writes about it in the local newspaper, Alex is plagued with fear that her parents' murderer will soon find her - and silence her forever.
Alex is catapulted into a race against time to save her own life and bring her parents' murderer to justice. She will face many secrets, lies, and betrayals before the truth about their murder is revealed.
For seven years, Alex has lived with a painful memory - the memory of her parents' horrific murder. As the sole witness, she has kept quiet about the identity of the murderer to protect herself and her family and friends, but when a journalist over hears her secret and writes about it in the local newspaper, Alex is plagued with fear that her parents' murderer will soon find her - and silence her forever.
Alex is catapulted into a race against time to save her own life and bring her parents' murderer to justice. She will face many secrets, lies, and betrayals before the truth about their murder is revealed.
It’s on the edge of her memory like a word on the tip of her tongue, but Kandi can’t remember what it is to save her life.
Despite being a cop, Jimmy can’t protect Kandi from the one thing that haunts her. She’s in danger and doesn’t even know it. After it happened, her brain repressed her memories of the accident, and now, she’s taking a Biology class under a man who wants to see her dead. The memories have started coming back, and it feels like she’s miles away from him. How can he protect her when she doesn’t even know she needs protecting?
Can these characters pierce their way through the darkness?
Despite being a cop, Jimmy can’t protect Kandi from the one thing that haunts her. She’s in danger and doesn’t even know it. After it happened, her brain repressed her memories of the accident, and now, she’s taking a Biology class under a man who wants to see her dead. The memories have started coming back, and it feels like she’s miles away from him. How can he protect her when she doesn’t even know she needs protecting?
Can these characters pierce their way through the darkness?
Enter to win this Summer Fun Prize Pack!
About Emerald Barnes:
She mainly writes suspense/thrillers in the YA genre, but she dabbles in other genres and her books are enjoyed by all ages! She's constantly working on new novels and has more ideas than she knows what to do with. She blogs at emeraldbarnes.blogspot.com
and ebarnes23.wordpress.com which takes up more of her time than she anticipates but loves it so very much! She's also a volunteer at the World Literary Cafe which is so amazing!
She's an auntie to two beautiful nieces and two handsome nephews (and another unknown gender coming by the end of 2013) who take up the other half of her time, but she couldn't imagine spending her time in any other way!
She's a Whovian, a little bit of a nerd, a reader, a writer, and a family-oriented person. God is number one in her life, and she thanks Him continuously for His love and favor.
She's an auntie to two beautiful nieces and two handsome nephews (and another unknown gender coming by the end of 2013) who take up the other half of her time, but she couldn't imagine spending her time in any other way!
She's a Whovian, a little bit of a nerd, a reader, a writer, and a family-oriented person. God is number one in her life, and she thanks Him continuously for His love and favor.
Stay up to date with her at her Website, Twitter, and Facebook. You can also find her on Goodreads , Google+, and stay up to date with her releases on her Amazon Author Page.
***Author’s note: If the ganxy html code doesn’t work for the buy links, here are my links without the html code.***
Read Me Dead
Piercing Through the Darkness
