Saturday, July 9, 2011

Interview with Katie Salidas Author of "Vampire Bites" now on tour

Please Join me today as I interview Katie Salidas author of "Vampire Bites"

Welcome Katie.

Let’s find out a little about Katie the person…

Are you married, and do you have children?

I’m married to a wonderful man. Though if you ask him, he might say I’m married to my laptop, but that’s an argument for another day.

My hubby is great. Not only is he supportive of my writing, but he is also my idea man and sounding board. Whenever I get stuck, I bounce around ideas with him. Eventually, something sticks and that’s when I leave him for my other love, lol, my computer.

As for kids, yep, I have them too. It’s actually odd for me to say “them” because until just recently, I only had one. Now, however, we are expecting #2!! And, of course, we are all excited. My daughter is already talking about how great a big sister she will be. She’s 7. She’s got a ton of things she wants to teach baby to do. So cute!!

Are the family supportive of the hours you need to spend online?

For the most part, yes. They do threaten to mutiny though if I try to work weekends. I try to find the balance though between writing and family. It’s hard some days, but even when I’m knee-deep in a story, I still make time for things like: Family game night or Movie night. Dinner time is always a “family time” thing too. You don’t mess with dinner time. LoL.

Social marketing is a must do for an Indie author, tell my readers how much time you dedicate to it on a daily basis?

I don’t think I can sum it up into any particular number as in: I spend x amount of time on each task. Social marketing is all about being social and having an online presence, not really selling your book as you might think. Sure, I post links to my books and links to reviews every now and again, but really, most of my activity online is just being social. Basically, I try to hit each social networking stop every day. The more visible you are, the more people can get to know you. That goes a lot farther to help sell books than just posting random “Hey, buy my book,” links.

For example, first thing in the morning, while I’m getting munchkin ready for school, I might log on to Facebook, check some status updates and make a few comments. Then, while eating breakfast, I might pop into Twitter. After that, I might swing by Goodreads and Kindleboards. I try to get a new blog post in every day but some days I just don’t have time. Then, after all of that, I have emails to respond too and critiques to return. Once that is all done, I make sure there is time for writing. I don’t set daily word count goals, but if I can get a chapter completed in one session (3-5k words) I feel pretty accomplished. Please note, I rarely get a full chapter done in one session, more like two or three. After writing is done, I make the social networking rounds again. If I have time, I add in another writing session.

How do you manage to create new work with the demands made on your time with marketing?

I do try to make time for writing each day. Some day’s its hard and some days it’s easier. If you write every day you’ll find the story is finished in no time!

Are you a plotter or a panster?

Oh, I’m a total pantser! My muse demands it. Whenever I have tried to plot out a story, my muse stomps her foot and refuses to let me write. Talk about writer’s block!! But, when I just free-write, I can get a lot more work done. That’s not to say I don’t have to re-write a lot when I write myself into a corner, but it’s what works for me.

You are an avid supporter of Indie writers and often post marketing tips on your blog, is this reciprocated by other Indie Authors?

The Indie community as a whole is a wonderful social network filled with authors sharing information and helping one another. Let me put it to you this way. Self-Publishing used to be a dirty word. It was the mark of poorly-edited work and rushed stories. It is because the community is so helpful and forthcoming with knowledge that our work collectively has improved. We all share knowledge about editors, cover artist, writing and marketing tips, etc… The more easily accessible the knowledge, the easier it is to make our work better and keep cost down. That improves our standing as a group overall and, I feel, is what is making the indie movement a force to contend with in the publishing world.

Which characters in the Anthology are your favorites and why?

Kendra and Marcus are my current favorites, but that’s just because they were the last ones I wrote about. It’s hard to pick one kid over another, and that is exactly what our characters are. They are like our children. I really had fun with Kendra & Marcus’s story because it was a flip on what you normally get with a paranormal romance. Instead of the Alpha male and the simpering female, you get an Alpha female (who just doesn’t know it yet) and a strong but sensitive male.

Did you draw inspiration from anyone in particular when shaping your characters?

Some characters are based off of people I know, more of that in the Immortalis series; however in this anthology, I took inspiration from types of people rather than actual people.

Your work is sensual, and provocative. Do you find the sexual content comfortable to write?

Oh I love writing about sex, when it fits the story. Some stories are perfect for sex, and then there are others where the focus needs to be elsewhere. Gratuitous sex, while fun, sometimes takes away from the story instead of adding to it. As I write, I try to feel out what works and what doesn’t. You’ll notice each story in this anthology has a different heat level. It’s kind of a “what’s your mood right now” thing.

Share with my readers a brief insight into each of the Three books in the anthology.

A lot of times ideas for stories come from asking questions.

In House of Immortal Pleasures, I ask: Can a night of good sex really heal a broken heart?

In Halloween Fantasies, I ask: Knowing it might very well be deadly, would you pursue your ultimate fantasy?

In Karma & Melodies, I ask: What would you go through for a second chance at love?

Each story answers its specific question.

When did you know that you wanted to be a writer?

I’ve always loved to write. It’s in my blood. As a kid, I used to like to make up stories and have my friends act them out with me. When I got a little older, I used to journal. When I was a teen, I wrote my first full-length story, and promptly lost all the files on our move from Texas to Nevada. Even though that set me back a little, I still wanted to write. I love it! I feel like I was always meant to do this.

Where would you like to see yourself 12 months from today, in terms of your writing?

My ultimate goal is to be able to stay at home with my kids and have writing supporting or supplementing our household income enough to do that. It’s a very realistic goal and I think I can do it!

Please share with my readers the links to where they can purchase your work.

Please stop by www.katiesalidas.com and read a sample or two (You can sample all of my work there). If you like what you see, all of my novels and novellas are available in every ebook format!

Search for me on any of your favorite ebook retailer’s website.

Amazon.com

Amazon UK

Barnes & Noble

Smashwords

About the Author

Katie Salidas is a Super Woman! Endowed with special powers and abilities, beyond those of mortal women, She can get the munchkin off to gymnastics, cheerleading, Girl Scouts, and swim lessons. She can put hot food on the table for dinner while assisting with homework, baths, and bedtime… And, She still finds the time to keep the hubby happy (nudge nudge wink wink). She can do all of this and still have time to write.

And if you can believe all of those lies, there is some beautiful swamp land in Florida for sale…

Katie Salidas resides in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mother, wife, and author, she does try to do it all, often causing sleep deprivation and many nights passed out at the computer. Writing books is her passion, and she hopes that her passion will bring you hours of entertainment.

http://www.katiesalidas.com/

Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Katie-Salidas-Author/214780936916

LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/profile?viewProfile=&key=58814031&trk=tab_pro

Twitter http://twitter.com/QuixoticKatie

Thank you so much for joining me here today. Congratulations on some very fine writing.

Thank you so much for having me here today!

Join Katie on her next blog stop at...July 10 – Susan K Mann – Book Excerpt.

The tour is presented by The Bookish Snob Promotions.

3 comments:

  1. Great interview! I always enjoy reading about a total pantser. If I had to outline and plot every scene, I wouldn't be a writer. There would be no fun left.

    Katie has the perfect take on social media. It has its place, but it shouldn't be done with a hammer.

    I'll have to mosey over and check out Katie's books.

    Thank you for this interview, both of you fine people.

    Blaze

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  2. Katie, you love writing about sex and I love reading it, I think we could be friends.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks so much for stopping in and reading this interview. What great questions!!

    Blaze, being a pantser is hard work but it's the only way I can write. And I agree, it does make it fun. Who knows what will work and what wont. It's fun going on the adventures with your characters as you write their story.

    Krysykat, Perfect combination. I do love reading a good erotic story too. They are wonderful little guilty pleasures, aren't they?

    ReplyDelete

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