One of our most anticipated reads of 2009 is Blue Diablo by Ann Aguirre, so when we were contacted a few weeks ago and asked if we wanted to be part of her Blog Tour we immediately said yes. And we are very pleased to give the floor to Ann Aguirre!
Hello, and thanks. I’m tremendously excited as the countdown clock rolls down toward release day for BLUE DIABLO. Ana and Thea posted a blurb on Sunday, so you already know my urban fantasy centers around Corine Solomon, who possesses the gift of psychometry.
Instead of offering a soliloquy about the size of crickets in my backyard (and how the cats drag them in to startle me), I’m going to do something a little different. I’ve done blog interviews before, but I’ve never framed it like this. Usually, the blog hosts ask me a certain number of questions, I answer them, and it limits what readers can say about the matter.
Today, we turn the interview up to eleven. Here’s what we’re going to do. You, dear reader, are free to ask me whatever you like (within reason). I reserve the right to refuse to answer on the grounds it may incriminate me (or others), but most things, I’m sure I’ll be happy to ramble on about. Ask about my writing, living in Mexico, my pets, my vacation plans, what I’m writing, how I write, or whatever strikes your fancy. To make this super-interactive, I’ll be stopping in all day to answer your questions, and hold a dialog with you. So let’s get started!
And for those who leave a question by Midnight PST we have something special to sweeten the deal: Ann is generously offering 5 ARCs of Blue Diablo. Here are Teh Rules:
a) winners promise to post a honest review online somewhere by April 8th (see d);
b) winners will be selected within 24hrs;
c) winners will be contacted via email by Azteclady (Ann’s wonderful promotion wiz) , therefore a valid email address must be provided for the comment to be entered in the giveaway;
d) winners must send link to online review to either Ann or AztecLady by April 8th;
e) we will announce the winners tomorrow, Thursday by midday Eastern on this very same post so check back here! We will also have them in the sidebar.
So, let’s get this party started shall we? Ask away (but remember to play nice) and good luck!
ETA: ANN SELECTED THE WINNERS AND THEY ARE:
Jennygirl
Katiebabs
Michele Lee
Lori T
Leslee
CONGRATULATIONS! AZTECLADY WILL CONTACT YOU FOR YOUR CONTACT DETAILS! THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR WONDERFUL QUESTIONS AND ANN FOR THE AWESOME ANSWERS! THIS WAS UTTERLY FASCINATING!
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84 Responses to Blue Diablo Virtual Tour: Guest Blog with Ann Aguirre and Big ARC Giveaway
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Ann, are you going to be at RWA again this year? And if so, do you plan to do any panels or workshops?
hum…maybe you already answers that one but why
but not that !
psychometry ?
I find that original lately we have a lot of everything
arggggg forgot the adress
Rosie, yes, I’m attending RWA. I’m really looking forward to seeing everyone again.
This year, I was fortunate enough to find have two panels selected. I’m now 3/3 in the proposal arena. Titles are:
High-Octane Kisses: Writing Action with Heart
(with Carrie Lofty, Elisabeth Naughton, and my agent, Laura Bradford)
and
The Billionaire Tycoon’s Secret Promotional Baby: Making the Most of Online Marketing (with Carrie Lofty, Smart Bitch Sarah, Jane Litte, and Barb Ferrer)
Pidute, that’s an excellent question. First, because of the rarity of it. We see a lot of telepathy, mind-reading and foretelling. I can think of many series that offer those, so I wanted to do something different. That’s also why there are no vamps, weres or fairies in my UF. If I was going to tackle UF, I did my best to make it unique, so readers wouldn’t go, “Hm, I feel like I’ve read this before.” My fingers are crossed that people will think the Corine Solomon series is fresh, original, and different.
Also, since it relies on touch, psychometry offers the perfect vehicle for building a price into the use of the ability. I belief in checks and balances. For every wonderful, amazing gift, my characters will generally have a setback or a fault. There’s no free lunch. So if you can read minds, then something hideous goes along with it. I can’t say more without revealing too much about the book, I think. I hope that answers your question!
it does ,thank you and i must say ,NO VAMPS ? Whouhou ,i am all vamp out!
I would love to enter…. but I can’t think of a good question.
Apparently, my brain is not working yet this morning.
Would you tell me about living in Mexico? The closest that I have ever been is Mexican Village in Detroit.
Thanks,
Lys
I’m intrigued! I’ve been enjoying read more UF and paranormals that are going beyond vampires.
Please don’t enter me in the contest as I can’t promise that I can review it by 4/8, so I’ll get my own copy
You write such amazing stories set in different worlds. Have you ever considered writing just a contemporary romance w/o paranormal, urban fantasy, etc. elements? Or do you prefer the challenge of creating your own worlds and rules?
Please don’t enter me in la contest. Just stopping in to say hi to Ann – Hi, Ann!
Hi Ann,
I wanted to ask about your method. So many authors either plot it all out or know the beginning and maybe the end but find it more exciting to figure out the middle as they go along. Which are you? And how do you schedule your day? I have one kid in school and one at home. So I wonder how to find the time to write.
Thanks! Looking forward to reading Blue Diablo as I love everything you have done so far!!!
It say in your bio that you have been a clown ,what was that like and really how did you feel disguising yourself as one of the scariest being in the universe ? (I blame Stephen King!)
Lys asked, “Would you tell me about living in Mexico?”
Absolutely. We’ve been here for four years now. (I can’t believe how fast the time has gone!) This required me to learn Spanish; I’d taken three years of it in high school and a semester in college, so it wasn’t totally foreign to me. I’m somewhere between conversational and fluent now. The weather is lovely, nearly always warm and sunny (except during the rainy season).
I adore living in the mountains. There’s a mall we got to called La Cuspide (roughly means the Summit) and it’s at the top of a peak. The design of it is open, so you can stand and look out over the the countryside. Such an amazing view!
The people are very friendly, and the pace is slower than the US. The one downside to living here is that I don’t get to sign books as often as I’d like. But I sure enjoy it when I do.
Chris, I hope everyone feels that way! I know vamps are very popular, but they’re represented amply in the market already. However, if you’re madly curious about what a vamp story by me would be like, you can find one in the upcoming second Mammoth Book Vampire Romance.
Stacy asked: “Have you ever considered writing just a contemporary romance w/o paranormal, urban fantasy, etc. elements? Or do you prefer the challenge of creating your own worlds and rules?”
*leans in* Well, I did write a contemporary and nobody wanted to buy it. So either I’m not very good at it, or the market wasn’t what it needed to be in order for them to take a chance.
My Ava Gray books say “contemporary” on my contract, but they do have what I consider paranormal elements (but not vamps or weres). They’re taut and dark and very sexy.
*waves to KMont* Thanks so much for stopping by!
Leslee asked, “Which are you? And how do you schedule your day?”
I know some writers swear by their muse, but I write on a schedule. Without discipline, I would never meet my deadlines. So my process is pretty simple. I start with a core idea: a tagline if you will. The book I’m working on right now would be “Equalizer meets X-men, has crazy sex with Punisher premise, and then lives happily ever after.” I’m not a plotter. I know authors who have great success with outlines and such, but I find if I think it all out beforehand, it removes so much of the magic that I don’t care to write the story anymore (because I already know everything that happens.) That’s part of the joy in writing for me — figuring it all out.
Once I have that tagline: I build characters (or sometimes they spring ready-made from my head like Zeus / Athena). I almost always have the start point firmly in mind (ie, rednecks chasing the heroine, or prison break, etc) and the end point. Sometimes I even write the end before the book is done. Then I just need to work out the middle bits, what happens between points A and C (or possibly D, E, or F.). I’ve done that with my last three books, in fact, and it’s worked wonderfully.
As for work, I write from 9-2:30, when it’s time for me to go pick the kids up from school. Hopefully, I will have met my 3K a day word count by that point, as the afternoon turns into a flurry of activities, errands, helping with homework, and then dinner. Typically we’ll do something as a family afterward for an hour or two: talk, play a game, or watch some TV.
If I fell shy, then I get back to work in the early evening and make up the difference. When I’m working on a project, I live by 3K a day. Then I let it sit for a bit before going back to see what I need to fix. If I need a second opinion before turning it in, I have my beta reader or one of my crit partners look at it. If I’m confident of the book, it goes straight to Laura Bradford, my agent, and Anne Sowards or Cindy Hwang, my editors.
Pidute asked, “what was that like and really how did you feel disguising yourself as one of the scariest being in the universe?”
It was pretty awful, actually, as I’m afraid of clowns. This was a college job. I’d dress up in the suit, do my makeup and put on the shoes — and then drive to various gas station grand openings to give out free balloons and hot dogs to the kids. You should have seen the other drivers double-take when we passed on the road.
Thanks Ann! I really appreciate you taking the time to tell us how the magic happens!!! I love Jax by the way! I really enjoyed that short story you did about the assassin from the Jax books! Would love to see more from his point of view!
Leslee, I’m so pleased you enjoyed EXILE’S LAMENT! I’d like to write a book (or a novella) for Vel, but I won’t get the chance until after Jax wraps up. I’m hoping to sell two more books in the series.
Hey Ann!
How do you start a book? Not, where do you get your ideas, but how do you develop them into something that can support a book?
Hi, Ann!
Just wondering where you are on the next Jax book?
I’m so wondering about Vel now. And of course, Jax & March.
btw…ok to not enter me into the contest. Don’t think I should take books with review deadline until I honor Carrie’s for What a Scoundrel Wants…which I’m rereading!
I know…I suck.
Also…love that you’re on Twitter! Love the impromptu & unstructured…ness…heh…of interacting with others there!
A friend of mine lives in Merida and says the Mayan 2012 calendar/end of the world thing is a ripe topic of discussion in Mexico (it is just a trivia question here). Have you heard much on the topic and if so what do you think?
I would love to review this book and promise to have it done by April 8th. Here is my questions:
Where do you like to take your vacation?
Thanks so much Ann and have a great day!
Do you have a dream vacation spot?
Do your vacations ever give you ideas for your writing, like locale, or characters?
I imagine as much as you want to relax, you can’t help thinking about your next project or idea.
And I love vacation whihc is why I chose this as my question
Jess asked, “How do you start a book? Not, where do you get your ideas, but how do you develop them into something that can support a book?”
Mostly, I take that tagline idea and run with it. I accept that my first drafts will be a terrible mess and I just write until I have something that resembles a book in terms of word count. Then I revise, revise, revise, until what I’ve written is shiny.
dd03 asked, “Just wondering where you are on the next Jax book?”
Doubleblind is finished, polished, and in the production queue. I still have copy edits and galleys to do on it. The book comes out in October. Killbox is also finished and has been turned in. I’m awaiting revision notes on that one. It comes out next year in Oct.
I like chatting on Twitter too!
whoops! forgot my website
Doug asked, “Have you heard much on the topic and if so what do you think?”
To be honest, in my circles, nobody is talking about 2012 or the Mayan prophecy. It’s no more a widespread concern than the minority who were convinced Y2K was going to destroy the world. It makes for an interesting plot device, of course, offering an excuse to write a post-apocalyptic novel set in the near future.
If I’m wrong, I won’t be around to hear about it. *g*
How many books are you planning for the Corrine Solomon series? Are all of the books going to be set in the same location or will Corrine be moving around and seeing the world?
Thanks for the opportunity to win an ARC!!
Katie
Jenny girl asked, “Where do you like to take your vacation? Do you have a dream vacation spot? Do your vacations ever give you ideas for your writing, like locale, or characters?”
We often vacation in Mexico because there are so many amazing locales within driving distance. I hate airports now that the new security measures make it frightening and invasive to fly. So anytime we can swing it, I push for car trips. We’ve been to Puerto Vallarta, Cozumel, Cancun, Acapulco, Puebla, Catemaco, Cuernavaca…
The kids are having their spring break in a couple of weeks, and we’re going to Queretaro this time. It’s two hours north with a lovely historic district. I’m very excited, as Puebla was a big hit for the same reasons.
As for my dream vacation, I would LOVE to do one of those world tours, where you visit a crazy number of countries in a month, including Europe, the far east and Australia. If I can get my husband to take the time off, we’ll do it in a few years.
Yes, I often use our vacations for research. In fact, our trip to Catemaco –and my experience on a remote island, being blessed by a white witch– will be used in the third Corine Solomon novel, SHADY LADY.
Katie asked, “How many books are you planning for the Corine Solomon series? Are all of the books going to be set in the same location or will Corine be moving around and seeing the world?”
I don’t really have a finite number, but the story arc I have planned to date will require at least six books. If the series does well (and I can keep writing them without suffering loss of quality), there’s no telling how long the series will run.
Locations vary. Book one takes place in Mexico and Texas. Book two takes place in Georgia. Book three will be split between Mexico and Texas again. Book four will be set in the UK. (Hello, research trip! My husband promised we’d go so I can take pictures and make notes.)
Hi Ann ~ thanks for taking the time to answer questions.
Do you work on one series at a time or do you switch off – write some Jax, write some Corine, write some Ava Gray? If you do switch off, how do you keep everything straight?
Thanks!
Leslie asked, “Do you work on one series at a time or do you switch off – write some Jax, write some Corine, write some Ava Gray? If you do switch off, how do you keep everything straight?”
Unless my schedule has become utterly snarled, I write one book at a time. Multitasking isn’t a strong point for me. For instance, I wrote Killbox (Jax 4), then I did final, editor-requested revisions on Doubleblind (Jax 3). Then I revised Killbox before turning it in. After checking those books off my to-do list, I moved on to Skin Tight, which is the second Ava Gray romance. I’m writing that currently, and am past the halfway point.
Hi Ann. Love your books.
How does living somewhere new (mexico) influence what you write or your writing process? Do you have to experience (more or less) the cultures you write about or do you specifically look outward for ideas?
All this talk of warm, beautiful mexico has me stomping my feet in jealousy (or maybe thats just me trying to stay warm in the frigid northeast… sometimes its hard to tell.)
Thanks, Amy! She asked, “How does living somewhere new (mexico) influence what you write or your writing process? Do you have to experience (more or less) the cultures you write about or do you specifically look outward for ideas?”
In the Corine Solomon series, I did particularly want to make use of the experience I gained, living as an expat. I’ve been exposed to a great deal of Mexican culture that doesn’t typically make it into mainstream entertainment. For instance, here in Mexico, there’s a pervasive belief / acceptance in the supernatural that runs in a natural lockstep alongside Catholicism, a certain tolerance, too.
I don’t always write what I’ve experienced. In the Jax books, for instance, I made it all up. When people tell me the books are lacking in hard science, I go, “Well, yeah.” I felt like there were plenty of hard science concept books out there, but fewer character driven SF stories that women would feel comfortable reading. That’s what I was trying to do.
Hi Ann,
Sounds like a fascinating book. As both a reader and a writer of paranormals, I’m always looking for the new and different idea.
Two questions:
Have you ever met anyone who has your protagonist’s unusual talent? (and thanks, BTW, I was trying to come up with the word for that the other day, and couldn’t remember it!)
And is there a particular part of Mexico that is the most famous for Aztec ruins? I’m writing a series where the first book involved the Anasazi and the second will revolve around the Aztec. I’d love to take a research trip, but it’s not likely to happen:-)
Hi, Ann,
I was wondering what influenced you to become a writer? Was it always a passion for you or was it just something you stumbled onto and discovered you could do well? Did any authors inspire you? Who are your favorites?
Thanks very much!
Deborah asked, “Have you ever met anyone who has your protagonist’s unusual talent? (and thanks, BTW, I was trying to come up with the word for that the other day, and couldn’t remember it!)
And is there a particular part of Mexico that is the most famous for Aztec ruins?”
No, I’ve never met anyone who said they could read an object by touch.
The most famous Mayan ruins (I’ve visited them) are at Chichén Itzá. There’s also Tulum, Xel-Ha, Uxmal, Yaxchilán (near Guatemala in Chiapas, Mexico), Kabah, Labna, Ek Balam, Cobá, Dzibilchaltún, Palenque, Bonampak, Toniná, and San Gervasio. To get the most bang for your buck, you’ll want to explore the Yucatan peninsula where there’s a high concentration of ruins. Chiapas has the second highest concentration.
Caitlin asked, “I was wondering what influenced you to become a writer? Was it always a passion for you or was it just something you stumbled onto and discovered you could do well? Did any authors inspire you? Who are your favorites?”
I always wanted to write. When I was 9, I wrote my first book, which won a prize and sent me to state finals. At this event I had the pleasure of listening to Shel Silverstein read from Where the Sidewalk Ends. Thrill of my life!
I don’t know if this counts as inspiration, but I look to Nora Robers for her work ethic.
As for books, well…it would take forever if I made this exhaustive because books are my great love. I do read across genres. Some of my favorite authors include:
Mystery: Julia Spencer-Fleming, James Lee Burke, Casey Daniels
Science fiction: David Brin, Neal Stephenson, Jack McDevitt, Connie Willis, CS Friedman, Douglas Adams, Walter Jon Williams
Fantasy: Jeri Smith-Ready, Sharon Shinn, Patricia McKillip, Robin McKinley, Neil Gaiman, George RR Martin, Pauline Alama, Kelley Armstrong, Patricia Briggs, Jim Butcher, Charlaine Harris
Romance: Anya Bast, Lauren Dane, Eileen Wilks, Nalini Singh, Lara Adrian, Eve Kenin, Larissa Ione, Nora Roberts, Amie Stuart, Connie Brockway, Kresley Cole, Meljean Brook, Madeline Hunter, Carrie Lofty, Anne Stuart, Linda Howard…
Whew. I have to stop. Just too many to list.
Wow, there are some really good questions out there. Thanks Ann for giving us a peek into your process and now I am in serious withdrawl for some Jax and March!!!!!
Yep, I’m having loads of fun today. Leslee, I’m tingly with anticipation for my Doubleblind cover art. I’m thinking I should be getting it soon, like within the month.
There have been so many interesting questions and answers. I’m always fascinated to know how a writer works.
I would like to know what your writing environment is like. Where is your office and how is it set up?
Thanks
So if Corine touched, say my cabbage patch kid, she would know all about me?
Hi! My question is how do you keep track of the characters appearance & personality as well as say buildings they visit? 3×5 cards? Notebook?
Wow, I am loving to read all the questions!
A big thank you to Ann for being around the whole day, this is really great! I love your list of favorite authors – another Neil Gaiman fan I see!
I am going to add a question to the pot – a silly one, granted but I know from your blog that you wanted to watch it so: have you seen Watchmen yet? Like? Dislike?
1. You rock!
2. Thank you so much for adding multi-racial aspects to UF without them means to be weird ethnic/exotic stereotypes.
3. Any tips for someone who also wants to use the spectrum of humanity in their work?
Patricia asked, “I would like to know what your writing environment is like. Where is your office and how is it set up?”
Oh great, I get to break out the visual aids: Office picture 1
Office picture 2
That’s the setup, except that computer is now attached to the big screen (We watch TV on the internet) in the living room and I have an adorable indigo Imac. It’s ancient, but I <3 it.
Well bugger! My links didn’t work. Lemme try this:
http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/2276/office2se5.jpg
http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/2835/office1jx6.jpg
Katiebabs asked, “So if Corine touched, say my cabbage patch kid, she would know all about me?”
It depends on how attached you were to said doll and whether she dropped her mental barriers to read it. Otherwise she would be bombarded with impressions all day long.
Hope asked, “My question is how do you keep track of the characters appearance & personality as well as say buildings they visit? 3×5 cards? Notebook?”
I use my mighty, mighty brain. No charts, cards, lists or anything.
http://annaguirre.livejournal.com/1236.html Ana, that’s my commentary on Watchmen.
Michele, I think SF and fantasy tend to be more welcoming of different skin tones (in comparison to romance). So you’re in the right genre, at least. I’m really pleased about having two of Corine’s love interests not be white-bread.
So many good questions have already been asked. Okay here is my question…do you listen to music while you write or do you like it quiet?
Poppy asked, “do you listen to music while you write or do you like it quiet?”
Each book has a playlist, and I listen to those songs in a loop to maintain my mood. I’ve also been known to shut curtains and blinds so as not to become distracted.