3 S.R. Johannes: Win Kirsten Miller's Eternal Ones - Signed!

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Win Kirsten Miller's Eternal Ones - Signed!

The winners of The Duff ARCs are (actually I only had 2 books so Natalie email me offline and I'll find something great for you!):

1 Laura Pauling (signed)
2 Sharon Mayhew
3 Natalie Bahm
(email me for your choice- sorry :(

Congrads and email me your addresses sjohannes@bilaninc.com!

Today, we have Kirsten Miller (also author of Kiki Strike novels) who dropped by to answer a few questions. You can also visit her blog.

Win a signed hardback of Eternal Ones. Just comment on the post and tell me: If past lives were real, what/who do you think you were? (only open to US residents)

Hi Kirsten, thanks for stopping by. Tell us about you as an author. Tell us about Eternal Ones (in 140 characters :)

Much like my books, I appear normal at first glance and get increasingly weirder the more you get to know me. (Or so I’ve been told.) I’ve always found myself drawn to odd facts and ideas that make the world seem more magical. Which is probably why all of my novels follow heroines who accidentally discover that beneath the ordinary often lies something quite extraordinary.

For instance . . .

The Eternal Ones is a twisted tale of past lives, passion, and sinister secret societies that asks the question: Does true love ever die?

(All that with three characters to spare!)

What inspired the idea for Kiki series? Eternal Ones?

Before I wrote the Kiki series, I used to daydream about a girl mastermind who secretly controlled New York City. Over time, the character started to become increasingly real to me. She was the sort of girl I always wanted to be—powerful, enigmatic, and good with a bazooka. I started writing Kiki Strike to entertain myself, and I never really expected anyone else would ever read it.

The Eternal Ones was the result of a life-long fascination with reincarnation. If it were real, reincarnation would explain so much—déjà vu, phobias, child prodigies, and (of course) love at first sight. I also wanted to write a book that was set in the two worlds I love best—the rural South (where I grew up) and New York (where I’ve lived since I was seventeen).

Every author has some kind of ritual when they write. What is your writing process like? What do you need in your creative writing process?


I write in mad spurts, and these days I would be unable to function without my drug of choice: Manhattan Special. What is it, you ask? Only the most delicious and potent espresso soda available over the counter. I don’t know if you can get it anywhere but Brooklyn. (It’s even hard to find here.) It’s been made and bottled by the same little family for over 100 years. I love it so much that I’m thinking of giving them a shout out in one of my books. Not for money (never for money!) but out of pure love and sincere appreciation.

Did you ever get rejections or feel like giving up? If so, how did you get through it?

I struggle with self-doubt every single day. I don’t need an actual rejection to question my worth as a writer. (Though I’ve experienced plenty to be sure.) Some days it’s almost impossible to soldier through, and I begin to fantasize about other careers. (I’d really like to be an auto mechanic.) But usually I’ll end up having an idea that amuses me so much that I can’t wait to get it on paper. And that will make writing fun again.

What is the most creative thing you have done to market your book?

When the second Kiki Strike book (The Empress’s Tomb) came out, I commissioned a street artist to draw an enormous rat-filled sinkhole on a sidewalk near the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan. I’m not sure if it sold any books, but I really enjoyed watching pedestrians stop, stare, and try to step around it.

We know you are really, really good at writing, but what is something that you are you really, really bad at?


Gee, thanks! I am really, really bad at lots of things, unfortunately. Singing, organic chemistry, dusting, dancing, spelling (boy am I a terrible speller), and cooking chicken to name just a few.

I’m particularly bad at keeping plants alive. I am responsible for the deaths of countless orchids, cacti, and ferns. I love them, and I try my best to save them. But the poor little things always shrivel up and die the moment I come near. I worry I may have to answer for these atrocities some day.

I am a terrible folder of laundry. I just fold them in way they come out. What is your biggest fear?

Excellent question. The older I get, the more I fear being eaten by something much larger than myself. (Armchair psychologists will have a field day with this one.) Sharks, bears, sumo wrestlers—I do my best to avoid them all.

I’m also terrified of spiders and millipedes. Especially millipedes. **Shudder** I hope none of my enemies are reading this.

You can read an excerpt of Eternal Ones

42 comments:

Jamie Manning said...

Great interview! I do believe in past lives...and I think since I have such a powerful, strong connection to dogs, I was probably a dog in my past life!

bclement412 said...

Nice interview. As for past lives.... I'm sort of undecided. It would be nice to think we've all had past lives before.

throuthehaze said...

Great interview! I actually do not believe in past lives.

Alex Bennett from Electrifying Reviews said...

Definitely! I think I must have been an Asian princess. Even though I am not Asian... or a girl.

Anonymous said...

Since I believe in reincarnation, I absolutely believe in past lives. ;) But I don't know who I might've been. Although I like to think I spent a LOT of time in the British Isles. =]

Lena1xoxo said...

LOL, millipedes and spiders?! AHHHH!!!

*runs away*

As far as past lives go, I don't believe in it, but I'm going to pretend I do anyway because this is such a fun question. I think I was Catherine Howard in a past life. I was a young, foolish Queen, forced to marry a fat jerk, and died because I feel in love with one of the staff. Yup, totally me. :P

*crosses fingers*

Thanks for hosting this. I love you and your wicked awesome contests! :D

Precious said...

Great interview! I didn't always believe in past life. But in the past few months, someone convinced me that there is. I think I was still a girl with a different life, who grew up and who fell for the same guy.

Kirsten Miller said...

Hi,

Thanks so much for the interview, Shelli! Everyone who's interested in learning about their past lives should drop by my blog!

http://theeternalones.wordpress.com/

It's all just for fun, of course. But, hey, maybe I'm on to something.

Kirsten Miller

Natalie said...

Thanks so much Shelli! I'm super excited to read The Duff.

I can honestly say I've never heard of someone being afraid of millipedes before! It's a good fear to have though because there aren't too many millipedes around-- I think I've only seen 1 or 2 in my life. But I've heard great things about The Eternal Ones. Great interview Shelli.

Jessie Harrell said...

Lovely interview - the Eternal Ones sounds like it needs to be on my TBR shelf for sure!
I love the idea of past lives and am exploring it in my current WIP, but I can't tell you whether I truly believe it or not. I can tell you it'd be really cool if we were reincarnated. Would explain a lot about my oldest dd who acts like she's a reincarnated (and moody) princess.

Khelsea @ Once upon a review said...

Interesting interview. Ahh i hate folding laudry! ^.^

Im not 100% sure if i believe in past lives. I guess I really like the idea of it more.
If i had a past life I would have probably been an egyptian queen :)
i LOVE egypt!

Janet Johnson said...

Such a fun interview! I'm totally a plant killer, too.

Trini said...

I'm a horrible speller also. Everyone always feaks when they ask me to spell something out loud and I just go blank. They think just because I read a bunch that it would make me a spell champ but I have to write the words down to spell it correctly. I know wierd.

I've had this book on my TBR pile, it seems like forever. It sound really good! I can't wait to read it!

Meradeth Houston said...

Fun interview! As for past lives, I'm not really sure what I think. It's a cool concept to think about though :) And if I did have a past life, I was probably a Native American, which might explain why I love studying them now.

Natalie Aguirre said...

Great interview. It's interesting that Kirsten still has self doubt after a becoming a published author. It'll be comforting to know I'm not alone in feeling that if I ever get published.

I'd love to go to King Arthur times because of more interest in magic. Though I'm not sure I'd like the role of women back then. That's why it's hard for me to think of going back in time.

Jessica said...

I've actually thought about this before. I always joked with my husband that I was a princess or queen lol. The idea that we could have existed before is fascinating!

I MUST read this book!!

Kristi Faith said...

I can't wait to read this. :0) Sounds so intriguing :0) So, as for past lives I think we definitely have an imprint from our ancestors when we're born....I think I must have lived during the times when Rome was conquering the world.

Dorothy Dreyer said...

Great interview. I always blame my fear of suffocation on a past life, if one exists, lol. I have a theory that I was drowned or choked or something and that experience carried over to this life. But who knows.

(Don't enter me in the contest; I live outside the US ... for now.)

Kelly said...

Great interview! I actually don't believe in past lives. I guess I like to think I'm a unique, one of a kind person. But if I wish I was someone it would have to be a member of the nobility from the Middle Ages. I have always loved that period of history. It just seems so exciting, although I think I would have a hard time living without modern conveniences...Thanks so much for hosting! :D
kghobbs(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I LOVED the interview!!!

I think that you probably did something bad to change the world, because I have all of these ideas on I can change the world.

cleemckenzie said...

This book has been on my list, so now it has moved to the top for my summer enjoyment.

As to past lives . . . I wish I'd been someone talented and generous and able to leave wisdom behind. My hunch is I was probably a gardener, but maybe at some palace where the roses won all kinds of prizes? Dream on, Lee.

Kayla :) said...

Hmm. I'd like to think I was someone important. Amerlia Earhart? Then there's also the possibility I could have been a princess ;) This book looks so good!

Anonymous said...

Ooh, awesome interview ! The cover of this book is simple...And I really like it !

If past lives were real, I honestly have no idea who I would be or think I was. I would probably be someone who invented something or someone famous. I honestly have no clue !

Thanks for the giveaway!

~Alison
lostinbelieving(at)yahoo(dot)com

Martina Boone said...

Congrats to the winners!

I have always been drawn to old movies from the mid 30s to late 40s. The same applies to music from this era. I sometimes wonder if there's more to the love of this time period than I know :)

Marissa

Taffy said...

A ninja, kick butt, sassy, smart princess!

Jennie Englund said...

Yay, Sharon! So glad you won!

Okay, what if I know what my past life wasn't, instead of what it was? I'm certain I was never a pioneer: all that wheat-grinding, and water-pumping, and those snakes!

jpetroroy said...

I think I'd have been a cat-lazing around all day in the sun: they have the right idea!

Jemi Fraser said...

I love this line: powerful, enigmatic, and good with a bazooka!! Awesome :)

I think in any past lives I'd have been an observer of some kind - teacher, reporter, archivist, philosopher...

Riv Re said...

Awesome contest.
I might have been an actress. It's not something I excel in, but I love drama.
Maybe I was a swimmer. It's my favorite sport, and I'm relatively fast.

Jessie Oliveros said...

I'm pretty sure I was a struggling writer trying to raise a family. Wow, talk about serious de ja vu.

Shannon O'Donnell said...

Another great interview, Shelli - as always. Although it may sound crazy, I think I was probably a cat in a past life! :-)

Catch My Words said...

This sounds like an interesting book. I do believe in past lives and think I was an African American slave who was lynched and hung. Although I am white, I've always felt personally offended when people make racial cuts and naturally get along well with black people. In terms of the hanging, I've always had an aversion to anything tight around my neck or wrists. I can't stand turtle necks and seeing someone with tight jewelry around the neck makes me so sick I almost feel dizzy. Yep! I was definitely black.

Dani. said...

If past lives were real I would definately have been a musician. For sure:)

-Dani
lightningstreak123[at]comcast[dot]net

Van Pham said...

great interview, this sounds like an interesting book!

van
Littopandaxpress(at)yahoo(dot)Com

Hannah S. said...

I'd like to think I was something nice in my past life... Nice not necessarily meaning rich... Perhaps a maid? A happy maid!
Love, Hannah
xoxosweeet at yahoo dot com


Thanks!

Ann Marie Wraight said...

Really enjoyed the interview - thanks for sharing it with us!

Erika Powell said...

I was an artist of some kind in my past life. Because for sure I have no artistic talents now.

Sharon K. Mayhew said...

Shelli--Thanks so much for the copy of The Duff! I can't wait to read it. :)

Great interview! I love imagining what I would have been in a past life (if they are true)...I'm pretty sure I was a debutant in the South...I enjoyed you asking what Kristen was not good at.

Please don't enter me in this contest, since I just won a book...I'll have to buy Kirsten's book. :)

Darlyn said...

Woww..The book sounds really great.I think I'm a water-nymph in my past life since i hate water so much, that's why i'm mere human now LOL!

darlyn225 at gmail dot com

Matthew MacNish said...

I came by after seeing you on Lisa and Laura Roecker's vlog, so I guess I'm your newest follower.

Nice to meet you!

Jenn (Books At Midnight) said...

Awesome interview, and thanks for the great contest! Man, I wish I could've seen that rat-infested hole, lol. :)

As for past lives, I really, really hope I was some kick ass Victorian debutante. Stringing along gentlemen is pretty hot. Haha, it's actually more of a general time era and society thing for me actually.

Brittany said...

I think in a past life I must have been a midwife maybe in another life a writer of some sort or keeper of books. This was an interesting interview. I totally agree that millipedes are horrendously scary!