DARKE CONTEUR AUTHOR OF THE WATCHTOWER EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

OBS reviewer Annabell Cadiz hangs out with author Darke Conteur. They discuss her novella, The Watchtower, what type of element she would manipulate if she could pick one, gets an inside scoop to the sequel (Under the Cover of Wicca) and has fun playing “Get to Know the Author.”
Annabell: Fantasy and sci-fi are two of your favorite genres. As both a fan and reader, what do you think is so attracting about both genres?

Darke Conteur: I think it’s the escapism that makes them so popular. I started reading these genre’s to get away from the real world.  I wanted to explore places that were different from ours, where anything and everything was possible.

Darke Conteur: With Angel it was the group dynamic. Each member had a specific job or ability that was useful in dealing with the situation at hand. With SUPERNATURAL, it’s the over-lapping story arc. You feel more a part of the character’s world because you watch events unfold from week to week, like real life.

Annabell: As a fan of Greek mythology (I am one myself!), which is your favorite story and why?

Darke Conteur: LoL, there are so many and I like them all.

Annabell: Aslin is my favorite characters. I loved the way he could manipulate the elements of nature. If you could manipulate one of the elements, which one would you choose?

Darke Conteur: Fire. Definitely fire. I can watch a good blaze for hours. I’ve fallen asleep on the couch watching the fire in our woodstove. It’s so primeval and I feel, more ‘alive’ than the other elements.

Annabell: You narrate the novella from several of the characters perspectives. What made you decide to jump from one perspective to another?

Darke Conteur: The Watchtower was a television script before I re-wrote it; hence the different points of view. I was seeing everything happen like I was watching it on television. I would think about the scene I was going to write, and whose POV it would best advance the storyline. It also gave me the chance to let the reader experience the abilities of that character.

Annabell: There is a sequel entitled Under the Cover of Wicca. What can readers expect to find in the next installment? Will there be any romance added to the series?

Darke Conteur: Under the Cover of Wicca is a continuation of The Watchtower. Something bad happened and things weren’t neatly wrapped up at the end of the first book. The reader will learn a little more about the background of the characters, and yes, there is the beginning of romance(s), but I’m not going to have it come out all at once. It doesn’t work like that in real life.

Annabell: Barb also has a really cool ability, she can see Timelines by  touch. If you could see the timeline of anyone you knew (personally or celebrity), who would you choose and why?

Darke Conteur: Honestly, I’m not really sure.  I think it would be my husband. I know, boring, but he’s told me some stories that are incredible and I’d love the chance to see it for myself.

Annabell: What is your favorite part about writing?

Darke Conteur: Telling the story.  I love to entertain people.

Annabell: If you cast a set of celebrities to play the roles of your characters in movies, any idea who you would choose and for what role?

Darke Conteur: Out of all of them, only one actor came to mind when I wrote, and that was Shia LaBeouf as Martin.

Annabell: Time to play “Get to Know the Author”:

Favorite Time of Day to Write and to Read:

I like to write in the morning. I’m awake, alert and ready to go. I tend to read at night. Kind of a relaxing thing to do before bed. Especially if I’ve had a busy evening.
Favorite Word(s):  Antidisestablishmentarism. It’s just so big. 😀

Least Favorite Word(s): Like. It drives me up the wall when I hear people say ” Like she was doing this. like thing with her hair, like you know.” I cringe and have to bite my tongue.

Favorite Place to Write: On our Lazyboy loveseat. I have the woodstove on one side and my coffee on the other side. I pull the foot rest up, put the laptop on my lap and go to work.  Mind you, I’m joined by a cat or two as well.

Do you listen to music when you write? If yes, who are some of your favorite bands? No, I don’t listen to any music. It has to be completely quiet when I write. I get story ideas from songs, but I don’t listen when I write.

Any books you’re reading now or have plans to read soon? Right now, I’m reading a steampunk series Flash Gold, written by a friend of mine, Lindsay Buroker.  After that I’m looking at an alternate timeline, and then some science fiction.

If you could tag team with any author, dead or alive, to write a novel, who would you choose and why?

Anne Rice. I like her style of writing.

Annabell: Thank you to author Darke Conteur for the great interview! If you want to know more about the author and get the latest news on her novels, check out http://darkeconteur.wordpress.com/novels/.