I'm so excited to have author Crystal Storm, who writes under the penname DCS, here at mis(h)takes today. She's generously agreed to answer some questions about herself and Synarchy Book One: The Awakening.
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A lil background info before we proceed:
Crystal was born in Alexandria, VA. She attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte intent on earning a degree in Political Science and becoming a lawyer. Instead, she had too much fun not going to class and after a year they politely asked her not to return. [ Their loss =) ]
She now lives in New Orleans, LA and Synarchy Book 1: The Awakening is her debut novel. Crystal is a self taught world student, her studies cover the 2012 mystery, quantum mechanics, metaphysics, parasphysic science, conspiracies and strange phenomenon. Taking full advantage of the creative energy of New Orleans, she is hard at work on the second book in the Synarchy Series, The Ascension and several short stories loosely based off of a few characters from the book, but following more along the vein of the txt based roleplay game, Synarchy 2012. (More info on the RPG game http://www.commandcenter.synarchy2012.com/)
You can find out more about the Synarchy Series by visiting http://www.synarchynovel.com/.
Or visit her blog at http://www.dcs-svt.com/
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Me: Thank you so much for taking the time out to answer some questions Crystal. Could you tell us a little bit about Synarchy Book 1: The Awakening.
DCS: In their quest to dominate the world, a powerful crime family, the Terenzio’s, discover who the real players are that control the planet, and just how far they’re willing to go to keep their hold on humanity. Because of sheer arrogance, and the fact that they may be the only ones who can, Terenzio decides to fight back. Now, they’ve got until December 21st, 2012, to stop a sinister, centuries old plan, and give Earth a choice it was never given before. You can get a copy on Amazon, or from now until the summer solstice, I’m offering personalized autograph copies. See the books website at www.synarchynovel.com for more details.
Me: What inspired you to write a story like Synarchy?
DCS: Synarchy was the culmination of a very personal journey for me, and that urge every writer has whose got a story to tell that just has to come out. I don’t just want to entertain, I want to mix in what I think are some important concepts for our times. Ideas that take us out of the mundane and into the possibilities of the fantastical. It is my intent that someone will read Synarchy, find something in there that perks their interest, go look it up and it will be the catalyst that starts them on their own journey of awakening.
Me: Did you always plan for Synarchy to be broken up into different parts?
DCS: My novels tend to write themselves, so no not at the beginning. About mid way through was when I began to realize all the potential there was to really break the story down into a series of books.
Me: Which of your characters would you say is most like you? Why that character?
DCS: All my characters share a few of my personality traits but the one the most like me I would have to say is Simone. She’s handling the sudden changes in her life in ways that are similar to how I would have if thrust into that position.
Me: I definitely enjoyed all of the characters and Simone specifically! If you could write a book about absolutely anything with any other author, who would you choose and what would the book be about?
DCS: Dean Koontz, without question. I love the way his mind works, and he is one of my favorite authors. I have no idea what that book would be about, lol, but I’m sure he and I could come up with something pretty awesome.
Me: Dean Koontz is definitely a favorite author of mine, excellent choice! So, I noticed that a Role Playing Game was created in 2006 in the Synarchy world, can you tell us about the game and how it came to be?
DCS: Synarchy 2012, is very loosely based off the novel and provided a lot of inspiration for writing it. A few scenes from the book were actually roleplayed. I’ve been roleplaying for about ten years now, and I think it’s really improved my writing. In that setting, you’re always being creative, always writing something so, it’s really kept my brain humming with ideas for this and that. I was a part of really great RPG called Shaddai Bloodlines until it closed in ’05, and it was run by a very good friend of mine who is also a brilliant writer, and amazing photographer, Grey Cross. (There are links to his work on my blog, very edgy stuff). Anywho, when his game closed I decided instead of finding another one to go play in I’d create my own. We’re very small right now, there are only four of us, but I’m hoping we’ll get bigger soon because that’s when the real fun comes in.
Me: The best of luck to the RPG game Crystal. Can you tells us what you're currently working on?
DCS: I suffer from too many ideas syndrome so yes, I’m always working on something. The big project right now is getting book two done. I also want to write Stefano’s story but I want it to be a graphic novel so I’m starting to collaborate with a comic artist who is a good friend of mine, so we’ll see what comes of that.
Me: I for one am super excited about book two and a story specifically for Stefano would be awesome. I'm sure you get asked this question a lot but do you have any advice for upcoming writers?
DCS: I read this article discussing the publishing industry and the recession, and at the end of the article one piece of advice for a budding writer was, “write an awesome story.” And I think that’s the best advice. Stick with the basics, yah know? Make it great. Fabulous. Unforgettable. Then dig your heels in, grit your teeth, prepare for a difficult but richly rewarding ride, and everything else will fall into place.
Me: I think that's really great & simple advice. I'm curious though, if you weren’t a writer, what other career would you pursue?
DCS: Something business related. I’m lucky because while I’m a really creative story-teller I’ve also got a knack for the business world.
Me: That's where I'm headed...straight into the business world *sigh*. As long as I have my reading material under one arm I think I can do it lol. Thank you again Crystal for stopping by!
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Be sure to come back tomorrow for my review of Synarchy Book One: The Awakening and a really great guest post by Crystal on Wednesday!
SYNARCHY BOOK 1: THE AWAKENING VIRTUAL BLOG TOUR '09 will officially began on June 1 and will end on June 26. Be sure to follow along and find out more about her and the book!
June 1 The Fantasy Pages http://fantasy-pages..blogspot.com
June 2 Zensanity http://zensanity.blogspot.com/
June 3 Scribe Vibe http://www.scribevibe.blogspot.com/
June 4 Book Madness http://bookmadness.wordpress.com
June 5 The Book Connection http://thebookconnectionccm.blogspot.com/
June 8 Divine Caroline http://www.divinecaroline.com/49804/75767-interview-novelist-dcs
June 9-11 mis(h)takes http://creativitygone.blogspot.com
June 12 Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell http://books-forlife..blogspot.com
June 15-16 The Plot http://theplotline.wordpress.com/
June 15 Socrates Book Reviews http://socratesbookreviews.blogspot.com
June 17 A Journey of Books http://ajourneyofbooks.blogspot.com
June 17 The Book Tiger http://www.thebooktiger.co.uk/
June 18-19 A Journey of Books http://ajourneyofbooks.blogspot..com
June 19 The Book Stacks http://www.thebookstacks.com
June 23 Self-Publishing Review www.selfpublishingreview.com
June 24 Confuzzled Books http://confuzzledbooks.blogspot.com
June 25 Morbid Romantic http://www.morbid-romantic.net
June 25 Bibliophiles 'R' Us http://nightdweller20.wordpress.com
June 26 Fiction Scribe http://www.fictionscribe.com
5 comments:
Great interview! I look forward to your review, the book sounds interesting!
I had fun with the interview, thanks Mishel! And I can't wait to read your review :)
Fantastic interview!
I couldn't put this book down. It was over before I knew it, and I was left wanting the next installment in the series - how long do I have to wait!? ;)
Sara - Hopefully not too long =)
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