D.C. Grace Author Interview

Photo Content from D.C. Grace

D.C. Grace has studied various cultures of Native American society for well over twenty years. She has three daughters. The girls, being half Chiricahua Apache and Cherokee respectively, have been raised to know as much about their heritage as possible. D.C. has also been fascinated with all things supernatural since childhood. She wrote her first vampire story at the ripe old age of nine.
When she’s not trying out a new recipe or digging into a good book, D.C. can be found driving her daughters around town in her Mom Cab. She’s also a lover of music, and has passed that trait on – her middle child is the drummer in a rock band.

D.C. lives just outside Louisville, KY. She shares a home with her daughters, two crazy kitties and a neurotic Chihuahua. She considers herself lucky they let her live with them.

        

Tell me a bit about yourself. Where were you born and where do you live now?

I was born and raised in the south - Louisville, KY to be exact. I grew up a stone's throw away from Shelbyville! I've lived in Texas and Chicago during my adulthood, but eventually, I came back home. :)

When/how did you realize you had a creative dream or calling to fulfill?

When I was in the 2nd grade. I was always writing poems and short stories and giving them to my teacher for fun. On the last day of school, she gave me a scrapbook with all my work in it, and a note on the first page that read, "You're going to be a great writer some day! I can't wait to see your first best seller." That was the day that I knew.

Well, I started in YA as you know, but have transitioned to the new genre, New Adult. For those who don't know, that's a step above YA - for readers 16 and up, I think it is. Anyway, I'm very comfortable in this new genre. There's more freedom with "situations" that a writer might get flack for in YA, and I feel like I can comfortably allow my characters to do and be the things they would really do, were they real.

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

Wow! I'd have to go back to a favorite from my youth, John Steinbeck. He wrote in such a colorful way, I was always inspired by his work.

What is needed for a story to be good?

Of course plot, but something else that's just as important is the pace. You could have the best plotline in the world, but if the book starts to drag, you can lose your reader. Keeping the imagery going in your reader's mind is vital, because they feel connected. And when the story and the reader connect, that's when the magic happens!

For those who are unfamiliar with your series; The Amethyst Dragon Series , how would you introduce it?

The Amethyst Dragon series is a new twist on the faerie tales of old. It is so much more than your average "boy meets girl" story. The series is about remembering a time when chivalry and honor were very much alive. It examines our world and the world of Avalon, and how the two worlds are so very different, yet people can still coexist. It pulls from the Shakespearian era, then throws you into today's popular musical trends. And in some ways, parts of the story that are a social statement - I'll leave it to the reader to define those moments for themselves. And, of course, it's about love. The Amethyst Dragon is packed with action, adventure, mystery and romance. In a nutshell, it's a lot of fun!

If you could introduce Dade and Shelby to any character from another book, who would it be and why?

Oh boy! I would say Romeo and Juliet. Dade is a Shakespeare fanatic, and Shelby can't help but compare their romance to Romeo and Juliet's. I think they'd love to meet another couple as in love as they are! ;)

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating Leo?

That I really enjoy messing with my audience, hahaha! Seriously, Leo is like an onion - there are a lot of layers to him. As we peel away those layers throughout the series, the readers will get a more clear view of who he is and why he's taken the path he's on. For me, the most surprising thing I learned is that, if we're all honest with ourselves, there's a little bit of Leo in us all. We all have our moments that we excuse or justify because we feel so strongly, right or wrong.

Why do you feel you had to tell this story?

When it began to take shape in my mind, I knew it was going to be amazing. This is the first piece of fiction ever to feature the Dragon Fae. They are exciting, and as amazing and supernatural as they are, they're also easy to relate to. The characters aren't so far off the Richter scale that they're an impossibility, but they're not so humanized that they're soft, or lost that element of fantasy.

What’s one thing that readers would be surprised to find out about Dade?

That Dade's one wish as a "sprout" was to have his father love him.

What’s the most interesting comment you have received about your books?

Oh my gosh, I have to think about that one! Hmmm... oh, I know! Someone predicted that Dade Blue-Therror would be the #1 fantasy hero of the decade! :)

Is there a song you could list as the theme song for Dragin Wings or any of your characters?

The Rain Song by Led Zeppelin - that should be the theme song for the series. It fits the mood of the whole series.

What chapter was the most memorable to write and why?

Chapter 22, First Time For Love, definitely! That was the first love scene I've written that encompassed more than kissing and gave a bit more description, I guess you could say. ;) But I promised myself I wouldn't go graphic, and am proud to say I kept that promise to myself!

What is the name of your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 30 or less words, what would you say?

That I've written? Season of Destruction was the last book before Dragon Wings. 30 words or less... "Accusations, suspicion, kidnapping, bonds break and bonds mend, and the Guardians may meet with the devil himself."

Which author would you love to co-author a book with?

Easy - my buddy Julie Kagawa! Can you imagine what would happen if our two minds met?

What question are you never asked in interviews but wish you were?

I don't think anyone's asked what actors I'd like to see playing my characters. I could give a list! ;)

When asked, what’s the one question you always answer with a lie?

Hahaha! How old are you?

If you could be any mythology creature, what would you be?

Wow, depends on what day it is, hahaha! Probably a bean sidhe... or a siren.

What was a time in your life when you were really scared?

When I was pregnant with my fourth child, and we were told she hadn't survived. The most terrifying time of my life.

Who was your first boyfriend?

Tony Leonard - we're Facebook friends now, hehehe. Hi, Tony!

What’s the worst job you’ve had?

Slinging hash at a diner.

What would I find in your refrigerator right now?

Energy drinks, Coke, taquitos, three kinds of cheese, leftovers, a pizza box with one piece of pizza, and a couple of mystery containers that might now be deemed science projects!

What's the loveliest thing you have ever seen?

I think that I shall never see a sight so lovely as a tree... sorry, lol! My oldest daughter in her cap and gown on graduation day, and a double rainbow over the Smoky Mountains.

Welcome to the world of Dade Blue-Therror, the AmethystDragon. For Dade, chivalry is not dead, and Avalon still exists on a planethat holds fast to simple truths. Fairy magic is real, Morgan le Fay is real,and with Dade's help, Camelot could rise again. That is, as long as Shelby Mercy doesn't distract Dade from his duties.

Stationed in small town Kentucky in the earthly realm,Shelby could prove a deadly preoccupation for Dade. Sojoin him as the tale unfolds, and enter a world that few haveglimpsed. Welcome to Avalon, the world of the elusive Dragon Fae. Slip throughthe gates, and fall in love with the Amethyst Dragon, his best friend Leo, theSunrise Dragon, and Dade's aunt Tryamon, Keeper of the Forest. There's plentyof room, so bring your silver bough for the Ferryman.

But remember, with dragons, you can get burned...

You can purchase Dragon Wings at the following Retailers:

        


And now, The Giveaways.

Thank you D.C. GRACE for making this giveaway possible.

1 Winner will receive one Signed Copy of The Amethyst Dragonby D.C. Grace.

1 Winner will receive one Signed Bottle by D.C. Grace.

jbnpastinterviews