Since I was a teenager, so about 100 years…just kidding I’m not a wizard (I wish). It’s been a good fifteen years. I started off with journal writing but soon got bored with reality and began filling my journal with fiction.
- What is your favorite genre to write?
I write mainly horror. I love to write scary stories because that’s what I loved to read growing up. I adore classic monsters like vampires, werewolves, ghosts, witches and of course zombies! I like to look at them in a different light when I write. To me they’re just misunderstood.
- Which genre have you never tried before, but would you like to try out?
I have never really tried sci-fi. I think it could be really fun but creating intricate worlds that don’t exist is a big job, so if I’m going to do it, it better be AMAZING!
- Please tell us about your book.
Zombie Girl is the first book in a four part saga about Eve, a small town girl who contracts an ancient virus that is both dangerous as it is intriguing. She’s never known adventure and unfortunately she gets a bit more than she ever really wanted. The story follows her and her friends as she attempts to control the deadly virus and find a cure.
- Which character was your favorite, and why? Which character was your least favorite, and why?
I love Eve, she’s loyal and funny and brave. She’s a character I will miss dearly when the series is over because she felt so real to me. When she struggled, I struggled with her, she has this ability to pull you in. The character I disliked the most is Eve’s nemesis Agent Williams, things are complicated with him, and although he’s an important character and I created him, he’s also someone I would wholeheartedly slap if he were to exist in the real world. He’s too cocky and lets his ambition rule his heart.
- What was the hardest part about writing your book?
I think sometimes real life bleeds into the writing and some scenes were hard to write. There is a lot of loss in the book, as you would expect from any zombie story, but it hits home when loved ones are torn apart. I had to take a few “ugly cry” breaks while writing.
- What is your writing routine? Are there things you absolutely need to start writing?
I always listen to some music before I get started, it helps me clear my brain and get ready for writing. I also drink lots and lots of coffee, I am surrounded by mugs when I write. If I have a groove going, there is no time for coffee breaks.
- How long did it take you to write your book from start to finish?
Nearly three months. Zombie Girl was a story that had been dying to come out of me since high school! It started flowing and didn’t really stop until it was complete. It felt good to finally get the story down. I was shocked it didn’t take me longer, but I guess waiting ten years to write it gave me enough time to think about how I wanted the story to go.
- Can you tell us about your editing process?
I usually write the story down and edit absolutely nothing as I go. After the words have flown onto the page I go back and read it, really read it and take it all in, checking for plot holes or anything that sounds out of place. Lastly I check for tiny errors and fix them. I always have a few close friends read it and check for tiny errors too before sending it off to my editor. It helps to have a lot of eyes on your writing.
- Is this book part of a series? If so, how many installments do you have planned?
Yes, Zombie Girl is the first book in The Zombie Girl Saga, a four part series that will conclude January 2017. It’s been a lot of fun to write and I hope everyone will check it out.
- Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?
Keep going. I know I needed to hear that a lot. It’s hard when you’re a new author, you have a lot to learn and much rejection comes with the territory. Take tiny steps, make connections with other authors and learn about promotion, I know this is something I’m still learning about!
- Why should everyone read your book?
I think everyone should read The Zombie Girl Saga because it’s a mash-up of genres with a great message of love amongst all the action and terror. I know there is something in it for every reader and genre fan. I wrote something I wanted to read, and honestly, I’d read these books a million times and never tire of them J
- If you could meet three authors, dead or alive, which authors would you choose?
Jane Austen for sure, I’m a total Janeite! Anne Rice because she just seems like an awesome person and I would like to pick her brain (no zombie pun intended) and The King, not Elvis, but the one and only Stephen King! I must know the secret, how does he write so many books so fast!!!
- What inspired you to write your book?
The series started as a dream I had back in high school about an undead girl who’s somewhat of a superhero. At first I drew her as a comic, just for fun, and it took me years to really explore writing it. Many of my stories come from dreams. I still have notepads and pens by my bedside; you never know when inspiration will strike!
- Are you working on something at the moment? If so, can you tell us more about it?
I just finished a short story for an 80’s throwback horror anthology. The story is all about a slumber party gone wrong. The best part about the anthology is that it’s for charity and out October 1st, just in time for Halloween and Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The anthology is called Man Behind the Mask so be sure to look out for it 😉
About the Book
Eve used to be an ordinary girl, from an ordinary town, with ordinary dreams, but her dreams rapidly turn into nightmares when one grave mistake leaves her a little less than human and a lot less average.
Eve’s not quite the same girl she used to be. She desperately clings to her humanity as new desires, new abilities, and new urges take over with each passing day.
Eve Brenner: Zombie Girl is a tale that takes you on an emotional and terrifying journey as Eve struggles to cope with her new life and find a cure for her strange illness before time runs out. She desperately clings to her humanity as she tries to control the monster she knows is lurking inside her.
Turns out living was the easy part.
Social Media
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thepoeticzombie
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Blog: www.poeticzombie.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13311317.A_Giacomi
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