Today I would like to welcome Lyn Croft to CJ’s Book Corner. Lyn is a sci-fi fantasy writer born and raised in sunny Southern California. There, she raises her daughter, works full time, writes novels, and plays video games in her spare time.
Her new book, “Blood & Lilies ~ Bloodlines” is her debut novel, and the first in a series of epic tales for the battle between good and evil. You can connect with Lynn on her Amazon Author Page Twitter BueacorpLLC
CJ ~ Tell us a little about yourself and your background?
Lyn ~ I’m a single mom from the sunny state of California. I studied Graphic Arts and Multimedia with a minor in English. I’ve done everything under the sun when it comes to work, but am currently working as a data processor and writing books in my spare time.
CJ ~ What inspired you to write your first book?
Lyn ~It was a challenge to myself to see if I had what it takes to get complete an entire novel. I’ve always been an avid reader and love to write. Finally, I told myself one day – Hey, I can do that!
CJ ~ What books have most influenced your life most?
Lyn ~Anything by Stephen King. I couldn’t get enough of him when I was a kid. He inspired me and fed my imagination with his creativity and drive. He truly is my idol.
CJ ~ How much truth is in your fiction?
Lyn ~I guess it depends on your beliefs. For me, I do believe in Heaven and Hell, and that demons walk amongst us in a battle for our souls. Now, are there sexy Halflings walking around? Perhaps not. But a girl can dream…
CJ ~ If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor and why?
Lyn ~Stephen King. I love the advice he gives to authors. His experience and drive help motivate me, and guides me to be better.
CJ ~ Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?
Lyn ~I’m going to sound redundant now… The King. 😉 His imagination is amazing. He’s dived into so many genres, and been able to pull of each with ease. That is true talent in my book.
CJ ~Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
Lyn ~ Oh, definitely. I’m constantly questioning myself, wondering if my style is up to par, if my characters are believable and relatable. It’s hard to see it through a different set of eyes, and nerve wracking to bring it to the public for their approval. But, I wouldn’t change a thing about it.
CJ ~ What are you working on now? What is your next project?
Lyn ~ I’m just wrapped up book two of my Bloodlines series, Blood & Kindred. Next, I’ll be working on the third book in the series, as well as a Sci-fi book I’ve have waiting too bring to the masses.
CJ ~ Do you have any strange writing habits (like standing on your head or writing in the shower)?
Lyn ~ I like to sit in bed with my laptop and play Buffy and Angel DVD’s in the background. It’s my comfort noise. Some use music, I use Joss Whedon. I also write in a notebook first, then type it up and polish my scripts from there.
CJ ~ How important are names to you in your books? Do you choose the names based on liking the way it sounds or the meaning? Do you have any name choosing resources you recommend?
Lyn ~ Names are very important to me for my characters. I like to research the meaning of names and make sure they fit with the characters. But, for my Sci-fi books, the names are made up and I go by how they sound.
CJ ~ Are you a plotter or a pantster?
Lyn ~ I start out being a plotter, but sometimes the stories take a different turn and develop new or different plots along the way.
CJ ~ What do you consider to be your best accomplishment?
Lyn ~ My daughter. She’s an absolute doll, and I’m so proud of her.
CJ ~ Is there one subject you would never write about as an author? What is it?
Lyn ~ Historical romance. I’ve never been big on the genre, not that I’m knocking it an anyway. I just don’t hold the passion for it required to fill an entire novel with it.
CJ ~ Is there a certain type of scene that’s harder for you to write than others? Love? Action? Racy?
Lyn ~ Love. I struggle with this and always feel I’m making the characters too cheesy and weak.
CJ ~ What is your least favorite part of the publishing / writing process?
Lyn ~ I guess it would be the editing. I do enjoy the entire process, but the edits can cause me to want me to pull my hair out at times. Only because re-writes can be difficult. Every detail has to flow and make sense, and if one aspect of the story is changed, then you have to tear through the book to make sure everything meshes up at the end.
CJ ~ What writing advice do you have for other aspiring authors?
Lyn ~ Do it because you love it. If you truly are passionate about your writing, it will show in your work and you’ll always be striving to be better.
CJ ~ Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Lyn ~Writing in a small cabin somewhere, sitting next to shelves filled with my work, just so I can sit there as say, I did it!
Just some fun questions:
CJ ~ Characters often find themselves in situations they aren’t sure they can get themselves out of. When was the last time you found yourself in a situation that was hard to get out of and what did you do?
Lyn ~ ~ Oh goodness. This is a hard one. I’m constantly stuck in situations that are hard to get out of. I guess just faith and patience to see how things will work out and doing the best I can each day to stay out of sticky situations.
CJ ~ Does your significant other recognize his moves in your writing
Lyn ~ There is no significant other…Just me and my warped mind.
CJ ~If you had a superpower, what would it be?
Lyn ~ To heal those that are sick.
CJ ~ If you were a super hero, what would your name be? What costume would you wear?
Lyn ~ Lyn, the Vampyre slayer. My costume would jeans and a t-shirt with a long leather coat to hide my weapons. Yes, I’m cheesy.
CJ ~ What literary character is most like you?
Lyn ~ I guess Buffy. I’m sure I relate to her, as the majority of women do. We’re always fighting to survive in this world, and often feeling alone as we do so. As mothers, we make sacrifices for our children, constantly putting our own needs aside for the greater good.
CJ ~ What secret talents do you have?
Lyn ~ I’m a zombie killing, alien annihilating queen. On my Xbox anyways. Oh, and I crochet and make a mean Agua Chile.
CJ ~ Where is one place you want to visit that you haven’t been before?
Lyn ~ Ireland. I’d love to visit my heritage and take in all the beauty it has to offer.
CJ If you were an animal in a zoo, what would you be?
Lyn ~ A panda –cute, quiet, and cuddly.
CJ ~ If you could have any accents from anywhere in the world, what would you choose?
Lyn ~ British. They always sound so intelligent when they speak. Plus, it just sounds sexy.
CJ ~ What were you like as a child? Your favorite toy?
Lyn ~I was a complete tom girl. My favorite toy involved anything outdoors in regards to sports and exploring nature. I never was the girl who sat in her room and played with Barbies.
CJ ~ Do you dream?
Lyn ~ Of course. A lot of my wacky ideas come from my dreams.
First in the Bloodlines Series
Once cast from Heaven, Zillah has vowed to destroy God and overtake his kingdom. But a key is needed to open the gates between the two realms.
The Key to the gate walks the earth in the form of a woman…young, innocent and completely unaware of her importance in the battle between good and evil. Once her blood is shed, Zillah can open the portal to release her father…Lucifer himself.
Cara, a college sophomore, is quickly thrown into the world of the supernatural, as well as learning of her true ancestry. Vampires, werewolves and the Nephilim are now a part of her reality. As the beings struggle to protect her, she fights to keep her sanity as her mortal realm is crushed.
Secrets are revealed that could shatter Cara’s new found love, as well as lead to her ultimate death. A family is torn apart as the battle to save the key leads them down a road of betrayal and heartache. Loved ones are lost, lines are crossed, and nothing is as it seems. Lies and truths twist and turn, leaving us with only one question…
Could you sacrifice the one you love to save the world?
*Excerpt******
The evening sky pulsed, hues of deep purples and blacks engraving blurry lines above the earth. The night echoed its cries, carried by angry breezes through the hills of the land. The cemetery, cascaded in carved tombstones that sprouted from the ground, laid empty and dormant, except for the busy, yet silent whispers of the dead.
The ground, wet and damp, gave way beneath Cara’s bare feet as she trudged through the mud pushing between her toes. Her eyes traveled towards the ground to study her soiled feet, finding her body was draped in a simple, yet elegant white dress which graced her pale legs just below her knees. The plunging neckline stopped just beneath the cleft of her breast as the thin silk straps hugged the tops of her shoulders, exposing her bare delicate skin.
She scanned around her, alone and frightened, like a young child strayed from its mother. It was so dark, and the crested moon, swarmed by rolling darkened clouds, offered no safe haven of light to guide her way. Slow and unsure, she stepped cautiously, waiting blindly for an edge that would send her spiraling down into a never-ending abyss, swallowing her whole. The shadows danced in front of her, playing tricks on her unfocused eyes as her feet took her step by step.
Where was she? How did she get here? She could hear faint whispers of the dead crying out to her from the spirit world. Their words made no sense as they all jumbled together like a soft but unmelodic hum in the air. Her ears strained to make out parts of the words, hoping to piece together some language so she could better understand why they’d brought her here.
Realization struck. The voices had guided her here. She turned around to where the whispers grew, louder and more needful. She followed them as they increased, vibrating through her head as if they were coming from inside her brain, instead of churning in the air around her. The darkness frightened her, yet she still continued, following the only guidance she had.
Cara.
She could hear it now. Through the vast echo of the whispers, she could make out her name. They called to her, begged her to come near. She obeyed.
Something hard struck her toes, shooting instant pain up through her legs, like lightning igniting through her to her very core. Her body flew forward as she reached out to stop her fall. She expected a large stone to split her head. Or perhaps the tip of a metal cross would impale her through her chest and end it all, without her knowing or seeing it in the darkness before her. But there was nothing as her body hit the soft ground beneath her.
Grass laced itself through her fingers as she looked up to the gravestone in front of her. The clouds that had hugged the moon so well broke, lighting the etched carvings before her so she could see. What she read on the engraving shook her to the core. Her eyes couldn’t process, couldn’t comprehend what she was seeing.
Cara L. Chadwick
Beloved Friend and Student
We will miss you always
Oct. 18, 1992 to Dec. 21, 2012
A cry escaped her lips as Cara pushed herself up from the ground as fast as she could, stumbling backwards. She wanted to turn away, run and never look back. There was no way in hell she was going to stay here to hang out with her own tomb. And the date…it was this Friday’s date…or had it already arrived and was now in the past? Cara realized she had no idea of what time it was, or the day, but she needed to escape and get out of this place as fast as her bare feet could carry her.
