Author Interview with Tessa McFionn
Today we are talking with Tessa McFionn. Let's see what she has to share with us.
Tessa: Kinda like Twenty Questions, but takes half as much time. So, interview time!
What makes this particular genre you are involved in so special?
Ever since I was a kid, I’ve been a huge fan of fantasy and science fiction stories. My mom read The Hobbit to me and my brother and I just fell in love with it. I played D&D, watched every sci-fi movie and TV show, and always believed in magic. But it wasn’t until I discovered Interview with a Vampire that I realized romance had a place in the magical, paranormal realm.
Over the years, what would you say has improved significantly in your writing?
Gosh, so much. I foolishly submitted my first novel without a lot of knowledge and experience. I just thought it was a good story and friends convinced me to start sending it out into the world. I think my chops at editing have greatly improved. Between the multi-levels of beta readers and my own six-step editing process, I feel like the finished project is much cleaner.
Did you ever think you would be unable to finish your first novel?
Finish? There were days when I did have my doubts. But only because it kept flowing, not because I lost ideas. Every time I thought I was reaching the end of the story, another twist would tap me on the shoulder and demand stage time. Before I knew it, I had an unedited manuscript of almost 110K words! Who does this? At one point, when another tangent jumped into my mind, I had to step away from my laptop. I opted to start jotting down ideas in a completely different notebook if only to keep my mind focused on the current WIP. Once it was finished, I actually sat on it for years before getting up the nerve to send it out. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Right?
Do you reply back to your fans and admirers personally?
I do! I make it my personal mission to respond to every comment on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and yes, even every review. I believe it’s the only thing to do. A person took the time to seek me out and tell me whatever it was they did. It would be rude to disregard their efforts. As of now, it’s fairly easy since I’m still a new author and I don’t have thousands of raving fans. But I promised myself that I would always respond in some way to any reader, no matter how many. Each reader is so important and, being a reader myself before I stepped onto the other side of the page, I remember what it was like when my idols remarked on a comment I made.
Have you ever incorporated something that happened to you in real life into your novels?
Only one. At the start of my first novel, Spirit Fall, we meet our heroine, Siobhan, as she stands on the ledge of a very high bridge in San Diego. It was not a good time in my own life. Things were piling up and getting out of control, and hope seemed distant and unattainable. In my defense, I didn’t actually stand on the ledge. But I did look over the side. In that abyss between the ground and my eyes, my story began. I imagined a strong hero, a Good Samaritan who stepped in and made everything better. The reaction was so visceral, I headed back to my car and began writing. The rest, as they say, is history.
Did any of your books get rejected by publishers?
My publishing career has been, well, interesting would be a good word for it. When I first started to send out Spirit Fall, I received a couple of rejections, but then I got a bite. Keep in mind, I had only submitted it to a few publishers. I started in March and by May, I had a yes. I was ecstatic. So, silly me, I start going into contract negotiations without checking the internet. Yeah. You can see where this is going. They went bankrupt within two weeks of my yes. Back to the drawing board I go. Got another bite, without any read from the publisher. Hmmm. Yeah, no. I did end up signing with Etopia Press for my Guardian series.
My sci-fi was another beast on its own. Wanting to look around, I took it to RT in Vegas and RWA to pitch for an agent. And that was a disaster. Frustrating to hear that everyone is looking for science fiction romance, but just not “my” science fiction romance. I was beginning to lose hope when, wonder of wonders, it was picked up. By All Romance Ebooks. (Quick history for those who are unfamiliar with this situation, the company went bankrupt and it was a bit of a sticky mess regarding royalties for many authors and publishing houses.)
Back to the drawing board, and the pitching board. Lucky for me, I was introduced to Fiery Seas and have been truly blessed. But I never let any of the rejections deter me.
Which of your books took you the most time to write?
Aside from the one I’m working on right now, I would have to say it would be Spirit Shattered, the fourth book in my Guardians series slated for release later this year. I was stuck, and nothing seemed to get me past the hump. My personal life began to spin a little out of control, and I just couldn’t find time to get to the keyboard. However, I was not going to give up on my characters, so it took a lot longer than expected. Usually I can get one done (between all my day job and life events) in around six months. Anton’s story took me nearly a year to complete.
Have you ever marketed your own books yourself?
Ugh. Yes. And I totally suck at it. I just don’t know all the ins and outs. I’ve taken classes on how to market your book, but nothing seemed to really click for me. I’m on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. I enter contests, I even ask friends who are graphic artists to create promo cards and logos for me. Yet, at the end of the day, I just don’t have the flair for that end of the business. I’m good at following directions, so if someone tells me what to do, I am all over. But on my onesie…yeah, no.
Do you need to be in a specific place or room to write, or you can just sit in the middle of a café full of people and write?
Well, as I’m writing this, I’m enjoying a decaf Hazelnut Mocha Coconut milk Macchiato as I wait for my next rehearsal to start. (I know, don’t judge because of the decaf. If I drink caffeine at this time of the day, I’ll get to sleep around 3am and I still have work tomorrow.) I prefer to work in my home, but as long as I can get words in, I’m golden.
Do you often project your own habits onto your characters?
I do, and I know I probably shouldn’t, but it’s tough. I’m not good being a girl. Sounds strange for a romance writer to say this, but it’s true. I don’t wear makeup unless absolutely necessary. 99% of my wardrobe is black, or some shade thereof. I live in T-shirts and I own four pairs of combat boots and fourteen pairs of Converse. This makes creating girlie characters a real stretch for me. So, my female characters tend to have a bit more of an edge on them. They’re strong, sassy, and independent. One of these times, I’ll have to try my hand on a softer heroine, but until she steps up into the limelight, they’re just gonna keep fighting and doing what they want. Oh, and I don’t think I’ve written a character that doesn’t drink coffee. Have to give love to my vice.
Order your copy today!
To Discover a Divine
by Tessa McFionn
Rise of the Stria Book 1
Everlasting
March 20, 2018
Sci-Fi Romance
When Kahlym cal Jhuen, freedom-fighting leader of the Chandar Stria, breaks into a prison ship controlled by the Rimmarian Thrall, he only expected to rescue two of his crew. But when he discovers a terrified female during his escape, he is immediately captivated by her unique beauty and makes a snap decision to bring her with him. However, his good deed backfires as he learns he has stolen the Thrall Emperor’s prize.
Down to her last dollar, Evainne Wagner expected nothing out of the ordinary when she stepped out of the front door of her Boston apartment. Instead, she found herself in the middle of an intergalactic firefight, complete with strange soldiers with deadly looking weapons pointed directly at her. Salvation arrives in the nick of time in the form of a mysterious leather-clad warrior, skidding in and whisking her away. Trusting her heart, she follows, hoping to find answers as well as a way home.
Safely on board his ship, he learns more about her and her rare skills, triggering the memory of a half-forgotten prophecy spoken at the time of his cursed birth. Outcast because of a cruel twist of fate, he finds unexpected acceptance, even affection, from his new passenger.
Could she be the one who holds the future of his people, as well as his own heart, in her tender hands?
About the Author:
Tessa McFionn is a very native Californian and has called Southern California home for most of her life, growing up in San Diego and attending college in Northern California and Orange County, only to return to San Diego to work as a teacher. Insatiably curious and imaginative, she loves to learn and discover, making her wicked knowledge of trivial facts an unwelcomed guest at many Trivial Pursuit boards.
When not writing, she can be found at the movies or at Disneyland with her husband, as well as family, friends or anyone who wants to play at the Happiest Place on Earth. She also finds her artistic soul fed through her passions for theatre, dance and music.
A proud parent of far too many high school seniors and two still living house plants, she also enjoys hockey, reading and playing Words With Friends to keep her vocabulary sharp. She is currently the treasurer of the San Diego chapter of Romance Writers of America and loves spending time working with such amazingly intelligent and creative writers.
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