Thursday, August 21, 2014

Guest Post with author C.J. Burright





Today I have a special treat for all of you.
We get to meet author C.J. Burright.
So let's get up close and personal!


Q ~ Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

Ah, trying to turn this post into a snoozefest at the get go! Passive legal assistant by day, kick ass author by night. And on weekends. Hey, writing time is precious. Hubby, daughter, and a herd of minion cats at my beck and call. My minions and I plot to overtake the world during coffee breaks. I set November aside to hide in haystacks and kill people (i.e. Assassin’s Creed). Don’t wake me early or prepare to suffer the consequences. Mochas and all things Medieval are my things. See? Yawn.

Q ~ Are you a carrot or apples kind of gal? Sweet or salty?

Well…I like sweets, and people who don’t know me very well think I’m sweet (heh), but I definitely have a dark side. I love pranks and I’ve got a sarcastic streak, but I’m quiet. You know that saying to look out for the quiet ones? It’s totally true.

Q ~ What’s your favourite pass-time?

Reading, of course! If only I had more free time… Besides my unhealthy addiction to Assassin’s Creed, I try to keep tabs on the Seattle Mariners. Working full-time and using all my free hours to write doesn’t leave a lot of breathing room for other hobbies. Of course, I do make an exception for Game of Thrones, Supernatural, and True Blood. I have my priorities, after all.

Q ~ What’s something that you never leave home without?

Clothes. I like pranks, but…*shudder*

Q ~ If you were stuck in a dingy floating in the middle of the ocean, who and what would you want with you and why?

No limits? I’m going full fantasy here – Alexander Skarsgard (because I love him), a few bottles of Gewurtztraminer (because it’s yummy), chocolate (a no-brainer), and a deck of cards (don’t ask).

Q ~ What are your biggest influences in life? Who are your biggest supporters?

My dad definitely is responsible for my love of reading. He’d often go on trips and bring back books for me and my sisters. We still exchange books, although that’s slowed down some since he got a Kindle. My biggest supporters are my family and my critique partners. It’s both exciting and scary to have your family members read your writing. They’ll let you know if your story sucks.

Q ~ What is your favourite genre to read?

I write what I love – paranormal romance and fantasy, preferably with at least a smidge of romance. I grew up on J.R.R. Tolkien, Piers Anthony, Lloyd Alexander, C.S. Lewis, and then the love for romance bloomed, so I prefer a mixture of magic and smexy times.

Q ~ Can you tell me about your ideal reader?

Someone who loves a blend of adventure, paranormal, snark, and romance, has a thing for the antihero, and appreciates a heroine who isn’t afraid to do the rescuing.

Q ~ How did you begin writing professionally?

I used to write just for fun, but writing for myself wasn’t very satisfying. I decided to go public, and if I was going to share my stories with the world, I wanted them to be good, so I joined RWA, took some classes, and joined a critique group. Shazam! A year or so later, I had representation from Brittany Booker of the Booker Albert Literary Agency, and a few months afterwards, a contract with Swoon Romance. It still doesn’t feel quite real.

Q ~ What inspired you to write Wonderfully Wicked?

My wild imagination came up with a coffee shop scene, with the protagonist waiting in line, her potential assassin standing behind her. I had to know why he was stalking her. I’m a total pantser, so my creative self took it from there.

Q ~ Can you give us a bit of background information on the novel and how you came about it?

I wanted to write something different. Paranormal, for sure, but beyond what is already out there. I’ve also always been intrigued by dreams and the meanings behind them—I have some freakin’ vivid dreams that are real as life…sometimes waking up is a bummer, if you know what I mean *nudge, nudge, wink, wink*. So, I created a world of my own. There are the dreamcasters: women whose nightmares come to life. Their counterparts, the V’alkara, are men who don’t dream. They invade dreams and feed on nightmares to survive. Oh, and they hunt dreamcasters. Bawahaha.

Q ~ What is one piece of advice that you’d give to those who’ve contemplated writing professionally?

Probably what everyone else says: don’t give up! Keep writing, keep honing the craft. Take classes – there is always something new to learn or a way to grow, and you’ll meet a ton of other fabulous writers who understand exactly where you are.


About the author:

C. J. Burright was born and raised in Oregon and loved it so much she never left. While she has worked for years in a law office, she chooses to avoid writing legal thrillers and instead leans toward urban fantasy, paranormal romance, or—since all things medieval and magic fascinate her—fantasy romance. A member of Romance Writers of America and Secretary for the Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal special interest chapter, C. J. also has her 4th Dan Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do and believes stories should always include a gratuitous fight scene. In what spare time she has, she enjoys working out, reading, gardening, and rooting on the Seattle Mariners with a nice glass of wine. She shares a house with her husband, daughter, and a devoted herd of cats.

And now, enter to win with Wonderfully Wicked and C.J. Burright.

Entries in giveaway 1 are open to residents of Canada & the US (where applicable by law).
Entries in giveaway 2 are open internationally (where applicable by law).
Both giveaway is open from Aug 16/14 to 11:59pm Aug 27/14.
Winners will be notified Aug 12814 & will have 72h to respond or another winner will be drawn.

~ Giveaway 1 ~



~ Giveaway 2 ~

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