UPDATE: Unfortunately, the author that was to be tagged in this post had to cancel due to other responsibilities.
I was honored to receive a message from Martin Crosbie inviting me to participate in The Next Big Thing Blog Hop. Joining the blog hop entails answering ten questions pertaining to my current work in progress, then tagging five authors who will continue the chain on their respective blogs until we run out of authors. This blog hop has been going on for quite some time, which is probably why I was unable to tag any authors.
To see the post Martin Crosbie tagged me in, click here.
What is the working title of your book?
I’m working on several novels at the moment, including a collection of short stories, but the tentative title of my next novel in the CAMILEON series is called The Uprising.
Where did the idea come from for the book?
The idea for the CAMILEON series, and subsequently The Uprising, came to me when I was at a crossroads in my life. At the time of its early development I had no idea how much of my personal challenges were reflected through some of my characters. I’ve noticed that there’s an ongoing struggle in most people whether to use their heart or their mind. I wanted to write a story that reflects that conflict while presenting the possibility that both aspects of our humanity play a vital part in our lives and ultimately our survival.
What genre does your book fall under?
The Uprising, and the CAMILEON series, is categorized as scifi/fantasy and paranormal, but it really transcends those genres while addressing real life issues and concerns. The plot seamlessly incorporates elements of mystery, thriller, horror and romance.
Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?I’ve given this much thought over the years as my characters developed. Oddly enough, I haven’t figured out which actress would be a good fit to play Camile Leon. However, I think Sanaa Lathan and Thomas Gibson would be great at portraying her parents. Phylicia Rashad has such grace and confidence and I think she’d be great at playing Tabitha Livingstone, a shaman in the CAMILEON series. Last, but certainly not least, I’d love Brent Spiner to take on the role of Sir Drayden Sebastian. He’d do an amazing job at bringing the mysterious knight to life. Brent is a genius at playing complex characters and Sir Drayden is certainly one! In fact, Sir Drayden has a history so rich it demands its own story.
What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
Sorry, I don’t have an official synopsis at this time. Like many authors, I dread writing synopses and therefore wait until the story is either near or at completion before writing one.
Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
My other books are self-published, so The Uprising is sure to follow suit.
How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
The draft is still in development. The Uprising is an intense story with many characters. I really hope to be done with the draft by Fall 2013, but only time will tell. It’s just one of several books I’m writing in addition to a number of smaller projects. And I’m just getting over a rather pretty case of writer’s block.
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
It’s tough to compare the CAMILEON series to any one book in the genre. I think it has similar elements and themes covered in C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia, but with more of an adult twist. The Uprising explores Camile’s internal struggle for her identity, the burden of her vital mission, and the stress of her past potentially ruling, or ruining, her future. The survival of much of humankind is at stake and Camile wrestles with her inner compass, which can lead her to aid in their survival or destruction.
Who or What inspired you to write this book?
I was inspired by a number of things. The power of compassion is too frequently underestimated while callous carelessness seem ubiquitous. There is so much glorification of bad behavior that it seems some people think it’s boring or passé to be the good guy. So many people take so much joy in tearing each other down (politically and otherwise) that they fail to realize that doing so only sets us all back in the long run. This acknowledgement led me to write the CAMILEON series. I wanted to present a story that delved beneath the shell of humanity and reveal what many believe has been lost; hope, faith and love. I also wanted to write a story that illustrated the dangers of perception. Good and evil, hero and villain, are often colored by the brush of individual perspective. In The Uprising, it becomes increasingly clear, the extent of the damage that humanity has endured. The question is, can Camile sort out her own perception and inner conflict in time to help the world to avoid its pending doom?
What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
Camile’s journey has as much to do with saving herself as it does saving humanity, but she encounters the jarring possibility that the salvation of one may require the sacrifice of the other.
*****
Click here to download the FREE 5-chapter PDF sample of Shykia’s most recent release, CAMILEON: Beyond the Veil.