Guest Author: Kelly Gay + Giveaway

Kelly Gay, author of The Darkest Edge of Dawn, has been kind enough to stop by Reading with Tequila to tell us about figuring out what to write.

The Vampire Cyclist

I’m so excited to be here at Reading with Tequila. Big thanks to Jennifer for inviting me to stop by! So I bet you’re wondering why this post is entitled The Vampire Cyclist. I’m sure if I stewed for a bit I could come up with something better, like the Tour De Fang or Biking is for Biters. Ha! But, maybe those aren’t much better... :)

I don’t write about vampires. I write an urban fantasy series about a single mom cop who lives in a world where beings from heaven and hell-like dimensions live among us. My second book in the series, THE DARKEST EDGE OF DAWN, releases tomorrow. I’ve been asked many times by readers why I chose to write this story. I’ve been asked by aspiring writers how I chose this story, and how does one figure out what to write about, anyway? And so begins my post that will, hopefully, answer both readers and writers alike…

I write about things that inspire me, intrigue me, and things I love. And, I'm not talking about the whole “write what you love to read” thing. Because, let’s face it, not everyone is going to be good at writing what they love to read. (Take me, for example, I’m horrible at writing single title contemporary romances, but, man, do I love to read them!) I’m talking more about what’s on the inside, what fuels you, what compels you, what mystifies you, what scares you even. Want to write? Don’t know what to write about? Look on the inside, grab some elements you love or that interest you, and go.

Behold:

Say you’re an avid cyclist and a massive Lance Armstrong fan. You know (or would like to know) everything there is to know about the sport. Say you’re also a huge Buffy fan and love vampires. And while we’re at it, say you also really enjoy comedies.

Vampires. Cycling. Comedy. *blinks* What? It could work.

You have your ingredients, put them all together, and now you have a cyclist who wants to compete in the Tour De France. Maybe he’s been training his whole life, and right before the tourney, he gets bitten by a vamp. But damned if he’s going to let that stop him. Now, he has to figure out a way to compete and do so with all the limitations involved -- sunlight issues, blood issues, and, hey, maybe Lance is really a vamp – the guy is super human after all! :)

Me, I love fantasy. I love all things mythological. I read books on ancient cultures and history for fun, and I have a thing for biblical myths, Celtic myths, and so on… I also love writing about strong women and how much strength and perseverance they have even when it seems like all is lost. We have this amazing ability to continue on even after the most horrible devastations. And most often this is because we have to; we have family, children, people who are counting on us, so we pick ourselves up and carry on even when we don’t think we can. So, when I chose what to write about it’s often a combination of these things and traits that amaze me.

That’s how my urban fantasy heroine, Charlie Madigan, was born. She came from my love of fantasy, magical beings, mythology, and strong, unstoppable women. Mothers, single mothers, women in the military and law enforcement especially… They are my *cough* vampire cyclists, if you will.

I know, crazy, right? When you’re starting out, it’s a process of finding where your strengths are and then incorporating some of the elements you love into those strengths. You might love comedy, but you might write better drama. It’s a learning process. But you won’t know until you try. You might be amazed at what you come up with, what you learn about yourself, and where you, ultimately, end up.

(And anyone who wants to take my vamp to the Tour De France is welcome. Have fun, don’t forget the sunscreen, and, um, you might want to stay away from Lance. Just sayin.) :)

About the Author

Kelly is just your average bookworm who likes to spend an embarrassing amount of time in make-believe places. She's had many jobs from construction (she can drive a backhoe, tar and shingle a roof, and frame out a house) to waiting on tables, threading film through a projector, managing horse farms, and selling men's underwear (a talent, she claims!). She's is a 2010 double RITA finalist, a 2010 SIBA Long List Book Award finalist, a three-time RWA Golden Heart finalist, and a recipient of an NC Arts Council Fellowship grant in Literature. Kelly lives in North Carolina where she is currently working on the 3rd Charlie Madigan novel. She also pens a new Young Adult series, debuting in Feb. 2011 from Simon Pulse, under the name Kelly Keaton.

About the Book

It takes a strong woman to keep the peace in a city of endless night. . . .

Deep beneath Underground, a cunning bid for power and revenge has begun—one that threatens to make Atlanta the new battleground in the ultimate confrontation between good and evil. The powers of hellish Charbydon have the upper hand after plunging the city into primordial night. And under the cover of darkness, a serial killer targets the most powerful Elysians in the city, the angelic Adonai. For Detective Charlie Madigan and her siren partner Hank, tracking deadly predators is all in a day’s work . . . but this case will test the limits of their strength and friendship as it draws them into a deadly world of power plays, ancient myths, explosive secrets, and a race against time that risks all that Charlie holds dear.

Kelly Gay's website

Giveaway

As an awesome last minute surprise, Kelly contacted me to offer you lucky readers a chance to win a SIGNED copy of The Darkest Edge of Dawn. Even more awesome - she's offering to ship internationally! To enter, leave a comment for Kelly and be sure to include your email address, so I can contact you if you've won.

Entry deadline: Sunday, September 5, 2010 11:59pm EST

Open to all!