Rita’s Website

Rita’s LPI Page

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All Titles by Author:

Ancient Inheritance, Lyrical Press

Born of Darkness, Lyrical Press

Latest Writing News:

My May book signings in the Toronto area for Ancient Inheritance were a huge success, with sales at the signings exceeding all expectations, so much so that I’ve been asked to do another signing when Born of Darkness releases in print.

On September 30, 2009, I’ll be appearing at Ansley Grove Library in Woodbridge, Ontario to read from and discuss Ancient Inheritance.

Favorite part of being an author:

Just the joy of doing something I really love, as opposed to something I have to do.

Typical day in the life of the author:

Not very glamorous, I’m afraid. Wake up, write, do some chores, play with the dog, write all afternoon again, make dinner for my crew. Evenings and weekends are when I work the evil day job. After I get home from work, I read or watch a movie. When I'm not doing any of those things, I'm hanging out with friends or family.

How old were you when you wrote your first story, and what was it about:

I was 14 when I wrote my first story, a modern day version of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. (Bullets replaced knives in this ghetto version).

What are you working on right now:

Just finished a horror novel that revolves around a curse inflicted by a dying child in 1576 Venice, Italy during the second outbreak of the plague.

I’ve also started work on another dark fantasy novel featuring a Watcher, a Nephil, an ex-priest and a man named Jared Crow who’s up to no good.

Most powerful/memorable thing that ever inspired you to write:

Reading Lord of the Flies in grade school and To Kill a Mockingbird in high school.

Strangest thing that ever inspired you to write:

Thinking about something Albert Einstein said: "I think the most important question facing humanity is, 'Is the universe a friendly place?'” This has become a question I now ask of every character I create.

Favorite place to write:

My computer’s set up in a room with three walls of windows overlooking the garden. Great view, both in summer and winter, and very peaceful. I’m easily distracted, so quiet surroundings suit me best.

Any writing rituals/superstitions?:

I enjoy having a few scented candles lit. Sometimes I’ll have some of my favorite blues tunes on in the background, but not necessarily. I also keep a 15th century icon of the Archangel Michael right next to my computer. It was gifted to me by a friend when I first started writing Ancient Inheritance and I’ve developed a real attachment to it—my good luck charm.

Strangest thing you’ve ever done in the name of research:

Spent hours online reading forum posts penned by Moroccans to see if I could figure out how they conjugated verbs when speaking/writing English, so that my Moroccan characters’ dialogue would sound believable.

Funnest thing you’ve ever done in the name of research:

Acted out a fight scene to determine if the action was physically possible.

Worst story idea ever:

Time will tell.

Favorite scene(s) in LPI titles:

In Born of Darkness, I particularly like the scene where Sephora, a trapped spirit, recounts to Jasmine what happened to her in 1812 Morocco as a result of her involvement with the incubus Ahriman, and how she became trapped between two worlds.

In Ancient Inheritance, I love the scene where Cat, Evangeline and Matthew attend Alan’s funeral and the demon Sammael puts in an appearance to stir things up.

When was the last time you laughed at yourself, and why?:

I laugh at myself every day because I’m notoriously absent-minded, extremely accident prone, and I’ve a great knack for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. I’m hilarious, really.

If you could ask anyone who ever lived any question, who would you ask, and what would you ask?:

I would definitely want to know from the ancient Egyptians why the pyramids were constructed.

Three least favorite words:

Squee

Woot

Chillax

I realize new words get created all the time, and some of them I like, but these three just rub me the wrong way. I make it a point never to squee.

Three favorite words:

Serendipity – Some words just sound like liquid gold when you speak them. Reading that word makes me want to say it out loud. I also love the idea of happy accidents.

Chiaroscuro – it ripples over the tongue, and I adore the image it conjures, light and darkness colliding to create ambiguity.

Gloaming – Not a pretty or musical word and a bit archaic, but seems to connote something a tad more sinister or mysterious than either “twilight” or “dusk”.

What are you reading right now?:

Vanilla Ride, Joe R. Lansdale’s latest Hap and Leonard novel

Just After Sunset, by Stephen King

Three summer reading essentials:

Lost Symbol, by Dan Brown (have to wait until September for this one)

Let the Right One In, by John Ajvide Lindqvist

Sanctified and Chicken Fried, by Joe R. Lansdale

Favorite summer pastimes:

This particular summer, I’ve been amusing myself by taking bets on how long it will be before the road construction crew working on my street cuts another gas line and blows up the neighborhood. Two broken gas lines and one evacuation so far.

Favorite hobby:

I’m a movie-goer who loves horror and action/adventure flicks.

Favorite online timesink(s):

Probably MySpace. I enjoy reading what everyone’s been up to. Before I know it, hours have gone by and I’ve accomplished nothing.

Advice to authors seeking publication:

Research your markets for the genre in which you write. Develop a thick skin before those inevitable rejections start rolling in. Keep the query letter professional and send your best work. Cultivate patience.

Most surprising thing you’ve learned about digital publishing:

What surprised me the most was the number of terrific authors I’ve discovered because of digital publishing, many of whom I may never have read otherwise.

Win a free ebook! Leave a question or comment for the author by Saturday morning (state-side), and be entered to win a copy of Born of Darkness

Winners will be announced during Saturday’s 6PM Central Time live blogcast. Entrants need not be present to win.