Thursday 15 October 2009

Eleni-fest: chatting with Tracey O'hara






Today we have my fellow RWA Paranormal member and IM buddy, the terrific Tracey O’hara on Eleni-fest. Tracey’s debut urban fantasy novel, Night’s Cold Kiss was released in August in the US. This is book is part of my website competitions – so enter for your chance to win a copy.








Welcome Tracey to Eleni’s Taverna and  Eleni-fest!






Congratulations on the release of Night’s Cold Kiss. Does it still feel surreal that you are a published author?
Thank you Eleni. Yes it does still feel a little surreal. But I guess seeing your book on the shelf for the first time is one way to make it seem more real.




How hard was it to keep quiet during the 2008 RWAus conference as to the Call (waiting to be official)?
Extremely difficult. Can you imagine finally fulfilling your dream, but not being able to tell anyone? Well my agent said I could tell my close friends only. Besides my roommate, Jo who was with me when I got the news, I told Rachel Bailey and Mel Teshco. Rachel had recently sold to Silhouette Desire and the three of us had been together in writing for a few years, sharing our dreams as well as our skills. It was great to be able to share it with these girls.




Yay for writing friends to share the joy (Mel & Rachel). Do you have critique partners?
At the moment I am working with my husband and a good friend of mine, Cathy who isn’t writing much at the moment (though I wish she would—she is awesome). So no, I don’t have a critique partner as such. I also have a couple of beta readers who read it for the story content.




The cover art of Night’s Cold Kiss is fantastic (& perfect for the first scene) – did you have any input into how it would look?
I was asked by my editor if I had any ideas for the cover. I said it would be great to see the opening of the book when she is hunting. Mel Teshco helped me to flesh it out so it was the part where she was crouched on the windowsill with broken glass surrounding them. And when it went to cover conference – they loved it. Hence you get the truly fantastic cover you see.




You recently went to Conflux. How was that?
Conflux was fantastic. Although I only went to about have of it due to writing pressures and getting a headache. Getting to hang out with Keri Arthur is always lots of fun and there were several panels I enjoyed both participating in and being on. For more on my Conflux experience read the blog on the Harper Voyager online blog here. 




What has changed since getting your book deal? What has surprised you?
I work harder and longer. People often talk about the journey to getting published, but it is only the beginning. Don’t get me wrong. I love writing, I love telling a story and love being a writer. I don’t want to do anything else. But is not all rose scented candles and angels singing hymns. It’s hard work, the hardest I have ever done.




Do you still have the ‘imposter’ syndrome?
Hell yes. Every day I struggle against it.
(EK: For an explanation of the 'imposter' syndrome, check out this blog where Tracey explains)




How do you think your writing groups and associations have helped you in your writing?  
I think that writing groups were a large part of my success. Without the knowledge and support of those in both my local group and RWA I would never have achieved what I did, or it would have taken a lot longer. 




You recently got a tattoo  – what was the inspiration for it? Do you have any others (well that you can tell us about anyway *grin *)?
I am got my tattoo to try and represent the need I have to have more balance in my life. It was my fourth tattoo. To go with my new yin and yang style dragon tattoo, I have a large blue and red dragon on my thigh, a small black and red dragon on my right ankle and a Pegasus on my left shoulder.
(EK: So cool!)




Love the banner on your site and blog.
I have to thank the lovely gnomeangel of  http://www.greentangerinedesigns.com/ for the banner. Isn’t it awesome?






As always Tracey, it’s been a blast and I'm loving reading NCK. Thanks for joining in the Eleni-fest fun! Tracey has kindly offered a NCK promo pack (hat, tote bag and t-shirt) as a give away and I’m adding a wizard shaped pen since Tracey’s book helped get Eleni-fest kicking!! 



For your chance to win, please comment below. Comments will be open until the end 19th October.





Comments are now closed. Congratulations Nicky!



Please visit Tracey's website for a look at Night's Cold Kiss. (Hint: it would help answer the questions for my website competition *grin*)


Good luck!


~yia~

29 comments:

The Scarf Princess said...

Love the new tattoo Tracey! And congrats on the new book, it looks like a great butt-kicking story!

Unknown said...

Hi Eleni & Tracey :)
Thank you for the great interview here today. I love learning about an author I love. I'm glad your covers turned out so delicious.
What are you writing now?
If you could give one piece of advice to an aspiring author, what would it be?
I love your dragon yin-yang tattoo!
:)
Love & Best Wishes
Rob
xoxo

Shelley Munro said...

Wow, that cover does rock. I have to agree with you about writing being even harder after the first publication. No one told me this. It was a rude shock. *grin*
Congrats on your release!

Anna Hackett said...

Hey Tracey --
Great interview, you guys. Tracey, I've already told you, but NCK rocked. I'm waiting (im)patiently for book 2! I'm sure the cover gods will treat you well a second time.

Oh and you know I Love your yin yang dragon (-:

Mel Teshco said...

Tracey,
I'm half way through NCK and loving it!! You're right though, you have to be passionate about writing to make it - it's hard work, but so very rewarding!

Tracey O'Hara said...

Joder - thank you - I really love it. It is my favourite so far. I see dragons as symbols of protection and I so looking forward to book 3 where I bring Dragons into my world.

Tracey O'Hara said...

Rob - so lovely to see your smiling comments as always.

1st Question - I'm now doing revisions for Book 2 DEATH'S SWEET EMBRACE and writing Book 3 SIN'S DARK CARESS.

2nd Question - Keep at it. Persistance is the key, hone your craft and keep trying AND most importantly KEEP WRITING.

Tracey O'Hara said...

Shelly - isn't it the best cover in the history of covers (just like my babies were the most beautiful and all the world)? AND isn't it a rude shock. Somewhat like a smack in the face with a cold bucket of water I reckon.

Tracey O'Hara said...

Anna - my tattoo is quiet sympatico with you *vbg* and thanks for saying you liked NCK - you know I am a fan of your work too.

Tracey O'Hara said...

Mel my passionate friend and new grandma. You know I love you too. Mwah.

Eleni Konstantine said...

Hey ya everyone - so glad you made Tracey feel welcome. And that tatt rocks! Tracey I'm nearly at the end of your book and bloody well love it. :) So will be there shortly...got me some NCK to finish.

Sussan Marz said...

Tracey, Eleni, enjoyed the interview. Look forward to reading your book Tracey when I get my hands on a copy :-)

Sue BT said...

Hi Tracey,
Fabulous tattoo. It looks magical.

Can't wait to read your book. Love the excerpts on your site and the cover is sublime.

You *are* working hard, and the work is paying off. Keep going! When you find the secret of keeping things in blalance, let me know!



Hugs
Sue

Tracey O'Hara said...

Eleni - Woo hoo. And THANK YOU. Mwah. And thanks again for having me here. Double Mwah.

Tracey O'Hara said...

Sussan - Long time no talk. Hope you are going to Sydney conference next year - has it been 2 years already. Hope you enjoy.

Tracey O'Hara said...

SueBT - I think it is pretty special. Like I said - best cover eva. I haven't found the secret yet but if I do you will be the first I tell. Mwah to you too.

Eleni Konstantine said...

Aw I get the double mwahs... Thanks Tracey. But serioulsy, thank you for being part of Eleni-fest.And just finished NCK - gold!! Those who haven't read it, remember your chance to win in my website competition. It's fantastic. Bring on book 2!!

Eleni Konstantine said...

Thanks everyone for enjoying the interview.

Joder and Rob - I'm getting used to you two being the first to comment. What will I do when Eleni-fest is over? :)

And everyone doesn't that cover rock. I remember when Tracey showed it to me & I immediately loved it. I'm a fan of artwork as you would have noticed with graphics lining up in my blog entries.

Shelley - I think it important for pre-published writers to know that it's still hard work after the call, or more precisely - as you, Tracey and Mel have pointed out, even harder. The reality of the biz.

Tracey - love the titles of Book 2 & 3 and yay Dragons...can't wait to see that.

Christina Phillips said...

I can't wait to read NCK - just sorting out my deadline headache thingies and then I'm onto my tbr pile! And omg Tracey you are so right about it getting harder, I have trouble even remembering what month it is never mind the day!

Huge congrats again on your debut release, your fab cover and here's to many, many more!!!

Eleni Konstantine said...

Christina - Congrats on selling to Berkley Heat in spite of the deadline headaches. Sounds like a very full on ride. And agree - hope there's many more - for you both.

Tracey O'Hara said...

Christina - strap your self in for the ride miss just-sold-to-Berkley. Thanks for showing the love. :)

Tracey O'Hara said...

Eleni - thanks re the titles - Book 2 is pretty much loked in not so sure about book 3 title yet. :D

Erica Hayes said...

Hey Tracey! Great interview :)

Sandie Hudson said...

Hi Tracey & Eleni,
Yes I know I'm late posting a comment. Anyway great interview. Tracey if book two is anywhere near as good as NCK bookstores wouldn't be able to keep it on their shelves.

Sandie
Who is waiting for her Bookstore to ring to say NCK has arrived.

Eleni Konstantine said...

Agree Sandie - bookstores - watch out!!

Linda Henderson said...

Great interview and great tatoo. I look forward to reading your book.

Eleni Konstantine said...

Isn't the tattoo just the coolest. It looks so great on Tracey. And the book is fantastic. I finished it on the day this post went up. Waiting for book 2 with bated breath ;))

Nicky Strickland said...

Impatient for Book 2 - used NCK as a reward for looking at my m/s (if I actually waited for my revisions to be done, Book 3 would be out)!

Cool tatts too :)

Eleni Konstantine said...

Thanks everyone for making Tracey feel welcome and for commenting.

The Random Generator picked 'Nicky' as the winner of the promo pack and wizard pen....

And thank you so much Tracey for your generosity and for joining us on Eleni-fest...a blast!

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