Wednesday 6 March 2013

Writing Buddy Wednesday: Kylie Griffin

Today I have fellow DarkSider, Kylie Griffin, visiting the Taverna. Kylie is funny and also one of the most supportive writers I know. She is a former contest queen and all round good people. :)




Over to Kylie....


PROCRASTINATION or RESEARCH?

Writing in the fantasy genre most of my stories play like movies in my head as I write. Even in my down time I'll often drift off in a daydream, playing with scenes until it's their turn to be added to my story.


As a visual person I like to have those images recorded in my notes and series bible, so one of the tasks I work on as I type out my story is finding photos of settings, clothing, weapons, buildings, models or actors who resemble the world and the heroes and heroines I envisage. I can spend hours searching for just the right picture, particularly with my heroes/heroines - until I find the picture that resonates the most.


After I've finished writing the book, usually the next task is putting together a portfolio of ideas for the art director at Berkley. My editor takes the photos and written descriptions to a meeting with Berkley's art director and they brainstorm a "look" for the cover of the book. This is made into a brief that is then sent to the cover artist (Gene Mollica is the man responsible for the covers in my Light Blade series) and he does his magic.

The process from start to finish is particularly exciting. I love putting together the portfolio, of showing my editor and the art director the world I see in my head, and then waiting in anticipation as the brief is put together then eventually Gene sending back the finished product. When the cover comes through to my inbox it's an exciting time and I spend several minutes to'ing and fro'ing, hesitating to open the email, knowing months of work lie within.
Chris Hemsworth as Arek

So far I've been blown away with what Gene and the art director have envisaged for each of the Light Blade covers. The heroes and heroines have matched what I spent months seeing in my head. Their clothes and the landscapes are spot on. And it makes the time I spend surfing the internet for images worth it.

But some might call this procrastination, but I think it deserves the honorable title of RESEARCH - what do you think? :-)


ALLEGIANCE SWORN
There is no mercy in the demon realm. No escape. In this place of desperation and conflict, anyone who is not purebred is virtually powerless. Until a demon leader seeks to unify the races…

With the alliance of the humans and the half-blood Na’Chi forged, the demon Na’Reish prepare for war by seizing human blood-slaves. Captured during a rescue mission-gone-wrong, Light Blade warrior Arek Barial finds himself claimed by a Na’Reishi female who offers him an unexpected choice.

Raised in the elite ranks of a society she abhors, Imhara Kaal lives a dangerous double life as a Na’Reish Clan-leader and an advocate for a caste-free life that honors the Old Ways. Openly rebelling against the Na’Reish would mean her death, unless she can find an emissary willing to present her petition to the human Blade council.

But Arek isn’t about to blindly follow a demon—despite the intense attraction growing between them. And while hatred for the Na’Reish is all he has ever known, Arek must learn to trust Imhara, or risk the destruction of all three races…

BIO
Kylie Griffin’s obsession with all things paranormal/fantasy started at an early age, when she used to imagine the jacaranda tree in her front yard was a spaceship used to defend the world from invading enemies. Writing stories seemed a natural extension to her childhood adventures.

Today, she’s a primary school teacher sharing her love for the written word with young children. In her spare time, she writes and reads all things paranormal.

Kylie lives in a small rural village in outback New South Wales, Australia, where she volunteers in a number of emergency service organizations in her local community. Visit her website at kyliegriffin.com


~~~
Thanks, Kylie.

I think looking at pictures of Chris Hemsworth is research for sure 
:0)


9 comments:

Christina Phillips said...

It definitely counts as research! Getting the cover right is very important, even if it means hours of trawling through pics of hot guys *sigh* it's a tough gig!!!

Mel Teshco said...

I can't believe how much the male model looks like Chris! Kylie, your research was definitely worthwhile =)

Kylie Griffin said...

Hey Christina - I'm definitely with you on this one - it's tough but we authors "have" to do it! ;-)

Kylie Griffin said...

Gene did another amazing match up of what I envisaged vs.the models he chose, for both Arek and Imhara. He's a wizard of a cover artist!

Book Chatter Cath said...

Another great post!
Thanks for sharing a little of how you manage to struggle through with all the cover model perving! I mean 'research' LOL!!!

Adina West said...

Always LOVE your covers Kylie - interesting to hear the process behind them!

I also waste far too much time on 'research' so I'm happy to hear arguments as to why this is valuable time spent. :-)

Kylie Griffin said...

Hey Cath, great to see you here! It's a REALLY difficult job researching... :-P

Kylie Griffin said...

Thanks, Adina. Gene Mollica, the cover artist, has informed me he's finally arranging to have his cover art produced as prints and these will be available on his website shortly.

Eleni Konstantine said...

Thanks to everyone for dropping by and making Kylie feel welcome!

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