Author Spotlight – Pauline Gruber
I am thrilled to be shining the spotlight on Pauline Gruber this month. You know how I like to ask questions! Well, here is my interview with Pauline. I’m looking forward to her new release, The Girl and The Gargoyle, coming out on June 26th.
- Tell us a little about yourself. How long have you been writing? What genre do you write?
I’ve been writing “seriously” for five years, although I’ve been dabbling most of my life. I write paranormal romance, fantasy adventure, contemporary romance, and science fiction for young adults. Maybe it would it be easier to list what I don’t write. Dystopian, steampunk, and horror.
- Where do you get your inspiration from?
The inspiration for The Girl and the Raven came while I was falling asleep one night and then it proceeded to rob me of sleep for a week. A sixteen-year-old girl from Tennessee moves to Chicago and is nearly run over by a wealthy investor barrelling down the street. Turns out a demon is coming for the man’s son and this girl is the only one who can save him. It’s an over simplified version of the story, but there it is. I loved writing that story!
The inspiration for my vampire novel (not yet published) came from the Chateau d’Abbadie, a castle in France. I built a duplicate castle in remote Wisconsin where a group of poker playing vampires reside (they also garden at night). I had so much fun studying castles and interiors while writing that story.
- Where/When do you do the most of your writing?
I write on the train while commuting to my day job. It’s fabulous because I can either plug in my earbuds and listen to one of my music mixes on my iPod or keep my ears open and eavesdrop on interesting conversations. It’s great fuel for future characters and stories. I also write at my dining room table at home.
- What do you think has been your biggest accomplishment?Writing and publishing my first book. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done and the most rewarding.
- Do you have a favorite author?
Just one? Seriously? I’ll be nice and keep it to 7. Ann Patchett, Stephen King, Anne Rice, Neil Gaiman, JK Rowling, Stephenie Meyer, and Judy Blume
- Do you have any advice for other authors?
The first is to put your butt in the chair and actually write. It’s been said hundreds of times before, but it bears repeating. There is a guy in my IT Department at the day job. He’s so creative and comes up with brilliant story ideas. I touch base with him periodically, to find out where he’s at with a particular story and to cheer him on. The answer is always the same. He rattles off a dozen reasons why he’s made no progress. It’s frustrating. His stories need to be told.
Second piece of advice: persevere. That one word is mighty powerful. I can’t tell you how many times I wanted to give up. Whether you suffer from writer’s block, anxiety, lack of time, lack of ideas, a ton of responsibility, the blues, lack of sleep, whatever it is, DON’T GIVE UP! Believe in yourself and your stories. I promise you, the satisfaction you will feel upon completing your book is unlike anything else. And, like one of my readers recently pointed out to me “You’ve got big time bragging rights!”
- Describe your latest WIP.
The Girl and the Gargoyle, the sequel to The Girl and the Raven, is being released on June 26th. I’m so in love with this book! Here is the blurb:
Being half-witch/half-demon and dating Marcus, a gargoyle, is complicated enough for Lucy. She can almost tolerate Jude, her demon father, implementing demon training. But when Marcus’s family arrives in Chicago, her world begins to crumble. Marcus’s mother wants him to return to the gargoyle clan where he belongs; his father wants Marcus to help him kill Jude. There’s one very major problem with this: if Jude dies, Lucy dies.
Marcus works with other supernaturals to help save Jude and Lucy. Meanwhile Lucy has her own plan and with the aid of a surprise newcomer, seeks help from the most unlikely—and dangerous—source.
The Girl and The Raven is at Amazon
The Girl and The Gargoyle will be released on June 26th.
- How can readers reach you?
My website: www.paulinegruber.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulinegruberauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PaulineGruber
Great writing & novels!
Thank you, Amanda!! <3