Let’s Welcome Raven Raye, author of the new book, Broken Prophecy. Don’t you just love her cover?
Callie: Hi Raven, and welcome to Monday magic. If you could be a character in one of your books, who would it be, and why?
Raven: Brenna. Aside from the fact that Brenna means ‘girl with the long raven hair,’ she’s a witch.
Callie: If you hadn’t decided to become a writer, what other occupation can you see yourself in?
Raven: Actually, I did it backwards. I always knew I wanted to be a writer/artist and was actually accepted to The Art Institute of Houston, but chickened out. My parents had always told me how hard it was to make a living in the Arts and I convinced myself I wasn’t good enough to make it in a field like that. I mean, if my Dad and Grandmother, as good as they were, couldn’t make it neither could I, so I went with my back-up plan. Medical. Two years of X-ray and 1 year of Radiation Therapy later, I had a dual registry. I’ve been doing Radiation Therapy now for 28 years. Getting a few poems and a technical article published gave me more confidence in my writing skills. When I got laid off (I know, medical?), I took that as a sign for me to get serious as a writer.
Callie: Do you prefer redeemable villains, or like them nasty through and through?
Raven: Nasty, unredeemable.
Callie: How do you pick the names of your characters?
Raven: I try to pick names that mean what their character is ultimately going to be. Not always. There are a couple of names of patients that I’ve treated—giving them the life they never had. I’ll remember them.
Callie: Is finding the right title easy or hard?
Raven: Very hard. Broken Prophecy changed titles three times. Or maybe four. Titles don’t even start entering my head until I’ve written at least 10K words. They come and go for weeks and I write down ones I like. Ultimately the title kind-of picks the work.
Callie: What did you do immediately after receiving your first ‘call?’ 
Raven: After receiving ‘the call’ or rather, the email; I stared at the email address for a long time before I opened it convincing myself it was a rejection and thinking of other places I might send it. When I finally opened the email, I stared again sure I was reading it wrong, but it really said ‘Good News!’ so I called my hubby and read it to him. I’ve printed the email and framed it. lol
Now for a few fun things:
Mountain home or beach house?
Oh, I would love a house in the forest on the side of a mountain. Just a little cabin; Snow White’s cabin, only a little taller.
Gloomy day or sunshine to get your muse going?
Gloomy days; a blanket of gray across the sky, the pitter-patter of rain on the roof and a slow roll of thunder occasionally… Ah, the perfect day.
Coffee or tea?
Coffee! Well, a little coffee in my cream and sugar.
Cat or dog?
Nothing beats a cat curled and purring by your side. On the table beside the computer, of course.
Carrie Underwood or Lady Gaga?
(shudder) Carrie Underwood in a pinch, but Within Temptation, Blackmore’s Night, Loreena McKinnett, Evanescence, Breaking Benjamin and Carbon Leaf are all on my ‘Goth Writing Music’ playlist.
Here is the blurb for Broken Prophecy:
Sheila R Polansky/ Raven Raye
www.soulmatepublishing.com
www.ravenraye.com
Broken Prophecy–2010 FFL winner/2011 DoD winner
Terrific interview, ladies. Love your playlist and your cover!
Hi Ceri,
Thanks for commenting. Nothing beats Breaking Benjamin for that dark moment that tears lovers apart.
Raven
Hi Ceri. (waves her and). Glad you stopped by. I must admit her playlist confounded me. lol
So glad your true self won out – good luck with the book.
Wonderful interview. Nice idea to help patients live on through your character names.
Hi, Raven! I am sooooo looking forward to reading Broken Prophecy! I enjoyed reading your answers to the questions… Hooray for gloomy days–some clouds to stop the sun from cooking us in Texas, please!
I second, Lynn’s comment.
Great to meet you, Raven.
Nice interview, Callie.
Neecy
Hi Raven,
Congratulations! How absolutely wonderful. It seems like yesterday when we got to meet at RWA national in NYC. Can’t wait to read Broken Prophecy. Hope it’s a best seller.
Anna T.S.
Hi Raven!!!
Great interview. I learned a few things about you that I didn’t know. And I really like the cover. Congrats!!
CC
Awesome interview, Raven and I love your playlist. You can hang out at my house and feel right at home. Beautiful cover too. Can’t wait to read Broken Prophecy.
*hugs*
~J.D.
Great cover, Raven:)
I enjoyed the interview, and like Christie, feel I learned a few more things about you…although, I already had you pegged as loving “moody” weather to write by:)…depending on the piece I’m working on, I like temperamental weather too…with soft lighting, music to set the stage, and of course, my cat curled nearby:)
Lo
Great interview, Callie and Raven!!!!! And, Raven, congrats on the beautiful cover!
What a terrific cover, Raven! Congratulations!
Interesting interview and your book sounds wonderful! You’ve got a great cover, too!
So glad y’all stopped by. It’s nice having visitors.
I really enjoyed this interview. It’s interesting what we tell ourselves from a very early age. Can you imagine if we always just went for it. Who knows what we could accomplish. I have so many “I wish I would have” moments in my life. I’m so glad to know that you’ve found a way to help people and pursue your passion! Thanks for the music recommendations! I’m off to take a listen. I could use some gothic inspiration right now!
You’re cover ROCKS! I can’t wait to read Broken Prophecy. A mountian cabin works for me, too!
I like your goth playlist, and your book sounds great, too. Best of luck with it!
Love Breaking Benjamin! In fact, they inspired a book of mine. And Evanescence is my go-to karaoke music! And I love it when my cat curls up behind my laptop, too. She just wants to be close. So sweet!
What a beautiful and interesting cover! I can’t wait to fall into the world you created
Congratulations!
Hey Raven!
Great interview! Love the playlist…..some of my favorite music. Hope the book does really well. Zoe is hanging over my left shoulder as I attempt to type!!
Phoenix
Thanks for all the great comments, everyone. And thanks, Callie, for having me as your guest today.
Raven
Loved the post, especially that some of your patients live on in your books.
Great interview, ladies.
Raven, I enjoyed learning more about you. Thanks for sharing.
Broken Prophecy sounds like a fascinating read. I can’t wait to grab my copy.
Good luck with your book.