Briah is featured today. She is a kick-ass heroine who can hold her own in a man's world. But first let's learn a little about the author.
What or who inspired you to
start writing?
I just really enjoyed reading
and exploring fictional universes through other media as well but my mom and
her work writing and editing is very inspiring.
How did you come up with ideas
for your books?
I read a lot of fiction and
enjoy historical fiction and the mixture between old and new technologies and
societies. I liked the challenge of creating my own characters in this sort of
mixed world. The challenges people face when they encounter the unknown and how
they handle those challenges is a large part of what humanity is and relatable
to anyone.
What expertise did you bring
to your writing?
What would you want your
readers to know about you that might not be in your bio?
Im working really hard on the
sequel to Blood Veins but I work full time and have a growing family so the
time I have to write is limited. Im making steady progress though.
As far as your writing goes,
what are your future plans?
The sequel to Blood Veins
which has a working title of Blood and Sand. That will almost certainly change
but I got tired of saying the sequel to Blood veins. I'm about 50,000 words
into the first draft.
If you could be one of the
characters from any of your books, who would it be and why?
There is probably a little of
me in all my characters but if I could pick one it would be Maximus from Blood
Veins. He has the least amount of emotional and psychological problems.
Do you belong to a critique
group? If so how does this help or hinder your writing?
I don't yet. I really want to
start going to Willamette writers mid valley chapter in Eugene but finding the
time is difficult. One of these days I just need to commit and go to their
monthly meeting.
When did you first decide to
submit your work? Please tell us what or who encouraged you to take this big
step?
I decided to submit me work as
soon as I was done with Blood Veins. My family encouraged me but I think it was
always the plan.
What is the best and worst
advice you ever received? (regarding writing or publishing)
I haven't solicited a lot of
advice. Mostly I have just gotten a lot of good advice from my mom and my other
editors. The best advice was to publish it Rogue Phoenix.
Do you outline your books or
just start writing?
I don't outline my books. The
first one was very linear. There was a group of people going from point A to
point B. It was very easy to keep track of the story and the characters. Sand
and Blood is much different as far as there isn't a physical linear journey to
mirror the story and the journey of the characters. I'm having to do a lot more
list making and note making to keep track of everything but still no outline
per say.
Do you have any hobbies and
does the knowledge you've gained from these carry over into your characters or
the plot of your books?
My interest in history mostly
Greek, Roman and Medieval has definitely carried over the rise and fall of
entire civilizations is fascinating.
Do you have an all time favorite
book?
It's really hard to pick just
one. I'm sure I've answered this question before and answered it differently
every time. The Name of the Wind is an amazing book and very well written. Dies
the Fire and the books that follow it are also some of my favorites.
Have you started your next
project? If so, can you share a little bit about your book?
I talked a little bit about
Sand and Blood already but I can share a little more. Larista, the country the
first book is set in, has been cut off from the rest of the world for
centuries. In Blood Veins that comes to a crashing halt. In Sand and Blood the
characters are now in the Free Cities on the other side of the barrier that had
separated the two lands. There situation
was bad in the first book but gets a lot worse in this one since the they have
been separated from each other and any support from their respected factions.
Who is your favorite actor and
actress?
I don't really have one.
Can you tell us a little about
the black moment in your book?
Well that would be a little
tough because talking it about it would give a lot away. It leads into the
second book and things are going to get worse for the characters before it gets
much better.
What is your favorite reality
show?
Won't watch anything where
crazy people are yelling at each other and running around like crazy people but
Pawn Stars and Storage Wars are pretty good.
Anything else you might want
to add?
Like me at my author page if
you google Author Brian Young or go here, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Brian-Young/209003422499368,
you can keep up with updates on Sand and Blood.
EXCERPT:
Well done," Briah muttered as she headed into
the cavern. She scanned the room distractedly with the lights on her helmet.
She walked all the way out to the edge of the walkway, her mind adrift as her
feet wandered along the edge of the subway station. Her arms crossed, Briah
stood looking at the tracks when she thought she heard a shuffling sound. Her
mind snapped into focus and she remembered Percival's warning before she blew
him off with her childish remark.
Briah slowly drew both her swords from their sheaths
on her back. The metal sliding against her scabbards was ear-shatteringly loud
in the silent cavern despite her best efforts at silence. Briah winced as her
swords gave one final ping as they came free of her scabbards and leaned over
the edge of the raised walkway.
Her eyes nearly jumped out of her skull as she tried
to take in the sight before her. Pale skin, long gangly limbs, and oversized
eyes with hugely dilated pupils stared back at her. The pupils shrunk and the
eyes squinted as her lights came in contact with the thing crouching below her,
but it didn't stop him from smiling. The smile made Briah feel nauseated. She
felt dirty and soiled after he looked at her. Frozen in shock, Briah was unable
to respond to the fist that exploded into her face.
The closest creature lunged out of his stance, one
arm shielding his eyes, the other curled into a fist. His uppercut connected
squarely with Briah's jaw, the bottom of her helmet shattered into a dozen
pieces and the rest popped right off her head. Briah's teeth clicked as her jaw
snapped shut, nearly biting off a piece of her tongue. Two other things sprung
up, grabbed her and pulled her onto the tracks before her helmet clattered onto
the ground.
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