Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Courtney Allison Moulton Author Interview


Book Nerd Interview

Courtney Allison Moulton lives in Michigan, where she is a photographer and spends all her free time riding and showing horses. She has always loved reading about ancient mythologies, studying dead languages, and telling scary, romantic stories. ANGELFIRE is her debut novel.

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What’s one thing that readers would be surprised to find out about you?

That I like horses. Just kidding. That’s Courtney 101 and kind of a gimme. Something about me that would surprise readers… I yodel. There you have it.

What was the greatest thing you learned at school?

The greatest thing I learned at school was not to listen to those who told me it was too hard to do what I wanted to do: be a published author. While they weren’t wrong about it being hard, it wasn’t impossible.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received from another author?

Carrie Ryan was the first author I’ve ever met and she asked me to pitch my book to her, then proceeded to tell me I’d better get used to random pitches because everyone will want to hear it. She was absolutely right. I could probably pitch my book in my sleep by now. This is something I tell every new author I meet: get really good at your pitch and get used to telling it to everyone.

What are some of the common challenges that new and experienced authors face and what advice do you have for over-coming them?

I’m sort of in the between stage right now – I’m not an experienced author, but my third book comes out in a few months so I’m not exactly new. I think something that gets to us all is disappointing our editors. My editor’s opinion of my manuscript is so important to me and I don’t want to disappoint her. She’s the one who took the chance on my book. I want to do the very best I can and make her proud. Sometimes it really freaks me out and I don’t think I’m doing well enough, but then I remember that when she took that chance on me, my manuscript was an unpolished baby book and she STILL loved it. Now that I’ve grown up and learned so much, my manuscripts are leagues better than her first impression of my writing and will always be leagues better.

For those who are unfamiliar with your novel; Wings of the Wicked, how would you introduce it?

Again with pitches! Wings of the Wicked is about an archangel who was made mortal and given a human soul when she was sent to Earth to defend Heaven and humanity against the reapers, monstrous creatures who kill humans and drag their souls to Hell.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating Ellie?

When I created Ellie’s character, I made her VERY human. As an archangel, she is emotionless, lacking compassion, and borderline cruel, but when she was given a human soul, she was also given everything that comes with being a young girl. She has empathy, passion, and some serious guts, but she’s also insecure, can second guess herself, gets afraid sometimes, and wants to be normal. She has emotions and personality traits from across the board, because that’s what it’s like to be human. When I put all of these things into Ellie, I learned that some readers are very unforgiving of a character’s mistakes. They expect a heroine to make all the right decisions, but who does that? What person has never slipped up in their lives? I also learned that it’s okay for some people not to get that. Ellie will keep being herself and make her mistakes and learn from them, just like I will because I’m human.

Why do you feel you had to tell this story?

One of the biggest themes in this book is the strength of humanity. In the paranormal and fantasy genres, our human characters are surrounded by immortal creatures of immense power. The humans get overshadowed. While my reapers and celestial beings can punch through walls and punch your jaw right off your face, my human characters have a different kind of strength. They have heart and soul, and their compassion makes them fight a million times harder for what they believe in. There are many instances when Ellie fights harder than her supernatural enemies because she was an archangel made human and she’s got a lot more to lose, like her family, her friends, and her home now: Earth.

Do you have a favorite quote that you keep visible in your work environment to help inspire you?

There’s a picture taped to my lamp of Batman pointing at me and saying, “Quit procrastinating.” So… yes?

If you could introduce Will to any character from another book, who would it be and why?

There are quite a few characters I’d like to introduce Will to so he can show them how to properly dispose of literary bad nasties. He slices, dices, and makes Julienne fries.

What are some of your current and future projects that you can share with us?

I can’t talk about my future projects, unfortunately. I can say that with my new project, I get to play with my love of history and Indiana Jones-esque adventures. There’s nothing else out there like this project and it’s pretty crazy. I’m beyond stoked about it!

What’s the best advice you can give writers to help them develop their own unique voice and style?

That’s a good question I’m not sure I have an answer to. I think that voice and style of each characters comes naturally to every writer and you have to let it appear organically in your writing. Maybe my advice would be to just write and don’t worry about voice. Just write the character the way he or she needs to be written and don’t confine yourself to any parameters. Your characters are people, so let them be people.

Where is the best place in the world you’ve been?

The barn where I keep my horse in the best place in the world. No matter how terrible a day or week I’m having, I’ll drive to the barn, ride my horse, and visit with my riding friends, and everything is fixed. It’s like a break for my soul.

What book are you reading now?

Right now I’m devouring Jocelynn Drake’s Nightwalker series. It’s so deliciously dark and brutal.

What do you think is the most useless class in high school?

Planning Your Future was always a waste of time for me. I knew I wanted to be an author, but my teacher told me I couldn’t do that and needed to pick a real job.

When asked, what’s the one question you always answer with a lie?

When someone asks me how I’m doing I always say I’m great. I don’t like to broadcast or talk about my bad day. The suck has already happened and the best way to heal from it is to move on. If you dwell on the suck, the day will just keep sucking and you will never escape.

What's the worst summer job you've ever had?

I’ve never actually had a job. I horse showed. Writing is the only thing I’ve ever paid taxes on.

When was the last time you cried?

I just took my horse (whom I’ve practically had since she was born) to her first big A circuit show, where she got lots of ribbons. I’d just taken her in her first class where we jumped around some big fences for a baby horse and she went so well and I was so happy that I might have cried a little. I’m not a crier, so it was just a pathetic sniffly little thing that barely counts.

Where can readers stalk you?

I’m pretty stalker-friendly. You can find me on Facebook, my website (http://www.courtneyallisonmoulton.com/), my blog (http://courtney-allison.blogspot.com/), my twitter (https://twitter.com/CAMoulton), and my tumblr (http://piaceri.tumblr.com/)



Life as the Preliator is harder than Ellie ever imagined.

Balancing real life with the responsibility of being Heaven's warrior is a challenge for Ellie. Her relationship with Will has become all business, though they both long for each other. And now that the secret of who she really is has come out, so have Hell's strongest reapers. Grown bold and more vicious, the demonic threaten her in the light of day and stalk her in the night.

She's been warned.

Cadan, a demonic reaper, comes to her with information about Bastian's new plan to destroy Ellie's soul and use an ancient relic to wake all the souls of the damned and unleash them upon humanity. As she fights to stay ahead of Bastian's schemes, the revelations about those closest to her awaken a dark power within Ellie that threatens to destroy everything—including herself.

She'll be betrayed.

Treachery comes even from those whom she loves, and Ellie is broken by the deaths of those who stood beside her in this Heavenly war. Still, she must find a way to save the world, herself, and her love for Will. If she fails, there will be Hell to pay.



The action-filled romance inside Wings of the Wicked by Courtney Allison Moulton is the sequel to her book, Angelfire. The book is based on the relationships formed in Angelfire and provides more aspect and backstory. Readers will have a better understanding of Ellie, Will, and their relationship. Courtney gives readers a closer look into Ellie’s normal life and her struggles to maintain it. The evil forces are far more sinister this around.

The plot progression is amazingly executed with tension building up to the climax. Wings of the Wicked is like its predecessor except that it is darker. The pace is faster and readers get a different look at the relationship of Will and Ellie. Courtney takes it up a notch with more depth in the world of angels. There is so much new things to explore in a story that is already been established. The battle scenes are vividly described. The attention to detail that Courtney lashes out is remarkable.

Courtney has delivered a book that is truly a one of a kind adventure. One thing I noticed about this book is the pace. Once you read it, it automatically draws you in and you will want to continue further. The writing style fits perfectly with the book’s theme. This is a great continuation in the Angelfire Series and I am certain readers will be in for a treat for book three.


You can purchase Wings of the Wcked at the following Retailers:
    


And now, The Giveaways.
Thank you Courtney for making this giveaway possible.
1 Winner will receive a Signed copy of Wings of the Wicked by Courtney Allison Moulton.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

45 comments:

  1. I dont know Probably falling on my a** in front of the entire mall

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  2. As a lifegard: fall backward into the pool and hurt myself. Thumbs up!

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  3. Ummmm when I was in an art lesson and was preparing my paint for the painting I was doing. I picked up the bottle of red paint to put some on my paint palette and when I turned the bottle upside down to pour, the whole lid flew off and I got literally covered from head to toe in red paint. It was soooo embarrassing as I had to sit in paint covered clothes for 2 hours before walking the full length of the school to find my friend and ask for a lift home so I could change clothes

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  4. Oh lord I do so many embarrassing things that I stopped getting embarrassed a long time ago, haha.

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  5. Thanks so much for the wonderful interview and great giveaway. I've been meaning to read these books for a while already.

    The most embarrassing thing I ever did would probably have to be when I tried to do a flip and a half from a diving board, I slipped and ended up doing a butt dive instead.

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  6. I don't even want to remember it.. I was young and I was walking, then I saw the guy I liked in that time and we made eye contact.. PEOPLE! DON'T KEEP WALKING WHILE YOU'RE DOING AN EYE CONTACT WITH SOMEONE, SPECIALLY, IF IT'S SOMEONE YOU REALLY LIKE. I hit a wall, really hard!!! I fell on my a** in front of my entire school. And for dessert!! My skirt went up, so everybody near me saw my pink panties..

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  7. I walked into a pole. Ow. That's only one from the very long list. I have a habit of falling a lot, and with snow- it only gets worse.

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  8. I don't really find things embarrassing...just really funny :)

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  9. I fell from a swing at the park in front a group of hot guys!
    T_____T LOL! I laugh now but back then was soooo embarrasing!
    (ileana-rafflecopter)

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  10. I hate to admit it but, when my husband and I just started dating I ended up farting in front of him. I was SO embarrassed

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  11. I had the most awkward love confession EVER.

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  12. Falling right on my ass while walking through some snow/ice and I just stayed down for a few minutes because it hurt so much.

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  13. I did alot of embarrassing things in the past because I'm too nervous.

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  14. At my wedding reception, whilst dancing one of my boobies flew out of the top of my dress. Thankfully? the only person besides myself who saw was my new Mother-in-Law lol

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  15. Haha why would I talk about it? It's embarrassing!

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  16. while iam saying stupid things with my boy friend..
    thanks for the chance ^^

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  17. Guys, I embarrass myself every. single. day. No lie. It makes it really hard to just pick one story. One of the worst ones I remember is from high school. I had these jeans that were extremely tight and had no waistband, no button - just the zipper to hold them up. (I know, I know - this was the 90s. Also, I was much skinnier then.) I wore those stupid jeans all the time and then one day in class the zipper broke. What the eff do you do in a situation like that? I had nothing to change into and I didn't have a car yet so I couldn't even drive home. I ended up having to call my friend's mom to pick me up and walk all the way through school holding my fly closed. And everyone in class watched me do my walk of shame. I think I burned those jeans after that.

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  18. I do really embarrassing things all the time. So often, in fact, that I'm having trouble thinking of a really good one. How about how I fell in front of my whole 12th grade health class one time. And I was just walking into class.

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  19. Walk around with my butt seam ripped out of my jeans. How embarassing! Thank goodness I wasn't wearing granny pannies.

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  20. I threw up in the middle of a hall in elementary school.... EW!

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  21. Having a mind block during presentation. That's utterly embarrassing

    -wni

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  22. I managed to slam both toes into the bottom part of a metal step thing and trip over it >.<

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  23. I have a lot of embarassing moments, hahah. But, in the fourth grade, I was sitting down while my teacher was talking and the side of my nose itched. I scratched it, except one kid on the other side of the room thought I was picking my nose, so he said, really loudly (for EVERYONE to hear) "GROSS THALIA, STOP PICKING YOUR NOSE."

    I wasn't even doing anything and I was still super embarassed!

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  24. I passed gas one time in the car on a date. It was quiet so I was hoping it would be one of those unnoticeable ones. It wasn't.

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  25. Ripped my pants while doing a cartwheel haha!

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  26. I completely blanked out during a job interview--even though I already had the job and was only interviewing for formal paperwork reasons, it was still completely mortifying!

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  27. Still too fresh to talk about O.o, maybe someday I will look back on it and laugh, right now? Not so much.

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  28. That's tough, I have lots of those moments lol Though I will have to say the most fresh one was when my daughter so nicely pointed out in a room full of people that I needed to start exercising.

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  29. Busted my pants before a band performance that I had to do in front of thousands of fans

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  30. three words: ate. fish. food....nuf said ;)
    thanks for the giveaway!!!!!

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  31. I told my dad's friend that there is a hole in his socks

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  32. The most embarrassing thing would be falling off one of the boxes/cubes (on stage) I was dancing on for my spring musical in high school.

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  33. A LOT. I think that's already part of me: being awkward and clumsy and stuttering in a crowd are huge tokens to embarrassing myself.
    -.- LOL

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  34. I don't want to remember that!! Great giveaway!

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  35. I embarrass myself way too often to have a most embarrassing moment, they all feel horrible when they're happening!

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  36. I always embarras myself during presentations. It's really awkward to me to be there while everybody is staring at me.

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  37. to many to mention. most of them includes a book (or a bookstore). you know, when you are all alone and very absorbed in your book that you suddenly laugh so hard, or exclaim in frustration, or jump of extreme happiness or be giddy and all that? huh, imagine what it feels like when you remember you are in a library or somewhere public without a friend to cover for you when you act all strange and then all eyes were suddenly on you! :)

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  38. Tripped over my own 2 feet an fell on my head

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  39. Probaly one time when I went to hold my hubbys hand in a store and just reached back for his hand without looking and grabbed something that wasnt his hand. He didnt mind but I did especially when it was Christmas time and the stores where busy.

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  40. I laughed like an idiot when my teacher was angry... She got angrier 8-|

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  41. Argh!!
    You ask too many hard questions... I think it'd be easier to say... um Alba... What has been the least embarrassing thing you've ever done... since I'm constantly embarrassing myself... just watch my vlogs :D

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  42. Uh, I think the most embarrassing thing was that I accidentally clicked on a porn site and my cousin walked in.

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  43. Buff, my most embarrassing moment could be when I was small and went to the cinema with my older sister. The sound of the film was normal in a cinema but for me it was so loud that I started shouting why the sound was so loud! Years later, my sister told me and I was between embarrassed and really amuse!

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