ACE AWARD SUPREME - INTERVIEWS

Second Place in Vampire Werewolf, B1

1. What do you, as the writer of your works, like about your book (placed) the most?

First, I love an imperfect protagonist. Rather than having a nearly-perfect character whose environment is the only thing messed up, I wanted someone who had deep-rooted emotional issues. I wanted the reader to see that everyone deserves to be loved deeply, whether or not they realize it. Bridget can be hard to live with. She's stubborn, a little reckless, even a bit selfish. But Apollo loves her with his whole heart, and she learns to love in return. It's not a fairy tale- there are major ups and downs, and they really have to develop as people to make it work. That development from pain to healing was really important for me, and I have enjoyed writing this story. I'm hopeful that any readers who feel like they aren't good enough for love can go through that hurt and that healing with Bridget, Apollo, and the other characters I love so much.

3. How many books have you written, including the ones you have not completed?

I've been writing for many years - including everything that I've written but not completed/published, I've probably written over forty stories.

5. What was the first thing that drove you to start writing?

I think it was after I read the first Harry Potter book. I had never read anything that was so descriptive, or that had sucked me in so quickly. I had so many ideas flying around in my head, and so I decided to start putting them on paper.

6. Are there any Wattpad authors who inspired you to write? If so, list their pseudonyms.

My best friend, @kbellwrites . In the early years of our friendship, we often spent the summer nights having sleepovers in her family's pop-up camper. We played Uno, listened to music, and I read her some of my stories out loud. When she started publishing on Wattpad, she encouraged me to publish some of my work on there.

7. Do you get writer's block frequently? If so, what do you do to combat it?

I definitely go through phases where I can write a lot, and in turn, days or weeks where I don't want to write at all. If I ever find myself going through writer's block, I lean on the work I've already written. When I feel like writing, I write until I can't anymore. Sometimes I will be 4 or 5 chapters ahead of what I've published, so I edit and publish those chapters while I'm waiting for creativity to hit. If I don't have anything extra written, I will sit down and write out how I feel the story should go- an outline, really. Once my outline is written, I may pick a scene I've been excited to work and write it- whether or not it's still chapters away from where I'm at on Wattpad. Usually that excitement can fuel me to go back and continue from where I'd left off.

8. How long have you been writing?

I have been writing since I was about seven years old.

10. What was the name of your first work?

My first story was called "Welcome to Bridgemont", about a teenage girl who found out that she had powers, and that her father's disappearance when she was a child was a lot more sinister than anyone had imagined.

11. Do you have any thoughts, any comments you wish to say upon winning in the Ace Awards?

I definitely want to thank the judges for their hard work and dedication. I'm sure it can be challenging to choose from so many great works, and I really appreciate constructive criticism in my writing.

13. At what time are you usually more productive? Why so?

I'm definitely a night owl. Having a small child makes working during the day difficult, so I do my best work when she is in bed and I can really devote a lot of uninterrupted time to my writing. There's also something so calming about the night- there are less cars zooming past my house, and most people are quiet in their homes.

15. What is your take on the genres that you have written in (e.g romance, sci-fi, mystery)?

Romance, especially paranormal romance, can get very corny and dramatic. I try my hardest not to make it like some middle school drama, and let the relationships and hardships move at a natural pace (whether or not I've succeeded is another story). That being said, it's still my favorite genre. I love being able to move outside the possibilities of humans, into a world where nearly anything could happen. It allows my imagination to really work in any direction.

17. Are there any books that you've read, that have impacted your writing? If so, how have they influenced your writing?

The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling was what got me into writing, and it'll always be kind of like my first love. I will always have a place for it in my heart. But as I got older, my interests changed a lot. In high school, I read the Black Dagger Brotherhood series by J.R. Ward. I loved vampires before this series, but it really boosted those feelings for me. The vampires in the series are almost larger-than-life, but they're still very human in certain ways. I like to have very complex characters, who are not defined simply by what they are, and the BDB series definitely helped me learn how to do that.
I am also a fan of the Doon series by Carey Corp and Lorie Langdon. The relationship between Veronica and Kenna is so powerful for me- it reminds me a lot of me and my best friend. I love a good, strong female protagonist, and this book delivers two! And of course, who doesn't love a good "destined" romance story? This series definitely gives me inspiration to write more of that pure, sweet love that people feel good reading.

20. What are your hobbies, besides writing? Why are they so?

I'm a youth librarian by trade, so reading is always at the top of my list. But one of my other hobbies is crafting. I love a good mind-numbing hobby, and oftentimes when I paint or draw, I am completely engrossed in it, to the point that little else is on my mind. Having anxiety, sometimes I just need to not think about all the things that are bothering me. Plus, it's always great to make something beautiful out of something boring!

21. What is the inspiration behind the title of your (placed) book?

"Who Wants to Live Forever" is a song from the amazing band Queen, but it was covered by a beautiful group called the Tenors (featuring the talented violinist Lindsey Stirling). The first time I heard it, I was looking for some kind of creepy-yet-romantic music to inspire me, and this hit the target a hundred times over. The music video is haunting and poignant and gives me goosebumps... plus, it's about vampires! I love when someone can take a song and turn the meaning of the lyrics completely on its head! This song alone was one of the contributing factors to my story being written, and whenever I need inspiration, I play it on repeat. It's always worked for me!

22. Do you find writing to be something you would pursue as a career, or only as a hobby?

I would absolutely pursue writing as a career- as a young kid (and even still today), my dad always told me that I should become a published author. I've always enjoyed writing just to have people read it. If I somehow got paid to do what I love? That sounds like an amazing opportunity to me!

25. Give us a small description of yourself!

Well, my name is Brenna, and I am a 28-year-old woman from the Midwest. I have a great husband, an adorable daughter, two cute cats, and I have a fantastic job as a youth librarian! My mom was a librarian through most of my childhood, so that definitely shaped my love for reading (and ultimately, writing). I love nothing more than to curl up in bed with a book, my laptop, and some popcorn!

Interviewing brennaiswriting.