Author Interview with Giveaway: Damaged (Dark Road #2) by Krys Fenner

Book info:
Title:  Damaged
Author:  Krys Fenner
Series: Dark Road #2
Publication date: November 20th, 2017
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult

Synopsis:

Hope springs eternal for everyone except Bella Kynaston. She survived the rape, but the aftermath is a whole other story. She struggles to figure out who she really is as more truths are revealed about her heritage. With no real anchor, sometimes ending it all seems like the only way out.

David has loved Bella for three years. Too bad he feels as if he no longer deserves a chance with her. Much to his surprise that’s exactly what he gets, but she’s far more damaged than he ever imagined. Still, he’ll do anything to help her even if it means losing himself in the process. Any transgression can be forgiven. Or so he thinks.

Will Bella find the peace she so desperately seeks if the pain permanently ended? Is there someone who can get to her in time? Or will the damage she’s suffered prove too much to bear?

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Author Interview:
1.  How important are names in your books?  Do you choose the names based on liking the way it sounds, or the meaning?  Do you have any name choosing resources you recommend?
 
First names are very important. I pick them a couple of different ways. One, I used babynames.com and I select names by ethnic origin and in some cases meaning. For example, Bella's full name is Maylin Nadalia Christabel. Maylin is Chinese and it means "beautiful jade." This was selected to represent her Chinese heritage as well for its meaning as she is seen as precious gem. Nadalia is Portuguese and means "born on Christmas Day." This was selected for her heritage, the meaning wasn't relevant. The last part of her first name Christabel is Spanish and it means "beautiful Christ follower." It was selected as a representation of the area she lives in and for its meaning.
The second way I choose names is I borrow them from people I know. Alex's first name is named after a friend of mine.
Surnames I will either make up or borrow from people I know. The bad guy in book 4 is actually partially named after a friend of mine. And he's always reminding me of it.
 
2.  How do you prepare to write a story about such a dark topic?  Do you research?
 
There were parts of this that I did have to research. I've never dealt with addiction, so I had research that a little bit. I needed to see what kinds of symptoms a person dealing with withdrawal would have. I also had to dig a little into the different painkillers and the strength of one over another. As for the depression and suicidal thoughts Bella goes through, for this I drew on my own experience. I have faced depression in the past and even once attempted suicide when I was nineteen. So I pulled on those emotions for a lot of this book.
 
3.  Did you know when you started writing the first book that there would be a sequel?
 
I had absolutely no idea. When I originally wrote this, I really thought it was all out in one, then I read some of the feedback on it and I realized this story was too big to be told in one book. So I split it up. I wrote Damaged first, then went back and did Addicted. After I was finished, I came back to Damaged and dug a bit more into the emotional aspect of everything.
 
4.  Do you always know how the story will end when you start?
 
Yes. I knew what was going to happen in the second (Damaged) book and even though I haven't finished the third (Avenged), I know exactly how it will end. I can even tell you how the fourth (Burned) book will end. I feel like I need to know the beginning, middle, and end in order to fill the rest in later so that I don't see too much time lapse between scenes. It also lets me put things in the other books to hint at future novels, so that it appears as if things are left unresolved.


5.  Where is your ideal place to write?  Do you have an office, or do you like to go sit in a coffee shop/library, etc.?
 
This has actually changed over the years. I used to love to spend hours on end at Panera. I could eat breakfast and lunch there with coffee in between. Now, I'm more comfortable in my office. It's my space, decorated with my work and it reminds of where I've been and where I want to go.

Author Bio:

Krys Fenner has been infinitely passionate about writing and helping people for as long as she can remember. To date, she has published two books, numerous poems, and is now avidly working on a fantasy series. Krys received an Associate of Arts in Psychology and is currently working on her B.A.

To find out more about Krys Fenner and her upcoming book releases, visit her official website: www.krysfenner.co

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Blog Tour - Author Interview with Giveaway: Addicted (Dark Road Series #1) by Krys Fenner

Book info:
Title:  Addicted
Author:  Krys Fenner
Series:  Dark Road Series #1
Publication date: September 29th 2017
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult

Synopsis:

Sixteen-year-old Bella Kynaston has been the victim of a brutal rape, by someone she can only describe as ‘the scar-faced man.’ With little recollection of what happened, she must somehow rebuild her life. Being the person she once was proves more difficult than she imagined.

To complicate matters, Bella has just met Jeremiah Detrone, the new guy in school. He’s attractive, funny, and smart. All things she’s ever wanted in a boyfriend. Too bad she’s conflicted over so many unexpected emotions. Without realizing it, she falls down a rabbit hole and begins walking a dangerous line between addiction and self-preservation.

As Bella works together with the police to bring her attackers to justice, will she be able to see it through to the end? And even if she does, will it only bring her more pain and misery? Or will she find an anchor in Jeremiah and figure out how to move forward?

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Author Interview:

1.  What does your writing process look like? Do you know the whole story when you start?  Or do you just start writing and go with it (seat of the pants writing)?  If you plan it out, how do you do that?  Outline, notecards, post-it-notes, etc.?

When I decide on a story, I know the way it starts, some of the major plot points, and how it should end. From there, I research, and I plan everything. I've tried a couple of different ways to keep track of all the scenes and what needs to be included. I started by writing it all down, but that got a bit tedious. Especially when I had to go back and change something. Sometimes I would make a note on my phone, but they can stack up. What I found finally worked is using an excel spreadsheet. I use it to create a calendar, which prevents me from constantly having to double check my dates, and then I put in what needs to happen when. I then create a tab for each new book in the series. I have one spreadsheet to keep track of everything instead of trying to remember where I put the notebook with all my notes or figure out how I labeled a note on my phone or computer.

2.  How do you come up with your ideas for your stories?

I pull from my own past, as well as things that are going on in our world that we aren't talking about. I feel like there is so much that happens during the teen years and too many parents these days are either turning a blind eye or too busy to see what is going on right in front of them. I believe it's time we change that.

3.  How long have you been writing?

I've had this voice inside my head that helped me create fantastical stories since I was a child. At first I expressed the need through gaming. I took my first creative writing class in high school and found another way to express myself. I turned to poetry when I got into college. This satisfied the voice for a long time, but it became more until about 2010. That's when I really delved into my passion for creating stories.

4.  What tips do you have for aspiring writers?

Never stop learning. This is an ever changing industry, whether you traditionally publish or self-publish, there is a lot to learn. And what worked yesterday could be different tomorrow. Plus, new information helps improve writing. And you never want to stop growing as a writer.  

5.  What are your favorite:

Books/authors/genres

So many ways to answer this! I'm a big fan of paranormal romance authors like J.R. Ward. I love the Black Dagger Brother series. I also love YA. Some of my favorites include Jay Asher's Thirteen Reasons Why, Laurie Halse Anderson's Speak, and Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver Trilogy. Not to mention Cassandra Clare.

Movies/TV Shows

Speaking of Cassandra Clare, I've completely taken a liking to the TV series Shadowhunters based on her books. I also love Criminal Minds, Law & Order: SVU, and How to Get Away With Murder. As for movies, Hocus Pocus, Tyler Perry's Boo, and It, the 2017 version, just to name a few.

Music

I will always be a huge Madonna fan! But she's not my only favorite. There's Maroon 5, Linkin Park, Kelly Clarkson, Evanescence, Nickelback, Seether. It's not all, but I think you get the picture.

Food/Writing snack

This is a toughie. I happen to be big on chocolate (preferably peanut M&Ms) and coke, but sometimes I might throw mac-n-chz in the mix or a glass of wine.

Author Bio:

Krys Fenner has been infinitely passionate about writing and helping people for as long as she can remember. To date, she has published two books, numerous poems, and is now avidly working on a fantasy series. Krys received an Associate of Arts in Psychology and is currently working on her B.A.

To find out more about Krys Fenner and her upcoming book releases, visit her official website: www.krysfenner.co

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

GIVEAWAY!

 
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