Guest Post: Shannon Delany author of Weather Witch

Creating a new world

Shannon Delany

 

Sing it with me: "A whole new world..." I'm going to have that Disney tune stuck in my head now!

I loved building--well, really DISCOVERING--the world of Weather Witch. I think it is a process of uncovering something that already exists in the darkest recesses of someone's mind more than constructing something--at least in Weather Witch.

The Weather Witch world was unearthed thanks to my love of Philadelphia, storms, and ghost stories. I knew I wanted something that incorporated all those things so I found the bits of Philadelphia I love most (other than South Street), dug through the ghost stories, and asked myself: What if you could control the weather?

It's a pertinent question, especially for a farmer like myself. But the job of an author is to take it further.

What if people could control the weather? What are the risks and rewards? What would the government do?

What would the world become?

The answers are actually relatively simple--the danger of such control is HUGE. Your obnoxious neighbor's having a picnic? Rain them out. Mad at somebody? Strike them with lightning. Want to grow perfect roses? Provide just the right amount of rain even if it screws up the vegetable garden nearby.

And that's when the world starts to really develop.

Surely not EVERYONE should have such powers! They must be regulated and controlled to protect us from ourselves and each other, right? Luckily there is a government to do such things. And if control means controlling people a little more firmly than they might like... If it means enslavement... Well, surely it's for their own safety. For their own good. Right? I mean, it is only a FEW people that are Weather Witches, so what's the harm as long as you protect the majority? So what if you personally benefit? You have a hard job, finding Witches... You should be rewarded! Besides, they're only Witches...

And then you start to see the comparisons in your world and the real one. How many people said of the African slaves who helped build the farms of our country, "They're only savages..." How many said of the Irish slaving in the Pennsylvania coal mines, "Well, that just starve because of the potato famine back home..." How many stepped aside in the time of Hitler and said, "Well, it's only the gypsies. Only the homosexuals. Just the Jews. Austria. Czechoslovakia. Poland... Oh, crap!"

And suddenly you realize no matter how many different ways you try to trick out a fictional world that there's only really ONE world and it always starts here. With our world, our hearts, our souls and our fears.

That's how I unearthed Weather Witch--with what ifs. Simple enough! But what if EVERYONE could control the weather?

In a vastly different and darker Philadelphia of 1844, steam power has been repressed, war threatens from deep, dark waters, and one young lady of high social standing is expecting a surprise at her seventeenth birthday party–but certainly not the one she gets!

Jordan Astraea, who has lived out all of her life in Philadelphia’s most exclusive neighborhood, is preparing to celebrate her birthday with friends, family and all the extravagance they might muster. The young man who is most often her dashing companion, Rowen Burchette, has told her a surprise awaits her and her best friend, Catrina Hollindale, wouldn’t miss this night for all the world!

But storm clouds are gathering and threatening to do far more than dampen her party plans because someone in the Astraea household has committed the greatest of social sins by Harboring a Weather Witch.

Amazon

B&N

About the author:

Shannon Delany grew up in a community that was traditional and respectful of superstitions and old religions and was very creative. She was surrounded by arts, crafts, and other languages from a young age and enjoyed sampling everything that atmosphere had to offer. Her childhood directly impacted her fascination with myths, legends, and the paranormal and has enjoyed using that information to write her 13 TO LIFE and WEATHER WITCH novels and her short stories.

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•a signed copy of Weather Witch

•a Weather Witch coffee mug with special goodies (all connected to the story)

•signed copies of 13 to Life and Secrets and Shadows

•a handcrafted mask

•a special metal and crystal bookmark

•a mini top hat

•a silhouette of their own profile cut and matted by Shannon

a Rafflecopter giveaway



Blogiversary interview with my favorite author, Shannon Delany!

For my celebration of my blogiversary I am doing my very first author interview. I am so excited because its with Shannon Delany. Yes, THE Shannon Delany. I also consider her a friend and idol in writing which makes her the perfect person I want to interview. By that I mean I stalk- erm follow her on twitter, her blogs amd pretty much anywhere (online even I draw a line somewhere) she appears...Tah-dah I am right there too. Okay sounds creepy but 1.) Maybe it is lol and 2.) She totally loves me so she likes it. I totally crack myself up.  But enough with MY silliness on to the interview.

When did you write your very first story and why?

Shannon:  The first story I remember writing was in 4th grade as part of an assignment. My teacher believed all f us should try writing a book at some point so she had us write a story then she would type it up, we would illustrate it and then we "bound" it using cardboard and scraps of wallpaper the local hardware store donated. I remember even then being amazed at how it felt to hold my words instead of just say them.

What was the story about?

Shannon:  I don't remember what the first one was about. The only one I do remember was the one I wrote about how I found one of our kittens run over on the street in front of my house. I guess I've always used writing to cope with things. [Awwe so sad, :'( that has to suck!]

Did you ever have that writer's aha moment and think "hey I want to do this writing for real" or was it just naturally the next step?

Shannon:  I always sort of messed around with it. It wasn't until I got serious interest from publishers that I thought, Hey, this is crazy enough it might just work! see, if you're too serious and get rejected, it hurts. But if you tell yourself often enough that you're just messing around, rejections not tough to deal with--I think I had a safety default setting on my attitude before last year.

Do you ever get terrified when thinking about your book being out there for the world to read?

Shannon:  Holy. Heck. Yes.

So I know 13 to Life is a 3 book series (duh I mean trilogy) is it possible *fingers crossed* that there can be more books a la Rachel Caine's YA series going from 6 bk series plus stand alone segments of a series for as long as it works?

Shannon:  Eh, anything's possible. I have plots for at least a few other books in the series, but I also have totally different stories I'd like to pursue. Unfortunately there's only so much time in each day, so, perhaps at some point I'll need to make an interesting choice on what gets pursued and what sits obediently by.

Totally not book related...I know that you have done Hand Cut Paper Art and very well, do you still do this and do you even have the time with all your book stuff?

Shannon:  I haven't had time to pick up a blade since late 2008, I think (which was when my pirate designs were used in a film created by UWSP students). I've developed a mild Lotte Reiniger obsession. I would love to get back into creating scherenschnitte and messenschnitte--it totally transforms the way you perceive things and simplifies things into an iconic existence in some ways--I actually have several children's books in mind I'd love to illustrate with my cuttings. And to animate them... Muahaha! A friend wants me to design wolfy bookmarks to mass-cut for fans...I just need time, you know?

I have noticed that your Art and writing have a lot of Mythos- legends and history so when you research does it start out as a for fun thing and later find its way into your work or do you set out for certain things and just find it fun as a coincidence?

Shannon:  The more intense art pieces I've done did require a lot of thought and planning because of the techniques I'm using. With papercraft and scratchboard you can't really fix mistakes so you have to plan. Same with the writing, it's in there, but whereas the art must be ploted in advance mainly, the story tends to grow much more organically and the mythos works its way in there (sometimes surprising me).

Have you considered doing an entire scene from your book out of hand cut art? That would be so awesome.

Shannon:  I'd love to have time to do that, Casse--but I'd also love to do an animated booktrailer for the next novels using silhouettes like Reiniger did--it would give a truly unique feel.

One last question what do teen werewolves eat when they are vegging out?

Shannon:  LOL! Well, Max eats anything and everything so he wouldn't be picky. Pietr woud probably veg out with eggplant and summer squash since it can be grilled (and eggplant can be made into a parmesan) and sort of "fake" meatiness. ;-) 

Thanks for your time Shannon!
Does anyone else remember that movie Teen Wolf with Michael J Fox or am I showing my age? lol
Huge thanks to Shannon Delany for the interview. I know she is very busy working on more awesome books for us to read. If you haven’t bought 13 to Life yet, well what is wrong with you?! lol Kidding but seriously you are missing out. Also book 2, Secrets and Shadows comes out February 2011. It seems so far away…

Winner Winner WOLFIE Dinner!

I hate contest. Well, I love them because I love to share awesome books with yall but I have a hard time picking just ONE winner. I even contemplated getting more copies of 13 to Life so we all can have one but alas…I was told a resounding NO. The best I can do is…have another contest on July 18 which is the day I am having Shannon Delany here for an interview and those who entered this contest will carry over to that one so yall have a leg up on entries.  (Get it? Wolves leg up-- ah forget it lol)


That contest will not only have a copy of 13 to Life by Shannon Delany (wolves) up for grabs but Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready (Ghost), Glass House by Rachel Caine (Vampires) My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent (Banshees) and what’s left? Oh my favorite…ANGELS I have the entire Kissed by an Angel trilogy by Elizabeth Chandler.

Are yall excited yet? I am! See ya back here on July 18th to see if I have added anymore books to the contest…I probably am.  And my non YA readers come back for a LUNA books contest July 5th where I am giving away my tifecta authors, 1st in the series: Urban Shaman by C.E Murphy, Cast in Secret by Michelle Sagara, Eyes of Crow by Jeri Smith-Ready and as a bonus... if I can find a original cover copy- Divine by Mistake by PC Cast.

  Thanks for entering this contest!

The winner is….

              Okapi

Runner up is

                     Katie

Surpriiiise 2 winners. Both get a copy of 13 to life and Okapi gets a surprise book.  I will email you ladies sometime today. Congrats!

And since I am not a complete meanie…If you didn’t win and still would like a Jeri Smith Ready swag pack email me and I can send one out to you…Which includes a signed Shade bookmark and 3 of her WVMP book cards for WVMP radio series

Casse

Happy Book B-day to Shannon Delany- 13 to Life

Yesterday June 22nd was the day I have been waiting for.  if you ask me why you haven't been paying attention to me much so I will tell you again, 13 to Life (a werewolf tale) I know that was dropped from the title *shrugs* I still love it, was released. Yay! In celebration I will post some of the links Shannon shared on twitter.
Seven questions with Shannon Delany
Original 13 to Life prequel (MacMillan)
13 to Life Blog
Not so spring-break prequel

I was lucky enough to pre-order and next day deliver it and it shipped early so I got it today AND Shannon's awesome publisher St Martin's Griffin sent me a complete copy to review just BEFORE a 20 hr road trip. *cackles* The universe (sometimes) loves me so since I have 2 copies...I will return the love to the universe and give one copy away.

I was going to wait until July when I will have Shannon on my blog for an interview during my MONTH long blogiversary celebration but, we have waited long enough also I don't mind getting another copy for that. 

+1 So here is what you do to enter:
1. Follow Shannon on twitter @Shannon_Delany
2. Follow this blog
3. Answer these questions.
                   A:) What animated movie does Shannon quote in one of her interviews?
                   B:) What hair colors does Jess say her hair isn't, in one of the prequels?
                   C:) What website did Shannon first start 13 to Life on?
                   D:) Besides poetry what else does Jess admit may not be her forte as well?
That is it and if you go to the Shannon Delany/13 to Life related posts I posted the answers are easy to find. I am such a nice blogger I even posted the sites in order of the questions...aren't I just super sweet! And even though the book won't be signed like I planned maybe you can convince Shannon Delany to send you a bookplate? If you are really good I mean. Here is a picture of the book & swag you are trying to win!

Okay what you see here, besides my coffee and fruit obsession is:

13 to Life

Morganville Vampire TPU brochure and Rachel Caine card

Signed Shade (another awesome book) bookmark and 3 other Jeri Smith-Ready adult WVMP series cards

And since all authors will tell you how important music is to their writing a special 2 pk cd set from a friend of mine.

Email me LitterBoxBlog and let me know your answers to the questions and if you win I will ask for your information to verify that you did all that was required.  After you email me your answers, add your points and leave them in the comments, please. Contest ends Friday June 25th  Good Luck!

For TWO extra entries:
+1 Follow me on twitter @CatholicKittie
+1 Follow my writer blog From Here to There...A Writer's Journey

Good Luck!
Casse!

I've got mail & She's got swaaaaag

I've got class of 2K10 swag.  Bookmark and Post Card.   On the back of each has the list of the class members.  I have to say it's a class full of cool kids!  (@classof2k10) They are on twitter.

This is the prize I won from Shannon Delany (@shannon_delany) http://13-to-life-a-werewolf-tale.blogspot.com/

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers several cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker--his classmate and crush--who committed suicide two weeks earlier. On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out how he made the list.

Through Hannah and Clay's dual narratives, debut author Jay Asher weaves an intricate and heartrending story of confusion and desperation that will deeply affect teen readers. (via Jay Asher's website)

I can't wait to read this book.  I think I will relate to this book.  I was very agnsty, to say the least, as a teen and considered committing suicide numerous of times.  It's an issue I hold close to my heart.  So YAY!

Thanks SHANNON!  She also sent 2 window decals, chocolate which are gooone!  Myco-workers were all over it.  And a mini post-it pad...I laughed so hard at it.  Its a joke.  I completely love Shannon Delany, who is part of the class of 2010 with her debut book 13 to Life: a werewolf's tale

I also won this in a contest at LibraryThings.com and St. Martin Press sent it to me! Yaaay!  I am a valentine's baby so I loooove cupid books. :-}  Truly, Madly by Heather Webber (Heather Webber)

I also got some scecksea swaaaag from Katie MacAlister

One of my favorites for obvious reasons ;-p

Hope you enjoyed my swaaaag.

Casse

Its not the new Vampire...Nothing is.

Im so tired of the "werewolves are the new vampire" thing. Because be honest, its not. As awesome as were-things are vampires always have been and will be top of the paranormal 'sexy' list. I mean they are mysterious, usually broody and dark and sensuous and well they will never need you to give them a flea dip or get that wet dog smell. I mean yes they are known most because they suck blood. OkayYes, that is icky but I'd rather date a blood sucker than date my dog. I have nothing against werewolvies! I love animals...just not like that. They aren't sexy. And the shape shifting seems so painful! Big Ouch. Vampires are the same ol Vampires so who needs new ones?

That said Werewolves are werewolves so why would they want to be the new Vampires? Say that to them and I'm sure they'd eat your butt alive. I am reading a wolf book so awesome, its like the first draft but it wil be out next year the author is on twitter follow her @shannon_delany, let me just say I read Twilight when it first came out years ago before it became "twilight" and I get the same tingly awesome oh my gosh this book is good feeling I got when I read this book. First draft or not! I cant wait to get the final project and see how it comes out. Its going to be a huge thing guys! If the world is ready for werewolves. I mean I pride myself on knowing the next huge thing. Not that I am Miss Cleo- at work I say that and the people look at me like I Am Crazy. Too young I Guess. I'm getting old I Need To Remember That. But I Dream To Be An Editor. so I Like To Think I Am Good At Spotting The Next "Big Book." 13 to Life by Shannon Delany
She may be able write a novel on a cell phone but I Find Writing A Blog On Mine Tedious! Cheers! Casse