Friday's Guest - Kayelle Allen - Who She Was Before #MFRWauthor #romance #Science fiction

1 What were you in your life before you became a writer? Did this influence your writing?

I've been a few things. I was in the US Navy for four years as an avionics technician. I met my husband while on active duty. As it happened, he had joined the same day I had, so we got out the same time as well. I spent many years as an administrative assistant, then worked as a Human Resources representative, a recruiter for a manufacturing company, an insurance biller for a hospital, and a few other odd jobs. My admin job probably prepared me best for writing. I had to express myself clearly, be organized and follow processes. That works for marketing as well. I'm able to speak in front of a crowd and enjoy it, which was handy as a recruiter and now as a speaker at writing conventions.

2 Are you genre specific or general? Why? I don't mean genres like romance, mystery, fantasy etc. There are many subgenres of the above.

I write mostly science fiction and sweet science fiction romance but I also have a sweet contemporary holiday romance and a non-fiction book about writing Sci Fi. I plan a few more non-fictions and I'm sure I'll die long before I would ever run out of stories to tell.

3. Did your reading choices have anything to do with your choice of a genre or genres?

As a child, I inhaled books, especially science fiction. I still read it, and especially like science fiction romance, plus historical (regency is a favorite), mystery, and suspense.

4. What's your latest release?

My last book was Bringer of Chaos: the Origin of Pietas. The hero was a genuine surprise to me. Pietas had been the villain in several other books and I was having difficulty understanding his motivation in one particular novel. His followers were loyal beyond measure to their immortal king, but he was icy cold to everyone. Why did they love him? I decided to try writing his story. The Origin of Pietas was supposed to be one book. However, it opened my eyes to a larger universe than I had imagined. He wasn't a villain at all. Pietas was an anti-hero, yes, and had a wounded soul, but he was noble, truthful, loyal, and had more determination than any character I had previously written. Once I saw the truth about him, I couldn't write fast enough. There will be more books about this hero. He's completely captured my heart. I think once you pick up his book and read it, he'll capture yours. He's mentioned in almost all my other books.

5. What are you working on now?

I just finished the sequel to Bringer of Chaos: the Origin of Pietas. The new book is set on the same barren and forsaken world. Bringer of Chaos: Forged in Fire picks up where the previous book ended and continues the story of the immortal Pietas and his not-quite-human friend, Six. Here's the basic premise.

Humans created a genetically enhanced race to defend mankind. Instead, the Ultras became humanity's greatest threat. Traitors among them helped humans imprison half a million and exile them on an alien world.
Pietas has no tech, tools, or resources, but he vows to unite and avenge the Ultra people. First, he must regain command from a ruthless adversary he's fought for centuries--his brutal, merciless father.
Ultras are immortal, and with few exceptions, they revive after death. Some injuries heal instantly. A few take time. But battered trust and a broken heart... That pain lasts forever.

6. Where can we find you?

On social media, my location says "at the keyboard," which is very true. In real life, I live north of Atlanta, Georgia. Online you can find me here:

My homeworld https://kayelleallen.com
Twitter http://twitter.com/kayelleallen
Facebook http://facebook.com/kayelleallen.author
Pinterest http://pinterest.com/kayelleallen/
Tumblr https://www.tumblr.com/blog/kayelleallen
YouTube http://youtube.com/c/KayelleAllen
If you like art, come visit my DeviantArt account http://kayelleallen.deviantart.com/
please do follow my Amazon Author page http://amazon.com/author/kayelleallen

Saturday's Excerpt from Trailing Kaiwulf by Kayelle Allen

EXCERPT

Trailing Kaiwulf

A Trace, Rescue, and Identification League Story

New Braeswyck, Colonies of Man

TRAIL Field Office

January 24, 15128 AD (151.28.24 New Terran Date [NTD])

The com unit in Jeff Thompson's office crackled to life. "Security here. Jee arrived, boss, and you were" -- The sound of splintering wood followed --"right. Oh, man! There goes another door. What'd you do to her this time?"

Thompson disconnected. He activated the monitors on his wall and stood. TRAIL Agent Jee Tonopah might be the shortest agent in the company, but she had enough temper for half a dozen.

Jee and her partner, Dane Raphyel, had passed through every scanner in the building to get this far into the enclave, yet right there in plain sight on both their hips sat weapons. Fat lot of good TRAIL's security did. The guards outside his office backed away from the pair without a challenge.

"What am I paying you clowns for? At least slow them down. Cool her off!"

But no, the outer door to his assistant's office banged open and thumps sounded on the floor. The lamp on Thompson's desk shook as if Jee had an elephant with her. Dane dwarfed his partner.

"Computer, unlock entry door." Jee would kick it in if he kept it sealed. Last time it had taken months to ship in replacement parts.

The BioMate embedded in Thompson's arm flashed a warning about heart rate, so he tightened his grip on the stress-soother stone in his hand. All it did was bruise his palm. He flung the rock aside.

The TRAIL agents blew into his office like twin whirlwinds.

Thompson forced himself not to back away.

"How dare you!" Jee dumped a tattered knapsack onto the floor. She kicked the visitor's chair out of her way, then slammed her hands onto the desk and glared at him like a dragon ready to flame him into a puddle of blackened flesh.

Dane folded his arms and leaned against the door, blocking any escape it might offer.

Thompson eased around the desk to survey the damage. "Fight fire with fire," his therapist had told him. Time to put it to the test. He pointed at the splintered chair. "I paid six thousand sig-creds for that. It's eleventh kilo-century Terran."

Jee snorted. "If you paid that much for a four hundred year-old chair you got taken, Thompson. Beats me why you'd admit to being so stupid."

Thompson dug his fingernails into his palms. A month of stress therapy trashed after one minute with this woman. It's only money. He sucked in a deep breath, held it for a count of three and exhaled. "No matter. My assistant found a craftsman to repair that rare Fellsian vase you smashed six months ago. Maybe this can be fixed, too."

Jee flung dark curls out of her eyes. "Do you have any idea how long it took to get reservations on a first class sleepliner to Earth? How dare you call me back here? TRAIL doesn't own me, Jeff Thompson."

"Now, Jee, I--

"I'd be half way there if it wasn't for you. How dare you cancel my leave? Who do you think you are?"

"Watch this holovid before you give me a definite no." Thompson initiated a life-sized holographic image of a youth.

"I'm not watching a thing. I..." Jee's voice faded as the holovid activated. "Whoa." She made a sensual growl, low in her throat. "Who is that?"

"Kaiwulf. Down, girl." He shot a knowing glance at Dane. "Excellent picture, isn't it? We don't get this quality too often."

Travel to a godforsaken planet on the outskirts of space. Check. Hold intrusive military types at bay. Check. Find an invisible man in a different dimension. Check. Finish out the vacation TRAIL yanked you back from to do it? Easier said than done.

Amazon http://amazon.com/dp/B00IDE0ZBY

Full first chapter http://www.kayelleallen.com/exc-kai.html

GIVEAWAY

As a thank you for reading, please accept a copy of Immortals Secret Societies. http://is.gd/secretsocieties When you click it, this will either offer you a download, or open in a new window, depending on your settings. To read it, you need Adobe Reader, available free.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kayelle Allen is a multi-published, award-winning Science Fiction Romance author of unstoppable heroes, uncompromising love, and unforgettable passion. She is the founder of Marketing for Romance Writers.

Homeworld http://kayelleallen.com
Unstoppable Heroes Blog http://kayelleallen.com/blog
Twitter http://twitter.com/kayelleallen
Marketing for Romance Writers http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MarketingForRomanceWriters/

The Author's Secret https://theauthorssecret.com

Friday's How She Does It with Kayelle Allen

We all know there are six elements of fiction. Who, What, When, Where, Why and How. I believe the first five lead to the sixth which for me is plot. What's your take on this?

That's a good point. The "How" is plot when you think about it. How does the story unfold? How do the characters solve the mystery? How do the hero and heroine fall in love? The plot is how all this unfolds.

1. How do you create your characters? Do you have a specific method?

I need a name before I can create a character. The name defines the person. I've never been able to write Hero or Heroine as a substitute. A guy named Johnny Reb is not going to react the same way as a guy named Matthias de Mille. The name shapes the character.

2. Do your characters come before the plot?

I'd say the characters are the basis for the story. Most of my writing is character-driven.

3. Do you know how the story will end before you begin? In a general way or a specific one?

I don't start writing until I know how the story will end. I'm a plotter who allows the characters to deviate from the plot if needed. I think of myself as a "plotser". I write the blurb for the book first, and a short synopsis. If I can't describe the book in a few sentences, I don't know it well enough to write it. I have tried writing freestyle with no plot in mind. It ends up being a waste of time. I don't accomplish anything worthwhile.

4. Do you choose settings you know or do you have books of settings and plans of houses sitting around?

I have a Pinterest board for two of my main characters that focuses on their surroundings. I have folders of pictures for inspiration. I am usually visually inspired when I write. A picture can spark a writing frenzy.

5. Where do you do your research? Online or from books?

Mostly online. It's so easy to do. I use magazines and books as well, but I am the Google queen. I know how to search the internet.

6. Are you a draft writer or do you revise as you go along and why? Do you sketch out your plot or do you let the characters develop the route to the end?

I have a well plotted story and write from that. Because I write complex plots with themes such as conspiracies and betrayals, I need to know who does what to whom. That said, nothing stops me from allowing a plot to change if a character dictates a change. I had one story planned meticulously and had planned a minor love affair for one of the characters. It was supposed to be a fling only. But the two fell into love so hard that there was no way I could break them up. I ended up redoing the entire plot sequence. So while I do plan, I also allow for change and growth.