Author Spotlight

This weeks Author Spotlight is with Daniele Lanzarotta author of the Imprinted Souls and Academy of the Fallen. We are so excited for you all to read the interview and get to know her a little better.  

Author Bio:

Daniele Lanzarotta is the author of YA paranormal novels, including the Imprinted Souls Series and Academy of the Fallen.

She has a bachelor's in business and finance and a MBA. With only a few semesters left in school, Daniele started writing as a hobby, but it didn't take long for her to be consumed by her stories. That is her passion, and she now has several projects under way.

She enjoys reading and writing young adult novels with just about any sort of paranormal or supernatural bent...vampires... ghosts... She also enjoys watching hockey, playing rock band, guitar hero and spending time with the family.

Stalker Links:

Twitter  Facebook  Blog Website  

Interview:

When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

I’ve always enjoyed writing but the moment I started writing Imprinted Souls was the moment when I knew that I wanted to be a writer.  I just fell in love with the characters and the story, and I had to share it! 

You write YA right now, Do you have plans for an adult series?

Umm *laughs*  I do have plans for an adult series.  In fact, the first book from my first adult series will be released next year.  It is called ‘Insatiable’ (A Mermaid’s Curse I).

What is your writing process?

My writing process usually varies depending on what series I’m working on.  Some things never change… like, I have to have music and I always write at night.  But then, with Imprinted Souls I had a more specific outline than Academy of the Fallen, and I also didn’t write the chapters in order.

How do you handle writer’s block?

I don’t really believe in writer’s block.  There are just times when your mind is somewhere else and you just need to step away for a while, or work on a different character’s POV. 

How big of a difference was it to go from writing about vampires to angels and demons?

There is a lot more research in writing about angels and demons, especially in relation to names and the reasons why certain angels fell.  Other differences are not so much in relation to writing about vampires versus fallen angels as much as the fact that Academy of the Fallen is set in a different world.

Are any of your characters based off people you know?

No.  Each of my characters is their own ‘person’.  

Have any of your books changed direction from what you had planned?

Every single one of them changed direction from what I had planned and I’m glad they did.  After a while, the characters just take over and you have to let them.

What character is the hardest for you to write?

It’s definitely Kayla from Academy of the Fallen.  Her character grows a lot throughout the series.  Because of her family history she just created this wall to hide who she really is, and it’s tough sometimes to show the real Kayla without betraying some of the personality traits that she acquired over the years.

When you ended your Imprinted Souls series did it end the way you had planned or did it change as the series went?

The ending was completely different from what I had initially planned.  From the time I sat down to write Imprinted Souls, I had it in my mind that Lexi would end up with her soul mate.  As the story went, other types of bonds were formed, relationships grew, and some characters just took over.

Can you give us any hints about Sins of the Fallen?

Of course!  A good part of Sins of the Fallen is from Hunter’s POV, which I loved writing!  He sees Kayla getting stronger as she learns about what she can do as a Nephilim, but the stronger she gets, the more afraid he is for her.   

There are a lot of fights, some angels fall, and someone from Kayla’s past returns to help her.

What was your first paranormal book you read?

Bram Stoker’s Dracula.

When your not writing, what do you do in your free time?

Umm Free time?  There is not much of that. *laughs*  I usually spend my free time reading, watching movies, and spending time with my hubby, daughter, and two puppies.

Who are some of your favorite authors?

I love Richelle Mead, Rachel Caine, Suzanne Collins, Kelley Armstrong… the list goes on and on.

Favorites:

Food: pasta.

Drink: Mt. Dew.

Movie: The Hunger Games.

Pet(s): Dogs.

Music: Anything but country.

Color: Black

Holiday: Christmas

This or That:

Iced Coffee or Ice Tea: Ice tea. 

Pet Dragon or Pet Unicorn: Pet Dragon!   

Fall or Summer: Summer.

Rent movies or theater: Theater.

Flip flops or tennis shoes: Neither. Haha High heels. 

Rain or Snow: Snow!

Reading or Shopping:  I can’t choose between the two. *laughs*

Day or Night: Night!

I hope you enjoyed our interview with Daniele. Don't forget to check out Paranormal Reads

for all the book quotes and teasers we have for today. We have some exclusive Sins of the Fallen book  three not even out yet just for you that the lovely Daniele lets us post. 

~Sabrina