Q&A with Creativia Author Susan-Alia Terry

Today I will be interviewing fellow Creativia author, Susan-Alia Terry.  Welcome to my blog.    I see you have a book that just released this month.  Tell us about your debut novel Coming Darkness.

What is the story about?

Archangel Lucifer’s spoiled life comes to a halt, as he learns that Heaven is empty, and his Father missing. Seeking answers, he’s brought face to face with a race of Creator-Gods unhappy with his Father and the world He’d created – for Order is the way of the universe and Free Will means chaos. Planning to wipe out this heresy by removing those in their way and letting Darkness reclaim the earth, they imprison Lucifer in Hell. Finding his way out will mean traveling its depths, a task fraught with despair and hopelessness.

Meanwhile, the Archangel’s lover sets out to prove all his opponents wrong. But Lucifer’s influence runs deeper in Kai than he suspected, and his fear that he’s merely Lucifer’s pet becomes all too real.

Who is the main character?

The story is mainly about Lucifer and his lover Kai.

What inspired this tale?

Lucifer, Kai and Roberta were characters from the first novel I wrote as part of National Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). I loved them, and wanted to find a way to include them in a story I could love as well – the Nano novel was awful!

How did the story come to you?

Lucifer and Kai came to me in separate dreams. Lucifer’s dream involved him interrupting a ceremony dedicated to Satan by a group of Goth kids in a cemetery. He proceeded to sit them all down and tell them they were being idiots.

Kai’s dream was more vague – he was a supernatural creature being chased by others of his kind.

I included them in my first Nano novel because I had no time and no ideas. Once that was complete, I didn’t like that story but I wanted to find a place for them. Coming Darkness evolved from there.

Did you have to research for this novel and if so, why?

I did some, but almost none of it made it into the actual book! I researched places, and cultures, but that was mainly for background.

Do you relate to your character?

I relate to their struggles with choice and the feeling of being locked into a certain destiny.

Is your protagonist anything like you personally?

Yes and no. I think they’re all aspects of me. While I’m not like one specifically, they may embody parts of my personality.

If yes, then how?

Lucifer’s sarcasm and Kai’s vulnerability. Both of them feel deeply and react from that place – I have a tendency to do that as well.

What made you write this character; what made them important to you or made you want to tell their story?

I’ve always been fascinated by Lucifer and the concepts of free will and choice. Given that, I wanted to tell a different Lucifer story – the one where he never was anything but an archangel. I wanted to see if he could be more than the ultimate boogieman – and he can.

Is there anything specific you want readers to know about this piece of work?

This is not the Lucifer you think you know. Some scenes may be for mature audiences only.

When will the novel be available for purchase?

It’s available now!

CLICK ON THE BOOK COVER TO READ A PREVIEW, OR TO BUY A COPY:

Okay, let’s learn more about you, as a writer Who is Susan-Alia Terry?

I’m the annoying kid who always asked “why?” and who was rarely satisfied with the answer. That was why I was drawn to philosophy and religion. I seem to like chewing on the big questions – no matter how tough and sinewy. I’m also a big kid, play is very important to me – I refuse to be a “grown up”!

What inspired you to start writing?

Music inspires me, lyrics especially. I’ve always marveled at how certain combinations of words could evoke so much feeling, memories, desires… I wanted to be able to do that. But not being a musician, I needed to find another way.

Over the years, I had written poems and documented dreams that could be stories, but it wasn’t until one October 30^th as I was browsing in Barnes & Noble that I came upon Chris Baty’s book No Plot? No Problem! – a guide to participating in NanoWriMo, which begins on November 1 every year. That was my “Why not?” moment. So I participated in NanoWriMo that year, and not only finished but realized that writing was not only my joy, but also my salvation.

What is your favorite book you have written and why?

That’s easy: Coming Darkness! Once I have a few more under my belt that may change.

When you are not writing, what do you do to recharge?

I’m always writing in my head. My butt may not be in the chair, but I’m thinking about my characters and figuring out how to get them to where they want/need to go. When I take a break from that I enjoy role-playing games, video games, board games, movies etc. I used to throw pottery, but since a move and cramped quarters, I’ve had to put it aside, but I’d love to get back into it.

Are you an Indie Author or are you part of a publishing house?

I am an indie author with Creativia Publishing. I think Creativia may spoil me against publishing any other way!

Do you read books within the genres you write?

Absolutely! Fantasy is my favorite genre. Always has been, but I like horror and sci-fi as well.

Besides being an author, do you have a second job?.

No. It’s Write or Bust!

What do you enjoy most about being an author?

Starting with a blank page and a vague idea and ending up with a story is nothing short of exhilarating. I’ve never done anything where the process scares, entertains, surprises and delights me all at the same time.

Okay, time to meet your character.  Who are you?  What is your name?

Lucifer

Are you a fictional or historical character?

Depends. Some say I’m historical, other’s say I’m fictional. It makes absolutely no difference to me as long as I’m left alone.

What should we know about you?

All that nonsense about my being the Devil, blah blah blah is a complete fabrication. Humans don’t need me to convince them to do bad things; they’re capable of thinking for themselves – if barely.

Speaking of, do you know my Father decreed that we should love them more than we love Him? Have you ever heard anything so absurd? Love those savages? Impossible. Although I will admit that they hold a certain fascination – how those lowly creatures ever managed to create such interesting things is beyond me. Have you seen the iPad? Isn’t it marvelous? Such ingenuity! But make no mistake, I hate them and they could all destroy themselves tomorrow for all I care.

Tell us about your story:  When and where is your tale set?

My tale begins in present day Charleston, SC, and ends in, well…let’s not set anything in stone, shall we?

What is your personal goal? I mean, what do you ultimately want?

Above all things, I want my life back. I had a beautiful life with Kai and Te as our occasional companion and ‘partner in crime’. We traveled, enjoyed the finer things, taunted the occasional human (nothing serious). Life was good.

What is standing in your way? What conflict(s) do you face?

Ultimately, The Nammu and their minions the Onyda. They’ve killed my brothers and possibly My Father, and imprisoned me in Hell. Bastards. They will pay. But right now, getting out of Hell is my priority. But between you and me, well, I might just be stuck here.

Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions.  How can your readers connect with you?

Twitter: https://twitter.com/susan_alia

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorsusanaliaterry/

Blog / website: http://susanaliaterry.com