I first met Randi Cooley Wilson will looking for books on gargoyles. I love gargoyles and so does she. Over the course of the last year, we've corresponded several times via social media sharing thoughts and encouragement. I lament that she's now an east coast gal!! Randi has a unique story to tell with her characters. They are lively, sassy, smart...she can write the spicy stuff, too. Her Revelation series has acquired quite a following. I am one of them.  I man-crushed over Asher...I mean completely. Give me a glass of ice water please!!! If you haven't given her books a go round, I suggest you do. They would be great summer read. Now, it's time to meet Randi!!!!

1.      What is the first thing you remember writing that made you realize you were a writer/author?
To be honest, I’m still getting used to the idea that I am a published writer/author. My love for writing really picked up in college. I had to write a point-of-view paper freshman year in English Literature that sparked something inside of me.

 2.      What sparked your muse for your Revelation series? and can you give an juicy info on future projects you’re thinking about?
My muse for The Revelation Series stemmed from my combined love of John Milton’s Paradise Lost and my fondness for Gothic Architecture. One night after just having my daughter, I thought wouldn’t it be fun to put the two together. Each night I’d write snippets and dialogue elements. After a while, I realized I was actually writing The Revelation Series. After a few years, with encouragement, I sat down and wrote the entire series. Future projects are in the works! I have some New Adult Contemporary Romance novels I’ll be releasing, as well as, some spin off books from the Rev series. J

3.      Do you have any rituals when you’re writing?
Um…I guess I have few quirks you could deem ritual worthy. I don’t let anyone into my writing space because I am superstitious and believe it changes the energy – lol. On occasion, I’ve been known to wear these hideous jeans I’ve had since college during a ‘slump’. I drink a lot of coffee and tend to stare out the window a lot…does that count?

4.      What inspires your cover designs? Tell us everything you want us to know about it.
My covers are visual snippets of what each novel’s storyline is about. I have an amazing relationship with Bravebird Designs, who has designed every book (with the exception of Revelation). They completely understand the story and visually are able to pull key elements of each book onto the covers. In addition, we’ve used tonal elements to show the series going from dark to light, which is a main theme throughout the series.

5.      I noticed you posted you like the Foo Fighters. What is it about their music you like?
(Laughs) It’s so true. I am huge Foo fan. First and foremost, I’m a rock and roll girl to the core. I love lyrics that have poetry and deep emotion to them, which I find a lot in their songs. My favorite Foo song is I Should Have Known from their Wasting Light album. It’s actually what I listened to in order to write the ending of Redemption (book #3) and much of Revolution (book #4).

6.      What fascinates you about life?
People. I’m one of those creepy people who can hang out at Starbucks with a coffee and just people watch. I am fascinated about what makes someone tick, their psyche. Why they’ve chosen the paths and reasons for their actions. I enjoy watching and studying human interaction.

 7.      Why do you write?
It’s like breathing for me. I write because, for me, it’s a creative outlet that like reading, allows me to escape. It’s hard to say where it stems from writing is just part of me.

8.      If you could bring ONE character to life from any of your novels, who would it be? What would you talk about? Why that character?
Ack! This is like asking me to pick a ‘favorite’ child. I’m quite fascinated with Sorceress Lunette, so, perhaps her. She’s airy, flighty and at the core extremely astute. I find her fascinating. As for what we’d talk about, if you’re familiar with her character, you know that no matter what the topic of conversation, you are bound to be on twelve different topics before the discussion ends. It’s what is so charming about Lunette. You never know what will come out of her mouth.

9.      If you could only read one book over and over again stranded on a desert island, which book would you choose? Why?
If I had to chose, it would be Sylvain Reynard’s Gabriel’s Inferno. Well, if I’m stuck on a desert island, who better than a sexy professor to be with me?

 10.  At the end of all days, what do you think is the only thing that’s real?
That you’ve loved and have been loved. In whatever form that looks like, so long as you’ve experienced it once in your life.

http://randicooleywilson.com/
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© Janell Rhiannon 2016
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I am tickled that my fellow writer gal-pals, Randi Cooley Wilson and A Jacob Sweeney, tagged me for the Writing Process Blog Tour. Writers across all different genres, all around the world are answering the same four questions and then inviting a few more writers to participate. You can check out Randi's and A Jacob Sweeney's posts on their blogs and follow the trail back to see all the amazing peeps who have participated so far. In the words of one of my favorite Spartacus warrior's, " Shall we begin?!" 

1. What are you working on right now?
I actually have two irons on the fire right now. I have commissioned a talented young director/editor in the creation of a book trailer for Invisible Wings. I get these little glimpses of rough cuts and I have so excited; he's bringing my characters to life with music and voice...I'll keep you posted on this. The second project is a young adult novel called Uncross the Stars. It's about a high school quarterback with a horrific past and the girl who breaks through his fears to his heart. Regina Wamba of Mae I Design is currently scheduling a photo shoot with two AH-SOME models for the cover. I am in the final editing stages of this one, then on to mythology series.

2. What makes your work different? 
Wow, what a big question! Maybe it's the eclectic grouping of genres I am writing in. I know everyone says stick to one genre...paranormal, fantasy, romance...whatever, but I just CAN'T. I have too many stories screaming in my head to get out and I can;t pegged them all in one category. So, it makes sense to me that the next book will be the mythology series...it's been patiently waiting for my attention. So I'm going to give Paris, Hector, and Achilles and their friends some love :)

3. Why do you write what you write?
I want to communicate with everyone...stories just seem to be the way that happens for me. Some people sing, others dance. I write. Not real glamorous or sparkly, but it's all I got :)

4. How does your writing process work?
Simple. Stories strike me everywhere I go. I write the seeds down in a notebook (actually I have about 5 notebooks). I hand write ideas, plot, character sketches...doodles...then I move to the computer. You know what's funny? I want these stories out of my head, but as soon as one gets out, another one pops up. So, maybe I write what I do to keep my brain clutter to a minimum? Once I'm into the solid writing phase I write to the exclusion of everything else. I write so much my neck hurts, my back hurts, the dishes pile up, my dogs think I'm a ghost...and MUSIC!! Oh my god music! I love to find a sound track for a novel.  Right now I have Pandora playing my Matt Kearney station, and I didn't run this morning because I was finishing this blog :) 

So, I'd like to tag one of my favorite author friends in this little blog tour...because I want to read about her process, etc.

Anna Snow...look out hot mama!