2.15.2013

Interview - and a giveaway!

In case you missed it, City of a Thousand Dolls came out last week. It's awesome. And you should read it. But before you do, I had the opportunity to interview the author. Not that that was difficult. She's family, and she came to visit. So read on and peer into the mind of the woman who wrote the book.

Me: You have been writing for as long as I’ve known you, but you’ve been at it much longer. Your author’s profile says that you wrote your first story at the age of seven. What do you remember of that first story? What was it about?

Miriam: I actually don’t remember much about writing that story. I know about it mostly because my mom still has it, complete with folder and crayon illustrations. The story was about a princess who was captured by a dragon and rescued by a prince. But in the fight, the dragon was stabbed and deflated like a balloon. The princess thought maybe the dragon was mean because he was empty, so she put good things inside him and he became the castle pet.

Me: City of a Thousand Dolls is part a fantasy novel with a fantastic world of your own invention where magic abounds and is inhabited by talking cats among other species. But it is also a murder mystery with some elements of a traditional whodunit where Nisha is out looking for clues and hunting down a killer. What drew you to these genres and how did you end up blending them together?

Miriam: Fantasy and mystery are my two long-time favorite genres. I was always switching back and forth between them, and so when I needed a plot to use in this new fantasy world I was dreaming up, it seemed logical to use a murder mystery. But it was actually pretty difficult to blend them. Fantasy and mystery are usually paced pretty differently, and it was hard to find that balance between worldbuilding and suspense.

Me: In City of a Thousand Dolls, there are seven houses that raise and train the girls: House of Combat (warriors and guards), House of Flowers (brides for nobles), House of Beauty (beauticians), House of Jade (healers and scholars), House of Music (dancers and musicians), House of Pleasure (courtesans), and House of Shadows (assassins). If you were a girl in your book – which of those houses would you want to have train you?

Miriam: Oh, I’m a total House of Jade girl. Peace and quiet and studying sound fantastic. I’d like to say that I’d be in the House of Shadows but I’m nowhere near dangerous and badass enough.

Me: You’ve spent most of your adult life working in customer service. To what extent have the customers you’ve seen and worked with influenced the characters in your stories?

Miriam: One of the main things customer service has left me with is a profound interest in class differences. Especially when you’re working in a coffee shop where people order four or five dollar drinks every day. I love coffee shop culture, and my regular customers were fantastic, wonderful people. But it was weird having people pay for their drinks and see multiple hundred-dollar bills in their wallet. There’s a divide there that you don’t always notice, and I think it fed into my fascination with cultural and subcultural differences in general. Plus customer service is great for people watching.

Me: It is always a blessing when you come visit our family because your recreational palate fits well here. My kids share your interest in wildlife and nature films. Bekah and I are endlessly amused by the random infomercials you find. And it’s easy to swap stories with you. There’s a lot of laughter in our house when you’re around. In which of your hobbies do you find the most comfort?

Miriam: Awwww, thank you! I think I find the most comfort in stories, be they movies or TV or books or…gasp, fanfiction. Stories make good escapes. But I also like making things, which I haven’t done lately. Now that we have a garage, I’m thinking about possibly painting some furniture or something. It’s soothing to make something physical that way.


You have heard from her, and now is your chance to win an autographed copy of the book. If you want your very own copy, tell me what house from the City of a Thousand Dolls you would want to train in in the comments below. Winner will be posted on March 1st.

ps: Please use the comments on this post. I'm going to ignore anything noted on facebook or twitter.

19 comments:

  1. House of Music is probably my choice. Music makes the world go round, it's the universal music, etc., etc. Music is everywhere. We turn on the radio (or in this day and age it's on our computer or electronic device.) It's background music we often don't even notice in movies and on television. It makes ups happy, sad, scared, and leaves us anticipating the next move. Throw the dance in there and we tell a story without saying a word. Plus, I always wish I was more of a dancer. So, put me there,please and send me the book. I would love to read it!

    Pam

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  2. This book sounds so amazing. So many intriguing details. I'd pick House of Jade. Knowledge and healing sound right for me :)

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  3. Well House of Beauty of course:)Only because there is not house that creates things!

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  4. Anonymous9:07 PM

    I think I like House of Music, because learning to play my piano has been a life-long goal of mine. But I don't know if I have the self-discipline :)

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  5. I'd probably be with Miriam in the House of Jade... although, I'd probably like music if I ever actually learned to play something. =) This book is fantastic... I already have a copy, I just need to figure out a way to get Miriam to sign it, hehe!

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  6. Anonymous2:17 PM

    I think I would be in the House of Jade. I love anything that has to do with the written word and using that knowledge for something. Healing sounds good for me too! I'm excited for this book, so thank you for the giveaway! :D

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  7. Abby T.5:11 PM

    I would definitely be in the House of Jade, simply because I love learning and helping others. Not going to lie, though, House of Shadows sounds so wicked and I'd like to think I would be able to be in there too!

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  8. Are all book readers House of Jade fans? I am one as well, although I would certainly want to visit the House of Music frequently.
    I would love to get a book correctly autographed.
    Diane

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  9. I think I'd enjoy House of Jade. :) Not only is the name gorgeous, but I love the idea of healing and knowledge.

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  10. I'd probably be House of Jade as well..I'd love to study for the rest of my life...wait did I just say that?

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  11. House of Music because I'd like to do more than just play chopsticks :D

    lesly7ch(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  12. Realistically, I'd say House of Jade but this is fantasy! So I'm totally going to channel some great assassin characters and go for the House of Shadows. =)

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  13. Ooops! Forgot my email:
    broke(dot)book(dot)bank(at)gmail(dot)com

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  14. I'd be in the House of Music. I love dancing flamenco, tango, lindy hop.. and I wouldn't mind learning other dance moves!

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  15. House Of Jade for sure !! :)
    I've been wanting to read City of a Thousand Dolls, thank you for the chance !!

    uniquas at ymail dot com

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  16. HOUSE OF SHADOWS! That sounds like me lol - as a fictional character, I would love being stealthy and sneaky and hunting bad people down!

    Thank yuo so much for the interview and giveaway! I see people leaving their email? lilleetleet AT verizon DOT net

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  17. realistically I think I would end up in the House of Jade but I think Combat would be fun!

    christajls (at) gmail.com

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  18. I'd pick House of Jade. It sounds like I'd fit in the best there!

    Fantastic interview!

    yabookqueen@yahoo.com

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  19. Tamara C.8:49 AM

    I love the idea of both genres intertwined, sounds like a great read, can't wait!

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