Author Spotlight-Christina McKnight-Only In Her Dreams

Please welcome Christina McKnight, author of Urban Fantasy and Historical Romance. I had the opportunity to connect with Christina through our common social internet circles. Thank you, Christina, for being a guest on my blog.

Thank you for inviting me! With friends I go by Christy but professionally I go by Christina, LOL.

And she and I being friends and all, I figured we should drop with the informality. We’re both not very formal gals. Christy, I thoroughly enjoyed your book, Only In Her Dreams, The Oneiroi Book 1. Before we continue, I want to share the blurb.

When Lucessa Sarcona awakes from a recurring dream, she has no idea her life is about to be turned upside down. A stranger, familiar to her dreams, shows up in the flesh, and Lucessa knows she’s either crazy or experiencing something not of this world.

A war ensues between three demigod brothers. One, trained to rule Erebos, is violently replaced. One forced to return to his homeland and lead the dream-gods of the Oneiroi. And one is charged with the impossible task of protecting Lucessa. How is she linked to the Oneiroi? Why do two brothers seek to keep her hidden and protected? And how does another plan to use her against the two demigods who love her?

Will Lucessa’s dream man have the courage to claim her as his own or will he bow to the command of another, forsaking the one he loves?

Only in Her Dreams is a modern spin on a Greek legend–the new direction of Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance, moving from angels, demons, vampires, and witches and toward the realm of demigods.

After finishing and loving Only In Her Dreams, I find your demi-gods sexy and interesting. They are very human in their emotions, goals and desires. What fascinates you about demi-gods and what are they exactly?

Demigods are underexplored in fiction. Vampires, werewolves, witches, demons, and angels have all been done before (in a hundred different ways!). There are an unlimited number of Greek gods and demigods available to me. Now, I selected the Oneiroi because not many people know about them but their legend and lore is vast. They were a perfect fit for my story. As the demigods of the dream world, Erebos, they are fabled to be winged bat-like creatures who visit humans in their dreams. After reading that, how could I not mold this idea into a fascinating story? LOL

I find the two genres you write to be a fascinating mix. Which do you prefer and why?

Ha! Will my urban fantasy fans hate me for picking historical romance? And visa versa… You are so right, they’re very different genres. Just about every aspect of them are in competition with each other. In Only In Her Dreams (urban fantasy) the tone is more erratic with short scenes, the pace faster, the descriptions kept to a minimum, and the plot was in the forefront. In my current work in progress, Shunned No More (historical romance), the pace is much slower and scenes are drawn out for maximum effect. The romance between my hero and heroine is much more prominent as well. To be honest, I can’t pick just one! I love them both for very different reasons. 🙂

Tell us something either personal or professional about you that sets you apart from other authors?

 Oh gosh! There are so many traits that authors share; determination, resiliency, and focus. What sets me apart? My seemingly endless supply of energy! LOL. I go and go and go…failure is not an option for me. Some writers are content to spend two to five years preparing a book to be published, then another year querying agents, and several more months until their book finally hits shelves. Not me! I wrote Only In Her Dreams, The Oneiroi Book 1 in November 2011 and published it September 2012. It may be my level of determination that sets me apart.

How do you balance your work life with your author life?

I don’t sleep… 🙂 I keep a strict schedule (some say crazy strict!). I also set deadlines for myself, and I publicize them. This helps me keep on track because I loathe disappointing people. If I say I’m going to do something, I do it. If that means waking up at 4:30am to edit or write for two hours before my family wakes up, I do it.

What are the most challenging aspects of being a published author?

Getting myself out there and in front of readers. As writers, we spend so much time among other writers that we neglect to interact with readers. Writing is such a solitary career choice that often we live and breathe our craft…nothing else. I’m focusing now on coming out of my shell (HAHA! Way wrong word since I’m very outgoing) and putting myself and my work out there for review.

Christy, thank you again for stopping by my blog. By the way, I love the names. Maxim? Lucessa? Strong and beautiful!

Most of the names I select come from my family tree. Thank you for having me!

 

Want more of Christina McKnight?

Christina McKnight is a book lover turned writer. From a young age, her mother encouraged her to tell her own stories. She’s been writing ever since.

In college, Christina took many courses to help develop and enhance her writing skills. She completed a seventy-page dissertation on the need for community policing in American society. Now, she focuses on Historical Romance, Urban Fantasy, and Paranormal Romance.

Christina lives in Northern California with her husband, daughter, two boxers, two cats, and a Beta fish named Marmaduke.  If she’s not behind a computer screen or book, she’s busy leading her daughter’s Girl Scout troop. She is very active in several writing groups and a local book group.

Follow me on Twitter! https://twitter.com/#!/CMcKnightWriter

My blog: www.christina-mcknight.blogspot.com

Email: christinamcknight.author@yahoo.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/christinavellamcknight

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15734380-only-in-her-dreams

Amazon Buy Link: http://www.amazon.com/Only-Dreams-Oneiroi-Book-ebook/dp/B0094MQC5W/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1346693835&sr=8-7&keywords=only+in+her+dreams