Beagle Book Space: Spotlight On - Tricia Drammeh author of 'The Claiming Words'

Saturday, January 5, 2013

Spotlight On - Tricia Drammeh author of 'The Claiming Words'

Today I am featuring an interview for you that I recently did with author Tricia Drammeh who is currently promoting her latest novel 'The Claiming Words':

Tell us a bit about your favourite character/s from the book.

The book is written from the two main characters’ points of view. Alisa is shy and introverted. She’s been relentlessly bullied by the other students in her school and doesn’t have a single friend to speak of. Rachel is the girl who has it all. She’s an honours student, a cheerleader, an athlete, and the most beautiful girl in school. When Jace moves to town, Alisa discovers he’s hiding a secret. And, Rachel discovers a secret in her past.

Between the two girls, I think Alisa is my favourite. She’s the character I can identify with the most. That being said, I tend to like the bad boys, so my other favourite character is Bryce—Jace’s sarcastic, dangerous older brother who develops feelings for one of the girls. (I won’t tell you which girl because it will ruin all the fun!)

What’s one of the most surprising things you’ve learnt about yourself since becoming a writer?

I’ve learned that I can set personal goals and accomplish them. I used to set goals (weight loss, exercise routines, finding a new job, etc), but never followed through. When I decided to write The Claiming Words, I didn’t tell anyone I was writing a novel because I didn’t want to have to make up excuses for my failure when I didn’t finish. When I wrote “The End” I was very proud of myself for following through and finishing what I set out to do.

What was your inspiration behind this book?

My inspiration was my characters, as strange as that may sound. The book evolved from an imagined conversation between two characters. That made-up conversation didn’t make it into the final draft of the book, but it helped flesh out the characters.

What's one piece of advice you would give other aspiring authors?

Just write. Don’t give up no matter what. When you get to the middle of the book and start to run out of steam, keep going even if it’s only a sentence a day. Don’t cheat yourself out of the wonderful experience of writing “The End.” Completing that first book is the greatest feeling of accomplishment imaginable.

If you weren't a writer, what else would you be doing?

Hmm... I hope my husband doesn’t read this. If I weren’t a writer, I’d do laundry and actually put it away. I’d clean the house. I might even cook dinners that didn’t get burned because I got distracted by my imaginary friends. Up until a few months ago, I worked full-time in accounting. I stopped working when my mother-in-law had surgery and came to stay with us for a few months.

Do you have one particular special ‘writing place’ or are you fortunate enough to be able to write anywhere?

I write everywhere. The last chapter of The Claiming Words was written on some scrap paper when I was sitting in some particularly bad traffic on the freeway. I wish I had a special writing place, though. It would be nice.

Do you have a favourite scene in this book (without giving the story away too much)?

I love the scene when Alisa and Bryce get in an argument and end up settling their dispute in the sparring ring. Bryce wins, of course, but Alisa gets in a few good hits. I love it when the shy, quiet girl discovers her own strength and ends up surprising everyone.

What’s one thing that many people wouldn’t know about you?

I’m a Law and Order SVU addict. I watch episode after episode and never get bored. Unfortunately, SVU gets in the way of my writing if I’m not careful. I have to limit my television watching, or write during commercial breaks. I told my husband Law and Order SVU is research for a crime/drama novel I’m writing, but that isn’t true.

Do you have any new works in the pipeline which you care to share any details about?

I just finished writing a young adult paranormal novel called Diary of a Psychic Apprentice. It’s about a wanna-be psychic who performs a séance that goes terribly awry. There’s suspense, danger, and some romance. It was a lot of fun to write, but needs a good edit. I’m hoping to write a second book in that series sometime this year.

I’ve got about four other works-in-progress that I need to finish, but I don’t know which one I’ll tackle first.

Do you have any pets?

Oh, yes. We have two cats: a boy (Pouncer) and a girl (Pixel). We also have a gecko lizard named Jumper.

About The Book:

'The Alexanders have always kept their secrets hidden…

When sixteen-year-old Jace Alexander moves to the small town of Oaktree, Georgia, he attracts the attention of every girl in school. Shy, introverted Alisa Cole immediately casts Jace in the leading role of her latest fantasy, but she assumes he’ll never return her interest. After she saves Jace from a Hunter, everything changes. Her accidental discovery of Jace’s secret propels her into a world of magic and danger. Alisa’s newfound courage is put to the test when Jace introduces her to his intimidating older brother,Bryce, and she decides she would rather battle a Hunter than endure another moment under Bryce’s intense scrutiny.

Jace and Bryce aren’t the only ones with secrets…

Rachel Stevens is the girl who has it all. She’s beautiful,
popular, and in possession of an ancient power which endangers not only her, but those sent to protect her. Jace is drawn to Rachel—and he isn’t the only one. The Demon Re’Vel will do anything to claim her—even if it means waging a war with the entire Alexander family. As layers of secrets are peeled away, revealing the truth of her heritage and her family’s betrayal, Rachel struggles to resist an immortal suitor who stalks her in her dreams. With the Alexanders fighting to protect her, can Rachel escape the power of the Demon and his Claiming Words?'

A Little Bit More About Tricia:

Tricia Drammeh is a wife, a mother of four children, a book lover, coffee junkie, and the author of six novels. She lives in St. Louis, Missouri with her family.

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