Author Interview: Madison Daniel

Today I want to introduce talented author and musician, Madison Daniel, the creator of the 'Ember' series and what looks like the pursuer of many interesting future projects that I will undoubtedly be reading!
Now as you all know, I recently read Madison's latest novel 'Ember' (you can read my review here), and I thoroughly enjoyed reading young adult fiction interlaced with drama, romance, and supernatural activity - all from the male point of view! And yet despite rolling violence, action, magic, and love poetically congealed into one enjoyable read, I was taken by the author's clear love of music, and his brimming enthusiasm for life. How could I not want to interview someone who is so active in the writing community, and also a massive supporter of my own debut series The Hunted?
So, I decided to get inside Madison's head and ask him a few of the questions I was curious about. Yes, it's true I have no decorum, especially on the last 'technically' unlabeled question, but I had to know. I am thoroughly weird like that. So here goes;

1. Can you tell us briefly what ‘Ember’ is about and your inspiration for writing it?

MD: Ember is my homage to young love, music and 80’s movies! It’s the emotional story of Max Valentine, a hotheaded fire-starter who is searching for a new start and dealing with a past mistake. A mistake that shapes his fiery existence. On this journey he meets two young women. Asia the cold and beautiful bad girl. She is Max’s opposite. His “fires” other half. And Samantha the sweet and artistic girl next door. She may be Max’s savior and possible soulmate. The story is filled with action, teenage angst, heartbreak and music.

2. Who is your favourite character, and if you pitted them in a fight against another supernatural character, who would you choose to ensure a good slam down?

MD: I LOVE to write Asia Michaels the rainmaker. She’s beautiful, angry, spoiled and a complete bad @ss! I’d love to see her bring the smack down against Storm from the X- Men. Let’s face it, two hot girls fighting in the rain! That’s a win in my book! Ha!

KB: I read this answer to my husband who cracked up laughing, and then proceeded to nod in appreciation. I suspect wet t-shirts may have crossed his mind and ideas that Madison might just be a naughty genius.

3. If you could have any supernatural power, what would it be and why?

MD: The power to sparkle in the sunlight! Wait a sec...that’s already been done? Crap. Alright, I’ll choose “flight”...I guess... :(

4. Your two female interests in the novel are Asia and Sam. If you had to pick one of them to be stuck on a deserted island with, who would it be and why?

MD: Holy moly that’s tough...they’re complete opposites. I guess it depends on if the option of escape is possible or not. If it’s possible, then I choose Asia. She would be able to use her “gifts” to get us off the island somehow. She would make the days and nights fun and sexy BUT eventually she’d get tired of me and my whining about “seafood again” for dinner...ugh! She’d probably kill me. So escaping the island would be a must. If escape is not an option, then Sam. In the long run she would probably make the better “life companion.” She’s smart, comforting, artistic and would be the best choice to grow old with.

5. When writing, do you have any food that you just can’t live without munching on during the creative process?

MD: I’m completely addicted to Chinese food! Noodles, spicy chicken, delicious beef...dang it! I’m getting hungry just answering this question! An ice cold Coke is usually within the near vicinity too.

6. You’ve just been convicted of murder and sentenced to death, what is your last request?

MD: I just want to dance.

7. What is the number one song on your playlist right now, and don’t tell lies if it’s ABBA :P

MD: Luckily, ABBA is my 2nd, 3rd and 4th picks! Whoo! Dodged that bullet! Ha! Ummm...according to my iTunes “Top 25 Most Played” playlist, it’s a tie with “Somebody That I Used To Know” by Gotye and “Eye” by Smashing Pumpkins. They each have 48 plays. Rock on!

8. What other projects are you currently working on?

MD: Too many! Ugh...I need more time! Let’s see, there’s the sequels to Ember. “Downpour” (book 2) is being readied for its late holiday release in November 2012. “Aftershock” (book 3) is in the middle of a second draft. (Trying to get it done...)

I am finalizing the last edit and amazing cover for my NEXT big series called “13 Breaths.” It’s the first in a trilogy.

I have a horror story that I keep trying to find time to work on called “Still.” And I have a half dozen short stories that I am trying to find the best way to release to the public. Probably put them out in an anthology or two that might be on the horizon.

Other than that, I’ve been writing music (for book trailers), practicing my movie editing techniques (for book trailers) and just started painting again. OH! I almost forgot...there’s a secret project that I am putting together with my fellow writer and Dark Prince (Nathan Squiers) that just might change the comic book world!

9. If given the opportunity, would you like to see ‘Ember’ as a TV show or motion picture?

MD: As long as they were filmed like music videos with an emotional edge, I could go either way. I’m not picky! Just show me where to sign! I think I’d prefer the movie version. Each book in the Ember series has been written as if you were watching a movie. BUT if done right...an epic, sweeping TV series would be amazing. Ember is scheduled for a total of 6 books, so there would be plenty of chapters to pick from for TV episodes.

Kristy, you’ve read Ember, which do you think fits best?

KB: Hmm, I want movies and action figures. Wouldn’t Max Valentine make the coolest lighter ever? LOL

10. Who are the people that inspire you the most? (I must be listed somewhere on that list)

MD: Kristy Berridge, Kristy Berridge, Kristy Berridge and 80’s cartoons! Bwahahahaha! (In that exact order!)

KB: Excellent answer. No prompting from me there at all … :P

11. Any last thoughts or weird comments you’d like to leave behind?

MD: First off, thank you for having me! I am a HUGE fan of your blog! It’s one of the few that make me laugh constantly and fills me with knowledge! Second, I would like to leave you and your followers with this...

... “Wise man say, forgiveness is divine BUT never pay full price for a late pizza.”

*          *          *

Okay, so I was going to end the interview there, but then one last question was gnawing at me … Is Madison Daniel a scruncher or a folder? Yes, these are the weird and wonderful thoughts that tunnel through my mind. I apologise.

Alas, I am personally a scruncher because I prefer bulk to tidiness. I come from an entire family of folders, so I’m often the odd one out because of my expedient use of the lavatory without the need for ‘origami’ time.

So I am pleased to say that Madison and I are kindred bathroom spirits, and here is the unofficial question and answer to prove it. I wasn’t going to post it, but Madison’s answer is bloody priceless!

Hehe – looking forward to reading your answers. I wanted to ask if you were a scruncher or folder, but my hubby jokingly punched me in the arm and told me to mind my own business.

MD: Scruncher all the way! I’m a rockstar baby! I AINT GOT TIME TO FOLD!!! You’ve been warned...

LOVE IT! And love Madison Daniel. It is my recommendation that you get that kind of attitude into you right now, head over to Amazon, and pick yourself up a copy of this great read … ‘Ember’. And thank you, Madison for taking the time to answer my crass-ass questions!

Kristy :)

Book Review: Death Wish: Book 1 (The Vamp Saga) by Danielle Blanchard

You all know that I am a massive fan of supernatural fiction/paranormal romance. When I found this book and read the synopsis I was really excited about reading it. And thus I explored the first two chapters, floored by the detail the author was describing.
The world had changed, vampires were now the dominant race, controlling major conglomerates such as Wall street banking, pharmaceutical companies, and medical advancement. I was pulled into this concept, consumed by the idea of vampires and humans intermingling with open knowledge but clear definitions of where one another stood in the food chain. The imagery of past exploits and perhaps future intrigues was well examined by the author through her protagonist, Manon, and I was eager to learn more about this new world order and her place within it.
At finish of these two chapters I started to identify with Manon's revolt of vampires and clear struggle trying to stay alive in such a changed environment, particularly financially given her orphaned past and lack of current support network. Working the tables at a vampire owned casino making ends meat only serves to fuel her intense dislike of these blood drinkers further, seemingly capitulating to the very creatures that supposedly murdered her father, but alas, she remains powerless to change her circumstances.
That is where my interest in this story waned.
Manon is propositioned by the rich and powerful owner of the casino, Mikkel - she will marry him, and she will become a vampire whether she likes it or not, this ideal examined again and again throughout the story with links to the past and explanations of tied bloodlines. Crazily, she agrees without much protest, and, in the course of a day or two, is suddenly in love with her captor, agreeing to marriage, and converting to vampirism with a semblance of ease.
This did not sit well with me.
The ideals that the author sprouted so consistently and valiantly for Manon in the first two chapters were suddenly shot down in a fireball of hypocrisy, and I found it hard to swallow a lot of the romance and characterisation from this point forward.
I was assailed again and again with pointless confrontations, an uncertain plot identified by no real discernible goal until closing chapters, and more than enough sex scenes to make a porn star blush. What I did enjoy was the writing style. The author was succinct in her use of language and her points were made quickly. Her imagery was fantastic and I always had a sense of the locale and character's moods, looks, and placement within their environment. There was a bit of action that kept the story moving forward, and the addition of shifters into the mix was a nice touch, though I'm uncertain of the necessity. Unfortunately the whiplash I received from inconsistent intention and preceding dialogue made it really difficult for me to take any one character too seriously or even relate.
However, I can say that the final chapters of this book did pull me back in as the author's direction became more clear, and I honestly did enjoy the climax and wondered what would precede it in the following novels. I rate this book two out of five stars. I expected just a little bit more after such a promising start.

Synopsis: Welcome to Las Vegas in the year 2020. The cold war between mortals and vampires has ended ... the vampires won and now they control the most powerful organisations in the world which include the global six, the pharmaceutical industry, the gaming industry, and banking. Manon Mourey is a half-breed (too bad she doesn't know it) and one of the most powerful vamps in the world, Mikkel Damgaard, has eyes only for her. She holds the key to a dream most vampires have had since they were turned ... yet her secret to changing the undead into Day Walkers could spark a war on the International Vampire Council ... and soon ensnare the whole entire world.

Kristy :)

Follow Friday #29

Happy Friday everyone!

Yes, it’s that time of week again where bloggers unite to participate in the Follow Friday venture. The idea behind #FF is to promote traffic to your own blog, make new friends with other like-minded bloggers and discuss new and interesting topics each week.

Participating is simple. First you need to follow my blog because I’m totally awesome, then you can follow me on Twitter @kristyberridge (actually you don’t have to do this, it’s wishful thinking), but do follow my blog or assassins will get you …

Then you must follow our illustrious hosts Rachel of http://www.parajunkee.com/ and Alison of http://www.alisoncanread.com/ If you want more details on how to enter your own blog in the follow and hop, all directions are on their webpages

Now, once you’ve followed, check out my answer to this week’s questions and don’t forget to leave a comment so I can do the right thing and follow you back!


This week's Question: Fight! Fight! If you could have two fictional characters battle it out (preferably from books), who would they be and who do you think would win?


My Answer: Well, if you've been following The Hunted Blog Tour (my book) then you'd know from the interviews and guest posts that my heroine Elena Manory is pretty kick ass. So I'd really like to face her off against Rose Hathaway from the Vampire Academy novels as they both have the same strength, speed, and combat abilities. The difference is, my girl, Elena would take Rose on with a smile and likely take out her jugular the minute she leaves herself exposed. It would be one helluva fight though!


Have a great weekend, and watch your back!


Kristy :)

A Plan of Action

I wanted to write a 'Warring with my Waistline Part 3', but alas I couldn't. For one, the battle of the bulge still continues, my thighs are still trying to take over the world, and I can't seem to keep my sticky fingers off chocolate. However, there has been some developments.

I got my ass into the gym!
Yes, I bit the bullet after watching my twin brothers chowing down on boiled chicken and broccoli, throwing in some weights and squats, and returning home from the gym looking extremely buff and a darn sight happier, despite the fact that they are now so built their arms don't touch their sides. But you know what? I wanted a piece of that action (minus boiled chicken and Arnie arms). So I took my husband and father - moral support, and made them sign up with me.
Now I thought I was getting pretty fit. I run for half an hour every day on the treadmill, whip out the sporadic lunge, and always try to watch what I eat even when I see a titanic sized piece of cake heading for my gob. I thought I could handle a personal training session basically aimed at smashing me to pieces until I'm reassembled about fifteen kilos lighter (I want to wear a sequinned bikini and see the bottom half unobstructed as I look down). I thought I could do about a gazillion squats while froggy jumping across the room, fist pump four kilogram hand weights into the air like I had a point to prove, and walk down a set of stairs afterwards without face-planting other patrons or equipment.
You know what? I damn well did it.
Yes, I may have been crying on the inside. I may have split my pants just a little bit. I may have had to grip the handrail on the staircase on descent, and I may have had to swallow back a few mouthfuls of bile, but by God I bloody did it. The crazy thing is I'm going back for more.
However, this state of 'more' may have to wait a few days since I'm practically a cripple right now, but I will go back and I will conquer. I will post a 'Warring with my Waistline Part 3' and there will be photos that don't make you want to gag.
Hell yes I'm doing this.
I may just have to buy new pants first ... and a walking stick.

Kristy :)

Melbourne Supanova 2012

Well, I've come to the end of yet another Supanova convention, otherwise known as a comic book and pop culture expo for those of you unfamiliar with the terminology. Last year I attended one in Brisbane with a massive turn out of well over sixty thousand people. I don't think Melbourne quite caught the numbers, but there certainly wasn't a lack of enthusiasm from the patrons.

This year I was an exhibitor, and though there were a lot of people rocking out their Anime costumes, Hogwarts robes, and Star Wars light sabers, there apparently weren't a lot of people who read books. Granted, I was trying to sell a 582 page novel at a comic book convention, but jeez, if I had a dollar for every person who asked me if there were pictures in The Hunted, I would have made a fortune. What happened to the younger generation? Where are all the readers?
So, despite the minor misjudgment of reading preferences, I just wanted to say a big thank you to Melbourne for having me. I love your food and public transportation system. I love the swag of people that did purchase my book and those of you that already have it, read it, and love it! But I did hate my hotel with it's alleged gymnasium (outright lie) and five minute walk to Melbourne showgrounds (let's try twenty).
Let's see if we attack this avenue of promotion later in the year ...

Kristy :)