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Albert Camus

Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

he’s about to find out how special he really is… Four Corners Trilogy by Kristin Durfee

"The plot was well written, with attention to detail. The characters are likable and well developed. The friendship that grows between Levi and Aura is beautiful. The balance of action, adventure and friendship is perfect. I recommend Four Corners to those who love a good fantasy." - about Four Coners Sheri, Goodreads

Description:

Four Corners

Levi always knew he was different. The fact that he could smash a light bulb without touching it was only one clue, but he’s about to find out how special he really is…

Sought after by those in a magical land, he meets Aura, Queen of Esotera. Her kingdom is in trouble and he’s the only one who can help. But the powerful sorcerer who cursed Esotera will not give up easily. A collision of magic and fates, sealed long ago, will catapult the two into a race to save Aura’s kingdom. Will they make it in time, or will they lose everything they love, and possibly both their lives?

Two Worlds

Four years after his adventures in Esotera, Levi’s life is unrecognizable. Now an accomplished author for his “fantasy” story Saving Esotera, a visit from someone he never expected to see again has put his new future in jeopardy. Esotera again needs his help. Familiar faces, along with some new ones, greet him upon his return, but it’s not all happy homecomings. A threat from their past is rising to power.

Will Levi, Aura, and the rest of our heroes be able to defeat their enemies once and for all? Or will it not just be Esotera at stake, this time, but the world as well?

AUTHOR's Q&A

How long have you been writing? 
I’ve been making up stories longer than I knew how to write, but actual pen to paper (yup, I still hand-write sometimes), probably 25 some years. While there are times that I take breaks, I can’t imagine it not being a part of my life. 

What kind of research do you do before you begin writing a book? 
It really depends on the genre of book I’m writing. Fantasy is great because there isn’t necessarily a lot, you can just make it all up! However, I do have some real places, so I needed to make sure it was reasonable to the characters to take x amount of days/hours to get from one to the other. As for my sci-fi, I’ve had to do quite a bit of research in that. I am also working on a new stand-alone YA contemporary and I had to do a bunch of medical and legal research for that. Though to be honest, research isn’t my favorite part. I’d rather just write! So, I really have to fight to not be lazy about it. 

When did you first consider yourself a writer? 
I didn’t consider myself a “real” writer until I signed my publishing contract for my first book. Looking back, I now see how silly that was. Do you write? You are a writer, pretty simple test. 

Do you see writing as a career? 
Maybe someday, but I am not there yet. But I think it’s a mistake to say “oh I can’t make a career of this, so I won’t do it.” If you feel passionately about writing, find a way to fit it into your life, just like anything you feel passionately about. Find the time. Watch one less TV show (heck, write while watching TV), wake up a bit early, whatever you have to do to get it done. 

Anything specific you want to tell your readers? 
I love hearing from you! Emails, Facebook, Twitter, reviews, all of it. Here’s a secret…as much as a story needs an author, stories need readers. We need you, so don’t be scared to reach out and ask questions. 

What do you think about the current publishing market? 
I think it is an exciting time to be an author. “Rules” are changing and there are so many avenues to get books in readers hands now. Of course, that also puts not as great books out there, but each one should be celebrated in its own way. Writing a book is hard! Any completion should be celebrated, but I think the market is still trying to figure out how to weed the so-so from the great, and realizing it’s not just the big best-sellers that can hold the latter title. 

Do you have a favorite movie? which of your novels can you imagine made into
a movie? 
Shawshank Redemption is one of my all-time favorites. And I’m always up for a Harry Potter marathon! 

Have you written any other books that are not published? 
Oh yes! I have some trunk books (ie, they will only see the inside of my trunk). I have a completed YA novel that involves horses that I am in the editing phase of. I haven’t totally decided what I will do with it, try to self-publish or traditional publish, but I really love the story and want to share it with others. 

Pen or type writer or computer? 
I go back and forth. I didn’t have a laptop for a while, so for Four Corners, I handwrote the majority of it then typed it up on my PC. If I am somewhere without my laptop or access to a computer, I will still handwrite, but I certainly type more. I am a waaaaay faster typer than hand writer, so it’s way more efficient for me to write that way now. 

Do you prefer to write in silence or with noise? Why? 
Usually silence, if I do music, I prefer something classical or slow. I like to focus 100% on what I’m writing and find music often distracts me. 

Do you write one book at a time or do you have several going at a time? 
I will unusually focus on writing one at a time, but I usually am editing one as I am writing another. For short stories though, I can have more than one going at the same time. I have a problem with distraction (see, reading lots of books at once above), so if I get a new idea, it’s hard for me to focus on what I’m currently working on, but I’ve gotten better. I will jot down notes, sometimes outline, and then back to what I’m supposed to work on. 

If you could have been the author of any book ever written, which book would you choose? 
I mean, obviously Harry Potter, but beside that, The Poisonwood Bible. That book is just so beautifully written, I am jealous, I wish I could write that eloquently. 

What can we expect from you in the future? 
The third and final book in the Four Corners trilogy: One Earth is slated for release in the Spring of 2018. Aside from that, I have three short stories that will be published in anthologies, I am also working on a YA contemporary novel that I am hoping to finish during NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) this November. If all goes well on that, I will work on edits and hopefully submit that to publishers by the middle of next year.

.99 from Nov 22 – Dec 6th!!
About the author:
Kristin Durfee grew up outside of Philadelphia where an initial struggle with reading blossomed into a love and passion for the written word. 

She has also been a writer since a very young age, writing short stories and poems, though now is focusing on longer works. She is currently working on several short stories and a novel for adults.

Kristin currently resides outside of Orlando, FL, and when not enjoying the theme parks or Florida sun, she spends most of her time with her husband, son, and their quirky dogs.

She is a member of the Florida Writers Association.


14 comments:

CindyWindy2003 said...

I was just wondering what the author is working on next?

Fee Roberts said...

This sounds really good! I loved the interview.

CindyWindy2003 said...

About how many books a month do you read?

Kristin Durfee said...

I just finished writing my NaNo book (woo hoo!) A YA contemporary, so going to start edits on that and another project, and should be getting edits back for the 3rd and final book in the FC trilogy from my publisher soon! Thanks for checking out my Q&A!
-Kristin

Kristin Durfee said...

Thanks! And thanks for taking the time to stop by and check out my interview!
-kristin

CindyWindy2003 said...

Thanks for answering my question! I've got another one- if you could meet any author past or present who would it be and why?

CindyWindy2003 said...

Any book recommendations or author recommendations from the author?

CindyWindy2003 said...

How long did it take you to write this book including edits, especially since you had to hand write so much of it.

CindyWindy2003 said...

Are you a big reader as well a a writer?

CindyWindy2003 said...

How did you come up with the titles for your works?

CindyWindy2003 said...

Which book that you have written is your favorite?

CindyWindy2003 said...

Whose a favorite character in a book or story you have written?

CindyWindy2003 said...

If you could change anything about the book, would you? Happy with everything?

CindyWindy2003 said...

I hope you have a wonderful holiday and happy New year!