Debbie Manber Kupfer – author of P.A.W.S. and Argentum.
What originally drew you to writing?
I’ve always written ever since I was a child. I’ve always felt much more comfortable putting down my thoughts on paper than in any other way. When I was a kid I would fill notebooks and even finished a series of three school “novels” based around my friends and the playground.
Which writers inspired – or continue to inspire you – to write?
The two main ones are probably JK Rowling and Neil Gaiman.
What most inspires your stories?
Anything and everything. Even though I write fantasy, the little things around me often end up in my books. I love people watching and will often sit in cafes for inspiration.
Do you have a special time of day that you prefer to write?
As a mother I’ll have to say “no”. I fit in writing whenever I have the time.
Do you have any tips on overcoming writer’s block?
Go for a walk. A change of scenery and fresh air do wonders.
Are you an e-book person, or do you prefer to own a hard copy?
I do both. I tend to read traditionally published books in a hard copy from the library and buy ebooks of indie authors.
Give us an insight into your main character. What does he/she do that is so special?
In lot of ways Miri is like me. She was bullied as a child, but the experience has made her stronger and not take things for granted. She’s always loved to read and write and used books as an escape from the harsh realities surrounding her. She enjoyed fantasy as a child and wished she could escape into those worlds. As she grows older she grows stronger especially after she learns to control her magic which is very powerful. But as we discover in the beginning of the second book having strong magic can come with a price.
What genre do you prefer to write in, and why?
My main series is fantasy, but I also love experimenting in different genres in my short stories.
Have you ever been involved in a collaborative project with another author? If not, is it something you would like to do in future?
Oh yes. I’ve been in quite a few anthologies where we all worked together. The most notable being Fauxpocalypse (a collection of stories about the end of the world that wasn’t) and Sins of the Past (a historical horror collection in which I not only have a story, but also am the editor of the anthology). I plan to do more collaborations in the future and in particular the group of authors that put together Sins of the Past are already working on a second book, Sins of the Future, that all being well will be released next Halloween.
Do you set yourself a daily word target? If so, how often do you meet it?
I only set myself a daily word target during NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). During NaNo I make myself write two thousand words each day before I’m allowed to go on the Internet. It must work as I’ve “won” NaNo (reached 50k words) three years in a row now.
What do you do to get book reviews?
I approach bloggers who review in my genre. So far my reviews have all been favorable, but like all authors I could still do with a few more!
What are your views on social media for marketing?
I’m on Facebook a lot (probably too much) and it definitely has helped me make connections with authors, bloggers and readers. I do a little Twitter too, but admit that I don’t really understand how to use it properly.
Debbie Manber Kupfer grew up in London and lived in Israel, before somehow ended up in St. Louis, where she works as a puzzle constructor and writer. She lives with her husband, two children, and a very opinionated feline. She is the author of P.A.W.S and Argentum and has short stories in several anthologies including Fauxpocalypse, Shades of Fear, Darkly Never After, Sins of the Past, and Heroes & Villains. She believes that with enough tea and dark chocolate you can achieve anything!
P.A.W.S. is Debbie’s first novel and is available here. When Miri’s grandmother dies, she takes with her the family secret. Miri finds herself alone and abandoned in a St. Louis boarding school. But she is about to discover the secret isn’t dead.
Taunted by bullies, Miri is shocked to learn she possesses a secret power. It can save her… but can it save those she loves? After she is befriended by others with the same strange, magical powers, her history comes alive. And with it, Miri’s fate becomes more dangerous.
Join Miri on a mysterious and supernatural journey with her new friends, members of an underground St. Louis society called the Partnership for Animagi, Werewolves, and Shapeshifters, better known as P.A.W.S.
Debbie’s second novel, Argentum is available now.
Argentum . . . silver. Magical powers.
The death of the evil Alistair has brought a measure of peace and calm to those at P.A.W.S., but his silver charm remains in Miri’s possession and it seems to almost have a life of its own.
Nightmares and questions torment Miri until the charm mysteriously disappears and Jessamyn seeks help from Quentin, who claims to have repented his past association with Alistair. But can he be trusted?
And Jenna, the sweet, young girl once held captive by Alistair, is carrying a terrible secret—a secret that could determine the future of P.A.W.S.
The Official Writing Blog of Deedee Davies 
Reblogged this on Paws4Thought and commented:
On my stop on today’s blog tour I am interviewed by Deedee Davies.
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