Winterskin Interview
- Let’s start at the beginning… what is your favorite way or language to say hello in? And why? Aloha! It just sounds so friendly and Hawaii is such a beautiful place.
- When and how did you know you were a writer? I was around twelve when I started writing short stories and submitting them to my school’s newspaper. Funny thing is, I didn’t really like writing all that much back then–at least not creatively. I liked to write essays–if you’d believe that! When on deployment to Korea, after a long hiatus of not writing a darn thing, I started back to writing short stories while on duty as a way of keeping me awake. But after that, I was hooked.
- Looking at Winterskin, I see a gorgeous dark fantasy that speaks to many influences but I have to ask… what is your favorite Grimm Fairy Tale (because I know you have one)? And why does that story call to you? Of course I have one! It might sound a little obscure though. “The Girl Without Hands” is my absolute favorite because it shows the wit and cunning of everyday people in the face of the supernatural.
- Where did your very distinctive title come from? By the way, I adore it! Thank you! Originally, it’s working title was, “Locks of Rubicose” but once the novel was complete I realized that red hair didn’t really embody the narrative anymore. Winterskin became the novel’s new title because it accentuates an ability of the protagonist’s.
- I am thrilled to cheer on a fellow strong female writer—what would you like to see from our fellow women in the writing world? I’d like to see more characters that are morally gray. I’d like to see more tragedies and women writing in the fantasy genre. Most of all, I’d like to see some sci-fi fantasy written by awesome women.
- As fantasy writers we see certain tropes used again and again- what fantastical creature would you just love to see featured and why? (For me? It’s totally Big Foot- we haven’t seen any pictures in a while… I hope he’s okay.) Dragons! Who doesn’t love dragons? They may feel a bit overplayed to some, but to me whenever a dragon is featured in a novel I am always awed as if I haven’t read about one in the last fantasy book I’ve charged through.
- Can you share one resource: website, marketing strategy, social media medium that you feel has most helped you and could help other writers on their way?
Heinlein’s Rules. Link: http://www.sfwriter.com/ow05.htm
Whenever that feeling of writer’s block, or simply being stuck in a scene, comes up to bite me, reading through Heinlein’s rules usually helps me regain that fire for writing that I’ve lost. Another pointer I’d give for getting over being “stuck” while writing, is simply taking a break. I know many writers fear that–if you stop writing, you may never write again–but that isn’t true. If you’re a full time writer like me, writing is basically your day job. Two days off from writing can do wonders for your writing spirit!
- What do you wish your readers could know about you? That’s a tough one. I wish my readers knew they could come to me with ideas for what they’d like to see and I’d gladly novelize it, or make a character. I’d like them to know that I’m open to suggestions and absolutely love it when they email me about how much they love certain things.
- We’re just a month out from the Holiday Season- if you could give EVERYONE a gift… and expense or transportation was no object- what would you give them? A puppy. I’ve never had one before until this year, and puppies just make life so much brighter. And if you don’t like puppies…maybe a kitten?
- Mimosa versus Bloody Mary- the debate rages on… compare and contrast, please. Mimosa! I can barely tolerate ketchup…much less a Bloody Mary. Mimosas are just like Hawaii…tropical and sweet.
- If you had to choose… mountains or sea… what would you choose as a home base and why does your choice speak to you? The mountains. Putting aside my fear of water, a mountain to me is synonymous with peace. Peace and quiet are two things I thoroughly enjoy (I’m also planning on going mountain climbing in West Virginia sometime soon).
- And lastly… what is your favorite reward after a long day of writing—that little treat you give yourself? My reward to myself after a long day of writing, is picking up a book and reading with a nice cup of ginger tea close at hand. It’s the perfect close to a perfect day.
Title: Winterskin
Author: C.M. Estopare
Genre: Dark / Epic Fantasy
The Path.
Perilous. Brutal. Deadly.
It is said that if a man journeys in alone, he’ll never return and there will be no corpse to bury.
Thousands of lives hang in the balance. Braving the Path is the key to saving them, but their survival is not guaranteed. For the Path is brimming with flesh ravenous monsters and the threat of a sinister presence known only as “the Lady”, an eerie entity dwelling deep within the confines of the black forest.
C.M. Estopare is a full-time author, avid yoga enthusiast, and veteran of the United States military. She is the author of HEARTFELT SOUNDS, a young adult coming of age fantasy about the enthralling power of one young woman’s voice.
KINDRED SOULS is a five part epic and dark fantasy series hitting Amazon and Kindle Unlimited beginning in February 2017. Look out for the first book, WINTERSKIN, debuting February 9th, 2017.
When not writing, C.M. Estopare enjoys reading about the fantastical worlds in the minds of others. She also enjoys playing around with her puppy,Duke, and adventuring with her husband.
Links
http://cmestopare.blogspot.com/
Twitter-@CMEstopare
This post was written by Erika Gardner. She’s a native Californian, lifelong lover of fantastical adventures, and a dedicated Whovian. If you enjoyed it, please sign up to receive updates on www.erikagardner.com Or you can follow Erika on Twitter @Erika_Gardner, “Like” her Facebook page Erika Gardner- Writer and Storyteller.Or check out her contributions to the BBB Blog.
