Pump Up Chats with Crystal Connor, author of “The Darkness”

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Crystal Connor I grew up telling spooky little campfire style stories at slumber parties. We’d make a tent in the bedroom, and the only source of light would be from a flashlight that was about to die. I’d tell my tale of doom and then while everyone was jumping at the tree branch scraping against the window and I’d be sound asleep!

I served my country in the United States Navy working as a boiler technician on board the USS McKee AS-41 assigned to the 7th fleet.

While deployed at various ports-of-call throughout Africa, Asia and the Middle East I began to learn about other cultures’ monsters and nightmares and I use my world travels and experiences take you to some of the exotic places that I’ve been but have altered and embellished with my twisted view of how a story should end…while at the same time taking you on a journey you might not otherwise be able to afford or brave enough to undertake.

The Darkness, is my first full-length novel, is published by Bennett and Hastings. My current projects, “…And They All Lived Happily Ever After” and “Artificial Light,” the sequel to The Darkness will be released in 2011. My short story “The Ruins” was the runner-up selection of Crypticon Seattle’s 2010 writing contest, and accepted for publication for The Static Movement Anthology “Sowing the Seeds of Horror.” My short story “The Monster” will be featured in the anthology “Strange Tales of Horror” published by NorGus Press.

On The Darkness

Q: Can you tell us why you wrote your book?

That’s an interesting question and one I’ve been asked before, I really didn’t have a reason to write this book, I just write because its fun.

Q: Which part of the book was the hardest to write?

I didn’t really suffer from writers block with this book it was a fairly easy write.

Q: Does your book have an underlying message that readers should know about?

No, its just fun and scary.

On Writing

Q: Do you remember when the writing bug hit?

I can remember always telling stories but I didn’t start writing them down until I was in Jr. high and it wasn’t really a bug but a homework assignment. I’ve always ended up with really creative type friends so I kept writing after high school because I was friends with other writers so we were just writing stories to share with each other.

Q: What’s the most frustrating thing about becoming a published author and what’s the most rewarding?

Well once the book is done you need to sell it and I think the hardest part is the marketing/promoting side of things. Its time consuming and its something you really can’t stop doing if you really want a shot of having a descent-writing career. The coolest thing for me is seeing all the reviews and different opinions that people have about my work.

Q: Do you have a writing tip you’d like to share?

My tip is just write, I know a lot of people who have these amazing story ideas but they aren’t writing because they are distracted by trying to find out how to write. There is no right or wrong way to create art so if you have a story to tell just pick up your pen and write.

On Family and Home:

Q: Would you like to tell us about your home life? Where you live? Family? Pets?

I live in Seattle and my mom and kid sis live about 35 minutes away and I have five giant gold fish and when I say giant I mean it, one of them is seven inches long and almost four inches in diameter! I also have spilt custody of a dog, me and the other own work really long hours so it works perfectly because my dog is at her other home when I’m working and vice versa

Q: Where’s your favorite place to write at home?

I write everywhere because it seems like I write all the time. I have notes spiral books and ink pens everywhere.

Q: What do you do to get away from it all?

Turn off my cell phone and log off facebook

On Childhood:

Q: Were you the kind of child who always had a book in her/his hand?
No. Actually I wasn’t a big reader until I was almost in high school and what sparked my interest in books was a new BFF who loaned me her copy of Pet Sematary

Q: Can you remember your favorite book?

There are so many but one that stands out clear as day is a book by Dean Koontz called Trapped.

Q: Do you remember writing stories when you were a child?

Before I was in high school all my creepy stories were just told.

On Book Promotion:

Q: What was the first thing you did as far as promoting your book?

The very 1st thing I did was told all my family and friends who in turn told all theirs.

Q: Are you familiar with the social networks and do you actively participate?

For me its super hard to balance writing with social networking, I haven’t updated my blog or posted anything new to my facebook fan page because I’ve been writing I totally envy those writers who can beautifully do both.

Q: How do you think book promotion has changed over the years?

With so many indie and self published authors out there I think book promotions have gotten really creative because if you haven’t signed a mega book deal all the promoting is done by the author at the author’s expense. I can’t tell you have many awesome books I’ve come across where the author hasn’t written any new books or updated their website. Marketing and promoting really is a daunting task.

On Other Fun Stuff:

Q: If you had one wish, what would that be?

That there would be enough food to feed everyone who gets in line at the soup kitchen I volunteer at even if it’s just for one night.

Q: If you could be anywhere in the world other than where you are right now, where would that place be?

I would be sleeping! I’m so tired right now and my bed is super soft and nice and warm =D

Q: Your book has just been awarded a Pulitzer. Who would you thank?

My mom.

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Question of the Day

How do you make sales happen for you?

A lot of hard work! I sponsor a lot of on line parties, festivals and contests. Book sales don’t magically happen, believe me. An author has to work hard to earn her readers. And then she has to work hard to keep them by giving them something they’ll enjoy reading. I try hard to make my books worth a reader’s time.

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