Hey everyone :) We are so excited Finally it's our day on the blog tour for Predator by Janice Gable Bashman. I have some exciting news!! Janice has kindly joined us to do our first ever interview on the blog! so everyone please join us in saying Hi and Thank you to Janice. Thank you so much for being here at Opinionated Cupcakes today.
Title: Predator
Publication date: September 16, 2014
Publisher: Month9Books, LLC.
Author: Janice Gable Bashman
Synopsis
Nancy Holder, New York Times Bestselling Author, The Rules
The hunt is on!
Sixteen-year-old Bree Sunderland must inject herself with an untested version of her father’s gene therapy to become a werewolf in order to stop a corrupt group of mercenaries from creating a team of unstoppable lycanthrope soldiers.
When Bree went with her scientist father to Ireland, she thought it would be a vacation to study bog bodies. She never expected to fall in love with a mysterious young Irishman and certainly never expected to become the kind of monster her father said only existed in nightmares. Dr. Sunderland discovers that lycanthropy was not a supernatural curse but rather a genetic mutation. When they return home, her dad continues his research, but the military wants to turn that research into a bio weapons program and rogue soldiers want to steal the research to turn themselves into unstoppable killing machines.
Bree’s boyfriend Liam surprises her with a visit to the United States, but there are darker surprises in store for both of them. As evil forces hunt those she loves, Bree must become an even more dangerous hunter to save them all.
Predator gives the werewolf legend a couple of new spins by introducing the Benandanti (an actual folkloric belief that certain families of Italy and Livonia were werewolves who fought against evil), as well as a modern scientific approach to mutation and the science of transgenics.
Interview
Thanks for having me. I’m excited to be here.
When and what drove you to start writing/become an author?
I always wanted to write, but it took me a very long time to actually do so. One of my favorite memories is of going to the library on Saturday mornings, checking out a huge stack of books, coming home and spreading them across the floor, deciding what order to read them, and then digging in to those pages that magically transformed me to another world. Along with my love of reading came my desire to write. I’d hold a pencil in my hand and imagine what it could create (as an extension of me). Imagined the power it held. Thought of all the authors I read. I was enamored with their abilities to create wonderful stories from words, from their imaginations. To me, that was the ultimate achievement. It was something I only dreamed of doing, something I aspired to accomplish. Although I wrote character sketches and short stories while in school, I didn’t write much until about five years ago. And I haven’t stopped since. My published credits include many articles, short stories, a non-fiction book, and a novel (Predator).
What is your favourite thing about writing?
Writing is fun for me in the same way reading is fun. Writing takes me to new places, teaches me new things, and exposes me to situations, albeit fictional, that I might not otherwise encounter in real life. Some people would rather have a tooth pulled than write, but I love to write. It doesn’t matter if it’s fiction or non-fiction, an interview or a profile, a short story or a novel. There’s something special about putting words together to create something new, taking characters I’ve invented, putting them into a situation and seeing how they will react. Will they fail to live up to my (and their) expectations? Will they succeed? How will things turn out? Good writing is difficult work, but it’s also a lot of fun.
Can we have an insight into your writing process?
I always write first drafts of fiction on my laptop in an easy chair with my feet up on an ottoman in what I refer to as my library room (It’s really a small room with a chair, wall-length bookcase, and a window seat). Editing drafts are completed on a desktop computer in my office. Final drafts are edited on paper, usually at my desk. For non-fiction, it’s completely different. I write and edit non-fiction on my desktop computer, probably because I need space next to the computer to lay out pages of research for reference. The final draft, like my fiction, is completed on paper. I don’t like writing to music and prefer silence when I write, if possible.
Do you have any authors enjoy reading?
There are so many good writers out there and a lot of my favorites continually hit the best-seller lists. Great writers that should be better read include: P.T. Deutermann—thriller writer, Walter Mosley—never disappoints, Mark Bowden—non-fiction writer, and Tim O’Brien—explores the Vietnam War through his fictional characters. Young adult writers I enjoy reading are Jandy Nelson, John Green, Jonathan Maberry, Nancy Holder, Veronica Roth, Marie Lu, Jay Asher, J.K. Rowling, Allen Zadoff, Markus Zusak, and many others.
What was your inspiration or first spark of the idea to write Predator?
I came across some articles on bog bodies and was fascinated by how the bodies were preserved and how the people died – most were murdered. I’ve always been interested in science and genetic engineering. And, I researched and wrote about werewolves in Wanted Undead or Alive, so it all naturally came together, with a lot of hard work of course.
Predator gives a new spin on the folkloric belief Benandanti. How important do you think old myths and legends are in modern storytelling? Do you think there is any pros or cons from using established Myths, legends or beliefs in modern storytelling?
Myths and legends are important in modern storytelling. They have informed many stories throughout the years. The good thing about using an established myth in modern storytelling is that the reader is familiar with it. But that’s also a negative aspect. Familiarity can lead to boredom. The solution to that is easy. Investigate the folklore. Make it fresh. Find a new angle, a new twist, a new theme on the idea and give your readers something original and exciting. It doesn’t matter if it’s fiction or non-fiction. Readers don’t want to read the same old stuff. Sure they want to read about werewolves or other myths and legends, but they don’t want to read the same book over and over again. So, find a way to make your work unique, and write from the heart. If you care about your work, your readers will too.
Predator also has a modern scientific approach to mutation and the science of transgenics. Was science an established interest of yours before writing Predator? Or something new that came with writing Predator?
I’ve always been fascinated with science in general. I read magazines like Discover and Scientific American to see what new thoughts, theories, and discoveries are happening. I’m amazed at the work scientists do today and all they accomplish.
Did you have any difficulties whilst writing Predator?
I had to make sure all the science was plausible within the plot of the book. Creating super soldiers had to have a scientific base that made sense. Making sure readers understood that science amid the high pace and high action was important. I gave readers only the information they needed and not a bit more so that the science didn’t drag down the story.
Will Predator be part of a series? If so how many books do you plan to have in the series?
Predator is a stand-alone novel, but can easily spin out into a series of YA novels.
Is there anything else you would like to tell us about Predator that we might not already know?
I interviewed a world-famous geneticist to help me figure out how to create the werewolves using modern-day science and how it can go horrible wrong. I hope readers enjoy the book and that they relate to the themes of loss, hope, strength, and perseverance that inform it. Predator is fast-paced with lots of action, romance, and suspense—it should be fun read.
Do you have any advice for inspiring authors?
Writing is a job. Treat it like one. Put in the time and effort. My good friend and colleague Jonathan Maberry told me early on in my writing career, “Learn and follow the business, diversify your creative output, and learn your craft.” I think that’s solid advice.
Lastly, what are you currently working on/planning to work on?
I just finished a middle grade adventure novel and am starting work on another young adult novel.
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Thank You Janice for taking the time to answer our questions. It has been so enjoyable getting to know you better.
Purchase Links
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Chapters Indigo! | TBD | iBooks
About Janice Gable Bashman
Janice Gable Bashman is the Bram Stoker nominated author of Wanted Undead or Alive and Predator. She is managing editor of the The Big Thrill (International Thriller Writers’ ezine). Janice lives with her family in the Philadelphia area, where she at work on her next novel. Visit her at janicegablebashman.com.
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