Welcome to the Saturday Spotlight, a weekly event shining the light on Indie and debut authors. This week I have the pleasure of introducing
~Lois Brown author of Cycles~
Please tell us about yourself?
I graduated from college with a bachelor's degree in journalism. I later returned to complete a master’s degree in communications. Early on, I spent time in Washington, D.C. as a news correspondent, during which time I covered events like the Queen of England coming to visit (seriously) and other such odds and ends. After having my first child, I became a freelance editor and ghostwriter. A few years ago I decided to try my hand at writing fiction when the bedtime stories I told them never put them to sleep.
What inspired you to write Cycles?
I had the idea for Cycles at the same time I was diagnosed with Simple Partial Seizures. These seizures don’t affect motor skills, but they can affect all of your five senses (hence their other name: sensory seizures.) My seizures created an odd mesh of symptoms, the most disconcerting of which was massive déjà vu. For those who are saying to themselves, “huh?” take a minute to read this article about the different types of seizures. As part of my seizures, time would slow down to a crawl and everything around me faded in and out. It was like I had lived that moment a thousand times before in a different life. Needless to say, it was weird.
I went to bed one night thinking about my recent trip to the neurologist. In my sleep, I had a vivid dream about a girl who had frightening feelings of having already experienced things before but in another lifetime. It wasn't like reincarnation—the same soul coming back to earth to live as someone or something else. Instead, it was like her life just kept repeating itself and she had moments where these “other-life” memories were intensely strong.......I woke up and knew I was going to write a book about it.
Did any research or travel go into writing your book?
No traveling (unfortunately) but a lot of research. There are some fantasy elements in the book that are scientifically-based, so I had to do a fair amount of research in quantum physics and astronomy so I could explain the concepts very simply to my readers.
What authors have inspired you?
ALL of them. Anyone who is willing to put their soul out there for anyone to read deserves respect.
What are you reading right now?
I’m halfway through Marc Zusak’s The Book Thief.
What’s on the horizon for Lois Brown?
I've got a middle grade mystery set in 1985 called Catching Katil that will be published in the next few months. I’m also working on an adventure/coming of age story set in 1920. Oh, and of course, I’m writing the sequel to Cycles. I expect it to be out the end (very end) of 2012.
Wow..what an inspiring story Lois, thanks for sharing that info about seizures with us. Here's wishing you all the best in your writing career.
GIVEAWAY
Today Lois is giving away one Ebook copy of her book Cycles. To enter please just leave a comment. Winner will be picked on 5/19.
She remembers things that never happened.
She's a stranger in her own home.
She always knew she was different.
She just didn't know why.
Until now.
Renee Beaumont is about to die . . . again.
To learn more about this author visit Lois at her blog Life of Lois
Very nice interview. I enjoyed finding out more about the inspiration for the book. The book sounds very intriguing.
ReplyDeletebn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com
I thought the interview was great, and the book sounds great.
ReplyDeletedebbiehickmon(at)yahoo(dot)com
I've never heard of Simple Partial Seizures before, I will have to read up on it! In the meantime, this book looks awesome and I'd love to be entered to win a copy..
ReplyDeletemlawson17 at hotmail dot com
Hi, Tina. The book sounds very interesting. Thanks for sharing this author with us. I am definitely intriqued with her and her work.
ReplyDelete-Jimmy