Aspiring Author Thursday: Introducing Ali Cross

Okay. So, Ali Cross is freakin' amazing. She has this ninja thing going on at her blog, and it's such a fabulous idea! You must check it out NOW! Go here. Oh, and see that little ninja girl hanging out on the side of my blog? You can totally get your own. They are so cute!

When did you first know you wanted to be a writer?

I remember telling Anne McCaffrey I wanted to be an author when I was about eleven years old, but then I promptly forgot all about that. Until my family and I were driving toward a weekend getaway when I said (out of the blue), "You know, I've always wanted to write a novel." It was news to me! And to my husband! But when I said it, I knew it was true! And I haven't looked back since!

So glad you haven't looked back! :D

Do you have a writing schedule, or do you just sit down whenever you get a spare moment?

I do have a writing schedule. I homeschool my boys, so we're busy doing school until 2:00 p.m. every day, sometimes a little earlier. But from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m., that's my dedicated writing time. And I really am dedicated. I'm usually pretty good at not blogging or getting distracted.

That would be a great write time. I can't do anything until around 8:30 at night! :(

Could you tell us a little about yourself? Random facts? Hidden talents?

Hmm. Well, I have my bachelors degree in political science--Canadian politics which, since I live in the United States now, it isn't very helpful! I've also been an opera singer and a portraiture photographer. Nowadays I homeschool my kids (twin ten-year-old boys) and have fun with my army of ninjas.

Political Science? Holy crap! Awesome! I think the opera singer is so awesome. You'll have to sing for me sometime! (Like next weekend when I meet you at Storymakers...hint...hint...)

If you were stranded on a desert island, what is one thing you couldn't live without? (Besides your family and a laptop of course.)

Lip balm!!! I think I would seriously die without my lip balm. (Nutragena Norwegian Formula, please!)

Agreed!

What is one book you could read over and over and over?

The Summer Tree (any all the books in The Fionavar Tapestry) by Guy Gavriel Kay. They are the only books I've ever been able to read more than once and they still make me laugh and cry.

I'll have to try those out! Never heard of them. :)

What book are you dying to read this year?

Well, ACROSS THE UNIVERSE by Beth Revis was the main one I was dying to read, and I already did and loved it! Plus POSSESSION by Elana Johnson is coming out and while I've already read it, I want to read it again when it's out in hardcover.

I loved Across the Universe as well! It was SO weird, but so unique!

What genre do you write and why?

I write in two genres. First, middle grade science fiction and fantasy. I write it for my boys because I love them and I want to share some of what I do with them. Next, I write young adult science fiction and paranormal. I write it for myself, for the girl I once was, and for other girls who might be feeling as lost as I did when I was a teen.

I wish I could write middle grade... I can't NOT write a love story. ;)

Do you have any writing rituals? Music, silence, eating, etc.

I sure do! Music, headphones ON of course, is a must for me. I use different playlists on Pandora depending which project I'm working on. And yes, sadly I do like to have little things to pop into my mouth when I'm writing. I don't know why--just something about being able to tuck a little candy (Mike 'n Ikes are my fave!) into my mouth while I'm "chewing" over a difficult scene that helps me.

I love Pandora! :D

Do you prefer salty snacks or sugary ones?

Can't I have both? No? Well, if I had to pick, it would be sugary, all the way.

Any advice for aspiring authors?

Yes! Attend writing conferences! Not only do you get to meet other people who are the same brand of crazy as you (yes, I said it), but you will learn so much--including that you're better than you realized, which can be a very powerful thing!

So excited for my first one next week!! :D :D

Random Writing Question: If your current main character had to fight a literary villain, who would they fight and why? Would they win?

My main character, Desi (the devil's daughter), would probably have to fight Voldemort because it would just piss her off too much that someone had managed to circumvent Hell--a place he sorely needed to go. And she'd win, of course. Desi kicks some major butt. I mean, she's half demon, half angel--of course she'd represent!

Seriously, give me your book NOW! It sounds so amazing! Thank you so much Ali!!