MY INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR LILLY GRIFFIN

 

 

What’s your name and what genre would you consider your books to be?

Lilly Griffin

Space Opera

Light Sci-Fi

Gene Manipulation

Physic Gifts

Aliens

RH

Romance

 

 

Tell me about your book. How did you come up with that (story, angle, idea)?

I started out writing an entirely different story when I came to a dead end. So, I scrapped about half of that and rewrote it into the story it is today. I knew I wanted it to be science fiction space opera RH Romance. It went from the government performing genetic experiments on it is own people to leaving a dying earth. The original book had been both book one and book two as one book, but I had it set up as a part I and a part II. Since it was such a long book and I had a natural stopping point, I split them up into Gene Born: Awakening and Gene Born: Pirates Bane.

 

Part I which is about the main characters waking up to the horror of being genetically experimented on and some of the ordeals she goes through and her meeting others like her. An alien species is shot down a few months before the last ship was to leave earth. Since they were already experimenting on people why not add the Alien’s DNA to some of the test subjects to see what happen’s. This is where the hybrid part comes into play. The main character has been changed into a half alien and half human. The main character does not fully understand this until late in the book. In the meantime, the main character’s goal is to gain her freedom not only for herself but for all of the others as well and now the Aliens.

 

While this is a fictional fantasy book, I wanted some realism in the story as well where they have both setbacks, failures, and successes. This journey is not an easy one but with each success they become stronger with new and exciting adventures around every corner. Throughout the two books, there are surprises, hints, and clues about some of the things that are happening and or not happening if you really look. Part II which is Pirates Bane takes them 100 years into the future. In that 100 years, they were in cryogenic stasis headed into slavery by their own people if and when they found a new home. Unfortunately, the two exodus ships were captured by pirates and all of the people aboard her were sold into slavery over a period of two years. Once more Sloan and company wake up to yet another challenge and an entirely new galaxy that has a least a dozen alien species in it. Their goal remains unchanged for the main character and company which is to escape and make a better life for themselves and what remained of humanity.

 

 

How did you get interested in writing this particular genre (historical novels, mysteries, sci-fi, children’s books, etc.)?

I have always loved Sci-Fi, PNR, Fantasy if it has anything to do with taking you away to another world I’ve loved it.

 

What kind of research did you do for this book?

A ton of research about the mind, genetics, different animals that could have been used to enhance humans, metal type compounds, the universe, galaxies, and star systems.

 

Can you tell me about your Series?

Book one and two are a little dark, but the main point of the story is to survive and seek out their freedom. Below is the synopsis in regards to the two books.

They never said life was fair, and they proved that statement was true over and over again. They lied to us. They changed us. They hurt us. They controlled us. The government used us to improve the human genome through gene modification. Earth was dying, and they needed the humans to be stronger, faster, and harder to kill while traveling through space in their search for a new home. Then they took it even further when an alien species called the Koci were shot down right before the last Exodus ships were scheduled to leave. What they didn’t count on was our determination to win back our minds and bodies. We have awakened, now it is time to take back our freedom.

*This is for ages 18 and over. 

*This is a slow burn REVERSE HAREM romance.

*TRIGGER WARNING: this story contains content that may trigger readers sensitive to violence and references to sexual assault.

 

The government used us to improve the human genome through gene modification and controlled us through a computer AI placed in our brains. Earth was dying, and they needed the humans to be stronger, faster, and harder to kill while traveling through space in their search for a new home. They were successful, they made us stronger, faster, and harder to kill. Then they took it even further when an alien species called the Koci was shot down right before the last exodus ships were to leave earth. They used the Alien DNA to changes us even further. We are now part Koci and part human, a hybrid. We sought our freedom from being controlled by the government only to find ourselves in the hands of pirates when we awoke from cryo-stasis in search of that new home. We are still not free, but we will be. Our goal is freedom, to find a new home, and explore this new galaxy we find ourselves in. Our mission is to become the pirate’s bane. Will it be easy? Probably not. Will we give up? Never!

*This is for ages 18 and over. 

*This is a SLOW BUILD REVERSE HAREM romance relationships.

*TRIGGER WARNING: this story contains content that may trigger readers sensitive to violence and references to sexual assault.

 

 

Do you have a favorite book out of this series?

Right now it is the current one I am writing Gene Born: Gladiator Hell.

 

Where did you get the inspiration/idea for your series?

I think the authors that inspired me to want to write this series are David Weber, Wendie Nordgren, and Michael Anderle. I fell in love with their stories and writing, and since I have always wanted to write, I sat down one day right after Christmas and just started writing.

 

 Was it always meant to become a series?

Yes

 

What’s a typical working day like for you?

When and where do you write? Do you set a daily writing goal? I work a regular job during the day and try and write at least 2-3K words a day or editing. It doesn’t happen that way as much as I want it to because life just rears its head up to tell me nope more often that I want. I park my little, okay maybe big bohunkus down in front of the computer each evening until around midnight when I finally go to bed.

 

Do you have a new book in the making and if so, what’s the name of your upcoming book?

I have a book coming out in a Halloween Anthology that is a PNR that is a prequel to a new series I will be writing.

 

How important are character names to you in your books? Is there a special meaning to any of the names?

Names are important in that I choose ones that are memorable, somewhat uncommon and some of them do have meanings

 

 

Where do your ideas come from?

All over and everything that I have read since I was a little girl. I pulled some of my favorite things that I loved to read and put them into this book while still trying to make it unique.

 

Is there a genre that you’ve wanted to experiment with?

Yes, my next project is in the paranormal branch.

 

What is the hardest part of writing for you?

Sitting down and get going. Once I am going, it is great.

 

What do you think of book trailers? Do you have a trailer or do you intend to create one for your own book?

I like them and I may in the future as the funds become available. Right now I am a brand new just learning her craft author, so I have to stay within budget right now.

 

What do you consider to be your best accomplishment?

Writing these books. It was something I never thought I could do and I have been amazed at my progress and learning this new craft.

 

What’s the best thing about being an author?

Creating new worlds.

 

 

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Hopefully writing full time.

 

Have you always liked to write?

I have always wanted to but never had until this past winter.

 

What writing advice do you have for aspiring authors?

Get help with editing.

 

If you didn’t like writing books or weren’t any good at it, what would you like to do for a living?

Prob. What I am currently doing and that is working in the bookkeeping world.

 

Do you read reviews of your book(s)? Do you respond to them, good or bad? How do you deal with the bad?

Yes, I read them, and no I don’t. The readers have a right to their opinion. I don’t always understand their reviews, but I do respect them. When they are bad without any reason, I feel down and bummed. I will still feel somewhat bummed if they do write a bad review, but I also try and learn from it.

 

 

What is your least favorite part of the writing/publishing process?

Editing

 

What are you working on now?

Two books the Halloween Anthology short story and Gene Born: Gladiator Hell

 

Can you give us a few tasty morsels from your work-in-progress?

This is an excerpt from Gene Born: Gladiator Hell that is due to be released in Sept. 2018. It does have curse words, and I can change them if you need me to.

Book Three

Gene Born: Gladiator Hell

The Koci Hybrid Series

Copyright © 2018 by Lilly Griffin

All rights reserved.

 

This excerpt is a work of fiction. The names, places, and events are fictional and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or actual events is entirely coincidental.

My internal alarm went off, and the eternity that we had to continue spasming about was finally done. We could stop the damn jerking around, and get to see for ourselves what was going on.

Guys, slowly turn off the jerking movements and don’t do it all at once, I commanded.

Good lord, Sloan, we are not children we know what to do. Reggie said in exasperation as her body slowed the spasming.

Okay, would you rather me say it to everyone just in case or just assume and make an ass out of all of us? I would rather be annoying and make sure, than we fuck up and give away our advantages. Which do you prefer, Reggie? I snapped a hard edge to my question.

Fine, you’re right, but it still galls me, and I feel like I’m five again when you do it, groused Reggie as she came to her feet and looked around.

Anger rose, though it wasn’t really at Reggie but at the situation. Do you think I like acting like a parent or a taskmaster? Hell no, but this is our lives we are talking about here, not some walk in the park. I will not leave anything to chance, do you people understand me, and get where I am coming from? I asked forcibly, demanding an answer.

 

 

Why did you choose to write in your genre? If you write in more than one, how do you balance them?

I don’t yet. I am just now starting to write two, and it is more difficult to focus on one let alone two.

 

 

Where did your love of books come from?

Ever since I was twelve and started sneaking into my mom’s bedroom to raid her bookshelf. I think the first one was an Anne McCaffrey book. My love of fantasy, adventure, and other worlds was born.

 

Do you have any favorite authors or favorite books?

Ton’s lol.

 

Of all the characters you have created, which is your favorite and why?

Sloan, the main character. She is someone I would like to be. Strong, a survivor and the will to get the job done.

  

Does writing energize or exhaust you?

Both

 

Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?

I try to be original but also I hope it is something a reader would love to read.

 

 

What other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you become a better writer?

Wendie Nordgren is one, and she was the first to encourage me to write. I love her books, and she and I became friends. There are a lot of others in a group I am a part of The Penned in Ink group that has a ton of awesome authors that work at helping each other.

 

If you were writing a book about your life, what would the title be?

Disaster in the making. lol

 

What question have you always wanted to be asked in an interview? How would you answer that question?

I have never thought about it, to be honest, and you have pretty much asked them all.

 

 

 

Where can your fans find you and follow??

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Lilly-Gr…/e/B07DCXZQ31/ref=sr_tc_2_0…
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lilly.griffin.3572
Authors Page: https://www.facebook.com/LillyGriffin.Author/
Group Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2006512866264377/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lillygriffin.author/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lilly-griffin-b90333168/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lillygriffinauthor/
Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/lillygriffinauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LillyGr46757893
Website: www.lillygriffin.com

 

 

Thank you for taking your time to do this interview ❤️

Thank you