Authors After Dark Author Spotlight Interview - PJ Schnyder

Please welcome PJ Schnyder as part of The Qwillery's Authors After Dark Author Spotlight Interviews.

TQ:  What inspired you to become a writer?

PJ:  As far back as middle school, I used to doodle story ideas in the margins of my notebooks. I kept a notebook handy specifically for writing, poetry and random character ideas. The notebook evolved into computer files, but the writing continued. Finally, a few friends noticed I'd hit a sort of plateau in my writing development and I was hungry for more feedback to improve. They suggested I pursue publishing. Even if I didn't get published, I'd probably find writing groups and possibly receive feedback from professional editors and/or agents.

As I researched the ins and outs of pursuing publication, I become more and more challenged. And I do love challenge. The desire to share my stories to a wider audience, and grow as a writer as I did so, took hold with surprising force. So I have to thank my friends for nudging me in the direction and setting me on the path to share my stories. Without them, I'd have kept my stories to myself like so many diaries on a shelf.

TQ:  What is the most challenging thing for you about writing?

PJ:  Finding time. LOL

I am lucky enough to have a day job I love. It is every bit as demanding and challenging as writing, and it does require 90% travel for business. I find myself traveling twice a week at minimum on top of an average 50 hour work week. Staying fit and healthy is also very important to me, so I try to work out every day, twice a day.

All this means I need to be focused when I set myself to any given task. Rock it out and move on to the next. I go to great lengths to be organized and I make use of all those hours in the air or trapped at an airport to write or edit my work.

TQ:  What writing achievement are you most proud of?

PJ:  Making writing a part of my life. It's my creativity, my stress relief and my relaxation. I'm so very glad I've been able to make it a part of every single day. :)

TQ:  What one thing should everyone know about your writing?

There are always stories within my stories. I build a lot of background for my characters. There's usually a nifty side tangent or fun fact about how something ended up in my stories. For those who find them and smile over them, I hope they enjoy. :)

TQ:  Please tell us about your latest and upcoming works.

PJ:  Most recently, my first science fiction short came to print in the Gimme Shelter anthology. It's action and not romance, and still lots of fun.

Upcoming, I'm working on the sequel to Hunting Kat in the Triton Experiment series from Carina Press and Book 3 of the Terra's Guardians series from Decadent Publishing, as well as an all new paranormal romance. I've also been invited to contribute to a couple of very exciting steampunk projects, so look for announcements on those in the coming months!

As a mercenary, Kat Darah doesn’t have to pass for a normal human. On the edge of the solar system, she’s just another biped. Most of the time.

Nearing the end of his military tour, Lt. Christopher Rygard debates the idea of hanging up his uniform for good. Looking for answers at the bottom of a glass of scotch, he meets Kat.

One shared night of mutual desire seems harmless. But when their tryst is interrupted by attackers hunting Rygard, Kat must reveal her other form, the predator beneath the human façade.Together they embark on a dangerous mission—a race against time to meet the enemy’s demands, while trying to deny the passion between them. Rygard is faced with a terrible choice in the face of duty: Report the existence of a human turned shape-shifter. Or forget he ever met her.

TQ:  Thank you for joining us at The Qwillery.

PJ:  Thank you for having me. :)



About PJ

Born and raised in the North East, PJ Schnyder spent her childhood pretending to study for the SATs by reading every fantasy and sci-fi novel she could borrow from the local and school libraries. She scored fairly high in the verbal portion.

She was introduced to the wonderful world of romance a decade later by her best friend at an anime convention in Seattle.

She now lives somewhere temperate watching the seasons go by with her two dogs and super stealthy ninja kitty, writing her stories.

PJ is represented by Louise Fury of the L. Perkins Agency.

Visit PJ on her blog: http://pjschnyder.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/pjschnyder

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pjschnyder




The Giveaway

Winner's Choice of ecopy of
Heart's Sentinel Terra's Guardians 1	Red's Wolf Terra's Guardians 2
In a post-apocalyptic world, humans rebuild cities of technology and shape shifters restore the wilds of nature. Mackenzie runs to the jaguars of River Gap pride in order to learn to live as something she never wanted to be – a shape shifter – and for sanctuary from the stalker who brutally Changed her. Adam, a River Gap Sentinel, is assigned as her guard and mentor. Even though she ignites flames of primal desire in him, he holds himself back, well aware of his strength and how new she is to the shape shifter world. To survive the stalker, though, they both need to first battle their pasts and learn what it means to truly be the sentinels of each other’s hearts.	Carri has definitely caught the eye of the big bad wolf. Visiting the Glacier Valley pack to get a little breathing room from life in the city, she uses her skills to help install a high tech airspace sensor array for her adoptive grandmother’s pack. Jason is a lone wolf, good at doing his job and good at being alone. Sparks fly between them, igniting desire hotter than Carri’s red hood. But the Glacier Valley pack has made it clear that Carri is under their protection and off limits. And yet, the heat between them is undeniable and when Carri makes her choice clear, Jason is ready to claim her as his. He’ll go against the pack and any rivals, even take down an alien hunter to have her and protect her.

THE RULES

What:  One commenter will win his or her choice of an ecopy of Heart's Sentinel or Red's Wolf from PJ.

How:  Leave a comment answering the following question:

Which genres or subgenres (for novels/novellas/short stories) do you like to read? 

Please remember - if you don't answer the question your entry will not be counted.

You may receive additional entries by:

1)   Being a Follower of The Qwillery.

2)   Mentioning the giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter. Even if you mention the giveaway on both, you will get only one additional entry. You get only one additional entry even if you mention the giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter multiple times.

3)   Mentioning the giveaway on your on blog or website. It must be your own blog or website; not a website that belongs to someone else or a site where giveaways, contests, etc. are posted.

There are a total of 4 entries you may receive: Comment (1 entry), Follower (+1 entry), Facebook and/or Twitter (+ 1 entry), and personal blog/website mention (+1 entry). This is subject to change again in the future for future giveaways.

Please leave links for Facebook, Twitter, or blog/website mentions. In addition please leave a way to contact you.

Who and When:  The contest is open to all humans on the planet earth with a mailing address. Contest ends at 11:59pm US Eastern Time on Friday, February 24, 2012. Void where prohibited by law. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 years old or older to enter.

*Giveaway rules are subject to change.*