Into the Spiral

Into the Spiral by Erin Danzer
http://erindanzer.com


What's it all about?

Fifteen-year-old Veronica “Ronnie” Lambert wants to get out from under her older brother’s shadow. When Ronnie gets a tattoo and then is struck by lightning, she suddenly finds herself able to see and hear things in shadows that don’t appear to others. Then Ronnie meets Gavin Clearwater, the hot new guy in all of her classes and finds out he can see and hear the same things she can.

Gavin tells her about the Spiral Defenders, a secret group that travels through space and time to defend the planets of the Spiral. After meeting the Commander of the Spiral Defenders and realizing his intentions might not be pure, Ronnie struggles between following her destiny to become a Spiral Defender and trying to regain the life she had before being struck by lightning.

Talent, inspiration, and presentation go hand in hand with any writer.  Erin Danzer has successfully merged these three into her upcoming novel, 'Into the Spiral'.  Erin, what was the inspiration for your upcoming book?

Spontaneous combustion. The idea that a teenage girl is totally fed up with her life and ready to spontaneously combust is what inspired this book. The original beginning had more of that in mind, but I believe I still got that idea across in the novel.

Can you tell us a little about the story without giving it away? (the back of the book blurb, etc.)

Fifteen-year-old Veronica “Ronnie” Lambert wants to get out from under her older brother’s shadow. When Ronnie gets a tattoo and then is struck by lightning, she suddenly finds herself able to see and hear things in shadows that don’t appear to others. Then Ronnie meets Gavin Clearwater, the hot new guy in all of her classes and finds out he can see and hear the same things she can.
Gavin tells her about the Spiral Defenders, a secret group that travels through space and time to defend the planets of the Spiral. After meeting the Commander of the Spiral Defenders and realizing his intentions might not be pure, Ronnie struggles between following her destiny to become a Spiral Defender and trying to regain the life she had before being struck by lightning.
What attributes do you admire in your main character?

I loved watching Ronnie grow in this novel. In the beginning, she was still a bit of a pushover where her mom was concerned and just let things happen around her. By the end, she’d gained confidence and belief in herself. I also love her tenacity, continuing to trek on no matter what happens to her.
What 'favorites' play into your writing?  For instance, favorite color, smell, foods, places you'd like to see, or things you'd like to do?

One of my favorite foods is hamburgers; I love a good burger! Ronnie’s favorite place to eat is famous for its burgers. Another favorite (though it isn’t in the book) is the song E.T. by Katy Perry. It’s probably cliché, but I think of my books every time I hear that song.
Do you have a favorite author(s), and if so who?

I have so many favorite authors! But I’m only going to name one, Cassandra Clare, because her Mortal Instruments books were part of the inspiration for me to write this series of books (I wanted to write something just as good as her books).
Have you or do you plan to write in any other genres?

I used to write contemporary YA novels, without all the supernatural stuff in them. I’ve also written a New Adult novel and even an Adult novel. But for now I’m concentrating on YA.
Is this a single or series?  If series, how many are planned?

Into the Spiral is the first in a four book series. There are also three short stories, the prequel Defending the Spiral, and two stories between books 2 and 3. That’s all that is planned for now, but I never know what other stories will come to mind.
Do you have other books/stories in the works?

I am always writing something. Besides the Spiral Defenders series, I recently came up with a novel idea about a water sprite that has to defeat three evil witches. I also have a vampire story in the works, about two vampire brothers who have to protect a half-vampire female who’s able to reproduce half-vampires or full vampires (something that hasn’t been seen in over 200 years). There are many other novels and stories I’m working on right now but those two have held my interest the most recently.
When will your current work be available?

Right now, Into the Spiral is due out sometime in November from Hydra Publications.
If you had to sum up the feeling of the book in one word, what would it be, and why?

Exciting. There is always something happening, whether it’s romantic or action of some kind.

How can readers keep in contact with you? (Blog, Facebook, email, etc.)

Readers can find me on my website: http://erindanzer.com and can email me from there. Or they can follow me on Twitter @erindanzer or on my Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Erin-Danzer-YA-Author/201179339901905

Author Bio:

Erin Danzer wrote her first book at 10-years-old for a Young Authors competition, where she was awarded an Honorable Mention and discovered a passion for the written word. She’s written several novels and short stories since that spark ignited. She writes a monthly short story serial, The Cassandra Serafin Chronicles, posting alternately on her blog and in Literary Lunes bi-monthly online magazine. Erin resides in Racine, Wisconsin, with her husband, two children, and their cat.