Author: Danielle Mathieson Pederson Title: Lasera ~ Book One of the Mer Archives
Published On: 12 June 2015
Publisher: Other World Press Pages: 234
Genres: Action/Adventure, Children's Books, Coming of Age, Fiction, Juvenile Fiction, Paranormal Romance, Romance, Urban Fantasy, Young Adult
My Rating:
Purchase Links:
SYNOPSIS
Seventeen year old Valerie used to want the ripped lifeguards to rescue her, but her perceptions explode after a freak diving accident at the local pool when she’s rescued by a shy, intelligent merman named Wyn. A year before, a drunk driver killed her parents and the only thing that kept her going was her training – she’s a champion diver – and she still spends every waking moment in the pool. Initially, Valerie thinks she's going cray and hallucinating. But she learns that her mind isn't making him up; it's because Wyn saved her that she can now see him and others can't.
Wyn’s ability to see her clearly touches her heart. What confuses both of them is why have Wyn's captors trapped him in a public pool surrounded by humans? Valerie finds out the captors are moving Wyn to a more secure scientific facility in just three days. How can she save him?
Good Story! Writing is good and its nicely paced.
Why did you decide to become a writer?
I hadn’t planned on making it my career. I started writing my first novel when I was 15, but it wasn’t until the idea for Lasera practically tripped into my head in 2008 that I really went for it. As I wrote more and delved into the craft of writing I fell in love with the creation aspect of it. As I reached out to help other writers with what I’d learned over a decade of writing, I knew I’d be doing this writing thing for the long haul.
Who/what are your writing inspirations?
I’ve always had an overactive imagination and that really helps me. I love building out on the interesting worlds I visit in my dreams too. A couple of times I’ve walked down a library aisle and looked at titles of books on the shelf and adjusted/added words to come up with titles of novels I’d want to write. Plus if I’m looking for a certain type of book and can’t find it, then I write it myself.
What are your favourite genres to read?
I love urban fantasy romance. Fantasy and all it’s sub-genres dominate my bookshelf. Plus I really like what I call light science fiction, books that aren’t super technical and focus on relationships. Occasionally I like a good dystopian or mystery. I also love regency romances. Georgette Heyer is one of my all time favourite authors, that and I reread Harry Potter all the time.
Favorite writing food / snack?
Candy, definitely. Or cookies.
What do you hope readers take away most from your writing?
A love for the characters and the story, and maybe that relationships and life are hard work, but worth the effort.
Who’s the favourite character of yours that you’ve written and why?
So far it’s the villain in a novel I started during NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) November of 2015. He was so complicated and dealing with a lot of issues I haven’t yet had to write or think about. He was a big cross between suave and creepy and that was really interesting to write.
What is your writing style? Outliner/Planner or Seat of the Pantser?
For my The Mer Archives series I had to be an outliner. It starts with a merman in a pool. I had to know why he was there and the over-arcing plot for the whole series. I’m pretty much a born planner. My brain jumps forward and thinks of the big picture. I tried mostly pantsing last NaNoWriMo and really struggled. I didn’t like having to leave blanks in the manuscript because I hadn’t yet thought of a character or place name, and yet felt like I couldn’t slow down to really delve into those. When doing NaNo again I’d definitely plan a whole bunch more. Most of my ideas stretch into trilogies or series. Because of how well Harry Potter was plotted and foreshadowed I want to do the same with my writing and have things give you insight in book one that relate to the last book. So yeah, always an outliner.
If someone wanted to become a writer, what tips would you give to them?
Perfect your craft and always be learning. For fiction writers, tap into your imagination, especially fantasy and science fiction writers. In those genres you have a world to build, so don’t hold back. Read a lot of the genre you want to write. Also, don’t go it alone. I started my first novel at 15, but didn’t really tell anyone but family and friends about it until I was in my 20’s. If I’d reached out to other writers and looked for a mentor back then, my skill would be so much farther along now.
Have you ever purchased something from a late-night infomercial? If so, what?
Not as of yet. Although the No-No really really tempted me. I hate razor burn.
If you could collaborate with any other author(living, dead, or undead) who would that be and why?
It’s a toss up. I really can’t decide between Jane Austen and J K Rowling. I love Ms. Austen’s wit and her excellence in dialogue and relationships. Although I am also enthralled by J K Rowling’s skill with humour and bringing so much laughter and world-building skill to her novels. Yeah, SO excited for Fantastic Beasts movie.
If you weren’t a writer, what would you do?
I’d probably be an actress if I could swing it. I’m trained as an optometric assistant, but have a secondary passion for the theatre and film. When I was doing auditions for my book trailer at a local high school, I walked into their theatre room and my heart wrenched with the ache of wanting to be on the stage again. I might have to join a local theatre company just to satisfy that passion again. Plus I thrive on movies and tv shows. I’d love to have a bit part in so many of them.
Coke, Pepsi, or?
Yeah it has to be cranberry ginger ale. Love that stuff.
What’s one thing people should know and/or don’t know about you?
If I’m talking to you and I get really quiet and my face goes totally slack, know that I’ve disappeared into my own head. It’s no reflection on you or your conversation, more that the characters and stories in my head have simply jumped up and snatched my attention. It might take you a few times of calling my name, but I can come back to reality.
Is there a character that has the most “You” in them? Or the opposite of you?
Out of the characters I’ve written so far, Valerie in The Mer Archives has my love of movies and nail polish. In those character quirks she is similar to me, but she is very different from me in a lot of her drive and reactions to situations.
If we lived in a Fahrenheit 451 culture, which book would you want to memorize?
Wow. Tough question. I’d have to say The Book of Mormon, the Bible, and the Pearl of Great Price (I’m a Mormon), but at the same time I think it would take more than a lifetime to get everything out of those books that your soul needs.
Has anyone written a fan fiction based on your work?
Not so far, but that would be really amazing. Right now I am loving how much readers want to know these characters and relate to them.
