Interview with Christian Fiction Author Sydney Molare

Welcome Sydney Molare’, author of the Christian fiction novel, DEVIL’S ORCHESTRA to The Writer's Life!

Sydney is one of the latest crop of Southern authors to watch. Her novel’s messages cross genres, ethnicities and locales. Her goal is to always have “little message for everyone.” Her books are garnering her awards from bookclubs and reviewers across the country. Sydney was recently named, “Mississippi Hometown Hero, Most Likely to Succeed” and the 2006 Mississippi’s BEST Author.

Sydney's novels include—Somewhere In America; Small Packages; Changing Faces, Changing Places; Grandmama’s Mojo Still Working; and Devil’s Orchestra. You can visit her home on the web at www.sydneymolare.com.

Sydney will not only be telling us all about her wonderful book today, but she will also give us an inside glimpse of what it’s like to be on virtual book tour this month!

Welcome to The Writer’s Life, Sydney! Can we begin by having you tell us how and why you got into this crazy business of writing books in the first place?

I'm a veterinarian that caught the writing bug late in life. I've been writing since December 2001. I remember the date because my marriage was breaking down and I was on the winter break and needed something to occupy my hands and mind besides my situation.

Your book, DEVIL'S ORCHESTRA, is an Christian fiction. Why did you choose the christian fiction genre to pen your novel?

It chose me this time. I actually write across genres. I was hashing over recent events and the premise for this story began forming. Of course, having written erotica and mainstream, Christian fiction wasn't ever a real thought of mine. I like real-to-life books, meaning it's most likely NOT PG rated. But the story kept niggling my mind and I decided to give it a shot. It was a story needed in today’s society.

Can you tell us what the most challenging thing about writing Christian fiction is?

Having never written it prior, everything! Traditional Christian fiction is very G rated--no cursing, no sex, very true to scriptures. I didn't feel that this story could or should be white-washed. My Christian fiction has teeth. The story is spicy and contemporary but the underlying message is spiritual.

Let’s talk about your typical day. Do you have a set time for writing or do you let the muse hit you?

I am a writing vampire. I want to write after my son is in the bed or at least out from under my feet. Then I write for a few hours until I fall into bed.

The characters in your book…can you tell us who they are and describe them briefly?

Tab McGrifth- #1 radio personality on the Eastern seaboard. He made his money the old way--by stepping on one person at a time. He's lied, cheated and "misrepresented" whatever needed to be as he clawed his way to the top of the pile. Now the man that taught him everything he knows, his old mentor Whitey Ford, has returned....

Deva- Hip hop princess extraordinaire. Many are under the impression that she is just a gorgeous airhead. But nothing could be further from the truth. With her shrewd business mind and amazing "luck", Deva is worth somewhere in the upper nine digit range. Deva, like all of us, has her faults. She loves the money--and what accompanies it--just a bit TOO much. In fact, she is slap out of control. When an old friend from back home, Ed Burris, confronts her about her lifestyle, things get explosive...

Juan Rodriguez- gay author and proud of it too. With his life partner, Zeus and son, Loam, Juan's life is definitely on track. That is, until Bodie pops back into his life. Bodie. Blond, beach boy tan, Juan's first lover. He put the w-h-o-r in whore...and doggonit if Juan wasn't still feeling him...

And then there's Luke...

What kind of a setting did you choose and why did you choose it?

A tavern. I needed a location where all three characters path could intersect as well as have the action happen with creating a huge hullabaloo. AND I like the idea of the smokey tavern situated in a rural setting. I'm country and these what we call "hole in the wall" or "jukes" are commonplace. I just spiffed it up--slapped on a coat of paint, added real seating--and called it a tavern.

Did you have any input on cover design?

All the input! The cover you have is actually the second cover. The first had a man with fire coming out of his head. It was quite shocking! I loved it but it seems that many people thought the book was horror so I took my publicists advice and changed it.

How about your title? How did you come up with such a really unique name?

I had the name before I had the story. LOL. This was my line of thinking about my three main characters. Through their actions, they ended up being the top producers for Hades. In a band or orchestra, the best player were called first chair. The second tier, second chair and so on down the line. I was thinking that the 3 characters were really the devil's "first chair players" in his orchestra--Hades.

I understand that you are on a virtual book tour. Can you tell my readers how that has been for you so far?

A blast. The world really is your oyster as you bounce around cyberspace. I've so enjoyed hitting new sites, getting comments from new readers...it can be such a rush sometimes.

Do you have any helpful hints you would like to tell those authors who are about to embark on their own virtual book tours?

Be willing to open up, let people into your head. Most of the basic information is already on your site, so these tours allow others to get a more personal glimpse of you. So be candid and creak open the door of your mind.

I thank you for coming, Sydney. Would you like to tell us how we can pick up a copy of your book, DEVIL'S ORCHESTRA?

All online bookstore retailers and it can be ordered at the brick and mortar stores also. www.sydneymolare.com

If you would like to comment to win a copy of Sydney Molare's book, click here!

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15 comments:

  1. Hi Syd! hope the tour is going well--sounds like an interesting book! I so enjoyed chatting with you and Carol the other day on your show. What fun that must be!

    Roberta Isleib
    PREACHING TO THE CORPSE

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  2. I'd love to read this!

    bebemiqui82 (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  3. Hi Syndey,
    What other genre have you written? Which is your favorite?

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  4. Hi Syndey,
    What other genre have you written? Which is your favorite?

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  5. Hi, Sydney. Okay, ANOTHER book to add to my "to read" list! Nice to hear from another "nocturanal writer." My normal writing time is from around 10:00 p.m. till about 2:00 a.m. Unless I'm on a roll...then my head may not hit the pillow until 4 or 5! I'll look forward to reading Devil's Orchestra.

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  6. Hi Sydney. It sounds like you're having a great time on your tour. Psychic ability and creativity come alive in the night. I'm not sure why exactly, but it's absolutely true. Maybe it has something to do with the moon's influence. I absolutely love this cover and have been so curious about it so it was interesting to read a little about the development of it. It's on fire, woman! The characters in this book seem so interesting. Devil's Orchestra sounds like a "must read."

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  7. Oh wow.. another book I must read!! This blogging thing is keeping me busy!

    I blogged ya :)

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  8. No kidding Angela. At this rate I'll be reading until the end of my days. LOL! Great interview laides. You've got a real winner here Sydney.

    Best of luck!

    Cheryl

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  9. Hi, Sydney:

    I appreciate the fact that despite being true to your spiritual beliefs, you still remain open-minded. That makes for great writing, in my book.

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  10. Thank you all for the great commments. As for my other genres: short story, mainstream/YA, romantica/erotica, mystery/suspense and now Christian fiction.

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  11. "Happy Holidays,Syd!" My brother was a Veterinarian for over 33 years! How long did you practice?! Congratulations on your book! Cindi
    jchoppes[at]homtail[dot]com

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  12. Sydney, is there a way we could see the original cover of the man with his head on fire?

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  13. Sydney, how does being from the South affect your writing? Do you use locations you know to base your fiction on? Or do you make it all up?

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  14. Anonymous2:58 PM

    sounds interesting.



    blogged ya:

    http://laurawilliamsmusings.blogspot.com/2007/12/thursday-edition-of-contests-galore_13.html

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  15. The book sounds interesting and I haven't seen or read any books by the author.

    Please enter me in the giveaway and mayby I will have some Christmas luck !
    Thanks

    Carol

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