Today, I bring you author Crystal Lee; the lady behind Canopy.
Author of historical fiction, romance, and her science fiction series,
Canopy. Also working on some non-fiction works on organic gardening in
Arizona and an informative book on breastfeeding after breast cancer.
All coming soon...
1.) Tell us a little about yourself. How did
you start writing?
I grew up with a dad that wrote screenplays constantly
on an old clunky typewriter. I never, ever wanted to be a writer even though I
was pretty good at it. But about 2 years ago I was struggling with some
personal problems I couldn’t talk to a lot of people about, and I found writing
cathartic. It started out as Twilight Fan Fiction, and after I entered The
Writer’s Coffee Shop original romance contest in September of 2011 and won with
what is now my 2nd story in my Canopy
series, I started taking my writing seriously. It was time to publish…
2.) Do you have any other interests?
Yes, a ton. I am an avid organic
gardener and in Phoenix, Arizona that’s kind of unique since our
climate is soooo hostile. I teach classes on organic gardening locally at
Honeyville Farms. I’m publishing my first book on organic gardening basics next
month and plan to write 2 more on the same subject geared toward our short
seasons. I’m also a registered International Board Certified Lactation
Consultant and have been a La Leche League leader for over a decade. I plan to
write on the subject of breastfeeding after breast cancer down the road as
well. I also used to be a Bradley natural childbirth instructor (also for almost
a decade) and plan to write about unassisted birthing at home. A lot of my
passions bleed over into my writing whether I want them to or not. They’re
ingrained in me. I love helping mothers succeed with having the kind of labor,
birth, and breastfeeding experience they want to have.
I also love to read and cook.
Although since I started writing we’ve been having much less preparation-wise time
consuming meals on the table. :D
3.) On your blog, you have a post about your Christianity. Does your religion
have any bearing on your writing?
Yes, it does. It’s not done on purpose. I
actually try to keep religion out of my writing along with my convictions on
childbirthing and breastfeeding but they just won’t stay out of every story.
Some of them it’s easier than others, but it happens. It’s part of my passion
once again, finds its way in there. I never intended Canopy to involve religion at all, but it took root and wouldn’t
let up. As writers, we write about what we know. Only I like to tweak what I
know and ask thought provoking questions and then present an entirely unique
perspective on an answer or possibly on another question (sometimes it gets me
in trouble). I, however, do not share what my religion is because I don’t think
it has any bearing. I want my work to speak to anybody that reads it regardless
of religious beliefs or even with an atheistic view point. I respect all
opinions on religion. That’s one of the things I love about science fiction—it
breaches those gaps and speaks to people on a basic level.
4.) Your Canopy books are romance novels that are based in science fiction.
Do you have worries that some people will be put off by the sci-fi aspect?
No, not really because the science fiction is in the background, the white
noise behind the plot. It has an impact on the characters and the plot, but
it’s not the main focus. I was writing a romance story and thought of the
science fiction as the backdrop or setting. They could have been on a boat
about to be devoured by a massive shark, and I still would have been writing a
romance, not an action/adventure or science fiction story. But I classify it as
science fiction because there are times that romances get a bad rap and get
thrown in with harlequins. I have no problem with harlequin romance, but that’s
not what I write. I like to think of it like the Oscars where the comedies get
snubbed and aren’t taken seriously. I want this story to be taken seriously, so
I put it under the category of science fiction instead of romance. I think it
also gives it a little more definition so people know what to expect.
5.) I have to ask! Where did the idea of inhaling BUGS come from?
Ha! I
have a warped mind, and I’m always asking ‘what if’ questions. In the summers
here in Phoenix it’s very hot (a lot of days at 110° or higher) and when it’s
that blazing bake-your-skin-off hot, the only bugs besides wasps you see are
usually clouds of white gnats floating along in your backyard. I remember one
day looking out my back window and thinking, “if I walked right into them out
in the sunlight I wouldn’t see them and could possibly breathe them in.” It
grossed me out, but it also intrigued me to think about what could happen if
they survived that. Would they latch onto my lungs for survival? And if they
did, what would happen to me? Would I change? And the process went on and on
and on and on. Then it turned into the vision of a mother dying in a hospital
room and releasing those gnats into the air. Would the daughter breathe them in
for her mother if she had rejected inhaling them all along based on her own
principals? Would she do it to win her mother’s respect or love if that’s what
all of society was doing and her mother wanted her to? The ending of book 2 was
born. And I was a little more twisted than before. That was 19 years ago, and
it hasn’t stopped. :P
6.) What have been the biggest challenges you've faced thus far in your
writing career?
Family opposing me. I showed one of my family members the
first chapter to book 4 (the steamiest of all my books in that series) and they
were appalled at what I wrote. We exchanged some heated emails and finally I
gave up with them, realizing they were never going to like what I write so I
stopped worrying about it.
Other issues have been gaining
weight from writing so much and being too stationary. I’m normally a fairly
active person but I get obsessive with my writing and have trouble stopping at
times. I also struggle with having a messy house. I’m a fairly neat person.
The biggest issue though is
worrying about possible backlash from the people I associate with the most that
have no idea how I really think. They will be surprised at how passionate and
steamy my stuff is. The people that know me best have always known I’m a very
intense individual but there are some that might reject me. I’m okay with it
now, but for awhile it kept me from wanting to publish. I’ve been ostracized
before merely because of my childbirthing, breastfeeding and parenting choices.
I survived that and can survive this too.
7.) Do you have any advice for a new author who wants to go the indie
route
Do your homework like mad. Don’t rush in. I’ve seen people do that;
they go ahead and publish and have no idea how to market it or how to get an
audience. You can publish any time you are ready, so why not do it right from
the start? Also, develop a thick skin. People are going to love your stuff, but
there will also be those that either don’t get it or hate it with a passion.
That’s okay. I always think to myself that I want a reaction and the stronger
the better. It means I hit a nerve somewhere, and when a nerve is hit it can
mean there is truth to what I’ve said. Some people don’t want to hear the
truth, but it doesn’t mean I’m going to stop telling it or pushing. My goal as
a writer is to have an impact on the reader’s emotions. If I did that, then I
succeeded (and hopefully they will love it rather than come after me with pitch
forks).
8.) Do you have any other books in the works?
Oh, you’re gonna be sorry
you asked that. Here’s what I’ve got and will be publishing for the next 3
years (most of these are halfway done):
- 2
gardening books (1 for summer and 1 for winter)
- Currently
writing the 6th book in the Canopy series (should be the final book)
- Breastfeeding
after Breast Cancer
- Birth
Your Way (this is a 6 week class I developed and taught myself. I’m turning it
into a how-to manual)
- A romance
series called Swim, Tadpole, Swim (with a much older woman and younger man)
- Scrapping
Tin (a science fiction romance story involving robots and genetic manipulations)
- Slick as
Ides (a science fiction romance)
- Shroag 50
(a time travel science fiction romance, may turn into a short series)
- Hart
Coursing: a series on Henry VIII (already wrote the 1st book and
plan to write 2 more. Told entirely in POV and we get to see how he was
actually a victim in a lot of what happened in his reign. I have a very unique
perspective on him.)
- Time of
Salt (a science fiction apocalypse story of hidden identities and cults)
- And right
now I’ve been completely absorbed and obsessed with a very steamy series I’m
writing for myself alone. I’ll never publish it because frankly, it’s too darn
erotic and nobody I know would ever be able to read it. Call it my own little
self indulgence.
You can find Canopy at all major e-book sellers today!
Summary:
As Earth’s pollution problems increase in the year 2042, Jash Lepitt has
decisions to make. Does he take the responsible route, fusing by
inhaling DOOGS: specialized alien species of gnats that will genetically
enhance him? Or does he remain flawed; be discriminated against by a
society rewarding fused people? Desperate to win over Lissy Darrish, he
questions it because she’s a Danat—a purist opposed to changing the
body. In addition to her convictions, she’s also falling in love with a
Danat, Tryst Navar. Devoting his time to protecting her from Tryst is
harder than it seems for Jash. Tryst witnessed a friend of his being
attacked by aggressive DOOGS while on the job building houses in the
treetops. What will happen when all three of them become involved in the
secrecy of the canopy’s DOOGS? And will Lissy risk being with Jash when
being intimate can possibly contaminate her?
Don't forget, The Abigale Chronicles - Book Two releases tomorrow in print and for Kindle! If you haven't read book one, go get your copy today!
Well, that's it for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!
Jo
