Welcome, Candace Black

Welcome, Candace! It's so nice to have you here today.

Can you tell us anything about what you’re working on now?

I started about four projects at once and finally decided to finish one. "Kindertransport" will be out August of '09"Clown College" and "Forgotten Bathory" will be submitted as soon as they are tweaked."Clown College" is a YA/inspirational or sweet romance. I like a variety of things so my genres sometimes overlap."

Forgotten Bathory" is about Elizabeth Bathory's illegitimate daughter. It could be categorized as suspense or historical.

I am also working on a book about Straight Inc, also a YA that I hope to make a series. Due to legal stuff I will have to change the title probably to "the program" or "DRABS: Drug Rehab and Behavior Specialists" -- eek, don't like that title. This organization was closed in the 1980's for child abuse.

Where do you write?

I am trying to do the bulk of my writing at the computer. I used to write longhand, then type and copy/paste pieces together like a puzzle, very time consuming. I have sticky notes in the bathroom and the car in case an idea or dialogue line hits. (there's a joke in there somewhere)

How many books have you written? Do you have a favorite?

I have written a baby book that is gathering dust and a midlist I have trouble placing. It was written in the memory of my husband's brother. He died of cancer at age 5. I called it "Wishes". I wrote six pieces start to finish but only have one published so far. I have a queue of other stories waiting patiently to be written. No favorite yet.

Where did you get the idea for this story?

History. For every point of view lies a different story. Kindertransport was inspired by a random computer search. I had never heard of the transport and I was surprised to learn some don't consider these children to be technical holocaust survivors. I did some research on Grafeneck castle and the outline came flying at me.

How do you juggle all of life’s other demands with your writing career?

Organization is my goal for '09. I have to write everything down. I keep a calendar and lists so I can at least get the most important stuff done.

How did you meet your significant other?

His best friend was married to my best friend. I walked in her house one day, she wasn't home and I met Rusty. he was curious as to why I just barged in without knocking. I said "hey there," and teased about my friend knowing better than to not be there at my beck and call. He's used to my sense of humor now.

Do you have a pet?

It's weird, I'm allergic to some cats but not others. After adopting two adorable kittens who nearly put me in the ER I tried to adjust to having a dog ( I borrowed my nieghbors to see if i was allergic) then I had the chance to adopt peachcup, an American short hair. no problems! which was good as she had kittens 3 months later. I now have her and her daughter, Freya. no allergy problems.

Do you believe in extraterrestrial beings?

God seperated Heaven from the Earth, so would Angels be considered extraterrestrial? I will say yes, its a big universe and I see no reason why humans would be the only creatures in it.

Is there anything about you that would surprise your readers?

My humor. I love humor in all forms, high brow, sophomoric, slap stick, dry. I love the Addams Family. I tend to parent the way Morticia does. My son was shooting targets and I actually told him "darling, move that target away from the window, why don't you play with the machete for a while?" ( he is 16 and we have weeds growing over the fence). We both laughed after I said it. We tease each other. laughter is important to us.

If you had to choose another profession, what would it be?

I would take care of newborn babies and their moms. Once I thought babies were something you put up with until they got to be fun. (defined as over four), but after having one, I realize how smart they are. Heck, they are fluent in a foreign language in less than four years! Nurture them, feed their curiosity and learn together! Raising children is an awesome experience.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us today?

I'm a Star Trek fan from way back! Spock has been my role model, he taught me how to outsmart bullies by giving them no reaction. (except for the one time I was suspended for fighting. oops a bit of Klingon seeped through.) We are an incredible force for good. Don't be afraid to let your light shine.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. I have enjoyed getting to know you. Congratulations on the release of Kindertransport.

Readers, Candace has graciously offered to give away a copy of Kindertransport, which releases on August 7th from The Wild Rose Press. Every comment is an entry in the giveaway, so comment away and check back to see if you're the lucky winner!


A blurb:

I filled a syringe with morphine.

Could innocent blood ever be washed away?Would my hands ever be clean again if Icontinued on this course? The gas would make themchoke, gasping for breath as life was strangled to nothingness. Morphine would make them euphoric,and an overdose would put them to sleep, peacefully,with no pain. A sleep from which they would notwake, but they would be safe from the evil thatawaited them otherwise.

I filled the second syringe. I thought of each child as I punctured the rubber stopper, the needle sucking up the lethal fluid filling the tube. LittleWilhelm. My treasured leader of the pack. The braces on his legs never stopped his imaginationfrom soaring. Lara. An artist’s soul expressed with the one good hand she had. Art reflective of thebeauty living in her heart. The twins. Isn’t intelligence measured with creativity? I would sorely miss their energy.

My hand slipped, and the needle grazed theknuckle of my thumb. I swore and bit my lip. Perfect. I’ll kill myself before I get a chance to euthanize my children. Then, after I enter Heaven’s gates, if He lets me inside them, God can tell me I am an idiot and a murderer.

I rubbed my shoulders. They hunched with an invisible weight that made my back ache.

For more information, check out Candace's website candaceblack.net