Interview with Ann Aguirre!

Posted by Shannon C. on February 28th, 2008 filed in contests, guest post, interviews

As you may remember, I mentioned several times last week that we would have an interview

with Ann Aguirre to post over here. Well, RL came

along and smacked me upside the head, so I’m only now posting said interview. As you all may also recall, I loved Ann’s book, Grimspace when I reviewed it, and so I’m very excited to have Ann over here

talking about her writing, books, and, of course, ninjas. So please give it up for Ann

Aguirre, and stay tuned for fabulous prizes.

Shannon: Let’s start with the important questions first. Coke or Pepsi?

Ann: Coke Zero or Diet Pepsi. They taste about the same to me, but I can’t
stand Diet Coke or Pepsi Max. They too taste the same — nasty.

Shannon: Pirate or ninja?
Ann:

While with the advent of Captain Jack Sparrow, my appreciation for
pirates has swelled to previously unknown proportions, I still have to say…
ninja.

Because, you know… These guys are cool; and by cool, I mean
totally sweet.<
Facts:

  • 1. Ninjas* are mammals.

  • 2. Ninjas fight ALL the
    time.

  • 3. The purpose of the ninja is to flip
    out and kill people.

*All my knowledge regarding ninjas comes from Real Ultimate
Power


 

Shannon: Where have all the flowers gone?
Ann:

Survey says, global warming. Check Antarctica?

Shannon: The early reviews on bloggers that I’ve read of Grimspace were by non-science
fiction readers who said they would never have thought of picking up a book
with science fiction in it until Grimspace came along. Do you have a
background in science fiction as well as romance?
Ann:

Have I written before? Nope. I’ve read it, though. I love girlie SF
where the focus is more on the characters and less on hard science. For
instance, I’m crazy about Sharon Shinn. I adore the idea of space exploration,
but I’m more interested in learning about the sort of folks who would head out
into the great unknown, and what they might encounter. I wrote Grimspace because
it was the sort of book I’d want to read, combining my favorite themes: love,
redemption, second chances, and interstellar travel.

Shannon’s note: I love girlie SF, too. And I really need to get back to reading more Sharon

Shinn.

Shannon: Besides your own, what science fiction book would you recommend to an average
romance reader, and, conversely, what romance novel would you recommend to
someone who reads SF?
Ann:

The first one is easy — Sharon Shinn, Wrapt in Crystal. I think
it’s one of the best blends of mystery, SF, and romance that I’ve ever come
across. Plus, her work is haunting, such delicate, evocative turns of phrase.
It’s harder to say for the second, but I think Nalini Singh would be a good
starting point. She pens futuristic romances with paranormal elements; her
writing is really fantastic, and the world-building is top-notch.

Shannon’s note: Oh, yes, most definitely, Nalini Singh rocks!

Shannon: What was your process of world-building? Was it difficult?
Ann:

Short answer, no

process and
nope. Long answer, Walter Jon Williams
penned an interesting novel called Aristoi,
wherein he taps the idea that we possess
fragments of other personalities locked away inside our brains; he called them
daimones style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)">. These sub-personalities can think and feel
independently and possess talents that we need. It’s an intriguing take on
beneficial schizophrenia, and I sometimes wonder if there’s a kernel of truth to
it.

style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)">Because the fact is, I don’t style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)">know where class=nfakPe>Jax (or her world) came from. She told me about everything
as we went along. So I’m going to theorize that I
allow these personality fragments to evolve into whole people, complete class=nfakPe>with history and everything, and then I listen to what they
have to say (without going batshit crazy). That sounds marginally better than,
“I write what the voices in my head tell me to.”

Shannon: What made you decide to do your story in first person, present
tense?

Ann:

color=#000099>
I started in first person,
present tense, which is weird because it’s the only project in my long and
multifarious career wherein I’ve done so. It wasn’t a choice so much as dictated
by Jax style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)">. style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)">Events unfold as the reader class=nfakPe>rides along class=nfakPe>with her.

When an author writes in past tense, the
reader has the unconscious security of knowing that everything must’ve worked
out in the end, or the narrator wouldn’t be able to relate his story.

At least, that’s how I feel when
reading.




Shannon: What can readers expect from you in the future?
Ann:

Right now, I’m working on a hot paranormal romance proposal for my agent to

pitch.
Once I have that done, I’ll write Hell Fire, which is book two in my
Corine Solomon series (urban fantasy with Latin
flavah). After that, I’ll do the third contracted Corine novel. There are two
more Jax books in the pipeline as well, pending
approval.

Wanderlust, Jax book two,
will be coming out in September. And look for the first Corine book in
‘09.

**********************

Thanks again, Ann, for coming over and chatting with us!

Ann has generously offered to donate a signed copy of Grimspace to one lucky

commenter. I am also throwing in the copy that I would have bought if I hadn’t begged for an ARC,

and someone else is going to win a $10 gift certificate to Fictionwise, on account of the fact that I was

supposed to have posted this on Monday and got swamped. So my lack of ability to post

anything remotely on time is your gain, so please do comment on this post and throw your

name in.


15 Responses to “Interview with Ann Aguirre!”

  1. Alecia Says:
    February 28th, 2008 at 11:34 am

    LOL! Loved the ninja/pirates question. *G* I’m forever stuck with the phrase “Ninjas are way cooler than pirates” from the Shomi book “Twist”.

    Grimspace looks like it’s going to be great! I’ll be on the edge of my seat until I can get it.

    Btw, don’t enter me in the contest because it’s a pain to mail to me here in Kuwait. I will definitely be finding a way to get a copy.

  2. Quaisior Says:
    February 28th, 2008 at 11:49 am

    Hello, I’ve been reading your reviews for a few weeks now. I’ve heard great things about Grimspace and it’s great that there’s new romantic science fiction still coming out. I’m a fan of Shinn, Asaro, Bujold, Vinge, etc. but I’m constantly looking for new authors.

  3. Melissa Says:
    February 28th, 2008 at 1:19 pm

    I’m in! It sounds cool, after having you give me your own brand of a synopsis. :)

  4. Pam P Says:
    February 28th, 2008 at 4:00 pm

    I’ve been seeing your book buzzing all around and want to read it Ann. I’m intrigued by that beneficial schizophrenia, I do believe there is a fine line between crazy and genius. Interesting aspect of the story.

    I’m a Coke person all the way, and any diet is awful. You are the first I’ve ever seen drinking both, usually it’s one or the other only, lol.

  5. Maithe Says:
    February 28th, 2008 at 4:32 pm

    Hi Ann!

    Well, Grimspace has certainly caught my attention. *G* I am a girly sci-fi reader so I know I am going to enjoy this book. *L*

    btw…Love the beneficial schizophrenia…wonder if I could write a paper on this subject. *L*

    Best wishes,

    Maithe

  6. Review Link: Shannon C’s review of Ann Aguirre’s Grimspace and prizes! : The Good, The Bad and The Unread Says:
    February 28th, 2008 at 7:13 pm

    […] C, has also reviewed Grimspace by Ann Aguirre, released by Ace 26 Feb 08.  Shannon also has an author interview, […]

  7. azteclady Says:
    February 28th, 2008 at 8:15 pm

    Shannon, I can’t read the interview or the review in their entirety, because the formatting is wonky for me (I’m not altogether sure I’m typing this in the right comment thread…)

    But I think you liked Grimspace *grin* I did too!

  8. Wendy Says:
    February 28th, 2008 at 8:17 pm

    Heh, girlie SF, that’s awesome! I haven’t read any of Sharon Shinn *ducks* but now I’m curious about her work. :)

  9. Amy S. Says:
    February 28th, 2008 at 8:39 pm

    Great interview! Grimspace sounds good!

  10. janice Says:
    February 28th, 2008 at 9:14 pm

    Hi! Came here through TGTBTU. I’ve been seeing SO much about this book lately, wow. I really want to read it! I agreed with Ann’s recs too and I’d also add Linnea Sinclair’s books. In two months I’ve pretty much devoured most of her backlist.

  11. Becky Says:
    February 28th, 2008 at 9:46 pm

    Thanks for the great info! This story looks like a must read!

  12. Marg Says:
    February 29th, 2008 at 3:12 am

    This book has been getting lots of buzz everywhere! I am definitely going to have to get it!

  13. Maered Says:
    February 29th, 2008 at 7:53 am

    This book looks amazing. I really like second chance themes in books, too. All the reviews have been positive - so, well done!!!

  14. Little Lamb Lost Says:
    February 29th, 2008 at 1:33 pm

    I followed the link from TGTBTU to read your interview. Have been hearing wonderful things about Grimspace and am looking forward to reading the book!

  15. Ann Aguirre Says:
    March 3rd, 2008 at 9:23 am

    Thanks so much for doing this, Shannon.

    I sent Quaisior a message over on LiveJournal about winning. I’ll let you know when/if I get an address to send the prize.

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