Interview with Storm Siren author Mary Weber + Giveaway

I am thrilled to be talking with Storm Siren author Mary Weber today.

This book is excellent. 

Thankfully it released yesterday, because you are all going to want to go buy a copy. 
Or enter to win one below. 

This is definitely one of my favorite reads of the summer. Don't miss my gushing thoughts, HERE.

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Welcome to Love is not a triangle, Mary!

Lauren: Would you explain Storm Siren to us in one 140 character tweet? 

Mary Weber: Storm-summoning girl bought to save the world along with earth-moving boy & sexy trainer. Too bad the girl & her power can't be controlled.

Lauren: Too bad indeed. One of my favorite scenes of Storm Siren is the first one, in which we’re able to see firsthand, both Nym’s amazing power and also her incredible vulnerability and self-loathing. Would you talk about what compelled you to write about this girl who is both strong and broken at the same time, as well as the evolution of her character throughout the book? 

Mary: Oh wow, what a beautiful question!! Thank you! And simply answered – in my mind Nym is a bit of a reflection of all of us. Not that everyone has her struggles (obviously) or even that we can all relate to the way she deals with those struggles. But I tend to think each one of us is, in our own way, incredibly strong and yet also broken to some extent.

With Nym, I wanted to explore that – the beauty and power we each possess which so often gets hidden beneath wounds or harsh expectations or, especially in her case, self-loathing. I also wanted to bring Nym to the point where she realizes that the part of her she hates is quite possibly the thing that is her unsurpassed asset. Because that is so much what I believe – that some of our greatest strength comes out of the broken and mended places in our souls.

Lauren: What a beautiful answer! One of my favorite parts of this book is watching Nym discover that strength inside of her.  

Your story begins with a big scene, but it also ends in quite the cliffhanger. I’d love to know how you wrote this book. Did it start with an idea or a scene? Did you plot and outline, or just start writing? Did you always know where you’d end the first book? Please tell us about your writing process.

Mary: I was researching Joan of Arc actually! I love the idea of her as a protagonist. I mean she’s this amazing historical figure who ends up taking on a nation! It was during that research when I came across this old poem of St. Patrick where he’s basically calling forth the elements as a shield. Totally Last Airbender stuff before it was a thing, which is freaking awesome and definitely appealed to my geek heart!

As far as the actual writing process, I started with a chapter-by-chapter outline developed over multiple plotting sessions with my sister and husband. Annnnd then I spent ten months writing. I’d just finished the book a week before it was due to my editor when the alternate idea for the ending popped in my head (I was in the middle of making spaghetti at the time, ha!). I rewrote the last chapter and ran it by my two daughters. One of them was delighted. The other, uh...walked in, slammed the stack of pages on the floor, and informed me she’d never read my writing again. :0)

Lauren: Wow. I'm thinking your readers are going to have a variety of reactions to that end as well. It killed me, but I can't wait for the next one! 

I love the relationships Nym has with her trainer Eogan and also with fellow trainee Colin. One is quite contentious and possibly romantic. The other develops into a strong friendship. Will you talk about the impact both has on this girl who had been so isolated before? 

Mary: Oh man – I adore your questions! Seriously!

Like most people, rich friendships are enormously important to me. I think they breathe something into our souls that we’re not always capable of giving ourselves.

In Nym’s case, these friendships help speak value into her as a person. They also challenge her beliefs about herself, her world, and her abilities. With Colin, Nym is given a stability she’s not known before, as well as forced to see herself as someone not just worth fighting for, but worthy of respect.

With Eogan, he doesn’t make it easy on her, and that conflict forces Nym to really figure out who she is as a person. He also treats her with a tenderness that is both confusing and softening to the walls around her heart.

At the end of the day, the common thread between both Eogan and Colin is that they add to Nym’s soul and, ultimately, make her feel safe.

Lauren: Oh goodness, you are making me swoon over here. These guys! I love them. 

Nym’s owner Adora has some crazy parties at her house. What was your inspiration for them? If you attended one, how would you be dressed?

Mary: *laughs* Years ago my sister and I started throwing ourselves these random, costume birthday parties together. And, well, I’m not saying Adora’s parties are based on ours (or that Adora is based on my sister) but… if we DID perchance have an Adora-type party, we may have at one time looked like this:

Yes, that is totally a creepy cat lady picture. (*photo by Sarah Kathleen Photography)

Or… I might go to a party dressed like this:

Okay, now I’m curious – how would YOU dress up, Lauren?!!!!

Lauren: Haha! I love that you guys threw costume parties. These days I mostly enjoy watching my kids dress up, but I have been a very homemade looking kitty before. 

Switching topics now...This blog is called “Love is Not a Triangle," and I tend to talk about the subject of love triangles fairly frequently. I even rate them in my reviews. I was very happy to find that Storm Siren has a triangle rating of NONE.  I also like to ask visiting authors their opinions on them. So love triangles: like them or loathe them? I won’t hold it against you if you say ‘like.’ Also, are you able to reveal whether the rating will remain none going forward?

Mary: Aww I love it!! (And did I mention I’m wild about your blog’s name?!) Okay, so I’m going to be completely honest and tell you that I’m kind of a mixed bag on the love triangle thing. Mainly because when a triangle is done super well, I am the biggest heart-tugged cry baby!! HOWEVER…I prefer a story stand strong on its own without a triangle. (I also appreciate when a heroine doesn’t even need a man.) I’m totally a romantic idealist at heart (I’ve known my husband since I was 3 months old), and while I believe love is a beautiful feeling, I also believe it’s a continuous, active choice.

Soooo…I can tell you there will be no love triangle in the rest of the trilogy. :0)

Lauren: Oooh! I like that answer. It's definitely making me excited. 

If you could describe the Storm Siren series using only colors, what would you pick for each book? Is there anything you can tell us about what we can expect next in your series?

Mary: Oh super fun!! Hmm, let’s see. For Storm Siren I absolutely adore the blue on the cover. It so symbolizes the story for me. And while I’m not sure yet what the plan is for Book Two’s cover, in my mind that story is red and black – because Nym is pissed. And Book Three? Golden yellow. Like the color of summer. :0)

As far as what to expect in the series… I’ll just say we’re going to be seeing a lot more of Lord Myles, Princess Rasha, and the kindom of Bron. Oh, and there might wraiths. Ahem. But anything beyond that is, in the words of Doctor Who’s River Song: “Spoilers.” ;0)

Thank you SO very much for having me, Lauren!!! *hugs you to pieces*

Thank YOU so much for taking the time to answer my questions, Mary! 

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About the Author

Mary Weber is a ridiculously uncoordinated girl plotting to take over make-believe worlds through books, handstands, and imaginary throwing knives. 

In her spare time, she feeds unicorns, sings 80’s hairband songs to her three muggle children, and ogles her husband who looks strikingly like Wolverine. They live in California, which is perfect for stalking L.A. bands, Joss Whedon, and the ocean. 

Find Mary Weber: Twitter |  Facebook | Website

Order Storm Siren (out now!): Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository | Or at your favorite indie bookstore

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Giveaway

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