Hi Heather and welcome to FAR! I am really glad you joined us today. The readers are anxious to know all about Heather Beck.

I noticed that Ten Journeys through the Unknown is available. Why don’t we begin by discussing your latest release?

Ten Journeys through the Unknown is my second latest release. It’s a collection of ten scary stories for young adults. I like to think I’ve created a world where traditional characters such as vampires, ghosts, werewolves and witches are met with new complications and new situations. Ten Journeys is an entertaining book that offers laughs as well as scares.

What Legends Are Made Of is my latest release. It’s a collection of four paranormal romances for the older teen/adult market. The following blurb describes my book best:

Travel to Sir Tristan’s Estate, a place where ghosts roam freely and enter into your dreams at night. Step aboard the Blue Oceana, a ship that will lead you to the world’s last merman. Get a ticket to Frank’s Freak Show to discover the truly disturbing main attraction. Finally, enter the doors of Karyn and Max Shield’s Costume and Magic Shop. It’s a place where you can buy merchandise that is out-of-this-world.

These tales will leave you spellbound and yearning for more. Are you ready to find out what real legends are made of?

Writing scary stories with twists is definitely one of my favourite genres. I hope people will enjoy What Legends Are Made Of!

Is your writing schedule hectic?

When I first started writing I would work on one book at a time. It was time consuming but not hectic. For just over a year now I have been writing multiple screenplays as well as books. This makes my writing schedule extremely chaotic. I would appreciate more time in each day to finish all the projects I have started!

Could you describe yourself in 3 sentences for our readers?

I’m an innately passionate person when it comes to my vocations.
I am extremely dedicated and loyal.
I believe strongly in the ideas of compassion and understanding.

Outside of your writing, what keeps your interest? Do you have any hobbies that occupy your time and help with the creative process?

I’m addicted to the outdoors. I especially love fishing and hiking. Both of these activities are therapeutic to me and help clear my mind. Some of my best ideas come to me when I’m surrounded by the wilderness. I also love playing sports. Badminton and tennis are two of my favourites.

Which comes first, the story, the characters or the setting?

That’s an excellent question. The origin of a book varies for each project. The stories in the Fable Farm series, Ten Journeys through the Unknown and What Legends Are Made Of were mostly established upon the settings. I figure out what kind of world I want to create and then work from there. Sometimes, however, the characters will be the establishing point for my scary stories. I love using vampires and werewolves but I try to mix it up by placing them in a world and/or situation which they are usually not associated with.

For many of my coming-of-age dramas the characters are what inspire the book. I like to create multifaceted characters that don’t fit any archetypical mode. After that, the plot and setting are pretty much formed simultaneously.

Generally, how long does it take you to write a book?

It takes a month to write one volume for the Fable Farm series. Ten Journeys through the Unknown took five months. What Legends Are Made Of was written in three months.

I’ve met a lot of Canadian authors who take three to five years to write a book. Personally, I would never constantly spend more than two years on one project.

Which is the genre you best enjoy reading?

Sadly, doing a specialist in English at university doesn’t allow for recreational reading. However, I’ve always enjoyed wilderness adventures, coming-of-age dramas which offer insightful solutions to universal problems and war stories which have admirable heroes and little gore.

Do you have something in your house or closet that you know you’ll never throw out?

My autographs, my plush Gizmo (from Gremlins), my books and my contracts from publishers, production companies and agents.

Do you have problems promoting yourself? What are some of the avenues you've used and do they work?

The only problem I have with promoting is time. I’m wholly dedicated to finishing university and that takes up a lot of my time. I’m always happy to do interviews and respond to letters though. I also keep an updated website. Authors that are looking for exposure should definitely attend book festivals.

Do you have anything else you would like to share with your readers?

I would like to say thank you to everyone who has read my books. I know I’ll be writing for life and striving to improve upon my work with every word I write.

If you could be an instrument, what would you choose to be and why?

I would be a guitar so I could rock out! Okay, I know that answer is kind of pathetic but what can I say?

What is your favorite color?

I love the colour purple. There’s something regal but mischievous about it.

What is your favorite movie you could watch over and over?

I have a few favourite movies. Tombstone is amazing. Then again, with a cast of Michael Biehn, Kurt Russell and Val Kilmer, no director could do much wrong. Gremlins is an awesome movie. It’s scary but funny, and Gizmo is beyond adorable. I love The Edge because I’m obsessed with wilderness adventures and bears. However, the best, most ingenious movie ever made is Jurassic Park. I can only hope that one day I’ll write such an original, thrilling movie.

Do you have a website other than http://heatherbeck.tripod.com/that you would like to share with your readers?

Unfortunately, that is the only site I keep updated.

Thank you so much for sharing time with us today, Heather. It has been a pleasure and I wish you the best with your writing.

Interviewed by: Linda L.