Breathless Reads Week: Fiona Paul

Last, but definitely not least, Fiona Paul, the author of the stunning debut Venom, a historical romance filled with courtesans, murders, and illicit meetings, answers a few questions to end off Breathless Reads Week! (check out my review of Venom here)

Fiction Freak: What inspired Venom?

Fiona Paul: VENOM was inspired by a recent trip to Venice, my obsession with art history, and a collaboration session with an online writing instructor who was starting a book development company and wanted to work with a fun, sexy, historical manuscript. My previous writing was all about the fun and sexy and less so about the historical, so it felt like a challenge. I like a challenge!

FF: What was your reaction when you found out that Venom was in the Breathless Reads?

FP: Honestly? It was: What does that mean? Followed by: What's a slipcase? (Did you hear that? It was the sound of my Penguin publicist facepalming.) I knew it was best not to ask busy, high-powered publishing types these questions before doing a little research on my own, so I went a-googling and was really ecstatic when I saw the awesomeness of former Breathless Readsers. I felt really honored (and a little terrified) to be part of such an elite group. Then the lovely Jess Spotswood emailed me to offer her services if I had questions, even simple stuff like what to wear on tour and I was like: Tour?!?! I hope there IS a tour, because Jessica, Liz, Lili and Morgan/Michelle seem like LOADS of fun.

FF: Since Venom has been dubbed Breathless Romance...what do you think could be the most romantic thing in Venom?

FP: I actually wanted VENOM to be dubbed Breathless Bloody Corpses (publicist facepalms again) but, you know, Breathless Romance is cool too :) The most romantic thing in VENOM, is, for me, the gradual simmer to a boil of Cass and Falco's relationship. Kissing is great, but I'm a fan of the subtle--the exchange of a glance, teasing banter, a casual touch that may or may not mean more.

FF: What part of Venom was your favorite to write?

FP: My favorite part to write was Cass and Falco's dialogue. So much underlying emotion hidden beneath their casual exchanges. I even went to the oldest graveyard I could find, after dark, to get the ambience for their late-night meetings just right.

FF: What has been your favorite experience in writing? What has been your worst?

FP: Let's do worst first. I graduated from college when I was 22 and immediately applied to several prestigious MFA programs. All of them denied me. I was devastated. I couldn't see past the "Unfortunately we are not able to offer you a spot in our program" to the "Your work shows a high degree of promise...The average age of our students is 29...We hope you reapply in the future..." I quit writing for several years. I am getting watery-eyed just thinking about it :( Don't be stupid like me. A rejection with ANY TINY CRUMB of encouragement is not a rejection. It is a gold-freaking-star that says you are one step closer.

The best: With one agent full request and rejection on MS #1 under my belt, I took MS #2 to a conference in Oregon a couple of years ago, thinking my writing was getting good, but not quite there yet. Part of the conference involved first-page critiques read aloud and critiqued by a panel of industry professionals, including an agent from my dream agency. They read my page. The room went silent. I tried not to faint. Then everyone (I swear this is true) started clapping! The panel complimented my writing while I continued trying not to faint. Hellooo rock star moment! Then the agent said "This person should query me." She is now my agent. (Love you Jenn!) The non-Hollywood reality: It took me a year and two manuscripts before she offered representation.

FF: Just asking...Falco or Luca? (I’m Falco, by the way!)

FP: I actually kind of have a crush on Maximus, the conjurer. I've always had a thing for magicians. When I was little I used to daydream about growing up and becoming a magician's assistant. Oh the mystery, the magic, the glamorous costumes!

FF: What are 7 words you'd use to describe Venom?

FP: Creepy, sexy, dark, tempting, lush, forbidden, malevolent. (Ooh. I like the word malevolent a lot. Must use more often.)

FF: What has been your favorite debut of 2012? Why was it your favorite?

FP: For realz? You expect me to single out just ONE fabulous Apocalypsie?? Um, those are my PEEPS and all of their books are my favorite. Okay, so I haven't read all of their books yet *shame* but just a few off the top of my head that rocked my socks off would be: CINDER by Marissa Meyer and BORN WICKED by Jessica Spotswood for the sheer fun-factor and WHAT'S LEFT OF ME by Kat Zhang because it made me think, in a good way.

FF: Who was your least favorite character? Besides our evil guy, of course.

FP:I actually like villains, especially if they have a reason for why they're bad and it's not just all "muhahahaha I have stolen the magical talisman and I will now plunge the world into eternal darkness just because." I'm gonna go with Donna Domacetti. I find her interesting because we don't really know where her loyalties lie, but she's also a troublemaker and a mean gossip and talking trash isn't cool, no matter where or when you live.

FF: Any last words to say to bloggers/readers/aspiring authors?

FP: Bloggers: Thanks for blogging. There are lots of fun things you could be doing, and if you take the time to blog about how you liked or hated VENOM, well, at least I know you felt something, and that's a good thing.

Readers: OMG I am so excited both about the next 2 Secrets of the Eternal Rose books and some straight contemporary and mystery stuff that is just now making its way into the slow-slow publishing pipeline. I've got ideas in pretty much every genre so keep an eye out for more from me :)

Future Authors: Don't be a quitter like me, but be patient and don't forget to live. The superstars who get huge book deals when they are teens are anomalies. Plenty of people spend 10 or more years writing before they find publication. There's nothing wrong with being 30 (or 60!) when you get your deal. It will happen when you're ready. All you have to do is keep reading and writing and believing in yourself.

Short Author Bio

 Fiona Paul lives in St. Louis, MO where she's managed to persuade prestigious universities to award her degrees in psychology and nursing. Between her studies, she traveled around five continents and spent time living in Thailand and South Korea (which is probably why she finds the idea of wearing shoes in the house a little weird.)

In addition to writing, Fiona is somewhat obsessive about coffee, music, and adventure sports. Her future goals include swimming with great white sharks and writing a whole truckload of novels, not necessarily in that order.

She also writes contemporary YA under the name Paula Stokes.

Venom Blurb

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Cassandra Caravello is one of Renaissance Venice’s lucky elite: with elegant gowns, sparkling jewels, her own lady’s maid, and a wealthy fiancé, she has everything a girl could desire. Yet ever since her parents’ death, Cassandra has felt trapped, alone in a city of water, where the dark and labyrinthine canals whisper of escape.

When Cass stumbles upon a murdered woman—practically in her own backyard—she’s drawn into a dangerous world of courtesans, killers, and secret societies. Soon, she finds herself falling for Falco, a mysterious artist with a mischievous grin... and a spectacular skill for trouble. Can Cassandra find the murderer, before he finds her? And will she stay true to her fiancé, or succumb to her uncontrollable feelings for Falco?

Beauty, love, romance, and mystery weave together in a stunning novel that’s as seductive and surprising as the city of Venice itself.