Blog Tour: Valkyrie Rising (Interview)

Hey guys! As part of the Valkyrie Rising tour, I've interviewed Ingrid Paulson, the author of this absolutely amazing book! And after the interview, bio, blurb, and contact (yes, I know, a lot. Of awesome!) there'll be a giveaway! But first, onto the interview!

Ingrid Paulson: Hi, Numbers 1 and 5 have similar answers, so I just consolidated them J

Fiction Freak:  How did you come up with the idea to use Valkyries? Why Norse mythology?

IP: I came up with the idea for Valkyrie Rising while on a trip to Norway with my grandmother, aunt, and cousin.  My father’s side is Norwegian, so we were traveling to visit relatives.  I have a deep and abiding love of Norway and I was just cutting my teeth as a writer while we traveled.  It hit me quite suddenly that I wanted to write about Norway and that I wanted to write about a shy girl coming into her own.  Valkyries seemed pretty obvious once those two pieces were in place.  So for much of the trip, as I watched the mountains and fjords roll past outside the car window, I was writing sections of the book in my mind.

FF: A lot of authors listen to music when writing. Did you? And if so, what?

IP: This is actually sort of embarrassing, but I listen to NPR when I write.  I love talk radio and I swear I learn the craziest things through osmosis while I work—even when not paying attention to what’s being said.  When I’m deep in revisions, I need silence.  Revising breaks my brain.  I’ll occasionally listen to music, but generally only when I’m at a café or writing with a friend.

FF: Do you have any other idea for a series? If so, I'd love to hear them!

IP: I have so many ideas I wish I could freeze time and write them all.  Right now, I’m working on a ghost revenge story—and while writing I’ve actually scared myself badly enough that I need to walk around my apartment and lock all the windows and double-check the doors.  Like that’ll stop a vengeful ghost!  I also have an idea for a sort of eco-thriller that I’ve been outlining.

FF: In Valkyrie Rising, our main character is attracted to the "undeniably alluring" Tuck. So do you prefer the bad boys/jerks or the sweet boy next door?

IP: I like a little bit of both.  I’m partial to the bad boy who’s actually sweet underneath it all and just needs the right girl to antagonize him into reforming his ways.  I really like banter and verbal sparring, even if I personally never have a comeback until 2 days after it was needed.  But it’s so fun to write those scenes.

FF: I think Valkyrie Rising is the first book I've heard of that takes place in Norway! Why did you pick this particular setting?

FF: Did you have to research any of the myths you used? If so, which ones and how much?

IP: Growing up, my grandparents’ house was like a shrine to Norway.  They made sure I knew the basics of Norwegian mythology and history, but I definitely did a lot of reading and research.  And not just for the myths—I  read a lot about Norway in general.  I have a couple of books on Norse Mythology, most notably D’Aulaires Book of Norse Mythology, which my editor mentioned during our initial phone call.  Of course I raced out and bought it immediately.

FF: What has been the absolute WEIRDEST part/experience of writing?

IP: Everything about writing is weird.  But awesome weird.  I’m not sure weird is the right word, but it’s completely surreal to have people outside of my friends and family reading my book.  Every time I see a review, I can’t believe someone has taken the time to read it—and articulate their thoughts about it.  I keep waiting for someone to tell me it’s all a big hoax.

Oh, and this is weird: when writing Valkyrie Rising, I swear, Tucker Halloway would wake me up at 5 AM from INSIDE my brain and tell me to start writing. 

FF: How long did it take for you to get a literary agent? And if you've ever been in the "slush" pile, what did you do/how did you feel?

IP: I’ve definitely served some time the slush pile.  I wrote my first book (not Valkyrie Rising) without having a clue what I was doing.  One day my husband came home from work and was like “what are you doing.’”  To which I replied, “I think I’m writing a book.”  He just looked at me.  Because it was so incredibly out of the blue.  But I finished it.

After having a couple of friends read that first book, and making some edits, I decided to query it.  I didn’t really know what I was doing, so those first months were pretty rocky.  Gradually, I found boards and web sites that gave invaluable advice on how to query.  So, I refined my approach. 

Overall, I queried on and off for about a year and I reworked both the manuscript and my query letter continuously during that time.  Until eventually, someone took a chance on me.  During that querying time, I also started writing Valkyrie Rising.  And I joined a critique group, which has made a huge difference in my writing and in my life.  I love my crit group and think everyone should get one--and if you don’t write, get a group of amazing and supportive friends and get together often.

FF: What's your favorite supernatural being you like to read about? Why?

IP: Well, since my book is Norse mythology, I’ll choose from that.  I developed a serious soft spot for Loki while revising.  I like that you never really know what game he’s playing—it was very fun to write his lines.  And he really surprised me several times.  In general, I like villains that shouldn’t be redeemable, yet are.

FF: What has been your funniest moment?

IP: I’m guessing you mean writing-related?  There have been quite a few of them!  It’s not exactly a moment—more like a million of them--but when I’m writing, I get “in character.”  I talk to myself. I laugh/cackle and make weird faces.  And when I’m writing fighting scenes, of which there are many in Valkyrie Rising, I’ve been known to sort of act them out.  Not full scale fighting, but I’ll catch myself making little hand jabs and saying things like “take that.”  Out loud. 

And let’s just say more than once, when writing outside my home, I’ve looked up and realized that even in a packed cafe, there’s a ring of empty tables surrounding me….

Favorite…

Snack?

IP: I could live on chocolate.

Movie?

IP: Once again, I’m revealing my dorky nature, but I love the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice.  It’s one of the few DVDs I own.

Debut? 

IP: That is impossible to answer!  There are so many amazing books out there!

Song? 

IP: It changes all the time, but right now, I’ve got to say Call Me Maybe.  My 3-year-old daughter knows all the words and the ‘call me’ hand gesture.  It’s hilarious.

Website? 

IP: I spend a lot of time reading book blogs – you guys are amazing.

FF: Any last words for readers/bloggers/aspiring writers?

IP: Readers: Thank you for loving books!

Bloggers: Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication!

Aspiring writers: Keep writing!  Not only does practice make perfect, keeping in touch with your passion makes it easier to weather what can often be a long and bumpy road.

Nikki:  This has been so fun—that’s so much for hosting me!

Valkyrie Rising Blurb

Nothing ever happens in Norway. But at least Ellie knows what to expect when she visits her grandmother: a tranquil fishing village and long, slow summer days. And maybe she’ll finally get out from under the shadow of her way-too-perfect big brother, Graham, while she’s there.

What Ellie doesn’t anticipate is Graham’s infuriating best friend, Tuck, tagging along for the trip. Nor did she imagine boys going missing amid rumors of impossible kidnappings. Least of all does she expect something powerful and ancient to awaken in her and that strange whispers would urge Ellie to claim her place among mythological warriors. Instead of peace and quiet, there’s suddenly a lot for a girl from L.A. to handle on a summer sojourn in Norway! And when Graham vanishes, it’s up to Ellie—and the ever-sarcastic, if undeniably alluring Tuck—to uncover the truth about all the disappearances and thwart the nefarious plan behind them.

Deadly legends, hidden identities, and tentative romance swirl together in one girl’s unexpectedly-epic coming of age.

Short Author Bio
Ingrid Paulson lives in San Francisco with her husband and daughter and enjoys long-distance running, eavesdropping, and watching science documentaries. She has always loved books and writing short stories, but was surprised one day to discover the story she was working on wasn't so short any more. VALKYRIE RISING is Ingrid's first novel.

Ingrid's grandmother might actually be a Valkyrie; she's still waiting for her to come clean.

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