Author Interview: K.A. Finn

I'm thrilled to interview on the blog today a science fiction author that I've LOVED! I read the first Nomad series and loved what was created and how it was presented to us. (You haven't read my review? Feel free to go check it out.) Everything for everyone in one place.
book in her

Please welcome K.A. Finn to the blog today!

M:  I'm curious what was the inspiration for Gryffin? He is one damaged man, and in more ways than one.

K.A.:  Right! A nice easy one to start. The earliest version of Gryffin made an appearance (in my head) when I was about 16. My sister and I would rush home from school to watch Star Trek: The Next Generation – we were both hooked on it! I’ve always been a day dreamer – caused me lots of problems in school :). I’d spend a lot of time running through different Star Trek storylines in my head. Gryffin jumped right into one and refused to leave.

The older I got, the more he developed. He went from a regular guy to a cyborg (not quite sure how that happened) and his attitude changed from a ‘nice’ guy to… well the Gryffin he is now. Personally, I’ve always steered towards stories with a darker hero – someone who has flaws, not the perfect ‘Prince Charming’. I think it makes for a more interesting and possibly unpredictable story.

Saying that, I never planned for him to be as ‘damaged’ as he is – it’s just where the story took him. The more I delved into his background and what he went through, the more his personality changed in response to that. He’s had to fight every single day of his life – against himself, what he is and what was done to him. The Gryffin from the first draft of Ares is a very different Gryffin to the final published book.

Once you take time to get to know him and what he’s gone through in his life, you start to understand why he is the way he is. He never asked for any of it to happen to him or to be modified the way he has – his anger and ‘emotional wall’ is a result of his past. There is more to him than that – you just need to dig a little to find it :)

More details about his past are revealed through the series so it should all become clear.

M:  If we talk about Gryffin, we have to talk about Terra. She's learning quick the way of space. She is new out of the academy at the beginning and has some good friends around her. She is growing stronger through the book. Will she be crossing new boundaries in her life soon?

K.A.:  Her life takes a drastic change in Nemesis partly due to what happens in Ares ( I’m not going to give anything away from Ares, but as you know, something happens at the end that will alter her). She really has no choice but to adapt to survive living so far from Earth, but other situations drive this development further. She really needed to ‘toughen up’ to be a suitable match for someone like Gryffin – which she does quite a lot in the second book.

I think the key to their relationship (if you could call it that!) is Terra’s initial reaction to him. She stood up to him instead of cowering. It’s that attitude that intrigues him and helps her push through his wall. It’s never going to be a typical relationship and she’ll be faced with more than her fair share of stubborn moments with him but she sees the ‘real’ Gryffin. She knows he’s worth the effort – no matter how infuriating he gets.

M:  Each character has an in depth and complicated background that intertwines with all present. How did you go about writing each character? Were they separate sections?

K.A.:  No, I actually developed each character as the story evolved. I plotted the storyline so I knew roughly where each character had to ‘be’ at each stage, but the rest just developed as I wrote. I never stick to a definite plan. Things can change as you write. Your mind just let’s go and you type. For example, the Scientist’s true identity only came out in the final draft – about a week before I published.

M:  I loved ARES, no secret in that around here. I know we have another book coming our way soon, NEMESIS. We will see all our favorite characters again, right? Well, at least the ones that didn't die. ;)

K.A.:  Of course! Nemesis will be out in January (exact date to be confirmed) and will bring back all the original characters – except the ones that died. I couldn’t keep any of them out of the story. I get very attached to my characters – even the bad guys. Some of their storylines have been developed so you learn more about them. I always planned for this to be a series so didn’t want to ‘finish’ every story/plot line from the first book. It takes time to get to know people and it’s the same for my characters.

I’ve also introduced some new characters. It wasn’t planned – they just burst into the story and stayed. These new characters create some interesting situations for the rest of the gang and may help them deal with what’s going on around them.

M:  Are you planning more books to the series?

K.A.:  Absolutely! The plan I have in my head is for at least one or two more full size novels. It really depends where my characters take me.

I also plan to release two or three more novellas centering on some of the other characters in the series. I’ve been asked by readers for more information on both Bray and Chayse so I’ll start with these two. Both of them have had such colourful lives, I think it would be a shame not to delve a little deeper. To be honest, you could say that about quite a lot of the characters! I guess we’ll all have to wait and see who forces themselves onto the novella list! I haven’t decided on an exact number so who knows! I know I’m not ready to say goodbye to Gryffin and the rest of my characters yet.

I don’t want to say too much, but after you read (or listen to) Nemesis, you’ll know what way I’m planning to go next :)

M:  Okay, K.A. Time for some fun questions. I ask these of all my first time interviewees.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

K.A.:  Maldives – sun, sea and a good book – yes please!

M:  Tea of Coffee?

K.A.:  Coffee – well, mocha to be exact. Need my chocolate fix!

M:  Favorite Color?

K.A.:  Red – red computer, red phone, red car, red, red, red – love it!

M:  Favorite Childhood Fictional Creature?

K.A.:  Dragons

M:  Now as an adult what's your Favorite Fictional Creature?

K.A.:  Really? It has to be the griffin – no surprise there!

M:  Favorite word? (any word at all)

K.A.:  Twit – I call myself that numerous times while I’m writing 

M:  K.A. I want to thank you for joining me today and for the interview. It is a pleasure to meet you and read Ares. I can't wait for Nemesis!

K.A.:  Thanks for the interesting questions – I really enjoyed answering them! Thanks again for your amazing review of Ares and hope you’ll like Nemesis as much!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ares
Description:
He wasn't expected to survive — no one else did — and for twenty years, he has managed to stay off their radar. Until now. Until her… 

Gryffin was the sole survivor of The Foundation’s experimental project to transform human children into hybrid cyborgs – half human, half machine. The program failed and he was sent on a one way trip into The Outer Sector where he was left for dead. He has survived for twenty years by suppressing his human emotions and embracing his machine side. 

Officer Terra Rush believes in her duty to the Foundation. The Sector needs to be prepared for colonization, and nothing can stop her from doing her job…except him. When Gryffin saves her from an attack, Terra uncovers a terrible secret. The Foundation has been lying to her…and maybe they still are. 

They have labelled Gryffin a killing machine, yet he acts more human than many of The Foundation’s leaders. He has awakened intense feelings in Terra that throw her loyalties into question, and even though he pushes her away, she is determined to find out the truth about the cyborg program. 

Gryffin refuses to be a mindless soldier, yet escaping The Foundation’s control and stopping the colonization of his home will require Terra’s help. Can Gryffin overcome the machine inside and trust her? Or will getting in touch with his human emotions destroy him once and for all? 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

About K.A. Finn:
I grew up in Co. Wicklow, Ireland and now live in Herefordshire, England with my long-suffering husband, bossy daughter, two cuddly dogs, crazy cat, unpredictable ram and six impatient sheep.
After working as a veterinary nurse for many years, I was forced to change career when I ran out of room for any more strays. I spent the next few years in banking before moving to Herefordshire.
My days are filled looking after the small-holding and its demanding residents as well as working as a freelance proofreader.

Any spare time is devoted to writing or reading (sci-fi, thriller, some paranormal).
My favourite authors are J.R. Ward, Lee Child, James Rollins, Stephen Leather, Andy McNab and J.D. Robb.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Follow K.A. Finn:
Author Site:  http://kafinn.com/
Blog:  http://kafinn.com/random-ramblings/
Facebook Author Page
Twitter:  @K_A_Finn

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Purchase Ares:
Amazon

Audio on Audible


The second book in the Nomad series, Nemesis, will be coming our way January 2016!