Interview Natalie Calisle Tell-Tale Event (Fri 1)

NATALIE CARLISLE
Please welcome Natalie Carlise to Julies Book Review! There is a rafflecopter to the right of this post from Tell Tale!
First why don't you tell us a little about yourself?
My name is Natalie Carlisle. I’m a young adult and children’s fiction writer in my spare time. My full time job also consists of me sitting at least 8 hours in front of a computer, so I try to keep active whenever I can. I love to jog, hike, walk, and play catch with my dogs. My husband and I have three dogs. Two four year old American bull dogs and a three month old Belgian Malinois. Obviously we are big animal lovers. I donate a percentage of the royalties on all my children books to charity.
Newest release?

Full Moon on the Rise. The sequel to The Shifted in my Emerson Fox series.

What can we expect from your stories, action, drama, romance, sex, blood and guts?
Interview with Natalie Calisle- Tell Tale Event

My book is a paranormal series suitable for tweens, teens and adults. Readers can expect action, drama, mystery, teenage romance and many lovable characters. 

Do you have a favorite character in your stories? Who? And Why?
I love all my characters but if I had to choose it’s a toss-up between Kale and Scout. They are both so different, and have that love/hate relationship brothers tend to have with each other. I love that they have each other’s back, despite all their bickering and disagreements.
How about your least favorite character? What makes them less appealing to you?
Well, I don’t know if writers necessarily have a least favorite character. For me, I love all my characters. They make up the story, and bring it to life. But if I had to pick a character I dislike it would probably be Professor Stilts. I don’t think a teacher should be so harsh on students, and I really wish he’d just leave Kale alone. 

Give us an interesting fun fact or a few about your book or series:
Sure. Here are three little tidbits about the development of my story and my family’s reaction that I find the most interesting or funny.
1) Jilianna Cortez was actually written into the story because my friend wanted to be in my book. So I let her pick the name she wanted, how she wanted her to look, and what she wanted her to shift into. I had no clue she was going to become such a big part in my series.
2) When I first told my grandmother I wrote a book about shape shifters she said. “Oh, that’s nice. What do these three sisters do?”
3) Holland Bentley was actually named after my husband’s cousin though they are nothing alike in personalities, or really looks.
Have there been any other authors who have inspired your work or helped you out with your stories?
Sort of, yes. The inspiration to start writing this book series sparked after reading Rachel Caine’s Morganville Vampire Series. I fell in love with the characters and the action in those books right of the bat, and found myself wanting to write something that would leave readers so wrapped up in my story, like I was of hers. What can readers who enjoy your book do to help make it successful?
Just spread the word about it. Tell family and friends. Tweet about it. Facebook it. Really it’s just word of mouth. But I got to say, it’s such a great feeling knowing so many that have already enjoyed it and are looking forward to this new release. To me, that’s already success. 

Do you have any tips for readers or advice for other writers trying to get published?
Follow your dream. Never give up. The writing world is not the same for everyone. Figure out if you want to go with a traditional publisher or self-publish the work yourself and do all the research you can. If you want to try the traditional route then make up a really good query letter. If you don’t know how to do that, there’s websites online that can assist you.

Do you have a favorite author? If yes, what draws you to that person’s work?
I have a few. Rachel Caine, Brigid Kemmerer, Stephanie Meyer, and Rick Riordan. I love the nonstop action, the plot twists, the story line but mostly the characters. They are so real.

Can you remember one of the first things you wrote? What makes it memorable?
Well, the first published book I wrote was my children’s book, The Girl Whose Heart Was Too Big. It moved a lot of people to tears (In a good way) and I was honored to have the chance to read the story to a class of third graders this year. Also, I take a percentage of my royalties made on the sale of this book, and donate it to the Associated Humane Societies. Where do you gather most of the inspiration for your works?
Mostly dreams. I have a lot of crazy dreams. Then I discuss them with my mom and she helps immensely.

Do you have any other interesting hobbies, pets or stories you would like to share?
My dog, Chance, inspired me to write my children’s book, The Girl Whose Heart Was Too Big, and Scout’s character in my Emerson Fox series. Favorite places to travel or visit?
Though I live in New Jersey, I often travel back to my hometown in Pa. My favorite state so far though, is Vermont. I love the mountains there and how peaceful everything seemed when I went there. And now, before you go, how about a snippet from your book that is meant to intrigue and tantalize us:( Include links to were we can find your work)

On most days the lake looked calm and serene, but today the rain bounced across the surface making it look like a boiling pot. Thunder continued to rumble in the distance, but it was still too far away to concern them.
There was nobody else out this way, not in this weather. As they neared the bridge Kale caught a whiff of decay from what he knew to be the near bottomless layer of tree-debris that weather, water and time had mulched into black muck along the shoreline.
The old bridge creaked under their feet and halfway across Kit slipped on the algae-slicked, wet planks. He caught her before her knees slammed against the wood.
“Whoa, easy.” He pulled her upright. Then reached down, picking up her notebook, handing it back to her. Since they were standing directly under the open sky, the rain felt heavier, harsher. Kit’s platinum hair looked golden brown and raindrops trailed down her cheeks like teardrops.
“Stupid rain boots,” she grumbled, irritated as she glanced down at the bottoms of her boots. “They have no grip on them.” She blew out a breath. “I mean, really what’s the point.” Shaking her head, she looked back up, her expression softening when Kale smiled at her. She blinked against the rain. “Thanks for catching me.” His lips curved more. “And for walking me this far. I really appreciate it.” The rain even darkened her eyelashes, outlining her amazing eyes. “I’ll be fine from here though. You should head back.”
It was really hard not to keep staring down at her, but Kale pulled his gaze away toward the other side of the bridge. She must have sensed his hesitation because she added, “I’ll see you in Professor Stilts’, okay?”
The sound of the buzzer went off behind them signaling the start of his next class, but he still didn’t move. He just kept his focus on the trees.
“You should really go,” she urged.
She was right. He had missed way too many classes already, but he just wasn’t fond of the idea of her walking outside school grounds alone. “Do you even know where he is?”
“Of course,” she said simply. “Imprint, remember?”
Oh, yeah. He remembered that all right. And he was still pissed that the imprint he used to share with Kit had been broken. It would have been a lot easier if he and Kit were still together, together. For starters he wouldn’t have to be standing out in the rain right now so she could go run off to another guy.



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Julie Ramsey
ADM JBR