Strand's Simply Tips: FIRST LOVE BLOG HOP Author, SJ Byrne

SJ Byrne, Author
MY BUTTERFLY

Welcome fiction author, SJ Byrne, whose first book MY BUTTERLY has been a bestseller on the Amazon Kindle British Drama list. One reviewer said the novel “blew me away. The author takes the reader on a very intense emotional journey in which you truly care about the characters” However, SJ Byrne cannot control her characters. Her lead character Katherine made SJ write her story, and would not allow the author to change it.

SJ is now preparing for a five-mile run, and warns us to expect more books later this year.

Don’t miss the excerpt following the interview.

Click the link at the end of this article to check out the First Love Blog Hop and learn about other participating authors and how to win a Kindle and many more prizes.

Q: You seem like such a nice person. What inspired you to write a book described by one reviewer of MY BUTTERFLY as one that: “delves into the depths of the darkest aspects of the human psyche”?

S.J. Byrne: We all have different aspects to us...much like a prism. You turn us one way you see something, but turn us another way and you will see something entirely different. Katherine’s story wrote itself. Or I should say, Katherine wrote her story and shared it with me. During the process if I tried to add anything of my own she would shut me down and leave me hanging until I removed the offending bit of writing.

Q: Scotland? Why? How important is setting to telling your story?

S.J. Byrne: Why Scotland. Again, that was Katherine. I was walking through Victoria Park in Glasgow, Christmas 2006, when I suddenly noticed her presence in my head. She walked with me a long while, filling me with her essence before telling me that she had a story that needed to be told and I was going to write it. A bit hooey? Maybe - but I won’t argue with such a feeling, especially if the story is a good one!

How important is the setting? Very important. Scotland is a country divided, fighting for her freedom from oppression - yes, there are those still trying to free Her from Mother England. Scotland is much like Katherine in many respects and the two find a mutual love during her time there.

Q: Can you imagine writing in an alternative genre? If so, which one? Why?

S.J. Byrne: I actually do write in other genres. I’m writing a YA with my daughter and a NA on my own, as well as paranormal. I may try my hand at suspense or thriller when I find the courage to delve into that scary pond!

Q: Do you write purely for entertainment? Or are you trying to tell your readers something?

S.J. Byrne: I write because if I don’t I fall head first into depression. Writing is my way of purging emotions. I am so connected to creativity that if I don’t pull from it, it pulls from me.

Q: Why should readers care about your characters?

S.J. Byrne: Because they all have a heartfelt story to be told - a lesson learned that may help others if they are only willing to see.

Q: What traits do you give your heroes? Villains?

S.J. Byrne: HAHA more like what traits do they give themselves! My villains are my heroes. We are our own worst enemies and my stories tend to center around dealing with one’s own personal demons.

Q: Why are you a writer? When did you first know that you wanted to be a writer?

S.J. Byrne: I write therefore I am. I have been writing since grade school. It’s what I do and who I am. I may have a job that pays my bills but being a writer is at my core.

Q: Tell us something about yourself, e.g., do you do stand up comedy? What are some of your favorites – books, movies, plays etc.? What do you do when you’re not writing? Do you have a muse? What's your favorite charity?

S.J. Byrne: Hahaha I have been told I should do comedy - but I swear to them that it wouldn’t be funny if I stood on a stage! When I’m not writing...I have begun training for a 5 mile run to the top of Grandfather Mountain. Look it up. It’s called The Bear. I didn’t start running until May 2012, so that’s a pretty intense run to be training for.

About SJ Byrne

Living in the mountains of Western North Carolina SJ Byrne is just trying to make her way through the insanity that comes with creativity. Writing is her passion - life is her muse. Keep an eye out for new books due later this year.

MY BUTTERFLY

(This book contains intense scenes of physical and mental abuse. It also explores sexual themes of a taboo nature. Please do NOT purchase if you find such content disturbing or offensive.)

Where do you turn when love becomes twisted enough to kill and desire is darker than death?

Where do you go when those you consider family blame you for the volatile episodes in your relationship?

Far Far Away!

Grateful for her aunt's generosity, Katherine Daniels leaves her failed marriage behind and heads to Scotland.

Reconnecting with an artistic talent she'd abandoned under the tyranny of her ex-husband, Katherine begins a journey of healing and self-transformation.

Finding love wasn't on her agenda, but what do you do when it finds you? Though she embraces the man who quickly steals her heart, she's harboring a secret that just may shatter her fragile new existence. Witness one woman's emergence from the dark night of her soul in MY BUTTERFLY.

Excerpt from MY BUTTERFLY

"Ah wud ne'er, E'ER hurt ye! Ah didnae mean tae frighten ye wi' mah hunger. Am sae sorry, lass. Please say yer okay. Please tell meh Ah havenae hurt ye."

The anguish in his eyes tore at her heart, and Katherine hung her head, knowing there was no way he could understand the deep shame she felt. Familiar tears filled her eyes as she stared at the floor beneath her feet. He had a right to know the truth, but she didn't think she had the strength to tell him. She had never told a soul, not even Jessup, though she suspected he'd known and enjoyed it immensely. Gathering courage about her like a wet, woolen blanket, she prepared to see the disgust and rejection in his eyes once she revealed her dark secret.

"Katherine, please fergive meh." Remorse forced him into silence, and it broke her heart to hear him full of self-loathing on her account.

"There's nothing to forgive."

The whisper of words was as broken as her spirit had once been, and with her chin lifted high, she avoided looking him in the eye as tears streamed down her cheeks. Slipping off the stool, she crossed the kitchen to where he stood and placed her hands flat against the center of his chest. Leaning her forehead into the hollow of his throat, she was reminded how perfectly they fit together and realized she would miss the feeling of symmetry between their bodies.

Links

Twitter or @SJ__byrne (that is 2 underscores not just one)

My Butterfly on Amazon

My Butterfly on Smashwords

My Butterfly on Goodreads

SJ on Goodreads