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Here's a fun interview with D.E.L. Connor Author of the Spirit Warriors Young Adult series. Enjoy!  Lucy, Thank you for the opportunity! Q: Tell us about your book The Spirit Warriors is a Young Adult, fantasy romance about a group of friends who must destroy an ancient Native American evil spirit, the machayiwiw, in order to save their future. Luckily for them, they have the power to move their spirits into animals; a grizzly, a coyote, a mountain lion, a mustang, and an osprey. Along the way they find first love, feel the cold sting of loss, and discover the value of friendship. If only they knew what body the machayiwiw was inhabiting! Q: I love the natural themes you've developed within the series and the connection with the animals. What inspired you to write the Spirit Warriors series? I was born in South Dakota and raised in Eastern Montana, an area awash with mysticism and magic. The Battle of Little Bighorn occurred in Eastern Montana and I grew up immersed in Montanan and Native American history. The idea for this story has been in my head for a long time and evolved over the years. I wrote a short story about a section of the story line and the professor loved it, but deemed it as "too dark" for that period in time. I'm thankful for J.K. Rowling and Stephenie Meyers and others who forged the trail for dark YA stories Q: Is the Spirit Warriors series your first work of fiction? If not, please tell us a little about your first book/series. The Spirit Warriors is my first book baby. I call them babies. Each one is birthed after a long and arduous gestation period, and then loved beyond belief! Q: When I read the books I see subjects, themes and story lines that could appeal to many different kinds of readers. Who is your primary audience for series? I wrote the series with a Young Adult audience in mind. I wanted to touch on diversity and respect for others no matter what they believe, look like, or what their sexual preference is. It breaks my heart to hear about kids who kill themselves because they are different. We are all different! That's what makes us special. In Spirit Warriors: The Concealing, Emme doesn't understand why the chickens find another chicken with a flaw and peck it to death.I guess I don't either, but I do know this. We can get through all the tribulations of life with the help of our friends and people who love us. Stand up for your friends and protect your friendships. There is no greater love. Q: Please tell us about yourself.You probably wouldn't have guessed this, but I am a college professor in my day job, and I don't teach liberal arts! I teach nursing. I am a nurse and also a nurse practitioner. I obtained my PhD in nursing and after I finished that I had a 'now what' moment. My crazy mind said, "finish your book and see what happens." I enjoy reading, gardening, running like a turtle, and coffee. Lots and lots of coffee and chocolate! Preferably together. Q: Have you been writing for a long time? Since I was a child. I used to make up stories about the ingredients listed on the cereal box! I wrote a lot of poetry when I was a teenager and then added to it as I grew older. Notice I didn't say I grew up. I think I just grew older. Q: How much time per week do you spend writing/editing your work? Not as much as I would like. My other jobs take up a huge amount of my time. If I am not editing, I try to write a 1,000 words a day on whatever I am working on. Q: What are you working on at the moment? I am half way through book 4 Spirit Warriors:The Lamenting. Book 3 Spirit Warriors:The Burning is in line editing and should be out late spring of 2015. This summer I will work on a women's Southern romance fiction called Damn you Maude Lobb.Then back to Book 5 the final book in the Spirit Warriors series. I may end up doing a prequel to the Spirit Warriors Saga. Stay tuned at www.dellaconnor.com Thank you so much for the fun interview questions! Good luck on your new book! :) Della
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