An Interview with RaShelle Workman

Hey folks! I've got an interview for you today! RaShelle Workman recently released her book, Exiled, and I got the chance to read it as well as ask her a few questions. Exiled is a YA science fiction, so it caught my attention right away. I enjoyed the atypical love triangle-- one that didn't throw me into extreme frustration-- and the idea that love is deeper than just physical feelings. Here's a bit more about the book:

Stubborn, sixteen-year-old Princess Venus of Kelari wants one thing, to become immortal, that is, until someone exiles her to Earth, kills her irrihunter, and takes her family.
First she’s got to get home. But before she can return to Kelari, the Gods have commanded her to help an arrogant boy named Michael find his soul mate. Only she doesn't know the first thing about love.
Rather quickly, her inexperience with human emotion is obscured by other matters—alien-controlled psychotic teens that are out to kill her, and a government group that is set on capturing and dissecting her.
Worst of all, Venus will suffer a painful death-by-poisoning, thanks to Earth’s atmosphere, if she remains on the planet longer than one week. Still, Venus is a Princess and she's got a plan. Surely, with her help, Michael will fall in love with a human.
But time is running out and Michael is falling for the wrong girl—her.

What was the spark that started Exiled?

I’d watched a ton of movies where aliens come to Earth to invade the planet and take over. They always seemed to be these weird looking creatures. And I thought, being the romantic that I am, what if an alien (who looks a lot like a human) was forced to Earth and a romance ensued? That’d be interesting. So, I wrote about it. Hello, EXILED.

What do you enjoy most (or least!) about writing science fiction?

I still cringe a little at the genre: science fiction. When I began writing, I didn’t say: “Oooh, I’m going to write a sci-fi novel.” The story evolved based on a romance between a human and an alien. That being said, I loved creating the world of Kelari (the planet Venus, the main character is from), coming up with kelarian names, creatures, and a way of life. It was a blast.

What do you enjoy most (or least!) about writing for young adults?

Writing YA is so much fun. Teens years constitute big changes and writing a story based on that time in someone’s life is very interesting to me. Probably because I have two of my own.    

What are some of your favorite young adult or science fiction books?

Some recent fav YA books are REVOLUTION, HARRY POTTER, TIGER’S CURSE, PARANORMALCY, A MONSTER CALLS, THE HUNGER GAMES. Probably my absolute favorite sci-fi is THE HOST by Steph Meyer. The reason is that it was my first sci-fi romance.

What has been the most exciting part about choosing the indie publishing route?

The most exciting AND scariest part is that I’m in complete control. It’s my baby from start to finish. I get to collaborate with every part of the process. From the cover to the book trailer… The marketing, including swag, setting up reviews and advertising. Also, I’ve met some amazing indie authors, like C.K. Bryant and Ali Cross (the DC girls).  

And, just for fun, if you could invite one character from any sci-fi book/movie to Thanksgiving dinner, who would it be and why?

This is probably so lame, but Riddick from THE CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK. My intentions would be purely physical. I’d want to admire the beauty that is RIDDICK (aka Vin Diesel). Though I’d also ask about his life, too, just so I could listen to his low, sexy voice. Have you heard his voice? It’s like melted butter or creamy milk chocolate. Delicious.

            A sample of the Thanksgiving conversation:

I say to Riddick who’s seated across from me at the table. “Could you pass the yams?”

He smirks, picks up the bowl right in front of me, flexes his fabulous muscles and sets them down again. “Sure. Would you like anything else with those?”

I giggle and blush. “Um, yes I would.”

And then The Hubs says, “That’s it, Riddick! Get out! Get out, now!”

Riddick stands, slams his fists on the table. It grumbles and quakes under the weight. He gives me a full smile, flashing his gorgeous pearly whites, picks up the entire platter of turkey, and as he walks out the door says, "See ya, RaShelle. Happy Thanksgiving.”

And I melt like butter. 

Thanks for having me Shallee! 

Thanks for being here, RaShelle! For a bit more information, here's her bio, and you can find her at her blog as well. "RaShelle Workman  lives with her husband, three children, and three dogs. When she gets a quiet moment alone, she enjoys reading about faraway places. And, in case you were wondering, yes, she does believe there is other life out in the Universe."