by Emma Ray Garrett Marteeka Karland ER: I'll jump right in with the questions, LOL! We're often asked why we decided to be writers, LOL. My question isn't why, but rather when did you write what you consider your first story? What was it about? MK: Third grade. It was a Halloween story. There was a haunted house and some really scary things (for a third grader) but other than that, I honestly don't remember. I'm sure my mother still has the story somewhere. They put it in a class book or something. :D

ER: Third grade, eh? Speaking of kids, I know you have a little person at home. And all working moms know how hard it can be to balance work with family. What made you decide to make writing a priority in your life and how do you find balance?

MK: Well, I'm not sure I consider it a "priority," and it doesn't seem that way when there are deadlines looming. Writing is just something I love to do. If I weren't taking time doing that, there'd be something else. I mean, I love my family more than I could ever put into words (and for a writer, that's saying something) but everyone needs a little shelter. Just a little help-a, to get it right.

*snicker*

ER: LOL, I hear that. So, coffee is very popular among the writing crowd. If you drink it, how do you take it?

MK: Caramel sauce, half and half, and regular roast with whipped cream on top, drizzled with more caramel sauce. :D We call it a "Caramel Joe."

ER: Good gods, sounds deliciously decadent. I want one! Okay, what's your idea of the perfect setting for creativity?

MK: NO BODY AROUND!!!!!!

Other than that, pretty much anywhere.

ER: ROFL! Again, I heartily feel that sentiment. But trying getting time alone with a family of five. So not happening, LOL! All right, so when you aren't writing, working, or doing something associated with work, what do you do for total, brainless relaxation, LOL?

MK: MOVIES. More movies, then a few more. I also like going to the water park with my son, so I can get all wet, lay in the sun with my dark glasses, and ogle the lifeguards or what ever other buff, hunky guy walks by.

ER: Mmm, sounds like a lovely way to pass the day. *sigh* Onto classic romances: which would you choose: "Wuthering Heights" or "Pride and Prejudice"?

MK: Neither?

ER: ROFL! All right, all right. Movies: action or romance?

MK: How about action romance?

ER: *BG* Sounds good to me. Why don't you give us a piece of sage advice? Writing related isn't necessary, just something you find yourself following often.

MK: When in doubt, masturbate.

Nonono... when in doubt, whip it out.

Okokok, same thing.

How about...

Open your eyes, not your mouth.

Better?

ER: ROFLMAO! Teeka, Teeka. Shouldn't the last be open your mouth and not your eyes? You are such a corker, as my beloved Gma would have said.

Okay, so that's the end of my questions. Here start the good parts, LOL. We want some hot bits from one of your books! New or upcoming is great! And thanks again for sharing time with me!

MK: I'm writing Black Star: United. FINALLY!!!! And you'll just have to wait for more on that, cause I don't even know yet! Okokok, so I DO know, I'm just not telling. I've also got a hot flash in to my editor. *shrugs* just a little somethin' somethin' I whipped out.

ER: Yeah, yeah. All right, I'll let it slide this time only because I know you've been working like mad at both your EDJ and writing lately.

For you folks, though, I thought I'd give you a little look see at Teeka's upcoming release, Spaceport: Paralyzer, available August 28, 2008!

Spaceport: Paralyzer by Marteeka Karland
http://changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=970

As she rounded the perimeter of The Haze, the bar on Spaceport Adana the band had played for the last three days, Starla had to push her way through the undulating, screaming crowd. The noise beat into her brain, and bodies pressed against her. For a moment, she lost sight of both Tygor and her next checkpoint.

Making her way through the crowd as she set watchful spells proved more difficult than she'd originally thought, but she made steady progress forward. Once she reached the bar, she ignored the bartender and hopped up to sit on the end of the bar, craning her neck to see around the crowd, looking for possible threats. Why in the damned universe this man chose to put himself out in the open if he was so worried about his own safety was beyond her.

Hiring a woman to protect him? It was an image Starla found hard to buy. He was a man who always seemed to be in control. She shrugged. Oh, well. Who was she to complain? Tygor was the hottest man she'd ever seen. Sometimes she had to shake herself to keep from staring. Sometimes, she almost reached out and touched him.

She sighed as her thoughts turned inward, trying to escape the noise. The mind spells she'd set throughout the crowd would alert her if anything were amiss. This was a mentally exhausting mission and once she confronted Tygor Gold and forced him out of the limelight, things would get worse. She didn't have any choice. Keeping up with the group's exhaustive schedule for even two weeks had weakened her mentally and physically, though it galled her to admit it. She needed sleep. She needed to get Darkest Knight off the stage and away from places like Spaceport Adana.

As she contemplated exactly how to accomplish this, her thoughts were interrupted when one of her spells exploded in the crowd, forcing everyone away from the stage. Immediately, Starla jumped to her feet on the bar and launched herself in the general direction of the stage. Her heart was pounding, but her training took over, and she blocked out everything but what her spells and her own senses fed her. Her eyes were firmly fixed on Tygor. Her top priority was to get him out of danger.

She hadn't yet determined where the threat originated from, but her other spells spoke directly to her mind, being her eyes and ears in all directions.

There. Behind one of the speakers.

Sniper.

That he'd made it so far into the bar alarmed Starla greatly, but she'd have to think about that later. He was aiming at Tygor, using the singer's confusion to his advantage.

Starla focused on getting to Tygor and taking him down. It was imperative she give the gunman another target. She was confident enough in her own magical shields to make herself that target.

Tygor looked all around him, his stance ready for battle. She vaguely registered this as she hit him in the midsection with her shoulder, effectively taking his place in the sniper's line of fire.

There was a quiet little zing zing as the porcelain projectiles launched from the gun, and Starla felt like someone had thumped her in the shoulder and back with a mining rod. She lost all feeling in her right arm, rendering her gun hand useless. Whipping her head around, she caught sight of the assailant. Their gazes locked. Got you.

The gunman's eyes widened a fraction before the full effect of her power struck him. His gun fell from his spasming hands before he went completely and utterly still.

Letting the full effect of her spell take hold of the would-be killer for about thirty seconds, Starla knew the terror she had spawned in the man. She was a Paralyzer. A rare and unique talent even among the Vastus. She could stun her prey for a few seconds, or render them completely immobile. She had control of every muscle in their bodies -- voluntary and involuntary muscles alike. This time, she'd paralyzed the man's respiratory system, but not his heart. She had never stopped someone's heart, and hoped she never had to use her gift to such extremes. But when she wanted to make an impression on her prey and show them exactly what she was capable of, this was the best way.

Struggling to her feet, she stumbled to the man, never taking her gaze from him. "You aren't going to die today. Not yet, anyway. I only want you to understand what I can do. If left in your present state, you would expire. Slow and painful though it would be." She gave him an evil smile, as if she'd enjoy watching just that. "I have the ability to stop your heart, but I would prefer to bring you to the authorities unharmed. You should know, however, that if you give me any grief whatsoever, I have no qualms about simply killing you and being done with it." She released her hold on him, allowing the now red-faced man to breathe. "Do we understand each other?"

He collapsed on the floor, nodding twice, breathing hard. Satisfied, Starla motioned to two rapidly approaching security officers to take the man away. She turned back to Tygor, her body starting to feel the effects of the gunshots.

When she did, she slammed into a massive, hard chest and cringed at the pain the jarring caused her.

"Your instructions were not to go after my assailant under any circumstances. Can you not follow even the simplest of orders?" He didn't sound like a man who was grateful she'd just saved his life.

Thanks so much to Marteeka Karland for joining me this month.

As a little aside, I'm sending a hello and a grin out to all the moms (and dads) who had gave a small sigh of relief when the kids headed back to school (or who will when they do go back). I love my kids more than anything, but I'll fully admit, I was a little glad to send them back to school and get just a tiny bit of quiet, LOL!

Until next month, be naughty and love it, and take some time out to read a good book!

Emma Ray