In the Spotlight – R A Odum

R A Odum

Today my guest is RA Odum, author of the newly released Captured Minds.

RA Odum

RA Odum grew up and still lives in Georgia. Her love for writing and stories started in her grandmother’s attic and never stopped. Born sixteen weeks early and loss of vision in one eye, RA faces obstacles head on. From the time she was very small, she has had a host of characters in her head, screaming for their stories to be told. When she is not writing, she loves to spend time with her family, sing and read. She also enjoys learning and teaching others American Sign Language. She hopes her novels will inspire and make a difference.

Read on for more from Rebecca!

Captured Minds

Living a peaceful life is supposed to be ideal, but what if it’s what makes you the perfect victim? For the last decade, famine has had the thriving land of Zoar in its grip. With money and food dwindling, seventeen-year-old Raven Montgomery longs for something more than working in the library. Driven by her love of learning, she enters a competition hosted by the Other World, where she will test her knowledge in order to win supplies Zoar desperately needs.

Before she can do so, Zoar’s ruler is killed, and hours later the Other World closes its door. Raven can’t believe the two events are connected. Yet, when she stumbles across Other World technology that holds classified information, she learns there may be more to the competition than meets the eye. Sure that her ruler’s death is somehow linked, she now faces the challenge of revealing the truth behind the Other World’s sinister ways before both lands are changed forever.

Now let’s shine the spotlight on RA!

Maer: Thanks for joining us to tell us about Captured Minds. What is the funniest or oddest thing that has happened to you as an author?

RA: I got a review that said my book was good for car rides and plane rides. I don’t know why but I found that so funny.

Maer: Do you use beta readers and, if so, what qualities do you look for in a beta?

RA: Yes I do use beta readers and I look for people who are detailed in their notes, can give me detailed feedback. I also look for people who mix good things with things that need to be improved on.

Maer: What is a one line synopsis for your book?

RA: Famine! Pain! Is her IQ worth it?

Maer: Is this a stand-alone or part of a series?

RA: Part of a series!

Maer: Which character, other than Raven, is one of your favorites to write and why?

RA: I love writing for the character of Kate, one of Raven’s sisters. She’s so sarcastic and witty, t he total opposite of me.

Maer: If you had to pick a color to describe your MC what would that be and why?

RA: White because Raven is innocent and pure.

Maer: Who are your favorite authors to read?

RA: Susan Kaye Quinn, Michelle Browne, Tess Geritsen

Maer: Can you share a bit about the project you’re working on now?

RA: I’m editing the sequel but during my break I started a new novel. I’m not ashamed to say its inspired by the new Disney movie Frozen. There’s no magical snow but there is a queen!

Maer: What do you do when you’re not writing?

RA: Read and watch TV and hang out with family.

Maer: What influenced you to write in your genre? Do you write in others?

RA: I love how I can make almost anything happen and just let my imagination go. I could at some point dabble in other genres but I’m still fairly new to science fiction and I’m having a lot of fun exploring it.

Maer: What music, if any, do you like to listen to while writing?

RA: I don’t listen to music WHILE I’m writing but I have music that influence my writing. I’m a huge Broadway person so shows like Wicked help inspire me.

Maer: RA, hanks again for stopping by to chat with me. Do you have anything you’d like to add?

RA: I hope people are inspired by Raven’s story and take something positive from it!