Wednesday, July 01, 2015

Interview and Giveaway The Malevolent Twin by Mary Sage Nguyen


What inspired you to become an author?

It was a fun hobby, that I decided to devote my time on. I really enjoy writing. My muse inspired me to write.

Do you have a specific writing style?

I write narratives (third person point of view). The reason being is when I first start writing in the first person perspective my muse despised it. He constantly kept encouraging me to write in third person.

Do you write in different genres?

Yes

If yes which is your favorite genre to write?

I have to say right now, psychological thriller.

How did you come up with the title for your latest book?

I will be honest, I chose the title The Malevolent Twin after writing the book, and having it completed. The pervious title was Dripping Caramel. Which makes absolutely no sense with book’s overall theme. I just liked the title at the time…..

Do you title the book first or wait until after it’s complete?

Always title the book first, just to be more organized. You can always change it later.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

In the story Venice, is constantly being disrespected by Avery. Be kind to your siblings, you share a bond no one else does.

Is the book, characters, or any scenes based on a true life experience, someone you know, or events in your own life?

All my characters, come from inside my head. Yes, I do choose some characters from my own life. I try not to use their real name. The people I choose are especially irritating, or intriguing! The irritating ones are fun to write about.

What books/authors have influenced your life?

Too many to list!

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

Amanda Hocking, definitely. She has made it as a self-published author. She knows her niche. Whatever advice, she would give me would be invaluable.

What book are you reading now?

I just finished reading I will fear no evil by Robert A. Heinlein. A very good read. I enjoyed the main characters. I admired how he merges them together in the end, as one conscious. I am also about to read The Everything Guide to Private Investigation.

What is your current “work in progress” or upcoming projects?

Mai’s Exuberance, Pennie Apples: Deleted Chapter, and sequel to The Malevolent Twin

Can you share a little of your current work with us?

Mai my character in Mai’s Exuberance will be the ultimate clingy girlfriend type. Pennie Apples, as you may know has an addiction to absinthe. Which I exaggerate on in her book.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

Writing the manuscript is challenging. I am constantly trying to perfect it. It is hard to stop, and say the end at times. I am overly critical of my work.


Do you have to travel much to do research for your books?

I travel here, and there. For my future book that will be based in Vietnam, I travelled for it. I experience what it was like to live in slums for a couple of weeks. I really do feel sorry for those unfortunate people. Craziest thing I saw in a Vietnam? I attend a wedding where the groom’s family presented the bride with a smoked pig’s head. Pretty intimidating, and horrifying to stare at. As far as research, I read a lot of articles, and books. One of the books I used for research was Law for Dummies by John Ventura, JD.

Who designed the cover of your latest book?

www.ebooklaunch.com designed two of my covers. I love them because they are fast, reliable, and consistent. It is hard trying to find a graphic designer who will commit to your project!

Do you have any advice for other writers?

My advice, always, always get the photoshop file from your graphic designer, you never know when you may need it! For a banner, promotional material, etc. Use both ingramspark, and createspace if you are self-publishing.

Do you have a song or playlist (book soundtrack) that you think represents this book?

This is just a mock playlist.

Over my head by the fray
All of You by Betty Who feat. Peter Thomas
Ahead of Us by Tom Swoon
Invincible by Borgeous
Sweet Dreams by Beyoncé
Crash and Burn by Savage Garden 
Settlin’ by Sugarland

Just a few of the songs, I had in mind. 

The Malevolent Twin
Book One
Mary Sage Nguyen

Genre: Young Adult, Suspense, Thriller,
Mystery, and a little bit of science fiction.

Date of Publication: April 2015

ISBN: 978-0996256100
Kindle ISBN: 978-0996256117
Smashwords ISBN: 978-0996256124

Ebook: 123 pages
Word Count: 37,560

Cover Artist: www.ebooklaunch.com

Book Description:

A murderous wicked twin.

An innocent, law abiding, and oblivious girl.

The ultimate brawl between contrasting sisters!

Murder, mystery, suspense and more

In The Malevolent Twin

Avery is a normal teenager, except for Venice. Venice is Avery’s imaginary friend or so she thinks. When the two begin to fight. Avery starts her investigation, to figure out what Venice really is. She encounters a wise old exorcist, and an albino psychic who assist her, with attempting to remove Venice. Which comes too late as Venice goes on a murdering rampage using Avery’s body. Does Avery survive the Wrath of Venice?

Find out in…

The Malevolent Twin


Available at BN   Amazon




Chapter Four
Venice Revealed

            Avery closed her laptop. It was getting hot from being overworked. She laid back and immersed herself in the soft covers. She dreamed again that night.
She was six years old. Her father had left fresh bruises all over her body. Avery was in her room crying. Her siblings had been lucky not to be sick that day. Avery wiped the tears off her face with her blanket. She knew better. She knew she should have kept out of his way. Avery was hungry and wanted something to eat. This was why she woke him up. Her dad was upset and still drunk from the whiskey.
            “Are you okay?” she heard a voice say behind her. Avery looked over to see Venice. The Asian girl walked over to Avery and started to stroke her back. Her touch was cold as usual. This girl wouldn’t leave Avery alone.
            “No…” Avery said, suppressing tears.
            “It’s okay. Everything is going to be okay,” Venice whis- pered.
            “How do you know? You aren’t even real.” Avery could feel the excruciating pain in her back. The fever came back. She had managed to make this girl angry once again.
            “I am real!” Venice screamed at the top of her lungs. Avery could feel Venice’s cold hands grasp her around the throat. 
            “Please… Let go…” Avery managed to say. Venice con- tinued to stifle her windpipe.
            “Say I am real! Say you will be my friend.”
            “Alright… I will be your friend.” Avery felt Venice’s grasp weaken.
Avery looked up to see Venice staring at her. She looked malevolent. She flashed Avery an evil smile.
            “Why do you want me to be your friend so bad Venice?
            “Why?” Avery asked.
            “You are all I have. I don’t have anyone else to talk to,” Venice replied. She didn’t seem as malevolent now.
            “I am really all you have?” Avery asked.
            “Yes, I have no one else to talk to…” For the first time Venice looked vulnerable and harmless.
            “So, friends?” Venice asked extending her hand to Avery. She shook Venice’s cold hand and made her a promise to be friends forever.
            Avery woke up from the dream. It was a memory she had suppressed some time ago. She had forgotten all about their deal. Avery was beginning to wonder why Venice had stuck around all these years. If she was truly an imaginary friend, wouldn’t she have left years ago? Avery was beginning to think Venice was something else. Something more than just a fig- ment of her imagination.
            “Hey there!” a voice interrupted her thoughts. Avery glanced up to see Venice. She was dressed in a provocative tight dark blue dress. It had lacy sleeves. The dress made every angle on her body pop. This time she materialized with heavy blue eye shadow. On her feet were suede blue booties.
            “Wow…” Venice smiled.
            “I know, don’t you love this dress and my hair.” Venice’ hair was curly and tied up in loose ponytail which she pulled forward.
            “You look great!” “Yes, I know.”
            “I have a question Venice.” Avery pushed her covers off and turned on the fan.
            “Go ahead and ask me.” Venice replied. She snapped her fingers and a long white cigarette appeared. She took a deep breath and inhaled the cigarette.
            “Why are you still here?” Venice did her best not to look startled.
            “I am here because I am part of you.”
            “What do you mean?” Avery asked. The room was starting to feel chilly. Avery started to feel the old Venice emerging again.
            “I am your sister.” Avery coughed.
            “What do you mean my sister?” Venice’s face began to dis- tort.
            “I mean your sister. We are twins.” Avery began getting a splitting headache.
            “Twins? Twins? What do you mean twins?” Her headache did not subside. In fact it grew worse. The room was a blur.. “Tell me Venice, tell me what you really are?”

            “I just told you. Accept it. You are part of me and I am part of you.” Avery started to feel dizzy.

About the Author

Mary Sage Nguyen is the youngest daughter of Vietnamese and Chinese immigrants. Vietnamese was the language spoken at home, so the only way she was able to learn English was through the public school system. Even though English was not spoken at home, Mary became an avid reader as a young child and always dreamed of being a writer someday.





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1 comments:

Mary Sage Nguyen said...

Thank you for posting!