Raven Bower writes speculative fiction with her husband Lain. Let’s get to know her.

Tell me three things about yourself that you believe everybody should know and one thing that almost nobody knows.

Oh good ones! Let’s see, the three things everyone should know are:

I’m addicted to reading and haul books around with me everywhere I go. Sometimes more than I need, but hey better too many books than not the right one, right?

I’m a hopeless movie addict, I confess. I’ll watch almost anything that strikes my fancy at the moment.

Gardening! I blather a lot about plants on my blog. Hm.

The one thing almost no one knows, that takes some pondering. I’m allergic to bright colors. Okay, not in a real sense as in breaking out in hives or sneezing, but they do sear my eyes.

Your blog is titled “Gothic Living”. What does that mean?

Gothic Living is about living outside the box. It means gardening with intriguing twists – a Gothic cemetery, haunted orchard and ancient ruins. Decorating outside of the fabled ‘norm’ and creating fun recipes. It’s about celebrating the love of art, movies, writing and reading outside of the mainstream.

What is the process for writing a book with your husband? Do you talk about it and then type up parts of it separately? Do you sit at the computer together while writing?

A little of all of them, depending on what stage we’re at in the story. Usually I design the plots and most if not all of the characters, then Lain reads them over and we bat around ideas based off what I’ve concocted. When the writing begins I generally write the first draft and toss it to him, then he works his magic on it and hands it back to me. We play pass the manuscript for a while until we think it’s about right. During final edits, or particularly finicky scenes, we’ll work together at the same computer.

How do you resolve differences of opinion?

Usually by dropping it for a while, then returning to the manuscript with fresh eyes. Then each one of us makes our case and we decide which to use based off what is truer to the story and what the reader will enjoy more.

Do you find it easier or harder to write a screenplay or a novel? Or is it the same?

Screenplays are easier because of their nature. An average novel runs roughly 300-600 pages, depending on the genre, while the average screenplay runs 80-120 pages. Though a lot of the aspects of creating a novel and screenplay are the same, novels are far more work.

How did you get the “The Nano Effect” screenplay gig? Was that something you had already written and then just shopped around?

The director for “The Nano Effect” approached us. He had this lovely idea brewing in his head and the basics of the story set. However, the plot and characters just weren’t working and he realized that he needed writers. We took his basics and completely rebuilt the world, revamped the characters and created a new plot. It was a lot of fun and best of all it gave him a workable script.

What is your new novel Primal all about?

The clash of love and hatred, greed and malice! A mix of urban fantasy and romance, it revolves around Wrey and the werewolf Arvon as they attempt to outrun their enemies, and each other.

What’s your next big project?

Right now, we’re working on a romantic, swashbuckling fantasy on the high seas!

What one question should I have asked you, if only I knew you well enough to ask?

What’s for dinner? – blueberry pancakes yum! (I uhm.love food too)

For more about Raven:

• Website: www.RavenBower.com
• Blog: http://ravenbower.com/blog/
• Twitter: @ravenbower
• Primal on Amazon