Recently I agreed to do a recorded interview for the blog of another Indie-Author, Jonas Lee, and he was kind enough to share the video he put together with me. I have included the questions and answers below the video, just in case I talk to fast or you miss something.

If the video above doesn’t work, you can watch it on youtube here: http://youtu.be/C110fk6ihm8

1. Please tell us a little about yourself. Who is Nina Soden?

I love answering this question. I will give you two answers and you, the reader, can decide which you like best… but they are both me!

My typical “author bio” answer… I have always been creative, be it art, theatre, film – anything but singing – you don’t want to hear that! I earned her bachelor’s degree in Theatre and Military Science from EMU where I spent most of my time either on stage, rappelling down buildings, or working one of three jobs. After college I moved to Los Angeles, like so many other want-to-be actors, in pursuit of my dreams. I worked to by the bills… but my love was acting and I was actually somewhat successful, mostly in commercials and independent films and I had a great time doing it. I have done everything from secretarial work to business development to being the Director of a private preschool. I have fired a M16 machine gun, jumped out of a C130 aircraft, and given birth – TWICE! Though I’ll forever be a Michigan girl at heart, I now live in the South with my husband and two beautiful children. If I’m not working on my latest story, you can find me lounging with a good book, playing with my kids, or indulging in my unhealthy addiction to Starbucks coffee.

Or the not so pretty reality… I am a mom (my favorite title in the whole wide world), a wife, a daughter, and a sister! Family is the most important thing in the world to me. I am also a struggling artist, paying the bills through a typical 9-5 job while squeezing my art (writing, acting, directing) into what little free time I do have.

2. What kinds of books do you write?

I write young adult (YA) supernatural fiction – Vampires, Shape shifters, and Witches, oh my!

You can click on the cover image below to be taken to the Amazon.com page for each of the books in the Blood Angel Series, or to be taken to my blog post for my soon to be released novel SECTOR C ~ The Chosen

3. Which one is your favorite and why?

That’s a hard question to answer. My first book, maybe, because it was my first. I think, as a new author, that my first book will always hold a special place in my heart because there can only ever be one first. Awaken was that book for me. It showed me that becoming a published author was no longer just a dream but a reality.

If you are asking based on story – Well, I love the action in Beginning and Revenge (books 2 and 3 of the Blood Angel Series). However, my latest book (SECTOR C – The Chosen: soon to be released) is probably my favorite story line so far.

4. If you saw yourself as a character in your novels, which one is most like you? Which one would you most like to be?

When I wrote my first three books I pulled characteristics, for some of my characters, from people I know. Alee (aka Aleerah), my lead, is probably the character I wish I was most like. She has a survivor’s strength – she doesn’t give up just because things are hard. That is something my parents both taught me growing up. That is a lesson I have tried to teach my children. So, in that aspect I think I am most like Alee.

5. Can you share anything about your next work in progress?

Of course. I am actually very excited about my next book. It is part of a new young adult (YA) supernatural series called SECTOR C.

SECTOR C – The Chosen

Set in a futuristic dystopian where society is governed by a council of vampires and lycanthropes, selection students are sheltered and raised in a deceptively utopian world. Strict rules are imposed to control population growth, education, and even personal interactions with other members of the Sector, all in the name of safety.

When ‘A’ comes of age she, like all youth throughout Sector C, and her selection classmates aren’t sent out into the world to find jobs, make money and lead happy carefree lives. They are forced to endure the rigorous physical and mental testing of Selection Week before choosing their destiny or being forced into a fate far worse. Those that make it out alive are announced as sector residence, given a position within the society, and allotted all the privileges of their chosen “culture.” However, when your only choices are vampirism, lycanthropy, breeder, blood donor, or banishment to the Wastelands, what choice do you really have?

Suspenseful, intense, passionate, and awash in paranormal delights, Sector C captures the enchantment and mysteries of the supernatural world and the power of friendship.

6. If you could pick the main actor/actress to play your characters on film, do you know who you would pick?

I will answer this question in terms of my newest novel. When I wrote The Blood Angel Series books (Awaken, Beginnings, and Revenge) I had character profiles in mind – what they looked like, their characteristics, etc. but I hadn’t actually selected actors/actresses that I envisioned to play the characters. With SECTOR C – The Chosen I actually have written the manuscript with specific actors in mind to play many of the roles. Granted, authors don’t typically get to select the actors to play their parts… nor am I saying this book will ever be turned into a movie (Fingers crossed that it will). I am just throwing out there that these are the people I envision when I am typing…

SECTOR C – The Chosen (Wish List Cast of Characters):

A (lead female): Adelaide Kane

C (co-lead female): Rose Leslie

M (lead male): Torrance Coombs

Remy (Sector Leader): Liam Neeson

Serenity (Councilman female): Tricia Helfer

Gunner (Professor/Instructor): Joe Manganiello

Teagan ( Sector Counselor): Elizabeth Reaser

 OK, that is a very short list… just to give you a taste. Other actors/actresses that I have posted on my character wish list board while I have been typing: Dave Franco, Josh Hutcherson, Kit Harington, Selena Gomez, Toby Regbo, Dove Cameron, Taylor Lautner, Kellan Lutz, Nina Dobrev, Maia Mitchell, Keegan Allen, Evan Hofer, Drew Barrymore, and Catherine Bell.

7. Do you believe supernatural creatures exist in real life?

If we are talking about vampires, shape shifters, and witches—then no. I believe that there are cultures of people that call themselves “vampires” but, no I don’t believe they survive on blood alone. Other than that… no. I believe supernatural creatures are fiction, but a wonderful fiction they are. I grew up watching the movies and reading the books, and have loved all things supernatural for years.

If we are talking about ghosts – yes, I do believe there are spirits that exist around us.

8. What do you like to do in your spare time, when you have it?

Spend time with my family. Movies with the kids, board games, building lego’s with my son, and if we have lots of time… vacation!

9. Would you rather read the book or watch the movie?

BOTH! The writer in me says read and the actress in me says watch the movie. Honestly, I love to do both. If I read a book and love it – I will watch the movie. If I watch a movie and either love it or see that there was potential in the story I will read the book. Like many people, often time, I find that books are better than movies. That isn’t to say that movies aren’t great – it’s just that books allow for more detailed descriptions and they allow the reader to create a picture in their head. Movies require you to see things the way the director sees them. Therefore, when I see a movie that is either really good or just has the potential to be – I will read the book and find out what the author wanted me to see.

10. If you could meet one famous person alive still today, who would you choose and why?

There are so many, but if I have to pick just one… Stephen King. He is one of the first authors that really made me love reading. I have fallen in love with so many of his books and read them multiple times. The way he creates characters and plot twists is magical.

11. Lightning Round:

    1. Coke or Pepsi – Coke
    2. Zombie Apocalypse or Alien Invasion – Zombie Apocalypse
    3. Scooby Doo or Scrappy Doo – Scooby Doo
    4. Beach or Mountains – Beach
    5. MP3 or Records – MP3
    6. Video Games or Board Games – Board Games
    7. Facebook or Twitter – Facebook
    8. Twilight or Vampire Diaries – Twilight to read but Vampire Diaries to watch
    9. Christmas or Halloween – Thanksgiving
    10. Pop Tarts or Toaster Strudel – Strawberry Pop Tarts without frosting and not toasted

12. Please share your links to purchase and social links to contact you.