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The Given & The Taken – How It Came to Be
Aislinn Kerry, author of awesome vampire stories Blood & Roses and Smoke, is at least partly to blame for The Given & The Taken, which is book #1 in the Tooth & Claw series. The two of us spend a great deal of time yakking via IM while we’re both writing (or, on occasion, procrastinating). One topic that has come up more than once is the idea of predestined mates. In short, it bugs us both. Of course it’s something that can be done well, but it also has the potential to be incredibly squicky, and we’ve both read a few too many examples of it meeting that potential.
Around the beginning of 2011, we’d been having another one of our conversations about predestined mates, and a plot bunny started gnawing on my brainstem. I had also been, for some time, pondering the idea of writing something paranormal. I like vampires and werewolves as much as the next person, but just hadn’t settled on the right story. Plot bunny, meet genre.
And this, my friends, is how L. A. Witt’s brain works:
What if a pair of predestined mates were so incompatible, there was just no way they would work out? Such as…say…she’s a woman, and he’s gay. Enter Levi, a wolf who’s been paired with Selena, who is pretty much the only one in the pack who understands why it’s just not going to happen. So, with her blessing, he finds a male mate, Ian, who happens to be human. The pack is less than thrilled (which, of course, makes me happy…always love stirring things up for the people in my head). They’re going to grudgingly let Levi bond with his chosen mate, but they aren’t going to make it easy for them.
In fact, you know what, Levi? We’re going to let you two bond, but then you’re going away for a year, and if Ian can find you after that year is up? Well, Mazeltov. If not, you get your sorry butt back here to the pack and bond with Selena like we told you to in the first place.
Awesome. Now I’ve got a monkey wrench thrown into the whole predestined mate thing, but I’d really like to bring in some vampires. The story just feels like it needs some bloodsuckers. Ooh, I’ve got it! Ian doesn’t do so well with this “year apart” stuff, and in a moment of weakness, not only cheats on Levi but does so with a vampire. And winds up converted to a vampire.
Levi’s pissed, of course. And Ian feels like an ass, because…well, he kind of was an ass. Oh, and Darius the vampire isn’t going to just fade into the shadows. He had a nibble of Ian and would like some more, thank you very much, even if a certain werewolf tries to get in his way.
At this point, I thought I saw the story laid out in front of me like a clear, straight stretch of Midwestern blacktop. Well, minus the cornfields and gas stations, anyway. Point being, the setup was there, the characters were in place, and it was go time. But every time I tried to flesh out the details, it all fell flat. Yeah, that Nebraska interstate was laid out in front of me, but my car was broken down on the side of the road with nary a tow truck in sight. (Pardon the travel puns and Midwest analogies…I just drove to Nebraska, so guess where my brain is.)
So what the hell is the problem? Come on, characters. Let’s get it together here. Pissed off werewolf, prodigal boyfriend, antagonistic vamp—wait. Wait just a second.
Darius doesn’t want to be a villain.
Okay, let’s try this again, this time with Darius in a protagonist’s chair. Much better.
Oh, and Selena? Selena doesn’t want to be a barely-there secondary character. Nuh-uh, author lady. I didn’t let my predestined mate wander off with a man so I could sit at home and knit. I’m not even coming along for the ride. Bitch, I’m driving!
And…there we go. I put together a nice shiny outline (ah, Excel, how I love thee), and started writing. The boys (and Selena) turned out to be an opinionated bunch, though, so I pretty much ditched the outline and followed them.
The end result?
The Given & The Taken, which is now available from Samhain. Keep an eye on my blog, Twitter feed, and website for updates about the sequel, The Healing & The Dying, as well as additional books in the Tooth & Claw series.
Don’t forget to to go to L A’s blog tomorrow for a new post in the Cock and Bull tour
First I was not going to purchase this book, allthough I have everything else of her books (both genres). But. Now after reading this “development story” I guess I nevertheless Need to buy it and give this paranormal stuff a chance. …and probably get the whole series when it is availble =)
Thanks (for whom ever it may belong) for this brilliant idea of “touring” your fellow writers. We readers are always looking for new favourite authors, and this is a great way to do it.
Loved how you took us through getting the goods from the characters…I would love to read this book and I probably will and I am horrible but after one of my friends reads it and lets me know how bad the cheating is cause that is a HUGH nono for me and reading I wish to be happy while reading .
Thanks for having me, Julia!
And I can understand if the cheating angle or the paranormal setting aren’t for everyone. I hope you’ll give it a chance, but I won’t take it personally if it’s not for you.
Lori
I love hearing about how stories develop. Not being a writer, it fascinates me…. Looking forward to reading this one! Loving LA’s work, and love me some paranormal romance…
Reading this history and being a writer myself, I am going to have to get this! I love paranormal, but am not generally a fan of stories with cheating. That said, the way you talked about it really made it seem like the characters have the depth to deal with the situations you put them in. I am really looking forward to this…when my budget allows. *sighs*
I can already tell that this blog hop/tour is going to be murder on the pocketbook.
Thanks for telling us about the process of writing this for you!!
I enjoy reading what influences the creations of novels; this post was an interesting read. I look forward in starting this series.
booklover0226 at gmail dot com
How on earth have I missed this one? Must have now, but alas after Christmas equals no money. Next SS check not until the 19th, oh how ever will I be able to wait?
I haven’t read anything from this author yet but I can honestly say come payday I will that one of the best things about these blog hops learning about new and different authors thank for the chance
definitely looking forward to reading this one!
Jase
vslavetopassionv(at)aol(dot)com
Ok, I have to read this, like now. I have read several of Lor’s books, all great. And PNR is my fave genre.
Funnily enough I just bought it this morning, on the basis of the blurb but I was a little unsure, however reading this I’m really glad I did. It sounds great.
This sounds fascinating. I like the process that you’ve laid out on how you got to story. I’m going to have to pick this up
I think I own most of LA Witt’s m/m books and the blurb for this sounds really interesting. Can I ask a question to those people who have already read it? Is it a menage? Thanks.
I loved how you explained the development of the story. I have to say you hooked me, and this is now on my “list” of books to buy. Looking forward to it…
Thank you to Julia for hosting today and for LA’s story development, now I have more stories to add to my list!
Thanks for sharing with us how plots develop for you L.A. I loved reading how one thought spun off into another, that spun off into another, that spun off into another and bam…there’s the book. After reading this blog, this book is definitely on my TBB list.
Danielle
Aislinn’s a new to me author, but this story sounds interesting so I’ll have to look up the website.
I already had this one in my sights; now it goes on my ‘musth-have-grabby-hands’ shelf!
I’m learning about interesting new authors through this Blog tour. I liked seeing how a book concept was developed and the book sounds good too. I will be checking out this authors website.
The Given and the Taken sounds awesome. It’ll be great to read this new take on predestined mates.
It’s interesting to learn how a story comes together. I am a big L. A. Witt fan and can’t wait to read this one.
Looking forward to reading adding to my list.This blog is a great way to find new books and authors..Thank you
I have to add this to my LA Witt wish-list, which at last count? Was every book lol! I read this blurb somewhere and KNEW I needed to read it!
I guess I will have to check this book out. It sounds more interesting from this explanation than the blurb at the publishers!
This sound fascinating. I can’t wait to get this. Off I go to Samhaim.
That is one hell of complicated plot!
I can imagine some hot scenes between a vampire, a werewolf and a freshly turned vampire. And I’m glad there is a hard ass woman there to keep the boys in line 
Is there a threesome there?
I would love to read it.
I can’t wait to start another series by LA Witt. I have loved each and every book that I’ve read so far. Sounds like a great series!
Oh what a tangled web…no, that doesn’t apply here, or does it? In any case, it seems to me charters who want to drive the bus really do have a great story to tell.
Can’t wait to read it.
Hugs,
Donna
I love your plot bunnies because they have given me hours of reading enjoyment! Looking forward to reading The Given and The Taken as well as the other books in this series. Thanks for the giveaway!
I love hearing about how stories came together, definitely going to check it out
I like the sound of The Given and The Taken, so will defiantly check it out.
First, I did not think I wanted to reads this book, since it looked like a threesome, and that’s not mine cuppa BUT then I read your interview and it sounded like a great book!!!
I like it if love is more complicated so this one goes up on my to buy list.
Thank you for the interview, I would have missed a great book, if I did not read it!
Anzu
Sounds great! I can’t wait to read it! It’s really interesting seeing how you developed the story.
~Alicia
alleycat2468@hotmail.com
What a Great Book!!! It was once again one of those stories of LA you have to read straight till the end. It fullfilled every expectation that I had. Thanks LA! Can’t wait to get my mittens to the next book of this series…
I can’t wait to read this book. It sounds very exciting.
How did I not hear anything about this book???? Great interview. Put this book on my wishlist.
e.balinski(at)att(dot)net
That sounds like a great read! So totally going on my TBR/TBB list!!
Ashley A
ash_app@hotmail.com
This sound like an interesting story. I’ll have to check it out.
ainfinger@comcastDOTnet
What a interesting premise for a story. Will have to add it to my TBB pile.
ShirleyAnn@speakman40.freeserve.co.uk
I love your books Lora. I just can’t get enough of them, and now I know I really want this one for sure…so adding it to my gotta have list.
What premise! I love deep involved emotional angst stories, and this is surely going to be a great one…*S*
thank you for the blog tour, and even more authors to read..*S*
Darcy
pommawolf @hotmail.com
Wow, thanks to everyone who’s chimed in!! And to LASHA — Yes, it is a menage. And a complicated, messy one, believe me…just wait until book 2. lol
Lori
Hi la
This book sounds fav can’t wait to read it
Sarah S
Wow. I love blog hopping, because I find so many new authors that way. Julia, you really tortured the characters in this story. I’m surprised when Selena took over driving, she didn’t make you ditch some of that drama. Can’t wait to find out what pretzel shape everyone ended up in before getting to the payoff.
drainbamaged.gyzmo at gmail.com
Thanks for the post! This whole blog tour is fun! Happy New Year!
OceanAkers@aol.com
OceanAkers(at)aol(dot)com
Thanks! Happy New Year!!
Okay after reading this it’s a must get now. It sounds great. Love this Blog Tour.
I don’t really like m/m/m very much (hmm… probably the result of a childhood trauma from when I realized my father had to be cheating on my mom for my 2-months-younger half-brother to exist…), but I just love when authors go all adorably crazy trying to explain where their stories come from.
Will definitely be going on my TBR pile on Goodreads. It’s interesting to get a glimpse into the production. Thanks for the great stories and keeping us entertained.
Best freakin book ever!
OMG…
This is absolutely amazing!!
Sold. I am so buying this book. haha… <33
Judi
arella3173_loveless(at)yahoo(dot)com
Thank you for sharing. I always enjoy reading about the development stages of writing, as well as the actual reading of the book.
marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Love the Cock and Bull blog I get to see some writers I haven’t read yet
I absolutely loved how you laid it all out. Congrats on the release. It’s on my TRL.
It definitely has me curious what direction they are all going to go.
Carol L
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com
Well, this post has hooked me. I enjoyed reading the development of The Given & The Taken; I look forward in reading it.
booklover0226 at gmail dot com
I’m over the fated mates thing too. I like how you’ve turned the concept on it’s head. That’s a fated mate story I’d be interested in reading!
hankts AT internode DOT on DOT net
L.A.- It was really interesting to get some insight into an author’s thought process. Thanks.
I have not purchased any from this author, but I think I need to rethink that.
Such a great layout..the story has to be nothing but awesome to have these factors. I wish you tons of luck. susan Leech garysue@dejazzd.com
I loved to read about the plot development of this book, because even if I really like your books, this one has some issues, which I try to avoid.
Your explanation of the plot, made me interested enough to give it a second look.
I have loved anything LA writes so this will be no different. I do like knowing the thought process involved though.
Thanks for the giveaway, LA!
I’ve been wanting this one for awhile, but it’s been a case of too many good looking books, not enough $$…lol
It’s definitely on the TBR/TBB list!
aunt_cori(at)yahoo.com
cool. loved to see the thought process behind the story.
Think I might grab this myself!! Cheers!!
What a unique twist on predestined mates – can’t wait to read it
smaccall AT comcast.net
I do love a good paranormal. I would love to read how these characters end up working out. It boggles my mind how authors can create stories such as this, I just don’t have the imagination for it, lol.
June
manning_j2004 at yahoo dot com
I couldn’t resist this book after reading the blurb. It was so neat to hear how the story flowed or didn’t as the case may be.
I love how the characters seemed to take off on their own! I can’t wait to read this book! Thanks for the blog hop and all the contest giveaways!
Thanks for the interesting read. Definitely going to read this book
I”ve read lots of LA Witt, so I know that I’m in for some goodness. And vampires 
love them !
cayce006 at yahoo dot com
Thanks so much for the blog hop
evelynmoly@yahoo.com