The Coriee Guardians Series by Mari Miniatt

Mari Miniatt is an indie author of the Coiree Guardians vampire series.  The first two books in the installment are "Fledgling" and "Killer" and both can be found on Smashwords. You may remember that I discussed Smashwords in a previous post.  If you are not familiar with Smashwords and would like to know more,  or if you would like to open a free account so you can get access to some great books, you can find the information here.  Mari Miniatt has graciously submitted an entry for my newest guest post and she talks about her storyline, as well as the source of her inspiration for her stories.

Inspiration can take many forms. You can be inspired by dreams, something might come to you while you are taking a shower, as you are riding on the bus on the way home, while reading, or day dreaming. For me what inspires me for one story is not the same for another.

For the Coiree series: it started with a dream. I know that sounds cliché, but it was a dream. Steopa introduced himself to me. He bowed and said his name. In the dream I knew he was a vampire, although he did nothing to show to me he was. I wrote it down. I don't write my dreams down. But this one stuck with me. I started to explore who he was. It took over ten years to finally figure him and the rest of the characters out.

My Minstrel story had a more mundane beginning. My husband and I had been talking about the world we had created for our role playing sessions years ago. A few days later I was listening to Motorhead and a question popped in my head. Did minstrels have groupies? I sat down and wrote out the first chapter, with the main characters. No planning, they appeared on the paper as I wrote.

The story evolved later. It didn't answer the question, although it was a fun write. According to the bag pipe player from the group Terra Serpentis, John Harford, whom helped me with my research, "Yes, minstrels did have groupies."

The ideas do not have to be grand. Recently, while I was at work, doing a routine task, an image of a cat being held by a young boy popped in my head. The words ghost investigator appeared along the bottom. I have a few different ways to interpret that idea. When one really stands out, I will start to flesh it out on paper.

One way I come up with ideas is with fan fiction. I used to write it, most of it is locked safely away. But what happens is this: I write the story and a character I made up becomes fun to write; or the plot  is really interesting. So interesting, I have to make it my own. So I rip away any signs of the fan fiction and write my own story.

There isn't one way to become inspired. The main thing is to be open to the inspiration as it comes to you. The second thing is to write down a note so you don't forget it. Too many great ideas can be lost that way. A note book is handy or a very nice husband that doesn't mind getting strange texts as you try to explain your latest and greatest idea.

Who knows the next idea that hits you might be the one to make you famous.

Coiree Series

What is the coiree?

It is a cup. Just a gold cup found underneath a nightclub in Deerbow City. So then why do four vampires vow to protect it?

That is what the series Coiree Guardians is about:

The first book, Fledgling,  is about Rebecka "Beka" Saberhagen who first discovers she is living near a vampire, then becomes one. While she learns to adjust to her new life, old grudges, old mysteries, and confused college kids, make her life more interesting.

The four guardians of the coiree meet for the first time in this book, although the they do not know the full potential of the object they vow to protect. They only know they do not want the wrong person to get their hands on it.

The second book, Killer,  is about Vincent. He is feeling a little bored with his undead life. The Rathskeller is fun, but he is missing something. An old friend, Verina, and a new vampire, Nathan, enter his life at the same time. When Nathan crosses the line, Vincent's nights become exciting. There was a time when Vincent was the best killer in Deerbow, but has he lost that touch now?

Another vampire book? WHY!! Because this one is not like the popular stuff out now. These are vampires. They can interact with humans, they can be nice, but they are still predators. They have the old powers, glamor, mental manipulation, turning to mist or shadows, and controlling people with their voice. But vampires are not the only creatures you will meet. Ghouls, werewolves, and berserks are only the first of many that populate the night.

If you would like more information about the Coiree Guardians series and Mari Miniatt check out her website here: http://www.mariminiatt.com/.