Tell us about your new book.
My latest release is Emily’s Trial, Book 2 of The Akasha Chronicles (Book 1 is Emily’s House). The Akasha Chronicles trilogy is a young adult paranormal fantasy.

In Book 1, fourteen year old Emily Adams learned of her magical ancient Celtic legacy, and journeyed to Ireland and another dimension. She faced down an evil over a thousand years in the making, then bested a black hole and saved our planet from destruction. Phew!

In Book 2, Emily’s Trial, Emily is now sixteen and finds herself drawn to Owen Breen, the senior class’s most eligible guy. Emily’s desire to win over Owen draws her into a plan to use her sacred magical powers in a forbidden way. After Emily and her friends survive a terrorizing journey through an inter-dimensional portal, they find themselves separated and in a world where nightmares come true. As the Dark Energy of the new realm pelts their psyches, will the friends fall under the dark influence? Will their friendships survive Emily’s Trial?

What genre is it?
Young Adult Paranormal Fantasy.

What kind of readers will it appeal to?
The Akasha Chronicles will appeal to readers who enjoy character-driven action and adventure stories. Emily’s Trial is for readers 13+ who enjoy magic and the paranormal, action and adventure, and a bit of romance along the way.

How long did Emily’s Trial take to write?
This book was my first NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) project. That means I pounded my fingers on the keyboard every day for 30 days and at the end I had a 50,000+ word manuscript. I then spent another nine months revising and rewriting. So all told, about 10 months to write Emily’s Trial.

What was the most challenging part of your creative process?
Getting started! Staring at a blank screen or page is daunting. For each novel I write, I generally spend months thinking about it in my head, and weeks planning and exploring the main characters through character interviews and such. But even with notebooks full of notes and a head full of ideas, the most challenging part is just writing the first few hundred words. I’m currently working on my fourth novel, and I can say that so far, writing the first bit hasn’t gotten any easier. But what I’ve learned is that I can do it. I CAN write a novel! So when the voice of doubt starts yammering in my head (as it often does), I can shut it up by reminding myself that I’ve done this before. I now know that with the first draft, I don’t have to worry about it being “perfect” or even good. In the first draft, I’m getting to know my characters and figuring out what the story is about. First drafts are the fun part. Just letting the words fly! So starting is challenging, but once I get going, I’m in the flow and all is well.

Tell us a bit about yourself.
I spend my work days divided between two vastly different worlds. In one world, I’m an attorney and divorce mediator. In the other world, I spend my days in a fantasy world created in my head that I translate to the page through my fingers. When I’m not writing or mediating, you’ll find me blogging, Facebooking, Tweeting, Wattpadding and eating too much chocolate.

Once the work day ends, I spend time helping my 4th grader with her homework, giving my elderly dog pets and treats, and reading. I’m a huge information geek and when I watch T.V., I mainly watch the Science Channel, the History Channel or movies. My favorite show is Through the Wormhole with Morgan Freeman (LOVE that guy!), and I can’t resist watching Ancient Aliens, no matter how absurd the show becomes.

I love to travel and I enjoy good wine served with excellent food shared with family and friends. I was raised an Ohio farm girl, now live in the suburban desert Southwest, but I dream of living in a high rise in a big city.

Books are my friends, ideas my passion.

Have you got a blog where readers can keep up with your work?
I sure do. You can find me at http://www.NatalieWrightsYA.blogspot.com. Monday on my blog is “Manic Monday.” On Monday I’ll post about any topic or idea that has found its way from my brain to my keyboard. The posts are often humorous, but sometimes contemplative.

On Wednesdays, my posts are geared toward writers or people who aspire to write. Writing tips, process notes, or things I’ve learned (often the hard way!) about the writing and publishing world.

On Fridays, I post reviews either of books or movies or other popular culture art or events.

Where can we buy your books?
Buy Links for Emily’s Trial:
Paperback: CreateSpace, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Powell’s: 
E-Book: Smashwords (At Smashwords you can download the version of your choice – for Kindle, Nook, iTunes, Kobo, Sony, PDF, etc). Amazon for Kindle, Apple iBookstore, Barnes & Noble.

You can buy Emily’s House from Amazon.

What’s next?
I’m participating again in NaNoWriMo, and my project this year is Emily’s Heart, Book 3 of the Akasha Chronicles. I’m having so much fun with this one! There will be new characters, the story will be more complex than the first two, and told in a different way. Emily’s Heart will be available in 2013.

I’m also continuing work on the first book in a new speculative fiction series, working title H.A.L.F. When the alien craft crashed in Roswell, NM in 1947, the U.S. government recovered bodies of the alien greys. In an ultra secret high security facility deep underground in the Arizona desert, a black ops arm of the U.S. government has worked tirelessly to use the recovered alien DNA to create the ultimate weapon for a secret war. Now, their prized weapon has escaped into the desert night. When three teens meet the hybrid and choose to help him escape, they become wanted by their own government. The choice will change their lives forever. I hope to have H.AL.F. to readers in late 2013 or early 2014. Stay tuned.