Frantiska Oliver Interview Published on: 01, Dec 2015

Frantiska Oliver currently resides in Texas with her husband, Billy, and their two children. Along with being a wife and mom, she is a full time author and part-time veterinary technician. Her love for fantasy and science fiction books inspired her to write her first debut novel, Never Forget the Past. She has written four short stories for 7DS anthologies; Ashton's Promise in A Man's Promise, Rashmi in Dragons of Faith, Kitimiri and Nephila in a soon to be released Super Villain/Super Hero collection, and is currently working on the sequel to I See You.

I began writing my debut novel, Never Forget the Past, in 2011 and it was a dare that triggered me to create the story. A challenge my husband and best friend taunted me with because I always had a book in my hands. However, when I began writing the first chapter, I was reminded of a passion I had forgotten about over the years. The passion I have for writing. So began my journey into this amazing yet challenging world of being an author.

What role do they play in the story, what is their personality like, and are they human or not are the main things I think about when deciding on a name to call them.

Be open-minded, but take advice with a grain of salt. What works for one person, might not work for you and vice-versa.

Paranormal fantasy is and always has been my favorite, but I am willing to give most genre's a chance.

Reviews are still one of my 'I am learning how to get them' chores. So, other than advertise, participate in book event giveaways, and personally asking for them, I cross my fingers and hope that the person who decided to read one of my books will leave a review. As for what is the best review I have ever received, I'd have to say that at the moment it would be when I received a private message from a fan, and though I am not at liberty to share it, that particular review touched my heart in ways no other has thus far.

I do have a book trailer for I SEE YOU. I created prior to the release date. Here is the link if you would like to watch it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awbTlaObR8I

Yes and I simply walk away and find something else to do to take my mind off the story. Then, I come back and try again. When all else fails, I will grab a pen and paper and start writing down random thoughts until something triggers the solution.

I prefer to write at night after the sun has set, but with my kids being heavily involved in sports I have learned to write in the mornings while they are in school.

I tweet on Twitter, post on Facebook, have a Goodreads, Amazon Author, and Quotesrain page. I also use Linkedin, iAuthor, BingBing, Google Plus, Readers Gazette, and my own webpage (http://frantiskaoliver.com) to promote my work. I participate in social media events by offering giveaways and, this coming May, I will share a booth with one of my co-authors (Dawn Kirby) at Yellow City Comic Con in Amarillo.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my imagination with you. For the kind words and honest opinions you have written and/or spoken to me. Without you, my stories would simply be words on paper, collecting dust in a dark forgotten corner and I can't express in words the gratitude I feel towards each and every one of you. The following is a snippet from the sequel to I See You that I am currently working on: Flames of pain lashed at my heart. The heat of tears burned a trail down my cheek. My body trembled. Legs shook. Knees threatening to collapse under the weight of the agony torturing my soul but, the anger and rage dwelling inside gave me strength to remain standing as I stared at the empty space that was once my family's home. Grasping the bundle of wild flowers I had collected for Mom and Dad as though my life depended on them. Wishing I would have known about the odorless gas before they struck the match that stole their lives. "I should have known I'd find you here today. Lurking in the shadows, absorbed in your own selfish thoughts as though you're the only one who misses them," Grace snarled allowing her shoulder to bump mine as she walked past me. "It's nice to see you too… Sis," I mumbled wiping at my cheeks, hoping to erase the evidence of tears before she saw them. "Keep the pleasantries to yourself. Just drop the weeds where you stand and leave." Grace spat, stomping towards the barren ground our house use to cover. Once a year, for the last five years, I would see my sister. And, in the short two minutes we spent around each other, the conversation always began and ended the same way—her calling me selfish and then, telling me to leave. I never argued with her. Never said a cross word. I simply did as she asked and walked away—blaming myself for the wedge driven between us. But, things had changed… I had changed. I wanted what was left of my family back in my life. To have a relationship with my brother and sister that was filled with laughter and love instead of bitterness and hatred. To be able to tell Grace and Jonathon about Bryce and how I met cousins we didn't know existed. To explain the reasons I acted the way I did back then and listen as they spoke of theirs. To close the gaping hole lingering between us. Repair the burnt bridges that were keeping us apart. To feel like siblings who cared instead of enemies ignoring each other. "I wasn't being selfish," I whispered. Letting the flowers slip from my grip and fall to the ground. "I was trying to protect you and…" "And your failure cost mom and dad their lives!" Grace snapped, spinning around to glare at me with narrowed bloodshot eyes and balled fists, "It took them away and they're never coming back!" Somewhere inside of me, I knew it wasn't my fault. I knew the blame wasn't mine to carry. But, the truth was buried too deep. It was tucked too far away, in an unreachable corner of my mind and Grace's accusation felt more like the truth than a lie—a delusion that stole my words and left me speechless. But, Grace's hate filled words continued to spew from her mouth. "It's your fault that they died! Your fault that they're never coming back! And, it's all because you couldn't keep your mouth shut! So, don't stand there and act like you were trying to protect us when the truth is you were only looking out for yourself! You only cared about yourself and what was happening to you. And, you never once thought about anyone else! Never care about anyone other than yourself! Your life was about Haven and Haven only! " "I never told anyone… never said a word about… but, he accused me of doing so and said that mom and dad's death was punishment for breaking my promise to him. For sharing our secret with someone when I should have kept my mouth shut. Then, he went on to complain about the trouble he went through to find odorless propane and how hard it was to switch out the tanks. But, I never… I didn't break my promise. I kept my mouth shut, took your place more times than I can count and dealt with his abuse on my own. Turning only to myself for comfort, but I was a child back then too. A scared little girl trying to protect my sister and brother's innocence, while mine was being ripped away! Doing everything I could think of to keep you and Jonathon away from him and accepting the fact that you both hated me for doing so. So, you can point your finger at me if that makes you feel better. Blame me for losing mom and dad, but don't accuse me of thinking of nobody but myself. Don't accuse me of always putting my wants and needs first. And, don't accuse me of being heartless for doing what I did in order to protect you from that monster." Taking a deep breath, I stepped out of the shadow of the trees and removed my sunglasses. Allowing Grace to see my eyes…to see the hurt and pain they held inside. "Because that isn't the truth and you know it." "But, you didn't end up protecting anyone other than yourself. Chester still found a way to get to me. He still managed to destroy mine and Jonathon's life. And the only thing you did about it was run away. Tucking your tail and disappearing into the darkness like a coward when we needed you the most. You're the oldest. The one who was supposed to be there to tell us that everything would be okay, that it wasn't our fault. That mom and dad wouldn't want us to blame ourselves for their death. But, you failed, Haven! You failed! And it's too late now. Jonathon and I have moved on. We grew up without you and we don't want you in our lives now. So, just go back to wherever you've been and forget you ever had siblings. Forget our names, faces, and all that has to do with us. Because as far as Jonathon and I are concerned, we no longer have a sister… we agreed a long time ago that she too died in the explosion that night." Grace's words ripped through my soul. Spilling tears from my eyes and lodging a lump in my throat. Shredding my heart and destroying my hopes of ever mending our relationship, but I wasn't ready to give up and walk away. "I'm sorry for never explaining my actions—for letting you and Jonathon believe that I was only thinking about myself. I apologize for not being there when you both needed me and I am sorry I left the way I did. Without even saying good-bye, but I swear to you that I did it to keep the both of you safe. I knew that he… that Chester would chase after me. Make it his goal in life to hunt me down and slaughter me like a wild beast. And by doing so, I knew he wouldn't be around to hurt you anymore. But, now things are different. The hunter has become the prey and he's the one running… hiding from me. Knowing that one day, I will find him. And when I do, he will pay for all the destruction, theft, and pain he has caused us." "Then you need to get back to your hunt because all you're doing here is wasting time. I'm not interested in your apologies. Nor, do I want to hear you lecture me about how you were trying to protect us! I just want you to leave and never come back!" Grace roared as she spun around and stared at the black Chevy truck that was speeding down what was once our gravel driveway. "It's about time," Grace mumbled under her breath,then looked at me over her shoulder. "My ride's here and I have to go, but I meant what I said. You're dead to me,Haven. You're dead." "Please don't…"