A.F. Presson - An Ethereal World of Magic, Adventure, Love & Laughter
Southern girl at heart, A.F. Presson has harbored a deep love for fiction her entire life. Suspense, romance, and fantasy novels have all had a substantial influence in her writing today. An avid fan of music and Broadway, the arts have always possessed a piece of her heart and she embraces the opportunity to enter the world of literature. As our Author of the Day, she tells us all about her book, Interference.
Please give us a short introduction to what Interference is about.
Interference follows Mercy Monroe, who grew up in isolation, away from the truth about her family and extraordinary power. After several unexplained incidents, her mother places her in an institution where she realizes the other patients are more like her than she thought.
What inspired you to write about a young woman who discovers her destiny and possible soul mate after being institutionalized?
I wanted to tell the story of a young woman who had been through issues that teenagers deal with today. Self-image, bullying, family drama . . . I also wanted to show her growth throughout the novel and hopefully, the reader will be fulfilled by the young woman Mercy turns out to be.
Why fantasy and romance? What drew you to the genre?
There aren’t many genres that I don’t read. My first novel, Blind Trust, is a women’s fiction novel about human trafficking. Fantasy is the first genre that drew me into the fictional world and I love the escape from reality. As far as romance—you’ll find a heavy romantic subplot in every book I write.
Tell us more about Mercy. What makes her so special?
The thing I love most about Mercy is that she doesn’t see herself the way everyone else does. She’s beautiful, athletic, and gifted, but all she has heard her entire life is that she isn’t good enough. I love her drive. Most would envy the amount of power she wields, but I love that she never gives up, no matter what she goes through.
Interesting symbol on the cover, please tell us more about it.
The symbols represent the gifts Regalians hold, they are marked by the sign of their soul mate.
This is Book 1 of a series. Can it be read as a standalone? How do the other books in this series tie in with this one?
Right now, we are planning three. It can be read as a stand-alone, but I think the reader will be eager to continue Mercy’s story when they see what happens . . .
What is your favorite line from the book and why?
“Brennan, yer face that sour ye could make yer own yoghurt!”
Drunk Irishmen always make me smile.
Readers say the story is fast-paced. How did you pull this off?
I think the key to any story is to keep the story moving, whether it’s action, relationships or growth in the lives of your characters—don’t let it come across as boring everyday life. People read to get away from real life.
Do any of your characters ever take off on their own tangent, refusing to do what you had planned for them?
Honestly, I never have a plan. I have an idea of where the story will go, but it changes with every line. I just go with it and let my characters lead me.
Do you have any interesting writing habits? What is an average writing day like for you?
I write 2-3 days a week, usually on my back porch, maybe two hours at a time. It’s a huge stress reliever! When a story comes to me, I have to sit down and write it immediately. I can’t focus on another series even if I need to.
What are you working on right now?
I’m almost finished with a Christmas novel dedicated to my two boys, Roman and Isaac, and I’ve begun to put ideas together for the third Trust Series novel.
Where can our readers discover more of your work or interact with you?
I’m probably the most active on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. I also have a website where you can subscribe to a monthly newsletter that includes release dates and deleted scenes.
