An Interview with Blaize Nolynne: Author

 

Sylvia: Welcome Blaize.  Please give our readers an introduction of yourself and a little about your book.

Author Blaize Nolynne

Photo Credit: Blaize Nolynne

Blaize: I am Blaize Nolynne, a feisty young author from Maine.  I graduated high school and went straight to the Children’s Institute of Literature.  After graduating in June of 2009 I went back and decided to further my writing skills to tune them in for adult genre.  I love animals!  I have bunnies and two Dalmatian/chocolate lab mix puppies.  I originally wrote ‘Firefighter Down, District One’ under ‘District One Stand by the Captain’s Case’ which was self-published in 2010.  It then was picked up by a publishing company and the journey has begun as ‘Firefighter Down, District One’ the firefighting series.

Firefighter Down, District One’ is about my main character suffering from PTSD from which she gets when her house is set on fire and she watches her firefighter father die saving her.  Years go by in which the fire marshal does not solve the case.  Determined she wants to know who killed her father, even though people try to tell her this is not a good idea.”

This quotes the back of the book told by Catisha Spadoni, the main character.

Life isn’t promised. When the tones go off you never know who needs you the most or even worst, who will you set your own life down for. My father was a captain who set his life down for me in a fire. Now it is my duty to find out how that fire started and who started it. The guy that killed my father didn’t just kill him in a normal way, he him with his worst nightmare. My father wasn’t killed by a gang shooting or an accident, he was killed in the most painful way this person knew how to kill my father. He unleashed the animal on him and me. I am not talking about an animal like a wild or domestic animal; I am talking about the elemental animal, the one known as fire. Fire is a living breathing thing that destroys and hates. By day and trade my father was a mechanic, but by blood he was a firefighter. He may not have been the president, but he was my hero. I was proud to say my hero wore bunker pants. I always wanted to catch the guy that killed my father.

 

Sylvia: What inspired you to write your first book?

Blaize:  I was inspired to write ‘Firefighter Down, District One’ because my father was a volunteer firefighter for 15 years.  I felt as if all I had seen and grew up with a great base for a fictional book.

 

Sylvia: Why did you choose a female firefighter as your main character and what makes her different?

Blaize: I chose a female firefighter because it felt as if it fit.  There are thousands of female firefighters out there every day risking their lives.

Catisha Spadoni is a very independent woman who is smart and loves her job.  She doesn’t take anyone telling her what to do very lightly.

 

Sylvia: Where does your story take place and why is this important to you?

Blaize: The story is surrounded by a fictional town called ‘Standlynn, Maine’. It is very important to me because in a sense parts of it was my own childhood town where I grew up, but I also got to intertwine other aspects in it.  The other major place that is mentioned is New York City when she goes to the Fire Academy.

Firefighter Down, District One by Blaize Nolynne

Image Credit: Blaize Nolynne

 

Sylvia: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

Blaize:  There are several messages I put in my novel, one being life is not promised, another is the fact that if you heart is determined to do something, you can do it!

 

Sylvia: Do you have any advice for other writers?

Blaize:  Don’t do it to be the next biggest thing, but because you love to write and you have a story to tell.  If this is your dream and you love to do it never allow rejection get in the way.  Believe in yourself and keep reaching for your dreams!

 

Sylvia: That’s great advice. What marketing techniques have you used to sell your books and which ones have been most successful?

Blaize:  My best marketing technique is blog interviews.  I have been on radio and enjoyed it and I am scheduled to also appear on a television channel in Colorado.  It is quite amazing how the internet has helped me with marketing.

 

Sylvia: Yes, the internet is an amazing way for authors and business owners to market. It makes good sense to take advantage of FREE to low cost opportunities. Why should we buy your book?

Blaize: Part of the proceeds go to the National Fallen Firefighter Foundation and the 9/11 Fund.  It may not bring loved ones back, but it is my way of helping.

 

Sylvia: That is very noble of you. It makes you feel good to support such an important cause. Is there a special place that you prefer when you write?

Blaize: I write in my office surrounded by my pets and pictures of my loved ones.  I find it very relaxing there.  I do have a tendency in the summer to go out with my laptop and enjoy the sun while writing.

 

Sylvia: I love sitting on my back porch and glancing at my rose garden.  What projects are you currently working on?

Blaize: I am working on book three out of the series.  The sequel is already in the hands of the publisher and will be out shortly!

 

Sylvia: What is your POWER WORD? Why this word?

Blaize Nolynne: ‘Strength’- without strength you never have the courage of going on.

 

Sylvia:  Strength…

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”  Harriet Tubman

 

Blaize, thank you for allowing us into your life and learning more about your book and cause!  Please share your social media and book contact information.

Blaize:  Thank you for also having me!  I am quite honored to have been interviewed by you!

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