Bio

I write stories about magick, love and dark creatures lurking in the shadows. When I'm not lost in Edit Land you can find me reading a book from my towering TBR pile or at the movie theater nibbling licorice. I don't have a lucky number, but my favorite time is 11:11. I completely believe that the fortunes found inside cookies will come true and that you must be careful when wishing on stars. I live on an island, so if you want to visit you'll need a boat, and if you want to survive the passage, be sure to bring candy for the mermaids.  

SIX MINUTES WITH TIFFANY DAUNE:

Today, LitPick is joined by Tiffany Daune for Six Minutes with an Author! Tiffany, who lives on an island, is the author of the recently released Corral & Bone.

How did you get started writing?

I really started writing once I was in high school.  However, when I graduated I pursued other interests. I still scribbled story ideas in journals and often wrote poetry, but it wasn't until seven years ago did I start writing with the intent of publishing my work.

Who influenced you?

My grandmother always said I should be writer. She was the first to introduce books into my life, and I'm forever grateful. As for my writing, I read everything I could get my hands on. I was and still am never without a book.

Do you have a favorite book/subject/character/setting?

I love anything fantasy or paranormal.  I prefer fantasy with an urban feel to it, like Cassandra Clare's The Mortal Instruments series. I also enjoy a good dystopian like Tahereh Mafi's Shatter Me series. Overall, magic and a little love hook me every time.

What advice do you have for someone who wants to be an author?

Read, write and repeat. Dive into as many books as possible and engage in the practice of writing every day. You don't always need a direction, just start and let the story take you there. I wrote so many novels that I would never dream of publishing, but I learned a lot from each one. Writing is not about perfection, but about being open to learning each time you sit down to write. Enjoy the journey! 

Where is your favorite place to write?

I like to write at home. I have this super cool chaise lounge that looks like it belongs in a sci-fi movie. I like to curl up on it with a cup of tea, my blanket and of course some chocolate. Sometimes I'll go down to the beach to outline or brainstorm, but I'm easily distracted and can often end up taking pics or collecting sea glass instead of working. I'm more focused at home.   

What else would you like to tell us?

If you want to be a writer, then do it. It's a simple as that. You don't have to be published to be a writer. You can keep a journal, write poetry or start a blog. Never let anyone discourage you from your dreams. 

Tiffany, thank you for spending six minutes with LitPick! You have given excellent encouragement to writers with your answer to the last question.

Just for Fun                                                                          

Coral & Bone Dream Cast

Halen ~ Halie Steinfeld

Dax ~ Alex Pettyfyer

Tage ~ Chloe Moretz

Ezra ~ Soto Fukushi

Coral & Bone Epic Playlist

Born to Die ~ Lana Del Rey

Clarity ~ Zedd

Breathing Underwater ~ Metric

Dark Horse ~ Katy Perry

Monster ~ Eminem ft. Rihanna

Light Em Up ~ Fall Out Boys

Burn ~ Ellie Goulding

Can you tell me a little bit about your book and what inspired it?

I love mermaids and magick, so I thought why not bring them together. Of course I couldn't leave out shape shifters and sirens. I also love fantasy realms and worlds. Heck my husband says I live in one, so why not write about one? Coral & Bone is set in the Earth realm and the underwater realm of Elosia and is a meld of all my years of watching Disney movies and thrillers.

The Etlins in Coral & Bone are shifters. If you could be a shifter what animal would you want to be and why?

A crow because they are wickedly smart and eerie.  

Why mermaids?

You know when someone reads you a story as a child and it sticks with you forever?  Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Mermaid was that story for me.  I love the original and I adore the Disney version. But, it wasn't until I watched Pirates of the Caribbean on Stranger Tides did I find my mermaid muse for Coral & Bone. 

Can you share a little about the current title you are working on?

I'm currently writing book two of the Coral & Bone series. I hadn't planned on writing a series, but the novel evolved and I found there was so much more I wanted to explore with Halen and Dax's characters. In book two, I'm taking my main character Halen on one heck of a ride, so she better hang on! 

What is one of your favorite quotes?

Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times if one only remembers to turn on the light. ~ Albus Dumbledore

Excerpt from Coral & Bone

"Yes, I'm scared! What's wrong with being scared? You make me sound strong. Well, I'm not. You've seen how well I handle magick." Sparks ignited at the tips of her fingers as she almost shouted at him, not giving him a chance to respond. Her voice rang loudly, echoing throughout the cavern. "I'm angry. I'm hurt. I've taken an overdose of confused, and you want me to defeat some demon?" She pumped her fist, trying to shake the static energy now flowing under her skin. "Right now I'm my own worst enemy." She couldn't hold back any longer. With a flick of her finger, she summoned the river to rise up into a towering wave. She clenched her fist, and the water crashed on the rocks, spraying them with a cold mist. "I'm not what you think I am."

Praise for Coral & Bone

"I couldn’t stop reading this book from the moment I clicked on the first page. The characters seemed so real and when I thought maybe at the end of the page I could put the book down, something incredible would happen and I’d have to keep going. I absolutely loved Halen and of course who couldn’t love Dax? There was plenty of action and adventure and I loved all the magick as well. I hope there is more to come. Coral and Bone is a book that I would most definitely recommend to all of my friends and any magick lover out there. You won’t be disappointed with this amazing read."     Samantha Rivera for Readers’ Favorite  Five Star Review

" There is nothing unatrractive about this book! The cover is stunning, and what lay beneath the cover was just as amazing. I was expecting the best and what I got was better. Tiffany Daune created a world in which the impossible is made real, and what you thought was fact is not what it seems. I was drawn into this book and enjoyed the twists it took.

Daune's writing is simply beautiful and had almost a lyrical quality to it. Every realm was marvellouly done and readign the book was like stepping into the world she had created. What was aslo wonderfully unique was she didn't just touch on one thing, she tried Merramaids, Sirens, Shifters and so much magick. What was wonderful is that all of these elements seemed to flow together seamlessly, and it was like they were meant to be and just no one noticed until this talented Indie. Basically the world buildign was simply delicious and made it so much easier to devour."    Tiffany Mahafy for Evie's Bookish Blogspot Five Star Review