I love to learn from others. I get to invite some fellow authors, writers and poets to visit my blog and share their writing journey (and book) with you.

Author interview with Camille Haight- author of The Powers of Influence

When did you begin your writing journey?
Well that is hard to answer. I have always loved to write.
I can remember my dad encouraging me to keep at it when I was a kid. I became focused at around fourteen when I started my first real story. Then of course boys took a priority for a little while and writing fell away for a time. I never took it seriously until much later as an adult. After I completed my first novel, The Powers of Influence, I decided to go back to school to hone my skills. I am not sure I would have done it if not for the support of my husband. He wholeheartedly believes in me, and my talent for storytelling.
Not long after I started school, my novel was accepted by Kokonutlime books, for publication.

Please share about your book.
The Powers of Influence is the first book in my new series, is full or surprising twists, heart pounding excitement, and a test of love between two people that are destined to be together. Cade Werren,
born a werewolf more than two hundred years before is no stranger to the unpredictability that accompanies the secret world of the super natural. With the help of his friends, Cade commits himself to helping the alluring Collett, who has no memory of her past, no matter the cost. Only Cade doesn’t count on the cost being his heart.
In this suspension packed series based in a modern, supernatural world of werewolves, magic, and intrigue, Collett is far more than she appears, and develops some serious paranormal talents that has everyone wondering who she really is. Not to mention Cade has dark hidden secrets of his own. To save Collett, Cade finds himself forced to face his darkest and most painful secret, and both of them would soon discover the power of hope and love. Will that hope be enough to ensure victory, or will the past destroy them both?

What is the best advice you have received about writing?

I think the best advice I ever received came from my husband. He told me once, “If you want to achieve your dreams, you must first believe them possible.” Throughout the process of getting, The Powers of Influence published I have experienced many ups and downs, but I never gave up on my dream.

What was your biggest challenge in writing this book?

-I think the biggest challenge I face is grammar. Sometimes the ideas flow out so fast that I don’t pay attention to the result as it comes out. It is a case of having my thoughts move faster than my fingers. It has taken significant efforts, and several good
friends to clean it up enough to be ready for publishing.

What has been your greatest reward in writing this
book?
I would have to say the journey itself. During this process
I have had so much support from all the people that matter most in my life. I have learned that love and support like that can be inspiring and life changing.

Most writers are readers. What book is on your
“to-read” list?
For the most part though I love fantasy fiction. R.A. Salvatore, and any of his books are on the top of my list of favorites. His Dark elf series is truly inspired, and no author can write a better epic action scene then he can. One of the reasons I love his stories so much is because, each of his characters are connected and easy to connect to. He has a way of bringing you into this
magical world of the Forgotten Realms, and making it all feel so real. His characters are so well-developed sometimes you find yourself feeling for the bad guy like Artemis, or Obould’s Orcs, simply because you understand them, and the unfair hand they were dealt from birth. Other authors and books I have come to love over the years, include, Elaine Cunningham and the Songs and
Swords series, Christopher Paolini and the Inheritance Cycle, and
Nora Roberts for her romantic side and the paranormal stories that come from it. I also love stories by Gerald Lund, including his Work and The Glory, series , and Undaunted. More favorites include J.R.R. Tolkien for Lord of the Rings, and C.S. Lewis for the Chronicles of Narnia.

Where can readers find out more about you and your
book? (add inblog/website/social media links)

You can check in with me at my website http://cbhaight.org/
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/cbhaight.net?ref=hl
Twitter-@cbhaight
Google + https://plus.google.com/u/1/103060776028816644351/posts
They can also see my teaser at http://youtu.be/Wk7-EeYsk00

Question for fun sake—what was your favorite childhood toy and why?
Oh well, my favorite childhood toy, was a cute little doll with black hair that looked and felt real. She was a gift given to me on my
5th birthday I think. I named her Sarah, and she went wherever I
could take her. She had a cute little jumper that was yellow, and I can remember how real her faced looked. At the time she was my favorite because I wanted to be just like my mom. I even remember sitting in a chair next to my mom as she rocked my little sister and copying her.

Author Bio
Camille Bateman Haight, was born and raised in Sandy, Utah. She was born the fourth child in a family with eight children. “I grew up in a loving home full of great people. My parents taught me great things, among them was first, a love of God. Second, a love of family, and third, a belief in honing and using one’s talents.”
From a very early age her father taught her a love of literature.
She was encouraged to read books on her summer vacations, and write a
book report on each one. Her father pushed her to learn new vocabulary words regularly to further her foundation. Her grandmother also had that same love of classic novels and poetry she read to young children at elementary schools and loved to read to all her grandchildren. Her love and influence just added to Camille’s fondness of good story telling.Camille started writing stories as a hobby at the age of twelve, but never understood how much she truly loved it until much later in her life. After the sudden passing of her mother Camille felt the need to pursue her dream of writing powerful stories, was more important than ever. Now as an adult, she has turned that love of literature into something more.
After Completing Book one in The Trilogy of Hope, Camille
knew she wanted more. With her Husband’s encouragement and to fully
excel and expand on her new found love she decided to return to school to obtain her degree in communications. She diligently attended University of Phoenix, where she honed her communication skills. She used every class attended to expand on what she already knew, and used it to become a better writer.As a mother of four beautiful girls, Camille discovered her foundation once again, and with the wonderful support of her husband began to carve out the time to write seriously. In the excitement of watching The Trilogy of Hope unfold before her, Camille understood for the first time the simple satisfaction that comes with following your dreams. Upon completing it she went straight to work on another one, and so it went.
Her love of a good story can be seen within each chapter of her
books. “A good story should pull at you from within, and bring forth a bond between you and the Characters as if they truly are you best friend or most hated foe. A good story will make you laugh out loud, or have tears slipping down your cheeks. A story should feel real, and engage you on every level,” Says Camille.Today Camille lives in southern Utah with her husband and young children, where she continues to pour herself into her stories. “I will write until I have nothing left, or until my fingers give up on me.” She said, knowing that for her, a good story is at the core of so many of
life’s memorable moments.