Dishing Up An Order of Seven

Guess what? We’ve got a visitor today! A gal who has recently published her very first book. And it’s a doozy.

I am thrilled to introduce you to the engagingly witty author of the  “gripping, smart, electric”  work of fiction – Order of Seven.

Everyone – this is Beth Teliho.

Beth and I first connected online. She shares her thoughts and observations over on her hugely successful Writer B Is Me blog. When I learned she was stepping out and writing a book I was thrilled. Beth in hard copy! Yay!

And what is the little gem she has created?

Let’s top up her glass while I share the official synopsis of the Order of Seven.

Eighteen-year-old Devi Bennett is surrounded by mysteries: her unknown heritage, a recurring dream about an African tribal ceremony, an inexplicable attachment to a certain tree and a psychic ability she’ll never understand—unless she finds her biological parents.
Things take a shocking turn when she meets Baron, an intense and alluring energy healer who receives prophetic dreams which all seem connected to her. Devi must rely on an empath, a seer, and Baron to help research her roots to discover who she is and what she is capable of. But when Baron’s visions lead to an ancient legend which may link to her birthright, Devi learns her gift is more imperative than she thought imaginable.
Equal parts suspenseful and sexy, philosophical and adventurous, Order of Seven delivers a story that will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew about the hands that carry fate.

I was hooked from the very first page. It’s a “oh, just one more chapter” page turner.   While classified as young-adult fiction I’d recommend Order of Seven as a refreshingly original read for everyone.

Pssst, Beth – I’ll admit it was challenging to come up with questions that didn’t reveal too much of the plot. Forgive me if my inquiries tend to lean towards your personal background and the writing technique side of things rather than the actual story.

Dishing Up An Order of Seven

Kelly: I can so relate to Devi’s reaction to the revelation of her true situation, of feeling “like a fucking foreign exchange student.” While the world of science is truly a foreign language to me, I suspect it comes naturally to you. True?

Beth: True! My degree is in Environmental Science. During my time in college, I inhaled every single science class they offered (aside from advanced physics), in all disciplines (i.e. geology, volcanology, biology, astronomy, global climate change, etc.). I’m fascinated with anthropology and archaeology as well, but the extent of my knowledge from those comes from the Discovery and Smithsonian channels. Haha.

When beta readers read my first draft, I received feedback that they didn’t understand a lot of the terms I used. When revising, I had to either use layman’s terms, or define the word, or strike it altogether so that my readers wouldn’t feel like fucking foreign exchange students.

Kelly: The voice throughout is that of an 18/19-year-old. Was that difficult to maintain?

Beth: No, because that’s basically my maturity level. Hahaha I will say there were a few times my editor had to remind me about word choices, though. I’d do an entire sentence like I’d say it, and it wouldn’t be consistent with Devi’s voice.

Kelly: The plot is steeped in symbolism. Without revealing plot details, the spiral symbol features prominently “not only in archaeology” but in the book – both on the pages and in the plot.  What drew you to choose this?

Beth: That came towards the end, actually. I was looking for a particular symbol that could be tied to the book as a whole. While researching Chaco Canyon, I noticed the spiral symbol in a photo and remembered I’d seen it among the Nazca lines, and other archaeological sites as well. Bada bing, bada boom…I found it everywhere and it became the symbol that tied everything together.

So many things fell into place like that. I would be researching something like “tree of life” or “large trees” and find the El Arbor del Tule, which is located right where the (fictional) tribes exist in the novel, and then I see that animal figures can be seen in the bark and branches and they’re the same ones I’d chosen for Baron. I can’t tell you how many times I got chills while doing research. So many uncanny coincidences. It was both freaky and amazing.

Kelly: Joe goes to interesting lengths to explain his vision of religion. Do he and your thoughts align?

Beth: Uhhh, yes. I basically spoke through Joe. I wanted him to open Devi’s eyes to the idea of agnosticism, mainly because I wanted to plant the seed that fighting over religion is futile and ridiculous. We (humans) should respect each other’s beliefs rather than condemning each other for not believing what we think is The Only Right Way. And this goes for everything, not just religion.

Kelly: Did you draw on any of your friends, acquaintances, family members and/or enemies for the characters? If so, which character(s)?

Beth: This question makes me smile because, yes, I did. I based some of Joe’s characteristics on my dad. Enough so that he recognized himself when he read it.

Kelly: After finishing the book, I feel I am in dire need of a reread to clarify certain plot twists. I am so curious about your writing process. How were the events revealed to you? Did they unfold as you wrote or did you have the whole plot mapped out in your head when this puppy was conceived?

Beth: 85% of it revealed itself to me as I wrote. I like writing like that. I typically have a skeleton of an outline when I start and the rest fills in, a lot of which I cut during revisions, only keeping what’s necessary for the plot (I cut over 60,000 words from the first draft!) More often than not, the story surprised me by writing itself.

Kelly: What question have you not been asked yet in interviews but wish you had?

Beth: If I were to step into the life of any character for a month, which of the seven would I choose?

Answer: (Part of me wants to say Devi because then I get Baron all to myself, but I’ll refrain) I’d step into Keb’s life. I want to run through the forest at night like a badass ninja panther and be scared of nothing.

Kelly: And of course, will there be a sequel?

Beth: Maybe. Probably. Most likely. Perhaps.

Not trying to be annoyingly vague. That’s my honest response. I always intended for Order of Seven to be a stand alone, with the possibility of another novel with the runes. Whether or not I actually do it…well, that’s up to the runes. I’ll let you know what they tell me. They’re on a conference call discussing it at the moment, and as usual, I’m stuck on hold.

Ok – so don’t you be stuck on hold. You can buy Order of Seven on Amazon. And you can read more from Beth over on The Writer B is Me.

Thank you, Beth. Let’s open another, shall we?

Enough about me dishing up an Order of Seven. I’m curious about you.  Have you read Order of Seven? Do you think Devi and Baron are a permanent item? Do you read paranormal fiction? Do you have time to read? Or are you lucky enough to just slip out for a quick pee on your own? If you’d care to share, I’d love to hear.