Maria Savva's Blog, page 46
August 1, 2012
My Favourite Books: August Pick
This month, I have chosen a wonderful novel, one that I absolutely fell in love with. The characters are so realistic and the story had me hooked.
Crooked Moon by Lisette Brodey
Every once in a while you read a book and know it will be lifelong favourite. 'Crooked Moon' is one of those books for me. I also love the cover art.
Here's the review I wrote after I read it:
I really enjoyed this book.
Frankie and Callie were childhood best friends, more like sisters than friends, living next door to each other in Rainytown, a less than desirable neighbourhood. Their friendship was something that helped them through life's hard lessons. When Callie moved out of the neighbourhood she left her friend behind and always regretted doing so. Her life had changed and her social circle was not one where her friend would have felt comfortable. Twenty three years later, Callie is back in Rainytown after her Aunt's death, and the two girls meet again. Whilst Callie dearly wants her best friend back in her life, Frankie is bitter and resentful about the way Callie had written her out of her life years before. We follow their turbulent struggle to get their friendship back on track, and encounter many colourful and believable characters along the way. It's a very entertaining read and in parts is unputdownable. The ending is very moving.
All of the characters seem so real, it almost feels as though you are watching them living their lives as you read the book. By the end of the book I felt as if I really knew them.
The book is very well written. There is one small issue that was slightly distracting for me: when the author is describing characters' movements she does like to say 'left hand' or 'right hand', 'left foot' or 'right foot' when it really would suffice to say 'a hand' or 'his foot'. There are quite a few occurrences of this, e.g. 'he placed his right hand on her left shoulder' - too much information, sounds a bit clumsy and only slows down the action, in my opinion. But this is a very minor issue.
To sum up, this story is about everyday people and everyday lives and deals with subjects to which we can all relate; friendship, trust, loyalty, family secrets, bereavement, forgiveness.
Lisette Brodey has painted the characters in her novel like an artist with a brush, breathing life into them so that they come off the page. There is depth and insightfulness in her writing. There are many thought provoking passages throughout this fabulous work of fiction. I would highly recommend the book to lovers of great fiction.
I hope you'll give it a try!
Crooked Moon by Lisette Brodey
Every once in a while you read a book and know it will be lifelong favourite. 'Crooked Moon' is one of those books for me. I also love the cover art.
Here's the review I wrote after I read it:
I really enjoyed this book.
Frankie and Callie were childhood best friends, more like sisters than friends, living next door to each other in Rainytown, a less than desirable neighbourhood. Their friendship was something that helped them through life's hard lessons. When Callie moved out of the neighbourhood she left her friend behind and always regretted doing so. Her life had changed and her social circle was not one where her friend would have felt comfortable. Twenty three years later, Callie is back in Rainytown after her Aunt's death, and the two girls meet again. Whilst Callie dearly wants her best friend back in her life, Frankie is bitter and resentful about the way Callie had written her out of her life years before. We follow their turbulent struggle to get their friendship back on track, and encounter many colourful and believable characters along the way. It's a very entertaining read and in parts is unputdownable. The ending is very moving.
All of the characters seem so real, it almost feels as though you are watching them living their lives as you read the book. By the end of the book I felt as if I really knew them.
The book is very well written. There is one small issue that was slightly distracting for me: when the author is describing characters' movements she does like to say 'left hand' or 'right hand', 'left foot' or 'right foot' when it really would suffice to say 'a hand' or 'his foot'. There are quite a few occurrences of this, e.g. 'he placed his right hand on her left shoulder' - too much information, sounds a bit clumsy and only slows down the action, in my opinion. But this is a very minor issue.
To sum up, this story is about everyday people and everyday lives and deals with subjects to which we can all relate; friendship, trust, loyalty, family secrets, bereavement, forgiveness.
Lisette Brodey has painted the characters in her novel like an artist with a brush, breathing life into them so that they come off the page. There is depth and insightfulness in her writing. There are many thought provoking passages throughout this fabulous work of fiction. I would highly recommend the book to lovers of great fiction.
I hope you'll give it a try!
July 25, 2012
I've finally given in...
... yes, I'm going to promote my novel,Coincidences using the Amazon KDP Select Programme.
I wasn't sure whether or not to go for it; after all, it does mean my book is tied to a 90 day exclusivity clause with Amazon, so I can't sell the e-book version anywhere else during that time. But given that most of my e-book sales are from Amazon anyway, I thought I would give it a try.
With the KDP Select option, my book is now available to Amazon Prime members to lend from Amazon's lending library. So if you're a member, please check out the book.
As part of the KDP Select programme, I can offer my book as a free Kindle download for a maximum of 5 days during the 90 day period.
This is one of the things that attracted me to KDP in the first place, because Amazon is a very powerful company and promotion on the site can help considerably with getting an author's name out there. As you can imagine, with millions of books available on the site, it's hard for an independent writer to sell even a few books. Using the free promotion, in theory more people will download the book and therefore it will be more visible on Amazon's bestseller lists, hopefully leading to more sales in the long run.
This is where you lovely people come in...
If you would be so kind as to take a minute to download my book for free from Amazon this Saturday 28th July or Sunday 29th July, it would help greatly. You don't even have to read it if you don't want to, but your download will make it more visible to people who may want to read it, as it will be higher up on the bestseller lists.
If you read it and review it, that would be even better, as reviews do help to sell books, too.
Here are the links you will need on Saturday and Sunday to download the book for FREE!! :)
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Coincidences-eb...
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Coincidences-...
And don't forget to tell all your friends!
Thank you, in advance, and I hope you enjoy the book :)
I wasn't sure whether or not to go for it; after all, it does mean my book is tied to a 90 day exclusivity clause with Amazon, so I can't sell the e-book version anywhere else during that time. But given that most of my e-book sales are from Amazon anyway, I thought I would give it a try.
With the KDP Select option, my book is now available to Amazon Prime members to lend from Amazon's lending library. So if you're a member, please check out the book.
As part of the KDP Select programme, I can offer my book as a free Kindle download for a maximum of 5 days during the 90 day period.
This is one of the things that attracted me to KDP in the first place, because Amazon is a very powerful company and promotion on the site can help considerably with getting an author's name out there. As you can imagine, with millions of books available on the site, it's hard for an independent writer to sell even a few books. Using the free promotion, in theory more people will download the book and therefore it will be more visible on Amazon's bestseller lists, hopefully leading to more sales in the long run.
This is where you lovely people come in...
If you would be so kind as to take a minute to download my book for free from Amazon this Saturday 28th July or Sunday 29th July, it would help greatly. You don't even have to read it if you don't want to, but your download will make it more visible to people who may want to read it, as it will be higher up on the bestseller lists.
If you read it and review it, that would be even better, as reviews do help to sell books, too.
Here are the links you will need on Saturday and Sunday to download the book for FREE!! :)
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Coincidences-eb...
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Coincidences-...
And don't forget to tell all your friends!
Thank you, in advance, and I hope you enjoy the book :)
July 24, 2012
Introducing author, Susan Buchanan, plus your chance to win a copy of her debut novel, Sign of The Times!
I am excited to be introducing you to a great new author I recently met on Twitter. Susan Buchanan's debut novel was released this March, and she has plans to release a new book in September.
I really enjoyed her novel, Sign of the Times, it's definitely one you should all add to your to-read lists here on Goodreads.
Susan has not only agreed to answer my interview questions, but has also generously agreed to give away an ebook copy of Sign of the Times in either pdf, .epub or .prc
To enter for your chance to win, please either 'Like' this blog post or leave a comment for Susan below.
Right, here are Susan's Replies to my interview questions:
Sign of the Times is all about the lives of 12 main characters who each have different signs of the Zodiac. Take us through your thought process when you first thought of writing the book. Did you decide to write a book about 12 characters with different star signs, initially, or was that something that developed as you were writing the book?
I came up with the idea of the 12 characters based on the 12 signs first. I then started researching the traits of each of those signs and built up my characters accordingly, including their jobs, careers, quirks and personalities.
How did you make sure that each character stayed true to the typical characteristics of a particular star sign? Did you base them on people you knew who were that particular sign, or did you have another method?
I did a lot of research! And if I wasn’t sure, then I would go back and check to be sure. No-one is based on anyone I know. For me that was part of the fun, as I got to make everyone up. The only one who is slightly based, from a characteristic point of view, on someone I know, is Holly who has many of the same traits as myself, since I am Sagittarius too. But that’s about as far a parallel as I can draw and Holly herself is not based on me.
Do you read your Horoscope?
No, I used to years ago when I was at school, but haven’t since.
Have you always been interested in Star Signs and Astrology, or is it something you researched for the book?
Nope, no interest in star signs or astrology, just something I liked as an idea and then researched extensively
One of the characters, Holly, is a travel writer and in the book she goes to Italy. Have you ever travelled to the places she visits in the book?
Yes – Bibbiena is a real place and I went there, I think the summer before I started writing Sign of the Times. I rented a villa with some friends and the village completely captivated me. I’ve also been to Lucerne, which is also featured in the book, although it’s Holly’s sister who goes there. I like to write travel sections, if possible, from experience, which is easy enough as I have been lucky enough to have travelled a lot.
From our conversations on Twitter, I'm aware that you are fluent in quite a few languages. Do you have a favourite language that you speak? If so, what is it you like about it?
Yes, I speak 5 languages. Italian is my favourite, closely followed by Spanish. I am almost native speaker level in Italian and I love the fact that I get treated with respect when I go to Italy, as they are so delighted that a foreigner speaks Italian! That’s when they do realise I am not Italian! But, I simply love the sound of the language. For me, it’s the whole package that counts - the language, the culture, the people. That’s why I love Italian and Italy so much.
Given that you know quite a few languages, do you have any plans to translate your book into other languages?
No, it’s not in the pipeline. I’d still need to pay someone to translate my book(s), as although I am very fluent, the rule is you only translate from your native language into the foreign language. If any of my books ever seriously take off, then of course I will look at it again.
Although your character, Holly, is a Sagittarius, I've heard you say that she is not based on you. As a writer, I know that we put a bit of ourselves in every character we write. Which one of the characters in Sign of the Times would you say you can relate to the most and why?
Yes, as I mentioned earlier, Holly is similar to me, in that she is a typical Sagittarius. Truly none of my characters are based on me, although some scenes or anecdotes in some of each character’s chapters could be based on things that have happened to me. For example, when Jennifer is buying stuff off Ebay, some of those items were items I genuinely did sell on Ebay! A particular anecdote about Maggie’s mother is based on my mother – that kind of thing.
If you had to spend a day with one of the characters from Sign of the Times, which one would it be and why?
Mmmm…probably Ben – he is lovely. Very good looking in a rugged, sexy, mountain-rescue volunteer way, kind, hard-working and knows how to treat a girl!
At the end of your book, it states that you will be writing a sequel. I have to say, I was very happy when I read that. I think your book really lets us get to know all the main characters well, and I'd love to follow them and find out what happens to them. Do you think you'll end up writing a series of books, or are you only planning a sequel at the moment?
Thanks – I’m glad you feel that way. As you might remember, Sign of the Times was originally meant as a stand-alone novel. Only because of the overwhelming support from readers, did I decide to write a sequel. It has been pointed out to me that there is so much material in the original novel, that I could in fact write several additional books. I think I will write the sequel, for which I already have several ideas and then see how it goes. Let’s put it this way, I am not ruling out a series!
The Dating Game, your next novel, is due to be published in September. Can you tell us a little bit about that and your inspiration for the story?
Yes, hopefully I can get it out for Sep 30th. The Dating Game is about Recruitment Consultant, Gill, who joins a dating agency for professional people, as her love life is a complete disaster area. The idea comes from a friend of mine, who did just such a thing a few years ago. However, that’s where the similarity ends. Gill’s experience is much more positive, in some ways, than my friend’s was.
Here’s a little mini-blurb for The Dating Game:-
Workaholic recruitment consultant, Gill McFadden, is sick of her friends trying to match-make for her. Up until now her love life has been a disaster and she’s going through a drier spell than the Sahara desert. Seeing an ad on a bus one day, she decides to visit Happy Ever After dating agency. Before long she is experiencing laughs, lust and… could it be love? But like everything in Gill’s life, nothing is straightforward and she ends up wondering exactly who she can trust.
Are you reading a book at the moment?
I’m reading a few books at the moment . I tend to do that…
Today I have been reading on Kindle, Build A Man by Talli Roland – a fluffy, funny, chick-lit book
Am also reading the paperback of I Remember You by Harriet Evans, which is good, but I have been reading mainly on Kindle recently
And lastly I am reading from a crime/jewel heist/security breach perspective, Seumas Gallacher’s The Violin Man's Legacy
Which well-known authors do you admire and why?
Maeve Binchy, as she writes such well-rounded characters and she was a great inspiration for how I wanted my characters to come across to the readers
Carlos Ruiz Zafón, as he really takes me deep into Barcelona, which I already know well, with his Shadow in the Wind series.
Dorothy Koomson as I love her writing style and breadth of subject matter – contemporary fiction as opposed to chick-lit.
Judi Picoult, I love how she always has a moral dilemma at the root of her novel.
Do you have any advice you can give to someone who may be thinking of self-publishing a book?
Do it! But be prepared to work harder than you’ve worked before – seriously!
Check out my blog – www.susancbuchanan.blogspot.co.uk for past posts on being an indie writer and marketing your novel.
Work out how to balance your time. Being an indie writer is a bit like becoming a parent for the first time (for the record, I don’t have any kids, but this is the analogy I am drawing!). You thought your life was going to change maybe 50%, but your life changes 99.9%
I know that you love classical music. Do you have a favourite piece of music?
I do. My fave piece is Shostakovich’s Romance.
How important are reviews to you?
Reviews are very important in some ways. When you are an author selling a book through Amazon, sales boost your rankings, but the way Amazon’s calculations work, so do positive reviews. So, I would always say, if you enjoy a book and you’re happy to do so, please leave a review for readers and the author to enjoy. Of course, everyone gets bad reviews and I read all of my reviews good and bad. But, the bottom line is you can’t please everyone. Everyone has different tastes. Personally, when I look at buying books, I generally don’t read reviews. I read the synopsis/product description and make up my own mind.
Sign of the Times is only available as an ebook on Kindle at the moment. Do you have plans to make it available in other formats or in paperback?
I am still toying with the idea of bringing out a paperback, but it has had to take a back seat for now until I get The Dating Game out as an ebook. I did look into Createspace earlier in the year, but it was so non-user friendly for UK authors. I’ve been reliably informed this has been dramatically improved, so will be looking into it again in a few months. I was also asked today about Sign of the Times for a Sony ereader. I hadn’t really given much thought to Sony ereaders (apart from almost buying one a few years ago), nor Nook etc. As I am part of Amazon KDP Select (which ties me in exclusively to Amazon for 90 day periods), there’s not really much I can do on that for now.
You have enrolled in KDP Select on Amazon. From your experience with this, would you encourage other authors to enroll their books?
Yes, although the situation is forever changing. A good friend of mine recently had an excellent free promo which is the main carrot for using KDP Select. I also had a lot of success with the programme following my promo in May, so yes, I can say that KDP Select works. One point to note though, don’t think just by enrolling in KDP Select that your book will start figuratively flying off the shelves. It won’t. You will have to market it – heavily.
Thanks for being a great guest, Sooz!
You can keep up with Susan's news on her blog: http://www.susancbuchanan.blogspot.co...
And her Facebook Author Page: http://www.facebook.com/susan.buchana...
Follow her on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Susan_Buchanan
You can buy her book on Kindle at the following links:
http://amzn.to/GKqZGd (UK) & http://amzn.to/IYN0Fc (US & other .com)
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Remember to 'like' this post or leave a comment below for your chance to win an ebook copy of Sign of the Times
A winner will be chosen on 16th August 2012.
July 19, 2012
New series on my blog: A-Z writing & self-publishing tips
I'm going to start a new series on my blog: my A-Z of Writing and Self-Publishing Tips. The first post from that series can be found on author K.B. Walker's blog.
Here's a link to the blog, where I have posted A-C, including tips about apostrophes, blogs, and writing contests.
http://nutsandcrisps.wordpress.com/20...
Enjoy!
Here's a link to the blog, where I have posted A-C, including tips about apostrophes, blogs, and writing contests.
http://nutsandcrisps.wordpress.com/20...
Enjoy!
July 14, 2012
Another chance to win a signed copy of Coincidences!
If you missed the last giveaway, don't worry, there is another chance for you to win a signed copy of my new release Coincidences
Author Darcia Helle recently interviewed me about the book, and is running a giveaway on her blog for the next couple of weeks. Here's the link you need: http://quietfurybooks.com/blog/2012/0...
It's a Rafflecopter giveaway, which makes it even easier to enter. For example, if you already follow me on Twitter or have liked my Facebook page, you can enter the giveaway with one click!
Good luck!
Author Darcia Helle recently interviewed me about the book, and is running a giveaway on her blog for the next couple of weeks. Here's the link you need: http://quietfurybooks.com/blog/2012/0...
It's a Rafflecopter giveaway, which makes it even easier to enter. For example, if you already follow me on Twitter or have liked my Facebook page, you can enter the giveaway with one click!
Good luck!
July 11, 2012
Want to win a signed copy of Coincidences?? :)
Read my latest interview at the "Feed My Need... For a Good Read" blog, and you can enter to win a shiny new paperback copy of Coincidences (2nd Edition). I will even sign it for you :)
Here's the link:
http://teacherwritebookaholicohmy.blo...
Good luck!!
Here's the link:
http://teacherwritebookaholicohmy.blo...
Good luck!!
July 9, 2012
Coincidences - Second Edition, now available for Kindle!
I am very pleased to announce that my novel, Coincidences, is now available as a Kindle ebook!
As those of you who follow my writing already know, Coincidences was the first novel I wrote, way back in 1997. It was published exclusively in hardback in 2001. Now I'm happy that it is also available in paperback and as an ebook.
The second edition is a fully revised and edited edition that includes new scenes.
I hope you'll enjoy it! :)
Here are the amazon links:
US: http://www.amazon.com/Coincidences-eb...
UK: www.amazon.co.uk/Coincidences-ebook/d...
As those of you who follow my writing already know, Coincidences was the first novel I wrote, way back in 1997. It was published exclusively in hardback in 2001. Now I'm happy that it is also available in paperback and as an ebook.
The second edition is a fully revised and edited edition that includes new scenes.
I hope you'll enjoy it! :)
Here are the amazon links:
US: http://www.amazon.com/Coincidences-eb...
UK: www.amazon.co.uk/Coincidences-ebook/d...
July 3, 2012
Introducing author Felicity Lennie and your chance to win an original prize!
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Today I am pleased to be introducing you to a wonderful author I met on Twitter. Felicity Lennie has written numerous books, she's also a musician and has a myriad of other talents and interests, including making rockets! I am totally fascinated by this author as she seems to come up with a new creative idea every day. I wonder where she gets the time and energy for all she accomplishes. As well as being an author or countless books, she hosts no less than three blogs and makes her own book trailers, including composing the music herself!
I am excited because as well as agreeing to answer my interview questions, Felicity has thought up a very inventive and original prize for my blog readers. Followers of my blog will know that usually my guests give away a book or two when they appear on my blog, but today you are in for an extra special treat. One lucky reader of my blog will win a fabulous prize. Please keep reading to the end to find out what you could win and how to enter!
I recently read Felicity's book, Libra Liberati. A fun, murder mystery, revolving around the life of a famous (fictional) author. I would highly recommend it. I am now keen to read some more of Felicity's book.
Okay, that's enough chat from me, let's get on to the interview. Here it is:
I recently read and enjoyed 'Libra Liberati'. This book is a humourous murder mystery revolving around the life and works of an author. What inspired the character, Libra Liberati, and was she based on any author or authors you had read?
No idea where she came from and not based on anyone. It’s the name ‘Libra’ that is significant. An Italian friend died when I was 18. She was paralysed completely save for her facial muscles but she used to have everyone laughing all the time with her mad jokes. I asked her how she could joke all the time when her life was so challenged.
She said :- ‘I have only one choice left in life. I can be happy and make everyone around me happy or I can be sad and make them sad. I choose joy.’
She was one of my ‘significant signposts’ on the road of life. There she was in that hospital bed with no family or close friends visiting her but she was like sunshine to the other patients, one of whom was my Gran. I promised to remember her and I have. Her name ‘Libra’ will live on in this book after I am gone. It is my gift to her for the life lesson she gave me. When I’m down I say to myself – ‘ I choose Joy ’ and that was Libra’s gift to me. Sometimes laughing in the face of appalling tragedy is our only weapon and only defence.
You have written 14 books. Can you briefly tell us about each book and why you wrote it.
I wanted to be a seismologist but couldn’t be. I was a musician so everyone wanted me to do that but I wanted to be a writer. My English teacher told me I couldn’t write until I had truly ‘lived’. I guess I got carried away ‘living’ but when my young friend found out she was dying, she insisted I start writing promising to proofread and edit it. Dad was dying too so I gave up work and wrote at his bedside. They both died before it was finished. A young male friend of mine always wanted to be man of action and adventure but died too. I imagined the sort of life he always wished he had and wrote it for him and my friend, dedicating the book to them all.
Most of my stories were to entertain fellow-patients. I was stuck with about 9 others far away from home for weeks on end in digs having treatment. Days were slow so I filled them with cliff-hanger stories and adventures. They died. I lived. The books are a lasting memorial of that time and those people. They are in the British Library so after I go, all our names will be there rubbing shoulders with Agatha Christie, Dickens, Shakespeare, Chaucer and all the ‘greats’. It gives me goosebumps. Now I just write because I can and the clock is ticking so I am in a hurry. I’m trying all the different genres to see if I can do them all but not Romance.
How long does it take you to write a novel?
First one took too long due to loads of research. Each one takes less time. Last two were each written in a week.
Wow!
Are you writing a book at the moment? If so, can you tell us a little about it?
I’ve been writing a ghost story for some time in relay with a Canadian writer, also ill…. A labour of love for us both.
As to my current personal project - my best friend has told me after years of badgering I can write about him (something I have always wanted to do since he is beyond belief and utterly unique. The adventures I have shared with him and my husband are way more exciting than any book I have ever read but he wouldn’t let me before so I have kept my promise ….. but now I can tell the world ….. awesome or what !)
As I have been following you on Twitter, I know that you recently started making your own book trailers for your books. You also compose the music. Do you have a musical background?
Yes and that’s why I was kind-of corralled into a musical career. Started piano lessons at the age of 3 and taught for a while later on. Studied Piano, Cello and unlikely as it sounds Opera Singing at College but also played trombone in a Silver Band, Church Organ and guitar, and zither in Folk Group. Used to write a lot of music and wrote a Musical about ‘Nancy Astor’ with a drummer friend.
I read on your bio that you like to set yourself a number of challenges each year. I believe you started doing this from the age of 12. Was there a reason for this, and have you managed to accomplish all your challenges?
Yes. I wanted to see what this person called ‘me’ could do. It seems logical that without trying everything I can’t possibly know what I could be good or not good at. There have been some surprises and some shocks! My best friend did it for a while too but she emigrated. I haven’t ploughed a whole field yet, seen the Aurora or been in the Arctic Circle though I have had opportunities to do them (one with marines expedition years ago). Strangely no matter how weird they are, the opportunities always turn up … it’s for me to accept or not. Mostly I accept. My mum made me say ‘Yes’ to everything more or less.
What are your outstanding challenges for this year, and do you think you'll accomplish them?
I’ve done 5...well 6 really and halfway to finishing 7 but added 3 more then lost one because I can’t get to Book festival this year. The Orrery is tricky but invariably expert advice will turn up from somewhere if I need it. My website is
Felicity Lennie
I recently nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award, and part of that included that you had to reveal 7 things about yourself. I must admit a couple of your revelations have made me curious. You state that a famous pirate and an inventor are your ancestors. Who are they?
I cannot say but if you had a mind, you might work it out. The clues are all there. I can tell you the pirate was extremely smart and the inventor was extremely smart too. I could tell you lots of interesting stuff but I won’t. I love secrets and I know quite a few.
Compared to my husband’s family tree, mine is quite ordinary. His father told me of his extraordinary pedigree but I thought he was joking at the time. It seems not and you could write a ton of books about them. I can tell you an interesting story about them and the Battle of Culloden but I won’t. I like secrets.
LOL. Now I'm even more curious!!
You also stated in the 7 things you revealed that you once had a million hits in 6 months on a website you created. What type of website was it, and are there any tips you can share with us about how you promoted it?
Amateur Rocketry and I worked hard on it sometimes through the night but then I was often in pain and it took my mind off things. It was all-singing … all dancing ….. colourful and I kept it up-to-date and constantly changing. I created crosswords… puzzles… online Treasure Hunts …. Logic Problems …. Still have a lot of them. Doing a crossword puzzle in the shape of a rocket was my pinnacle I think though all the Treasure Hunts were pretty cool. I was learning web-mastering at the time and had been at it a couple of years. One thing I learnt quickly was that being flash didn’t pay off- that it wasn’t about showing off my web skills but about showing off the club’s rocketry skills. I certainly put the area on the map around the world for a couple of years and got feedback from the most extraordinary places. We fascinated people. One thing I learnt was that people liked an easy-to navigate website.
You have varied interests, as well as writing and music, including astronomy and seismology. It seems to me that you are the type of person who is always looking for the next challenge. What keeps you motivated?
Death.
Life is a gift. Don’t waste time! My mother grabbed Life by the throat and squeezed every last second out of it. I would not be her daughter if I did not do the same. When you are dead you can’t do stuff so do it now.
You have two interesting blogs, as well as your fel-osophy blog: Castaway Astronomer and Castaway Author. They are great. I answered the questions on the Castaway Author one, and it was fun to do! How did you come up with the idea for those?
As a toddler I told my parents I intended to live on a deserted island with my large number of imaginary friends. In some ways like the ‘Simon and Garfunkle’ song I have lived my life on that imaginary island without anyone noticing. I thought being creative others might feel the same way as me. My husband thought Astronomers would appreciate dark island skies too so hence the blogs. We are highly competitive with each other my husband and I.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think you've answered the Castaway Author questions, so I'll ask you a couple of them here:
Which of your own characters would you choose to be shipwrecked with and why?
All the dogs in ‘Edison Landrake ‘ , the dying house in ‘Backwater’ and Gilbert’s Pagani Zonda since no-one would care that I haven’t passed my test so I could drive round the island in it………………..FAST!!!
Which one of your books would you nominate for the library and what do you think it would contribute to future readers who might get shipwrecked there?
The one I’m about to write about my real best friend…. That will make toes curl and your heart skip a few beats !!!!
Do you have a favourite author?
No. I have favourite books but Far from the Madding Crowd is a favourite (read 18 times) and ‘Jude The Obscure’ is my least favourite (same author) This goes for Charles Kingsley… a favourite and one I don’t’ like by the same author. I judge each book individually. Love Icelandic Sagas and Anglo-Saxon Chronicles though.
Do you prefer print books or ebooks?
Have to enlarge the print ridiculously to be able to read any length so can’t read books anymore- eyesight problems.
Do you have any advice for anyone who is thinking of self-publishing a book?
Only Miss Crute’s …
‘If you haven’t hooked your reader by the end of the first sentence, don’t bother writing anymore.
‘Don’t’ be satisfied with less than 100% your best effort. The book will be how you are judged as a person too so be sure that it stands for the best you can possibly be.
Give your characters a hook to hang their hat on .
From following you on Twitter, I know you are big fan of musicals. Do you have a favourite musical? And if you could star in a musical which character would you like to play and why?
Crikey …. An old lady who said she could read fortunes told me once I would end up on Broadway. Overheard by family, it has been a thorn in my side ever since.
As a child I wanted to be Cyd Charisse which is kind of nice ‘cos my husband is her biggest fan and painted her on the side of his biggest Rocket. I’d love to do that ‘Bandwagon’ final number hot sexy or what …..that dress… wow!
Most like me of course would be ‘The Unsinkable Molly Brown’ … I could give that some ‘wellie’.
Thank you, Felicity!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I told you she was a fascinating lady, didn't I?
Check out Felicity's novels here: http://www.felicity-lennie.com/
Now, I know you're eager to find out what you can win! Felicity has offered to write a short story on any topic for the winner of this contest. The winner gets to choose what the story is about. A personal short story, written for YOU by the extraordinarily talented Felicity Lennie!
To enter, please leave a comment below stating what you would choose as the topic for the short story. A winner will be chosen on 30th July 2012!
Good luck!
Today I am pleased to be introducing you to a wonderful author I met on Twitter. Felicity Lennie has written numerous books, she's also a musician and has a myriad of other talents and interests, including making rockets! I am totally fascinated by this author as she seems to come up with a new creative idea every day. I wonder where she gets the time and energy for all she accomplishes. As well as being an author or countless books, she hosts no less than three blogs and makes her own book trailers, including composing the music herself!
I am excited because as well as agreeing to answer my interview questions, Felicity has thought up a very inventive and original prize for my blog readers. Followers of my blog will know that usually my guests give away a book or two when they appear on my blog, but today you are in for an extra special treat. One lucky reader of my blog will win a fabulous prize. Please keep reading to the end to find out what you could win and how to enter!
I recently read Felicity's book, Libra Liberati. A fun, murder mystery, revolving around the life of a famous (fictional) author. I would highly recommend it. I am now keen to read some more of Felicity's book.
Okay, that's enough chat from me, let's get on to the interview. Here it is:
I recently read and enjoyed 'Libra Liberati'. This book is a humourous murder mystery revolving around the life and works of an author. What inspired the character, Libra Liberati, and was she based on any author or authors you had read?
No idea where she came from and not based on anyone. It’s the name ‘Libra’ that is significant. An Italian friend died when I was 18. She was paralysed completely save for her facial muscles but she used to have everyone laughing all the time with her mad jokes. I asked her how she could joke all the time when her life was so challenged.
She said :- ‘I have only one choice left in life. I can be happy and make everyone around me happy or I can be sad and make them sad. I choose joy.’
She was one of my ‘significant signposts’ on the road of life. There she was in that hospital bed with no family or close friends visiting her but she was like sunshine to the other patients, one of whom was my Gran. I promised to remember her and I have. Her name ‘Libra’ will live on in this book after I am gone. It is my gift to her for the life lesson she gave me. When I’m down I say to myself – ‘ I choose Joy ’ and that was Libra’s gift to me. Sometimes laughing in the face of appalling tragedy is our only weapon and only defence.
You have written 14 books. Can you briefly tell us about each book and why you wrote it.
I wanted to be a seismologist but couldn’t be. I was a musician so everyone wanted me to do that but I wanted to be a writer. My English teacher told me I couldn’t write until I had truly ‘lived’. I guess I got carried away ‘living’ but when my young friend found out she was dying, she insisted I start writing promising to proofread and edit it. Dad was dying too so I gave up work and wrote at his bedside. They both died before it was finished. A young male friend of mine always wanted to be man of action and adventure but died too. I imagined the sort of life he always wished he had and wrote it for him and my friend, dedicating the book to them all.
Most of my stories were to entertain fellow-patients. I was stuck with about 9 others far away from home for weeks on end in digs having treatment. Days were slow so I filled them with cliff-hanger stories and adventures. They died. I lived. The books are a lasting memorial of that time and those people. They are in the British Library so after I go, all our names will be there rubbing shoulders with Agatha Christie, Dickens, Shakespeare, Chaucer and all the ‘greats’. It gives me goosebumps. Now I just write because I can and the clock is ticking so I am in a hurry. I’m trying all the different genres to see if I can do them all but not Romance.
How long does it take you to write a novel?
First one took too long due to loads of research. Each one takes less time. Last two were each written in a week.
Wow!
Are you writing a book at the moment? If so, can you tell us a little about it?
I’ve been writing a ghost story for some time in relay with a Canadian writer, also ill…. A labour of love for us both.
As to my current personal project - my best friend has told me after years of badgering I can write about him (something I have always wanted to do since he is beyond belief and utterly unique. The adventures I have shared with him and my husband are way more exciting than any book I have ever read but he wouldn’t let me before so I have kept my promise ….. but now I can tell the world ….. awesome or what !)
As I have been following you on Twitter, I know that you recently started making your own book trailers for your books. You also compose the music. Do you have a musical background?
Yes and that’s why I was kind-of corralled into a musical career. Started piano lessons at the age of 3 and taught for a while later on. Studied Piano, Cello and unlikely as it sounds Opera Singing at College but also played trombone in a Silver Band, Church Organ and guitar, and zither in Folk Group. Used to write a lot of music and wrote a Musical about ‘Nancy Astor’ with a drummer friend.
I read on your bio that you like to set yourself a number of challenges each year. I believe you started doing this from the age of 12. Was there a reason for this, and have you managed to accomplish all your challenges?
Yes. I wanted to see what this person called ‘me’ could do. It seems logical that without trying everything I can’t possibly know what I could be good or not good at. There have been some surprises and some shocks! My best friend did it for a while too but she emigrated. I haven’t ploughed a whole field yet, seen the Aurora or been in the Arctic Circle though I have had opportunities to do them (one with marines expedition years ago). Strangely no matter how weird they are, the opportunities always turn up … it’s for me to accept or not. Mostly I accept. My mum made me say ‘Yes’ to everything more or less.
What are your outstanding challenges for this year, and do you think you'll accomplish them?
I’ve done 5...well 6 really and halfway to finishing 7 but added 3 more then lost one because I can’t get to Book festival this year. The Orrery is tricky but invariably expert advice will turn up from somewhere if I need it. My website is
Felicity Lennie
I recently nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award, and part of that included that you had to reveal 7 things about yourself. I must admit a couple of your revelations have made me curious. You state that a famous pirate and an inventor are your ancestors. Who are they?
I cannot say but if you had a mind, you might work it out. The clues are all there. I can tell you the pirate was extremely smart and the inventor was extremely smart too. I could tell you lots of interesting stuff but I won’t. I love secrets and I know quite a few.
Compared to my husband’s family tree, mine is quite ordinary. His father told me of his extraordinary pedigree but I thought he was joking at the time. It seems not and you could write a ton of books about them. I can tell you an interesting story about them and the Battle of Culloden but I won’t. I like secrets.
LOL. Now I'm even more curious!!
You also stated in the 7 things you revealed that you once had a million hits in 6 months on a website you created. What type of website was it, and are there any tips you can share with us about how you promoted it?
Amateur Rocketry and I worked hard on it sometimes through the night but then I was often in pain and it took my mind off things. It was all-singing … all dancing ….. colourful and I kept it up-to-date and constantly changing. I created crosswords… puzzles… online Treasure Hunts …. Logic Problems …. Still have a lot of them. Doing a crossword puzzle in the shape of a rocket was my pinnacle I think though all the Treasure Hunts were pretty cool. I was learning web-mastering at the time and had been at it a couple of years. One thing I learnt quickly was that being flash didn’t pay off- that it wasn’t about showing off my web skills but about showing off the club’s rocketry skills. I certainly put the area on the map around the world for a couple of years and got feedback from the most extraordinary places. We fascinated people. One thing I learnt was that people liked an easy-to navigate website.
You have varied interests, as well as writing and music, including astronomy and seismology. It seems to me that you are the type of person who is always looking for the next challenge. What keeps you motivated?
Death.
Life is a gift. Don’t waste time! My mother grabbed Life by the throat and squeezed every last second out of it. I would not be her daughter if I did not do the same. When you are dead you can’t do stuff so do it now.
You have two interesting blogs, as well as your fel-osophy blog: Castaway Astronomer and Castaway Author. They are great. I answered the questions on the Castaway Author one, and it was fun to do! How did you come up with the idea for those?
As a toddler I told my parents I intended to live on a deserted island with my large number of imaginary friends. In some ways like the ‘Simon and Garfunkle’ song I have lived my life on that imaginary island without anyone noticing. I thought being creative others might feel the same way as me. My husband thought Astronomers would appreciate dark island skies too so hence the blogs. We are highly competitive with each other my husband and I.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think you've answered the Castaway Author questions, so I'll ask you a couple of them here:
Which of your own characters would you choose to be shipwrecked with and why?
All the dogs in ‘Edison Landrake ‘ , the dying house in ‘Backwater’ and Gilbert’s Pagani Zonda since no-one would care that I haven’t passed my test so I could drive round the island in it………………..FAST!!!
Which one of your books would you nominate for the library and what do you think it would contribute to future readers who might get shipwrecked there?
The one I’m about to write about my real best friend…. That will make toes curl and your heart skip a few beats !!!!
Do you have a favourite author?
No. I have favourite books but Far from the Madding Crowd is a favourite (read 18 times) and ‘Jude The Obscure’ is my least favourite (same author) This goes for Charles Kingsley… a favourite and one I don’t’ like by the same author. I judge each book individually. Love Icelandic Sagas and Anglo-Saxon Chronicles though.
Do you prefer print books or ebooks?
Have to enlarge the print ridiculously to be able to read any length so can’t read books anymore- eyesight problems.
Do you have any advice for anyone who is thinking of self-publishing a book?
Only Miss Crute’s …
‘If you haven’t hooked your reader by the end of the first sentence, don’t bother writing anymore.
‘Don’t’ be satisfied with less than 100% your best effort. The book will be how you are judged as a person too so be sure that it stands for the best you can possibly be.
Give your characters a hook to hang their hat on .
From following you on Twitter, I know you are big fan of musicals. Do you have a favourite musical? And if you could star in a musical which character would you like to play and why?
Crikey …. An old lady who said she could read fortunes told me once I would end up on Broadway. Overheard by family, it has been a thorn in my side ever since.
As a child I wanted to be Cyd Charisse which is kind of nice ‘cos my husband is her biggest fan and painted her on the side of his biggest Rocket. I’d love to do that ‘Bandwagon’ final number hot sexy or what …..that dress… wow!
Most like me of course would be ‘The Unsinkable Molly Brown’ … I could give that some ‘wellie’.
Thank you, Felicity!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I told you she was a fascinating lady, didn't I?
Check out Felicity's novels here: http://www.felicity-lennie.com/
Now, I know you're eager to find out what you can win! Felicity has offered to write a short story on any topic for the winner of this contest. The winner gets to choose what the story is about. A personal short story, written for YOU by the extraordinarily talented Felicity Lennie!
To enter, please leave a comment below stating what you would choose as the topic for the short story. A winner will be chosen on 30th July 2012!
Good luck!
July 2, 2012
Read my latest interview at The Poetic Lounge
If you stop by The Poetic Lounge this week you can catch my latest interview:
http://www.thepoeticlounge.com/author...
Enjoy!
http://www.thepoeticlounge.com/author...
Enjoy!
My Favourite Books - July Pick: Breathing Into Stone
So far this year I have chosen the following books as my favourites:
January: The Day the Flowers Died by Ami Blackwelder -- a tear-jerker/historical Romance
February: Caviar Dreams by Judy Nichols -- murder/mystery with characters you can believe in.
March: Horse Latitudes by Quentin R. Bufogle -- a laugh-out-loud insightful book that everyone can relate to.
April: Into The Light by Darcia Helle -- a humourous suspense/mystery/paranormal novel
May: Rock Fiction selection: Metallic Dreams by Mark Rice, 33 Days: Touring In A Van. Sleeping On Floors. Chasing A Dream. by Bill See, Pixels of Young Mueller by Jerry Schwartz, B-Sides and Broken Hearts by Caryn Rose, and Ladies and Gentlemen...The Redeemers, by Michael Scott Miller
June: Beyond My Control: One Man's Struggle with Epilepsy, Seizure Surgery and Beyond by Stuart Ross McCallum
My selection for July is a masterpiece by an author who, in my opinion, is one of the finest authors writing today.
Breathing into Stone by Joel Blaine Kirkpatrick, is a book that takes the reader away to another place and time. It's a historical romance novel. Here's the review I wrote when I read it:
This is a spellbinding work of fiction. The characters come alive on the page and become real; the reader is a spectator watching their lives unfold. I feel like I know the little town of Resceto and would be able to find my way from Anoria's house to Pia and Tito's house. I could see the sculptures in the garden and in front of the church. In fact I would love to visit. When I reached the last page, I felt it was time to say goodbye to friends... I didn't want it to end. Anoria was so real and so enigmatic that I wanted to be able to follow her life for ever.
Joel Blaine Kirkpatrick has documented the lives of fictional characters, but in doing so he seems to have created another world somewhere back in time, a captivating and enchanting world that welcomes the reader and takes them far away.
Antonio Lisi is a master sculptor. He is said to breathe life into stone when he creates angels and religious sculptures and other work that is commissioned. Many of his sculptures look like his daughter, Anoria. Particularly the sculpture of The Lady which stands outside the church in Resceto. The author allows us to glimpse into the world of this master sculptor, shrouded in mystery and superstition. For years, Antonio has not allowed his daughter to watch him work. He has his reasons, but in keeping her away from the marble she loves, he has kept her in an arrested state, almost as if she were a piece of his marble not yet transformed to life. Anoria is blessed with the same talent as her father of being able to see the figures in the stone work before they are created, but more so; she seems to have an understanding of marble that no one else possesses. Her beauty captures the heart of a priest, Novia, who has become bitter and angry and is now feared by all. Novia tries to plot against Antonio Lisi with the aim of fleeing the church which he feels has kept him captive, when his unhealthy obsession with Anoria takes over his mind.
You will find drama, humour and wisdom within the pages of 'Breathing into Stone.' Joel Blaine Kirkpatrick has created a masterpiece. His characters may breathe life into stone when they chip away at marble, but Kirkpatrick breathes life onto paper when he writes.
I hope you'll add Breathing into Stone to your to-read list! You won't regret it!
January: The Day the Flowers Died by Ami Blackwelder -- a tear-jerker/historical Romance
February: Caviar Dreams by Judy Nichols -- murder/mystery with characters you can believe in.
March: Horse Latitudes by Quentin R. Bufogle -- a laugh-out-loud insightful book that everyone can relate to.
April: Into The Light by Darcia Helle -- a humourous suspense/mystery/paranormal novel
May: Rock Fiction selection: Metallic Dreams by Mark Rice, 33 Days: Touring In A Van. Sleeping On Floors. Chasing A Dream. by Bill See, Pixels of Young Mueller by Jerry Schwartz, B-Sides and Broken Hearts by Caryn Rose, and Ladies and Gentlemen...The Redeemers, by Michael Scott Miller
June: Beyond My Control: One Man's Struggle with Epilepsy, Seizure Surgery and Beyond by Stuart Ross McCallum
My selection for July is a masterpiece by an author who, in my opinion, is one of the finest authors writing today.
Breathing into Stone by Joel Blaine Kirkpatrick, is a book that takes the reader away to another place and time. It's a historical romance novel. Here's the review I wrote when I read it:
This is a spellbinding work of fiction. The characters come alive on the page and become real; the reader is a spectator watching their lives unfold. I feel like I know the little town of Resceto and would be able to find my way from Anoria's house to Pia and Tito's house. I could see the sculptures in the garden and in front of the church. In fact I would love to visit. When I reached the last page, I felt it was time to say goodbye to friends... I didn't want it to end. Anoria was so real and so enigmatic that I wanted to be able to follow her life for ever.
Joel Blaine Kirkpatrick has documented the lives of fictional characters, but in doing so he seems to have created another world somewhere back in time, a captivating and enchanting world that welcomes the reader and takes them far away.
Antonio Lisi is a master sculptor. He is said to breathe life into stone when he creates angels and religious sculptures and other work that is commissioned. Many of his sculptures look like his daughter, Anoria. Particularly the sculpture of The Lady which stands outside the church in Resceto. The author allows us to glimpse into the world of this master sculptor, shrouded in mystery and superstition. For years, Antonio has not allowed his daughter to watch him work. He has his reasons, but in keeping her away from the marble she loves, he has kept her in an arrested state, almost as if she were a piece of his marble not yet transformed to life. Anoria is blessed with the same talent as her father of being able to see the figures in the stone work before they are created, but more so; she seems to have an understanding of marble that no one else possesses. Her beauty captures the heart of a priest, Novia, who has become bitter and angry and is now feared by all. Novia tries to plot against Antonio Lisi with the aim of fleeing the church which he feels has kept him captive, when his unhealthy obsession with Anoria takes over his mind.
You will find drama, humour and wisdom within the pages of 'Breathing into Stone.' Joel Blaine Kirkpatrick has created a masterpiece. His characters may breathe life into stone when they chip away at marble, but Kirkpatrick breathes life onto paper when he writes.
I hope you'll add Breathing into Stone to your to-read list! You won't regret it!
