Rachel Carrington's Blog, page 46

Crazy, crazy schedule and shoutout to bloggers!

 

 

 

 

If you’ve been to the front page of my website, you’ve seen my schedule for the next three months. It’s packed so much I’m having to check every day to make sure I’m not supposed to be somewhere. I can’t take any of the credit for it. My assistant has been booking me left and right. It’s exciting to see so many bloggers and websites that are still so open to authors. So I wanted to give a huge shoutout to all the bloggers who have hosted me or will host me in the upcoming months. I’m truly grateful. Y’all rock!

Meet the Author: USA Today Bestselling Author Tracey Garvis Graves

Today, I welcome Tracey Garvis Graves, author of “On the Island”, a contemporary romance that has hit both the New York Times Bestseller’s List and the USA Today Bestseller’s List.  

 

First up, tell us a little bit about your journey from self-publishing to traditional publishing.

I self-published after being unable to obtain agent representation; the manuscript was never presented to any publishers. I uploaded the book to Amazon, Barnes&Noble, and Smashwords last September. The book was also available as a POD paperback via Amazon’s CreateSpace. Thanks to word-of-mouth marketing by my awesome readers, On the Island slowly found a large audience and eventually, an agent and publisher!

Can you give us some information about your next novel, Covet?

Covet is women’s fiction instead of contemporary romance. I’m so excited to share this story with my readers, and I think the subject matter (married couple struggling in the midst of the recession) will resonate with my female audience. There’s a lot of romance, some heartache, and a whole bunch of forgiveness; it’s another love story but have your Kleenex box nearby.

On your blog you say that your self-publishing journey has come to an end. What will you miss the most about self-publishing?

 I really liked handling all aspects of the publishing process. There was a learning curve, but I enjoyed writing my own copy and choosing my cover art. Now that my time is more limited, it will be nice letting my publisher take care of those things for me.

 One of the facts about you is that you love to cook for others. What’s your favorite dish?

 Chicken enchiladas are my specialty; I’ve been cooking them for other people for years. I have one friend who requests them whenever she comes to town.

You’re a fan of the Hunger Games. Any plans to write young adult in your future?

Not at this time. I love to read YA fiction, but I prefer to write adult.

Most of us writers still have the first books we’ve written stashed away in a drawer, and we know they’ll never get published. Do you have stories you wrote when you first started out that will never see the light of day?

I have a few short stories that I wrote for fiction writing classes in college, but On the Island is my first attempt at writing a full-length novel. I think there’s no better way to learn how to write a novel than to just sit down and write until it’s done.

What do you think is the biggest challenge for new authors?

Visibility. You absolutely have to connect with a large number of readers; if they like the book they’ll tell others.

And now for some fun questions…

Ever had pink hair?

No, but I used to be a redhead.

What’s your favorite karaoke song?

Olivia Newton John’s “Let Me Be There”. I sing it like it’s my JOB.

Planes, trains, or automobiles—what’s your favorite mode of travel?

I’m an impatient traveler, so even though there are things about airplane travel that I don’t like, I find it even harder to sit still in a car for more than 3 hours.

Where’s the most unique place you’ve ever been?

A secluded beach in Jamaica.

What’s the weirdest dream you’ve ever had? Did it spark an idea for a story?

I don’t dream that often (or maybe I should say I just don’t remember them). It would be nice to have a dream that sparks an idea for a story. I’m always on the lookout for those!

Thank you for joining me, Tracey. I wish you all the best with your writing.

Thank you so much for having me!

 

Meet the Author: Kathleen Brooks, author of the Bluegrass Series

Today, I welcome Kathleen Brooks, a new voice in romance who writes with a Southern flair.  

Kathleen, could you tell us about your latest release, Rising Storm?

Rising Storm was just released in August and I couldn’t be more excited. It is the second book in the Bluegrass Brothers Series, which follows my bestselling Bluegrass Trilogy.

In Rising Storm, Katelyn Jacks was used to being front and center as a model. But she never had to confront the Keeneston Grapevine! After retiring from the runway and returning to town to open a new animal clinic, Katelyn found that her life

in the public eye was anything but over. While working hard to establish herself as the new veterinarian in town, Katelyn finds her life uprooted by a tornado of love, gossip, and a vicious group of criminals.

Marshall Davies is the new Sheriff in Keeneston! He is also right at the top of the town’s most eligible bachelor list. His affinity for teasing the hot new veterinarian in town has led to a rush of emotions that he wasn’t ready for. Marshall finds his easy days of breaking up fights at the local PTA meetings are over when he and Katelyn discover that a dog fighting ring has stormed into their normally idyllic town. As their love struggles to break through, they must battle to save the lives of the dogs and each other.

 

 

Will you be continuing the Bluegrass Series once Rising Storm is published in August? If not, what’s coming up?

Yes! I am happy to say the Bluegrass Brothers will cover all five of the Davies Brothers. After Rising Storm, it will be Miles’ turn. You would never guess that the strong quiet eldest brother had so much danger in his life!

Will you continue to set your books in the South, or do you anticipate branching out into the North?

All of the books in the Bluegrass Series and Bluegrass Brothers Series will all be set in the South.

I have some idea of the next series I want to write, but haven’t decided where to base it yet. I do think it will somewhere besides Keeneston, although it will be very hard to say good-bye to. I might have to come back and visit every now and then!

Tell us a little bit about your support of rescue organizations for animals. What fostered your dedication to saving animals, or have you always had an affinity for your four-legged friends?

I have always loved animals. I showed dogs when I was young and our first rescue dog my family found starved and full of buckshot when I was just six. Since then we’ve always had a rescue dog in our house! Over the years, my family and I have been working hard to make sure all pets have good homes.

Most of my animals find their way into my books too. The horse, Boots, in Bluegrass State of Mind was based off of our old racehorse from when I was a child. The cat, Brutus, in Risky Shoot is based off of my current cat I rescued from the humane society. Chuck, the dog in Dead Heat was our first rescue dog that I mentioned above. The skunk and snake stories I told about him really did happen! Justin, the Bearded Collie in Bluegrass Undercover was my show dog and the stories about him were true too. Finally in Rising Storm, Alice and Bob were two of my dogs. Ruffles belong to a dear friend of mine. Alice was a pit bull rescue and the sweetest dog we ever had. Bob, my Vizsla, could climb trees and find chocolate hidden anywhere in the house.

With such characters in my life, how could you not fall in love with animals and want them to have a good life?

Further, a portion of the proceeds from Rising Storm will be donated to multiple charities that help animals, either through rescue or with veterinary care.

Most of us writers still have the first books we’ve written stashed away in a drawer, and we know they’ll never get published. Do you have stories you wrote when you first started out that will never see the light of day?

Not so much a full story, but definitely ideas. I would start something and not like the direction and scrap it.

What’s hidden in my drawer under the chocolate bar are the stories I wrote in grade school. They give me motivation and remind me that what I get to do is not a job, it’s just plain fun! I still remember the joy of writing those stories and try to always write with that joy now.

What do you think is the biggest challenge for new authors?

Having the confidence to put your work out there. We are lucky that we are now in this digital age where the old ways of traditional publishing no longer bind us. Tell your story, love your story, and share your story. I think the hardest part for a new author is to hit that submit button that publishes your work for the first time.

Now for some fun questions:

Could you live without sweet tea?

No!  Although, my favorite is when you have fruit flavored teas. I once had the most amazing fresh raspberry sweet tea at this restaurant in rural Tennessee. I still dream about it!

If you could have written any of the breakout books or series (Twilight, Hunger Games, The Help, etc.), which one would it have been?

The Hunger Games! I love the action tied in with the political subplot. I found it fascinating and addicting to read.

What is your favorite thing to do in the summer?

Take my daughter and dogs and go hiking in the woods around our house.

She loves exploring new things and my dogs like to chase all the deer and pretend like they could catch them.

Where’s the most unique promoting idea you have even if you haven’t put it into place?

Actually, it was a book signing at a used bookstore. I know some authors have problems with used bookstores, but I really appreciate them, especially in these tougher economic times. I also am a big supporter of local small businesses, so I worked with the owner of a local family owned bookstore and we set up a book signing that ended up being a huge success!

What’s the weirdest dream you’ve ever had? Did it spark an idea for a story?

When I was pregnant I had weird dreams every night. However, the weirdest one involved Billy Ray Cyrus sans mullet. I had to race him across this pool that looked like the ocean. Very weird! Alas, it didn’t make it into one of my books, yet J

Thank you for joining me, Kathleen. I wish you all the best with your writing.

 

 

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Meet the Author: Top Indie Publishing Author, Deb Sanders

Today I welcome best-selling indie author, Deb Sanders.

Deb, tell us about your latest release.

My next release is scheduled for September 8th . . . this weekend! “The WARRIOR” is the second book in my Clans of Tagus series and takes readers deeper into the Warrior clan on the dimensional world of Tagus. Artimon, the shapeshifter from The GATEKEEPER, is working for the Tagusian Underground on Earth. When his investigation into a cell of Tagus insurgents hits a snag, he pairs with a determined Fae fighter in search of her captive sister. Battling an intense attraction that rivals their competitive prowess, the mismatched pair soon realize they are the only ones who can prevent a deadly plot threatening both worlds.

What draws you to paranormal and suspense?

I love to read suspense as much as I enjoy writing it. The psychological twists are fun to unravel, and villains with no redeemable qualities give a “runaway train” quality to the story. You can’t reason with pure evil. Add a touch of heat and it’s good reading! Pairing those elements with my lifelong interest in the paranormal was a match made in writer’s heaven. I’m the opposite of a skeptic. I believe most unexplained phenomena is plausible until proven otherwise. The probable factors are too vast to ignore.

You’ve hit a lot of the states on your travels. Do you intend to set a book in all the states you’ve visited or just touch on the ones that really impacted you?

That’s a great question! I toyed with the idea of an ongoing series where my main character would encounter a new adventure in each of the states. I wasn’t sure I could keep the momentum up while maintaining a lasting relationship between characters and still create a recurring HEA, crucial for romance of any genre. My plan at this point is to keep writing books using experiences from my travels. Whether or not I set a story in each state remains to be seen. Janet Dailey already accomplished that feat with her Americana series for Harlequin in the nineties – earning recognition from the Guinness Book of World Records.

What do you think is the biggest challenge for authors trying to decide between indie publishing and traditional publishing?

The challenges are changing as quickly as the marketplace! LOL I can’t speak for all writers, and I truly believe the decision to publish (or not to publish) as an Indie varies with each author’s goals. Having issued that disclaimer, I’ll elaborate by saying there is a lot of angst with newbies about credibility – but it’s less of an issue than it was last year and a drop in the bucket compared to the marketplace five years ago. Many traditionally published authors are independently publishing their backlist or other works. Having an established fan base makes the transition less onerous than starting as an Indie debut author but it’s nothing a little hard work and self promotion can’t overcome. Indie authors are 100% responsible for editing, cover art and marketing, whether they do it themselves or hire professionals to assist. The key is having a good product. Without a tight, well-written, well-edited story, all the promotion in the world is not going sell your book.

What made you decide to go the indie route for publishing? Do regret your decision?

I’d collected a nice stack of rejection letters, though not nearly as many as some authors, when I made the decision to pitch my paranormal series at an RWA chapter conference. Luckily, my stammering attempt at a pitch caught an editor’s attention and she asked for a submittal. I also tried to promote my romantic suspense during the three scheduled appointments but each agent/editor assured me the genre was dead and a hard sell even for established suspense authors. However, I spoke with several Indie authors at the same conference who were gushing about their experiences with self-publishing. So while I was waiting for a response from the paranormal submission, I decided to Indie publish one of my romantic suspense novels which had been gathering dust for a few years. By the time I received a thumbs-up on The GATEKEEPER, I had Indie published my second romantic suspense and was stunned by how well both titles were selling. Of course, that was after a crash course in digital formatting, discovering a wealth of knowledge and support from the Yahoo group members of Indie Romance Ink, and receiving my first few fan letters. After much thought and consideration, I declined the offer of publication and Indie published The GATEKEEPER with no regrets, then or now.

What has been the most difficult challenge of indie publishing? The greatest triumph?

The challenge is reaching readers who have not embraced digitally fomatted books, even though it’s easy to access the growing eBook market. Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Smashwords have removed all the stops with free apps that download to your desktop, laptop, phone or tablet. You don’t have to own an eReader, although Kindle was the most gifted item in the U.S. for the past two Christmas seasons and sold over a million devices in the month of December, 2011. However, there is still a huge market for print published books and I’m considering print options for Stone Cold Justice and The GATEKEEPER in 2012.

The whole Indie experience has been incredibly fulfilling and financially pleasing. I like maintaining control of the process, even when I create a mis-step or two. I don’t mind the hard work. After only a couple of months as a debut Indie author, I earned more in royalties than many traditionally published debut authors earn on their first book . . . period. While that’s not always the case with Indie authors, for me it has been a great experience.

Now for the fun questions

What’s the scariest animal you’ve ever seen live?

I’m an animal lover and owned or cared for an eclectic group of pets over the years. I don’t scare easy when it comes to animals or wildlife. I’ve had close encounters with bears, massive Elk, coyotes, skunks and javelina, to name a few. The scariest, though, was a huge junkyard rat with teeth bared in full attack mode. Did I run? You bet!

What’s your favorite way to travel? Plane? Train? Motorcycle? Boat?

Motorcycle because it excites all my senses. Second would be by car simply because the best adventures are off the main roads. My favorite saying, and one I’ve adopted as my motto, is “not all wanderers are lost.”

Where do you see yourself in ten years?

In ten years I’d like to be a NY Times Best Selling author and have sold film rights to at least one of my novels. And living in Arizona.

If you had to be trapped in a haunted house by yourself, would you a) try to make friends with the ghosts, b) try to find a way out of the house, or c) scream hysterically and hide until someone rescued you?

I’d try to make friends. Imagine the great stories they could tell us if only we could communicate.

If Scarlett O’Hara had responded to Rhett Butler after he said, “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn”, what do you think she would have said?

“You don’t give a damn . . . yet.”

Thirst by Claire Farrell—My Review

Thirst by Claire Farrell

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Claire Farrell’s Ava Delaney series begins with Thirst and introduces readers to a unique world of vampires, half-breeds, magic, and hunters. Told in the first person POV, the story keeps up a steady pace with the introduction of new characters, new challenges, and discoveries. Though the main character, Ava, makes some decisions that led me to question her common sense, she is a decidedly different type of heroine than I’ve “met” in a long time. And, in spite of some of her shortcomings, I found myself liking her very much.

Thirst is a fast-paced, clever take on vampires and a hybrid who is not quite human and not quite vampire. While trying to live life as a human, Ava Delaney faces the challenges of her connection to vampires. The resulting story is one that will keep you turning the pages.

View all my reviews

Meet the Author: Award-winning author, Vicki Batman

Today, I welcome Vicki Batman, an award-winning author of short fiction.

First up, share a little bit about your newest release, Vicki. When will it be available? Will it be ebook and print? Where can your book be bought? “Store Wars” is an ebook available thru MuseItUp Publishing. Here’s a link: https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2/index.php?keyword=vicki+batman&Itemid=1&option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse

From your blog I noticed you’ve written romantic suspense and fantasy, all with comedic flair. Do you include humor in every book you write? Do you feel humor is important in romance? I’ve written mostly humorous romantic short fiction. And one very sexy novella with a touch of magic. My unpubbed book is a romantic mystery. I always include humor. When I first read Janet E., I was in awe because finally I found someone who had funny stuff in her work.

Are your heroines anything like you, or do you go in a wildly different direction? One or two might be like me. lol. The sexy one? Not so much.

Tell us about some of the awards you’ve won and how they’ve impacted your career. My unpubbed book, Temporarily Employed, took 3rd in the Lonestar Contest. Wade and Grace took first place in another contest. “This is NOT Working,” a short story, took first in the Book Breeze contest. I think the awards gave me some credibility.

Do you think entering contests is good for aspiring authors?  I think they are good if you want a critique. But beware, I had a judge write on an entry “Why are you writing?” Really hurt my feelings for two days, then I decided nobody is going to define me. And I still enter contests occasionally.

What other stories do you have in progress? I have two subs in at Woman’s World (cross fingers). I’m pulling together another short fiction collection like Man Theory and Other for Feb 2013. I have six longer stories I haven’t sold. And working on another. I’d love to sell my book.

Most of us writers still have the first books we’ve written stashed away in a drawer, and we know they’ll never get published. Do you have stories you wrote when you first started out that will never see the light of day? If I don’t sell my book…. No, I’ve worked and worked to get them written right and then sold.

What do you think is the biggest challenge for new authors? You have no idea how much is involved in self-promotion.

Any big plans for your book’s release day? Can you tell us if you’ll be around the web anywhere so readers can track you down? I’m visiting lots of places during the month of August. Go to my website: http://vickibatman.blogspot.com for an up-to-date list.

What are some of your favorite sites to visit on the web and why? eBay and ETSY. My true confession: I adore handbags. So I go there and look and buy.

Who is your favorite author and why? In a snap, Dick Francis. He pulled together a mystery so well.

What is the best book adaptation you’ve seen at the movies? This is really a sore spot for me because sometimes, it isn’t done well. For example: My Sister’s Keeper! The ending in the book was perfect. My friend grabbed me when I yelled, “They changed the ending.” Yeah, I got looked at.

And now for some fun questions…

What food could you absolutely not live without? chocolate

What’s one piece of technology you could live without? My cell phone for the email.

What’s one piece of technology that you couldn’t live without? My computer

What’s your favorite thing to do when you’re not writing? Needlepoint! And reading.

What’s your writing style? Handwriting? Laptop? Desktop? Desktop

Are you an early bird or a night owl? I get up at 6:15 every morning. I’m at a workout by 8.

Thank you for joining me, Vicki. I wish you all the best with your writing.

And thank you for having me! Great questions!!

Meet the Author: Cheryl Bolen, award-winning author of Regency Romances

Today I welcome Cheryl Bolen whose books have won several awards, including the HOLT Medallion.

Cheryl, please tell my readers about your latest indie-published release.

Titled A Most Discreet Inquiry, it’s the second book in my Regent Mysteries series. The first book, With His Lady’s Assistance, was very well received. The Historical Romance Critic site named it to the 5 Star Hall of Fame. The series is billed as humorous Regency romantic mystery.

What made you decide to utilize the indie publishing route?

When I started 13 months ago my plan was to publish my backlist as an additional source of income. The books for which I got rights back (only five of my previously print published novels) I didn’t feel my publisher ever put out in big enough numbers to make a lot of money on. To be perfectly truthful, only one of those five books made more than $5,000 originally. I am happy to say that they all have surpassed that in their indie reincarnation.

After a few months of indie publishing, I decided to try putting out some of my books that – for one reason or another – had never been published. Two of them (With His Lady’s Assistance and Protecting Britannia) I had never shown to an editor. I think the reason I didn’t – even though these were written after I’d established myself as an author – was that I couldn’t make the books sexy, and I knew New York publishing houses didn’t want them if they weren’t pretty hot. The first original ebook I put out, My Lord Wicked, had been turned down by Harlequin Historical as my option book, and I thought maybe it wasn’t good enough. But after rereading it, I thought it was a good book. It made it to number 2 in historical romances at Amazon’s Kindle Store and stayed there for several weeks. It has been in the top 50 Regency historicals (a field of over 6,000) for a year. The next one was a traditional Regency (clean) that I wrote just as those publishing houses were closing those lines. It (The Earl’s Bargain) zoomed to number one in historical on Amazon and stayed there several weeks. It has been in the top 50 historicals at Amazon for a year and has outsold all my books. I now have 16 books available, 11 of which are Regencies, where I was established before indie publishing.

So the beauty of ebooks is you don’t have to compete for shelf space. Books no longer being published in New York, like the sweet Regencies, can be very popular in ebooks. Ebooks can reach those smaller audiences that are not being served by major publishers.

Now that you’ve been writing Regency romances for quite some time, do you have all the information you need, or do you still have to do research for each book?

Nearly 20 years of writing Regencies and ten previous years to that reading them, as well as ten trips to England, a monthly column, and subscriptions to several British periodicals, I do feel extremely comfortable with the era. But my to-be-read list of books on the era never dwindles. There are always more books. I especially love to read volumes of diaries and letters written during the era.

What is the one most important thing you’ve learned about the publishing industry in your career?

The publishing industry is cyclical. It’s very trend sensitive. The past few years it’s all been about YA and vamps. The nineties it was time travel – which you can’t sell (to New York) now!

Which is more difficult—indie publishing or traditional publishing?

No doubt about it, it’s much easier to drop your book in your New York publisher’s lap and let them do the cover, the publicity, etc. Which works really nice if you happen to be a lead author. For those of us who were midlist authors, it wasn’t so good. But it was much easier.

I can really use a full-time assistant right now. I’m fortunate my husband (who holds a doctorate) possesses all the skills I need and actually enjoys the work. He’s especially good with computers and has been my webmaster since 1998. He does all my formatting, much of my cover design, and in a pinch can proofread. I do pay my journalist son to proofread my books, despite that I have massive editing experience, an English degree, and taught English for six years. I just can’t find my own errors. BTW, my son (eBookEditorPro.com) not only edits, he formats and does covers – all cheaply!

You’re on the top 100 list of indie published authors, and you’ve achieved countless other successes in your career. What would you say to a struggling author who has yet to achieve even the most modest of success?

The two most important things are to get in a critique group and to enter contests.

Now for the fun questions!

Coffee or tea?

Both! Coffee all day; tea from dinner on, but I live in the South, where iced tea is a staple.

Morning person or night owl?

Formerly, I would have said morning person, but now that I get hundreds of emails daily, it’s well into the afternoon before I’ve cleaned my inbox. Lately, I’m finding my pages aren’t getting written until night, between 7 and 11.

What is one piece of technology you wish had never been invented?

Facebook. It’s opened up a whole new world of time suck.

If you could pick one of your heroines and trade places with her, which one would it be and why?

The heroine of my first published book, A Duke Deceived. She was a beautiful duchess whose maiden name was Bonny Barbara Allen.

What one song do you wish had never been written?

I guess the tackiest song ever is Grandma Got Run over by a Reindeer.

Meet the Author: Karen Woodward, author of Until Death

Today, I welcome Karen Woodward, author of Until Death, a magical story of sorcery and demons. Karen also writes a helpful blog for writers.

First up, tell us a little bit about Until Death, Karen. Is it available only in ebook? Where can it be purchased?

Hi Rachel, first let me say that I can’t get enough of your blog. Love it!

Thanks for asking about my book, Until Death. It’s agonizingly difficult to sum up the plot in under 200 words, but here goes:

Darla is a mundane in a world of magic users. Her deepest most desperate wish is to work magic. When Darla’s desire is granted by Kael, the sexy equivalent of her very own fairy godfather, life couldn’t be better. She is now a sorcerer, a being imbued with primal magic.

Darla’s joy is soon tempered with a generous dollop of terror when she learns that her benefactor is a demon. As though that weren’t enough, the Council of Mages puts a price on her head. They feel, and not without reason, that sorcerers are too powerful to be allowed to exist.

Darla must choose: Her power or her life. Although Darla’s family pleads with her to renounce her powers, can she give up what she has sought for so long?

For the first time Darla doesn’t know what she wants, or who to believe. Are all demons evil? Has Kael cursed her or freed her? Does being a sorcerer doom her to cause death or, with the help of a good demon, can she change her fate?

At the moment Until Death is only available in ebook, but after reading about Jan Talty’s experience with CreateSpace* I’m thinking of releasing a POD version as well. We’ll see. It feels as though there’s a zillion things that need doing immediately (if not sooner!) and prioritizing isn’t my best thing.

*http://writeitforward.wordpress.com/2...

What draws you to fantasy writing?

It’s all Joss Whedon’s fault. That’s what I told my mom. She wanted me to either write travel literature or devote myself to creating inspirational and uplifting stories of a religious nature. It only took one episode of Buffy The Vampire Slayer to derail my mother’s carefully laid plans.

I guess I could also blame it on the next door neighbor I had when I was five, the man who gave me my first book of fairy stories. After that my writing was all about enchanted glens, fairy glades and self-aware trees with a grouchy personality.

So I guess that means Joss Whedon’s off the hook, I was corrupted long before Buffy got hold of me.

Is Until Death your first published novel? What other books do you have in the works?

I have published other works, children’s stories for instance, under pen names.

The second book in my Death series, In Death, will be coming out in December of this year (*fingers crossed*). The third and final book in the trilogy is planned for Summer 2013.

What made you decide to start a blog for writers? Has that proven to be beneficial to you as well as other authors?

Why did I start my blog? That’s a good question. I think in the beginning I had the idea that since I was a writer I needed a blog so I started blogging. I didn’t know what I was doing, and I had no theme, no posting schedule. Occasionally I sat down in front of my computer, used my words to capture a few ideas and mercilessly threw them out into the world.

In the beginning it felt like I was sending my words out into a void. I hadn’t discovered Google Analytics and didn’t know Blogger has fairly decent stats, so I thought no one was reading what I wrote. I remember the first time one of my blog posts received a comment. Wow! I did a Scooby dance and walked on air for the rest of the day.

Blogging is fabulously rewarding. I am hugely gratified to have the wonderful audience I do, and it’s all thanks to my readers, their patience and their feedback.

My blog has evolved quite a bit. Today I write about two areas: the changing world of publishing and how to become a better writer (these are largely tips from other writers, people who know infinitely more about the craft than I).

But you’re right, I do write for writers. I think that came about because I had a gazillion questions about writing and the publishing industry. I figured if I had a particular question other folks would as well.

According to your website, you’re a Joss Whedon fan. What was your take on The Avengers which he wrote and directed?

Awesome times two! What’s not to like?

I know that’s an unsophisticated response, but I thoroughly enjoyed the movie and look forward to the next one.

Most of us writers still have the first books we’ve written stashed away in a drawer, and we know they’ll never get published. Do you have stories you wrote when you first started out that will never see the light of day?

Oh yes! In my case they’re in a reinforced steel vault with a super-secret 32 digit keycode that is changed daily. Just in case.

Seriously, I do occasionally think about using the idea behind some of my early stories and re-writing them, but I think I’ll let the majority rest in peace.

What do you think is the biggest challenge for new authors?

Great question. I think the biggest challenge for me as a new author was believing in myself. Perhaps that seems trite, but I’m serious. It’s difficult to send your story, your baby, out into the cruel electronic world, to wonder if anyone will buy it, and if a few marvelous people buy your book, will it receive reviews and will they be good reviews or the sort that make you want to jump off a tall building?

I’ve been exceptionally fortunate, and it’s all because of my readers. It’s hard to put into words how much their reviews mean to me. I wish I could go to each reviewer and said thanks but my writer friends told me in no uncertain terms that isn’t done. To everyone who reviewed my book, no matter what you said about it, thank you! You read my book and took time out of your life to post a review. You rock!

What are some of your favorite sites to visit on the web and why?

There are oodles of terrific sites for writers to visit. These are the ones I go to every day:

A Newbie’s Guide To Publishing (http://jakonrath.blogspot.ca/)

- Joe Konrath was the one who got me to realize that self publishing wasn’t the same as vanity publishing. I keep going back because he regularly shares information gleaned from his and his friends’ publishing efforts. That, and I enjoy his writing.

Dean Wesley Smith (http://www.deanwesleysmith.com/)

- Mr. Smith has been writing for more years than many writers have been alive! He has written literally hundreds of books. It is amazingly generous of him to spend his valuable time blogging about the changing world of writing and publishing. Before I starting reading these blogs (Joe’s and Dean’s and Kris’) I didn’t think of what I was doing as a business, reading these blogs has changed the way I view writing and publishing, and it’s been a change for the better.

Kris Writes (http://kriswrites.com/)

- Everything I’ve said about Joe and Dean applies to Kris as well. It’s wonderful to read the advice of a woman who has been in this industry for decades, has written hundreds of books, has won many awards, and isn’t completely jaded. She has a wonderful blog; I can’t recommend it highly enough.

Passive Voice Blog (http://www.thepassivevoice.com/)

- Passive Guy (PG) has a blog that’s a bit different. Every day he lists a bevy of interesting links about writing and publishing. Occasionally he throws in something deliciously oddball. His blog has become my morning newspaper.

And now for some fun questions…

What is your favorite Joss Whedon series and why?

Oh, don’t make me choose! I’ve watched them all (of course!) but I’d have to go with Buffy. She is a strong character–physically and metaphorically–who wants to be normal. Perhaps I should have read more comics, but I’d never come across a character like her before or a world like hers. It was awesome! I kid you not; I was hooked after the first episode.

Would you choose Angel or Spike as your favorite vampire? Why?

Oh, no fair! I really can’t choose. Angel is enticingly bad in a good-boy way. He is the tortured soul. Spike is just deliciously bad.

If you could be a television writer, would you? What type of show would you like to write for?

I used to think it would be fabulous to be a television writer but then I attended a talk given by Robert J. Sawyer in which he spoke about his experience writing for the TV show Flashforward. From what he said, writing for TV and writing a novel are very different experiences. For instance, as a TV writer you don’t have as much control over your characters or their world. But IF I did write for a show I would definitely want to write for one like Buffy where there’s a strong, funny, realistic yet sympathetic female lead. My dream TV job would be writing Kim Harrison’s upcoming TV Series, the one based on her Hollows characters (Rachel Morgan et al).

Who was your favorite Harry Potter character?

Ron was definitely one of my favorite characters because he was so real. I knew a Ron when I was in high school. He was impossible in all the best ways, had a heart of gold and I loved him to bits.

If you could live in the fantasy world you create, would you?

That is a difficult question. When I created Darla I drew a lot from myself and my life and then I made it a million times worse! She has met this wonderful guy, Kael, who happens to be a demon, so forget about bringing him to the family BBQ, and then everything she knows about him is thrown into question. That’s going to happen in my next book in the series, In Death. I would love to live in a magical world and be able to do magic but I’m not crazy about people trying to kill me or about my peers looking down on me, not trusting me, because I’m different. I think I’m much more laid back than Darla is.

Thank you for joining me, Karen. I wish you all the best with your writing.

Thank you so much for having me on your blog, Rachel. I have thoroughly enjoyed myself!

To learn more about Karen and to follow her wonderful blog, go to

http://blog.karenwoodward.org. You can also find her on Twitter@woodwardkaren

Meet the Author: NY Times Bestselling author, C.J. Lyons

Today, I welcome CJ Lyons  whose books have topped the New York Times Bestseller’s list.  

 

CJ, can you tell my readers a little about your latest release?

CJ: BLIND FAITH is coming out in paperback and as a revised ebook from St. Martins July 31st.

BLIND FAITH, like most of my books begins with “what if?” What if a woman is called upon to witness the execution of the serial killer who has confessed to killing her husband and son?  What if he dies without telling her where he has buried them?

What if she vows to find their graves and instead discovers her husband, the man who took everything from her, is still alive?

What if she learns everything she believes is a lie?  What if the only person she can trust is the man who betrayed her…her husband?

When you left medicine, was it an “entirely on faith” move or were you comfortable enough in your career to leave?

CJ: Leaving medicine was a huge leap of faith. I had two books under contract, but certainly no guarantee that writing would pay the bills.

I was lucky that it did, despite a disastrous start to my writing career: the publisher cancelled my first book 90 days prior to publication because of cover art problems!

But I kept writing, kept working towards that dream of becoming a career novelist. After I got my rights back another NYC publisher came to me and asked me to create a new series for them.

And just to show that karma has a sense of humor, the book I wrote while furiously working to salvage my career after that first book was cancelled? BLIND FAITH, which went on to sell 250,000 copies and debut at #2 on the New York Times bestseller list.

Most of us writers still have the first books we’ve written stashed away in a drawer, and we know they’ll never get published. Do you have stories you wrote when you first started out that will never see the light of day?

CJ: Absolutely! I wrote my first novel (a YA fantasy) in high school, two science fiction novels in medical school, and a few action adventure romances while trying to find my voice.

Writers tend to be impatient, thinking that our first novel is our best work. But the best way to learn how to write is to write, write, write…Most published authors I know didn’t get their first contract until their fourth or fifth novel. That’s half a million words!

You wouldn’t expect a medical student to do brain surgery on their first day of classes, why would you assume that the first words you put to paper are genius and worthy of a reader’s investment in time and money?

I think of those first novels as training wheels. Helping me stay balanced and giving me a little extra safe space while I peddle around, finding my way.

What do you think is the biggest challenge for new authors?

CJ: Finding objective feedback to help kick your writing to the next level. It’s so easy to publish anything pain free that it’s a temptation to succumb to that instant gratification of seeing your story out there.

But if your plan is to be a career novelist and do this for the long haul, then you need to make sure every piece you publish is the best you can make it. Because with the Internet, they’re going to be around a long, long time. You’ve only got one chance to make a first impression with a reader.

You’re co-writing a series with Erin Brokovich. Tell us how that came about and what it was like meeting Erin for the first time.

CJ: She read my Angels of Mercy series from Berkley, liked the strong, yet human female protagonists, and invited me to work with her. Of course I said, yes!

We’ve actually never met in person. She’s always traveling and her schedule is crazy-busy (and people call me an over-achiever, lol! Erin puts me to shame!), but we’ve emailed and chatted on the phone. Writing those books was great fun.

You’re on the top 100 list of indie published authors, and you’ve achieved countless other successes in your career. What would you say to a struggling author who has yet to achieve even the most modest of success?

CJ: Writers write. Successful writers keep writing.

I know it sounds simplistic, but it’s so very true. Or, if you prefer, the words of Tim Allen misquoting Winston Churchill: Never surrender, never give up.

Here’s the magic formula: More great books out there plus time for readers to find them and tell their friends about them.

Just that simple and just that hard.

 And now for some fun questions…

What is one piece of technology you wish had never been invented?

CJ: The beeper! Even after leaving medicine, I still wake up buzzing with adrenalin from dreaming it’s gone off!

What one song do you wish had never been written?

CJ: Happy Birthday. I mean really, talk about spoiling the mood of a birthday celebration, it’s so maudlin and downbeat. I wish the birthday song had been invented by Motown, now that would make it fun!

What are your favorite comfy clothes?

CJ: Same clothes I wear 99% of the time: comfy tee and shorts.

 What is your all-time favorite movie?

CJ: Really impossible to answer. I love, love, love movies: watching them, analyzing them, re-living them, sharing them with others. So my favorite varies with my mood.

If you had a full day to read any series you wanted, what series would you choose and why?

CJ: I don’t read many series anymore. I used to until deadlines cut into my reading time, so now I tend to read standalones because I can finish one and go back to work without being tempted to grab the next. Often not even thrillers—lately I’ve been on a YA kick (adored Suzanne Collins’ Hunger Games trilogy, John Green’s The Fault in our Stars, and Elizabeth Wein’s Code Name Verity) and also reading a lot of literary fiction (Aleph the Unseen, The Watch, Until the Next Time).

Thank you for joining me, CJ.

Thanks for having me! CJ