Eden Baylee's Blog, page 78

I am interviewed for @HuffPostBooks

Website | Twitter @lorenkleinman

* * * *

I had the pleasure of being interviewed for Huffington Post Books by columnist and poet, Loren Kleinman. We disussed Stranger at Sunset, switching genres, and which one of my characters I would date and why.

You can read Loren’s interview of me here.

~ eden

**

Filed under: Eden's Guest Blogs & Interviews, Stranger at Sunset

Music Monday ~ Chasing Pirates by @NorahJones

I’ve enjoyed Norah Jones’ music since her first album, Come Away with Me.

Her sultry, smoky voice is what I love most about her, and the wonderful lyrics of this song are perfect for writers.

Enjoy Monday,

eden

Filed under: Musical Mondays

I am interviewed by author Bill Kirton Part 1 (@carver22)

Website | Twitter @carver22 | Facebook

Bill’s books on Amazon UK ~ Amazon US

* * * *

I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Scottish author and friend, Bill Kirton. He posted part one this week and questioned my writing from a Canadian angle. Come by and leave a comment. We’d love to hear from you ;)

You can read Bill’s interview of me (part 1) here.

~ eden

**

Filed under: Eden's Guest Blogs & Interviews, Stranger at Sunset

I am interviewed by author Bill Kirton (@carver22)

Website | Twitter @carver22 | Facebook

Bill’s books on Amazon UK ~ Amazon US

* * * *

I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Scottish author and friend, Bill Kirton. He posted part one this week and questioned my writing from a Canadian angle. Come by and leave a comment. We’d love to hear from you ;)

You can read Bill’s interview of me (part 1) here.

~ eden

**

Filed under: Eden's Guest Blogs & Interviews, Stranger at Sunset

Eden’s Exchange talks to @TobyWNeal #author #interview

Toby Neal is a very busy woman living amongst the lush palms and beautiful sand and sea of Hawaii. She’s the author of close to a dozen books and counting. Learn more about this fascinating woman and her books.

* * * *

Aloha, Toby, so lovely to have you here all the way from Hawaii. Tell readers h ow your best friend would describe you in 20 words or less.

She has described me as kind, funny, disciplined, passionate and creative! (She’s a writer too, so we’re never short on words!)

Ha! I know what you mean. Are you a full time writer or do you have a day job? 

I am a clinical social worker in private practice as well as a writer. I am doing well enough as a writer to leave my practice, but I worked very hard to get all my degrees, and I LOVE helping people heal and overcome, so I doubt I’ll ever leave my therapy work entirely, though I may cut back—because right now I have too many clients!

I work on my writing business in the mornings and see clients in afternoon/evenings.

You are busy. Do you have time for any extravagances?

Art. Yeah, I know, that’s a thing for rich people, right? But I’m also a creative person myself, and my husband is a full time photographer/artist, so we love to support fellow artists. I’ve been collecting paintings and other art as we could trade/haggle/payment plan since we got married in 1986, and I love to be surrounded by gorgeous art.

Aww, that’s wonderful. I love art too and galleries are regular stomping grounds for me. Do you have any favorite curse words?

“Son of a beehive!” and “Shozbot!” Sometimes I will indulge in the occasional F bomb, like when I stub my toe really bad.

;) How about a motto you live by?

I enjoy mottoes and slogans and use them all the time in my therapy practice to help clients. For myself, I use “Anything worth doing, is worth doing excellently” and “the best revenge for a dysfunctional childhood is a life filled with joy” I also like “it is what it is” to help accept things that can’t be changed.

All good ones! Let’s talk about your writing. Where do you draw your inspiration from?

My clients, Hawaii, nature, interesting news articles/investigation pieces I read.

What is the best advice you’ve received as a writer?

Stephen King’s On Writing: “ideas are like fossils and the writer just uncovers them.” I also like his formula of putting interesting characters in a situation and letting them fight it out. He emphasizes discipline and writing every day, which I do.

Great book and agree about writing every day. How would you define your style of writing?

Cinematic, fast-paced, dialogue driven, with lyrical bits

What part of writing a novel do you enjoy the most? The least?

I enjoy writing love and friendship scenes, setting description, and action. I hate writing departmental meetings reviewing a case (which is a part of police work)

Do you outline, plot and structure, or do you just sit down and write?

I outline about ¾ of the book and let the last fourth be filled with surprises (even to me) and I write character bios and a logline before I start a new book.

Interesting about the 3/4 formula. What is the genre of your book?

Police procedural mystery with romantic twist.

Yes, I featured Shattered Palms here back in March. Why do you think people should read it?

For fun, to get away to a little-known part of Hawaii (cloud forest on Haleakala) and to be engrossed in a powerful story.

I love the cover and I know that Shattered Palms is the 6th book in your popular LEI CRIME SERIES. Here is the blurb:

Maui is lush mountains, cloud forest and exquisite birdsong—but for Detective Lei Texeira, arrows break that peace.

Someone is stalking poachers that are capturing Maui’s rarest birds, and Lei pursues the case with her usual leap-first, look-later style—but will she be able to catch a killer, save the birds, and still make it to her own wedding? Shattered Palms is a roller coaster ride from the top of Haleakala to the beach and back again, with extinction at stake.

“Toby Neal creates a captivating balance of the beauty of the islands contrasted with the ugliness of murder, and complicated by the trials of Lei’s personal life. A must-read for Neal fans.” —Thomas K. Matthews, author of Rejection.

 Sold via Amazon

How long did it take for you to write Shattered Palms?

Four months (first draft).

What was the inspiration behind it?

My husband’s work for Nature Conservancy on Haleakala and his work with endangered native Hawaii birds. I fell in love with them!

How are you marketing your book?

My email list, KDP select, my fan base, exposure on other blogs/etc

What is the best way for someone to support your book, aside from buying it?

Share it with others!

Absolutely. And since submitting your interview to me, you’ve released Book 7 of the Lei Crime Series called Dark Lava. It’s receiving excellent reviews! Here is the cover and blurb.

Maui is sacred places, ancient artifacts, and the dark lava of deepest passions.

Nothing ever goes easy for detectives Lei Texeira and Michael Stevens. An investigation into heiau desecrations must take a back seat to the emergence of an enemy who targets those closest to them, leaving shrouds as a calling card. Lei and Stevens face challenges of the body, mind and heart in this seventh in the bestselling Lei Crime Series.

“Neal is a powerful writer, and her prose is often effortless and elegant.” Kirkus Reviews 

* * *

Toby, let’s have a quick lightning round to finish off.

Aside from people/pets, what is the ONE item you would save if your house was on fire? My paintings and jewelry!

Favorite place you’ve traveled to or would like to travel to? Italy. I’ve been three times. I love just about everything about Italy and have some relatives by marriage. Ah, la dolce vita! They really know how to live—wine, lovemaking, great art, afternoon naps, affectionate family life…what’s not to love?

Name a food you can eat everyday. Apples.

Favorite style of music? Classic rock and any kind of guitar music.

The best gift you’ve ever received? My husband gave me a Kari McCarthy painting this year for my birthday. Best present ever! Mike gave me a tiny painting the size of a matchbox all wrapped up and said, “all I can afford of her work, honey” and I was in raptures, and had to hit him when he was just teasing and he’d bought a much bigger piece and I could pick it out at her studio. We met, and it ends up she’s painting one of my own photographs. I’m so thrilled with the whole experience. She’s expensive and only getting more so, so I’m going to have a real treasure that I’ll enjoy every day feasting my eyes on.

That’s an amazing story, Toby. You are a lucky woman! Name something you cannot go a day without. Hugs and smiles from the ones I love!

Sweet :D Thanks so much for coming by Eden’s Exchange, Toby. I wish you continued success and look forward to more of your books.

Readers, please find Toby at all her virtual homes below.

* * * *

Connect To Toby

Facebook Page for the Lei Crime Series | Website | Facebook

 Twitter @tobywneal | Amazon Author Page (for all Toby’s books)

Toby Neal grew up on the island of Kaua`i in Hawaii. After a few “stretches of exile” to pursue education, the islands have been home for the last fifteen years. Toby is a mental health therapist, a career that has informed the depth and complexity of the characters in her books. Outside of work and writing, Toby volunteers in a nonprofit for children and enjoys life in Hawaii through beach walking, body boarding, scuba diving, photography and hiking.

 ****

Filed under: Author & Artist Interviews

STRANGER AT SUNSET is in the spotlight for @ThePenMuse

Website | Facebook | Twitter @thepenmuse | Google +

I’m featured today on the wonderful site of Denise Alicea, author and owner of The Pen and Muse Book Reviews. I’m honored she’s given me space on her site to feature my book.

Connect to Denise at her virtual homes and see all the services she provides.

Hop over to The Pen and Muse and read the Spotlight on Stranger at Sunset.

Enjoy,

~ eden

**
Filed under: Eden's Guest Blogs & Interviews, Stranger at Sunset

Music Monday ~ I Feel Good dedicated to @RobinWilliams

In the first film I ever saw starring Robin Williams, his mission was to build morale. His strategy? To keep them laughing.

The film was Good Morning Vietnam.

I watched it again this past week and cried … and laughed—hard.

Thank you Robin Williams, for making us laugh and feel good for so long.

Here’s the classic “I Feel Good” by James Brown.

eden

Filed under: Musical Mondays

Plotting for Pantsers ~ Guest blog for Ingrid Hall (@authoringrid)

I am thrilled to be featured on the blog of author Ingrid Hall.

A couple of months ago, she invited submissions of articles to help indie authors, and I decided to write one. She also curates the Facebook page for Indie and Proud. Be sure to connect to Ingrid at all her sites.

Read my post: Plotting for Pantsers on Ingrid’s blog and find out how it ties into my latest book.

 * * * *

Find out more about Ingrid by following her links below.

Website | Twitter @authoringrid | Facebook

Indie and Proud: Facebook | Goodreads

* * * *

Buy from Amazon worldwide
No Kindle? No Worries.

There is a Kindle App for just about any electronic device (Click here to get one). If you own a computer, smart phone, iPad, or iPod touch, then you are able to download my e-books.

**

Filed under: Eden's Guest Blogs & Interviews, Stranger at Sunset

Does Sex Belong in a Mystery Novel? ~ Guest blog for @casesheridan

Today, I am thrilled to guest blog for the amazing Casey Sheridan.

I’ve known Casey since the end of 2010. She’s one of the first erotica author I ever connected to, and we’ve seen each other through a lot. Casey is a wonderful friend and supporter to many indies. I highly urge you to check out her books.

Read Does Sex Belong in a Mystery Novel? on Casey’s blog and find out how it ties into my latest book.

 * * * *

Find out more about Casey by following her links below.

Website | Blog | Twitter @casesheridan

 Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads

* * * *

Buy from Amazon worldwide
No Kindle? No Worries.

There is a Kindle App for just about any electronic device (Click here to get one). If you own a computer, smart phone, iPad, or iPod touch, then you are able to download my e-books.

**

Filed under: Eden's Guest Blogs & Interviews, Stranger at Sunset

Eden’s Exchange talks to @C_W_Schultz #author #interview

C. W. Schultz is the pseudonym for American writer Calen Sifferman, and we met on Twitter just before he was heading overseas. I liked his bio and invited him for an interview.

Please give Calen a warm welcome and add him to your networks.

* * * *

Nice to have you here, Calen. Tell readers about your  greatest extravagance.

I’ve been collecting Coca-Cola memorabilia since I was a little kid after seeing a friend’s collection. I just fell in love with the artwork, especially the vintage stuff from the 1940s and 1950s. What makes it such an extravagance is that I don’t even drink soda (and I’ve never done coke)!

I never touch Coke either (both the soda and the other kind). ;) What is one thing you want to do before you die?

I want to have kids. One boy and one girl. I don’t know the first thing about children, haven’t held a baby in a very long time, don’t think I’ve ever changed a diaper… but I’ve always wanted to be a dad. Just got married in September 2013, so I’m halfway there I guess. I’d also like to earn that Wikipedia article before I’m cremated or six feet under; already got my IMDb credit outta the way!

Nice. What are some of your favorite curse words?

My wife is strangely immune to the utterance of the C-word, so that’s no fun. Pink Floyd has an album called Ummagumma, which is apparently British-slang for the old in-out-in-out; so that word is always fun to dig up if I sense the presence of a Floyd fan.

I love Floyd, and I did not know that! Do you have a motto you live by?

Kick ass and enjoy your riches, or squeeze pennies and cherish your dignity.

That is a new one for me. What makes you laugh, and I mean, REALLY laugh?

I always laugh really hard when a person puts forth a serious effort in impersonating an animal. The reason it never ceases to amuse me is because they always realize how ridiculous they’re being after the damage is already done.

Let’s talk a bit about your writing. Where do you draw your inspiration from?

My ideas for stories and characters come from real life events, art (specifically film, literature and music), and random ideas that just pop in my head unprovoked.

What motivates you to write?

I was writing even before I could… well… write! When I was a small child, I’d hand one of my parents a piece of paper and a pencil and ask them to write down a story I would make up. I remember this clearly. If that’s not a sign that I was meant to write, I don’t know what is. Even if I had millions of dollars and spent every single day eating fried chicken and drinking Corona nonstop while sitting on a beach not caring about anything except reapplying sunblock, my mind would still be creating tales no matter how leisurely I would try to be. Whether I have success at writing or not is irrelevant; I’ve always been writing, and I always will be writing… and in a 100 years from now, when I’m long gone, my books will still be on bookshelves. That counts for something, whether you sell one copy or one million copies. That’s something that any writer can take pride and comfort in.

So true, name a few of your favorite authors and books, and why you like them.

Literature is pretty endless, so I’m always excited to read new things. Unfortunately, my eagerness to explore the vastness of literature has kind of prevented me from rereads. Therefore, choosing favorite authors and books has always been tricky for me because my process is to keep moving forward. I think the last time I revisited a novel was View from the Cherry Tree by Willo Davis Roberts when I was a kid; I loved the mystery, the twists and turns, and especially the cat named S.O.B. I’d also like to give props to Bret Easton Ellis’s American Psycho and Irvine Welsh’s Marabou Stork Nightmares. Those two authors, and especially those two novels, have encouraged me to go against the norm and to not be afraid to put anything… and I mean ANYTHING!… on paper.

What part of writing a novel do you enjoy the most? The least?

The thing I enjoy most about writing novels is the whole creation process (the characters, the conflict, the history). However, I write some pretty heavy stuff and it can get quite draining, so I suppose my least favorite part about being a writer is how emotionally exhausting it can get.

Is it important for you to know the title or ending of a book before you write it?

I always do know the title and ending before I write a book, but I wouldn’t call it “important”; I just know pretty much everything about my novel before I start getting it on paper.

Wow, very interesting. You must be a plotter who outlines.  

Yes, I do a lot of outlining. Sometimes I scribble it in a notebook, other times I create a pretty little itinerary on Word Document, and there are other instances where I just have it all outlined in my head. But I pretty much always baby-step my way from chapter-to-chapter.

Are you working on another book now? 

Yes, I am working on a fourth book entitled A Book About a Film. It deals with a lost film and also a secret society. Unfortunately, I can’t go into any more detail right now. I’m finished with most of my research; the rest is just piecing things together and polishing it up. Hopefully it will be out in 2015. Marketing will be… unique.

Tell us about the genres of your published works. 

My first two books kind of mixed genres, and my current book, Jill, is no exception. Jill is a horror/thriller mixed with some elements of romance. I like to call it a “serial killer soap opera”!

Why should people read Jill?

Horror fans should read it because it’s chilling and extreme. However, putting the edginess aside, the more philosophical reader will appreciate its social commentary and use of symbolism. It’s really a story for anyone who has a strong stomach and an open mind.

How long did it take for you to write it?

Just short of two years. I started writing it in January 2011 and it was released in December 2012.

What inspired you to write it?

One of the things that inspired me to write Jill was my need to create a female villain who I felt could hold up against the male villains I had created in my first two novels. I’m virtually a man raised by women—my mom came from a family of four daughters who were all really close to each other, and my teachers were all women—so, aside my father, all the authority figures in my upbringing were female and, thus, I was raised to appreciate them as strong leaders. By chance, my first two novels just happened to center around male characters, so the female characters were pretty much forced to be secondary. I felt it was overdue that I create just as unique and twisted female characters in my third novel as I had already done with male characters in my first two novels. Jill is by no means a girl-power novel; in fact, it very much mocks the battle-of-the-sexes outlook. But I was really driven to write a genuinely dark disgusting tale that is masterminded by a terrifying female character.

How did you celebrate when you finished your book?

A glass of Pinot Noir, Italian bread dipped in oil and balsamic vinegar, and Pollo al Gorgonzola at Restorante Doria in Seattle’s University District.

Sounds delicious! Let’s have a quick lightning round to finish off.

Aside from people/pets, what is the ONE item you would save if your house was on fire? Home movies and/or photo albums. That stuff’s irreplaceable.

Favorite place you’ve traveled to or would like to travel to? I just returned from the Philippines. It was my first time and I can’t wait to go back many more times. I’d also like to go to Australia and on an African safari.

Name a food you can eat everyday. Mille-feuille (also known as Napoleons). Those are da bomb! And wash it down with a hot cup of coffee… OMG! Not only could I have that everyday… if that was the only thing I ever ate again I would be more than contented.

Salty or sweet? As long as it tastes good.

Cat/dog/other pet? Birds are the coolest, but I’d say most of them are probably better off in the wild, so no more pet birds for me. I’m eager to get a pug one day, so I do have a soft spot for canines. But still, when it all comes down to it, I’m a cat person. There’s just no way for me to deny it. You have to earn a cat’s affection, thus making them the more rewarding pet.

Favorite style of music? I like all styles of music, but the majority of my music collection consists of classic rock, so we’ll go with that.

Your most guilty pleasure. Two words: Point Break. “Vaya con Dios.”

Favorite season. SPRING! A new beginning. Longer days. Colorful flowers. Fresher air. Easter candy.

Thanks for coming by Eden’s Exchange, Calen, and I wish you continued success in your writing career.

Readers, please find Calen at all his virtual homes and buy his books in e-book and print on: Amazon US | Amazon UK

* * * *
Connect To C.W. Schultz

Website | Twitter @C_W_Schultz | Facebook | Goodreads

C. W. Schultz is the pseudonym for American writer Calen Sifferman (born in Seattle, Washington on January 24, 1985). He graduated from Shorecrest High School in 2003 and Shoreline Community College in 2006.

At Shoreline Community College, two of his plays—A Peach in Place (2006) and Drafted (2007)—were workshopped.

On July 5, 2007, Schultz’s debut novel Yeval was released, a psychological-thriller/satire about a man who uses an imaginary monster to see through the eyes of a serial killer in an attempt to stop the crimes from continuing.

Being a major animal lover, Schultz started 2008 with a short-lived blog about bird care for the fallen Seattle Post-Intelligencer called Birdie Basics, with the rest of that year dedicated to writing trivia questions for game-show Eastern Expedition.

In 2010, Schultz published his second novel entitled The Pack, a whodunit thriller about a group of friends getting a little more than they bargained for when they dip their feet in the business of organized crime. Schultz describes it as a tale of book-smarts vs. street-smarts.

On September 7, 2012, Schultz announced that his film Watch would premiere at the Gig Harbor Film Festival on October 21, 2012. The response was favorable, with the film being placed as the First Runner-Up for the Director’s Choice Award for Best Short Film.

In promotion for Watch’s official release, a Kindle Edition of Yeval was released on September 18, 2012. The Pack was released on Kindle on October 26, 2012 (its two year anniversary) in promotion for Jill, his third novel, which was released on Friday, December 7, 2012, on both Kindle and paperback.

Schultz’s short horror story The Stairwell, originally a spec script entitled Echo with Laughter, was released in the eighth issue of Sirens Call Publications in April 2012. The short bio that was included in the release confirmed that Schultz is working on a children’s story that is expected to be part of an ongoing series.

His upcoming fourth book is expected to be released in 2015.

 ****

Filed under: Author & Artist Interviews