Alison Bruce's Blog: Alison Bruce... author on the loose, page 2
April 14, 2012
Deadly Legacy
Deadly Legacy
When I was growing up, I was Jo Bruce's daughter. My mother was first a Girl Guide Captain, then commissioner. More importantly, she organized the distribution of the cookies. Everyone knew her.
I was also Joanne Bruce's sister. She was the outgoing one - the darling of her teachers. It's tough being overshadowed by your little sister.
At high school, I felt like the sidekick. I was the goofy BFF that gave great advice to the star of the show. It was years later, talking to an old teacher, that I found out I was leading character material. No one else thought I was languishing in the shadows. Far from it. I had a rep!
Still, I remember that feeling and I used it when I developed Kate Garrett. Taking her father's place in his private investigation agency, she has big boots to fill. Joe Garrett was practically a legend. Compared to living up to that legacy, finding a poisoner is just another day at the office.
When I was growing up, I was Jo Bruce's daughter. My mother was first a Girl Guide Captain, then commissioner. More importantly, she organized the distribution of the cookies. Everyone knew her.
I was also Joanne Bruce's sister. She was the outgoing one - the darling of her teachers. It's tough being overshadowed by your little sister.
At high school, I felt like the sidekick. I was the goofy BFF that gave great advice to the star of the show. It was years later, talking to an old teacher, that I found out I was leading character material. No one else thought I was languishing in the shadows. Far from it. I had a rep!
Still, I remember that feeling and I used it when I developed Kate Garrett. Taking her father's place in his private investigation agency, she has big boots to fill. Joe Garrett was practically a legend. Compared to living up to that legacy, finding a poisoner is just another day at the office.
November 27, 2011
All I want for Christmas...
... is time to read my books.
Who knew being a published author would make it so difficult to be an avid reader?
Part of the problem is the time I need to promote the book out there while preparing the book to come. By preparing, I don't mean writing, or even re-writing, I mean the copy editing, approving covers (fun but still consuming occupation) and finding reviewers for cover blurbs. Add in one's day job and family; there's not so much time for reading.
The biggest problem is that I have so much more to read. Joining Goodreads and networking with other authors has increased my TBR list exponentially.
This time last year I was in hospital begging for new things to read so I wouldn't die of boredom. What put me in hospital paled in comparison. ;) This year... well, no, I'm not wishing myself in hospital - I'm not that crazy yet.
Still, my biggest present to myself this holiday season will be take time to curl up with a good book... and then another... and another...
Who knew being a published author would make it so difficult to be an avid reader?
Part of the problem is the time I need to promote the book out there while preparing the book to come. By preparing, I don't mean writing, or even re-writing, I mean the copy editing, approving covers (fun but still consuming occupation) and finding reviewers for cover blurbs. Add in one's day job and family; there's not so much time for reading.
The biggest problem is that I have so much more to read. Joining Goodreads and networking with other authors has increased my TBR list exponentially.
This time last year I was in hospital begging for new things to read so I wouldn't die of boredom. What put me in hospital paled in comparison. ;) This year... well, no, I'm not wishing myself in hospital - I'm not that crazy yet.
Still, my biggest present to myself this holiday season will be take time to curl up with a good book... and then another... and another...
November 3, 2011
Imajin That!
It's two more sleeps to my book launch with authors Melodie Campbell and Gloria Ferris. The tension is mounting and, yes, I feel a bit like a kid awaiting Christmas.
I know most of you are not going to be in Guelph on Saturday, so if you can't be at the launch, drop me a line here or on Twitter (http://twitter.com/alisonebruce) or Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/alisonbruce.b...).
Cheers - Alison
I know most of you are not going to be in Guelph on Saturday, so if you can't be at the launch, drop me a line here or on Twitter (http://twitter.com/alisonebruce) or Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/alisonbruce.b...).
Cheers - Alison
September 7, 2011
Back-to-School
I've never looked forward to going back-to-school, even when I didn't hate school. Something in my balks at letting go of the freedom of summer holidays.
It could have been worse. If I had been born a hundred years earlier, I might have been in Miss Gumm's class.
Nighthawk interviews Adele in:
Back-to-School with Miss Gumm
It could have been worse. If I had been born a hundred years earlier, I might have been in Miss Gumm's class.
Nighthawk interviews Adele in:
Back-to-School with Miss Gumm
September 1, 2011
Always Carry Your Stash
I like back-to-school shopping for two reasons.
1) I get to go to Staples and buy stuff for myself as well as the kids.
2) My kids are old enough to go try on clothes on their own and fetch me later when it's time to pay. This means I can go to a coffee shop. I can relax and read, or take my laptop and write.
Today I did neither. I just set up my laptop and sat down when a friend came by. She'd been out of the country for the summer and this was the first time we'd seen each other since my book came out.
"Can I buy your book from you?" she asked.
"Of course," I said.
After all the promotional work I've been doing, it's nice to have a customer just walk up and ask to buy a book.
Which is why I always carry a stash in the trunk of my car.
Cheers - Alison
1) I get to go to Staples and buy stuff for myself as well as the kids.
2) My kids are old enough to go try on clothes on their own and fetch me later when it's time to pay. This means I can go to a coffee shop. I can relax and read, or take my laptop and write.
Today I did neither. I just set up my laptop and sat down when a friend came by. She'd been out of the country for the summer and this was the first time we'd seen each other since my book came out.
"Can I buy your book from you?" she asked.
"Of course," I said.
After all the promotional work I've been doing, it's nice to have a customer just walk up and ask to buy a book.
Which is why I always carry a stash in the trunk of my car.
Cheers - Alison
August 27, 2011
Nighthawk Talk
"With an eagle eye for prey, Nighthawk swoops through the fourth wall to get a characters-eye view of the action."
I've given my alter-ego Nighthawk her own blog spot. Being fictional herself, she has more interest in characters than the people who write them.
Naturally, I have her by the tail feathers so my characters get interviewed quite a bit, but she's also willing, wanting and waiting to interview other author's characters too.
If there are any reader-experts of dead author's characters, Nighthawk would welcome your help interviewing them.
Meanwhile, right now Marly Landers from Under A Texas Star is being featured and questions have been opened up to the audience. For those who participate by asking her questions in the comments, there will be a draw for a free book.
http://nighthawktalk.blogspot.com/
I've given my alter-ego Nighthawk her own blog spot. Being fictional herself, she has more interest in characters than the people who write them.
Naturally, I have her by the tail feathers so my characters get interviewed quite a bit, but she's also willing, wanting and waiting to interview other author's characters too.
If there are any reader-experts of dead author's characters, Nighthawk would welcome your help interviewing them.
Meanwhile, right now Marly Landers from Under A Texas Star is being featured and questions have been opened up to the audience. For those who participate by asking her questions in the comments, there will be a draw for a free book.
http://nighthawktalk.blogspot.com/
June 26, 2011
Virtual Book Tour
Where am I going, I don't know
When will I get there, I ain't certain
All that I know is I am on my way...
Okay I do know where and when I going, at least for guest blogs.
Write-On Mystery
Just Desserts - Why mysteries are so satisfying
writeonmystery.blogspot.com
June 25, 2011
Katy's Words
Texas
katywords.blogspot.com
June 30, 2011
Funny Girl Melodie
Romance is Funny that Way
funnygirlmelodie.blogspot.com
July 11, 2011
Got a dream boy
Got a song
Paint your wagon
Come along
When will I get there, I ain't certain
All that I know is I am on my way...
Okay I do know where and when I going, at least for guest blogs.
Write-On Mystery
Just Desserts - Why mysteries are so satisfying
writeonmystery.blogspot.com
June 25, 2011
Katy's Words
Texas
katywords.blogspot.com
June 30, 2011
Funny Girl Melodie
Romance is Funny that Way
funnygirlmelodie.blogspot.com
July 11, 2011
Got a dream boy
Got a song
Paint your wagon
Come along
May 18, 2011
Preparing to Hit the Virtual Trail
I've been lining up guest blogs, interviews and recipes for a virtual book tour in June. This is new territory for me. Though I've been a publisher myself in the past, and been working in marketing - one way or another - for years, I'm discovering that I have a lot to learn.
Fortunately I have a lot of help from my publisher, Imajin Books. Book trailers, eBooks, and finding reviewers have been demystified. (BTW, you can see my trailer on my website www.alisonbruce.ca or go directly to YouTube.)
As Robert Heinlein said once or twice, "You live and learn or you don't live long."
Under a Texas Star
Fortunately I have a lot of help from my publisher, Imajin Books. Book trailers, eBooks, and finding reviewers have been demystified. (BTW, you can see my trailer on my website www.alisonbruce.ca or go directly to YouTube.)
As Robert Heinlein said once or twice, "You live and learn or you don't live long."
Under a Texas Star
