Allison M. Cosgrove's Blog, page 8

Sincerely Me…

So I thought since I have interviewed hundreds of authors over the years on this blog, that you would enjoy hearing me answer some of the questions I have posed to them over the years.

Each week I will answer one or two questions, if you want you can leave your own questions for me in the comments and I will try and answer them in a future blog post!

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When did you decide to become a writer?

As much of a cliche I am aware that the following statement will sound like, I can honestly say I’ve been picking at detective stories since I was a kid. Twelve to be exact. I hand wrote a really awesome one out when I was younger. I filled out four or five notebooks and tied them all together with a bit of yarn that I had gotten from my grandmother. I was very proud of it. What I remember of it was there was a female lead detective who had overcome a ton, and I do mean a TON of things in her life and her idea to ‘give back’ was to be a cop and solve murders.

Sounds suspiciously like what I write now don’t it?

Q&A with Lauren Gregory

Please welcome the lovely Lauren Gregory to the blog this week!

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What were you like at school?

I was always very quiet, not in the popular crowd—I was too nerdy and bookish—and a teacher’s pet.

Were you good at English?

English and History were always my favorite and best subjects. But I’ve still been amazed at how much I’ve learned in the last couple of years while writing When Doves Fly.

What are your ambitions for your writing career?

I’d love to build a solid audience and make enough to live on. But ultimately, I want to write stories with a message that speak to people, and to bring women into the spotlight in genres where they’ve been neglected.

Which writers inspire you?

I’m horrible with favorite lists. A start would be Stephen King, Tracy Chevalier, Jean Auel, and Helen Hooven-Santmeyer.

Give us an insight into your main character. What does he/she do that is so special?

Lily has a difficult, but sheltered, childhood. She follows a path most women did at the time—straight from her parents’ house to marriage—and could have stayed there. But she has a rebellious streak and sets out on a frankly ill-advised journey. In the process, she learns to depend on herself and stand up for herself in a time when independent women were scorned. She develops into a strong woman without losing her femininity.

What are you working on at the minute?

I’m writing the sequel to When Doves Fly.

What draws you to this genre?

My love of history and a desire to represent complex women in a traditionally male-dominated genre that often has women only as simplified tropes.

Why do you write?

I spent many years being afraid I had nothing important to say. Once I conquered that fear, I found a need to express some of my experiences and thoughts, and hopefully give women another voice.

What made you decide to sit down and actually start something?

It sounds clichéd, but I actually just woke up one morning with an idea, sat down at the computer, and wrote for 16 hours. Something clicked, but I still don’t really understand what.

Do you ever get writer’s Block?

I don’t think of it as Writer’s Block. I think it’s a manifestation of fear and lack of direction—fear that the story or the writing is not good enough and/or not knowing the story well enough. I’ve encountered both a few times. Any tips on how to get through the dreaded writer’s block? Write. Write about the fear, the frustration, the daily obstacles, where you want to go.

Do you proofread/edit all your own books or do you get someone to do that for you?

I revised/edited When Doves Fly six times, had six beta readers, a proofreader, and an editor. I firmly believe in having as many eyes as possible on work before it’s published.

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Thanks so much for being with us on the blog this week Lauren! Please be sure to follow Lauren and to check out her books!

Website: http://www.authorlaurengregory.com

Blog: authorlaurengregory.blogspot.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorLaurenGregory

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/mslaurengregory

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/mslaurengregory/

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Lauren-Gregory

Book Links: http://www.amazon.com/When-Doves-Fly-Lauren-Gregory-ebook

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/LaurenGregory

WIP Wednesdays: Only The Willing

I love my perfectly imperfect monsters. Really I do. I often wonder what the hell I am thinking when I step into their minds, and write their story. Its really quite a bizarre head space to be honest with you, but after years of research into some real life monsters I find I can make them real enough to give you, my faithful Bodies, goosebumps!

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He shouldn’t have done it.

Never had he felt the way that he did last night. It was almost as if someone else had taken over his body and his mind and he was just a helpless witness who was along for the ride.

That feeling scared him more than any thing else. He never knew how the feeling would take over him at any given time. This however was the worst episode he had had ever since he could remember.

He had killed before, after he was done with them he was not able to let them live. Not after the things he told them. They always had the same reaction to him though.

Once he told them who he was, and what he had done to the others in the past.

He was lucky though, that by some small miracle on his part that none of the others had lived to tell about what had happened to them.

If they had lived he would be dead by now. If not by some vigilante hooker or her pimp but certainly they would have found a way to hand him the death penatly. Even though Lake City was in a country had abolished that form of punishment years ago.

They would find a way if they knew what he had done.

But that was just it. They didnt know. No one did. His secret was perfectly safe.

He sighed as he unlocked the door to his office in the accounting firm he worked for and smiled at the person who called his name from down the hall.

Sitting down at his desk he looked at the pictures he had on the desk of his wife and four children. The family photo he had there looked so perfect. They were all so happy.

If only his sons and daughters knew that their daddy was a monster.

Teaser Tuesdays: Bodyguard

So we already know Bo has something buried deep in his past, Olivia wants her life back, what happens when they meet?

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Olivia stared at him. He was a good looking man. Clearly he spent a lot of time at the gym based on his well chiseled figure.

“Excuse me?” His deep brown eyes look perplex.

“I said that you are going to have to stop calling me ma’am if we are going to spend the next little while together.”

“Okay Miss Woods-” he started again before she cut him off.

“Please call me Olivia. She held up her good hand wincing slightly as she shifted causing a sharp pain in her bad shoulder.

“Olivia,” he repeated and stood there looking uncomfortable.

“Well have a seat, you look absolutely ridiculous standing there looking like that.”

He dutifully sat in the chair that the detective had been sitting in a short while before.

“So,” she said to him after a moment, “are we just going to sit here in silence or do you have things you need to talk to me about?”

“Yes, I’m sorry I,-

“I get it. From what I’ve learned in the last 10 minutes being someone’s bodyguard isn’t exactly what you signed up to do.”

He looked at her confused again.

“Good ears. I could hear you getting through the good old boys out there.”

He smiled.

“Good you are human.” She smiled back.

“Yes. We should discuss the plan for when you are discharged from the hospital.”

She nodded and let out a sigh. She was hoping that whatever was going on was over and dealt with before the doctor thought about releasing her.

She wanted to get back to work.

“Ma’am?” His smooth voice cut through her thoughts.

“Olivia.” She said absently trying to think about what she needed to get done once she got herself back to the office. Her mind was not on whatever it was he was talking to her about.

“Did you hear what I said?”

“No, I’m sorry, what did you say your name was again?”

“Bo Jackson, Ma– Olivia.”

“Bo. Good.” She would have to try to remember that.

“Please don’t say anything about being related to the football player.” His face was serious but she could see a small twinkle in his eye.

Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad, she thought.

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Grab your copy at a special 99 cents pre-order price! http://amzn.to/1SqhBMW

 

GUEST POST with Joel Mark Harris

 

Sincerely Me…

So I thought since I have interviewed hundreds of authors over the years on this blog, that you would enjoy hearing me answer some of the questions I have posed to them over the years.

Each week I will answer one or two questions, if you want you can leave your own questions for me in the comments and I will try and answer them in a future blog post!

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How much research do you do?

When I say a lot I mean a LOT. I have shelves on top of shelves of books in my library of nothing but true crime and the processes that are taken to ensure justice is done.

I spend hours combing the internet (reputable sites of course!) for the information I need to ensure that what I say is as accurate as I possibly can be. I may speed up the process at some points to keep with the flow and pacing of the books but I don’t bend the rules to fit what I need.

Like most things I am sure I’m not perfect but always welcome a learning experience!

Q&A with Michela DiMarco

Please give a cold dead welcome to our latest guest on the blog …the lovely Michela DiMarco!

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Were you good at English?

I got good grades in English, but I never inspired to be a writer in high school and I didn’t study English in college. I toyed around with the idea of getting a master’s degree in Fiction Writing, but ultimately, decided on a master’s degree in Conflict Resolution. I’m currently working on that now.

So, what have you written?

Her Hidden Past, The Anything Friend, Kalena and Hushed, the first novel in The Carolina Girls Series. (*Include books, novellas, short stories, poems, blogs, awards or anything of interest.)

Where can we buy or see them?

Amazon, Smashwords, and The Carolina Girls Series is being released bi-weekly on Channillo.

What are you working on at the minute?

I’m currently writing Shattered, the second novel in The Carolina Girls Series.

What’s it about?

It’s a continuation of Hushed, which was released about a year ago. We find Bradley Whitfield, (yes, she’s a girl!) and her love, Mark Harber fighting to put their lives back together after Bradley was almost murdered. The mystery surrounding that almost tragic night is almost buried by lies and deceit. What if the person who almost killed you was sleeping under the same roof?

Why do you write?

I write because I love it. I love the escape from reality. I love dreaming up characters and giving them life. Sometimes, they don’t turn out the way I imagine they will. Sometimes, they take on a life of their own and I am amazed at how that happens. But, I write what I feel, and feelings can be unpredictable. I am responsible for the world that I create and my characters become part of me, my reality, my world.

Where do the your ideas come from?

Dreams. My novels always start with a dream and end in a story.

What are your thoughts on writing a book series?

At first, I wanted to write as many new stories, as I could. I had all these ideas swirling around and I wanted to tell them all. However, readers of my first three novels were all asking for more. They had fallen in love with my characters and I was stumped because I felt like I had closed the story.

My forth novel, I promised to write as a series. Now, that I’m almost halfway done with the second novel, Shattered, I am loving writing a series, Carolina Girls. The first novel, Hushed came out last year. I am also releasing chapters every 2 weeks on Channillo.com. The series will continue on Channillo and the full novels will also be released as they are completed.

What do you think of “trailers” for books?

I am just starting to learn the basics of creating a book trailer and I think they’re pretty awesome. However, I’ve seen some trailers for novels that I was previously interested in reading and some of the trailers turned me off. I would like to release one for my series, Carolina Girls, but it has to be perfect.

What is your favourite quote?

I am a quote enthusiast! I begin each chapter of my novels with a new quote. My favorite, is a simple one. By Rudy, “Having dreams is what makes life tolerable.” I recite that quote every morning.

If you could have been the original author of any book, what would it have been and why?

Reason to Breathe by Rebecca Donovan. I was absolutely captivated by every word in the novel. The main character, Emma Thomas is so strong, but she views herself as weak. She meets Evan Matthews, and he compliments her every step. I felt myself holding my breath at times and then learning how to breathe again with Emma. I can’t explain how much you feel when you read this novel. And, feeling is something that I love to do when I’m writing.

What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

If you have an idea, if you think it, if you dream it, you can write it. My first novel started with a dream. Nanowrimo in November is a perfect motivation to write and get it all down. Don’t worry about all the other stuff that goes into perfecting and publishing. There are people out there that can help. The first part, you have to do yourself. And, anyone is capable of doing that if they have the desire.

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Thanks so much Michela for being a guest on the blog this week! Please be sure to follow her and check out her books!

Website: https://www.micheladimarco.com

Blog: https://micheladimarco1.wordpress.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/micheladimarco1

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/micheladimarco

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fivefootshorty/

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Michela-DiMarco/e/B00IXYEX8K/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1451835693&sr=1-1

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/micheladimarco

Book Links: https://www.micheladimarco.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5244836.Michela_DiMarco

WIP Wednesdays: Only The Willing

Ahhh I love leaving you lot hanging on the next post. You all know you’ve spent the last week wondering what in heaven on earth Stan and Jane are in for this time!

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“Whats the deal here.” Stan asked as he approached. ‘Poor kid out there cant even talk about it at this point. I’m going to have to try and get his statement later, if I can get anything intelligible out of him at all. He seems pretty spooked.”

“Yes, sir. I don’t blame him, and I haven’t even really been in the room myself, but the way things smell when the techs open the door to go in and out I don’t think I would want to go in there.”

“So what do you know about the whole situation?” Jane asked, she wasn’t the person who focused on how it made the officers feel, she wanted the bare boned facts.

Stan and Jane had learned over the years that it was best to just not involve themselves emotionally with the cases that they handled, if they did they got sucked in. Then being the people that they were they had a hard time pul;ling themselves back out again. It not only ended up hurting their focus on the cases themselves but it also meant that things got rocky at home as well.

Jane couldn’t bring it home at all, she was the one with kids and a family. Even thought from time to time cases followed her home. She was lucky thought her husband Kevin was an amazingly supportive person and was able to pick up the slack with her kids and helped to ease the pain and stress of any of her moods when things got rough. Lucky for them both there was very few cases that managed to get past the armor they had managed to erect around their emotions.

But there was also times where they had to let things through in order for the case to get the attention it did and sometimes that made all the difference in the world in solving  cases. It was just a matter of being able to figure out which cases were the ones that were the ones you let in and the ones where you couldn’t if you wanted to retain your sanity at the end of it all.

“Well from what I understand there was a very foul odor emitting from the room and housekeeping, having dealt with dead bodies in the past recognized the smell and called police. The officer you were just talking to arrived on the scene first and found the body.”

“So what do we know about the victim?” Stan asked making a note on his note pad.

“She apparently was a regular here. You know the type.” He said without making much eye contact with Stan.

“So how do we know that this wasn’t a case of a drug overdose or something?” Jane said looking at the door.

“Trust me, from what I understand there is no way in hell that there that this is a case of a drug over dose. Not unless it was an explosive drug she ingested.”

Stan and Jane looked at each other.

“Alright I think we have enough information at this point to go on. We will probably need to talk to you later on if you don’t mind.” Stan said closing his notebook before pocketing it.

“Ready?” Jane asked as she put gloves on her hands and reached for the door.

“Do I really have a choice in the matter?” Stan asked as he put gloves on his own hands and followed her in.

Teaser Tuesdays: Bodyguard

Who is counting down with me? Only 26 days left to go! Last week we had a peek at our man Bo, this week lets see who Olivia is.

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“We spoken to the DA and he’s modifying your schedule so he started speaking and she could feel her blood pressure is rising as she found herself tuning out the actual words he was speaking.

How dare he? Who did this man think he was?

“Stop. Just stop.” She raised her right hand to silence him

“Miss Wood,” the other woman started but she only had to glance  in her direction to silence her too.

“Detectives I understand you both have a job to do and I understand that part of that includes ensuring that I am no longer in danger.” She paused to catch her breath, the pain in her shoulders head increased to low throb as her blood pressure has risen. “However I do have a job to do and one that also includes making sure those responsible for doing things like this to me and others are thrown behind bars so they can’t hurt anyone else. I have however cannot do my job if I am tethered to another person or anchored in one spot unable to move for fear I might be hurt.”

“We understand that man and that is precisely why we opted for a 24 hour and a bodyguard versus the city owned and operated security detail. And nodded as he spoke we had a feeling that you would not want to be stuck in one spot and not have the ability to do things that are important to you.”

“And what you think an overgrown babysitter will do the trick?” She snorted “You are kidding right?”

The look on the man’s face told her otherwise. He was not kidding.

“I am truly sorry but this isn’t up for debate miss Wood.” Janes said softly.

Olivia bit back the tears her shoulder started to throw up again or head swim with all the anger at her own weakness rising up in her throat.

“I know it’s not what you want to hear right now,” the other woman started before Olivia cut her off.

“Really? Do you know? Do you understand what I’m going through?” She fired at the woman enough to make her jump.

Janes started to open her mouth but Olivia had enough.

“No detective. You. Dont. Know.” She spat, “You have the training and the means to protect yourself while I am now going to have to rely on some rent a cop to follow me around.”

She paused to catch her breath again, neither detective made a move to say the word. They were waiting for her.

“On what is that going to look like to the others I work with? Or worse yet to the criminals that I am set to prosecute? The only thing they are going to see is weakness. The defense attorneys are going to jump all over this like flies to shit.”

“I get it miss Wood. But there is no other option for us. We have a duty to keep you safe and that is what we are intend on doing. I am sorry if that is not something you’d like to consider but at this point you have no choice.” Stan said rising to his feet.

His partner stood too.

“So that’s it then?” Olivia huffed.

“For now.” The man nodded.

“Why what else have you up your sleeve?”

“I will want to discuss the events of that morning but not today. You need your rest.” He smiled.

She could tell he was really trying to be fair but she wasn’t ready to admit defeat yet.

“Fine then, go.” She mumbled as the detectives walked out of the room.

As the door shut behind them the floodgates opened and she started to cry.

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Grab your copy at a 99 cents Pre-Order Special Price! http://amzn.to/1SqhBMW

Sincerely Me…

So I thought since I have interviewed hundreds of authors over the years on this blog, that you would enjoy hearing me answer some of the questions I have posed to them over the years.

Each week I will answer one or two questions, if you want you can leave your own questions for me in the comments and I will try and answer them in a future blog post!

***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****

Which actor/actress would you like to see playing the lead character from your most recent book?

I have always thought of Stan as a cross between Jack Bauer (24) and Horatio Caine (CSI: Miami) personality wise. Big heart and big balls, never takes no for an answer and will stop at nothing to get the job done. As for my actor of choice, it is really hard to say. I’d be honored to have anyone play him, but I think as far as type casting, Liam Neeson? Yeah I might have a thing for that man.

Jane on the other hand I have always seen very much as a Carrie-Anne Moss kinda gal. Which would also be where she got her last name from– a tribute to Carrie-Anne’s roll as Trinity in The Matrix.

Julian, I never would have thought this kid would stick around quite like he has, but I could see him being played by Steven Yeun (Glenn, The Walking Dead).

And that rounds out the top three! What about you? Who do you see them played by?