Samantha March's Blog, page 17
December 31, 2012
NYE & New Beginnings
I thought NYE was a great time for a new post here, especially since it will be all about new beginnings. I’m excited to share that I have started writing book number 3, after months and months of plotting, researching, planning, scratching my head, begging for interviews, and then more researching. This book is set in Maine, a state that is on the top of my To Visit list but one I have not checked off yet. I wanted to feel prepared before I started writing, but after about four months of following Maine blogs, harassing their tourism office for brochures and magazines, and snagging Twitter followers and friends who live(d) in Maine to answer a few of my questions, I knew the time had come. It was time to write some words.I got in a whopping 226 words the first day I wrote, but I plan on giving myself the daily writing goals I loved so much with The Green Ticket after the first of the year – oh – tomorrow! I’m excited for 2013 yet a little sad to say good-bye to 2012. I think I had a great year, both personally and professionally. On the professional side, I hired a fabulous assistant and started expanding Marching Ink, published two books with my company – including my second novel – and took a giant step forward on my newest business plan – those details coming soon! In my personal life, I got engaged and will be married come September 7, 2013, and welcomed a new nephew into the world. I can’t wait to see what the year will have in store for me, and I’m ready to embrace the challenges and adventures that greet me along the way. Happy New Years everyone!
December 25, 2012
Interview and Excerpt: Maven Fairy Godmother: Through the Veil by Charlotte Henley Babb
Thanks to Charlotte Henley Babb for stopping by with a Q&A and excerpt from Maven Fairy Godmother: Through the Veil. Please visit her tour page at CLP Blog Tours for more information and a giveaway!
**Interview**
When did you know writing was for you?
I was nine. I read Louisa Alcott's Little Women and fell in love with Jo March. I wrote a story when I was in second grade about a family of cardinals. I always wanted to be a writer. But I let a lot of people talk me out of writing as a living—be a teacher they said, you can make a living at that, and it's a good job, upwardly mobile from the mill workers of my grandmother's generation, and the office work my mom did. So I was in my forties before I did any serious writing, other than a poem here and there. How would you describe your books?
They are fractured fairy tales for women of a certain age. At some point, I want to write some steampunk stories and I have an idea for a series of science fiction stories, but I only have notes about them at this point.
Why was Maven Fairy Godmother: Through the Veil a book you wanted to write?
I was telling someone about teaching in a community college setting and said something to the effect that I felt like a fairy godmother with a classroom full of frogs and toads who wanted to be princes and princesses. I wanted to help them with their self-esteem transformation.
As I did the fairy tale research for the background, I realized that there are no stories for older women—we are seen as feeble grandmothers or evil witches or stepmothers. So I wanted to tell that story and show how older women still need to deal with their own needs and desires, and help other women not to make mistakes out of mass consciousness and peer pressure. The story I set out to write will probably be the third or fourth book in the series, as my mentor at the time convinced me to start at the beginning. What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
Plotting the story, getting the events worked out and dramatizing the conflicts of the characters. The writing itself is not that hard, but making it fit together to make sense and then, hopefully, to be funny, is more challenging.
What is some of the best financial advice you would give?
Make a budget. Follow it. Balance your bank account. Have only one credit card, and pay it off at the end of the month. Join a credit union and have some of your income direct-deposited into an account that you can’t access without personally visiting the office—no debit card or funds transfer online. I really wish I had followed my own advice in the past.
What are your favorite genres to read?
I enjoy stories from other times and places: fantasy, science fiction, historical, thrillers…almost anything that is not primarily romance. Girl gets boy is not that interesting to me as a main plot.
What do you want readers to take away from your story?
It's a story for women "of a certain age" who have many of the same needs and desires that young women do, but who have no place in the society, not stories, no role models for getting old and for dealing with life after motherhood.The young girl, the young woman that she was is still inside this older woman, and while she has gained experience, she needs a way to navigate new freedoms and new limitations, new passages. Women live longer than men, and there are more women than men in this age group that does not seem to realize their financial power. The media has just begun to wake up to this large group of older women who aren't using denture glue, diapers or walkers, but they are buying stocks, jewelry, cars, homes, clothing, and anything else that they want. They are building their own lives in a new way, and that is woman who becomes her own fairy godmother. That's the story I am telling.
How important do you think social media is for authors these days?
Facebook is the third largest “country” in the world. It seems important to me to go where the readers are. More and more of my market—women of a certain age—are reading books on e-readers, so getting the information out on social networks—facebook, goodreads, maybe twitter—is important. I want to know what my readers think, what they like and what they hate. Social networks provide a place for dialog if we can get the conversation going.
What would be your advice to aspiring writers?
Write. Write. Write. Write. If you think writing is too hard, wash your hands and do something else.
Find other writers in person or online and share critique. Listen to what they say, and read their work with discernment and kindness. Then write more.
**Excerpt**
A scratching noise caught Maven’s attention when it began to rattle the door. The latch moved, but not quite far enough to allow the door to open. Maven set her teacup down and pushed herself up out of her chair. She was stiff from sitting still for so long.
All right, all right, don’t have a hissy fit,” she muttered. “Are you going to let me open the door?” she said to the house.
The latch flew up, the door crashed back against the wall, and a wolf leapt into the room. Covered with twigs and leaves, as though he had penetrated the underbrush with his long nose, he panted heavily, his sides heaving. His paws left mud and smears of blood on the floor.
“Oh, NO!” he gasped. “A Grandmother!” He looked back out the door, where someone was coming after him. They could hear the shouts and stamping of someone coming through the woods.
“Calm down,” Maven said. “I’m not going to eat you. What’s wrong?”
The wolf turned to go back out.
“No, wait. Climb into bed.” Maven looked at the nightgown and the bonnet on the peg. Fairy tale people were pretty easily fooled, but surely not that easily. She threw the nightgown over his head and tied the bonnet over his ears. “Don’t wag your tail.” She threw the cloak over him too. Not too bad if they didn’t actually see him. “Roll over.”
“I’m not a dog.” The wolf growled.
“You’ll be dog food if they catch you. Shut up. Look sick.” Maven turned to face the fireplace. “All right, Hut. Make it dark and musty in here, and make a kettle of whatever kind of bad smelling stuff they use for medicine around here. I don’t want anyone chopped up on my watch.”
“I prefer to be called Cottage.” The walls sounded peevish.
“All right, Cottage, you can be the freaking Taj Mahal as long as you do what needs to be done. Fiona would not have gone to this much trouble just to aggravate me.”
“Don’t count on that.” A brownish smell began to bubble from the kettle, an herb that seemed vaguely familiar, but Maven couldn’t place it.
Before she could ask the cottage, the door, having latched itself again, shook with the blows of pounding fists.
Maven leaned heavily on her cane and made her voice croak like a frog. “Who’s there? I’m just an old crone here, go away.”
The door rattled with the heavy blows, shaking the latch loose again. Three hulking woodcutters came in, axe handles in hand.
“Where are you, Wolf?” He saw Maven leaning on her cane. “There he is now.” He grabbed her by her shawl, which came off, exposing her iron gray hair and her face.
“My, what small ears you have.” he exclaimed, pulling on one of them.
“Must be why you are shouting,” Maven said. She pushed against him to no avail. She stomped on the instep of his hobnailed boot, but it only hurt her foot.
“And what small eyes you have.” he said, turning her face between his thumb and forefinger.
“Big enough to see your face and remember it,” Maven said, her look being dark enough to kill if he had been bright enough to see it.
“And your nose isn’t long at all.” He began to look truly perplexed.
“It’s long enough to smell herbs cooking in a sick house.” Maven shook herself loose. “Now if you don’t want to be in the bed at your house, you’d better get on out of here.” Then kicking her self mentally for having a big mouth, she saw that they hadn’t seen the wolf in the bed at all.
“Can’t have a wolf running around, eating helpless grandmothers.” He stepped to the bed, his axe ready to fall and his cronies right behind him. “It’s for your own protection.”
“No!” Maven stretched herself up to her full height, drew in a deep breath, and pointed her cane at the woodcutters. Tulip had said she could turn anyone into a frog for self-protection, so she could do it to protect someone else.
She gathered her anger and forced it through the cane so that green sparkles flew out the end.
By the time the sparkles settled, three bewildered frogs sat on the floor beside their axes, one of which fell, narrowly missing the bed. The bed had seen it coming though, and dodged.
Maven shooed the frogs out, keeping their axes for future reference. She stacked them into a corner where they became a mop, a broom, and a pitchfork.
Thanks” she said to the Cottage.
Certainly,” it replied, less coldly than before.
“All right, you, get up.” Maven shook the wolf’s shoulder, only to feel it quivering. “You’re safe now, from the frogs.” She untied the bonnet and helped the wolf out of the nightgown. “How did they get on your trail? You must have done something to get their attention.”
“Humans. It’s always the wolf at the door; never mind what they do to us.” The wolf growled, slinking away from her towards the door. Yet he was afraid to go out.
Maven thought he looked pitiful, wavering. She dipped water out of the bucket into a bowl and set it on the floor. “Here, at least drink something and rest.”
“You aren’t afraid that I will eat you?” The wolf said. His legs shook, on the verge of collapse.
“You weren’t planning to, were you?” Maven said.
He slunk over to the bowl and lapped noisily until the bowl was dry.
Maven sat back in the rocker. She swirled the tea leaves again to listen to the wolf’s story. It was a different perspective, film noir, and at a 24-inch eye level, but it was clear he was a sheep in a wolf’s body.
“You are obviously a witch. Are you going to turn me into a frog too?” the wolf asked finally. “I’d probably be better at being a frog.” He laid his chin on his paws. “At least people wouldn’t be afraid of me.”
“Actually, I’m a fairy godmother. On vacation.”
What would a wolf wish for?
“That explains the brambles around the cottage.” He began to chew at the brambles in his paws. “I thought I would never get through. I don’t remember this cottage being here before.”
“That’s magic for you.” Maven shrugged. “Now, you rest here tonight. I’d be glad of the company.” She spoke to the kettle, and the medicine smell disappeared. She made more tea, and when a plate of meat appeared on the table, she laid it on the floor by the wolf. After he had eaten, he curled up by the hearth and went to sleep.
Maven moved closer to the fire as well, her legs cold and shakier than the persona warranted. She was so tired.
She picked up the bit of gossamer that had been her shawl before the woodcutter grabbed it and stretched it around her bare arms.
o wonder she was cold. Her hemline had crept up at least a foot and her sleeves had disappeared. She tugged the rags down, making them slightly less ragged, and much warmer.
What had happened to her gossamers?
She had used her energy, her anger, to transform the frogs. Now she could see why she had to be careful. It hadn’t seemed like all that much energy, but the adrenaline pumping through her was hers, not the energy available in the cottage. She turned the rocker towards the fire.
She was very tired now, and finally feeling warm again, she drifted off into a nap.
**Everyone who leaves a comment on Charlotte's tour page will be entered in the giveaway! Anyone who purchases their copy of Maven Fairy Godmother: Through the Veil before December 31 and sends their receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com, will get five extra entries in a drawing to win a $10 Amazon gift card!! Two bonus winners will receive a wand from Charlotte Henley Babb! Please note this is open to US/Canada residents only.**
Author Bio:
Charlotte Henley Babb is a web designer and college writing instructor in Spartanburg, SC.Charlotte began writing when she could hold a piece of chalk and scribble her name–although she sometimes mistook “Chocolate” for “Charlotte” on the sign at the drug store ice cream counter.
When her third-grade teacher allowed her access to the fiction room at the school library, Charlotte discovered Louisa Alcott and Robert Heinlein, an odd marriage of the minds. These two authors have had the most influence on her desire to share her point of view with the world and to explore how the world might be made better.
In the meantime, Charlotte has fallen prey to steampunk and the gears are turning…corset, bustle and magic, oh my! She brings to any project a number of experiences, including work as a technical writer, gasket inspector, cloth store associate, girl Friday, and telephone psychic.
She has studied the folk stories of many cultures and wonders what happened to ours. Where are the stories are for people over 20 who have survived marriage, divorce, child-rearing, education, bankruptcy, and widowhood?
Charlotte loves Fractured Fairy Tales and writes them for your enjoyment.
Connect with Charlotte!
http://charlottehenleybabb.comhttp://mavenfairygodmother.com/http://facebook.com/maven.fairy.godmotherhttp://facebook.com/charlotte.henley.babbhttp://beyourownfairygodmother.com Buy the Book!
Publisher: http://bit.ly/MavenFGM (1 scene excerpt)
Amazon Kindle: http://amzn.to/Maven-k (read first 6 chapters free)
B&N Nook: http://bit,ly/Maven-bn (read first 3 chapters free)
Smashwords: http://bit.ly/MavenSW
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/Maven-GR
**Interview**
When did you know writing was for you?
I was nine. I read Louisa Alcott's Little Women and fell in love with Jo March. I wrote a story when I was in second grade about a family of cardinals. I always wanted to be a writer. But I let a lot of people talk me out of writing as a living—be a teacher they said, you can make a living at that, and it's a good job, upwardly mobile from the mill workers of my grandmother's generation, and the office work my mom did. So I was in my forties before I did any serious writing, other than a poem here and there. How would you describe your books?
They are fractured fairy tales for women of a certain age. At some point, I want to write some steampunk stories and I have an idea for a series of science fiction stories, but I only have notes about them at this point.
Why was Maven Fairy Godmother: Through the Veil a book you wanted to write?
I was telling someone about teaching in a community college setting and said something to the effect that I felt like a fairy godmother with a classroom full of frogs and toads who wanted to be princes and princesses. I wanted to help them with their self-esteem transformation.
As I did the fairy tale research for the background, I realized that there are no stories for older women—we are seen as feeble grandmothers or evil witches or stepmothers. So I wanted to tell that story and show how older women still need to deal with their own needs and desires, and help other women not to make mistakes out of mass consciousness and peer pressure. The story I set out to write will probably be the third or fourth book in the series, as my mentor at the time convinced me to start at the beginning. What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
Plotting the story, getting the events worked out and dramatizing the conflicts of the characters. The writing itself is not that hard, but making it fit together to make sense and then, hopefully, to be funny, is more challenging.
What is some of the best financial advice you would give?
Make a budget. Follow it. Balance your bank account. Have only one credit card, and pay it off at the end of the month. Join a credit union and have some of your income direct-deposited into an account that you can’t access without personally visiting the office—no debit card or funds transfer online. I really wish I had followed my own advice in the past.
What are your favorite genres to read?
I enjoy stories from other times and places: fantasy, science fiction, historical, thrillers…almost anything that is not primarily romance. Girl gets boy is not that interesting to me as a main plot.
What do you want readers to take away from your story?
It's a story for women "of a certain age" who have many of the same needs and desires that young women do, but who have no place in the society, not stories, no role models for getting old and for dealing with life after motherhood.The young girl, the young woman that she was is still inside this older woman, and while she has gained experience, she needs a way to navigate new freedoms and new limitations, new passages. Women live longer than men, and there are more women than men in this age group that does not seem to realize their financial power. The media has just begun to wake up to this large group of older women who aren't using denture glue, diapers or walkers, but they are buying stocks, jewelry, cars, homes, clothing, and anything else that they want. They are building their own lives in a new way, and that is woman who becomes her own fairy godmother. That's the story I am telling.
How important do you think social media is for authors these days?
Facebook is the third largest “country” in the world. It seems important to me to go where the readers are. More and more of my market—women of a certain age—are reading books on e-readers, so getting the information out on social networks—facebook, goodreads, maybe twitter—is important. I want to know what my readers think, what they like and what they hate. Social networks provide a place for dialog if we can get the conversation going.
What would be your advice to aspiring writers?
Write. Write. Write. Write. If you think writing is too hard, wash your hands and do something else.
Find other writers in person or online and share critique. Listen to what they say, and read their work with discernment and kindness. Then write more.
**Excerpt**
A scratching noise caught Maven’s attention when it began to rattle the door. The latch moved, but not quite far enough to allow the door to open. Maven set her teacup down and pushed herself up out of her chair. She was stiff from sitting still for so long.
All right, all right, don’t have a hissy fit,” she muttered. “Are you going to let me open the door?” she said to the house.
The latch flew up, the door crashed back against the wall, and a wolf leapt into the room. Covered with twigs and leaves, as though he had penetrated the underbrush with his long nose, he panted heavily, his sides heaving. His paws left mud and smears of blood on the floor.
“Oh, NO!” he gasped. “A Grandmother!” He looked back out the door, where someone was coming after him. They could hear the shouts and stamping of someone coming through the woods.
“Calm down,” Maven said. “I’m not going to eat you. What’s wrong?”
The wolf turned to go back out.
“No, wait. Climb into bed.” Maven looked at the nightgown and the bonnet on the peg. Fairy tale people were pretty easily fooled, but surely not that easily. She threw the nightgown over his head and tied the bonnet over his ears. “Don’t wag your tail.” She threw the cloak over him too. Not too bad if they didn’t actually see him. “Roll over.”
“I’m not a dog.” The wolf growled.
“You’ll be dog food if they catch you. Shut up. Look sick.” Maven turned to face the fireplace. “All right, Hut. Make it dark and musty in here, and make a kettle of whatever kind of bad smelling stuff they use for medicine around here. I don’t want anyone chopped up on my watch.”
“I prefer to be called Cottage.” The walls sounded peevish.
“All right, Cottage, you can be the freaking Taj Mahal as long as you do what needs to be done. Fiona would not have gone to this much trouble just to aggravate me.”
“Don’t count on that.” A brownish smell began to bubble from the kettle, an herb that seemed vaguely familiar, but Maven couldn’t place it.
Before she could ask the cottage, the door, having latched itself again, shook with the blows of pounding fists.
Maven leaned heavily on her cane and made her voice croak like a frog. “Who’s there? I’m just an old crone here, go away.”
The door rattled with the heavy blows, shaking the latch loose again. Three hulking woodcutters came in, axe handles in hand.
“Where are you, Wolf?” He saw Maven leaning on her cane. “There he is now.” He grabbed her by her shawl, which came off, exposing her iron gray hair and her face.
“My, what small ears you have.” he exclaimed, pulling on one of them.
“Must be why you are shouting,” Maven said. She pushed against him to no avail. She stomped on the instep of his hobnailed boot, but it only hurt her foot.
“And what small eyes you have.” he said, turning her face between his thumb and forefinger.
“Big enough to see your face and remember it,” Maven said, her look being dark enough to kill if he had been bright enough to see it.
“And your nose isn’t long at all.” He began to look truly perplexed.
“It’s long enough to smell herbs cooking in a sick house.” Maven shook herself loose. “Now if you don’t want to be in the bed at your house, you’d better get on out of here.” Then kicking her self mentally for having a big mouth, she saw that they hadn’t seen the wolf in the bed at all.
“Can’t have a wolf running around, eating helpless grandmothers.” He stepped to the bed, his axe ready to fall and his cronies right behind him. “It’s for your own protection.”
“No!” Maven stretched herself up to her full height, drew in a deep breath, and pointed her cane at the woodcutters. Tulip had said she could turn anyone into a frog for self-protection, so she could do it to protect someone else.
She gathered her anger and forced it through the cane so that green sparkles flew out the end.
By the time the sparkles settled, three bewildered frogs sat on the floor beside their axes, one of which fell, narrowly missing the bed. The bed had seen it coming though, and dodged.
Maven shooed the frogs out, keeping their axes for future reference. She stacked them into a corner where they became a mop, a broom, and a pitchfork.
Thanks” she said to the Cottage.
Certainly,” it replied, less coldly than before.
“All right, you, get up.” Maven shook the wolf’s shoulder, only to feel it quivering. “You’re safe now, from the frogs.” She untied the bonnet and helped the wolf out of the nightgown. “How did they get on your trail? You must have done something to get their attention.”
“Humans. It’s always the wolf at the door; never mind what they do to us.” The wolf growled, slinking away from her towards the door. Yet he was afraid to go out.
Maven thought he looked pitiful, wavering. She dipped water out of the bucket into a bowl and set it on the floor. “Here, at least drink something and rest.”
“You aren’t afraid that I will eat you?” The wolf said. His legs shook, on the verge of collapse.
“You weren’t planning to, were you?” Maven said.
He slunk over to the bowl and lapped noisily until the bowl was dry.
Maven sat back in the rocker. She swirled the tea leaves again to listen to the wolf’s story. It was a different perspective, film noir, and at a 24-inch eye level, but it was clear he was a sheep in a wolf’s body.
“You are obviously a witch. Are you going to turn me into a frog too?” the wolf asked finally. “I’d probably be better at being a frog.” He laid his chin on his paws. “At least people wouldn’t be afraid of me.”
“Actually, I’m a fairy godmother. On vacation.”
What would a wolf wish for?
“That explains the brambles around the cottage.” He began to chew at the brambles in his paws. “I thought I would never get through. I don’t remember this cottage being here before.”
“That’s magic for you.” Maven shrugged. “Now, you rest here tonight. I’d be glad of the company.” She spoke to the kettle, and the medicine smell disappeared. She made more tea, and when a plate of meat appeared on the table, she laid it on the floor by the wolf. After he had eaten, he curled up by the hearth and went to sleep.
Maven moved closer to the fire as well, her legs cold and shakier than the persona warranted. She was so tired.
She picked up the bit of gossamer that had been her shawl before the woodcutter grabbed it and stretched it around her bare arms.
o wonder she was cold. Her hemline had crept up at least a foot and her sleeves had disappeared. She tugged the rags down, making them slightly less ragged, and much warmer.
What had happened to her gossamers?
She had used her energy, her anger, to transform the frogs. Now she could see why she had to be careful. It hadn’t seemed like all that much energy, but the adrenaline pumping through her was hers, not the energy available in the cottage. She turned the rocker towards the fire.
She was very tired now, and finally feeling warm again, she drifted off into a nap.
**Everyone who leaves a comment on Charlotte's tour page will be entered in the giveaway! Anyone who purchases their copy of Maven Fairy Godmother: Through the Veil before December 31 and sends their receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com, will get five extra entries in a drawing to win a $10 Amazon gift card!! Two bonus winners will receive a wand from Charlotte Henley Babb! Please note this is open to US/Canada residents only.**
Author Bio:
Charlotte Henley Babb is a web designer and college writing instructor in Spartanburg, SC.Charlotte began writing when she could hold a piece of chalk and scribble her name–although she sometimes mistook “Chocolate” for “Charlotte” on the sign at the drug store ice cream counter.
When her third-grade teacher allowed her access to the fiction room at the school library, Charlotte discovered Louisa Alcott and Robert Heinlein, an odd marriage of the minds. These two authors have had the most influence on her desire to share her point of view with the world and to explore how the world might be made better.
In the meantime, Charlotte has fallen prey to steampunk and the gears are turning…corset, bustle and magic, oh my! She brings to any project a number of experiences, including work as a technical writer, gasket inspector, cloth store associate, girl Friday, and telephone psychic.
She has studied the folk stories of many cultures and wonders what happened to ours. Where are the stories are for people over 20 who have survived marriage, divorce, child-rearing, education, bankruptcy, and widowhood?
Charlotte loves Fractured Fairy Tales and writes them for your enjoyment.
Connect with Charlotte!
http://charlottehenleybabb.comhttp://mavenfairygodmother.com/http://facebook.com/maven.fairy.godmotherhttp://facebook.com/charlotte.henley.babbhttp://beyourownfairygodmother.com Buy the Book!
Publisher: http://bit.ly/MavenFGM (1 scene excerpt)
Amazon Kindle: http://amzn.to/Maven-k (read first 6 chapters free)
B&N Nook: http://bit,ly/Maven-bn (read first 3 chapters free)
Smashwords: http://bit.ly/MavenSW
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/Maven-GR
December 22, 2012
Interview and Excerpt: Sparkle by Cara Alwill Leyba
Thanks to Cara Alwill Leyba for stopping by with a Q&A and excerpt from Sparkle. Please visit her tour page on CLP Blog Tours for more information and a giveaway!
**Interview**
When did you know writing was for you?I was always fascinated with writing. From the time I was young enough to write my first story, I became obsessed with describing things in detail and using words to convey my thoughts.
How would you describe your books?Engaging, down to earth, and motivating.
Why was Sparkle a book you wanted to write?I wanted to write a book that I felt women needed. I tired of all these books that were meant to help us, but always made us wind up feeling badly. Sparkle is the total opposite. It’s meant to leave you feeling good. It’s meant to make you feel like you’re enough. Because at the end of the day, isn’t that what everyone wants?
What are two pieces of advice you find yourself handing out frequently? Don’t stop, and keep going. J
How would you say someone becomes a life coach? What are things you have to study?I highly recommend going through a certification program like I did. There’s so much to learn about the technique of coaching. It’s so different than therapy. Once you’ve mastered the skills, then you really need to practice to get the experience. It’s a lot of work, but the moment someone tells you that you’ve changed their lives, it’s all worth it.
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?Getting started. I’ll do anything to avoid sitting down to the computer! Clean, shop, cook, paint – you name it. But once I’m there, and I’m in the swing of things, there’s no other place I’d rather be.
What is some of the best financial advice you would give?Don’t buy it unless you love it! Try to really think about your purchases. I used to be a total shopaholic but then realized there are so many other things I can be putting my money toward that have a greater impact.
What are your favorite genres to read?I love humorous women’s fiction and narrative non-fiction.
What do you want readers to take away from your story?I want them to feel like everything is possible.
How important do you think social media is for authors these days?SO important! Connecting with my readers is the most important thing to me, and Twitter and Facebook have made that possible.
What would be your advice to aspiring writers?Keep going. Practice, practice, practice. The more you write, the better you get. Take cla
**Excerpt**
Taken from Chapter 2: Uncork Your Best SelfCara Alwill LeybaChasing our passions and figuring out what makes us sparkle is crucial, but we can’t get there if we aren’t confident. And as women, we have mastered the art of being professionally critical of ourselves. From crash diets and plastic surgery to wrinkle creams and colonics, we’ve done it all and then some. We’ve read books on why men like bitches, and strived to be more of a bitch. We’ve read articles on why we should stop eating bread to lose weight, and we’ve stopped eating bread (and, God, wasn’t that hard?) We’re constantly being told that we should look younger, be skinnier, have fuller lips, act a certain way to obtain the job we think we should have, and we’ve bo
**Everyone who leaves a comment on Cara's tour page will be entered to win a $10 Amazon gift card! Anyone who purchases their copy of Sparkle before January 7 and sends their receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com, will get five bonus entries.**
Author Bio:
Cara Alwill Leyba is a best selling author, and certified life and wellness coach from New York City who empowers women to live their most effervescent lives and celebrate themselves. She encourages women to indulge in the things that make them happy, and swears that every woman can live a "champagne life," no matter how busy she is or how tight her budget.
Her blog, The Champagne Diet, boasts a following of thousands of loyal readers and has been featured in Glamour, Shape, Cafe Mom, Daily Mail UK, MSN Australia, AOL UK Lifestyle, and a host of other publications worldwide. Cara's writing has been featured in The Huffington Post, xJane, Mind Body Green, MTV News, and many other sites.
Cara regularly appears on the “Ask Dr. Fritz” radio show on WWRL New York, where she helps host Dr. Fritz answer questions from callers about love, career, family, relationships and more. She also hosts her own lifestyle and wellness show, "Uncork Your Best Self" on Blog Talk Radio.
Cara's first book, SPARKLE, became an immediate #1 bestseller on Amazon in both the Happiness and Self-Esteem categories upon hours of its release. She celebrated the release of her book with a book signing in New York City this past fall.
When she’s not popping bubbly, blogging, or working with her coaching clients, Cara spends her days leading a digital advertising team at MTV Networks. She lives in Brooklyn, New York with her husband and dog-child. For more on Cara visit www.LiveCreateSparkle.com
Connect with Cara!
Cara's website: www.LiveCreateSparkle.com
Cara's blog: www.TheChampagneDiet.com
Want to learn how to sparkle? Join Cara's "Sparkling Start" workshop next month and kick off 2013 in glittering, shimmering style! http://www.livecreatesparkle.com/group-workshops.html
Buy the Book!
Amazon
**Interview**
When did you know writing was for you?I was always fascinated with writing. From the time I was young enough to write my first story, I became obsessed with describing things in detail and using words to convey my thoughts.
How would you describe your books?Engaging, down to earth, and motivating.
Why was Sparkle a book you wanted to write?I wanted to write a book that I felt women needed. I tired of all these books that were meant to help us, but always made us wind up feeling badly. Sparkle is the total opposite. It’s meant to leave you feeling good. It’s meant to make you feel like you’re enough. Because at the end of the day, isn’t that what everyone wants?
What are two pieces of advice you find yourself handing out frequently? Don’t stop, and keep going. J
How would you say someone becomes a life coach? What are things you have to study?I highly recommend going through a certification program like I did. There’s so much to learn about the technique of coaching. It’s so different than therapy. Once you’ve mastered the skills, then you really need to practice to get the experience. It’s a lot of work, but the moment someone tells you that you’ve changed their lives, it’s all worth it.
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?Getting started. I’ll do anything to avoid sitting down to the computer! Clean, shop, cook, paint – you name it. But once I’m there, and I’m in the swing of things, there’s no other place I’d rather be.
What is some of the best financial advice you would give?Don’t buy it unless you love it! Try to really think about your purchases. I used to be a total shopaholic but then realized there are so many other things I can be putting my money toward that have a greater impact.
What are your favorite genres to read?I love humorous women’s fiction and narrative non-fiction.
What do you want readers to take away from your story?I want them to feel like everything is possible.
How important do you think social media is for authors these days?SO important! Connecting with my readers is the most important thing to me, and Twitter and Facebook have made that possible.
What would be your advice to aspiring writers?Keep going. Practice, practice, practice. The more you write, the better you get. Take cla
**Excerpt**
Taken from Chapter 2: Uncork Your Best SelfCara Alwill LeybaChasing our passions and figuring out what makes us sparkle is crucial, but we can’t get there if we aren’t confident. And as women, we have mastered the art of being professionally critical of ourselves. From crash diets and plastic surgery to wrinkle creams and colonics, we’ve done it all and then some. We’ve read books on why men like bitches, and strived to be more of a bitch. We’ve read articles on why we should stop eating bread to lose weight, and we’ve stopped eating bread (and, God, wasn’t that hard?) We’re constantly being told that we should look younger, be skinnier, have fuller lips, act a certain way to obtain the job we think we should have, and we’ve bo
**Everyone who leaves a comment on Cara's tour page will be entered to win a $10 Amazon gift card! Anyone who purchases their copy of Sparkle before January 7 and sends their receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com, will get five bonus entries.**
Author Bio:
Cara Alwill Leyba is a best selling author, and certified life and wellness coach from New York City who empowers women to live their most effervescent lives and celebrate themselves. She encourages women to indulge in the things that make them happy, and swears that every woman can live a "champagne life," no matter how busy she is or how tight her budget.
Her blog, The Champagne Diet, boasts a following of thousands of loyal readers and has been featured in Glamour, Shape, Cafe Mom, Daily Mail UK, MSN Australia, AOL UK Lifestyle, and a host of other publications worldwide. Cara's writing has been featured in The Huffington Post, xJane, Mind Body Green, MTV News, and many other sites.
Cara regularly appears on the “Ask Dr. Fritz” radio show on WWRL New York, where she helps host Dr. Fritz answer questions from callers about love, career, family, relationships and more. She also hosts her own lifestyle and wellness show, "Uncork Your Best Self" on Blog Talk Radio.
Cara's first book, SPARKLE, became an immediate #1 bestseller on Amazon in both the Happiness and Self-Esteem categories upon hours of its release. She celebrated the release of her book with a book signing in New York City this past fall.
When she’s not popping bubbly, blogging, or working with her coaching clients, Cara spends her days leading a digital advertising team at MTV Networks. She lives in Brooklyn, New York with her husband and dog-child. For more on Cara visit www.LiveCreateSparkle.com
Connect with Cara!
Cara's website: www.LiveCreateSparkle.com
Cara's blog: www.TheChampagneDiet.com
Want to learn how to sparkle? Join Cara's "Sparkling Start" workshop next month and kick off 2013 in glittering, shimmering style! http://www.livecreatesparkle.com/group-workshops.html
Buy the Book!
Amazon
December 18, 2012
The Green Ticket - On Tour Now!
I am very excited to be on tour with CLP Blog Tours and The Green Ticket! Please visit my tour page for all the details, stops, and a giveaway for a $25 Amazon gift card!
College junior Alex Abrams scores her dream job at the ripe age of twenty – manager to a successful salon and spa. Thrilled to finally have a real adult job, Alex enthusiastically jumps into the world of schedules, conference calls, and getting a massage when interviewing prospective employees. What she doesn’t expect are the very grown-up issues that comes with a demanding boss. Kevin Dohlman quickly becomes Alex’s worse nightmare – covering up his affairs, dealing with his enormous ego, and trying to protect her female staff from him becomes a full-time job in its own right. Alex has also befriended Kevin’s wife and co-owner, Dani, and is trying to keep Kevin’s secrets hidden from her. The situation only worsens when Kevin starts paying Alex off to make sure she keeps her insider knowledge to herself.
While struggling to keep her wits and stay happy with her new grown-up job, Alex is juggling college courses, a new love interest, and keeping up with her close group of girlfriends. When her roommate and best friend Lila gets offered an opportunity to move to Los Angeles and sign with an agent, Alex realizes her life truly is changing, and everyone around her – including herself – is is growing up. Knowing she is faced with some hard decisions ahead, Alex struggles with keeping her job at Blissful. But does she really want to throw away what she dreamed of as a career – or will the secret-keeping for Kevin become too much to handle? The Green Ticket is a story about morals versus money, and how one young woman navigates the shaky line between the two.
College junior Alex Abrams scores her dream job at the ripe age of twenty – manager to a successful salon and spa. Thrilled to finally have a real adult job, Alex enthusiastically jumps into the world of schedules, conference calls, and getting a massage when interviewing prospective employees. What she doesn’t expect are the very grown-up issues that comes with a demanding boss. Kevin Dohlman quickly becomes Alex’s worse nightmare – covering up his affairs, dealing with his enormous ego, and trying to protect her female staff from him becomes a full-time job in its own right. Alex has also befriended Kevin’s wife and co-owner, Dani, and is trying to keep Kevin’s secrets hidden from her. The situation only worsens when Kevin starts paying Alex off to make sure she keeps her insider knowledge to herself.While struggling to keep her wits and stay happy with her new grown-up job, Alex is juggling college courses, a new love interest, and keeping up with her close group of girlfriends. When her roommate and best friend Lila gets offered an opportunity to move to Los Angeles and sign with an agent, Alex realizes her life truly is changing, and everyone around her – including herself – is is growing up. Knowing she is faced with some hard decisions ahead, Alex struggles with keeping her job at Blissful. But does she really want to throw away what she dreamed of as a career – or will the secret-keeping for Kevin become too much to handle? The Green Ticket is a story about morals versus money, and how one young woman navigates the shaky line between the two.
December 17, 2012
CLP Blog Tours Excerpt: On the Rim of Love by Marie Astor
Marie Astor is on tour now with CLP Blog Tours and On the Rim of Love. Please visit her tour page at CLP Blog Tours for more information and a giveaway!
**Excerpt**
Maggie’s gaze traveled to a small, low-slung wooden building a few steps away from the Owl Lodge. The weathered construction looked more like a shed than a house; the sign atop the entrance read: Millie’s Bakery. She could certainly use a cup of coffee and a snack –in her hurry to start on her photography expedition, she had neglected to have breakfast and now she was paying for it with a grumbling stomach. Maggie was just about to walk up to the counter when she noticed the back of the neon ski jacket and the blond ponytail that could only belong to Taylor Denton. Instantly, she made the move for the front door – Taylor was standing with his back to her, and if she hurried, she just might escape unnoticed. “Maggie?”So recognized Taylor immediately; for a moment she contemplated fleeing, but abandoned the option immediately as being over-the-top. Let’s not get crazy here, she thought, there’s no reason why I can’t have a civil conversation with him - just a friendly hello and goodbye and then I’ll be on my way. “Taylor! I didn’t expect to see you here,” Maggie stammered, immediately cursing her ineptness – she was not supposed to expect seeing him at all - not here, not anywhere.“I was just grabbing a cup of hot chocolate – it’s freezing up there today.”What do you know, she thought, Mr. Tough Guy has a weakness for hot chocolate. Yes, it was certainly a cool day out, and to her annoyance, Maggie had to admit that Taylor looked even more handsome with his face all flushed from the frost.“But what brings you to this neck of the woods? I thought you were staying all the way on the other side of the resort,” pressed Taylor. “I am. I was just taking a walk,” Maggie said curtly, not wanting to go into details. “Listen, about yesterday, I’d like to apologize for losing my cool – I had no business telling you off like that.”She remained silent, unwilling to lend him a hand.“It was a close call and I blew a fuse - I’m sorry.”“I understand. You were right - it was thoughtless of me to follow you when you told everyone to stay back. Thanks again for saving Jeffrey’s life.” Oh God that came out lame, Maggie thought - she had to get out of there before she made a complete fool of herself. “Well, it was nice seeing you, but I really have to get back…” “Can I buy you a cup of hot chocolate?”To refuse would be rude, and she agreed. Maggie took a seat while Taylor walked over to the counter. Aside from her and Taylor, the place only had a couple of customers, and Maggie got the prime table by the window with a view on the mountain.A moment later, Taylor returned with two muffins and two steaming cups of hot chocolate. “Cranberry muffins are my favorite,” said Maggie after she took a bite of her muffin. “I can read minds.” Taylor grinned, taking a sip of his hot chocolate.“You are good.”“Actually, today is cranberry day – my grandmother owns the bakery, and she bakes most of the things on the menu. Every day is a different muffin day: blueberry on Mondays, orange on Tuesdays, then there’s raisin, apricot, cherry, poppy seed, and today is cranberry.”“Your grandmother’s name is Millie?” asked Maggie in disbelief – Millie was an uncommon enough name, and in a small town like this…“Yeah, why?”“Is she a skier? I think I might have run into her several days ago on a ski lift.”“She and grandpa did go over to ski the groomers over the weekend.”“Is your grandfather’s name Phil?” asked Maggie, intrigued by the impossible coincidence.Taylor nodded.“It was them then – I chatted with your grandparents on a ski lift a few days back. They seemed like really nice people,” said Maggie, deciding to omit the fact that Millie had offered to introduce her to Taylor.“They are, but of course I’m biased.” Taylor grinned. “And they are also great skiers. Back in the day my grandfather was a major big mountain skier, but now grandma insists that he is too old to risk skiing off-piste – he still sneaks in a run or two, though. He’s taught me everything I know. It’s because of him that I want to do the documentary…”Maggie waited for Taylor to continue, but he halted, a surprised expression coming over his face. “I think it’s your friend Bethany.” Taylor pointed to the window. Maggie looked up and inde
**Everyone who leaves a comment on Marie's tour page will be entered in the giveaway! Anyone who purchases their copy of On the Rim of Love before December 24 and sends their receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com, will receive 5 bonus entries! Want to receive more bonus entries? Get 1 point for liking On the Rim of Love on Amazon, one point for liking Marie's Facebook page, and one point for becoming Marie's fan on GoodReads! Please leave your points in your comment section. Five individual winners will receive a piece of jewelry shown to the right, and one bonus winner will receive a $10 Amazon gift card! Please note this is open to US residents only.**
Author Bio:
Marie Astor is the author of contemporary romance novels This Tangled Thing Called Love, Lucky Charm, On the Rim of Love, romantic suspense, To Catch a Bad Guy, and a short story collection, A Dress in a Window. Marie is also the author of young adult fantasy adventure novel, Over the Mountain and Back.
If you would like to learn more about Marie’s writing, please stop by her website: www.marieastor.com or visit her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/marieastorcollection
Books by Marie Astor:
This Tangled Thing Called Love – a contemporary romance about overcoming one’s inhibitions, learning to tango, and finding one’s true love match. http://www.amazon.com/This-Tangled-Thing-Called-ebook/dp/B0078IPNCW/ref=la_B004EBDX9Q_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1337972977&sr=1-3
Lucky Charm – a humorous contemporary romance about love, luck and friendship.
http://www.amazon.com/Lucky-Charm-Contemporary-Romance-ebook/dp/B005BZL3L4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1336842915&sr=8-1
On the Rim of Love– a contemporary romance about the unexpected power of love.
http://www.amazon.com/On-Rim-Love-Contemporary-ebook/dp/B005TOWI7K/ref=pd_sim_kstore_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2
A Dress in a Window – a collection of short stories about love, coincidences, and fate.
http://www.amazon.com/A-Dress-Window-ebook/dp/B004E112TO/ref=pd_sim_kstore_3?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2
Over the Mountain and Back – young adult fantasy adventure novel about a boy who takes his snowboard for a ride and finds himself in a magical, hidden world he never knew existed.
http://www.amazon.com/Over-Mountain-Back-Adventure-ebook/dp/B008WF1Y78/ref=la_B004EBDX9Q_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1350684616&sr=1-6
Connect with Marie!
Website: http://www.marieastor.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/marieastorcollectionGoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4665230.Marie_AstorTwitter: @marieastor
**Excerpt**
Maggie’s gaze traveled to a small, low-slung wooden building a few steps away from the Owl Lodge. The weathered construction looked more like a shed than a house; the sign atop the entrance read: Millie’s Bakery. She could certainly use a cup of coffee and a snack –in her hurry to start on her photography expedition, she had neglected to have breakfast and now she was paying for it with a grumbling stomach. Maggie was just about to walk up to the counter when she noticed the back of the neon ski jacket and the blond ponytail that could only belong to Taylor Denton. Instantly, she made the move for the front door – Taylor was standing with his back to her, and if she hurried, she just might escape unnoticed. “Maggie?”So recognized Taylor immediately; for a moment she contemplated fleeing, but abandoned the option immediately as being over-the-top. Let’s not get crazy here, she thought, there’s no reason why I can’t have a civil conversation with him - just a friendly hello and goodbye and then I’ll be on my way. “Taylor! I didn’t expect to see you here,” Maggie stammered, immediately cursing her ineptness – she was not supposed to expect seeing him at all - not here, not anywhere.“I was just grabbing a cup of hot chocolate – it’s freezing up there today.”What do you know, she thought, Mr. Tough Guy has a weakness for hot chocolate. Yes, it was certainly a cool day out, and to her annoyance, Maggie had to admit that Taylor looked even more handsome with his face all flushed from the frost.“But what brings you to this neck of the woods? I thought you were staying all the way on the other side of the resort,” pressed Taylor. “I am. I was just taking a walk,” Maggie said curtly, not wanting to go into details. “Listen, about yesterday, I’d like to apologize for losing my cool – I had no business telling you off like that.”She remained silent, unwilling to lend him a hand.“It was a close call and I blew a fuse - I’m sorry.”“I understand. You were right - it was thoughtless of me to follow you when you told everyone to stay back. Thanks again for saving Jeffrey’s life.” Oh God that came out lame, Maggie thought - she had to get out of there before she made a complete fool of herself. “Well, it was nice seeing you, but I really have to get back…” “Can I buy you a cup of hot chocolate?”To refuse would be rude, and she agreed. Maggie took a seat while Taylor walked over to the counter. Aside from her and Taylor, the place only had a couple of customers, and Maggie got the prime table by the window with a view on the mountain.A moment later, Taylor returned with two muffins and two steaming cups of hot chocolate. “Cranberry muffins are my favorite,” said Maggie after she took a bite of her muffin. “I can read minds.” Taylor grinned, taking a sip of his hot chocolate.“You are good.”“Actually, today is cranberry day – my grandmother owns the bakery, and she bakes most of the things on the menu. Every day is a different muffin day: blueberry on Mondays, orange on Tuesdays, then there’s raisin, apricot, cherry, poppy seed, and today is cranberry.”“Your grandmother’s name is Millie?” asked Maggie in disbelief – Millie was an uncommon enough name, and in a small town like this…“Yeah, why?”“Is she a skier? I think I might have run into her several days ago on a ski lift.”“She and grandpa did go over to ski the groomers over the weekend.”“Is your grandfather’s name Phil?” asked Maggie, intrigued by the impossible coincidence.Taylor nodded.“It was them then – I chatted with your grandparents on a ski lift a few days back. They seemed like really nice people,” said Maggie, deciding to omit the fact that Millie had offered to introduce her to Taylor.“They are, but of course I’m biased.” Taylor grinned. “And they are also great skiers. Back in the day my grandfather was a major big mountain skier, but now grandma insists that he is too old to risk skiing off-piste – he still sneaks in a run or two, though. He’s taught me everything I know. It’s because of him that I want to do the documentary…”Maggie waited for Taylor to continue, but he halted, a surprised expression coming over his face. “I think it’s your friend Bethany.” Taylor pointed to the window. Maggie looked up and inde
**Everyone who leaves a comment on Marie's tour page will be entered in the giveaway! Anyone who purchases their copy of On the Rim of Love before December 24 and sends their receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com, will receive 5 bonus entries! Want to receive more bonus entries? Get 1 point for liking On the Rim of Love on Amazon, one point for liking Marie's Facebook page, and one point for becoming Marie's fan on GoodReads! Please leave your points in your comment section. Five individual winners will receive a piece of jewelry shown to the right, and one bonus winner will receive a $10 Amazon gift card! Please note this is open to US residents only.**
Author Bio:Marie Astor is the author of contemporary romance novels This Tangled Thing Called Love, Lucky Charm, On the Rim of Love, romantic suspense, To Catch a Bad Guy, and a short story collection, A Dress in a Window. Marie is also the author of young adult fantasy adventure novel, Over the Mountain and Back.
If you would like to learn more about Marie’s writing, please stop by her website: www.marieastor.com or visit her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/marieastorcollection
Books by Marie Astor:
This Tangled Thing Called Love – a contemporary romance about overcoming one’s inhibitions, learning to tango, and finding one’s true love match. http://www.amazon.com/This-Tangled-Thing-Called-ebook/dp/B0078IPNCW/ref=la_B004EBDX9Q_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1337972977&sr=1-3
Lucky Charm – a humorous contemporary romance about love, luck and friendship.
http://www.amazon.com/Lucky-Charm-Contemporary-Romance-ebook/dp/B005BZL3L4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1336842915&sr=8-1
On the Rim of Love– a contemporary romance about the unexpected power of love.
http://www.amazon.com/On-Rim-Love-Contemporary-ebook/dp/B005TOWI7K/ref=pd_sim_kstore_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2
A Dress in a Window – a collection of short stories about love, coincidences, and fate.
http://www.amazon.com/A-Dress-Window-ebook/dp/B004E112TO/ref=pd_sim_kstore_3?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2
Over the Mountain and Back – young adult fantasy adventure novel about a boy who takes his snowboard for a ride and finds himself in a magical, hidden world he never knew existed.
http://www.amazon.com/Over-Mountain-Back-Adventure-ebook/dp/B008WF1Y78/ref=la_B004EBDX9Q_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1350684616&sr=1-6
Connect with Marie!
Website: http://www.marieastor.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/marieastorcollectionGoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4665230.Marie_AstorTwitter: @marieastor
December 16, 2012
Interview and Excerpt: Whispers in Autumn by Trisha Leigh
Thanks to Trisha Leigh for stopping by with a Q&A and excerpt from Whispers in Autumn. Please visit her tour page on CLP Blog Tours for more information!
**Interview**
When did you know writing was for you?
I'm pretty sure late in high school, although I didn't figure out in what capacity until after college.
How would you describe your books?
They're a blend of science fiction and fantasy, with a sweet romance (that turns more sexy) as the series progresses. Some call them dystopian, and with the fenced cities and controlled future society, they can certainly fit easily into that category as well.
Why was Whispers in Autumn a book you wanted to write?
I've always been fascinated with the idea of mind control, and whether it would be better to be clueless and happy than to know everything and let it make you miserable. These books give me the chance to explore the ideas of free will and happiness, as well as start a discussion on whether or not the human race deserves to be saved.
How were you able to stretch your imagination for the plot concept of this book? I am fascinated by it!
It took a lot of work, actually! Sometimes it's hard to let go of what makes sense and believe the world can be any way you imagine it. Althea, my main character, has to accept midway through Book 2 that she'll never fully understand the capacity of her own brain, and I accepted that along with her. Letting my imagination run was easier after that, and I've had more fun with it the last two books.
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
For me, an initial revision letter is the hardest. Your book is in one piece, it flows, it makes sense - then you get these notes and things need to be added and deleted and moved around. Characters need to be adjusted, themes need to be teased out - I often compare the first draft to knitting a sweater, and that first revision to yanking on threads until you've got mostly yarn again. It's painful, but it's always worth it.
What are your favorite genres to read?
I read pretty widely, honestly. I'll read anything someone recommends, and over the past couple of years, as I've acquired more and more awesome writer friends, I've stretched out of my comfort zone to read their beautiful books. If I had to pick a favorite, it would be Contemporary YA, although I do get on kicks where I enjoy reading Adult Crime Fiction as well.
What do you want readers to take away from your story?
First of all, that everyone - anyone - is capable of making a different. Second, that we need to make Earth and humanity something worthy of being saved. Not to say that this situation will ever come to pass (let's hope not!) but as Althea and Lucas and Pax learn more and more about the way the planet was in 2015, the more they start to ask themselves whether giving the planet back to humanity is the right thing to do. I hope that the generations of kids growing up now can find a way to make the answer to that question unequivocally YES.
How important do you think social media is for authors these days?
I think it's important! More and more people are finding their next read online, whether through blogs, Goodreads, Amazon, etc, and if an author isn't comfortable in that medium, it can be a detriment. Also, in our society of instant gratification and the idea that everyone should be accessible all the time (an idea I detest, but it doesn't change the fact that it's true), social media is a great platform for authors and readers to connect in ways they never have been able to before. I don't think that authors (or anyone) should try to do it all, though. Find the social media platform that you enjoy the most, and go with that. I spend most of my time on Twitter - I'm addicted.
What would be your advice to aspiring writers?
Learn. Learn all the time - from other writers, from reading, from classes, from movies and television, from history, from life. The things you learn will influence your stories by making you a person will a deep well of knowledge to draw from instead of a shallow pool. Continue to learn, and it will never run dry. And you'll never run out of stories.
**Excerpt**
The offer heats my cheeks. “What if we go out there to meet this Archivist and never come back?”“We’d be together.” Our eyes meet across the room, fuse as though we’re connected. After another moment of silence, Lucas stands up too quickly. “I should go.”He steps toward the door, pausing at the edge of the bed to run his fingers through my hair. I clutch them against my cheek, my belly full of licking fire that’s so much more pleasant than the flames associated with my strange power. It spreads out until I give voice to its wants. “Will you stay until I fall asleep? I just…I don’t want to be alone.”A quick intake of breath from Lucas hitches my heart, and for a moment I’m worried. Then I remember this is Lucas. The boy who loved his fish, who defended me after I pushed him away ten times, and whose touch can make me believe everything might really be okay now that we’re facing it together. I scoot backward, peeling back the bright comforter in invitation.Lucas’s smile tightens a little, and a glinting brightness full of the same tumbling emotions doing acrobatics inside me shines in his eyes. He closes them, then takes a deep breath and slides out of his shoes.
Author Bio:
Raised by a family of ex-farmers and/or almost rock stars from Northeastern Iowa, I’ve always loved to tell stories. After graduating from Texas Christian University with a degree in Film, I began to search for a way to release the voices in my head. IWhen I attempted my first YA novel, which would become Whispers in Autumn, I was hooked. I knew then my heart lay with telling stories about and for young adults, and for anyone who loves to read and recapture those fleeting “first” moments.My spare time is spent reviewing television and movies, spending time with my large, loud, loving family, reading any book that falls into my hands, and being dragged into the fresh air by my dogs Yoda and Jilly. Connect with Trisha! http://www.trishaleigh.com@trishaleighkctrishaleighkc.tumblr.comhttp://pinterest.com/trishaleighkc/FacebookThe Last Year - Facebook Buy the Book!
Kindle, Nook, iBooks, Kobo, and paperback!
**Interview**
When did you know writing was for you?
I'm pretty sure late in high school, although I didn't figure out in what capacity until after college.
How would you describe your books?
They're a blend of science fiction and fantasy, with a sweet romance (that turns more sexy) as the series progresses. Some call them dystopian, and with the fenced cities and controlled future society, they can certainly fit easily into that category as well.
Why was Whispers in Autumn a book you wanted to write?
I've always been fascinated with the idea of mind control, and whether it would be better to be clueless and happy than to know everything and let it make you miserable. These books give me the chance to explore the ideas of free will and happiness, as well as start a discussion on whether or not the human race deserves to be saved.
How were you able to stretch your imagination for the plot concept of this book? I am fascinated by it!
It took a lot of work, actually! Sometimes it's hard to let go of what makes sense and believe the world can be any way you imagine it. Althea, my main character, has to accept midway through Book 2 that she'll never fully understand the capacity of her own brain, and I accepted that along with her. Letting my imagination run was easier after that, and I've had more fun with it the last two books.
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
For me, an initial revision letter is the hardest. Your book is in one piece, it flows, it makes sense - then you get these notes and things need to be added and deleted and moved around. Characters need to be adjusted, themes need to be teased out - I often compare the first draft to knitting a sweater, and that first revision to yanking on threads until you've got mostly yarn again. It's painful, but it's always worth it.
What are your favorite genres to read?
I read pretty widely, honestly. I'll read anything someone recommends, and over the past couple of years, as I've acquired more and more awesome writer friends, I've stretched out of my comfort zone to read their beautiful books. If I had to pick a favorite, it would be Contemporary YA, although I do get on kicks where I enjoy reading Adult Crime Fiction as well.
What do you want readers to take away from your story?
First of all, that everyone - anyone - is capable of making a different. Second, that we need to make Earth and humanity something worthy of being saved. Not to say that this situation will ever come to pass (let's hope not!) but as Althea and Lucas and Pax learn more and more about the way the planet was in 2015, the more they start to ask themselves whether giving the planet back to humanity is the right thing to do. I hope that the generations of kids growing up now can find a way to make the answer to that question unequivocally YES.
How important do you think social media is for authors these days?
I think it's important! More and more people are finding their next read online, whether through blogs, Goodreads, Amazon, etc, and if an author isn't comfortable in that medium, it can be a detriment. Also, in our society of instant gratification and the idea that everyone should be accessible all the time (an idea I detest, but it doesn't change the fact that it's true), social media is a great platform for authors and readers to connect in ways they never have been able to before. I don't think that authors (or anyone) should try to do it all, though. Find the social media platform that you enjoy the most, and go with that. I spend most of my time on Twitter - I'm addicted.
What would be your advice to aspiring writers?
Learn. Learn all the time - from other writers, from reading, from classes, from movies and television, from history, from life. The things you learn will influence your stories by making you a person will a deep well of knowledge to draw from instead of a shallow pool. Continue to learn, and it will never run dry. And you'll never run out of stories.
**Excerpt**
The offer heats my cheeks. “What if we go out there to meet this Archivist and never come back?”“We’d be together.” Our eyes meet across the room, fuse as though we’re connected. After another moment of silence, Lucas stands up too quickly. “I should go.”He steps toward the door, pausing at the edge of the bed to run his fingers through my hair. I clutch them against my cheek, my belly full of licking fire that’s so much more pleasant than the flames associated with my strange power. It spreads out until I give voice to its wants. “Will you stay until I fall asleep? I just…I don’t want to be alone.”A quick intake of breath from Lucas hitches my heart, and for a moment I’m worried. Then I remember this is Lucas. The boy who loved his fish, who defended me after I pushed him away ten times, and whose touch can make me believe everything might really be okay now that we’re facing it together. I scoot backward, peeling back the bright comforter in invitation.Lucas’s smile tightens a little, and a glinting brightness full of the same tumbling emotions doing acrobatics inside me shines in his eyes. He closes them, then takes a deep breath and slides out of his shoes.
Author Bio:
Raised by a family of ex-farmers and/or almost rock stars from Northeastern Iowa, I’ve always loved to tell stories. After graduating from Texas Christian University with a degree in Film, I began to search for a way to release the voices in my head. IWhen I attempted my first YA novel, which would become Whispers in Autumn, I was hooked. I knew then my heart lay with telling stories about and for young adults, and for anyone who loves to read and recapture those fleeting “first” moments.My spare time is spent reviewing television and movies, spending time with my large, loud, loving family, reading any book that falls into my hands, and being dragged into the fresh air by my dogs Yoda and Jilly. Connect with Trisha! http://www.trishaleigh.com@trishaleighkctrishaleighkc.tumblr.comhttp://pinterest.com/trishaleighkc/FacebookThe Last Year - Facebook Buy the Book!
Kindle, Nook, iBooks, Kobo, and paperback!
December 14, 2012
Interview and Excerpt: Meant to Be by Karen Stivali
Thanks to Karen Stivali for stopping by with a Q&A and excerpt from Meant to Be. Please visit her tour page on CLP Blog Tours for more information and a giveaway!
**Interview**
When did you know writing was for you?I think I’ve always known writing was for me---I started writing fiction in first grade---I just never had the nerve to really go for it as a career until a few years ago. There’s never been a time in my life when I wasn’t writing something, it just took a long (long) time for me to be comfortable sharing my writing with other people. That wasn’t an easy step. In fact it still makes me super nervous. But I’ve gotten much better about it. I credit blogging and posting on message boards with getting me to feel more confident about sharing my words with the public. That and a few friends who nagged, uhh… I mean encouraged me, until I finally started submitting things to agents and publishers.
How would you describe your books?They’re love stories. I write in three genres, women’s fiction, contemporary romance and erotic romance, but every single one of my stories is a love story. Some are steamier than others but they’re all about relationships and falling in love. And they all contain sex. I’m not a fan of the fade-to-black sex scene as a reader so when I’m writing the story you’ll always see an open door. I think you learn a lot about a couple and their relationship from the way they are together when they’re being intimate with one another. It can be as telling or more telling than dialogue or other forms of body language.
Why was Meant To Be a book you wanted to write?I had the idea for Meant To Be nearly a decade before I sat down to write it. I’d seen the saying that people come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime and when I thought about it I realized that you never know who’s there for what purpose. That’s the premise of Meant To Be. You never know who your lifetime people are going to be.
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?The hardest part for me is the waiting. I’m not good at waiting and publishing is FULL of waiting. Being on submission with a new project still makes me super nervous. I hate the compulsive email checking that goes with waiting for a response. Everyone thinks the waiting stops once you contract a book, but it doesn’t. Then you wait for edits. You wait to see if your editor likes your changes. You wait for a publication date, for a cover, for a release date, for reviews to start rolling in…. You’re always waiting for something. I’ve gotten better about it, but it’s still the hardest part for me.
What are your favorite genres to read?I tend to read more by writing style than by genre. I like stories with richly drawn characters. Books are all about the characters for me, so if I don’t feel close to them I won’t enjoy the story. If the characters are interesting and I feel like I’m getting to know them I can forgive a lot of story flaws (so-so writing, unrealistic plot) because I’m so invested in the characters I just go along for the ride because I want to know what happens to them.
What do you want readers to take away from your story?My favorite thing about reading is getting to know the characters. I love a book that leaves me feeling like I know the characters as well as I know my friends. In all of my books I try to give that to the readers. I hope they come away from my stories feeling like they have a new group of friends---people they care about and enjoyed spending time with while they read my book. Nothing makes me happier than when I hear someone discussing one of my characters as if he or she is a real person. I love it when someone says to me “Oh that’s so Justine!” or “Daniel would NEVER do that.” Then I know they ‘got’ what I was doing with the characters and are thinking of them as real.
How important do you think social media is for authors these days? I think social media is very important to authors. For one thing, writing is a very isolating job. You spend hours upon hours alone with your keyboard and your characters. Social media is a great way to have some human contact with real people without having to leave the keyboard entirely. It’s also very beneficial to chat with other authors because they understand things that your everyday friends may not. If I complain on Twitter that the characters in my head won’t shut up, I get 10 messages from other writers, commiserating. If I said that to a non-writer friend in my real life they’d probably consider handing me a business card for their therapist. And there’s nothing better than interacting on social media with people who’ve read your book. I love getting comments from readers or questions about what I’m doing or when my next release will be.What would be your advice to aspiring writers? Two things. FINISH your book. It’s so easy to get stuck in an endless loop of revisions and continually reimagine things and never actually complete a project. It’s extremely important to make sure you finish what you’re working on and don’t get caught up in the little things. Second, don’t give up. Odds are you’ll get a lot of rejections. Most of us do. I certainly did. What matters is that you keep going. Believe in yourself and in your characters and keep trying.
**Excerpt**
“Here.” She grabbed a box of cookie cutters off one of the kitchen bar stools. “Have a seat. Try whatever cookies you’d like.”He was continually amazed by how warm she was. How inviting. Though he’d only known her for five months he felt as though he’d known her forever. Without thinking he grabbed a cookie and popped it into his mouth. It melted on his tongue. “Mmmm. That’s good.”She tossed him a quick grin as she basted the chicken. “Try another.”By the time she’d finished scooping the fluffy mashed potatoes into a serving dish and started on the gravy he was on his sixth one. The tray by the kitchen table held cookies that looked temptingly similar to ones his mother used to make. His very favorite cookies. He’d spent years buying bakery look-a-likes, but had always been disappointed when the taste didn’t compare to his memories. He’d given up trying.He eyed the tray as he sampled the other varieties. Each tasted better than the one before. He hesitated, not wanting to ruin the moment with unrealistic hopes, but curiosity got the best of him, and he grabbed a cookie off the final rack. He slowly bit into it, and there it was. The exact cookie he recalled from his childhood. The same texture, the same rich flavor, the same chewy jam. “Oh my God,” he said.“What?” “These cookies,” he said, his voice wavering. “They taste exactly like cookies my mother made when I was a child.”“Is that a good thing or a bad thing?” she asked.“Good thing. A very good thing.”
**Everyone who leaves a comment on Karen's tour page will be entered to win a digital copy of Holding On - the sequel to Meant To Be! Anyone who purchases their copy of Meant to Be before December 17 and sends their receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com, will get five bonus entries.**
Author Bio:
Karen Stivali is a prolific writer, compulsive baker and chocoholic with a penchant for books, movies and fictional British men. When she’s not writing, she can be found cooking extravagant meals and serving them to family and friends. Prior to deciding to write full time Karen worked as a hand drawn animator, a clinical therapist, and held various food-related jobs ranging from waitress to specialty cake maker. Planning elaborate parties and fundraisers takes up what’s left of her time and sanity.Karen has always been fascinated by the way people relate to one another so she favors books and movies that feature richly detailed characters and their relationships. In her own writing she likes to explore the dynamics between characters and has a tendency to craft romantic love stories filled with sarcasm and sexy details. Karen has published three erotic romances with Ellora’s Cave: Marry Me (June 2012), Long-Distance Lovers (co-written with Karen Booth, March 2012) and Always You (Passionate Plume First Place Novella Winner, RWA 2012).Karen’s first full-length novel, Meant To Be, released from Turquoise Morning Press on August 26, 2012. Its sequel, Holding On, released on November 26, 2012. A prequel to these novels, the short story All I Need, appears in the Foreign Affairs Anthology (Turquoise Morning Press, August 2012).Coming in 2013 Karen will have several contemporary romances releasing from Samhain Publishing and Turquoise Morning Press. The first of these, THEN, AGAIN will release from Samhain on May 23, 2013. Connect with Karen! http://karenstivali.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/karenstivali Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/karenstivaliGoodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5170527.Karen_StivaliAmazon: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005KWSFGO
Buy the Book!
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Meant-To-Be-ebook/dp/B0092GWS0S/ref=la_B005KWSFGO_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1346196986&sr=1-5
AllRomanceEbooks: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-meanttobe-923889-148.html
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/meant-to-be-karen-stivali/1112675856?ean=2940015227789
Publisher's site:
Turquoise Morning Press: http://www.turquoisemorningpressbookstore.com/products/meant-to-be-by-karen-stivali
**Interview**
When did you know writing was for you?I think I’ve always known writing was for me---I started writing fiction in first grade---I just never had the nerve to really go for it as a career until a few years ago. There’s never been a time in my life when I wasn’t writing something, it just took a long (long) time for me to be comfortable sharing my writing with other people. That wasn’t an easy step. In fact it still makes me super nervous. But I’ve gotten much better about it. I credit blogging and posting on message boards with getting me to feel more confident about sharing my words with the public. That and a few friends who nagged, uhh… I mean encouraged me, until I finally started submitting things to agents and publishers.
How would you describe your books?They’re love stories. I write in three genres, women’s fiction, contemporary romance and erotic romance, but every single one of my stories is a love story. Some are steamier than others but they’re all about relationships and falling in love. And they all contain sex. I’m not a fan of the fade-to-black sex scene as a reader so when I’m writing the story you’ll always see an open door. I think you learn a lot about a couple and their relationship from the way they are together when they’re being intimate with one another. It can be as telling or more telling than dialogue or other forms of body language.
Why was Meant To Be a book you wanted to write?I had the idea for Meant To Be nearly a decade before I sat down to write it. I’d seen the saying that people come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime and when I thought about it I realized that you never know who’s there for what purpose. That’s the premise of Meant To Be. You never know who your lifetime people are going to be.
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?The hardest part for me is the waiting. I’m not good at waiting and publishing is FULL of waiting. Being on submission with a new project still makes me super nervous. I hate the compulsive email checking that goes with waiting for a response. Everyone thinks the waiting stops once you contract a book, but it doesn’t. Then you wait for edits. You wait to see if your editor likes your changes. You wait for a publication date, for a cover, for a release date, for reviews to start rolling in…. You’re always waiting for something. I’ve gotten better about it, but it’s still the hardest part for me.
What are your favorite genres to read?I tend to read more by writing style than by genre. I like stories with richly drawn characters. Books are all about the characters for me, so if I don’t feel close to them I won’t enjoy the story. If the characters are interesting and I feel like I’m getting to know them I can forgive a lot of story flaws (so-so writing, unrealistic plot) because I’m so invested in the characters I just go along for the ride because I want to know what happens to them.
What do you want readers to take away from your story?My favorite thing about reading is getting to know the characters. I love a book that leaves me feeling like I know the characters as well as I know my friends. In all of my books I try to give that to the readers. I hope they come away from my stories feeling like they have a new group of friends---people they care about and enjoyed spending time with while they read my book. Nothing makes me happier than when I hear someone discussing one of my characters as if he or she is a real person. I love it when someone says to me “Oh that’s so Justine!” or “Daniel would NEVER do that.” Then I know they ‘got’ what I was doing with the characters and are thinking of them as real.
How important do you think social media is for authors these days? I think social media is very important to authors. For one thing, writing is a very isolating job. You spend hours upon hours alone with your keyboard and your characters. Social media is a great way to have some human contact with real people without having to leave the keyboard entirely. It’s also very beneficial to chat with other authors because they understand things that your everyday friends may not. If I complain on Twitter that the characters in my head won’t shut up, I get 10 messages from other writers, commiserating. If I said that to a non-writer friend in my real life they’d probably consider handing me a business card for their therapist. And there’s nothing better than interacting on social media with people who’ve read your book. I love getting comments from readers or questions about what I’m doing or when my next release will be.What would be your advice to aspiring writers? Two things. FINISH your book. It’s so easy to get stuck in an endless loop of revisions and continually reimagine things and never actually complete a project. It’s extremely important to make sure you finish what you’re working on and don’t get caught up in the little things. Second, don’t give up. Odds are you’ll get a lot of rejections. Most of us do. I certainly did. What matters is that you keep going. Believe in yourself and in your characters and keep trying.
**Excerpt**
“Here.” She grabbed a box of cookie cutters off one of the kitchen bar stools. “Have a seat. Try whatever cookies you’d like.”He was continually amazed by how warm she was. How inviting. Though he’d only known her for five months he felt as though he’d known her forever. Without thinking he grabbed a cookie and popped it into his mouth. It melted on his tongue. “Mmmm. That’s good.”She tossed him a quick grin as she basted the chicken. “Try another.”By the time she’d finished scooping the fluffy mashed potatoes into a serving dish and started on the gravy he was on his sixth one. The tray by the kitchen table held cookies that looked temptingly similar to ones his mother used to make. His very favorite cookies. He’d spent years buying bakery look-a-likes, but had always been disappointed when the taste didn’t compare to his memories. He’d given up trying.He eyed the tray as he sampled the other varieties. Each tasted better than the one before. He hesitated, not wanting to ruin the moment with unrealistic hopes, but curiosity got the best of him, and he grabbed a cookie off the final rack. He slowly bit into it, and there it was. The exact cookie he recalled from his childhood. The same texture, the same rich flavor, the same chewy jam. “Oh my God,” he said.“What?” “These cookies,” he said, his voice wavering. “They taste exactly like cookies my mother made when I was a child.”“Is that a good thing or a bad thing?” she asked.“Good thing. A very good thing.”
**Everyone who leaves a comment on Karen's tour page will be entered to win a digital copy of Holding On - the sequel to Meant To Be! Anyone who purchases their copy of Meant to Be before December 17 and sends their receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com, will get five bonus entries.**
Author Bio:
Karen Stivali is a prolific writer, compulsive baker and chocoholic with a penchant for books, movies and fictional British men. When she’s not writing, she can be found cooking extravagant meals and serving them to family and friends. Prior to deciding to write full time Karen worked as a hand drawn animator, a clinical therapist, and held various food-related jobs ranging from waitress to specialty cake maker. Planning elaborate parties and fundraisers takes up what’s left of her time and sanity.Karen has always been fascinated by the way people relate to one another so she favors books and movies that feature richly detailed characters and their relationships. In her own writing she likes to explore the dynamics between characters and has a tendency to craft romantic love stories filled with sarcasm and sexy details. Karen has published three erotic romances with Ellora’s Cave: Marry Me (June 2012), Long-Distance Lovers (co-written with Karen Booth, March 2012) and Always You (Passionate Plume First Place Novella Winner, RWA 2012).Karen’s first full-length novel, Meant To Be, released from Turquoise Morning Press on August 26, 2012. Its sequel, Holding On, released on November 26, 2012. A prequel to these novels, the short story All I Need, appears in the Foreign Affairs Anthology (Turquoise Morning Press, August 2012).Coming in 2013 Karen will have several contemporary romances releasing from Samhain Publishing and Turquoise Morning Press. The first of these, THEN, AGAIN will release from Samhain on May 23, 2013. Connect with Karen! http://karenstivali.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/karenstivali Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/karenstivaliGoodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5170527.Karen_StivaliAmazon: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005KWSFGO
Buy the Book!
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Meant-To-Be-ebook/dp/B0092GWS0S/ref=la_B005KWSFGO_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1346196986&sr=1-5
AllRomanceEbooks: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-meanttobe-923889-148.html
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/meant-to-be-karen-stivali/1112675856?ean=2940015227789
Publisher's site:
Turquoise Morning Press: http://www.turquoisemorningpressbookstore.com/products/meant-to-be-by-karen-stivali
December 12, 2012
Interview and Excerpt: Forbidden Forest by Tenaya Jayne
Thanks to Tenaya Jayne for stopping by with a Q&A and excerpt from Forbidden Forest. Please visit her tour page at CLP Blog Tours for more information and a giveaway!
**Interview**
Can you describe Forbidden Forest in a tweet (140 words or less)? A story about overcoming abuse and prejudice with love #hotnewmustreads :)
Why was Forbidden Forest a book you wanted to write? It wasn't actually. When the idea fell into my head, I was a little bemused by it. I had another project on my agenda at the time. I didn't want to write something so mainstream, but the plot just bloomed so easily in my head,What are you currently reading?Vows of Revenge by J F Ridgley.
Do you experience writers block? Any tips on overcoming it?I get writers block as often as I get spurts of inspiration. For me, writers block is not a problem of not knowing what I want to write, it's getting the words to flow smoothly. When I'm suffering from not knowing what comes next, or needing a killer scene, I turn to other forms of art for a breakthrough. Music, movies, paintings, and poetry all help. However, nothing helps more than my best friend, Amanda. She's the best sounding board and reader I could ever hope to have. As a tip to other writers to send your writer's block packing, I'd say talk to Amanda, but I don't really mean that. She's mine and I'm not sharing. Get your own. :) Where do you complete most of your writing? Any certain time of day that you prefer?I have a desk, but I do most of my best work at the kitchen table, where I can keep an eye on my kids. And because of said kids, the best time of day for me is early in the morning before they get up.
Are you currently working on another novel?Oh, yes! I'm working on the sequel to Forbidden Forest, Forest Fire. I'm trying to complete it by spring and release it by the summer. After that, I'll choose another project from my list, either that or I'll be derailed again by my unruly muse. :)
**Excerpt**
Forest pressed her back against the cool concrete wall, wanting to remain aloof from the entity of the crowd. She chose her position in the shadows, out of the paths of the roving, multi-colored spotlights. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the feeling of the undulating human pheromones flying around on the air. At the beginning of every shift, she allowed herself a few minutes of this alien/human experience, though she didn't fully comprehend the combination of dancing, drinking, and ear-breaking sound waves. They loved it, however, and never seemed to deviate from the recipe. These were the people she was sworn to protect. She had developed a light affection for the human race and considered them a benign, if not slightly silly, bunch of creatures. Her religious passion for her job was rooted in hatred of that which harmed the humans, not a superhero tendency to protect the weak. Forest opened her eyes and focused all her senses to sniff out the illegal suckers that tried to sneak through the portal. She was in the zone tonight, and not for the first time did she feel that hers was the best job in existence. It was a shame she couldn’t legally kill suckers in her native world. Over the next two hours, Forest didn’t move from the wall. She monitored the light traffic through the portal: two shifters and one elf, each of which nodded to her respectfully as they passed. Yawn. The shifters left the club to enjoy the delights of Austin’s nightlife elsewhere. The elf would have been breaking Regia’s law had he left the club, but he dutifully seated himself at the bar and ordered a fuzzy navel. He wore a plaid, porkpie hat, pulled down over the tops of his pointed ears. Forest didn’t know him personally, but she had seen him in here before. The bartender surveyed him with narrowed eyes as the elf nervously tugged his hat down further and ordered a few more girly cocktails. Intent on making sure that not one sucker was able to sneak past her, Forest was blindsided by the drunk bubba who had been trying to catch her eye for the last twenty minutes. He had finally decided to stagger over to hit on her. “Hey babe, you’re too beautiful to look so lonely. How’s ‘bout I buy you a drink?”“How’s ‘bout I call you a cab instead?” Forest mimicked his drawl. “Only if you share it with me, Darlin.” He leaned in closer, and Forest’s throat began to sting from the noxious fume of booze mixed with his natural musk. “While I appreciate the offer, Jethro, It seems only right to inform you that I’m not actually attractive at all. If you leaned in a little closer, you’d see that you’ve fallen victim to the effect of beer goggles. A hag like me can’t take advantage of a stud like you.”As he leaned in, Forest instantly enlarged her nose, pockmarked her skin, evaporated her front teeth, and added a large black mole with a long hair sprouting from it for good measure. “You’re no hag, baby! You’re the sexiest little thing in…I…uh… ” He stumbled backward. “Good grief! Sorry, sorry…” he stammered, retreating. “I’ve gotta quit drinking,” he mumbled as he turned away.Forest chuckled to herself once he absorbed back into the crowd. Being a shape shifter sometimes had unusual perks.
**Everyone who leaves a comment on Tenaya's tour page will be entered in the giveaway! One winner will receive 1) $15 Amazon gift card 2) $15 Starbucks gift card and 3) One of kind notebook – image on the right! Anyone who purchases their copy of Forbidden Forestbefore December 17 and sends their receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com, will get five bonus entries!Please note this open for US/Canada residents only.**
Author Bio:
Hello. My name’s Tenaya and I’m an addict. I mean author. When I was growing up, writing was just something I played at from time to time. I knew I wanted to be a writer, but I was one of those people who could never finish anything. When my eldest son was diagnosed with Autism, I began to write seriously. Writing became a necessity for me in the midst of my heartbreak. It was either that or take up drinking. I ‘m thankful I chose writing as my escape because I discovered it truly is my thing. I want to be swept away when I read. Tha
I have a wonderful husband and two beautiful sons. I’m an advocate for Autism awareness, and women trapped in abusive relationships. I try to always look on the bright side and help others do so too. I’ve lived many places but I currently reside in Missouri. I love reading, indie and foreign films, gardening, and moody music.
Connect with Tenaya!
http://tenayajayne.com http://tenayajayne.blogspot.com
Buy the Book! Amazon
**Interview**
Can you describe Forbidden Forest in a tweet (140 words or less)? A story about overcoming abuse and prejudice with love #hotnewmustreads :)
Why was Forbidden Forest a book you wanted to write? It wasn't actually. When the idea fell into my head, I was a little bemused by it. I had another project on my agenda at the time. I didn't want to write something so mainstream, but the plot just bloomed so easily in my head,What are you currently reading?Vows of Revenge by J F Ridgley.
Do you experience writers block? Any tips on overcoming it?I get writers block as often as I get spurts of inspiration. For me, writers block is not a problem of not knowing what I want to write, it's getting the words to flow smoothly. When I'm suffering from not knowing what comes next, or needing a killer scene, I turn to other forms of art for a breakthrough. Music, movies, paintings, and poetry all help. However, nothing helps more than my best friend, Amanda. She's the best sounding board and reader I could ever hope to have. As a tip to other writers to send your writer's block packing, I'd say talk to Amanda, but I don't really mean that. She's mine and I'm not sharing. Get your own. :) Where do you complete most of your writing? Any certain time of day that you prefer?I have a desk, but I do most of my best work at the kitchen table, where I can keep an eye on my kids. And because of said kids, the best time of day for me is early in the morning before they get up.
Are you currently working on another novel?Oh, yes! I'm working on the sequel to Forbidden Forest, Forest Fire. I'm trying to complete it by spring and release it by the summer. After that, I'll choose another project from my list, either that or I'll be derailed again by my unruly muse. :)
**Excerpt**
Forest pressed her back against the cool concrete wall, wanting to remain aloof from the entity of the crowd. She chose her position in the shadows, out of the paths of the roving, multi-colored spotlights. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the feeling of the undulating human pheromones flying around on the air. At the beginning of every shift, she allowed herself a few minutes of this alien/human experience, though she didn't fully comprehend the combination of dancing, drinking, and ear-breaking sound waves. They loved it, however, and never seemed to deviate from the recipe. These were the people she was sworn to protect. She had developed a light affection for the human race and considered them a benign, if not slightly silly, bunch of creatures. Her religious passion for her job was rooted in hatred of that which harmed the humans, not a superhero tendency to protect the weak. Forest opened her eyes and focused all her senses to sniff out the illegal suckers that tried to sneak through the portal. She was in the zone tonight, and not for the first time did she feel that hers was the best job in existence. It was a shame she couldn’t legally kill suckers in her native world. Over the next two hours, Forest didn’t move from the wall. She monitored the light traffic through the portal: two shifters and one elf, each of which nodded to her respectfully as they passed. Yawn. The shifters left the club to enjoy the delights of Austin’s nightlife elsewhere. The elf would have been breaking Regia’s law had he left the club, but he dutifully seated himself at the bar and ordered a fuzzy navel. He wore a plaid, porkpie hat, pulled down over the tops of his pointed ears. Forest didn’t know him personally, but she had seen him in here before. The bartender surveyed him with narrowed eyes as the elf nervously tugged his hat down further and ordered a few more girly cocktails. Intent on making sure that not one sucker was able to sneak past her, Forest was blindsided by the drunk bubba who had been trying to catch her eye for the last twenty minutes. He had finally decided to stagger over to hit on her. “Hey babe, you’re too beautiful to look so lonely. How’s ‘bout I buy you a drink?”“How’s ‘bout I call you a cab instead?” Forest mimicked his drawl. “Only if you share it with me, Darlin.” He leaned in closer, and Forest’s throat began to sting from the noxious fume of booze mixed with his natural musk. “While I appreciate the offer, Jethro, It seems only right to inform you that I’m not actually attractive at all. If you leaned in a little closer, you’d see that you’ve fallen victim to the effect of beer goggles. A hag like me can’t take advantage of a stud like you.”As he leaned in, Forest instantly enlarged her nose, pockmarked her skin, evaporated her front teeth, and added a large black mole with a long hair sprouting from it for good measure. “You’re no hag, baby! You’re the sexiest little thing in…I…uh… ” He stumbled backward. “Good grief! Sorry, sorry…” he stammered, retreating. “I’ve gotta quit drinking,” he mumbled as he turned away.Forest chuckled to herself once he absorbed back into the crowd. Being a shape shifter sometimes had unusual perks.
**Everyone who leaves a comment on Tenaya's tour page will be entered in the giveaway! One winner will receive 1) $15 Amazon gift card 2) $15 Starbucks gift card and 3) One of kind notebook – image on the right! Anyone who purchases their copy of Forbidden Forestbefore December 17 and sends their receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com, will get five bonus entries!Please note this open for US/Canada residents only.**Author Bio:
Hello. My name’s Tenaya and I’m an addict. I mean author. When I was growing up, writing was just something I played at from time to time. I knew I wanted to be a writer, but I was one of those people who could never finish anything. When my eldest son was diagnosed with Autism, I began to write seriously. Writing became a necessity for me in the midst of my heartbreak. It was either that or take up drinking. I ‘m thankful I chose writing as my escape because I discovered it truly is my thing. I want to be swept away when I read. Tha
I have a wonderful husband and two beautiful sons. I’m an advocate for Autism awareness, and women trapped in abusive relationships. I try to always look on the bright side and help others do so too. I’ve lived many places but I currently reside in Missouri. I love reading, indie and foreign films, gardening, and moody music.
Connect with Tenaya!
http://tenayajayne.com http://tenayajayne.blogspot.com
Buy the Book! Amazon
December 10, 2012
Interview and Excerpt: Pass the Hot Stuff by Dana Page
Thanks to Dana Page for stopping by with a Q&A and excerpt from Pass the Hot Stuff. Please visit her tour page at CLP Blog Tours for more information and a giveaway!
**Interview**
When did you know writing was for you?
It took a while for me. You might say I sneaked up on it. I loved books and reading for as far back as I can remember; and I wrote silly, little stories when I was a kid. I never took myself seriously in that aspect, though.
Then when I was in 7thgrade I had a wonderful English teacher, Mrs. Scott. She had us reading constantly. She did everything she could to get us interested in books, short stories and just words in general. She would even read to the class at times. I’ll never forget her reading Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Tell Tale Heart” to us and pounding on her desk when she would get to the part about the heart thumping. The woman could really sell a story.
At one point, she had the class write a personification paper. I chose to write about an autumn leaf, and how beautiful it was with everyone admiring its vibrancy. Then I described the leaf’s feelings as it turned brown, crumpled and fell from the tree with people walking past it without taking notice. I think Mrs. Scott thought it was pretty deep for a 12-year-old to describe what the aging process might feel like. It makes me laugh now, because I wasn’t all that deep; I spent most of my time dancing and eating pralines-n-cream ice cream. But Mrs. Scott took me aside, and said, “You can write. You are a writer.” I will never forget her; she planted the seed. I had to gain the confidence in myself. The seed didn’t really sprout until college, but it stayed with me. I tear up just thinking about her.
How would you describe your books?
Fun, humorous, lighthearted. I want to make my readers feel optimistic. I’m a very emotional and sentimental person, so any kind of book or movie that leaves me sad or depressed stays with me for too long. Don’t get me wrong; there are plenty of those books that I love. But I want to entertain and have someone walk away feeling like they just fell in love or came back from an incredible vacation. I do like to insert a struggle or something with a little more meaning, but I surround it with humor. In Pass the Hot Stuff, there are themes of manipulation, the abuse/misuse of religion and a young woman coming into her own; but it’s all done with a light touch and sprinkled with laughs.
Also, I grew up in Arkansas and Memphis and my grandparents lived in New Orleans for a while; all of those places are home to me. The southern culture rings through in my books. Even though I grew up surrounded by it-the music, food and culture in general are all still vibrant to me, and I like to bring those things into books through the settings and colorful characters.
Why was Pass the Hot Stuff a book you wanted to write?
I had actually stopped writing. Rejection form letters and feeling invisible had taken the joy out of it for me. During that time, I also went through one of the most painful times of my life; I was extremely close to my grandmother, and when she passed away I felt like I couldn’t breathe. My mother and grandmother are the light and air in my life, and part of that was gone. Grief doesn’t go away, so I had to learn to cope with it. Part of that was starting to laugh again. I really needed something lighthearted in my life. After a long period of time and with no forethought, I just started writing one day. I wrote a story that made me feel good with characters that tickled me. At times, they had me doubled over, even if I do say so myself.J Even in difficult times my grandmother had a zest for life like no one I’ve ever known. I wanted to write a story that made the reader feel uplifted in the way she buoyed everyone around her with her spirit and joie de vivre.
I love the cover! How was the design process for you?
Thank you! That was a lot of fun. My mother has a wonderful artistic eye, so she had a lot of input. We got together, and came up with the scene – a French Quarter café with line drawings of the main characters at a table. I also really wanted my grandmother to be a part of this. She loved wearing black and white with a touch of red. I wanted the book to have clean lines and for the hot sauce to be highlighted, so those colors worked well. In addition, I was very clear on wanting the cover to indicate the whimsy of the story. I talked with the design team at CreateSpace, and they were unbelievably fantastic. They exceeded my expectations. When they submitted the first draft to me, there was a tiny black butterfly in the upper right corner. I hadn’t asked for it, but butterflies symbolize my grandmother for me...needless to say, I took it as a sign. That’s the most special part of the cover to me.
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
I adore the beginning stages of writing and getting the story down on paper. I’m very character driven, so I let the characters form in my mind, and that dictates the plot to me. That’s all play time. The most difficult part is finding a balance in my life once the story starts to gel. It’s hard for me to move away from it, mentally and physically. I have to give myself a regimented schedule when I’m in the thick of it. Otherwise, I won’t even eat. It wasn’t a bad thing to have the sexy Blake St. Germaine in my head all of the time, but real life is even more important!Additionally, rewrites are the scourge. That’s where all of the work is. Writers are creative, but they have to balance (there’s that word again) that with having an editor’s eye and emotionally detaching themselves from their own writing to make certain all of the components are there.
What is some of the best financial advice you would give?
Don’t quit your job. We’re writers, so we’re dreamers and have vivid imaginations. Will pie in the sky fame and fortune be hurled at your work of art? It could happen; it might not...you don’t know, so be prepared. Before you ever send a query letter to an agent, before you check out self-publishing opportunities, sit down and create a budget. Figure out what you want to spend on everything from cover design to advertising and blog tours. Talk to other authors about what they did. Get very realistic about money, both on what you need to spend and how much or little you might make on a first book when no one is familiar with your writing.
What are your favorite genres to read?
I love chick lit, suspense, historical or contemporary romance. It’s high on my list if a book tells a good story and can give me a laugh or two. Some of my favorite books that I can read over and over are: Charms for the Easy Lifeby Kaye Gibbons, Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons, Texasvilleby Larry McMurtry and A Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Devereaux. I also really enjoy Linda Howard and Marian Keyes.
What do you want readers to take away from your story?
This book is about love – romantic love and loving yourself enough not to settle for less.
I hope the reader feels like they just danced their way through the French Quarter. Everything is heightened in this book. These are not beige characters; they are loud, fun-loving and, in honor of my classic-movie-loving character, Blythe, brought to you in glorious Technicolor. It’s meant to take the reader not just into the romance of two people, but also into the romance and vividness of New Orleans.
I also hope the reader walks away feeling the warmth between the women in this book. The relationships between mothers, daughters, sisters, friends, grandmothers and aunts are the glue here. The bonds between these women, as they cheer for Blythe to live life to the fullest and to get her heart beating again, are so important to this book. These are three-dimensional women of all ages, who have many layers...even when certain people in their lives want to pigeonhole them. It’s a celebration of women in that respect.
How important do you think social media is for authors these days?
It’s extremely important to new authors, like me, as well as established ones. I’m not all that social media savvy. I kind of went into it kicking and screaming, and I’m learning as I go. I never gave much thought to the kinds of helpful connections a writer could get through that medium. Word of mouth has always been the most important thing in marketing, and now it’s a much bigger mouth with social media. I’ve also been struck by how important it is to connect with the reader, and facebook, twitter, etc. provides more of an opportunity to do that.
What would be your advice to aspiring writers?
Read. Read a lot of books. Not only do readers have the best imaginations, but you will get a feel for your own style by what draws your eye.Also, write a lot of different things that you have no intention of getting published. I always joke about the first novel I wrote and how it will never see the light of day. I put a lot of time and effort into that goofy book, but it would be cruel of me to make anyone read it. My writing wasn’t cooked enough; it was still gooey in the center and needed to be put back in the oven. Practice. Find your style. And rewrite.
**Excerpt**
She found her seat, naturally it was in the middle, and she stopped to try to put her carry-on bag in the overhead compartment. She stumbled back a little, hitting the man across the aisle in the head with her butt. “Oh, I’m so sorry.” “No problem,” he said. “I can think of worse ways of getting knocked out.” Blythe looked startled, and he laughed. “Here, let me help you.” “Thank you,” she said, and looked at him for the first time. He looked familiar. He was very good looking and had the darkest, bedroom eyes she had ever seen. She felt even more flustered now. “Sorry again…for hitting you.” He smiled in response. “It was a pleasure,” he teased. Blythe’s face turned red; she couldn’t remember the last time she had blushed. He started to say something else to her but had to get out of the way of the crowd rushing towards their seats like it was general admission. Blythe buckled her seatbelt, closed her eyes and tried to go to sleep before takeoff. She was exhausted. Just as she was beginning to doze, the flight attendant, trying to shove a ridiculously large bag into the overhead compartment, startled her awake from her half sleep. She looked over to see what the racket was and noticed the same guy looking at her again. She gave him a slight, little smile of acknowledgement and shut her eyes once more. She wondered if he was staring with approval or disapproval. Was her mascara smeared? That would have been disapproval. Was her blouse unbuttoned? From a man, approval. He was probably just stunned from having been hit by her big butt, she thought. When he wasn’t looking, she craned her head around the people separating them to get a better look at him. He had very dark hair, the darkest brown, almost black and an olive complexion with strong features. He opened his eyes and looked over at her. Oh, did he see me? She tried to sleep again but couldn’t. How did she know him? She couldn’t place him, and that’s not a face she would easily forget. She glanced at him again. He stood up and was trying to step into the aisle just in time to have the food cart come rattling through. He was going to say something to her, but it was either get back in his seat or end up road kill from a food cart. At that point, he threw courtesy to the wind as he tried to lean around the people between them and strike up a conversation. But a flight attendant saw this opportunity to drape herself over the seat and introduce herself to him. Blythe laughed. She couldn’t hear his muffled responses, but she could hear the singsong, twittering cadence of the flight attendant. “What’s your name?” “What do you do?” “Why are you going to Memphis?” Tee hee, tee hee. After the flight attendant left, he attempted one more time to stand and approach her, but the pilot asked them all to remain seated. Blythe smiled to herself. She had enjoyed this weird little flirtation. It gave her a rush through the middle of her stomach. She hadn’t felt particularly attractive lately. In fact, she couldn’t imagine a guy as attractive as that one even looking at her. It was times like this that made her realize just how insecure she had become.
**Everyone who leaves a comment on Dana's tour page will be entered to win a $10 Amazon gift card - and there will be two winners chosen! Anyone who purchases their copy of Pass the Hot Stuff before December 17 and sends their receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com, will get five bonus entries.**
Author Bio:
Dana Page was raised in Memphis, Tennessee. Born just down the road from Memphis in Helena, Arkansas, she considers the Mississippi River Delta her own personal inspiration. Having earned a degree injournalism from Texas A&M University, she has utilized her writing skills in varied areas - small-town politics, human interest stories and writing an entertainment column, to name a few. To support her writing habit, she has worked an odd job or two. Don't ask her about delivering singing telegrams; some things are best forgotten. Pass the Hot Stuff is Dana’s debut novel. Connect with Dana!
www.goodreads.com/danapagewww.facebook.com/passthehotstuffhttp://www.danapage1.blogspot.com/
Buy the Book!
https://www.createspace.com/3867996 http://www.amazon.com/Pass-Hot-Stuff-Dana-Page/dp/1477625348/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1354051872&sr=8-1&keywords=pass+the+hot+stuffhttp://www.amazon.com/Pass-the-Hot-Stuff-ebook/dp/B009I6QL3W/ref=sr_1_1_bnp_1_kin?ie=UTF8&qid=1354051916&sr=8-1&keywords=pass+the+hot+stuff
**Interview**
When did you know writing was for you?
It took a while for me. You might say I sneaked up on it. I loved books and reading for as far back as I can remember; and I wrote silly, little stories when I was a kid. I never took myself seriously in that aspect, though.
Then when I was in 7thgrade I had a wonderful English teacher, Mrs. Scott. She had us reading constantly. She did everything she could to get us interested in books, short stories and just words in general. She would even read to the class at times. I’ll never forget her reading Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Tell Tale Heart” to us and pounding on her desk when she would get to the part about the heart thumping. The woman could really sell a story.
At one point, she had the class write a personification paper. I chose to write about an autumn leaf, and how beautiful it was with everyone admiring its vibrancy. Then I described the leaf’s feelings as it turned brown, crumpled and fell from the tree with people walking past it without taking notice. I think Mrs. Scott thought it was pretty deep for a 12-year-old to describe what the aging process might feel like. It makes me laugh now, because I wasn’t all that deep; I spent most of my time dancing and eating pralines-n-cream ice cream. But Mrs. Scott took me aside, and said, “You can write. You are a writer.” I will never forget her; she planted the seed. I had to gain the confidence in myself. The seed didn’t really sprout until college, but it stayed with me. I tear up just thinking about her.
How would you describe your books?
Fun, humorous, lighthearted. I want to make my readers feel optimistic. I’m a very emotional and sentimental person, so any kind of book or movie that leaves me sad or depressed stays with me for too long. Don’t get me wrong; there are plenty of those books that I love. But I want to entertain and have someone walk away feeling like they just fell in love or came back from an incredible vacation. I do like to insert a struggle or something with a little more meaning, but I surround it with humor. In Pass the Hot Stuff, there are themes of manipulation, the abuse/misuse of religion and a young woman coming into her own; but it’s all done with a light touch and sprinkled with laughs.
Also, I grew up in Arkansas and Memphis and my grandparents lived in New Orleans for a while; all of those places are home to me. The southern culture rings through in my books. Even though I grew up surrounded by it-the music, food and culture in general are all still vibrant to me, and I like to bring those things into books through the settings and colorful characters.
Why was Pass the Hot Stuff a book you wanted to write?
I had actually stopped writing. Rejection form letters and feeling invisible had taken the joy out of it for me. During that time, I also went through one of the most painful times of my life; I was extremely close to my grandmother, and when she passed away I felt like I couldn’t breathe. My mother and grandmother are the light and air in my life, and part of that was gone. Grief doesn’t go away, so I had to learn to cope with it. Part of that was starting to laugh again. I really needed something lighthearted in my life. After a long period of time and with no forethought, I just started writing one day. I wrote a story that made me feel good with characters that tickled me. At times, they had me doubled over, even if I do say so myself.J Even in difficult times my grandmother had a zest for life like no one I’ve ever known. I wanted to write a story that made the reader feel uplifted in the way she buoyed everyone around her with her spirit and joie de vivre.
I love the cover! How was the design process for you?
Thank you! That was a lot of fun. My mother has a wonderful artistic eye, so she had a lot of input. We got together, and came up with the scene – a French Quarter café with line drawings of the main characters at a table. I also really wanted my grandmother to be a part of this. She loved wearing black and white with a touch of red. I wanted the book to have clean lines and for the hot sauce to be highlighted, so those colors worked well. In addition, I was very clear on wanting the cover to indicate the whimsy of the story. I talked with the design team at CreateSpace, and they were unbelievably fantastic. They exceeded my expectations. When they submitted the first draft to me, there was a tiny black butterfly in the upper right corner. I hadn’t asked for it, but butterflies symbolize my grandmother for me...needless to say, I took it as a sign. That’s the most special part of the cover to me.
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
I adore the beginning stages of writing and getting the story down on paper. I’m very character driven, so I let the characters form in my mind, and that dictates the plot to me. That’s all play time. The most difficult part is finding a balance in my life once the story starts to gel. It’s hard for me to move away from it, mentally and physically. I have to give myself a regimented schedule when I’m in the thick of it. Otherwise, I won’t even eat. It wasn’t a bad thing to have the sexy Blake St. Germaine in my head all of the time, but real life is even more important!Additionally, rewrites are the scourge. That’s where all of the work is. Writers are creative, but they have to balance (there’s that word again) that with having an editor’s eye and emotionally detaching themselves from their own writing to make certain all of the components are there.
What is some of the best financial advice you would give?
Don’t quit your job. We’re writers, so we’re dreamers and have vivid imaginations. Will pie in the sky fame and fortune be hurled at your work of art? It could happen; it might not...you don’t know, so be prepared. Before you ever send a query letter to an agent, before you check out self-publishing opportunities, sit down and create a budget. Figure out what you want to spend on everything from cover design to advertising and blog tours. Talk to other authors about what they did. Get very realistic about money, both on what you need to spend and how much or little you might make on a first book when no one is familiar with your writing.
What are your favorite genres to read?
I love chick lit, suspense, historical or contemporary romance. It’s high on my list if a book tells a good story and can give me a laugh or two. Some of my favorite books that I can read over and over are: Charms for the Easy Lifeby Kaye Gibbons, Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons, Texasvilleby Larry McMurtry and A Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Devereaux. I also really enjoy Linda Howard and Marian Keyes.
What do you want readers to take away from your story?
This book is about love – romantic love and loving yourself enough not to settle for less.
I hope the reader feels like they just danced their way through the French Quarter. Everything is heightened in this book. These are not beige characters; they are loud, fun-loving and, in honor of my classic-movie-loving character, Blythe, brought to you in glorious Technicolor. It’s meant to take the reader not just into the romance of two people, but also into the romance and vividness of New Orleans.
I also hope the reader walks away feeling the warmth between the women in this book. The relationships between mothers, daughters, sisters, friends, grandmothers and aunts are the glue here. The bonds between these women, as they cheer for Blythe to live life to the fullest and to get her heart beating again, are so important to this book. These are three-dimensional women of all ages, who have many layers...even when certain people in their lives want to pigeonhole them. It’s a celebration of women in that respect.
How important do you think social media is for authors these days?
It’s extremely important to new authors, like me, as well as established ones. I’m not all that social media savvy. I kind of went into it kicking and screaming, and I’m learning as I go. I never gave much thought to the kinds of helpful connections a writer could get through that medium. Word of mouth has always been the most important thing in marketing, and now it’s a much bigger mouth with social media. I’ve also been struck by how important it is to connect with the reader, and facebook, twitter, etc. provides more of an opportunity to do that.
What would be your advice to aspiring writers?
Read. Read a lot of books. Not only do readers have the best imaginations, but you will get a feel for your own style by what draws your eye.Also, write a lot of different things that you have no intention of getting published. I always joke about the first novel I wrote and how it will never see the light of day. I put a lot of time and effort into that goofy book, but it would be cruel of me to make anyone read it. My writing wasn’t cooked enough; it was still gooey in the center and needed to be put back in the oven. Practice. Find your style. And rewrite.
**Excerpt**
She found her seat, naturally it was in the middle, and she stopped to try to put her carry-on bag in the overhead compartment. She stumbled back a little, hitting the man across the aisle in the head with her butt. “Oh, I’m so sorry.” “No problem,” he said. “I can think of worse ways of getting knocked out.” Blythe looked startled, and he laughed. “Here, let me help you.” “Thank you,” she said, and looked at him for the first time. He looked familiar. He was very good looking and had the darkest, bedroom eyes she had ever seen. She felt even more flustered now. “Sorry again…for hitting you.” He smiled in response. “It was a pleasure,” he teased. Blythe’s face turned red; she couldn’t remember the last time she had blushed. He started to say something else to her but had to get out of the way of the crowd rushing towards their seats like it was general admission. Blythe buckled her seatbelt, closed her eyes and tried to go to sleep before takeoff. She was exhausted. Just as she was beginning to doze, the flight attendant, trying to shove a ridiculously large bag into the overhead compartment, startled her awake from her half sleep. She looked over to see what the racket was and noticed the same guy looking at her again. She gave him a slight, little smile of acknowledgement and shut her eyes once more. She wondered if he was staring with approval or disapproval. Was her mascara smeared? That would have been disapproval. Was her blouse unbuttoned? From a man, approval. He was probably just stunned from having been hit by her big butt, she thought. When he wasn’t looking, she craned her head around the people separating them to get a better look at him. He had very dark hair, the darkest brown, almost black and an olive complexion with strong features. He opened his eyes and looked over at her. Oh, did he see me? She tried to sleep again but couldn’t. How did she know him? She couldn’t place him, and that’s not a face she would easily forget. She glanced at him again. He stood up and was trying to step into the aisle just in time to have the food cart come rattling through. He was going to say something to her, but it was either get back in his seat or end up road kill from a food cart. At that point, he threw courtesy to the wind as he tried to lean around the people between them and strike up a conversation. But a flight attendant saw this opportunity to drape herself over the seat and introduce herself to him. Blythe laughed. She couldn’t hear his muffled responses, but she could hear the singsong, twittering cadence of the flight attendant. “What’s your name?” “What do you do?” “Why are you going to Memphis?” Tee hee, tee hee. After the flight attendant left, he attempted one more time to stand and approach her, but the pilot asked them all to remain seated. Blythe smiled to herself. She had enjoyed this weird little flirtation. It gave her a rush through the middle of her stomach. She hadn’t felt particularly attractive lately. In fact, she couldn’t imagine a guy as attractive as that one even looking at her. It was times like this that made her realize just how insecure she had become.
**Everyone who leaves a comment on Dana's tour page will be entered to win a $10 Amazon gift card - and there will be two winners chosen! Anyone who purchases their copy of Pass the Hot Stuff before December 17 and sends their receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com, will get five bonus entries.**
Author Bio:
Dana Page was raised in Memphis, Tennessee. Born just down the road from Memphis in Helena, Arkansas, she considers the Mississippi River Delta her own personal inspiration. Having earned a degree injournalism from Texas A&M University, she has utilized her writing skills in varied areas - small-town politics, human interest stories and writing an entertainment column, to name a few. To support her writing habit, she has worked an odd job or two. Don't ask her about delivering singing telegrams; some things are best forgotten. Pass the Hot Stuff is Dana’s debut novel. Connect with Dana!
www.goodreads.com/danapagewww.facebook.com/passthehotstuffhttp://www.danapage1.blogspot.com/
Buy the Book!
https://www.createspace.com/3867996 http://www.amazon.com/Pass-Hot-Stuff-Dana-Page/dp/1477625348/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1354051872&sr=8-1&keywords=pass+the+hot+stuffhttp://www.amazon.com/Pass-the-Hot-Stuff-ebook/dp/B009I6QL3W/ref=sr_1_1_bnp_1_kin?ie=UTF8&qid=1354051916&sr=8-1&keywords=pass+the+hot+stuff
December 6, 2012
Interview and Excerpt: The Seven Steps to Closure by Donna Joy Usher
Thanks to Donna for stopping by with a Q&A and excerpt from The Seven Steps to Closure. Please visit CLP Blog Tours for more information and a giveaway!
**Interview**
When did you know writing was for you?When I was about 8 I was inspired by Elyne Mitchell’s The Silver Brumby Series, to pen my own brumby novel. Unfortunately, I felt that plots were unnecessary and that character development was overrated, (I mean I was only 8), so after a few weeks of frantic scribbling I gave up.It wasn’t until about 7 years ago that I let my passion for reading steer me back to writing. However this time I attended writing courses and read books on the subject and it wasn’t long before I was hooked on the whole process.
How would you describe your books?
If I was only allowed to use one word to describe my books it would have to be - FUN. I do try and have something for everybody though: some romance, some touching moments, a lesson learnt and of course, I like to make people laugh, so you can normally expect my work to be funny.
Why was The Seven Steps to Closure a book you wanted to write?The Seven Steps to Closure started with a dream, which I used in a flashback scene, and it grew from there. The journey Tara travels in her attempt to find closure and heal her broken heart, is one that I think many women can relate to and even more can learn from. I fell in love with her, her family and her friends and I just had to tell her tale.
I love the cover! Can you tell us about that process?I spent days and days searching for the perfect picture for the cover. Finally, I stumbled across the picture of Tara trying to do up her over-stuffed suitcase. It was so symbolic of the state of her life at the beginning of the book, that I knew it was perfect. From there I did a rough design which I passed onto Derek Murphy from bookcovers.creativindie.com and he made it into the masterpiece it is.
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?I can’t start writing until I have all the scenes worked out and ordered on card files. I suspect it’s a form of OCD. I get frustrated with myself though, (suspect that’s a form of schizophrenia), as I just want to leap in and start writing, but I know from experience that if I don’t do it in the proper order I will start finding excuses not to write. When I writeWhat is some of the best financial advice you would give?Always pay off your credit card on time - just kidding, (although that’s true). I have owned a couple of different businesses over the last ten years – a dental practice and a bathroom renovation and retail business, (stupid, stupid – what was I thinking?), so I actually have learnt quite a few very valuable financial lessons. The main one though that I apply to my life as a writer involves marketing. You can waste an awful lot of money on ineffective marketing. You need to identify your target market and then find a way to get your information directly to them for the minimal cost. Social marketing has opened up many free opportunities that authors can utilise to help them market their work. We have to be clever and use them in a way that is also not offensive or spam-like. Blog tours, like this, are an excellent way to reach your target audience and gain awareness.
What are your favorite genres to read?I love chicklit, fantasy and even a little horror.
What do you want readers to take away from your story?Women should be able to be happy and whole without being in a relationship, and it’s a fallacy to think otherwise. Don’t get me wrong, I think a well-proportioned relationship, in which both partners’ needs are met, is a wonderful thing. Unfortunately though, if we rely on a relationship to find fulfilment we leave ourselves open to being manipulated and used, as Tara did in her first marriage. A relationship should be the icing on the caramel and white chocolate mud cake – not the cake.
How important do you think social media is for authors these days?I think it’s extremely important, especially for indie authors. Before social media, self-published authors were either invisible, or forced to spend enormous amounts of money, often ineffectively, trying to raise awareness of their work. You could almost say that social media gave birth to the indie author.
What would be your advice to aspiring writers?I would say work out your characters, work out your plot, and then write and write until you come to the end. Give yourself permission for your first draft to be awful, and then spend just as much time editing as you did writing.
**Excerpt**
In the end it was Elaine who cracked the Nat nut. Natalie was once again the last to arrive for dinner. When I say once again, I mean once again in recent events. I am usually the last one to arrive - although sometimes Dinah and I take it in turns. Elaine is always smack bang on time. Normally Nat is exactly 5 minutes early for everything. She says it gives her time to focus - which I guess is a handy thing when you are a lawyer. We were onto our second glass of wine when she rushed in. Her long hair, normally perfectly coiffure, was tousled and her blouse was incorrectly buttoned.'What happened to you?' I exclaimed in horror, thinking she'd been mugged on the way to the restaurant.'Problem at work, all sorted now,’ she mumbled as she took a seat.'What sort of problem?' asked Elaine suspiciously, while staring at her blouse.‘Oh you know the normal type. Big emergency,' she muttered evasively, trying to tame her hair. Finishing her unsuccessful grooming attempts, she picked up her menu, staring at it intently.'What type of emergency?' asked Dinah.'Oh big client, I had to get his divorce documents in order. Speaking of which,’ she said to me, ‘yours have been submitted. You look great by the way.''Thanks, for the compliments and the divorce papers.' I patted my hair. 'I'm finally getting the hang of doing it. You should have seen me the first time I washed it. Total disaster: I looked like a mushroom. Tristan got me a hair straightener and some anti-fizzing agent and it's all under control.'Elaine was staring at Natalie. 'Who is it?' she asked suspiciously.'Who's who?' Nat stared even more intently at her menu.'The big important client,’ Elaine persisted.'No one you would know.''I know a lot of people.’'Look can we just drop it, it's not important.''Not important? You’re late for dinner tonight, Thursday you didn't even show up for the movies.''Oh shit!' Nat looked stunned. 'I totally forgot.'Now it was my turn to look suspicious. 'If you forgot,' I asked, 'why did you send me a text the next day?'Nat squirmed in her seat.'Oh my God,' Elaine said. 'What's wrong?' I asked, looking at her in concern.‘Oh My God.’She seemed to be fine so I glanced around for a fire or some other cause for her apparent alarm.'OH MY GOD.'I intensified my search, now hunting for an axe murderer or a suicide bomber. And then I noticed Nat. She sunk guiltily into her seat as Elaine pointed a finger at her and hissed, 'You've been having sex!''Shhhhhhh,' Nat urged, flapping her hands at Elaine. 'Shut up.’'I will not shut up. I want to know with whom, and where and for how long and well, just tell me everything.’ Elaine pulled her seat in closer to the table and leaned towards Nat, eagerly awaiting the details.'You've been having sex?' I asked Natalie.She looked at me sheepishly, and then smiled.'Really?' I asked. 'Anyone we know?' She shook her head.'Any good?'She grinned. Elaine called a waiter over and ordered a bottle of bubbly. 'To celebrate,' she explained. 'Now - tell us everything.’
**Everyone who leaves a comment on Donna's tour page will be entered to win a $25 Amazon gift card! Anyone who purchases their copy of The Seven Steps to Closure before December 24 and sends their receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com, will get five bonus entries.**
Author Bio:
Born in Brisbane, I started my working life as a dentist. After 15 years of drilling and filling I discovered there was more to life, and put pen to paper. Now I drill by day and write by night.
When not doing either of those things I like spending time with my husband and two little dogs, fishing and camping, motorbike riding, traveling, drinking wine on my deck and eating chocolate. Last year I ran my first half marathon and took up paddle boarding.
I have lived in a myriad of places: Melbourne, Perth, England, Rockhampton, Roxby Downs, Sydney, Cairns and am now situated on the New South Wales Central Coast. Connect with Donna! www.donnajoyusher.com
Buy the Book! http://www.amazon.com/The-Seven-Steps-Closure-ebook/dp/B0082S1WPE
https://www.createspace.com/3881375
http://www.kobobooks.com/search/search.html?q=%22The+Seven+Steps+to+Closure%22
**Interview**
When did you know writing was for you?When I was about 8 I was inspired by Elyne Mitchell’s The Silver Brumby Series, to pen my own brumby novel. Unfortunately, I felt that plots were unnecessary and that character development was overrated, (I mean I was only 8), so after a few weeks of frantic scribbling I gave up.It wasn’t until about 7 years ago that I let my passion for reading steer me back to writing. However this time I attended writing courses and read books on the subject and it wasn’t long before I was hooked on the whole process.
How would you describe your books?
If I was only allowed to use one word to describe my books it would have to be - FUN. I do try and have something for everybody though: some romance, some touching moments, a lesson learnt and of course, I like to make people laugh, so you can normally expect my work to be funny.Why was The Seven Steps to Closure a book you wanted to write?The Seven Steps to Closure started with a dream, which I used in a flashback scene, and it grew from there. The journey Tara travels in her attempt to find closure and heal her broken heart, is one that I think many women can relate to and even more can learn from. I fell in love with her, her family and her friends and I just had to tell her tale.
I love the cover! Can you tell us about that process?I spent days and days searching for the perfect picture for the cover. Finally, I stumbled across the picture of Tara trying to do up her over-stuffed suitcase. It was so symbolic of the state of her life at the beginning of the book, that I knew it was perfect. From there I did a rough design which I passed onto Derek Murphy from bookcovers.creativindie.com and he made it into the masterpiece it is.
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?I can’t start writing until I have all the scenes worked out and ordered on card files. I suspect it’s a form of OCD. I get frustrated with myself though, (suspect that’s a form of schizophrenia), as I just want to leap in and start writing, but I know from experience that if I don’t do it in the proper order I will start finding excuses not to write. When I writeWhat is some of the best financial advice you would give?Always pay off your credit card on time - just kidding, (although that’s true). I have owned a couple of different businesses over the last ten years – a dental practice and a bathroom renovation and retail business, (stupid, stupid – what was I thinking?), so I actually have learnt quite a few very valuable financial lessons. The main one though that I apply to my life as a writer involves marketing. You can waste an awful lot of money on ineffective marketing. You need to identify your target market and then find a way to get your information directly to them for the minimal cost. Social marketing has opened up many free opportunities that authors can utilise to help them market their work. We have to be clever and use them in a way that is also not offensive or spam-like. Blog tours, like this, are an excellent way to reach your target audience and gain awareness.
What are your favorite genres to read?I love chicklit, fantasy and even a little horror.
What do you want readers to take away from your story?Women should be able to be happy and whole without being in a relationship, and it’s a fallacy to think otherwise. Don’t get me wrong, I think a well-proportioned relationship, in which both partners’ needs are met, is a wonderful thing. Unfortunately though, if we rely on a relationship to find fulfilment we leave ourselves open to being manipulated and used, as Tara did in her first marriage. A relationship should be the icing on the caramel and white chocolate mud cake – not the cake.
How important do you think social media is for authors these days?I think it’s extremely important, especially for indie authors. Before social media, self-published authors were either invisible, or forced to spend enormous amounts of money, often ineffectively, trying to raise awareness of their work. You could almost say that social media gave birth to the indie author.
What would be your advice to aspiring writers?I would say work out your characters, work out your plot, and then write and write until you come to the end. Give yourself permission for your first draft to be awful, and then spend just as much time editing as you did writing.
**Excerpt**
In the end it was Elaine who cracked the Nat nut. Natalie was once again the last to arrive for dinner. When I say once again, I mean once again in recent events. I am usually the last one to arrive - although sometimes Dinah and I take it in turns. Elaine is always smack bang on time. Normally Nat is exactly 5 minutes early for everything. She says it gives her time to focus - which I guess is a handy thing when you are a lawyer. We were onto our second glass of wine when she rushed in. Her long hair, normally perfectly coiffure, was tousled and her blouse was incorrectly buttoned.'What happened to you?' I exclaimed in horror, thinking she'd been mugged on the way to the restaurant.'Problem at work, all sorted now,’ she mumbled as she took a seat.'What sort of problem?' asked Elaine suspiciously, while staring at her blouse.‘Oh you know the normal type. Big emergency,' she muttered evasively, trying to tame her hair. Finishing her unsuccessful grooming attempts, she picked up her menu, staring at it intently.'What type of emergency?' asked Dinah.'Oh big client, I had to get his divorce documents in order. Speaking of which,’ she said to me, ‘yours have been submitted. You look great by the way.''Thanks, for the compliments and the divorce papers.' I patted my hair. 'I'm finally getting the hang of doing it. You should have seen me the first time I washed it. Total disaster: I looked like a mushroom. Tristan got me a hair straightener and some anti-fizzing agent and it's all under control.'Elaine was staring at Natalie. 'Who is it?' she asked suspiciously.'Who's who?' Nat stared even more intently at her menu.'The big important client,’ Elaine persisted.'No one you would know.''I know a lot of people.’'Look can we just drop it, it's not important.''Not important? You’re late for dinner tonight, Thursday you didn't even show up for the movies.''Oh shit!' Nat looked stunned. 'I totally forgot.'Now it was my turn to look suspicious. 'If you forgot,' I asked, 'why did you send me a text the next day?'Nat squirmed in her seat.'Oh my God,' Elaine said. 'What's wrong?' I asked, looking at her in concern.‘Oh My God.’She seemed to be fine so I glanced around for a fire or some other cause for her apparent alarm.'OH MY GOD.'I intensified my search, now hunting for an axe murderer or a suicide bomber. And then I noticed Nat. She sunk guiltily into her seat as Elaine pointed a finger at her and hissed, 'You've been having sex!''Shhhhhhh,' Nat urged, flapping her hands at Elaine. 'Shut up.’'I will not shut up. I want to know with whom, and where and for how long and well, just tell me everything.’ Elaine pulled her seat in closer to the table and leaned towards Nat, eagerly awaiting the details.'You've been having sex?' I asked Natalie.She looked at me sheepishly, and then smiled.'Really?' I asked. 'Anyone we know?' She shook her head.'Any good?'She grinned. Elaine called a waiter over and ordered a bottle of bubbly. 'To celebrate,' she explained. 'Now - tell us everything.’**Everyone who leaves a comment on Donna's tour page will be entered to win a $25 Amazon gift card! Anyone who purchases their copy of The Seven Steps to Closure before December 24 and sends their receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com, will get five bonus entries.**
Author Bio:
Born in Brisbane, I started my working life as a dentist. After 15 years of drilling and filling I discovered there was more to life, and put pen to paper. Now I drill by day and write by night.
When not doing either of those things I like spending time with my husband and two little dogs, fishing and camping, motorbike riding, traveling, drinking wine on my deck and eating chocolate. Last year I ran my first half marathon and took up paddle boarding.
I have lived in a myriad of places: Melbourne, Perth, England, Rockhampton, Roxby Downs, Sydney, Cairns and am now situated on the New South Wales Central Coast. Connect with Donna! www.donnajoyusher.com
Buy the Book! http://www.amazon.com/The-Seven-Steps-Closure-ebook/dp/B0082S1WPE
https://www.createspace.com/3881375
http://www.kobobooks.com/search/search.html?q=%22The+Seven+Steps+to+Closure%22
