Rachelle Ayala's Blog, page 88

Story Teller or Book Seller? Guest Interview with Julia Hughes

One of the best selling self help books on Amazon is 'How I sold ten trillion zillion ebooks & you can to'. The author admits his aim upfront: Selling more of his books – and he's incredibly good at it. But with respect, will these strategies work for you?
The clue's right there in the title: 'How I sold'. Can you to? Maybe. Keep in mind every wanna be latest indie sensation has also read this self help manual  – and they're frantically putting those ideas into practice and trying to sell their book. Good luck with that one. A reader may 'buy into' a story, but no-one buys a book just because it's published, and the author's mum/best friend/cat says 'wow this story rocks'.
At the other end of the scale are those who write a novel, self publish and are content to sit back and do nothing. I'm amazed at the number of authors who post on forums, boasting that their book has no downloads, but it doesn't matter – they've achieved what they set out to do – write and publish their book.
Newsflash guys! Without a reader, your book still doesn't exist.
Grim isn't it? It may seem like a classic Catch 22 situation, but there is a middle way. Trust me here. I've been around the indie scene for a year now, and I'm still learning. What I've learned is this: You can't make people buy your book, but you can tell potential readers that a) your title exists and b) it provides an entertaining, value for money read.
Take a moment out here and ask yourself – would you spend a couple of dollars for a good couple of hours entertainment?
Sure you would! So all you as an author have to do is find your target audience, connect with your potential readers, and entice them.
The best advice I received (from Sean Campbellwho gives rock solid advice for indie authors) was to register my own name as a domain. Now whenever I post anywhere on the internet, if people are interested enough to google my name they discover surprise surprise! I'm a writer. Secondly, my books have been fairly well received – look – people have even left reviews. An easy painless way to get reviews is to ask for them from people who blog about books. They're usually more than happy to help out. When you start out, you will find yourself giving a lot of your work away. Think of it as free advertising if it helps.
Talking of giving books away, Amazon's select allows just this – and free giveaways are an incredibly powerful way to get your books right where they belong – into the hands, kindles and hopefully minds of readers.
Last month, following a very successful promotion, to my astonishment almost 20,000 copies of "A Ripple in Time" were downloaded.
If even a tenth of those copies are actually read, and a tenth of those tenth enjoyed to the point where people want to read more stories by Julia Hughes – well I'm not very good with maths, but believe me, I'm happy to have even one reader connect with my Celtic Cousin Adventures series.
The third Celtic Cousin Adventure "An Explosive Time" is free to download from August 5 – 7 – bank holiday weekend. With seven 5* reviews, it's been described as a "fast-paced, witty, character driven tale." Visit Julia's website to discover more.


Author Bio: My first job after leaving college was at the BBC helping to write scripts for their schools' programmes. After a varied career, it is a dream to write for myself, and for the reader I'd like to be. For the past sixteen years I've lived in the last of London's villages, concentrating on supporting my two sons as they achieve adulthood. Any spare time I have is spent cycling, playing tennis or swimming.

15 Questions with #Fantasy #Author Mark Tierno #AuthorInterview

Today, we have Mark Tierno, author of the Maldene Series. Mark has literally built a planet and a new set of physical laws where time and space are computed differently than in our world.
Q:  Tell us a little something of your background.A:  Well, I have a Masters in physics and second BS in Math, spent about a couple of decades helping my Mom out with my Parkinson's Disease stricken father, then another 8 years after he passed taking care of her.  I spent the 15 years of that parental care writing my books.
Q: I'm sure it gave your parents happiness to see you doing something creative. When you were young, did you always want to write?A:  I was always a heavy reader, particularly of fantasy and science fiction, and someplace around about age 12, I began to see myself writing up some sort of story.  Problem was I hated the physical effort of handwriting or typing and wasn't yet sure what that story would be.  Well, fast forward a while and I'd been assembling the story in my head and then the Eaton Canyon fire happened.  My grandpa's old house burned down- he'd been long gone but my Mom had never had the heart to sell the place.  It did, though, bring in insurance money, which gave the household a bit more freedom (the Parkinson's having drained all financial reserves).  I got a computer, and with it a word processor.  No more handwriting, no more liquid paper, hallelujah!  So I started on my books, and as a side effect the act of doing so injected a much needed feeling of hope into the household.
Q: That is wonderful. The act of creation injecting hope. What is the genre of your work?A:  My "Maldene" series is basically epic fantasy, but later in the series some strong SF elements creep in there as well.  I like doing mixed genre.
Q:  Me too. So hard to narrow myself into a genre bucket. Tell me a little something about your current work.A:  Maldene is the start of an epic fantasy that begins with a group of characters seeking fortune and destiny, unknowing that they are to be key players in a battle that has raged for all of what is known of as recorded History.  A wizard named Miro (pronounced My-Ro) is an evil of legend, feared, it is said, even by the gods.  Throughout History he has been responsible for the destruction of many a civilization, but what his exact motives and goals are a complete mystery.This first novel is currently published as 2 volumes, has about 20 characters, and is about the length of the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy.  There are 13 books in all and a lot more characters, places, and plot lines.
Q:  You certainly have a lot on your plate. When working on a book, what is your  typical writing schedule like?  How long do you work, how much do you write, and how do you keep at it?  Do you have to have a certain type of environment (music, at home or in a café, etc..)?A:  I start in the morning, go for about 8-10 hours, and crank out around 12,000 to 13,000 words, sometimes more.  At night I edit, then the next day I finish up what's left of the chapter.  Day three I go back and edit and spell-check the whole thing, outline the next chapter, then start the whole process over again on day four.  I just seal myself up in my room, put on some music, and have at it.
Q:  Yikes! 12-13K words a day. How much discipline is required when working on a book and how hard or easy is it for you to maintain it?A:  It's real easy once I get the music going.  If you love what you're doing, then 10 hours is nothing.  I come out of a long writing session often feeling refreshed.
Q:  How much background detail do you generate for the world in which you write, and how much of it actually directly ends up in the story?A:  I have a lot of background details.  From weather patterns to my own alphabet, I have an entire notebook of notes, enough to fill out a complete world.  I even have a database with complete info on each and every character.  Some of the detail does end up directly in the books, others indirectly in the way of what some characters will say or do. 
For instance, my map is of the entire world, even places where the characters might never go.  They may, however, mention some in passing, such as the running gag of a place called The Farlands.  Never a place anyone ever wants to go to, more like escape from, it is a lackluster place populated by the descendants of shipwrecked sailors.  So being said to come from a place like the Farlands, means you really lived out in the sticks.
Q:  Definitely what Tolkien did. He created his own language and everything. Was there anyone particularly influential in, or supportive of, your writing?A:  My Mom was a great support.  During times in which I was down on myself, opening criticizing myself for my lack of success and employment, she would tell me "Mark, you have 2 jobs:  taking care of me and your father and you're an author.  Now shut up and get back to work."  Or words to that effect, but she always meant it in a good way.  My Dad also became supportive in his own way.  he went from "when are you going to get a job" to "when are you going to get a publisher."  He had no idea how funny I thought it was to hear him say something like that.  I also found out years after he'd passed away that in his youth HE had wanted to become a writer.
Q:  I'm glad you were so close with them. In a way, you fulfilled their dreams. Have you ever suffered that dreaded writer’s block and how do you cope with it?A: Writer's what?  I always prepare myself properly before each book, and seem to have an imagination that won't quite.  Writer's block to me is a thing I hear about but never suffer.
Q:  Me either. I have writer's run of the mouth. What is the easiest aspect of writing and what is the most difficult?A:  Easiest is the writing part.  Hardest is anything having to do with the real world, like finding a publisher or agent.  I prefer my fantasy world.
Q:  How much rejection did you have to go through with before getting your first novel published and how to you deal with it?A: Tons!  I inquired with about 150 literary agents.  Seems as the words "Fantasy and SF" along with "new guy" are a deadly combination.
Q:  What is the current status of your book and where can we get it.A:  Currently I am prepping for a relaunch, starting with a new custom designed cover, which can be previewed in its in-progress state at my site, www.maldene.com.  Once the cover is done expect to see Maldene with an entirely new publisher. Also at maldene.com you can read a sample chapter, or listen to a recording of me reading it myself, not to mention all sorts of little extras.
Q:  What final words do you have for any potential authors?A:  Write what you love, what is in your soul, and do no write the market as others would advise.  Only when you write the story within you will you ever be able to do your very best.
I agree. And it's been great chatting with you, Mark. I wish you great success with your writing and the relaunch of your Maldene series.


www.maldene.com

FB Profile: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000010117263&ref=tn_tnmn

Maldene Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Maldene-Fan-Page/117102904979088

Maldene Group on FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/208436755919482/

Twitter:  @MarkAnthonyTierno

Meet #blogger Ara from My #Book And Coffee #Blog

Today, I'm happy to have Ara, a book blogger and reviewer, visit from My Book and My Coffee Blog
I met Ara on Twitter, of all places, and clicked to her website. I was immediately struck by the wonderful and cozy décor she had, all pink and pretty with beautiful silvery curlicue hearts and vines. So I asked her to chat with us today on Rachelle’s Window.
Ara, it’s great to have you here. A lot of my blog readers are authors so I'm sure they would like to get to know you, especially since you also do book reviews. Tell us a little bit about how you got started book blogging.
Hi Rachelle. First of all, I’m really honored to be one of the first book bloggers that you’ll be interviewing. And hello to all your blog followers ;) *waves*
I’ve wanted to start a book blog since I got married, and that was 4 years ago. But I’ve been reading a lot since I was 18 years old. After getting married, we got ‘busy’ and had our first and (so far) only child. He’s now 2.5 years old. ;) So, in short, I didn’t really have time to do work or blogging, or even reading. But then, when my son turned two, I kinda had the rhythm that made me realize that I can now allot some hours for reading and book blogging/reviewing. So, here I am.
Well, Dylan is a real cute distraction from reading and blogging. He even has an article at About.com about him! Glad that he's giving you a bit of time to get back into reading. Are you in any book clubs? Online or offline?
Not at the moment. But I love the idea of an online book club.
What do you like most about book blogging?
A lot actually. If I have to choose, of course, it will be the fact that I can freely discuss and share my honest opinions about the books that I’ve read.
That's what it's about, right? You finish a book and look around and it's like amazing and you want to talk about it to others. Tell us your most memorable moment with a book.
Memorable moment… Hmmm. I think I’ll share what I’ve experienced while reading “Breakneck” by Erica Spindler. It is a thriller novel. I was pregnant when I bought this book, and since I wasn’t working during my pregnancy, I decided to read it at night time before going to bed. I figured, I’ll just read two to three chapters and just continue it in the morning. Well, that didn’t happen, or at least, I tried to make it happen but failed. For me, the plot is really appealing, and maybe it was the hormones, but I was non-stop. I can’t put it down. I tried to sleep, but all I can think of was the book and the chapter that I was at. I finally gave in and read the whole book. I ended up sleeping at five in the morning, which was really not a good thing for any pregnant woman. But I felt satisfied and amazed after reading that book. That was a worthy all-nighter. Haha. It was a good read, and the plot is really good, and very much interesting.
Yes, don't you sometimes hate those books you can't put down? But then I really love them because I still think about them. I love your website. Did you design it yourself? How did you find the time to keep it up to date?
I got this template for free, but I’ve already tweaked it a lot.
Keeping my blog’s design up to date is one of my priorities at the moment. So I really find time, I schedule it, actually. As you know, I’m a mother and a freelancer, so I really have to schedule things, otherwise, goodbye designing :)
How do you decide which books to read and review?
It depends on my mood but I only read fiction novels. So that’s a start already. ;) My favorite genres / sub-genres are murder mystery/thriller/suspense and romance. And although I read other genres under fiction, I know that if I have to choose a book to read and review, it will be from one of those genres / sub-genres first.
Do you belong to any groups of book bloggers? What are some tips you might have for a reader who might want to start blogging and reviewing?
Yes, I do.
Well, if you’re a reader and you want to start blogging and reviewing, my advice is to just be yourself. When designing your blog, be creative. It’s your blog, go nuts! Your readers will love your for it.
When reviewing a book, just be honest. You owe it to your readers to be sincere, and not be misleading. The authors and readers will respect you for that.
I love your review of Wash and Die. Not only is the cover cute, but I, too, love mysteries that aren’t easy to solve and keep me guessing. Was Agatha Christie one of your favorite mystery authors? Are there new authors you’d recommend whose mysteries ‘aren’t obvious’?
You may find this hard to believe, but I haven’t read any novels of Agatha Christie. I know, I know. That’s embarrassing. I should’ve listened to my husband when we were shopping for books a long time ago and he wanted me to try an Agatha Christie’s novel which I just made a pass.  He was also recommending Erle Stanley Gardner for the Perry Mason novels, telling me that these two authors started him with mystery and crime-fiction novels. But now I definitely intend to read some of their books in the near future. I’ll let you know when I grab a hold of one and publish my review.
I would definitely recommend Amy Metz. I have read her first murder mystery novel (to be released this August), and was really impressed. I’ve actually posted a review already - Murder And Mayhem In Goose Pimple Junction.
I just love that title! Okay, now for some fun questions.
Does your husband share the same book interests? Do you swap books or maintain a “his” and “hers” section on the bookshelf?
Yes, my husband is a book lover as well. He is a Ludlum fanatic, actually, with Rice, Brown, King and Koontz on the side. He has an entirely different taste when it comes to the types of story that he reads; he prefers a more masculine way of storytelling with lesser subtleties and if there’s one thing I’m sure of, he’s not that much into romance and love stories. These, I think, are some of the reasons why we don’t swap books; so yes, we have our “his” and “hers” section on the bookshelf =)
Think of all the libraries and museums of the world. If you could spend a day lost in a library or museum, which one would it be?
Love this question! :D I would choose Chateau de Chantilly Library in Chantilly, France. From the pictures, it just looks so serene and lovely, and well, it’s in France. Haha.
What was a childhood accomplishment that you are especially proud of?
Aside from maintaining good grades along the way, I was able to write a really short story (fiction), as in maybe 1,000 to 1,500 words, when I was in high school. This story was published in our school newspaper. I don’t have any copy of it now, but I’m sure my school has one. It’s such a great feeling, even though it’s just for our school newspaper.
Cool! Once you get that writing bug, who knows, you might be putting together a book, too. If you were to receive an invite to a major talk show, who would be the host and what would you talk about?
The Ellen DeGeneres show. Absolutely! Oh! I love her. It’s very ambitious of me, really. But yes, I would love to meet Ellen. And we can talk about life, books, and a lot more.
Sounds like a riot of an interview. :) Thanks a lot, Ara, for being on Rachelle’s Window. Is there anything else you’d like to say to any authors out there who’d like to send in their books for you to review?
Thank you, too, Rachelle, for having me on Rachelle’s Window. Gosh, I am very much honored to be here.
To all the authors out there who would like to send their books to me for review, I would really be honored, and would love to read and review your books but please check my review policy so you’ll have an idea of the other genres I am accepting. I am pretty forward, I will tell you if I will be able to read it immediately or if I have other books on my queue. ;)
Short bio:
I’m Ara, a mother to a toddler (Dylan) and wife to most loving and supportive husband. I love to read and read, when the time permits.
I’m a book blogger and reviewer. I believe in reading and reviewing books. Reading books is one way for me to appreciate different kinds of possibilities and scenarios, a way for me to enter unusual worlds that I may never have imagined, and a way for me to have the indescribable happiness that a good book provides.
I also believe in an honest and good review or sharing what I felt and thought about the books that I've read. I love to share the whole truth of how the story made me laugh, cry, depressed, irritated, gloomy, and basically, how it affected the way I perceive things. I know that what I read is fiction, but nonetheless, many of these fictions have a shade of real life. All of these stories are written by authors and writers who are passionate and have dedicated their creative imagination to come up with their own masterpiece, and you’ll be amazed at what they have to say, what they have to tell, the choice of characters that they present to their readers through their novels and books.
For me, reading books opens a lot of real life probabilities with lessons learned not just to keep, but to be shared to everyone...
Please contact Ara and friend or follow her here:

Blog: http://www.mybookandmycoffee.com/Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MyBookAndMyCoffeeTwitter: https://twitter.com/mybooknmycoffee Tumblr: http://mybookandmycoffee.tumblr.com/Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/mybooknmycoffeeGoodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/mybookandmycoffeeLinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mybookandmycoffee

Meet Lucie Ulrich: Overcoming Adversity #AuthorInterview

Rachelle: Hi Lucie, welcome to Rachelle's Window. You've recently published a book. Can you tell us a bit about it?
Broken Vessels is the story of people trying to overcome adversity. The scars on Emma Brody’s face resulted not only in the loss of her career, but the loss of her husband. Luke Connors lost his wife and two young sons in a tragic car accident. The two childhood friends are reunited when each returns to their hometown of Colorado Springs. Will God be able to work in their lives? Guess you’ll have to read in order to find out.
Rachelle: Yep, it sounds like a heartwarming story, eventually. Did you always like to write? How did you get into writing novels?
Before writing novels, I wrote skits and plays—first for my church, and later as a drama teacher for a private school. Combining my classes with my daughter’s dance classes for performances was one of my favorite things. My novels are primarily inspirational romance – heavy on the life issues, lighter on the romance. I like to give my characters plenty to deal with, then see how God leads them through.
Rachelle: It is inspiring to read how God works in people's lives. Do you write the kind of books you like to read? Which authors influenced you?
Yes. I love to read romance, especially when there is a mystery involved. Though I haven’t managed it yet, my goal is to write a mystery or two before too long. I’m a huge Davis Bunn fan. I love Terri Blackstock and Angela Hunt. In all honesty, I aspire to be a Christian version of Nicholas Sparks.
Rachelle: Yay! I love mystery too. Nicholas Sparks? He's too obviously trying to jerk tears from me, so I refuse. More like he gets eye rolling from me. But I'm sure you'll do better. Do you have any advice for writers who are just starting out?
I’ve been asked this question several times and what I always like to stress is that beginning writers need a teachable spirit, even more than tough skin. If a person is willing to take good advice to heart, and apply it to their writing, they stand a greater chance at success. I think back to what I would tell my drama students when they thought themselves better than others. “Big head, little part.” I also suggest that all new writers connect with other writers. A critiquing group, whether online of in person is an invaluable tool.
Rachelle: Good advice. I think Critiquecircle.com is one of the best online groups. And that's where we met. Tell me a little about your family. I understand each of you has a different talent.
It’s crazy, but we do. Needless to say, writing is my gift. My husband, Rick, picked up a camera when he was about 13, and hasn’t stopped taking pictures since. He has a great eye, and loves street and nature photography. Please don’t ask him to shoot your wedding, though. Lol! My daughter, Jamie, is a fabulous dancer/dance teacher. To the amazement of many, she didn’t start dancing until she was 15. I was blessed to be able to work with her for a good number of years. We made a pretty good team, but have since moved on. As I write this, Jamie is in England on a dance/mission trip.  My son, Josh, is an incredible graphic artist. He does coloring for other cartoonists, did work for a Danish company that makes cochlear implants, and wanted a deaf superhero, and has created his own comic called Jackie Rose.    Rachelle: They are all creative people, so I'm sure they understand your passion too. What sparked the idea for Broken Vessels?
I wanted a story about broken people and whether or not they would allow God to work in their lives. In the book it’s revealed that Emma had an abortion when she was a young girl. The story was birthed with this thought in mind. Though the story is not about abortion per se, that theme is a constant thread. In the end, it’s a story of forgiveness, something very important to me. 
Rachelle: Oh, I guess I won't read it until after I write my novel on that topic. But I will definitely read it afterwards. It's funny how I hadn't met you, but named my book similar to yours, Broken Build. It is also about broken people and, well, you've been critting it, so I won't say more. What is one thing you wish you knew before you began this journey?
Honestly, I’m glad I didn’t know what it would take to have a book published. I signed with a small press, and the amount of promotional work that fell to me was overwhelming. Even though my contract specified I’d be involved, I didn’t realize to what extent. At first I was stressed, but I’m actually grateful for the experience. The publishing world has changed over the years, and I’ve learned so much. I’m especially grateful to my self-published friends who have taught me so much.  
Rachelle: What do you want your readers to walk away with after reading your novel?
My faith drives my life. I’ve dealt with many things over the years, but nothing harder than watching my mother deal with dementia. It not only affects her, but my father, me and my sisters. I don’t like what’s happening, but I live every day knowing I serve a God who knows more than I do. That is what I want my readers to walk away with.
Rachelle: Yes, even though there are things we don't like, we still are thankful for the daily blessings God gives us. Good thought for your readers to walk away with. Did you dream of being a writer or something else?
A writer? Never! When I was a little girl, I wanted to be a pediatric nurse. When my older sister told me I’d have to get all kinds of shots, I quickly changed my mind. Lol! In the end, I did everything I wanted. I worked for an airline and traveled the world. When my first child was born, I became a stay-at-home mom, and even homeschooled my kids for a while. Teaching drama was a gift from God, which spurred on my desire to write novels. I’ve learned that when I let God lead, it’s way easier to follow.
Rachelle: You are living a fulfilling life! I'm glad to have a chance to visit with you. Good luck on your latest romance!
You can find Lucie and her books here:Amazon
Vyrso
B&N
ibooks
Google

Beautiful Malice by Rebecca James #BookReview

Beautiful Malice by Rebecca James
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Extremely disturbing but in a good way. I was grabbed from the very first line, wondering what had Alice done that was so bad that her friend refused to go to her funeral and hated her for destroying her life. As the story unfolds, in drips of horror and terror, I started looking around every corner, suspecting bad things to come for Katherine, the survivor, and wondering what other tragedies would happen to her.

Rebecca James weaves a hypnotizing tale, one that has you almost believing in a happy ending, tempted to ignore the warning signs, yet knowing all along that whatever happiness that can be retrieved blossomed out of depth-less grief.

Well done and masterful. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough and often peeked ahead, unable to sustain the tension.

View all my reviews

Author Whitney Boyd talks about being Tanned, Toned and Totally Faking It #AuthorInterview

I'm happy to have Whitney Boyd visiting with us today. I just love the title of your debut novel. What is Tanned, Toned and Totally Faking It all about?
Basically, my novel is a modern Notting Hill, told from the celebrity point of view. Instead of following the struggles of the commoner, dating the celebrity, we follow the celebrity, worried about the commoner. Mikayla is a cute Canadian college girl who, almost overnight, becomes a celebrity with almost as many screaming fans as Justin Bieber. She is thrown into the Hollywood scene and is struggling with life. She misses who she was, worries about what she is becoming, and has to deal with a cheating ex-boyfriend who she can't get over, a psychotic manager and the simple fact that she is homesick. Then she meets Jordan, the man of her dreams with just one slight problem. He doesn't know she's famous. And he wouldn't be too thrilled if he knew the truth, so she keeps it a secret.

I can see the potential for a lot of fun misunderstanding already. TTATFI is available on Amazon and sounds like a fun read, perfect for the beach or on the commute to work. Tell me about your daily writing schedule. Is it hectic, or a happy place to retreat?
Writing is a place of retreat. It's just like escaping into a great book, except I get to choose how things happen. I absolutely adore writing. My daily schedule, however, is all over the place. When I was working full time, I would write in the evenings to de-stress. Now I'm at home with a ten-week-old baby, whose full time job is demanding attention. So when I write now, it's juggling him on my lap, so things are alot slower these days. I usually grab a few minutes whenever I have the time, but it's definitely sporadic now. 
Love your your sweet baby's job description! Your favorite part(s) of being a writer?

The best part is, as I mentioned in the above question, getting to manipulate the book the way I want it. I've read a ton of books where the girl ends up with the wrong guy (at least in my opinion). Like in the Hunger Games, for example, I much prefered Gale to Peeta. I wanted them to be together. Gale was such a man's man, so tough. And, since he had dark hair, I pictured him looking like my husband. When Katniss picked Peeta, I wanted it to change. So when writing my own books, I am able to make things happen the way I see it.

That's exactly why I write. I want my own way!!! *pounds spoon on high-chair tray table* What was your favorite book growing up? Currently?
Growing up I devoured books. I am a very fast reader, and so I could go through several books a day. I loved Lucy Maud Montgomery (but not the Anne books, I preferred Emily of New Moon), Gordon Korman (who is absolutely hilarious), Lois Duncan (The Gift of Magic was my favourite), Caroline Cooney (with her Janie books especially), and Carolyn Keene with all the Nancy Drew books.

If I had to pick a favourite, though, my number one book would probably have been Harry Potter (which isn't one book... it's seven... but I'm sure it counts as one. Right? RIGHT?) I read them all dozens of time and still love them.

My favourite book now, though, is The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella. Such a feel good book. Oh wait, I also love Gone With The Wind. Gah. I can't pick. Way too many favourites.

PS- This question made me think of George W. Bush, when asked this, replied 'The Very Hungry Caterpiller'. Ironically, the book wasn't written until he was an adult. Way to read, George. :)

Ha, ha, funny. At least he can chew gum and read at the same time. (Oops, that joke is probably too old for you). On your blog you mention having lived in both Canada and America. Have you had any trouble promoting in duel markets?
It is tricky in several ways. My publisher is American, and the distributor they use is American. Therefore, several of the local bookstores up here have trouble getting the book without special orders, so we're still waiting for it to hit the Canadian shelves. Alot of people in Canada have mentioned wanting the book, but don't want to order it online, so it is definitely a problem. Then there is the American market, where my book is in stores etc, but I can't do book signings or alot of promotion because of where I live. So the majority of what I can do is online. Which, is great, because social media is so prominent these days, but I just wish I could do more. My book is one that alot of women would enjoy as a fast, fun summer read, but the hard part is getting it out there for people to hear about.

Well, I hope I can help somewhat with letting people know about it. Do you have any writing quirks that you’d be embarrassed to admit to?


I'm addicted to google and wikipedia. They are my fact checkers. What time does the post office close in Kissimmee, Florida? Let's check google. How many Grammy awards did Justin Bieber win? Wikipedia will know. I'm a total addict, and I hope my university profs never find out because they would be ashamed of me. (Academia hates Wikipedia... go figure...)

I also bite my nails when I concentrate, so after a writing session, I have nothing left but nubbins. I've been trying to break the habit for years.... and I can do it until the next time I sit down to write. And then they are gone again. Sigh.

Ha, ha, one of my characters bites her nails. At least we can tell that you don't have writer's block. What’s your favorite indulgence?
Eating chocolate while in the bath. It sounds wrong, but it is so, so right.

Ooohhh! I love chocolate but have never tried eating them in the bathtub! Great idea. Any advice for up and coming authors?
Don't get discouraged by rejection. You hear it all the time, but just keep trying. And write alot. Write every day, even if you're just writing in a blog or your journal or whatever. Write different books. I had written two books before my third book was accepted for publication. Looking back, my first two were kind of crappy, at least now I think they are. But they were the things that got me going, got me thinking and gave me practice on putting a story together, which is actually quite difficult. So just write. And write and write and never stop. :)

Thanks for talking to us, Whitney, and I wish you lots of luck and success with Tanned, Toned and Totally Faking It


You can get your copy at:  Amazon
Visit Whitney at her Blog and Facebook Page
and Follow her at Twitter: @MsWhitneyBoyd

Sci Fi Author: Daniel Roozen Talks about Story Ideas

Today, I'm happy to have author Daniel Roozen visit with us. Daniel has a book coming out soon.
Rachelle: Hi Daniel, tell us a bit about your latest book.
I’m calling it Chronicles of Ariel:Path of Darkness, and it’s still a work in progress: a sci-fi thriller/adventure, the first in a series of at least five novels that I plan to write. Here’s a blurb, also a work in progress:
Eons after Earth became a thing of myth and legends, the factions of humanity spread among the stars had come together under one government in a bid for peace and unity. Only hints of alien life have so far been encountered but never fully acknowledged by authorities.

Ariel, 17, lost her father as a child after an encounter with an alien race, to be raised by her Uncle Marcus on Starbase One, the seat of human government. Now framed for murder and on the run, Ariel must fall in with the darkest that humanity has to offer to discover an alarming truth about Starbase One and the origins of humanity.
Rachelle: Sound like Ariel is in trouble. How did you come up with the idea for that book?
This one came at me in a couple different directions. First I was basically just doodling, writing a short story of a little girl on a deep space mining barge. I wrote it from her perspective, of how life must be like for her, and some ideas of just some things that could happen came out of it that would set up a good character. But I didn’t have a plot yet.
Then, I don’t know how the next piece started. I was thinking about it while I was half asleep, so perhaps a piece of a dream got in there. The last chapter of what is currently going to be the second book in the series grew. It’s a creepy sci-fi conflict the main character partakes in. (Sorry, I can’t spoil the ending here. ;) ) But I didn’t know how to get from the young girl to that ending.
Finally, a third piece started over a year ago. I was thinking of a neat board game one could make where the players each controlled a different race and they worked cooperatively to defend the galaxy, and earth in particular, from invading cyborgs. A few elements of that board game idea played into the story ideas and finally I had the basis for both short story and novel arcs in this new universe under creation.
I’ve already had one short story from this world published, another on its way, and two more making the rounds.
Rachelle: Very interesting. So you're writing primarily science fiction. Do you pay attention to genre rules or bend them?
Most science fiction, though some of my short stories have been general or fantasy, though I tend to veer away from magic themes, despite that being popular these days. As far as rules for the genre, there might be a lot going on subconsciously, based on what I pick up from what I read and how I think people might take it, but in general I believe genres are a good way to categorize books after their written, guiding a reader to other books he or she might enjoy, as opposed to boundaries or rules that writers must stay within. There’re so many genres nowadays, anyways, that it might be difficult to write for a particular genre. How do you classify Cowboys vs. Aliens? Sci-fi? Western? Okay, so now there’s a genre known as a sci-fi western. These days, I think the books and movies are making the genres, not the other way around.
That being said, I like space, future, time-travel, and the general unknown, so I tend to write in the science-fiction area.
Rachelle: Write what you like to read, right? So, what kind of books do you like to read? Which authors influenced you?
I’ve read a lot more fantasy than you might expect, so I’ve enjoyed Tolkien and Robert Jordan in the past. What especially intrigues me is the ability of those writers and others like them to both create a new world and weave and intriguing and epic story. Jordan, for example, has elements placed in the first books in the series that aren’t fully realized until the last books. I admire that ability, and it was one of the things that first made me want to write a novel of my own. I said to myself: “Man, this is so cool. I want to write something like that!”
Then we have Orson Scott Card and his Ender’s series. I especially admire how he and Jordan can really get in the heads of their characters and tell the story as the characters would see it. I like how Card can work out brilliant scenarios, like when Ender first beat up Stillson in the first couple chapters, so hard and vicious, and then we get the reasoning. He was not going to fight that every day, so he fought this one fight to make all the other kids wary of testing him. Amazing.
Rachelle: Sounds like you are in great company. Are you a character driven or plot driven writer?
I would definitely say plot driven, though I try to work hard at keeping it with realistic characters. In my novels, I tend to build the elements of what should come together in good conflict, differing characters and experience, and then build the plot off of that. But when I sit down to write I am definitely writing mostly dialogue and plot out in my first draft, with an ear to keeping the characters consistent. Then I go back and consider what’s missing in each chapter. Or, I had a good basis for this character, is that coming out in what I wrote? Do I need to flesh the character more?
Rachelle: Do you have any advice for writers who are just starting out?
There’s nothing more important to your writing than to write. Find time, make time, but keep writing. Don’t worry how bad it is. You can always rewrite and edit later. That’s part of the process. Give yourself permission to write badly.
That’ll get you writing. Be careful of the advice you take. Established writers and journals such as Writer’s Digest have their place, but much of writing is subjective. What’s important, in the end, is your readers. Get your writing read and critiqued, but you as the author know your story.
The rest, I’m still learning myself.
Rachelle: Who is your favorite character?
Definitely the main character of my next book, Ariel Ryder. I feel a bit like I’ve grown up with her as her story has touch all the years of her life.
Rachelle: You don’t have to tell us, but who in your life did you pattern him/her after?
That’s interesting, because I had no intention to pattern Ariel after my wife, but as she grew in the plot and in my mind she took on a lot of aspects of my wife’s life. Much of it, though, seemed a natural extension of her childhood. I’m not sure whether this was coincidence or subconscious.
Rachelle: Have you ever fallen in love with one of your characters? Was your wife jealous?
Wow, I haven’t even thought of that. No, actually, I can come to love them, but I consider them more like children than equals. I have a niece and a cat, and I would mix up their names sometimes like parents do with their own children. As I got further into my current book, I started calling my cat or my niece “Ariel” at times. It makes it hard, sometimes, to do what needs to be done and harm her or put her in hard situations.
Rachelle: Ha, ha, I wonder if you'll get another kitty named "Ariel" someday. Describe a scene in your book where you would have liked to be in. Which character would you be and what would you have done instead?
I’m not sure I’d want to be in my current work in progress. J It’s very fast paced and dangerous. In my first novel, Suspended, though, half of a town in 2012 gets transported to 2099. I would have loved to be one of those 2012 characters and getting to see the future. The world is changing so fast these days. If it continues on, what would the world be like in 90 years?
I know, I kind of dodged the question, but if I were to place myself as one of the characters in the scenes I’m afraid I’d ruin the book. Knowing the whole picture, I’d make sure to do what needs to be done and I’d do it right. But a lot of drama comes out of the inconstancies between the characters, with them acting out of emotion or partial knowledge. It all goes into making a good book. J
Rachelle: That's true. You would be too knowledgeable and make wise decisions, unlike the characters. What is one thing you wish you knew before you began this journey?
How easy it would be, but also how difficult. It’s hard work and you have to be disciplined. But it’s not as hard to complete your work and get it published as you might think.
Rachelle: What is your greatest fear?
Failure. Though you only really fail when you don’t try.
Rachelle: What keeps you up at night?
The next chapter.
Rachelle: That's a good one! Tell me what a typical day looks like.
I work a normal, 40+ hour/wk office job, sometimes from home. When I go into the office, though, I ride the bus where I can take my netbook with me and write 800 to 1,000 words on the way to and from work. That’s a big help to getting the chapters done. Then there’s the wife, the house, and religious responsibilities. It would seem to not leave much time for writing, and so I had stopped for several years, but I’ve learned you have to make the time. If it’s important to you, you can make the time.
Rachelle: But you're doing it now. Did you dream of being a writer or something else?
I’ve always wanted to be a writer. Actually, I wanted to be a best-selling fiction author. I’m still working towards that, but for now being a writer is enough. 


Rachelle: We should never give up on our dreams, right? It's been great having you and boy did I drill you.


Folks, please drop Daniel a comment below or visit him online:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Danny-Roozen/311915965515022 https://twitter.com/#!/@droozenrule http://dannythoughtso.blogspot.com/ http://www.amazon.com/Daniel-Roozen/e/B00735JGHS 

Interview with Book Blogger Laurie Jenkins #blogging #reader

Hi Laurie, thanks for visiting Rachelle’s Window. You are one of the most prolific book bloggers I’ve seen, with not one, but two blogs. Tell us a bit about your two blogs.
I’ve been blogging steadily for over two years now.  When the economy tanked late in 2008 I suddenly became unemployed.  Thankfully, I had been with Verizon long enough that I had my points and basically decided to accept the severance package. I worked at several different jobs over the next 18 months, then decided to retire when my husband and I took a look at our finances and found out it was actually costing us more, with all the driving around and meals on the road, than I was actually netting in my paycheck – discouraging!  I wanted something interesting to keep me “off the streets and out of trouble” Haha!  I could finally indulge my passion for reading.  That led me to become a reviewer for Coffee Time Romance and a few months later for Night Owl Reviews. 
Being a reviewer, led me to begin experimenting with blogging.  I met some wonderful authors on a few discussion boards who graciously consented to let me interview them on my little fledgling blog.  We were very supportive of each other.
My blog grew and soon I was quite busy!  I started another blog that was dedicated entirely to author interviews.  During that time (2010-2011) I was also a tour host for several virtual book companies.
My blogs were growing but there was a lot of overlap and wanted to find a better way to differentiate them while still meeting my personal goals of helping authors get their new books noticed.  So, January 1st 2012 I decided to split the blogs so that one would feature books that had paranormal elements within them and the other would feature books without significant paranormal elements. That’s been working well, so far.  What do you find rewarding about book blogging?
I LOVE to read and I LOVE finding authors who offer the types of books I enjoy at a price that doesn’t break the bank.  Most rewarding for me is sharing that with others who have similar interests. I personally LOVE the evolving changes in the book industry and I just want to do what I can in my own small way to foster its growth. 
You definitely are fostering the love of reading. Your schedule is packed for both blogs several months out. How do you coordinate all of the authors and books you are featuring? How much time do you spend answering e-mails and social networking?
LOL!  It’s pretty much a full-time job – many of the organizational and time management skills that I used routinely at Verizon work well for me still.  I have a spreadsheet and calendar that helps me keep track of what is scheduled and I’m always tweaking my system to make sure things run smoothly and features get posted on time.  I enjoy trying new things and learning new ways of doing things.
I do admire your organizational skills. What do you enjoy most about working with authors?
I admire that they have the diligence and perseverance to be able to write down stories in a compelling and entertaining manner.  I am in awe that authors are able to pour their hearts and souls into their stories, then have readers, critics, and reviewers judge the merits of their works – sometimes harshly.  It amazes me that there are writers from all walks of life.  Most of the authors that I have featured on my blog are generous, likeable and so creative.  I just have so much respect for what they do. 
Did you design your blog pages yourself?
Yes, well sort of.  It’s all pretty much self-taught.  I have zero artistic ability – literally, I can’t even draw stick figures that look cute, so when I discovered MyMemories scrapbooking software earlier this year, I was astounded at how easy it is to use and how intuitive it is, especially considering it’s inexpensive price (less than $40).  I like being able to quickly change the look of my blog on a whim, and playing around with graphics is the icing on the cake as far as I am concerned.
Oh, I never thought about using scrapbooking software. Great idea! How hard is it to coordinate giveaways? Do you occasionally find it frustrating or do you have the system down pat?
It’s not difficult.  I am a fanatic about wanting them to run smoothly and letting the readers know exactly what is up for grabs.  I am always trying to find ways to make the maintenance easier and more efficient for me while packing the best promotional opportunity possible for the author.
What are some expectations you have from authors who would like to be on your site?
I feature authors on my blogs by invitation only.  With unknown (to me) authors I will read their book blurb, look at their cover image and usually read the free sample (or at least a few pages of the sample). The book doesn’t necessarily have to appeal to me personally. After all, we all have different likes and dislikes, but the blurb and sample should be well-written and decently edited.  I try to keep my blog rated PG or milder so I really don’t wish to paper it with covers that are really hot and steamy, besides that, I participate in many huge blog hop events hosted by Kathy at I Am a Reader, Not a WriterBlog which are “family friendly”.
I want my feature posts to reflect the personalities of the authors I feature.  The most important expectation I have is that the materials I need to set up the post are returned to me in a timely manner. Other than that, it’s my job to set up attractive layouts that meet the needs of my featured authors.  To my way of thinking, I am doing this to help and support the authors who are guests on my blog – for me it’s a labor of love.
And Laurie, believe me, your labor of love is well appreciated. Thank you for featuring me on your blog yesterday. Okay, now for some fun questions.
Where is your favorite place to read? We have a bench down on our pier by the lake.  When the weather is nice, that is my favorite reading spot.  Otherwise, anywhere and anytime.  My kindle and backup kindle go with me everywhere.
What makes you decide to read a book? The cover? The first pages? Personal recommendation from a friend? Or just random browsing?
First, I rarely pick a book if the genre isn’t appealing to me personally. The blurb is extremely important to me in deciding whether or not I want to read the book.  I love a pretty cover, and it may entice me to read the blurb, but if the blurb bores me, or is too long, or is too short, or simply doesn’t grab me, then I move on to the next selection. It’s highly unlikely I will read a book if I don’t connect via the blurb.
Next, I’ll read at least a few paragraphs or pages from the Kindle free sample.  The story generally must grab me quickly.  This is so difficult to quantify because I notice that I may think a story starts off wonderfully, whereas, some other reviewer will claim it was slow and dragged for her.
I almost forgot to mention another big consideration for me.  I have to constantly take into account how many other books I’ve promised reviews for and how loaded up my reading schedule already is before I promise another book review. I feel terrible when I’ve promised a review by a certain date and I am not able to meet that commitment on time.  Right now, for example, I’m behind schedule and feeling the pressure. Mostly, it’s pressure I put on myself, but I know I’m disappointing authors waiting for reviews, and I hate being in that position.
One of my resolutions this year is to be more discerning about promising reviews. Unfortunately, I am seeing quite a few books that I truly would love to read that I am saying “No” to. The really good ones should stay on my radar screen for later.
Favorite genres and types of books?
What is your favorite beverage while reading? Favorite snack?
I love a properly mixed fountain diet coke but I try to drink mostly flavored water.  My favorite snack is probably dark sweet cherries in season, otherwise microwave popcorn.
What do you enjoy most about life?
My husband, our cats, living in our little lake community, reading and blogging!
Laurie, I’m so glad you could visit with us today. If people want to get in touch with you, what is the best way?
For authors who would like to be featured on my blog it’s best to fill out my Feature Request Form.  I usually reply back within a few hours, or within 24 hours at the outside. Just click the Authors Wanted graphic on my blog sidebar or click this link.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?hl=en_US&formkey=dHh1RmtJSlBKbkZUdVRwSDJDVjVnNmc6MQ#gid=0
My review schedule is currently over-full so unfortunately, I am having to turn down most requests for personal reviews.  I do give review preference to authors who have been or will be featured on my blog when selecting books to review for Night Owl, Coffee Time, WLC or IBC.  PLEASE do not send me your unsolicited book and ask me to review it.  99.9% of the time your email, including the book, will be deleted. Unfortunately, I no longer have time to respond to emails containing unsolicited books.  Feel free to email me with your pitch and I will take time to politely respond but don’t send me the book unless I’ve requested it or you have told me you wish to gift it to me without any expectation of a review. Thanks!!!
Links:
Paranormal Blog     http://lauriethoughts-reviews.blogspot.comNon-paranormal Blog  http://lauries-interviews.blogspot.comFacebook      http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lauries-Thoughts-Reviews-on-FB/126115127483769Goodreads  http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/4301021-laurie-jenkins Twitter  @lauriej170LinkedIn  http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=98146381&locale=en_US&trk=tab_proGoogle+   https://plus.google.com/114833425116511076622?prsrc=2#114833425116511076622/postsPinterest   http://pinterest.com/lauriej170/
Laurie's Bio I’m a book blogger who delights in helping authors promote their books by featuring them on my blog via Author or Character Interviews, Guest Posts, Giveaways and Reviews. I support all authors but talented Independent and small press authors who write engaging stories that are well-edited hold a special place in my heart. I enjoy most fiction genres, especially Science fiction, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Thriller, Romance, and Suspense.
I have enjoyed a lifelong love of reading and like to have a variety of books in different genres always on hand. I like reads that flow smoothly and logically from one point to the next. When reviewing, I make the effort to give my personal, honest appraisal of the book without giving away any particulars of the story line.  My goal is to provide valuable information from a fresh, candid view point.
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Bestselling Author: Bonnie Trachtenberg Spills All #AuthorInterview

Hi Bonnie! You are a bestselling author of two hilariously funny and highly neurotic books. Your first book, Wedlocked, took the Indie world like a storm. Do you think the image of a bride and a groom with handcuffs around them resonated with the reading public?
It’s so nice to be here, Rachelle. Thanks for inviting me! Yes, I’m so happy with the success of Wedlocked. Besides becoming a kindle bestseller, it is also the winner of two literary awards, and an award-winning finalist in two others. It is even being shopped for film now! I’ve been so excited by it all, especially the wonderful comments I receive through social media and the reviews. Many people have told me how much they love the cover. I’ll take credit for the concept, since it was my idea, but I’m also very happy at how well my publisher’s artists executed it.

What or who inspired you to write Wedlocked? You can tell us. No one reads this blog anyway, so go ahead and spill. J
LOL. Wedlocked was inspired by my first brief, disastrous marriage and subsequent “honeymoon from hell” back in 1999. Many of the scenes at the wedding and on the honeymoon in Italy did in fact occur (believe it or not). Some were just embellished, and others were from my imagination. At 35 years old, after a decade and a half on the dating scene, I impulsively married the absolute wrong person. This decision was born out of fear and desperation (it’s not just naïve youngsters who make dumb marital choices). Anyone who is willing to put on blinders in hopes they can transform a problematic person and situation into a fairly tale is at risk of doing the same. Luckily, though, it made for a great story so something good and productive came from it!
Oh my! That must have been an awful experience! I’m glad you’ve recovered from that nightmare. By the way, I notice you have become quite an advice giver. Your advice column In Search of a Happy Ending has the potential to overshadow the Dear Abby of the twentieth century. Are you more conservative or liberal in your advice than Abigail Van Buren?
Thanks for the vote of confidence! I’m really not sure how I stack up to Dear Abby as far as liberal or conservative advice. What I do remember is she was never afraid of offering a strong opinion if she really believed in it, and neither am I. I’ve had so many years of hard knocks and interesting life experiences, and I’ve garnered much wisdom from them. I pair that wisdom with compassion, and it seems to resonate with all kinds of people. I’m not sure why this comes so naturally to me, but I’m thrilled that LoveaHappyEnding.com is hosting my column, and that I’m receiving so many great responses.
I love the happy ending and I'm sure you're giving many people HEAs. You’re definitely a bi-coastal (Los Angeles and New York City). So, tell me, what was it like being in Hollywood in the heyday of Charlie’s Angels? What did you most enjoy about your time in LA?
I lived on the West Coast for ten years (1987-1997) so not exactly the Charlie’s Angels’ heyday. I packed a lifetime of experiences into those ten years. I met so many people (some are now my closest friends), traveled, held many unusual jobs, dated a wide variety of men, grew up, and grew wise very quickly. I also became a published writer in 1990, which kicked off what has been a pretty prolific writing career. Despite the heartbreaks and hard times I suffered through while there, I wouldn’t change a thing. So much has become fodder for my books, as well as insight for my column. That said, I’m also happy to be back in New York.
Oops, okay, tell me you didn't watch Charlie's Angel reruns while there... So, you have a new book, Neurotically Yours, how did that come about? Does it mix and match all your most favorite activities?
I guess you could say that, considering my heroine, Dara, starts out as a long-time single advice columnist who’s got romantic problems of her own. In the book, she opens up a revolutionary dating service for the romantically challenged and chronically single. But when a publicity stunt goes awry, she’s forced to join the ranks of her clientele and face her own fear of love. I was thrilled that I could make use of some of my horrible dating stories (and those of my friends), as well as highlight the humor of those situations. I think anyone who feels they’ve been out on the dating scene too long, or who has weathered some of their own dating disasters, will find the story relatable and amusing.
Well, you sure have everyone laughing. There must be half a dozen coffee-spewed Kindles out there. Do your books come with a warning?
LOL No, but I’ll keep that in mind for the future! Hmm, maybe I’ll invent the Kindle Shield. Truthfully, nothing makes me more exhilarated than making people laugh. I’m so happy my books have been entertaining so many readers.
What’s next? A spot of mystery or a dark psychodrama? Or will you stick to romantic comedy?
I think I better stick with romantic comedies for a while or I may piss off my readers who are expecting exactly that when they open one of my books. One day, though, I’d love to write about an amazing story I stumbled upon that occurred on my property beginning back at the turn of twentieth century. It’s a wild true tale that actually includes ghosts!
Hmmm.... I'll wait for that one. I'm sure you'll be able to make even an abandoned property full of ghosts funny! Okay, on a serious note, what do you do when you’re not being funny?
Aside from writing and marketing my books, I love to hang with my husband, good friends, and family; dine at great restaurants; play and cuddle with my cats; read; take walks; see good movies (no surprise, romantic comedies are my favorite), and follow political news.
I'm sure the political news is good for a few laughs, too. How much of your time does marketing and promotion take?
An absurd amount! It’s mostly been my full-time job (with overtime) since I released Wedlockeda year ago. As I’m sure you know, once you get started, it’s hard to stop. However, I’ve been researching my third novel now, and at least that’s been rescuing me from marketing mania a few hours a week. Now all I have to do is start writing again!
What is the best advice you can give an up and coming writer?
Hate to say it, but learning to social market is key. Writers no longer have the luxury of just writing, unless you don’t care whether anyone reads your books. I hired a social marketing expert to teach me the ropes, and she did a fabulous job of preparing me for what was to come. It can be tedious, but it’s imperative if you want to be a success.
Just so I know you’re really as old as you claim…
Did you have one of those POW bracelets? Which war was it from?
Yes! I wore it until it broke. He was a major who went missing during Viet Nam. I was just a kid! Thanks for making me admit that, Rachelle.
Sure... and I was just an infant. What does a mood ring do? How does it change color?
Why do I feel as if I’m being taunted? LOL Yes I had a mood ring, too. Okay? It changes color with your body heat and tells you when you are feeling angry, passionate, calm, or ANNOYED.
What was Mr. Farley’s favorite outfit and what color was it?
He was from Three’s Company, right? Happy to say I don’t remember.
Ha, ha, yes, he was played by Don Knotts and wore lime-green leisure suits with scarves, a real dork. What did odd/even day mean? What commodity was it controlling?
Huh? Commodity? Is this related to the stock market or something? I’m right-brained and clueless.
Okay, you're not as old as you claim. If your license plate ended in an odd number or personalized, you got your gas, Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday. Even numbered plates, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday. Did your parents let you eat the “fur” off your Chia pet?
Eat the fur? People ate the fur? Or was that just you, Rachelle? Did you eat paste, too? I never had a Chia pet, but I loved the Saturday Night Live “commercial” Chia Head, for bald men. Ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-Chia!
It's alfalfa sprouts! I knew it, you just didn't remember... Points taken off for bad memory, but you still pass the twentieth century test. Welcome to the 21st.
Thanks for that bit of humiliation, Rachelle. I knew I could count on you. Didn’t anyone ever teach you that you’re supposed to respect your elders? ;-)
Tee hee hee, who said anything about you being elder? For instance I still remember when Arnold Schwarzenegger had grey hair (i.e. before his movie star days), the original Gold's Gym, and the Sunset Strip bands. Thanks for being such a fun interviewee.

Bonnie Trachtenberg is bestselling author of the new romantic comedy Neurotically Yours: A Novel, and her debut book Wedlocked: A Novel, which won the Beach Book Festival Award and the Indie Excellence Award. She writes a monthly relationship and advice column for LoveaHappyEnding.com. She was senior writer and copy chief at Book-of-the-Month Club and has written seven children’s book adaptations. Trachtenberg lives in New York with her husband, four cats and a dog. 
Read all about Bonnie on her website:http://www.BonnieTrachtenberg.comRead her relationship column at:http://loveahappyending.com/editor-bonnie-trachtenberg/Find her on Facebook:http://www.Facebook.com/BonnieTrachtenbergFollow her on Twitter:http://twitter.com/#!/writebrainedny

Buy Neurotically YoursAmazon: http://amzn.to/HY4PyFBarnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/KumteQ
Buy WedlockedAmazon: http://ning.it/ovIMiwBarnes & Noble: http://ning.it/pPRGvC

Kat Fight Author Dragged In Through the Window: Bestselling Author, Dina Silver #AuthorInterview

Hi! Lovely Blog Followers! Look what the Kat dragged in. Yep, none other than rockin' high-fallutin' sock-em-to-me author Deeeeennnaa Siiillveeeer!!!
Dina Silver is one funny gal. Ooops, or at least her characters are. Sorry, have a glass of wine. There, there…
Dina’s first book, One Pink Line, caught my eye with the simplistic cover and the ominous words describing a pregnancy test. Depending on which side of the marriage fence you are, that pink line could either spell pure joy or unmitigated disaster.
So Dina, tell us, what made you decide to write a novel about a pregnancy test?
Well, I was pryinginto my friend’s life one afternoon asking her why her nine-year old daughter (who’d I’d just recently met at the time) was five-foot seven-inches tall, and she was only five-foot two-inches. I think because I’m short as well, I was struck but her daughter’s height, and I didn’t really expect her to say anything besides, “I don’t know why she’s so tall, stop bugging me.” But instead, she sort of paused and said, “Well, John is not her real father.”
Once I knew there was a back-story, I became even more annoying with my line of questioning, and she opened up to me and told me about herself, her youthful indiscretion, and ultimately shared what I thought was a truly wonderful love story.
Folks, fair word of warning. *whispers* (don't let the Kat out of the bag while having tea with Dina, you know, she was just sort of prying?) One Pink Line has become quite a bestseller. Would you attribute your success to your husband’s 4-star review and empty stomach? Okay, seriously, what’s your secret? We’re all awaiting with bated breath.
Ha! I’m so glad you mentioned his review (he’s quite proud of himself), and it now has it’s own fan base.
I attribute my success to many, many factors. The first and foremost being that I wrote a mildly entertaining, relatable book. Because (in my opinion) at the core of any book’s success, there has to be a good story, and one that readers can rally behind. Especially in the genre of women’s fiction.
Also, I spend an ugly amount of time researching the industry, marketing my book, commiserating with other authors, reaching out to bloggers, speaking at local book clubs, and begging people to leave reviews for me.
Before I decided to put my words into long form, I worked in advertising for 15 years. Those experiences have left me with a great deal of knowledge on how I wanted to brand myself and my work, and I truly believe that has helped me immensely in the area of promotion where One Pink Line is concerned.
Great background you have for self-publishing! Personal experiences aside, what made you write Kat Fight?
Kat Fight was in my head as a screenplay for about two years. I used to go jogging and imagine the scenes playing out in live action all the time. After I initially sat down to write it as a screenplay, a good friend of mine convinced me I’d have more luck getting published as a novel first, so I took her advice and wrote a book instead.
I really wanted to write a true romantic comedy, just a fun read with a great love story woven throughout. I like a good laugh, and I think comedy is so challenging, so I wanted to attempt it for myself.
It was a great laugh! I’m one of your lucky beta readers, and I must say, Kat Fight brought to remembrance all of my past dating disasters. You’ve made me laugh at myself about incidents long forgotten. And no! I did not date a porn star, nothing like that…You promised not to publish my notes. Wait!!! Okay, so you definitely have a magical way of making women relate to your characters, whether it’s Sydney in OPL or the indomitable but oh-so-insecure Kat Porter in KF. What’s next? Any plans for a wee bit of murder? *ducks*
I actually LOVE reading murder mysteries! I wish I could write a good suspense novel, but I don’t think my confidence is in that arena. Up next I’m writing a story that takes a light hearted look at a serious topic.
Well, DO keep us guessing! You owned a greeting card company. How has writing cute ditties and sentimental slop helped you with your storytelling? What? I insulted you? Have another glass of wine?
Yes, and yes! It’s called Dinas Ideas (genius name, I know), and I started it about ten years ago, right after my son was born. Working in adverting and writing greeting cards has given me a knack for writing titles. Short & sweet is how I like them. I always try to challenge myself to say the most about something, with the least amount of words.
*wiping wine off my face* Must make you a fantastic tweeter. J Tell us a bit about your hobbies. What do you like to do when you’re not embroiled in a literary storm?
I don’t like to exercise, but I try to. Especially in the summer, I love walking and riding my bike. I’m also a huge film addict, and enjoy going to movies by myself in the middle of the day.
Whew! That was a safe question. Now, for some free association. I bet you didn’t know what you were getting into, eh?
Take-out or drive-in? - Take out
Blue jeans or slinky red dress? - Jeans!!
Hercule Poirot or Miss Marple? - Hercule Poirot
Benz or Bimmer? Toyota J  Manscaped or Manhandled? - Manhandled
On that note… I think we survived. Thank you for being a guest on Rachelle’s Window, a place where we peer into your naked soul.
It was my pleasure, thanks for letting me ramble!
Check out my reviews of One Pink Line and Kat Fight! Shameless Self-Promotion. Please vote it up, and yes, I'm using my real name.
Bio:Dina Silver is a writer, red wine drinker, cheese fry lover, and future cat hoarder. She currently lives with her family in suburban Chicago. Inspired by how she met her husband, Kat Fight is Dina’s second novel.
And, as Dina's husband says, "Buy my wife's books, and buy lots of them."
Available at Amazon: One Pink Line and Kat Fight

Find Dina lounging at her website. AND!!!!! One lucky commentator is going to receive a real paper copy of Kat Fight in his or her mailbox (you know, that metal contraption that hangs outside your house? not the AOL version). So please stop by and say "hi" to Dina. Pry into her life as annoyingly as you can. How 'bout it?