Jennifer L. Oliver's Blog: Magic, Mayhem and Everything In Between, page 4

Hoopin’ with some WritersButt

I’m sore and slightly bruised around my midriff. My hips are stiff and ache when I stand. I have every desire to soak my tortured body in a nice hot-tub, letting the jets massage my back with bubbles while my mind drifts in relaxation. But I can’t.

Not while Big Momma’s waitin’ for me.

Say hello to Big Momma.
The little one is the size of a normal hoop like you’d buy from the store. Big Momma has water inside and is wrapped with tape to help with grip. She’s also heavier than your average hoop. Work with her for just a few minutes and you’ll feel the burn!

Big Momma and I collided yesterday at the park. She got the best of me at first. But by the end of the day, I had her swinging round and round like the blades of a ceiling fan on a hot day in Louisiana.

Yep, that’s right. I hula-hooped. And I’m gonna keep on hoopin’ every day for the next three weeks. Why? Because I’m completely insane determined to get in shape and be active.

You might remember a few months ago I wrote a guest post over at Ginger Calem’s blog. There I shared how my weight-gain had affected my life and how I wanted to change things.

Well, since then I’ve lost 11lbs, and I’m positive I would have lost more and felt even better if I had kept following the WritersButt challenges. Even though life does get in the way of our goals sometimes, I know it is ultimately up to me to continue making the time and the healthy choices.

I think part of the reason I fell back into some of my bad habits was because my goal – to lose weight and get active – wasn’t specific enough. Or rather it wasn’t suited to my strengths and weaknesses. See, I work best under pressure and when I’m held accountable for work under a deadline.

Knowing this about  myself, I had to figure out how to get myself motivated and disciplined to meet my goals. It wasn’t until I kept seeing my friend, Michelle’s pictures on Facebook that things really started to take shape.

Michelle Whitley is the owner of Hoop-Lah Fun & Fitness and she’s hoop-tastic! Just check out the videos on her website – that’s HER doing all that. Not only is she getting in some great exercise, she’s having a blast doing it! That’s the kind of thing I need to get me motivated. So I caught up with her at the park, where she showed me some basic moves. (And introduced me to Big Momma!)

By the time I got home, I had tons of energy and felt great. I showed my daughter and husband everything I learned. Even my granddaughter wanted to play with the hoops. I was in the best mood. And even better, the physical activity motivated my muse.

I decided right then and there that I was going to get back on track with my health. This time I had to have a goals and a deadline. And to keep me motivated, I’m adding hula-hooping to some WritersButt challenges. So every day for three entire weeks, I am going to drink 100 oz of water, hula-hoop for at least 30 minutes, do 10 Potty Squats and 10 Potty Push-ups every time I visit the bathroom.

Sounds easy right? Yeah, well my first run in with Big Momma proved that wrong. And drinking 100 oz of water a day is not an easy feat. Let’s not even talk about the squats and pushups. Whew!

This is going to be tough and it’s gonna hurt. But it is completely worth it. To feel the way I did yesterday, to smile and have so much fun… yeah it’s totally worth any amount of torture Big Momma spins my way.

Have you hula-hooped before? Would you do it again and how about in a class or group? I’d love to hear your adventures with hooping!

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Reviewing Lilith

I really like books with a story that just takes you away from your day-to-day stress and lets you slide into the life and world of someone else for awhile. And that’s what happened when I read LILITH by Toby Tate.

After reading Tate’s first novel, Diablero, I followed his updates regarding the writing process of Lilith. His excerpts left me wanting more and I was excited when I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. I’m happy to say I wasn’t disappointed. I believe the author called this novel a “supernatural action-thriller” and I couldn’t agree more.

Here’s the blurb:

[image error]Before evil had a name, there was LILITH.

Something has come aboard the U.S. Navy’s newest state-of-the-art super carrier, the USS Gerald Ford, something supernatural and as ancient as time itself.  And it’s taking over the crew one by one.

Reporter Hunter Singleton and his wife Lisa, guests invited aboard to witness a routine training mission off the coast of North Carolina, soon learn that the CIA is onboard as well, and that some of the ship’s crew are acting irrationally, even violently.  When an unexpected monster hurricane slams New York, the ship rushes to assist in the aftermath, and Hunter, Lisa and the crew are faced with the terrifying realization that whatever has come aboard the Ford must be stopped before it is set free on the streets of Manhattan.

But how do they fight something beyond human comprehension?  How do they kill something that may not even be alive?

The clock is ticking…and Time itself is running out.

Lilith is filled with action and suspense. Majority of the story took place aboard the USS Ford. Tate gave just enough detail to allow me to feel like I was running through the passageways with the characters as they scrambled to catch up to Lilith, who was always one step ahead.

And he had no mercy for his main characters, Hunter and Lisa, a husband and wife duo from his first novel. He dumped them right in the path of a psychopathic, supernatural creature and had them fighting for their lives in no time. I enjoyed learning more about these characters and felt he did a good job developing them.

I would have liked a little more background concerning the creature and maybe a deeper POV with the main characters as I think it would have engaged me even more into the story. But he made up for those areas by creating a read full of twists, turns and lots of action.

Even though his books aren’t in my normal reading genre, I enjoy Tate’s story-telling and will continue to read his future work.

For more information about Toby Tate and his other books, visit his website  http://www.tobytatestories.com/ , follow him on Twitter, and Facebook.

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Review? Why not!

I get really cranky when I don’t write. Even more so when I don’t read and I don’t write. So when life recently mixed with holiday chaos, the result kept me from doing either of them. Needless to say, I wasn’t a happy camper. Fortunately, with the passing of the holiday season and the birth of a new year, I was able to indulge in both.

You can imagine the peaceful “ahh” my bookworm soul felt when I finally sat down to read. I settled in on my side of the bed, opened the Kindle app on my iPad, and then had to catch myself from falling on the floor. Where the heck did all of these books come from? There were so many of them just sitting there, waiting for me to escape into their pages. I’m so gonna have to go to Book Lovers Anonymous or something and break this addiction to buying/downloading books.

Anyways, after the shock wore off I decided I needed to seriously downsize this list. Here’s to good intentions and all, but I’m totally a procrastinator. I have this uncontrollable streak that just insists on taking my sweet time to do just about everything. (My mom calls it “stubbornness”, I say I just work better under pressure.) Knowing this about myself, I realized the real challenge was figuring out how I was going to get myself to read all of these in a timely manner. I needed something to help keep me on track.

Then it hit me. (And no it wasn’t my sleeping husband’s arm being flung across my face. He doesn’t fling appendages, he just steals the covers.) Why not write book reviews? I need content for my blog and I need to read these books, so reviews would be a perfect solution. Sweet! No more crankiness and snippy attitudes… well, okay, maybe just not as often.

So, once a month I’ll post an honest review of one of the books I’ve read. Since I’m brand new at this and I’ve got a ton of books in the queue waiting for me, I will not be accepting more books. But I’ll definitely let you know when I’m ready.

Tell me, do you write reviews? Do you read them when you’re deciding whether to buy a book or other items? I’ll be doing my first one this Friday, so be sure to stop by and let me know what you think.

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The Next Big Thing, Again

I’ve been tagged! Samantha Warren tagged me in The Next Big Thing blog hop, where I have to give you all a look at what I’m working on. Last time I was tagged in this hop, I showed you a bit about Retribution. But this time, I’m going to give you the down-low on what’s been keeping me up at night.

1. What is the title of the work?

HAEDYN

2. Where did the idea for the book come from?

My story ideas always start with characters first. They just kind of “appear” to me and then I get to know them better as their story develops. When I first imagined Haedyn, she was sort of a mix between the characters Selene from the movie Underworld, and Illyria from the TV show, Angel. But Haedyn has since evolved into something more unique. Her story has shifted and changed as I’ve learned more about her.

3. What genre is the book?

It feel like it falls under dark urban fantasy, though it might skim the outskirts of horror, as well.

4. Which actors would you choose to play your main characters?

Oh, this one is tough. My daughter suggested that Jennifer Lawrence could do a great Haedyn, and after seeing her in The Hunger Games I’d have to agree. I could totally see Tom Hardy, or William Mosley even, as Lex. There’s only one person I imagine playing Azazel though, and that’s Mark Pellegrino.

5. What’s a one sentence synopsis for your book?

These are so hard to write. I’m still working on this, so if you have suggestions please feel free to let me know!

Here’s what I have:

A demon’s assassin must embrace both her angel and demon origins in order to stop her master from creating an army of evil-born souls.

6. Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

Self-published.

7. How long did it take you to write this book?

Forever. At least it feels that way. I started it about two years ago, but since then it has taken a different path. I’ve rewritten several parts, added to it and taken from it. I’m aiming to be finished very soon.

8. What other books would you compare this book to?

I’m really bad at this. So once you all read it, then maybe you can tell me what you think?

9. Who or what inspired you to write this book?

TV shows like Buffy, Angel, Doll House, and pretty much anything Joss Whedon has created. I love his work. And he always shows a female lead who is strong and determined, fights for justice and what’s “right”, but still has lots of heart. That’s what I want to portray in Haedyn.

10. What else about your book might piqué the reader’s interest?

I think many people struggle to figure out who they are and what their purpose is in life. It’s not about being perfect every time we attempt to do something, or making everyone happy, or even having the whole world like us. It’s about finding that place where we belong, doing that one thing we love, following our dream and finding the person inside of us that we knew we could be. Which is exactly what I try to portray in my upcoming novel, Haedyn.

I think many people can identify with my main character, Haedyn. She is the last of her kind. Neither humans nor the supernatural world accept her, so she’s totally alone. But deep inside, there’s a part of herself she’s denied. A part that whispers to her and tells her there’s more to life. She’s only had herself to rely on and she does what she must in order to survive, so she ignores that little voice. When she meets Lex, a human, he treats her with respect and kindness and she starts to see there’s so much more to her than she believed. She’s more than just a killer… she’s a force to be reckoned with.

Now I’m supposed to tag more lovely author friends but just about everyone I know has already been picked. Instead, I’ll ask all the writers to leave a one-sentence summary of your WIPs and all my reader friends to tell me about your favorite book of all time. Can’t wait to see your comments!

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Fear and Creativity

Lately, I’ve been in this rut with my writing. Everything I write just flat-out sucks. Okay, maybe it isn’t that bad, but it’s not that good either. Or I sit down at the computer and I’m suddenly dumbfounded. I can’t write a descent sentence to save my life, my typing skills revert to that of a pre-schooler, and everything I’ve learned about the English language disappears from my brain. DOH!

But today, I ran across this video on Jess Witkin’s blog (she first saw it on Kait Nolan’s blog, so it’s kinda making its way around) and I completely identified with this adorable British guy, Charlie. Take a look

Charlie was spot on, wasn’t he? This video made me realize that I’m not alone in my fears. We all go through this sometimes. The challenge is learning to confront that fear, to find that little voice inside that says “I believe in me” and turn it  from an occasional whisper to a daily mantra.

I think Charlie did just that by making this video. He faced his fear, spoke it aloud even, and put it out there. Now, instead of running away and doing nothing, he can move forward toward his goals.

A very dear friend of mine, CC MacKenzie, recently told me to “write with confidence and authority. And tell the story.” I think that’s been the best advice I’ve heard in a long time. So I wrote it on a sticky note and stuck it on my computer. That way when I sit down to write, I’ll see that note and read it. Hopefully this will help me face some of my fears.

What about you? What are some of your fears? What have you done to help you face them and move past them?

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Lists, Lists, and More Lists

I’ve been neck-deep in busyness lately and I don’t want to forget anything, so I’ve surrounded myself with lists, lists and more lists. There’s the household list, the writing and marketing lists, and let’s not forget the holiday lists of addresses and gifts. Oh, and the grocery list. Gotta have food for the holidays, right?

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But there’s only one list that I’m truly excited about. No it’s not the dessert list! It’s my new mailing list. Now, I get to send out newsletters to all my subscribers offering them specials like letting them see new book covers first, sneak peaks at chapters or characters, updates on new releases, upcoming author interviews on my blog, and even giveaways opportunities. I even created a little graphic for it.

Don’t worry,  my author interview series will still be “Behind the Quill with (insert lucky author name here).” But I figured I could carry the theme over to provide you with updates from me as well. The subscription option is to your right, just add your email address. There’s also one on my new Contact page. Oh, and if want to leave me a note, there’s an option for that there, too.

I’m really looking forward to creating fun newsletters and updates for you on my novel, HAEDYN, and other exciting ventures I may find along the way. I may even have a list of those around here somewhere, too.

So tell me, do you make lists to help you keep track of things? Or are you a sticky note lover? Or both?

Whoa, I’m Published!

It still hasn’t set in yet. I’m published. I finally did it. The Unnamed is out there for the world to read and review. ACK!

Reviews! I’m nervous. I haven’t gotten a review yet. Does this mean that no one likes it? Does it mean I suck horribly as a writer?

And then I breathe in a paper bag remind myself that freaking out is part of the job – well for newbie authors anyway. Besides, I know not everyone is going to like my work. And that’s okay. I mean everyone has different tastes and I respect that. It’s what makes writing stories so much fun, each one is unique.

But, if that doesn’t get the doubts outta my head, I ask my daughter’s opinion again. And again. And again. (It’s great to have a built-in cheering section, isn’t it?)

Seriously though, having doubts is normal. I’m still new at this writing gig, and I’m still growing as a writer. I don’t expect to be a best-seller overnight, I still have so much more to learn. But publishing The Unnamed

Now available at Smashwords and ! Grab your copy today!

has been a great experience and I’m thrilled to have gotten as far as I have.

And now its time to move forward and take my next step. There’s a ton that has to be done. One is that there’s going to be a few minor changes to my website. I’ll be adding a few things, like neat widgets to help promote books written by my WANA pals. There’s also marketing to do and blogs to write.

And most important, I need to finish the novel, HAEDYN. It’s almost there, but not quite yet. That means I need to get my butt in the chair and get typing. So real quick, I’ll say thank you to each and every one of you. You have all enriched my journey and helped me in some way – whether you realized it or not.

Tell me, have you ever done something you were really passionate about? How did you deal with your doubts and your nerves?  And if you’re an author, share your first publishing experience with me. That way I don’t feel all alone in my craziness!

Excerpt from THE UNNAMED

If you’ve been following along with me lately, I’m sure you’ve noticed that I’ve completely lost my mind I’m in the beginning stages of publishing my novelette, THE UNNAMED.

This weekend I start formatting the documents for ebook publication.

I’ve heard formatting can be daunting but I’m up for the challenge. Of course, I’ll probably be bald and babbling like an idiot by the time I’m done. So I’ll leave you with an excerpt to wet your appetite until you can feast on the whole thing.

Designing this cover was so much fun!

THE UNNAMED

Azazel stormed into the dank, underground room. “Why was I summoned?”

The servants and guards looked at him and then each other. He could taste their anxiety on the air. Something was wrong.

He squinted his eyes and looked around. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. At least nothing he could see. He sniffed a few times. No brimstone or sulfur lingered, which meant no other demon had entered his domain. But the servants were obviously frightened by something.

Lenore appeared beside him. “What is the meaning of this? What is going on?”

A woman stepped forward. Azazel recognized her as one of the nursemaids that had helped with the birth the day before. “It’s the child. We don’t know what to do with it.” She pointed to the cell in the back corner of the room.

“Is it sick? Dying?” He followed as Lenore led the way to the chamber. They each peaked through the small, barred window.

A child, of maybe four or five years of age, sat in the middle of the floor playing with wooden blocks. It turned and faced them. Her pale, white skin and silver white hair contrasted with the deep, red of her eyes.

Lenore stepped slowly away from the door and raised her hand to her mouth. Azazel rolled his eyes and inhaled deeply. He looked to the nursemaid for an explanation.

“We found her like that. When we came into feed her and change her,” the nursemaid said.

“And?” Azazel asked. “Did she do something or say something that would warrant my presence?” He was beginning to lose his patience with these humans.

“No, sir.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

“That’s her,” Lenore said and stepped back again. “The child that was born yesterday.”

Okay, that’s all you get for now. What’d ya think so far? I’m hoping to have THE UNNAMED available in ebook format soon. For updates, keep an eye on my Facebook page or follow me on Twitter.

Behind the Quill with Alicia and Roy Street

I’ve got a two-for-one bonus for you today on Behind the Quill! My guests are Alicia and Roy Street, Daphne du Maurier award winning authors of romance, mystery/suspense and paranormal genres. Awesome, right? I was totally stoked when this husband and wife writing team agreed to an interview.

Here’s what they had to say:

Me: So I have to ask, how did the two of you end up being co-authors? Were you both writing solo prior to the partnership and whose idea was it to join forces?

Roy: Yes, we were working solo on other things. I’m the one who asked Alicia to write with me because I had created two wacky female characters and felt I needed a female perspective. Our combined effort led to our first book published by Berkley-Penguin, APHRODISIAC.

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Don’t Wait! Grab your copy of
Touch me and Tango from Amazon!

Me: If your book were made into a movie, who do you picture playing each character’s part?

Alicia: In my mind the hero of Touch Me and Tango looks like Jon Hamm.

Roy: Kristen Wiig for Saylor Oz.

Me: Are there certain characters you would like to go back to, or is there a theme or idea you’d love to work with?

Alicia: I love corny romance in any form—contemporary, historical, or suspense. I also love history and mythology, so I am reworking a paranormal historical I had written a while ago. Its short story prequel was published in ETERNAL SPRING, a collection of YA short stories.

Roy: I love the comic duo in our Saylor Oz books and we will be going back to those in the coming year.

Me: What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an authors? What has been the best compliment?

Roy: I get overly creative and start off in directions that can lead away from the central theme. As to the best, most people like my characters’ banter.

Alicia: I can’t think of any criticism that was tough. Being an ex-dancer, I am used to learning by being told my mistakes. As to compliments, most readers seem to mention our character development and the warmth between the characters.

Me: Who is your favorite musician and/or favorite song?

Alicia: My favorite song is “Chi il bel sogno di Doretta” from a Puccini opera.

Roy: I like Rock and some House. But I can’t say which particular song or musician is my favorite. There are too many.

Me: I know you have a cat named Wallace, who likes Pizza. Do you have other pets as well? And tell me about this Friday night pizza tradition – what’s your favorite kind and who eats more slices? Roy or Wallace?

Alicia: Wallace has reached an elderly state and is not very happy about competition for attention, so we haven’t brought any other pets home. The vet says he’s the youngest looking sixteen-year-old cat he’s ever seen.

Roy: I like frozen organic pizza with portabella mushrooms. I definitely eat more slices than Wallace. He doesn’t like mushrooms.

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Kiss Me Dancer is available now on Amazon!
Go get your copy today!

Me: What would you like your readers to know about your book or you in general? What do you want readers to see in your books?

Alicia: I want readers to know we work really hard on our books and appreciate it so much when they write us and tell us how much they enjoyed them. I want them to have a good time and escape the way I do when I read romance or mystery. A logline we recently decided to use is: characters that love you back.

Roy: I want people to step into another world that I have built, to have fun and laugh, but also to experience poignant moments. I want them to love the characters and be eager to meet them again.

Me: Tell us about your current or upcoming release. Will you have a new book coming out soon?

Alicia & Roy: We have the next novel in our contemporary romance Dance ‘n’ Luv series coming out in November. Each book in that series has a dancer heroine. We’ve done a ballroom dancer, an ex-Broadway dancer, a dance teacher with a youth group that performs hip-hop, and our latest has a ballerina protagonist. While the books feature dance, they are of course about the lives and relationships of the characters.

Me: What is one piece of advice you would give to aspiring authors?

Alicia and Roy: It’s a rough business, so be flexible, keep studying your craft and the market, be prepared to work your tail off, and hang in.

Me: Great advice! I can’t wait until November to catch the latest book in your Dance ‘n’ Luv series. Thank you so much for talking with me today.

Here’s a little more about Alicia and Roy Street:

[image error]In addition to being part of today’s indie writers movement, Alicia and Roy Street are traditionally published authors and recipients of a Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense. They share backgrounds in the performing arts and spent many gypsy years living and working in the different neighborhoods of New York City and Philadelphia. Alicia as a dancer, choreographer and teacher; Roy in theater, visual arts and standup comedy. Alicia is also one of the regular contributors on the popular WG2E (Writers Guide To Epublishing) blog.

Want to know more? Then check out Alicia and Roy on their website and “like” them on Facebook. You can also follow each of them on Twitter, too! (Alicia’s Twitter and Roy’s Twitter.) While you’re at it, don’t forget to check out some of their other books, like Snow Dance and Aphrodisiac.

So, what did you think? Do you have other questions for Roy and Alicia? If so, post them in the comments and I’ll see if I can get them answer a few of them for us.

Behind the Quill with Angela Orlowski-Peart

I’ve got another awesome, debut author on Behind the Quill! Today’s guest is the lovely Angela Orlowski-Peart, author of Forged By Greed. When I saw the cover of this novel I had to know more, and not just about the book but about the woman behind the words. Fortunately for me, Angela was happy to oblige when I  asked for an interview. She was such a great sport about it that I gave her a break and only sent a few  questions out of the 999,999 that I had planned for her.

Here’s what she had to say:

Available at Amazon!
Grab your copy today!

Me: When did you first know you wanted to be a writer?

AOP: I have written short stories, poems, and novellas since my childhood. But I haven’t really planned to become a published author until my children were born. It was then when I realized that I have a dream, and I can actually make it become a reality. 

Me: Is there a particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult?

AOP: Since I am a vivid reader, there are always books that influence me, or rather influence my Muse (laughs). Neil Gaiman, Ernest Hemingway, and Charlaine Harris are just a few authors that are responsible for the best ideas popping in my head.

Me: Your debut novel, Forged By Greed, is published and out there for the world to see. How does it feel? And did you celebrate its launch in any special way?

AOP: I have worked on Forged By Greed for a long time. Longer than I intended. There were a couple of major changes to the characters and the plot. My critique partners (Writers in The Rain) and my beta readers have provided an excellent feedback. After another revision, the editors worked on it, and then I had to implement all the necessary changes. So it was a long process, but I have enjoyed every aspect of it, even the revisions. When I finally was sure that my well-nourished Forged by Greed was ready for release, I was surprised how calm I felt about it. But then there was one day when I became anxious, to put it mildly. I emailed many of my friends, my critique partners, my family members, and they all were very supportive and understanding. As for the celebration—that bottle of champagne is still chilling in the fridge. We have to open it and properly celebrate!

Me: If Forged By Greed was made into a movie, who do you picture playing each characters’ part?

AOP: Oh, boy. Now you made me grin! Hollywood producers, are you reading this? I hope so.

Jatred Bianchi, my male protagonist looks just like a very young Colin Farrell. And Jasmira Rosewater, my female protagonist would be best portrayed by Tika Sumpter. Many of the characters’ real counterparts are already displayed on my Pinterest board here (http://pinterest.com/angelapeart/the-forged-series/ ). I’m looking for the best matches and as soon as I find more they will go straight to the Pinterest board. So keep checking!

Me: What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?

AOP: I’m not sure if I have one chapter or a part that I could easily call my favorite. But I naturally like writing and reading fight and battle scenes. There is plenty of that at the end of Forged By Greed. My readers might find it interesting that I listened to the soundtrack from Lord of the Rings movies all the time while writing the final battle scenes. That music was so empowering and inspiring. The words were flown from under my fingertips.

Me: Are there certain characters you would like to go back to, or is there a theme or idea you’d love to work with in the future?

AOP: Yes, there is a fun idea I am implementing in the second book of the series, Forged By Synergy. There will be much more fantasy and paranormal elements, but the book will still be firmly set in today’s reality. I am very excited to put all my ideas into that new story.

Me: What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?

AOP: So far I have not received a lot of criticism, but only compliments. Every book, even the most cherished and well-received by the readers, gets those one-star or two-star reviews. Forged By Greed might get them too, but for now I am enjoying the excitement my readers share with me.

Me: What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?

AOP: I can write the best and the fastest on a very tight deadline. This last summer, right before my trip to Europe, I wanted to leave the manuscript with my critique partners. I was totally running out of time, so for two days and nights in a row I worked on the rewrites almost non-stop, sleeping only four and two hours each night, respectively. And I delivered! But then I slept for twelve hours straight (chuckles).

Me: What are your three favorite forms of procrastination?

AOP: Favorite? I am the world-biggest-procrastinator, so I have a whole list of them. On top of the “Way To Procrastinate In Style” list are definitely: hanging out with my family and friends, walking or running outside, and reading. Oh, and watercolor painting and jewelry design.

Me: What is your favorite food? If you cook, what type of food is your favorite and would you mind sharing a recipe?

AOP: I love food in general, but nothing greasy, processed, salty, and overly-sweet. I love organic vegetables, lean chicken or turkey meat, and seafood. And milk chocolate. I cook almost daily and mostly from scratch. That’s how I have been raised. My mom has always cooked healthy and plenty! There was always good food in our house, even when we were really poor. That’s how we, Polish women, are—we cook and feed. Food is very important and well-celebrated in my culture.

By the way, one of my characters, Georgeta, is a foodie, and her recipes will soon be available on my website.

Me: Are you a pet owner? If so, what pets do you have and their names?

AOP: I have a super-kitty. He has been adopted from a local pet shelter, and has been with us for over a year now. His name is Cinnamon, for the color of his coat and his sweet personality. But I also adore dogs and hope to own at least one in the future. I love wolves, and leopards. If you have read Forged by Greed, you will understand why.

Me: What would you like your readers to know about this book or you in general? What do you want readers to see in your books?

AOP: I write my books for my readers, and not for what the market is hot for now. I know that Young Adult fiction is very popular, but I strive to write books that don’t fall into a “general” YA trend. I include mythology, characters that come from other cultures and traditions, and a meaningful conflict. I want my books to be remembered and cherished for the generations to come.

Me: Tell us about your current or upcoming release. Will you have a new book coming out soon?

AOP: Forged By Greed is the first book in The Forged Series. The second book, Forged By Synergy will be released in summer 2013. I am also working on a new Young Adult sci-fi series. The first installment—a still-untitled novella, is scheduled for release in spring 2013.

Me: What is one piece of advice you would give to aspiring authors?

AOP: Read, read, read! And mostly in your genre. It’s amazing how our brains perceive books, and—in effect—how the story ideas flow.

Me: Great advice! My TBR list is packed full of awesome books. I plan on reading every single one of them – including Forged By Greed! Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with me today, Angela!

Wanna know more about Forged By Greed? Of course you do! Here’s a quick synopsis:

Currently at Amazon but the ebook will be available on other platforms in mid-October. The paper version is coming up in October as well.
Stay tuned!

 

FORGED BY GREED:

Their choice had been taken away long before they were born.


Two Seattle 16-year-old Shape Shifters, Jatred and Jasmira, are torn between following their hearts and protecting the order of the world. The path of the star-crossed lovers leads only to destruction.
The ancient Shape Shifter Races—the Winter wolves and the Summer leopards— live among humans and fit perfectly into modern life, while keeping secret societies with their own laws and traditions.
Two Goddesses, Crystal and Amber command their respective Races. One is on a quest to tilt the scale of power to her side. The other will never let it happen, even if it means sacrificing Jatred and Jasmira’s love.
The Amulet commissioned to bring stability into the world remains hidden and concealed with the help of advanced technology. Jatred is the guardian of the Amulet and key to the Goddesses’ conflict.
When the forces of nature are disrupted, earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions rake the world.  The Goddesses go to war and summon all their Shifters to join in the conflict. Jatred and Jasmira must fight not only for their love but to protect the future of both Races and humankind.

Here’s a little more about Angela Orlowski-Peart:

Angela Orlowski-Peart was born and raised in Poland. She describes herself as European born, American by choice. She was just seven-years-old when she decided to learn English and translate her favorite Polish fairytales.

Angela is the author of the Young Adult fiction novels, including YA paranormal romance/urban fantasy, Forged By Greed. This is the first book in The Forged Series. Forged By Greed was published on September 17, 2012.

Angela writes in multiple genres, including paranormal, fantasy, urban fiction, sci-fi, and short stories. She is a member of Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, Western Washington Chapter (http://www.scbwi.org), and several authors’ and readers’ networking groups on Linkedin and Goodreads.

She can be found on her website, Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, and Goodreads.

So, what did you think? Do you have other questions for Angela Orlowski-Peart? If so, post them in the comments and I’ll see if I can get her answer a few of them for us.