K.N. Lee's Blog, page 52
November 19, 2013
An Interview With Author, Lucy Adams!
Meet the author of Beast of Blue Mountain, Lucy Adams!!Interview:
Where are you from?
I was born in the hospital in Waynesboro, GA when it was a one-room shack. I grew up in the tiny town of Harlem, GA and now live in a slightly larger town, Thomson, GA. These places are all in an area of the state called the Central Savannah River Area.
What inspired you to write your first book? Even in my teenage years, I wanted to write books. My first book, If Mama Don’t Laugh, It Ain’t Funny, was published when I was in my mid-thirties. Life and what I thought I “should” be doing got in the way of me following my dream. I had been writing my newspaper column for a couple of years when readers started telling me I should write a book. When a publisher said it to me, I decided everyone was right.
Do you write full-time or part-time? How do you balance your writing life with your family/work life? I am a full-time writer. In addition to penning books, I also write freelance for magazines, and I write a weekly newspaper column. I’ve written ad copy, newsletters and web content, too, in the past. Stringing words together is my passion, so I jump at the chance to compose anything.
I’m also a wife and mother to four children. To keep my workaholic tendencies in check, I set rigid work hours for myself and stick to them. In general, I close my laptop between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. each day.
How did you come up with the title? The title of my first book, If Mama Don’t Laugh, It Ain’t Funny, was born from a dinner table incident with my family. My husband threw a buttered roll across the table to one of our sons. As I am a stickler for table manners, I was not amused. When the child bobbled it and dropped it down the front of his shirt and pants, my family busted out laughing. Sensing my irritation, my husband said, “Uh-oh, y’all. Mama’s not laughing. If Mama doesn’t laugh, it’s not funny.” They all laughed louder, of course.The title of my second book, Tuck Your Skirt in Your Panties and Run, was derived from an incident that happened when I was teaching school. On the day of open house when we were meeting parents and students at the beginning of the year, I walked all the way down the hall from the bathroom to my classroom with my skirt tucked in my underwear. Whenever anything went wrong that year, my co-teacher would suggest that I tuck my skirt in my panties and run.
The title, The Beast of Blue Mountain, came from a campfire story I made up for my children.
Is there a message in your books that you want readers to grasp? The message in all of my books is to not let life get the best of you. Enjoy the everyday minutia. Face it without fear. Be happy to have it.
Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life? My first two books are creative non-fiction. They are based on my life and the lives of friends and family and some strangers. The Beast of Blue Mountain is inspired by all the nights I hid under my covers as a child.
What books have influenced your life most? As a whole, I would say classic literature since that’s what I was primarily reading in my formative years. The voices of Austen, Welty, Faulkner, Hemingway, Shelley and others still ring in my head when I’m reading and writing. Their books made me want to live a notable life.
What book are you reading now? I read all the time and try to read a variety of genres. Right now I’m reading Gobblinproofing One’s Chicken Coop by Reginald Bakeley. I’m reading it for a book review assignment from one of the magazines for which I write. Creatures of the faerie kingdom are remarkably like some of the annoying people we cope with daily.
Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest? Rachel Joyce who wrote The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry has caught my attention. I’ll be looking for more from her.
What are your current projects? I’m juggling all of my freelance assignments (which I’m very happy to have). I’m also working on another work of creative non-fiction tentatively titled Merry Thanksmas: A Holiday Memoir. I’ll be posting a couple of short podcast excerpts on my blog in December.
Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members. Readers! Happy readers give me the most motivation. I love to hear from a reader who love my books and see themselves in my work. If I can write words that move people to laughter and to tears, then I’ve accomplished my goal. I’ve achieved an emotional connection with readers. There’s no point in writing without the support of readers.
If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book? This is a hard question to answer. I’m the type of writer who reworks manuscripts and reworks manuscripts until an editor shouts “STOP!” So, given the chance, yes I would probably change something in The Beast of Blue Mountain, but I give in to the wisdom of others. It’s an excellent book just the way it is with suspense, surprise and giggles.
Can you share a little of your current work with us? The Beast of Blue Mountain was released in September 2013. In addition to composing it, I illustrated it. Geared toward children ages preschool through early elementary school, it delivers a dose of uncertainty that keeps them turning the pages. It combines humor with suspense and teaches kids that not everything that makes noise in the night is something to fear.
Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing? Endings are always the hardest to write.
Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work? I don’t have a favorite author. I read works by lots of different people. My favorite genres are memoirs, southern lit, Brit-lit and humor, but I don’t limit myself to these.
Who designed the covers? I designed the cover of my most recent book, The Beast of Blue Mountain. I made suggestions about the covers of the first two books, but for the most part the publisher handled cover design.
What was the hardest part of writing your book? Pacing was the hardest part of writing The Beast of Blue Mountain. Writing for children is different from writing for adults. They need room for their imaginations to operate. They don’t need tons of details. That has to be balanced with keeping them engaged with the story.
Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it? Through the process of writing and illustrating The Beast of Blue Mountain, I learned that pictures take the place of words. They don’t just complement the story. They help tell it.
Do you have any advice for other writers? Write. Write every day. Read. Read every day. Learn something new every day. Make sure you get out from behind your computer screen experience the world every day.
Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers? Thank you. Please keep reading my work and telling your friends about it. The best compliment a writer can receive is for a reader to recommend her work to someone else.
What do you think about e-publishing versus technical publishing? I don’t think it’s one versus the other. All of the publishing platforms, from traditional print to digital to audio to apps, bring something to the table and meet the wants of consumers. Because digital has broadened the gates to the marketplace for writers, I think it’s harder for readers to make choices about content. It can also be difficult for writers and publishers to choose the platform that best fits the manuscript.
Do you have an agent or publisher? How did you go about finding one? I don not have an agent. The publisher of my first two books, Palm Tree Press, found me. I self-published my last book. I wanted to go through the process and see if I could do it with my own wits. It was lots of fun and very educational.
If you could live anywhere, where would it be? Given the chance, I would travel the world, but I wouldn’t want to live anyplace but here. You’d be amazed how exciting a small town can be.
If you could have any super power, what would it be? To be able to recite the perfect quote to fit any situation, high drama or boring, and deliver it with the exact inflection it requires to make an impression.
For More on Lucy Adams:
Author of If Mama Don't Laugh, It Ain't Funny & Tuck Your Skirt in Your Panties and Run Children's Picture Book: The Beast of Blue Mountain 706-466-2103
lucybgoosey@aol.com
Twitter: @lucyadams
https://www.facebook.com/lucyadams.ifmama
http://lucybgoosey.blogspot.com/
www.IfMama.com
What inspired you to write your first book? Even in my teenage years, I wanted to write books. My first book, If Mama Don’t Laugh, It Ain’t Funny, was published when I was in my mid-thirties. Life and what I thought I “should” be doing got in the way of me following my dream. I had been writing my newspaper column for a couple of years when readers started telling me I should write a book. When a publisher said it to me, I decided everyone was right.
Do you write full-time or part-time? How do you balance your writing life with your family/work life? I am a full-time writer. In addition to penning books, I also write freelance for magazines, and I write a weekly newspaper column. I’ve written ad copy, newsletters and web content, too, in the past. Stringing words together is my passion, so I jump at the chance to compose anything.
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I’m also a wife and mother to four children. To keep my workaholic tendencies in check, I set rigid work hours for myself and stick to them. In general, I close my laptop between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. each day.How did you come up with the title? The title of my first book, If Mama Don’t Laugh, It Ain’t Funny, was born from a dinner table incident with my family. My husband threw a buttered roll across the table to one of our sons. As I am a stickler for table manners, I was not amused. When the child bobbled it and dropped it down the front of his shirt and pants, my family busted out laughing. Sensing my irritation, my husband said, “Uh-oh, y’all. Mama’s not laughing. If Mama doesn’t laugh, it’s not funny.” They all laughed louder, of course.The title of my second book, Tuck Your Skirt in Your Panties and Run, was derived from an incident that happened when I was teaching school. On the day of open house when we were meeting parents and students at the beginning of the year, I walked all the way down the hall from the bathroom to my classroom with my skirt tucked in my underwear. Whenever anything went wrong that year, my co-teacher would suggest that I tuck my skirt in my panties and run.
The title, The Beast of Blue Mountain, came from a campfire story I made up for my children. Is there a message in your books that you want readers to grasp? The message in all of my books is to not let life get the best of you. Enjoy the everyday minutia. Face it without fear. Be happy to have it.
Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life? My first two books are creative non-fiction. They are based on my life and the lives of friends and family and some strangers. The Beast of Blue Mountain is inspired by all the nights I hid under my covers as a child.
What books have influenced your life most? As a whole, I would say classic literature since that’s what I was primarily reading in my formative years. The voices of Austen, Welty, Faulkner, Hemingway, Shelley and others still ring in my head when I’m reading and writing. Their books made me want to live a notable life.
What book are you reading now? I read all the time and try to read a variety of genres. Right now I’m reading Gobblinproofing One’s Chicken Coop by Reginald Bakeley. I’m reading it for a book review assignment from one of the magazines for which I write. Creatures of the faerie kingdom are remarkably like some of the annoying people we cope with daily.
Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest? Rachel Joyce who wrote The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry has caught my attention. I’ll be looking for more from her.
What are your current projects? I’m juggling all of my freelance assignments (which I’m very happy to have). I’m also working on another work of creative non-fiction tentatively titled Merry Thanksmas: A Holiday Memoir. I’ll be posting a couple of short podcast excerpts on my blog in December.
Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members. Readers! Happy readers give me the most motivation. I love to hear from a reader who love my books and see themselves in my work. If I can write words that move people to laughter and to tears, then I’ve accomplished my goal. I’ve achieved an emotional connection with readers. There’s no point in writing without the support of readers.
If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book? This is a hard question to answer. I’m the type of writer who reworks manuscripts and reworks manuscripts until an editor shouts “STOP!” So, given the chance, yes I would probably change something in The Beast of Blue Mountain, but I give in to the wisdom of others. It’s an excellent book just the way it is with suspense, surprise and giggles.
Can you share a little of your current work with us? The Beast of Blue Mountain was released in September 2013. In addition to composing it, I illustrated it. Geared toward children ages preschool through early elementary school, it delivers a dose of uncertainty that keeps them turning the pages. It combines humor with suspense and teaches kids that not everything that makes noise in the night is something to fear.
Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing? Endings are always the hardest to write.
Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work? I don’t have a favorite author. I read works by lots of different people. My favorite genres are memoirs, southern lit, Brit-lit and humor, but I don’t limit myself to these.
Who designed the covers? I designed the cover of my most recent book, The Beast of Blue Mountain. I made suggestions about the covers of the first two books, but for the most part the publisher handled cover design.
What was the hardest part of writing your book? Pacing was the hardest part of writing The Beast of Blue Mountain. Writing for children is different from writing for adults. They need room for their imaginations to operate. They don’t need tons of details. That has to be balanced with keeping them engaged with the story.
Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it? Through the process of writing and illustrating The Beast of Blue Mountain, I learned that pictures take the place of words. They don’t just complement the story. They help tell it.
Do you have any advice for other writers? Write. Write every day. Read. Read every day. Learn something new every day. Make sure you get out from behind your computer screen experience the world every day.
Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers? Thank you. Please keep reading my work and telling your friends about it. The best compliment a writer can receive is for a reader to recommend her work to someone else.
What do you think about e-publishing versus technical publishing? I don’t think it’s one versus the other. All of the publishing platforms, from traditional print to digital to audio to apps, bring something to the table and meet the wants of consumers. Because digital has broadened the gates to the marketplace for writers, I think it’s harder for readers to make choices about content. It can also be difficult for writers and publishers to choose the platform that best fits the manuscript.
Do you have an agent or publisher? How did you go about finding one? I don not have an agent. The publisher of my first two books, Palm Tree Press, found me. I self-published my last book. I wanted to go through the process and see if I could do it with my own wits. It was lots of fun and very educational.
If you could live anywhere, where would it be? Given the chance, I would travel the world, but I wouldn’t want to live anyplace but here. You’d be amazed how exciting a small town can be.
If you could have any super power, what would it be? To be able to recite the perfect quote to fit any situation, high drama or boring, and deliver it with the exact inflection it requires to make an impression.
For More on Lucy Adams:
Author of If Mama Don't Laugh, It Ain't Funny & Tuck Your Skirt in Your Panties and Run Children's Picture Book: The Beast of Blue Mountain 706-466-2103
lucybgoosey@aol.com
Twitter: @lucyadams
https://www.facebook.com/lucyadams.ifmama
http://lucybgoosey.blogspot.com/
www.IfMama.com
November 17, 2013
Author, Monet Jones!
Monet Jones’ BiographyMonet is a past board member of the South Carolina Writer's Workshop, a statewide non-profit organization with chapter workshops in all major cities. The SCWW sponsors intensives throughout the year and a Writers' Workshop Conference featuring top editors, agents, and writers at Myrtle Beach each October. He is also the president of its Columbia III chapter workshop.
Monet is the author of two novels, Rehobeth , an action/adventure story of the future, and a second, Captive Youth , a young adult thriller. He is currently writing SELAH, the sequel to REHOBOTH and TRACE, the sequel to CAPTIVE YOUTH. Monet is retired from teaching Computer Electronics in Richland School District Two and now writes and helps writers full time.
He lives with his wife, Kathy, in the small town of Elgin SC, near Columbia. His wife recently retired from a career in accounting. The two of them usually hike on a two-mile wooded trail near their home each morning.
Monet's favorite activities, other than writing, include reading, hiking, feeding the birds that cluster to his back yard, and helping his wife and son Nicolas with the planting and harvesting of their vegetable garden.
Check out his novel, Captive Youth !
Monet is the author of two novels, Rehobeth , an action/adventure story of the future, and a second, Captive Youth , a young adult thriller. He is currently writing SELAH, the sequel to REHOBOTH and TRACE, the sequel to CAPTIVE YOUTH. Monet is retired from teaching Computer Electronics in Richland School District Two and now writes and helps writers full time.
He lives with his wife, Kathy, in the small town of Elgin SC, near Columbia. His wife recently retired from a career in accounting. The two of them usually hike on a two-mile wooded trail near their home each morning.
Monet's favorite activities, other than writing, include reading, hiking, feeding the birds that cluster to his back yard, and helping his wife and son Nicolas with the planting and harvesting of their vegetable garden.
Check out his novel, Captive Youth !
November 15, 2013
Minna and the Dream
The Enchanted Forest called to Minna in her dreams. With her eyes closed, she climbed out of bed and walked down the glittering stone path that led into the forest.
Why did the forest call to Minna? What does she have that the fairies and nymphs want?
Creative responses will be published!
Why did the forest call to Minna? What does she have that the fairies and nymphs want?
Creative responses will be published!
November 14, 2013
Where is Katie? (Thicker Than Blood Collection)
Where is Katie?A little girl is locked in a room that has been boarded shut from the outside. She hasn't seen her parent's faces in years. Why are her parents afraid of her?
5.0 out of 5 stars Dark and twisty... September 14, 2013
By Keely
Format:Kindle Edition
Dark, twisty, and creatively well written. This collection of short stories were unpredictable and definitely creeped me out. I enjoyed reading them and hated when the book ended. I definitely can't wait to read more books by this author!
Where is Katie is just one of the twisted tales in this paranormal collection...
Be Prepared!
What's one thing that I never leave the house without?
A journal or notebook!
I'm always prepared to jot down my thoughts. Whenever I see something that inspires me, I reach into my bag and grab my journal and a pen!
Parks, waiting rooms, airports...are all places that are perfect for writing...but only if you're prepared!
What's another clever way to document your thoughts? Smartphones are awesome! I use Siri to leave myself notes and reminders, or I'll email them to myself. Perfect!
A journal or notebook!
I'm always prepared to jot down my thoughts. Whenever I see something that inspires me, I reach into my bag and grab my journal and a pen!
Parks, waiting rooms, airports...are all places that are perfect for writing...but only if you're prepared!
What's another clever way to document your thoughts? Smartphones are awesome! I use Siri to leave myself notes and reminders, or I'll email them to myself. Perfect!
Thicker Than Blood Giveaway!
And so I'm off to send copies of my paranormal short story collection the October's giveaway winners!
List of winners:Sam LoweTarran GreggoCarla CarlsonHillary ReynaMaryann FlemingThanks for entering! I hope you enjoy the book!
Grab your copy on Amazon today!
Is this Heaven? Is this Hell? There's only one way to tell...
Thicker Than Blood
Twin sisters journey to a mysterious place...Did I mention that they're dead?
Where is Katie?
A little girl is locked in a room that has been boarded shut from the outside. She hasn't seen her parent's faces in years. Why are her parents afraid of her?
The Galloway Lake
A young track star is kidnapped, tortured, and tossed into a lake. I wonder if her kidnapper knew that lake was on a haunted plantation. Will she survive this night?
Three paranormal stories that will make your skin crawl...
List of winners:Sam LoweTarran GreggoCarla CarlsonHillary ReynaMaryann FlemingThanks for entering! I hope you enjoy the book! Grab your copy on Amazon today!
Is this Heaven? Is this Hell? There's only one way to tell...Thicker Than Blood
Twin sisters journey to a mysterious place...Did I mention that they're dead?
Where is Katie?
A little girl is locked in a room that has been boarded shut from the outside. She hasn't seen her parent's faces in years. Why are her parents afraid of her?
The Galloway Lake
A young track star is kidnapped, tortured, and tossed into a lake. I wonder if her kidnapper knew that lake was on a haunted plantation. Will she survive this night?
Three paranormal stories that will make your skin crawl...
November 13, 2013
The Beast of Blue Mountain!! **Book Blast**
Book Description Publication Date: September 2, 2013 What is that noise in the night? What will the Beast of Blue Mountain eat? A just right scary story for the young and the fearful. Everyone loves a campfire tale that ends well. Simple language and limited suspense make it an appropriate read aloud selection for young children. 34 pages with 18 full-color illustrations.
Reviews:
Just right scary with a berry cute ending By Rose on November 6, 2013Format: Paperback The Beast of Blue Mountain – A Campfire Story for the Fearful, by Lucy Adams, is a charming poetical story. The illustrations and the story itself are well done. The pacing is good and kept the pages turning right to the end. This glossy blue book made a perfect gift for my grandson. I can hear him reading it over and over. “Crunch, crunch. Swish, swish…What is that noise in the night?” This one is a winner. I highly recommend it. It kept Mommy interested too!By Tracyadams45 on October 17, 2013Format: Paperback After so many children's books that require a nap half way through, this book was a pleasant change of pace. I read it to my four year old daughter and at first I was thinking it may be too scary, but I kept on. She was captivated by it. The reason she was captivated was because this book is fun to read out loud. I wanted to read this book with a lot of animation in my voice. My daughter hid her head, gasped where she should and giggled. At the end of the book she laughed and said, "I like that book, it is really funny." It will remind the reader of the good 'ole campfire stories that we all loved to be "scared" by. A great fun read for children and adults. A must read for young kidsBy Rayna Filson on October 17, 2013Format: Paperback My kids love love love this book! It has quickly become a favorite. It is just scary enough to keep them captivated but also very funny. My oldest even brought it to Show & Share to share with his class. I highly recommend it. Available on Amazon!
About the Author:
Lucy Adams is a freelance writer and the author of several books, including the notable, If Mama Don't Laugh, It Ain't Funny. She lives with her husband and their four children in Thomson, GA. The Beast of Blue Mountain is her first children's book.
November 10, 2013
Pitch- Rise of the Flame
Rise of the Flame
K.N. Lee
There are six races, four realms, and one human girl who can bring them together in peace...or war.
Lilae has been hunted since the night of her birth. She is the only heir to the human god's throne.
For centuries the races have been separated by an ancient barrier. Now that the barrier is crumbling and vanishing, the races are once again pitted against one another.
Who will rule? Which races will survive? Will Lilae give up her chance for the throne to save the race of the man she loves?
Read up on my advice for pitching to literary agents here.
There are six races, four realms, and one human girl who can bring them together in peace...or war.
Lilae has been hunted since the night of her birth. She is the only heir to the human god's throne.
For centuries the races have been separated by an ancient barrier. Now that the barrier is crumbling and vanishing, the races are once again pitted against one another.
Who will rule? Which races will survive? Will Lilae give up her chance for the throne to save the race of the man she loves?
Read up on my advice for pitching to literary agents here.
November 8, 2013
The Painted Harpist
The Painted Harpist
K.N. Lee
The painted harpist
Plays a tuneOne of magicOne of doomPick a colorSniff the perfumeChoose a powerfulPotionOr rune
I think it's timeTo dive insideThe painted harpist'sTwisted mindShe sings a songOf melancholy Dooming Any foeOr follyCreeping crittersDance a jig On her headIf she opens her black eyesYouAre dead...
The painted harpist
Plays a tuneOne of magicOne of doomPick a colorSniff the perfumeChoose a powerfulPotionOr rune
I think it's timeTo dive insideThe painted harpist'sTwisted mindShe sings a songOf melancholy Dooming Any foeOr follyCreeping crittersDance a jig On her headIf she opens her black eyesYouAre dead...
November 7, 2013
Pitching to Literary Agents
This last Saturday I journeyed all the way to Brighton, England to meet authors, agents, and publishers. The World Fantasy Convention was remarkable and changed my life.
Imagine my surprise when I met the owner of the Jaberwocky Literary Agent within the first hour. Now, imagine me approaching him and pitching my fantasy trilogy.
Yes. Frightening stuff.
Surprisingly he was quite receptive and told me to email him. Wow. That's pretty incredible. Maybe not for seasoned authors, but I've always been quite apprehensive about delivering a pitch. I practiced my pitch with my editor, friends, and a couple of girls that I met at the convention.
I suppose practice does make perfect. It at least helps you get over those annoying butterflies...the stuttering...and the "ums" that threaten to ruin your delivery.
I quickly realized that perhaps my pitch wasn't as horrible as I had been imagining it to be. I'd pictured people laughing at it ad telling me that my story sounded dumb. It was quite the opposite. I found myself giving other authors at the convention pointers and advice. But who am I to give advice. I don't even have an agent...yet.
What I have is a few email from agents that I'd queried, and their professional feedback. I've gathered a few important pointers. I hope they help!
Here is what I've gathered that agents want to hear in your pitch:
•The Protagonist•A Clear Idea of the World•The Conflict•What Causes the Protagonist to Step Through That First Door (the door that takes then from their previous life)
Agents, authors with agents, or publishers, please comment with your opinions, advice, and tips.
Thank you!
