Erica M. Christensen's Blog, page 103

Interview with Author Holli True

In sharing my writing through social media I have met so many wonderful writers. I met author Holli True through instagram just like I did author Joshua Dall and author Adrian Michael Green. Holli is nothing short of inspiring, I truly look up to her and I’ve only known her for a short time. I’m telling you all, she is FABULOUS! I am so so so excited to read Reckless and I am so so so excited to share this interview with you all. You can find Holli on her website https://hollitrueauthor.com, Twitter https://twitter.com/hollitrue, and instagram http://instagram.com/hollitrue

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

My name is Holli True and I am a Writer & Photographer, based in Eugene, Oregon. I married my high school sweetheart, Jeff, when I was only eighteen. (Gasp! I know!) We are about to celebrate our 15 year wedding anniversary! ;) We have two amazing kiddos, Cole (10) and Addisyn (8), who keep us on our toes. We’re your typical Pacific Northwest family- we love being outdoors, traveling, exploring and watching football. Lots of football!

When did you start writing and why?

I have a very distinct memory from my childhood, when I was learning how to write my name, turning to my dad and declaring that I would one day be a writer. Becoming a published author has always been my dream. It wasn’t just something that I wanted to do, it was something I always felt that I was born to do. My entire life I have always crafted stories and dreamed up fictional characters and created places where there characters lived. The amount of happiness I feel when I explore their worlds and get to know them better and tell their stories is absolutely unreal. I could write everyday, all day and still never get enough of it.

What are your goals and intentions for this book?

My goal is to have everyone hopelessly in love my characters, Hailey & Jonah, of course! Right? And once they read it, I hope people will want to come to Eugene and experience the places they go, because most of them are real locations.

Reckless is the first book in a series of four. It’s the story of Hailey & Jonah’s journey through love and life. The idea for Reckless came to me while I was on a long drive over the mountain for a photo shoot. The idea of writing a forbidden love story has always compelled me, thank you Shakespeare, but I wanted to create something unique- so I went the paranormal route. (Disclaimer: there are no vampires, werewolves or aliens in my book!) So, I focused on figuring out all of the right components to create a complex forbidden love story with an underlying message that we try to teach to our kids every single day: Every decision has a consequence- good or bad. And the weight of those consequences can affect you- and the ones you love- for a very long time. Sometimes forever.

Do you like coffee? If so, how do you like your coffee and where do you get it from?

Well, I prefer my coffee the same way I prefer my alcohol- I don’t want to taste it. I’m a girly drinker, all the way around. If and when I do drink coffee, it’s always a Mocha Frappuccino from Starbucks. Yum!

You live in Eugene, Oregon, is that a small town? How has your town been supportive of your book release?

I do! I have lived here my whole life and I love it! It’s a college town (University of Oregon- GO DUCKS!), which made it the perfect setting for Reckless! We spend so much time on campus for photo shoots and sporting events, it was a no-brainer for me to place Hailey & Jonah here. So far, my town has been incredibly supportive, I am in the process of trying to get into local book stores here and really let everyone know about Reckless! Oh, and it’s not necessarily a small town, 150k+ in population.

Name a couple things that most people wouldn’t know about Eugene, OR. (Or just a couple things you love about home)

Eugene is gorgeous. We do get a decent amount of rainfall every year, which means our lakes and rivers are generally full and beautiful. It’s also very green here, which means Spring & Summer is lush and gorgeous! When Autumn arrives, all of that greenery turns into shades of gold, burgundy and terracotta and it is STUNNING! Everyone needs to experience Oregon in the Fall. Eugene is a perfect central location, we are an hour from the Pacific Ocean, an hour from the Cascade Mountains and only two hours from Portland.

A few fun facts about Eugene, Animal House was filmed here, at the University of Oregon. Nike was founded here by Phil Knight. And the US Track & Field Olympic Trials are held here, as we are considered Track Town USA.

How do you feel about ebooks vs. print books and self-publishing vs. traditional publishing? Why did you choose what you chose?

I prefer printed books, hands down. But I know that isn’t realistic for everyone else out there. I want Reckless to get into as many hands as possible, so I made it available in as many formats as I possibly could.

Oh. And to self-publish or go traditional… the question that kept me up at night for months. I have had to self-promote my photography business for years now, so the idea of continuing down that path felt natural to me. I went to work early in promoting Reckless through social media and my author website and the reception I received was great, so I decided to go for it! So far, I’m really happy with my decision! I got to layout my book exactly how I wanted it to look and I even photographed the cover, so I got to maintain control over the end product, and I liked that. A lot.

What are the steps in your writing process?

I used to be a timeline girl. Map it all out and then build on each scene, in sequence. And then my friend, Marissa, kicked my method to the curb and challenged me to build a chapter at a time. So, I did. And for the first time ever, I completed a novel. It was exciting to write a scene at a time and see where my characters took me. I had a front-row seat on the rollercoaster ride of Reckless, I had no idea of the twists and turns ahead, until they were happening and it was absolutely exhilarating! My characters weren’t caged. They grew and progressed throughout the pages and discovered things about themselves that I never would have dreamed, had I forced them to a timeline in the beginning.

How did you come up with the title and character names for Reckless?

When you know it’s wrong to do something, but you do it anyway- that’s being Reckless. Both of my characters have reckless moments, but they are in love, so they throw caution to the wind and follow their hearts. The title was the perfect fit and simply made sense, based on what Hailey & Jonah were going through. When it came to naming my characters, I had help from my friend, Marissa. H+J just works. (Hailey & Jonah / Holli & Jeff) ;)

What/Who is your biggest inspiration? Why?

Inspiration is everything. My kids inspire me. I want them to see and know that anything is possible. I not only want them to be dreamers, I want them to be dream chasers. They inspire me every single day to live life to the fullest, to laugh, to love and simply be.

Music inspires me. Music is my poetry and it speaks to my soul. I can’t write without music, it evokes so much within me. I even created a Reckless Soundtrack on Spotify and based each chapter after those songs, simply because they were the songs I listened to while creating the scenes in my book.

Eugene inspires me. I love living here and I wanted to pay respect to the town I call home. I have so much pride for this place, I want everyone to experience it, too. I am an Oregon girl, what can I say?

Hailey & Jonah inspired me. I couldn’t shake them or ignore their constant nudging. Their story had to be told, they had to exist. I’m just grateful that they chose me to be their author.

Where is the most exciting/interesting place you’ve ever traveled to? Where do you want to go next?

I love Hawaii! I’ve been to three of the islands and can’t get enough of it! I am dying to go to Fiji! Yes, please!

Name your favorite authors that you feel were influential in your work. What impact have they had on your writing?



My favorite Chick Lit authors are Jane Green and Sophie Kinsella. From an early age, Jane Austen, L.M. Montgomery and Louisa May Alcott were huge influences for me, I used to dream about writing Historical Romance. I was totally smitten with Stephanie Meyers for giving us Bella & Edward, it definitely inspired me to tackle Paranormal Romance.

When I started writing Reckless, I think all of these authors impacted me. From likable characters to real life issues and timeless love to supernatural elements, Reckless embodies exactly that.

How long did it take you to develop Reckless? From the outline, to writing, editing, rewriting, and cover design?

18 months. It shouldn’t have taken that long, but it did. It took me a 15 months to write the first ten chapters. It only took be 6 weeks to write the last twelve. I spent a month on rewrites and edits. I photographed the cover and had it all edited and ready in one day.

Breathless (the next book) definitely won’t take as long!

You did the cover design to your novel?! It’s beautiful! Do you offer cover design services to other authors? If so, where should we find you?

Thank you so much! Yes, I did! :) I am a photographer, so I was excited to bring my novel to life with an image that I actually took, even though at times I was certain it would be easier to just buy a stock photo! My friend, Marissa, wouldn’t have it. And now I thank her for pushing me to do just shoot it because I absolutely loved the process, it really made me feel like I was breathing life into my characters, bringing them to life.

And YES! I do offer custom services for authors, they include personalized photo shoots based on their novel for eBook and/or Print. I also offer website/blog design, too. You can find more info here: http://hollitrueauthor.com/author-services/

What are the last three books you’ve read?

Oldest to newest: I’ve Got Your Number, Kiss Me Like This and I just started Dearest Clementine.

Are you working on any other projects? If so, when should we expect to see them?

I am! Currently, I am writing a fun Chick Lit story that should be out by Winter 2014 (crossing my fingers!) and I am also in the beginning stages of the sequel to Reckless, which is called Breathless (2015).

A little message Holli would like to share with her readers:

THANK YOU!! Oh my gosh, that just isn’t enough! Please know that as you read Reckless, you are literally holding my dream in your hands and that means the world to me. I cannot begin to express my graditude to all of you for the love and support. From the bottom of my heart, thank you!! XO!

I told you all she’s fabulous! There will definitely be another interview in the future once I finish reading Reckless which released TODAY, JULY 15th, in paperback! You can purchase a copy at the following links! :)

B&N:

http://m.barnesandnoble.com/w/reckless-holli-true/1119915290?ean=2940149764310

KOBO:

http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/reckless-75

AMAZON & KINDLE:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1500369012/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?qid=1405468689&sr=8-3&pi=SY200_QL40

Author Interview: Notes Of A Denver Native Son

I had the pleasure of interviewing one of the most inspiring, motivational, beautiful, and raw writers that I’ve ever met through social media, Adrian Michael Green. If you haven’t read any of his pieces, read the awesome interview below and then check out his work here

Tell us all a little bit about yourself. (i.e. Where you’re from, age if you want, when you started writing and why, etc.)

i was born in denver, colorado nine minutes after my twin brother. a summer soul i’ll be 27 on the 12th of july. growing up i was always surrounded by storytellers, people inclined to pass on what was passed onto them. my father owns a cultural center that housed a powerful open mic poetry set in the early 90′s: when i was 10 years old i think that’s when i really started writing, trying to play with words, my effort to find my own voice. writing to me has always been a release. over the years i have seen a major transformation of what i write about and i can see my own growth just by re-reading and glancing at old (and new) pieces. that is what writing is about, self-exploration.

Your FOURTH book, Notes Of A Denver Native Son, is coming out on July 4th! How do you feel about that?

i am excited! it’s hard holding back a huge grin knowing that a body of work i have created will be, i hope, in good company and help someone. i am all about making connections and my writing journey has linked me to amazing people who i will forever be indebted to.

five years ago i was living in oklahoma. away from home for the first time. i was teaching 2nd grade with teach for america in north tulsa. in that year i turned to writing and photography whenever i needed to clear my mind. a lot can happen for your soul when you are out of your element, away from your own surroundings, it either makes you or breaks you. tulsa was an experience that challenged me and upon my return home i was a different person.

july 4, 2014 has so much significance. there is beautiful independence that we celebrate which we can never take for granted not just as a country but as individuals. i made a conscious decision to make attempts to be the best version of myself and be conscious of the relationships i have with myself and others. that choice is freedom. i choose to live on purpose and love unconditionally. the 4th also represents the day i first spent time with my love.

What inspired you to write Notes of A Denver Native Son?

i used to write only when i was sad or when something bad happened. that type of expression served me but i noticed i couldn’t write just because. so i forced myself to get out of that habit.

“notes of a denver native son” in its infancy came about 8 months ago. over the past two years most of what i had written dealt with life, love and happiness. i’ve been in a good place and blessed to be in a relationship with a partner who doesn’t give up on me ( i can be difficult and am a work in progress ). 8 months ago i began writing daily motivators each day and sharing them with whoever would read them. they were positive messages about how to live each day to the fullest and after awhile i considered putting them into a book.

the inspiration really was my desire to become self-aware. to learn more and drill down and get to know myself, my behavior, and pinpoint areas for individual growth. this self-discovery “project” gave me time and space to look within and i wrote this book as a constant reminder of what my soul needs: poetic affirmations.

at the core of these notes is sage commentary on leading a meaningful and healthy existence with yourself and others. life, love, and happiness are vital for the soul which serves as our bodies’ rich soil: as planters need fertile soil to grow crops, our souls need special ingredients to thrive.

How would you describe your writing style?

my style has changed. sometimes i will write in prose or poetry. regardless of meter most of it always comes out poetic. it is interesting how that happens. i would say it is pseudo-confessional. i have been told i can be very ambiguous with my words but i think i’ve become more direct ( i can teeter between both styles ). it is always personal.

some have asked why i don’t capitalize. it’s simply a matter of choice, style and in some ways rebellion. as a writer i choose to follow certain writing rules and rhetoric and recognize the importance of standards but the focus should be on content. as i tell students, you must learn the rules and eventually you will be able to break them.

What is your favorite food and drink?

i am one the most indecisive people you will ever meet! if a menu has too many options best believe i am going to what i know ( i have gotten better at trying new things – i recently had alligator in louisiana )

i love chinese food ( chicken fried rice ) and lemonade with a lot of ice in a mason jar.

What do you think is the hardest part to writing a book?

a challenge of writing a book is deciding what you want to write about. getting over that hurdle gives direction and scope. another big challenge is finishing what you start — a good idea is nothing without action behind it. if you want to write a book ( which is a good idea ) get to writing!

What do you feel is the easiest part?

getting the finished product and holding it in your hands is the easiest part, the work is done! that may sound corny or a reach from the question but it really is the easiest and most fulfilling part. i may write a book that no one reads but i am so ecstatic just knowing that i finished what i started and can be proud of that.

What is your dream vacation?

i would love to eventually go to the south pacific off the coast of australia to fiji. they have beautiful crystal clear waterfalls. i love being around water.

Is there anything you’ve learned while writing your books? What?

i have learned a lot about myself. i am a hopeful romantic, an old soul that believes in romance, chivalry and love. it’s embedded in my current book. i have learned to be transparent and vulnerable and that my love & light is appreciated when i thought it wasn’t.

What projects are you working on now?

right now i am focused on promoting the new book. i poured my soul into this project and every time i pick it up and read some of the passages i learn something new.

What is your favorite movie?

the count of monte cristo is my all-time favorite movie. it is a beautiful love story.

What are your feelings on Self Publishing? What inspired you to write The Art of Self Publishing in 2013?

self-publishing gives so much autonomy and control of your own work. i believe in it because of the entrepreneur in me. i wrote it because many have asked questions about the process and i am all about helping others share their story and be successful. in 2013 i held a workshop on self-publishing and i wrote the book as preparation for it. i recommend everyone get it if they are interested in writing a book.

Do you listen to music while you’re writing? If so, what artists do you listen to?

music is the soundtrack to life! i always listen to music when i write. the artists i listen to depend on my mood. but i listen to the weeknd, drake, sade, amel larrieux, usher, tank ( to name a few ) or meditation music.

What is the best piece of advice you could give to aspiring authors/writers?

keep writing! don’t worry if someone will like it or not, it’s about you and reaching your own level of expression.

Is there anything you would like to say to your readers?

i am just so appreciative of anyone that takes the time to read my words. we all have a story to tell and i am thankful that i am able to share pieces of me with you. as writers, we open ourselves up and bare our souls. i hope you will add my latest book to your collection.

namaste.

Don’t forget to follow him on Instagram @ adrianmichaelgreen and help celebrate the release of his FOURTH book coming out tomorrow on July 4th, you can purchase it on Amazon or through his website here

I Used to Hate Reading

Here is a random, short and sweet post for you all!

When I was little I absolutely loved to read, my nose was always stuck in a book. Then I decided I no longer wanted to read, because I wanted to write. I thought reading took time away from my writing. I never thought I could love both, I thought I had to love one or the other. I didn’t want to be a reader, I wanted to be a writer. After years of studying writing on the web and in books on writing, there was this absurd thing that I kept reading over and over that goes something along the lines of this, “in order to be a fucking writer, you have to read. Dumb ass.” So, it took me a little while to actually believe this and I started reading again. Yes, books that caught my attention and were not a requirement for class. I’m currently reading four different books, and within the next month I will FINALLY be sending my manuscript in to a publishing house, in hopes of getting a book deal. In the last year, my reading has quadrupled and my writing has doubled. It’s true! YOU REALLY DO HAVE TO BE A READER IN ORDER TO BE A WRITER!

Hippity Hoppity Blog Hop

This is a “blog hop” I believe. The lovely new author Kasey Jackson challenged me to complete this. Her debut novel BLUE launches TOMORROW JULY FIRST! Grab a copy, because it’s wonderful and so is Kasey! http://www.kcjackson.wordpress.com

1. What am I working on?

I’ve been working on a couple different manuscripts over the last couple of years in the New Adult genre. Unfortunately, I cannot share much about them with you because I am undecided on whether or not I want to self-publish or go the traditional route. I know, I’m an ass hole. Sorry, guys!

2. How does my work differ from others of its genre?

My work differs from others of its genre because I am the writer. I know, I know, I know… that isn’t the answer you’re looking for. But, MY books are developed in MY head, influenced and inspired by the people I’VE come across in MY life. Even if it was just a split second while passing each other by in the grocery store. MY books are also influenced by the experiences I’VE gone through or have dreamt up. MY books are told from MY imagination and MY heart. I create them, they’re MINE. Books are like people, they all have their own personality and they all have differences and similarities. No book nor person will ever be the same.

3. Why do I write what I do?

Well, this is hard… Just kidding, I write what I do because it’s what I want to read. I love the New Adult genre because, well, I’m a new adult. I also love writing about love, because I just really love love. Love is beautiful and messy, it’s unpredictable, painful, and so rewarding. Love is much like writing a book.

4. How does my writing process work?

Oh goodness, I’ve been trying to figure this out for years. In the past, I would only write when my babies were down for a nap or at night when they were sleeping. Now that I’ve learned I need to dedicate more time to my writing in order to accomplish what I’m hoping to accomplish, I do the following:

-Wake up 1-2 hours before my princesses wake up for the day.

-Make a nice cup of coffee. Preferably Eight O’Clock Coffee, the Hazelnut blend with two table spoons of sugar and a little cream. YUM!

-I check all of my social media notifications, laugh and shake my head at some of the things I see/read in the timelines, sometimes I cry, then I read a book for about twenty minutes, (if I’m up two hours before the princesses wake up, if not I jump right into my story.)

-I write write write until I get stumped, then I turn on some music, scroll through Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest, then I write write write some more until the princesses wake up.

-Once they wake up, I write whenever I get a chance.

Fashion Blogger Fridays? But, It’s Monday!

So, I had a pretty busy weekend and couldn’t get to posting the Fashion Blogger interview on Friday… I know, I’m horrible at this. But, Fridays are now Fashion Blogger Fridays! I promise, no more Mondays! But, I’ll make this short and sweet! I had the pleasure of chatting with the beautiful Christine Bennett about her awesome fashion blog . I strongly suggest checking it out because this lady is amazing! You can definitely learn a lot from her blog. Christine is not only inspiring, but beautiful inside and out.

Christine is holding a GIVEAWAY! TONIGHT IS THE LAST NIGHT TO ENTER! ENTER BY MIDNIGHT!
Rules:
1) Follow her on instagram @mox_ie
2) Repost this photo on your instagram and hashtag #moxiegiveaway
3) Tag three of your friends in your post!
Easy as 1. 2. 3! GO NOW BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE!

http://www.moxiebennett.blogspot.com

Tell us a little bit about yourself!

My name is Christine Bennett, and I’m 27 years old. I recently got married to my hottie hubby in October of last year. We live in Southern California in the same apartment I shared with my roommates for five years (Don’t worry, it’s just us now!) I have been a hairstylist for nine years and also have a degree in Spanish. I absolutely LOVE my job in the salon and am so thankful that I’m excited to go to work everyday. I also am an avid runner and have been since the age of 12. I just recently ran the Boston Marathon! It was my fourth one! I do CrossFit as well. I love fitness because it makes me feel alive and reminds me that my body is capable of incredibly more than I think it is. I drink coffee every single day, several times a day. The process of making coffee (I use a French press) excites me and is often what gets me out of bed in the morning. I also love ice cream (Good thing I love running). I have the best friends that have been in my life forever, and I’m so thankful for them all. Lastly, I love Jesus, and my life wouldn’t be the same without Him.

Can you tell us about your blog, and what/who inspired you to start it?

My blog. Well I JUST started it, and it’s a work in progress, for sure. I have literally been wanting to start a blog for about a year now but I was just so nervous to actually do it. I felt self conscious about what people would think about it, namely people I actually know. I’m not doing it because I think I’m a model and know everything about fashion by any means (I guess that’s what I fear people will think); I’m just doing it because I love fashion. I guess you have to put yourself out there and just be ok with whatever response you get, knowing that in the end you’re doing it for yourself,

I was incredibly inspired by two of my favorite bloggers, Cara Loren and Amber Fillerup Clark of Barefoot Blonde. They seem so normal and down to earth. I appreciate that all of their stuff isn’t always designer, and they seem to just be documenting your average girls style without seeming so high fashion.

I also had A LOT of nudging from Benjamin (my hubs) and a good friend. They both know how much I love fashion and hair and all that and saw potential. I finally listened! My friend said she would loan me a camera, and that was that!

Describe your own personal style.

Hmmm. I’m not sure exactly what I would call it. Trendy with a feminine side? Haha. You tell me! I love wearing all different things. I love how one day you can wear jeans and a t-shirt and the next a dress and the next shorts.

Who does all of the awesome photography for your blog?

My hubby Ben does! He’s actually so great. He has totally looked at other blogs to know how to do the angles and gets better every time. I just really wish we had a better camera. It’s just a point and shoot and doesn’t do all the things I wish it did with my photos. Hopefully in the future we will get one though. If at some point, my blog generates any sort of income, I would also consider hiring someone to do photos, mostly to save my hubby from my constant desire to do photos the second he walks in the door from work. :P

What is the easiest and most challenging thing about being a fashion blogger?

We’ll start with what’s easy. The easy part is that I’m doing something I love so all the work that I put into it doesn’t feel like work. I actually enjoy it! Usually for the most part putting together outfits is easy too. I’ll sometimes think about it a little but not too much!

There have definitely been some challenges that have come along with blogging as well. The biggest is probably with regards to limited funds! As newly weds, we are trying to make wise financial decisions, and that HIGHLY affects my shopping adventures. I don’t even own a credit card! But it HAS made me be resourceful with what I do have and put together new outfits from what I have in my closet. Another challenge is finding time to do photos. I usually have a lot of free time but my hubby doesn’t have as much so that has been hard. I also don’t want to always be asking him to do photos for me every time we’re together since we need to actually just hang out. A final challenge for me is being patient. I want my blog to be successful, or I want to know that it will be eventually, and not seeing that or knowing that right away is hard. But everyone I’ve talked to just says it takes time so I can learn patience! :P

Do you have any rules when it comes to putting an outfit together? (example: No stripes and polka dots in the same outfit, no pinks mixed with reds, no black and brown together, etc.)

I’m sure I do. I probably just do most of them naturally without thinking. I guess I’m very cautious that if I’m wearing gold jewelry, my purse has gold (or no) accents as well. I like things like that to coordinate. I also usually make sure my sunglasses coordinate too; so my sunglasses with gold frames go with the gold jewelry and the gold-accented purse (unless I’m wearing colored glasses or something). But who knows that could change at some point!

Where do you find inspiration for your blog posts?

Most of the time I just put something on to get dressed up to go to work or out with my hubby, and I’m like this is cute, let’s take photos! I also see photos on Pinterest or on Instagram from other bloggers too that inspire me.

Who is your all time favorite fashion icon? Why?

Beside Cara Loren and Amber Fillerup Clark, I would have to say Blake Lively. One, she’s gorgeous! Two, she always has great hair. I definitely appreciate (and at times attempt to duplicate) that. I love that she’s always wearing fun feminine pieces that involve lace or something like that.

What’s the biggest tip you have for anyone wanting to start a fashion blog or website?

DO IT. Seriously just do it. I wish I had started sooner! Don’t get caught up in making everything perfect, just start posting. People want inspiration for their fashion! Be yourself, and don’t worry about getting everything right all of the time. I’ve already had posts that I look back at and think eh, that wasn’t my greatest, but who cares?! It’s part of my blog history. Also, really try not to get caught up wasting time and mental energy wondering how you can get more of a following and do everything better and faster. Just go with the flow. You’ll learn along the way, and your blog will naturally get better.

What are your goals for your fashion blog?

I guess I just want to inspire people to try new things with fashion and hair! Of course too, it would be so fun to be able to advertise clothing for companies that I love and all that. But at the end of the day, if I can inspire anyone, I guess I would say my blog has been a success.

A little something extra from Christine.

Most people would never guess but I was homeschooled my ENTIRE life. Yup. Kindergarten to 12th grade! Never went to a public/private school of any type until college. I also love grammar, and always proofread my stuff. Hopefully there are no errors here. :P

“Blog Hop”

Thank you to Eric Ian Huffman at ericianhuffman.com for tagging me on this “Blog Hop”. I have never done anything like this and I’m still learning the blogging world, so hang in there!

1. What am I working on?

I’m currently working on my first novel, and in the process of writing it I have developed a few other stories for future novels. Exciting, huh? Oh and I’m working on a collection of poetry as well.

2. How does my work differ from others in its genre?

Honestly, I have no clue. I feel like I’m pretty versatile with my writing, but I guess that’s for my readers to decide.

3. Why do I write what I do?

First off, I write because I have to. Writing is something I’ve been doing ever since I was a little girl and I don’t see myself ever stopping. Secondly, I write to entertain my readers and in hopes that whatever I create can make my readers feel something and want to read more of my work.

4. How does my writing process work?

I don’t really know if I have a process for writing poetry, it just happens when it happens. I get inspiration from my past and from other people and things they’ve been through. Although, I do have to have something to drink when I write, whether it be coffee, hot tea, or a nice cold Coca-Cola. Oh and music has to be playing when I write because it either calms me or opens doors that I closed long ago and it sparks my creativity and I end up putting more emotion into my work.

I am tagging the following three writers:

Unfortunately I don’t know how to tag people yet and I’m not sure if I have three writers on here that would want to do this and hasn’t already! So if you’d like to participate, do it! :)

Writing Life – Blog Hop

Originally posted on Eric Ian Huffman:

Thank you to Sonya Rhen at

SonyaRhen.com

for tagging me on this Blog Hop. The topic was writing, a chance to explain who we are as writers, and a bit of what makes us tick, or not tick if we happen to have writer’s block that day.

1. What am I working on?

A few people who had seen my writing had reached out to me, expressing an interest in collaboration on some larger projects. Prior to this, I had only written poetry, prose, and some short stories which were, at most, several pages in length. I’m still considering which additional projects I can or should take on, but the conversations prodded me to begin a novel of my own.

The story is inspired by someone I had met, but is still entirely fiction. As a writer, yes, 80,000 words can come from something which is seen in the eyes…

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I Suck at Titles But There’s an Awesome Interview With Author Joshua Dall In This Post

Within the last year or two I started sharing my writing through social media. I believe it was last year that I created an instagram for my writing, for some reason I thought my writing was worth sharing with the world (I know this shit doesn’t matter, just hang tight, it gets better I promise). Anyway, I AM SO GLAD I made the decision to share my writing because I have met so many amazing people and writers through this journey and I don’t know what I would do without these people now. One of the awesome writers I have met through writing is Joshua Dall. When I found his poetry I was honestly blown away. I could feel the emotion through his words and anyone reading his poetry can see that his work comes straight from his heart. I became an instant fan of his because he has a true talent and passion for writing that shines through each and every one of his poems. After awhile of following him on instagram, I was lucky enough to get the chance to do a few collaborations with him. I later saw that he had a novel out so I bought it because how could I not? I was blown away by his poetry and considering the fact that Chand hit #1 on Amazon for New Releases, Psychology, and Mental Illness, I just had to. After reading Chand, I was again, blown away. Chand opened my eyes to a whole new world, yet opened doors I had closed long ago. It broke my heart, it made me laugh, and I was on the edge of my seat numerous times throughout reading it. I strongly suggest buying a copy!

Joshua Dall

Below is the super awesome interview I had with Joshua Dall

Tell me a little bit about yourself. (Where are you from? Age? What do you write? etc.) 

I was born and raised right in Orono, Maine. It’s a peaceful college town, nothing big. I’ve spent my whole life here and I can honestly say I love it. It fits me well, I’m proud to be from Orono. I’m a 22 year old born on November 7, 1991. I believe you have the same birthday? I might have done some research on it.

I write about anything and everything at this point. I hate to stay stuck writing about the same shit, it gets boring. I like to challenge myself with any writing piece I do. The goal when writing for me is to always write something better than the last piece of work I did.

What does your writing process look like?

My writing process is chaotic to say the least. When it comes to writing stories, I usually plan out the plot and characters and overall tone of the story, but that’s the only type of organization I have. My brain works weird, I’ll be writing something for the beginning of the story and mid-way through doing that, I’ll come up with the ending or a great scene in the middle and I’ll scratch the idea down for later. It sounds confusing but it’s how I operate. With poetry on the other hand, I never plan my poems, they just happen randomly at the oddest of times. I’ll hear a word or I’ll see something interesting and instantly my brain starts clicking and I form the poem right in my head. Since my ideas come so randomly and my memory isn’t what it used to be, I have to stop whatever I’m doing and write my poems down on my phone. I can proudly say that the notepad app on the iPhone gets a lot of use.

Do you have any strange writing habits?

Besides the sporadic thinking patterns and random ideas, the only real odd habit I have when I write is that I have to be alone. I can’t think straight and it’s difficult with someone near me, especially when they are talking. Sometimes I have to suck it up and just write if I’m around people when the idea is that good. But with Chand for instance, whether it was editing or writing it, I literally would be locked away in my room alone with the lights off. I’d have the tv on some random show but I wouldn’t pay attention to it. So to basically sum up what I just said… if I’m writing, leave me the fuck alone. (Can I swear? If not, I’m sure you can block the cuss words out with asterisks.)*

*I had to leave that in there because it made me laugh. If anyone gets offended by language, I apologize. There are far worse things in the world to get offended by though, just sayin’.

How long have you been writing? Have you always enjoyed writing?

I really can’t say I’ve been writing long. Growing up I always liked English class and language arts throughout grade school, but I never loved it. I was a lazy student to say the least. But in high school my senior year, I took a poetry class…not because I liked poetry, but because I needed to take a class because I had too many study halls. I actually really ended up enjoying it though. At that point I had lost my grandfather months prior and it being my first time dealing with death on that sort of level and how close I was to him…it was a rough time period. Only way I would vent my sadness or anger was to write about it. I’d write all my pent up frustrations out basically. I owe it to that class for showing me that writing was a good outlet for dealing with things. Once I graduated though, I had no care to really write much after. Instead of going right to college, I decided to work instead…I did end up enrolling into college the next year though. In the short time I was in college, my two English professors reminded me of how much fun writing was again. But that’s only when I’d write, for school…never on my own.

Late summer of 2012 though, I was going through a lot of negative things in my personal life. All that negative shit became so unbearable that it drove me crazy. I was willing to do whatever to help me cope…writing once again entered my life. I began writing Chand at that point and since that day, one summer night in 2012…I haven’t stopped writing and I don’t plan to stop as long as I’m living.

How do you overcome writer’s block?

I’ve really only had writers block one time…for an extended period of time, partly due to liquor and that my mind was just warped at the time. It was so hard to focus on writing Chand that I actually stopped writing the story itself and just started writing what I felt like throughout the day. I’d scribble my emotions and feelings down constant. The emotions and overall feelings talked about in Chand with Miles is actually based off of those notes I wrote down about myself. Once I sobered up and began climbing out of the dark abyss that I was stuck in, I was eventually able to start writing the actual book again. Ever since then though, I’ve never had writers block again. Everything just comes to me naturally with easiness. I credit the clarity my mind has now a lot with my writing abilities. Like, I feel as if my writing now is the strongest it has ever been…a lot of factors and changes in my personal life are to thank for that.

What do you do when you’re not writing?

I don’t think I’m ever not writing. Like I said, it’s always constant thinking. I’m always looking for ways to get better as a writer. It’s my top priority in life. It’s what I truly love doing…but if you want me to stick to the guidelines of this interview Q&A then I guess my answer would be sleep. I literally try to sleep as much as I can and I say that because it’s the only time when my mind is relaxed and isn’t working at a warp speed with shit I stress over. And if sleep isn’t a solid answer, I just like to relax. Whether it’s with my tiny circle of a few friends, my brother, my parents, the dogs, or by myself…I just like to relax and try to not stress over things…doesn’t happen a lot within 7 days though.

What authors/people/life events have inspired you to write? 

The authors/writers that have inspired me up to this point isn’t a long list really. Edgar Allan Poe is a definite inspiration to me because of his style of writing. The darkness he always spins within his poems and short stories still gets me when I read his work. Stephen King would be a slight inspiration as well in a way. I can’t say I relate or write about the stuff he writes, but I respect him. The stuff he comes up with is great stuff, he obviously will go down as one of the best authors of all time. And for the record, I’m not just saying Stephen King because he’s from Maine and his house is fifteen miles away from my house…I really do think he’s a literary genius.

When it comes to other inspirations outside of the literature realm, I’d have to say that Tupac Shakur would be one because the man showed you real life. He showed you struggle. He spoke his mind and never really cared because his opinion was that important to him…I admire that. A few others would be Eminem…if you know me…you’ll know that he is my all time favorite musician. And again for the record, I’ve been listening to him since 1999 not just recently like most people. I remember getting made fun of for listening to him. Now though, all those same people that made fun of me…now act like they’re his biggest fan. But that’s beyond the point, the point is that much like Tupac, Eminem tells detailed stories with his music, he makes you think and feel things. I love music that does that. Another inspiration would be Kurt Cobain simply because he was such a creative writer with his lyrics. He was deep with his words without really trying. He was an incredible talent that sadly left too soon. It would’ve been interesting to see how he would’ve grown as a musician if he didn’t pass away so early.

If you could cast your characters in the Hollywood adaptation of your book, who would play your characters?



That’s a tough one! I never really thought about who would play the characters. I think with Miles, and I don’t know if it’s because he’s loosely based off of me or if I want to be in a movie, but for Miles King I would cast myself. I don’t think anyone could play the role as good as I could…although I’m starting to think that Liam Hemsworth could do a solid job. Either him or me!

For Corbin I think that Keir Gilchrist would be perfect.

For Estella I’d love it to be Anna Kendrick. She’s very talented! She’s also from Maine so she would be able to give the Estella character a lot of life and realness. She’d be perfect.

For minor characters, I think Aunt Sherry would be Jamie Lee Curtis, Annabelle would be Emma Stone,

Kaitlyn would be Amanda Seyfried.

Officer Brock Kenny would be Kevin Costner.

Those are the only ones right now that I can think of and be sold on each character and their movie counterpart.

What do you consider to be your best accomplishment?

My best accomplishment was actually finishing Chand. In life I’ve always started things and never finished them. I would always quit on whatever it was I’m doing and myself for whatever reason or excuse I had. Like I said earlier, at one point I thought the book was just going to be something I’d start but never finish as always. But somehow I found it in myself to not give up and complete it. I’m proud of myself for that.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

In ten years I see myself being the same bad ass motherfucker I am now….Oh wait, this interview is suppose to be completely honest isn’t it? Well in that case, I think I’ll be doing almost the same thing I’m doing now; being myself and enjoying what time I have here. I’m a simple person when you get to know me. Simplicity is key to maintaining sanity in my life. I try not to think that far ahead though, I just want to focus on what’s going on right now.

What is your biggest goal as an author?

My biggest goals are as follows: I want to connect with my readers. I want to evoke as much emotion out of you when you read my work. If I can make you angry, sad, happy, whatever the emotion…then my goal is met. I want to be a voice for those without one. I want my writing to be someone’s escape from the harshness of reality. I want to entertain the reader. I want to inspire others. I want people to think. I want to nest in the brains of my readers and flip their world upside down. Those are my goals. I can’t just have one goal.

What writing advice do you have for other aspiring authors?

I’d say be yourself. Don’t try to be something you’re not. If you’re scared of someone not liking you for who you are and how you write or what you write about, then fuck them. They aren’t worth the worry. I know it can be stressful sharing your work, but you have to not care what people will think. Other people’s opinions tend to make others kill off their true self. Don’t let that happen. Be you. That’s all you can ask from yourself. Write about whatever you want, don’t worry if you think what you write is bad, because I’m sure there is someone out there that would actually like it. Don’t be hard on yourself, the only other thing more deadlier than someone’s opinion is your own…remember that.

Do you read your reviews? Do you respond to them whether or not they are good or bad? 

I read everything. Reviews, comments, emails, tweets, texts…I read all of it. I’m not going to lie and pretend that I don’t care about that stuff…I care a lot actually.

Do you have any advice for other authors on how to deal with bad reviews?

First you have to decipher the difference between constructive criticism and someone being an asshole. Constructive criticism can be a good thing actually, take it at face value. It’s there to help, not make you feel bad. If someone criticizes you and is doing it to be an asshole just to upset you, then ignore it. Don’t buy into it because that’s what they want. They want to break you down for whatever stupid reason. I always hated hearing criticism, but with time I’ve learned that it was actually to help me.

Is there one subject you would never write about as an author? What is it?

I don’t think so. Everything is fair game to me. If I feel I can write about it and have it have meaning behind it, then I’ll write about it. I tend to cross the lines as is, so controversy and all that won’t stop me. I’m a believer of using your voice to speak up about anything you desire. Chand explored mental illness and suicide…both of which are controversial topics and people tend to sweep those topics under the rug because the idea that those topics are generalized as are things normal people don’t want to think about. It was important for me to write about those subjects, not only because it’s important to me, but also because it’s important stuff that should be talked about more daily but isn’t.

If you limit the things you write about, you’re only limiting yourself and your art. Don’t be afraid to cross those lines at times. If people get mad or upset…oh well they’ll get over it. If it means something to you, regardless the topic, write it.

What is the harshest criticism you have received so far? What is the best compliment you have received so far? (About your writing/book)

The harshest criticism so far with my work is actually a pretty funny story. On my second pressings of Chand something happened causing the unedited version to end up in publication and I had no idea. This version was the one I used for my proof copies while editing so it had a lot of issues, whether it be misspellings or misplaced character names. I gave a dear friend of mine a copy, and as soon as she began reading she kept telling me about all these errors and shit. She basically told me it sucked. At first I didn’t understand and just thought she found the book that terrible. So I ended up looking at a copy from the shipment I got sent to me and I couldn’t believe my eyes. She was so right. It was shit. So now I’m stressing out because I no longer had the final copy file anymore, so I had to go through and re-do all the errors using that shitty copy as my guide. It was a sigh of relief when I fixed it and made it perfect again. If it wasn’t for her, I would’ve had no idea that had happened. She literally saved my ass and writing career basically. So in reality my worst criticism I’ve gotten from the book ended up helping me out big time. If it wasn’t for her I’d still be clueless and would have the wrong version of Chand out now.

Where is one place you want to visit that you have never been before?

Iowa… I’d also love to visit Detroit and Los Angeles.

What is something you want to accomplish before you die?

I could die right now and be happy with what I’ve accomplished so far. I’ve exceeded my expectations for my life already. There’s a few things I’d love to achieve in the future, but if those don’t happen I won’t be upset because I’ve already done what I set out to do. Upon saying that, that doesn’t mean I’m no longer giving a shit or don’t try as hard because I’ve accomplished what I wanted to. Everyday is a new opportunity to get better at life in general.

Are there any writers you have discovered through your writing journey that you feel the world needs to know about? Who? Where can we find them? What are your favorite books/pieces they’ve written?

Oh definitely. There’s so many. I love all their work so it would be hard to say my favorite pieces but I mean Adrian Michael Green is amazing, Karen is very creative, Marvin Bell has his poetra coming soon, Eric Ian Huffman is very deep with his words, Anabela Loureiro is a writer through and through, Rebecca S. has her Enthralled novel series, which I’m excited for the second one to come out when she’s finished writing it! Rainee C. Baldwin is very good and also seductive with her poems, I’m a big fan of her. Kelly writes beautiful haikus, Stephanie Turner gets me at times with her poetry, Brianna is a writer I just discovered who I enjoy very much. She’s great. Wenston is someone I’m a fan of as well. I can’t forget about my good friend S.E. Dalton, I’ve seen him grow with his writing and I couldn’t be more proud. I can’t wait for him to release his book. He’s definitely someone who deserves credit. Then there’s you…I think we’ve worked together? Like I said, I’m a fan of yours for life. From Kichante, Dana Jesko, TheSpiritofPoetry, Michael Warner, David John Smith, RJNP, ParallaxTheater… my list goes on and on. All these talented writers can be found on Instagram, they are all worth checking out! If I forgot anyone, it’s nothing personal, my brain can only process a few names on the spot like this, I’ll get you next time!

So, how do you like your coffee?

With coffee ideally, I prefer hazelnut with extra cream. I’m not big on sugar, but I won’t drink coffee without extra cream. I’m weird like that. When it comes to ice coffee, I’m not picky about my flavors, anything tastes great to me when it’s on ice. Shoutout to DunkinD! …where’s my free lifetime coffee pass?

So you have yet to mention that your novel Chand hit #1 on Amazon! Tell us all about it, even though it’s like totally not a big deal or anything.



Being an indie author, big numbers or even much noise isn’t really expected, especially with a first time author. But through self promotion and really trying my hardest to gain a following, that was the only way I’d thrive. I remember before Chand released I was hoping I’d sell at least ten copies, I would’ve been happy with that…the book released and I sold almost thirty copies within the first twelve hours from when it came out. I was beyond thrilled. Then about two days later, I realized that it went number one in the psychology genre sales, number one in the sub genre of mental illness, and also number one for new releases. I was there for about a month to a month and a half for my genres. And I was number one for almost a week for new releases. It wasn’t a long run at the top, but I did it. And I did it by myself. That’s what matters. I never would have thought it would’ve ever happened, but I guess it shows hard work does pay off in the end.

Is there anything you would like to say to your readers/fans?

I’d just like to say thank you. Without all of you, I’d wouldn’t be who I am today. I don’t even consider any of you as fans, but rather people, people who just like what I do. I appreciate every kind word you say to me. It’s crazy of where my life was and what it’s shaping up to be. I can’t stress “Thank you” enough. Oh…and my second novel, pending a few things…is slated for a 2015 release. I’ll give details out later. And I’m saying this for the first time ever…but at sometime between 2016-2017 I’ll be releasing a book of all my poems and short stories that I’ve written. I have so many pieces that I have not shared with anyone yet. I’m looking at a four-hundred page poetry and short story book that will be just me…from growing up, the future, my life now…to just random shit. I cannot wait to share this work of art with you in the years to come. Get excited. Take this journey with me, you won’t regret it.

No words can express how thankful I am that I got the opportunity to do this interview with him. You can find Josh on instagram and twitter @dallhouse!

Here are the Writers to Know that Josh mentioned,

Adrian Michael Green

Instagram: @adrianmichaelgreen

Twitter: @adrianmichaelgr

Website: http://www.adrianmichaelgreen.com

Karen

Instagram: @karens_words

Twitter: @ks_poetry

Website: http://www.karensuepoet.wordpress.com

Marvin Bell

Instagram: @MarvinTheNovelist

Eric Ian Huffman

Instagram: @unreadpoems

Twitter: @ericianhuffman

Wattpad: ericianhuffman

Website: http://www.ericianhuffman.com

Anabela Loureiro

Instagram: @artsyanabela

Rebecca S.

Instagram: @rebeccas_enthralled

Twitter: @rebeccaS1003

Rainee C. Baldwin

Instagram: @bipolarbeauty

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

Kelly

Instagram: @dustoffmywings

Stephanie Turner

Instagram: @stephturner9

Brianna

Instagram: @toolostforwords

Wenston

Instagram: @thebackpackpoet

Twitter: @thebackpackpoet

S.E. Dalton

Instagram: @se_dalton

Twitter: @wordsbyse

Kichante

Instagram: @kichante

Twitter: @kifecta

Website: http://www.sp0k3nart.com

Dana Jesko

Instagram: @poetrysavedme

Facebook: Dana Jesko

TheSpiritofPoetry

Instagram: @thespiritofpoetry

Michael Warner

Instagram: @BigMike1Poet

Twitter: @Bigmike1poet

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Bigmike1poet

David John Smith

Instagram: @WhiskeyTrance

RJNP

Instagram: @rjpnlego

ParallaxTheater

Instagram: @parallaxtheater

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

Blogging Realities

Originally posted on HarsH ReaLiTy:

You can grow your blog as large as you wish. Effort equals reward and time doesn’t grow on trees. You have much more time than you think, however, and people that complain about “lack of time” are normally exaggerating.

Stop making excuses.

Stop reading SEO articles.

Stop waiting for people to visit your website.

Blogging is action. It isn’t just writing and waiting for fame… because that SO often happens… Blogging is connecting and the only way to do that is to meet people halfway. Don’t ask me for advice on growing an audience. I have provided all my personal answers and models here. Either take them, learn, and go do or be content writing for yourself… to yourself.

-OM

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Alright, I’m Back. Back Again.

So to the few followers I have (thank you for sticking around through my sporadic bull shit) I am back in full swing! I hope… My goal is to be more dedicated to this blog and start posting more of my writing and promoting other writers and bloggers through this. I hope you all enjoy! If there’s anything you guys would like to see on here, let me know. If there is something you guys absolutely cannot stand, let me know. Again, thank you guys!

-Erica