Chrys Fey's Blog, page 64

Reader Interview with Kathy Worrell

To bring balance to my blog, I am also introducing Reader Interviews. I will select a reader I know to ask questions about books and authors. Not only will these interviews interest readers, but I think writers can benefit from these interviews, too.
For my first ever Reader Interview, I picked Kathy Worrell. Kathy is a moderator for my favorite Goodreads group, The Life of a Book Addict. She’s a Goodreads Librarian, had posted over 350 reviews, and has completed three reading challenges.
Welcome, Kathy! Let's get started.

1. Who is your favorite author and why?
I can't really say that I have just one favorite author. I'm attached to authors who create characters with a huge sense of humor. I just love funny novels.
2. What book can you read over and over again?
Something Wicked this Way Comes by Ray Bradbury.
3. Do you judge a book by its cover?
No. I would like to think that I judge a book by its content, more so than the color of a book. I see book club members who base their book reading list on the color of the cover. I could never understand that.
4. Who is your favorite fictional character?
I love Charley Davidson and Reyes Farrow! She's a sarcastic, witty, part-time investigator and full-time grim reaper. And Reyes......he's just HOT!
5. Which author do you have a love/hate relationship with?
Definitely Murakami Haruki. 
(Love)
He has such a beautiful way with the written word. I am mesmerized by his stories and they way he sucks me in so deep; I just want to keep reading to find out what happens.
 (Hate)
I don't like when his characters have too many sexual deviant tendencies. I really wonder about his own upbringing.
6. Growing up, what was your favorite children’s book?
Alice in Wonderland. As I child I just wanted to find that rabbit hole.
7. Currently, what is your favorite book or series?
The Charley Davidson series by Darynda Jones.
8. What would you like to know about the authors you enjoy reading the most?
Where does their inspiration come from?

Hyper Round: 
1. E-books or print?
E-books.
I have to say that I was not one to give up my hardcovers so easily. However, the portability and lower prices of e-books has really influenced my book buying purchases.
2. Movie Adaption: Yay or Nay?
Nay.
I always seem to want to read the novels that I find are being made into movies. But, when the time comes to watch the movie, I am usually not too interested in seeing it; especially if the book was really good. In my opinion, the movie is rarely as good as the book.
3. Favorite Reading Spot?
On the couch, in the living room, by the fireplace. You will find me here every night of the week.
4. Favorite Snack?
Most definitely popcorn. I'm a creature of habit; it is always popcorn.
Kathy enjoying a book at her favorite reading spot.
About Kathy:
I currently live with my husband and one of our sons in Timberon, NM; a small town of 300 people. Timberon is in a very rural area located in the Sacramento Mountains 7,200 feet above sea level. We live 75 minutes from Wal-Mart, shopping, and a Hastings book store! My oldest son is currently attending, NMSU. He will be graduating this year with a criminal justice degree.

Find her on Goodreads!

Why Geeks Make Better Girlfriends and Boyfriends / Guest Post by Christine Rains

I am pleased to welcome Christine Rains to my blog for her Geeky Dice and Debauchery Tour. She's sharing a cute and funny article with us that'll get you in the mood for Valentine's Day. Plus the blurb for Loose Corset and a GIVEAWAY that lasts all month and is international, so keep reading! 
WHY GEEKS MAKE BETTER GIRLFRIENDS AND BOYFRIENDS
By
Christine Rains
With Valentine's Day coming up, romance (and chocolate!) are on the minds of many folks. Everyone has a fantasy of their perfect day with their significant other. And so often after February 14th, I hear the stories of disappointment. And not just from the women.
This is because people tend not to look twice at geeks. There is a general stereotype of socially inept and unemotional nerds that has blocked people from finding happiness with awesome individuals. Geeks make excellent girlfriends and boyfriends.
Here's why:
1) Geeks are smart. You'll not have to worry about idiotic chatter during dinner or that she won't understand when you're talking politics. They'll always remember a date and never forget what's important to you.
2) Geeks may be under-appreciated, but they'll never take you for granted. They'll always value you and respect what you love. They will go out of their way to let you know they love you.
3) Geeks love to play. Video games, board games, or in the bedroom. They'll help you nurture your inner child and build that LEGO Deathstar with you.
4) Geeks are curious. They're willing to try new things. If something caught your interest in a new book and you want to give it a try, you'll have an eager partner!
5) Geeks have a vivid imagination. Wink, wink, nudge, nudge, say no more!

QUESTION: Can you give us a reason why geeks make better girlfriends and boyfriends?
Title: Loose CorsetAuthor: Christine RainsSeries: Dice and Debauchery (Book One)Genre: Romantic-EroticaLength: 64 PagesPublisher: Ellora’s Cave PublishingReleased: January 9th 2015
BOOK LINKS:Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Ellora’s Cave / KOBO

BLURB:
Dice and Debauchery, Book 1
A weekend away at a convention is exactly what overworked student Morgan needs. Dressed as her character from her favorite online game, Morgan is braced—seriously, could her corset be tighter?—to meet the other players. As Lady Gyrfalcon, she’s ready for everything—except her intense attraction to Dean. A clandestine meeting in the hallway of the hotel and Morgan’s corset is looser but now she can’t breathe for entirely different reasons.
Utterly charmed, Morgan decides to roll the dice and indulge in a fantasy-worthy weekend of sexy roleplaying, scorching sex and life-altering orgasms. Still, through it all Morgan is too smart to believe the chemistry constantly stripping her of costumes and control can last more than the length of the convention. But if she wants to keep a relationship so intense she thought it only existed in fiction, she’s going to have to let go of her cool-headed logic and allow herself to fall far and fast for the perfect guy.
A Romantica® contemporary erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave


BIO:
Christine Rains is a writer, blogger, and geek mom. She's married to her best friend and fellow geek living in south-central Indiana. They have one son who is too smart for his parents' own good and loves to pretend he's Batman. Christine has four degrees which help nothing with motherhood, but make her a great Jeopardy player. When she's not reading or writing, she's going on adventures with her son or watching cheesy movies on Syfy Channel. She's a member of Untethered Realms and S.C.I.F.I. (South Central Indiana Fiction Interface). She has several short stories and novellas published. The Dice & Debauchery series is her first contemporary erotic romance.
AUTHOR LINKS:Website / Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Pinterest / Goodreads

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you so much for entertaining me and my readers, Christine! I'd love to have you back anytime.

Writing About: Winter

In my Writing About blog series feature, I have offered advice on how to write about certain characters, scenes, and even places, but not seasons. Until now! I’m starting with WINTER!
The following is a list of several things you should keep in mind if you’re writing (or plan to write) a story set in the winter. (You may not have to us all of these. What you’ll use will depend on your story.)
Picture from Pixabay1.    Nature
Winter has the biggest impact on nature than any other season. In the winter, trees are bare, birds migrate south, grass turns brown and dies, and many animals hibernate.
·         Plants- Christmas trees (Douglas Fir, Fraser Fir, Blue Spruce, White Pine), Evergreen Holly, Poinsettias, berry bushes, and mistletoe are common plants during the winter.
2.    Dropping Temperatures
If your story extends over a period of time, make sure to let the temperatures drop lower and lower. You can even throw in a day or two where the temps climb just enough to melt a little snow.
3.    Clothes
If your characters are going outside in the winter, (unless they live in Florida or the Bahamas) they won’t be stepping out in shorts and a T-shirt. Bundle up your characters in long sleeves, winter jackets, hats, scarves, gloves, and even earmuffs.
4.    Snow
It wouldn’t be winter without snow, especially up north, so let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! Describe the snow on the ground, as it falls, how it becomes slush when it gets warmer, and how sunlight reflects off it.
·         Snowstorms
Just like you can bet on thunderstorms in the summer in warmer climates, you can bet on snowstorms hitting in the winter in colder climates. A blizzard can be a major part of your plot where your characters will be trapped inside together with no electricity, the cold, and buckets of boredom.
·         Snow Fun
Let your characters have a little fun, even if you’re writing a thriller you can still do this. Your characters do deserve a little break between all the action scenes. They can have a snowball fight (See this post for tips on that), go sledding, skiing, snowboarding, or ice fishing.
Picture from Wikipedia·         Snow Preparedness
Show that your characters know how to deal with snow by using a snow blower, shovels, ice scrapers, and even putting chains on the tires of their cars. This can easily be done with a simple sentence.
For example: John shoveled the driveway and rechecked the chains on his tires before driving to work.
5.    Fireplace
If your characters live somewhere that sees snow, a fireplace is always a nice addition to a house. You can have one of your characters read a book in front of the fireplace. You can have a family roast marshmallows, or a couple cuddle. Don’t forget to describe the crackling wood and sputtering flames.
Picture from Wikipedia6.    School
As we all know, kids are off for their holiday break for about two weeks in the winter. If there are kids in your story, include this fact in your story line. A single mother would have to entertain her kids. This could put a little hitch in her budding romance. You can also show the kids having fun outside and anxiously waiting for...
7.    Santa!
For children, winter signifies the return of Santa. If you do have children characters, have them write Santa a letter, beg their mom/dad to see Santa in the mall, and even ask if Santa is real. Each of these moments will add something special, heart-warming, and even funny (if you want it to be) to your story.
Picture from Wikipedia8.    Holidays
Winter would not be winter without Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, New Years Eve, or Valentine’s Day. You can pick one holiday or all of them if your story is a novel that follows your character’s lives through a few months. Don’t forget to include what makes these holidays so great.
For example:
Christmas- Christmas trees, presents, Santa, and parades.
New Years Eve- Midnight kisses, champagne, and resolutions.
Valentine’s Day- Love, heartbreak, dinner dates, chocolate and flowers.
9.    Shopping
Winter is famous for its Christmas mall madness and day-after sales. Let your characters experience some of this craziness complete with large crowds, short tempers, and parents scrambling to get their brats . . . I mean, kids . . . the newest and best toys.
10.  Foods/Drinks
In the winter, we tend to eat heartier meals and enjoy hot drinks. Below you’ll find a short list of foods and drinks that are in season and are popular for this time of the year. Letting your characters enjoy these foods/drinks would be a nice touch, as we tend to link them with winter time:
·         Food- stew, chili, cabbage, broccoli, carrots, cranberries, assorted nuts, gingerbread, Christmas cookies, porridge, and fruitcake.
·         Drinks- eggnog, hot cocoa, hot cider, and mulled wine.
Picture from Wikipedia

QUESTIONS: When you think of winter, what comes to mind? What do you love most about winter? What do you like least?

Blogger Interview with Stephanie Faris

Today I have Stephanie Faris as a guest for my second Blogger Interview. When I found out she had big success as a blogger on Myspace way back when, I knew I had to pick her brain. She’s a talented blogger, that’s for sure. She’s also a great author with a new children's book out called 25 Roses.

1. I read a post on your blog about your Myspace blogging days. Can you tell us about that?
Sure! I started blogging on MySpace in 2006 and gradually built up a readership. At my blog’s peak, I was averaging thousands of views a day…but MySpace ranked bloggers, so once you reached a high readership, people found you just by clicking on “Blogs” at the top of any page on the site. The MySpace blogging community was very strong from 2006-2008, then it started to quickly dwindle as MySpace started dying.
She beat a post written by Matthew McConaughey!2. I remember being sad when Myspace started dying. How did you decide to create a blog with Blogger?
Actually, I set up my Blogger account as a backup for my MySpace blogs because that site was so unstable. You never knew if you’d wake up to find everything you’d ever posted was gone. I moved from MySpace to here in 2009 and began posting every day, but I didn’t discover this great writing community Alex  has created until last year. (Insecure Writer's Support Group)The group here reminds me of the MySpace community—only much better because many of us are writers and none of us are crazy! There were quite a few crazies on MySpace, as you can imagine.
3. I can imagine! What was your very first blog post?
I don’t have it anymore, but it was called “Nice Purse” and it was about seeing a former best friend on the street. We once shared all of our lives’ hopes and dreams and we’d now been reduced to just saying, “Hi,” and, “Nice purse” as we passed in the hallway. At least I have her to thank for that!
4. What do you love most about blogging?
The community. Writing and posting are fun, but it’s really all about interacting with our fellow bloggers. Otherwise we’d all just be talking to ourselves!
And there she is in the top 5!5. You have over 900 followers...any secrets/tips on how to gain followers?
In my early days on MySpace, I would post a blog and nobody would read. One day I went out there and started commenting on other blogs. Some of them commented back. I realized that if you want to have readers, you have to read other people’s blogs. When I’m reading blogs, I go through my comments on the past few blogs and read the blogs of those who have commented. That keeps me reading only the blogs of people who are still actively reading mine. You’d be surprised how often someone just stops reading anyone’s blogs but keeps posting.
6. What are the top 5 most-viewed posts on your blog? (Include links.)
I won’t say I understand why, but here are the posts with the most views:
Anatomy of an Internet Hoax
Writers Don’t Use Typewriters
The Foaming Fountain
More Blog Stops and an Exciting Week Ahead
Picturing Your Settings
7. Share your number one tip to bloggers just starting out.
The top tip is to post consistently. Whether it’s once a week or every day doesn’t matter. Just make it consistent. If you post only on Mondays, your readers will know to check in every Monday. Also, read, read, read. Most of us read the blogs of those who comment ours, so by reading other people’s blogs, you’ll get readers for your own.
Stephanie also has a new book available!
Hyper Round:
1. Favorite time to post blogs?
I set mine to post at 5 a.m. That catches all the people just getting up and the rest will catch it later in the day!
2. Blogger or Wordpress?
Blogger. I tried WordPress, but it doesn’t integrate with Wix, which is where I have my author site, so I switched back to Blogger once I started setting up my website.
3. Blog Hops: Yay or Nay?
Google’s algorithms see links as a good thing. The more sites that link to your blog, the more of an “authority” it will seem to Google. Blog hops give you that one extra link. That said—most of the time when I participate in a blog hop, nobody else participating reads my blog unless I read theirs first. So if you’re participating in a blog hop, read the other blogs—it’s probably the only way you’ll get new regular readers.
4. Do you host guests?
Anytime! I love hosting guests. It gives me the day off and brings another perspective to my blog. If anyone would like to guest blog, let me know. I’m participating in the A to Z Challenge in April and I have a few book promotions I’ve committed to do, but other than that, my blog is wide open!


Bio:
Stephanie Faris knew she wanted to be an author from a very young age. In fact, her mother often told her to stop reading so much and go outside and play with the other kids. After graduating from Middle Tennessee State University with a Bachelor of Science in broadcast journalism, she somehow found herself working in information technology. But she never stopped writing.
Stephanie is the author of 30 Days of No Gossip and 25 Roses, both with Aladdin M!x. When she isn’t crafting fiction, she writes for a variety of online websites on the topics of business, technology, and her favorite subject of all—fashion. She lives in Nashville with her husband, a sales executive. 
Find Her Here:Website / Blog / FacebookTwitter / Instagram
Thank you so much, Stephanie, for agreeing to be my second Blogger interviewee! You and Alex (my first Blogger interviewee) sure set the bar high!
Please leave her a comment! :)

Revisions Insecurity / IWSG + Award

The Insecure Writer's Support Group is a safe place for insecure writers of all kinds.Sign up here: Alex J. Cavanaugh’s Insecure Writer’s Support Group

For this addition of IWSG day, I want to discuss a few things.
#1 99 cent SALE on Hurricane Crimes, my romantic-suspense short story. Ends Friday. Amazon, Nook, Kobo, BookStrand, and All Romance eBooks.
#2 You can name my antagonist in the sequel to Hurricane Crimes! I don’t want to make this post any longer, so for details go to my Facebook page.
#3 Here are a few posts I think can help some of you with your insecurities:
1. How to Build a Platform – If you want to know how to get your name out.2. Blogging 101– If you’re looking for advice to make your blog better.3. Blog Post Ideas – For those of you struggling to find inspiration for posts.4. How to Create a Facebook Page – If you need help getting on FB.
#4 Now I’m going to blab about my insecurity.
In December, I sent two short stories to my publisher (The Wild Rose Press) for consideration. Before the holidays, I received a contract for Witch of Death. Yay! But I continued to wait to hear back about Ghost of Death. My beta readers said this story was good (Not great, might I add.) but thanks to them I made it better. When I did hear back from my editor, she had bad news. She didn’t like that I wrote the story in first person, past tense.
Note to self: First person, present tense. Always!
I’m better with past tense, so I altered the story to third person and sent it back. Again, I waited and waited...and waited some more.
I finally got another email from my editor (who is fabulous, by the way) with more bad news. She said it was so good that she hadn’t realized the main character (the ghost) was sixteen, and that she couldn’t accept it unless I aged her. So I went back and made my ghost a twenty-one year old college student. I had to change certain things about the story to make it fit her new age. I sent it off again knowing if I got a “no” it would be a “no” forever.
What happened, you ask? Well...I got the contract January 30th!
I’m lucky to have such a wonderful editor who believed in my story, but there were so many changes so suddenly that I’m insecure about it this story now.
LESSON: Even though an editor wants you to make drastic changes to your story, it can still get accepted! Hard work pays off!


QUESTIONS: Have you ever done major revisions for an editor? Was you story accepted or rejected after that?


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One Lovely Blog Award:


I was nominated for the One Lovely Blog Award by C Lee Mackenzie. Thank you so much, C Lee! I'm thrilled to be nominated with so many other lovely bloggers, and I happily accept. :)
Rules for this AWARD:
1. Display the logo on their website/blog.2. Link back to this page.3. Share 7 things about yourself.4. Nominate another 7 people.
7 Things about Me:
1. I was almost born in Okinawa, Japan.2. I love books/movies/shows about witches.3. The main characters in my books are named after my future kids. Or I at least give them the names I’d give my future kids: Beth and Donovan (Hurricane Crimes), Libby (Witch of Death)...and more in other manuscripts.4. My favorite flowers are actually weeds: daisies, dandelions, thistles.5. I adore all cats, but black cats are my favorite.6. If I wasn’t a writer, I’d be a photographer.7. I’ve never watched the Twilight movies, or read the books...
Nominations:
1. Sherry Ellis – Mama Diaries2. Vanessa Morgan – Travelling Cats3. Medeia Sharif4. Beth Ellyn Summer5. Michelle Wallace – Writer in Transit6. Shannon Lawrence – The Warrior Muse7. Denise Covey

How to Create an Author Facebook Page

SALE! Hurricane Crimes is on sale for 99 cents! Get it here:Amazon / NOOK / KOBO All Romance eBooks / BookStrand

Creating a Facebook Page is a big step, because it says you’re ready to get more readers and engage with them. (You can also join Twitter, but I’m not on there, so I won’t be doing a blog post on that...yet.)
FYI: You don't need to be published to have a Facebook page. When I first created mine, the category was under "writer" because I'd only published flash fiction on ezines. After I published Hurricane Crimes, I changed the category to "author." You don't even need readers to create one. I didn't have any readers. Even if you have little sales, create a Facebook page. Your blog and social media sites can help you get sales. I say can because these places alone won't bring you sales.

How to Create a Facebook Page:
You will need to go to www.Facebook.com and click “Create a Page” for a celebrity, band or business at the bottom of the screen. (You will need a personal Facebook profile to do this, so you can be a moderator of your page.) Follow the prompts they ask you, and make sure you select “People” as your category and either Writer or Author. If possible, use your name/pen name for your Address. It would look like this: www.facebook.com/ChrysFey If your name is taken, try adding “Author” before or after your name like: facebook.com/YourNameAuthor
When you have your page, add a picture of yourself. See:Author Photo Tips
Then start filling in your information such as your bio, personal information, and personal interests. It’s always nice to include something for each of these because it lets your readers get to know you more. For my bio, I didn’t paste in the bio that you can find on my blog or website. Instead, I shared the story about how I started writing, the struggles I encounter, the origin of my pen name, and how I became an author. For the personal interests, I mentioned my hobbies and things I like.

TIP: Facebook pages have a new "Call-to-Action" button. Look for it where your cover photo goes. Insert a link with select an action such as "Shop" and follow the steps. It's really easy. I used the URL to my Amazon Author Page.

After you add all of your information and a cover photo, you can invite your friends and family.Just a little heads up: I quickly learned that people you think will support you don’t. So don’t be disappointed if not all your friends/family like your page.


How to get FB Likes:
1.    Invite your family and friends.2.    Tell the bloggers/writers/authors you know personally, but make sure to like their page in return. Sending them a personal message is the best way to do this, not with a comment on their blog or a bulk email.3.    Add your Facebook address to the signature of your emails.4.    Add your Facebook address to all of you social media sites/groups.5.    Add a Facebook Like Button to your blog or website. Go HERE.

TIP: But please don’t expect hundreds of likes right away. Just like with blog followers, it takes time. And after awhile, you'll notice some people will unlike your page. That's okay. Just tell yourself they aren't your target audience.

Now that you have a few likes, it’s time to consider what you’ll be posting on your page. Grab a notebook and jot down some ideas. You can even stalk a few bloggers/authors you admire to see that they post.

Many writers don’t know what to share or how personal to get on social media. Here’s a list of ideas for you. You could easily plan ahead with these and schedule posts a week in advance.
Facebook Post Ideas:
·         Anything writing/reading related·         Take advantage of the hastags: #MondayMuse #ManCrushMonday #TranformationTuesday #WomanCrushWednesday #ThrowbackThursday #FlashbackFriday·         Fun facts about your published works that readers wouldn’t know.·         Updates about your writing, editing, and publishing.·         Pictures of your desk, office/work space, and bookcase.·         Talk about new books you’ve purchased/read.·         Writing tips·         Writing quotes·         Share things other authors post.·         Announce sales, giveaways, and contests.·         Cute pictures of your pets.·         Share your new blog posts.·         Music videos for songs you write to.·         Teasers from your books.·         Scenery pictures from your vacations.·         Jokes

How to Schedule Statuses:
1. After you type your status and add a picture (if one is needed), all you have to do is click the dropdown arrow beside the button labeled “post”.
2. Click “schedule” and change the date and time information.
3. When you’re done, click “schedule”. Now you don’t have to worry about staying current on FB when you’re busy writing or on vacation.

TIP: Schedule your posts to go up before 8:00am (your time) before people head out to work, around noon when people are on their lunch breaks, and around 5:00/6:00pm when people get off work.

Here is a timeline of my Facebook page’s major accomplishments to give you an idea of how long it took me to get to where I am today:
Created Page June 10th 201230 Likes December 1st 2012First Random Like December 17th 201250 Likes February 19th 2013100 likes September 4th 2013150 likes December 26th 2013200 likes March 7th 2014

SHARE your Facebook tips.
QUESTION: What do you like to post on Facebook? What do you like seeing other authors/writers post?

Author Interview with M.J. Fifield

Today M.J. Fifield, the author of Effigy, is visiting and sharing a few interesting stories with us...one includes a sword. Keep reading to be entertained!
Title: EffigyAuthor: M.J. FifieldSeries: The Coileáin Chronicles Book 1Genre: FantasyPage Count: 579 pagesPublisher: Favorite Spoon PublishingRelease Date: July 26th2014
BOOL LINKS:Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Goodreads

● Please tell us about your current release, M.J.
My current release also happens to be my debut release—EFFIGY, the story of a young queen named Haleine Coileáin, who finds herself battling evil forces in an attempt to save her people.
1. Is this book part of a series?
Effigy is the first book in a series, The Coileáin Chronicles. The entire series (six titles in all, should things go according to plan) will tell the story of three sisters and the roles each will play in an epic battle between good and evil. Haleine is the eldest sister.
2. If your book had a soundtrack, give us a list of a few songs that would be on it.
All of my WIPs have a soundtrack. It’s actually how I know I’m getting serious about a particular project. Some of Effigy’s key tracks include:
My Skin by Natalie Merchant (If Haleine Coileáin had a theme song, this would be it.)Overcome by LiveIndifference by Pearl JamDo What You Have To Do by Sarah McLachlan
Have I mentioned that I’m a huge fan of 90’s music?

3. I LOVE 90's music! How did you come up with the names for your hero and heroine?
When I went to name my main character, I knew I wanted her name to start with an H. It’s weird, I know, and I don’t know why I was so determined to have that be the case, but that’s what happened. I went through several variation until I finally settled upon Haleine. (rhymes with Elaine)
4. My mom's name is Elaine. ;) What are a few things we would find in or on your desk?
On my desk you would find the following items: Slinky, a super-poseable Aragorn action figure (that’s what the package boasted), three pen holders chock full of various writing instruments, and a little pewter Pegasus who served as the inspiration for one of Effigy’s characters.


5. How old were you when you read your first romance book? What was it?
I believe I was 18 when I read my first real romance novel. It was Jude Deveraux’s Remembrance. My mother had checked it out of the library and left it out on the coffee table. I was looking for something to read and picked it up. I recall enjoying the story...but hating the ending.
6. I started reading Jude Deveraux at a young age also. What is the silliest thing you ever did while writing a story?
I consider myself to be a method writer, so that means I often end up physically acting out scenes. Once, while writing a sword fight, I accidentally killed a lamp and took a chunk out of my desk and the wall with my broadsword. This led my significant other to create the very strict “NO SWORDS AROUND ANY LIVING CREATURES” rule in the house.
7. I do that too! But not with swords. Have you ever experienced something unusual that influenced a story?
I fainted for the first time a couple of summers ago. That made me go back and rewrite a couple of scenes. The following summer, I cracked a rib at my day job. It made me realize just how badly rib injuries hurt. Rewrote some things, then, too.
8. Ouch! First-hand experience certainly helps us though. How long have you been writing?
Since I was very young. I was always writing little stories or poems. In middle school, there was a girl who lived over the river and through the woods from me, and we were each other’s first critique partners. Every morning on the school bus, we would exchange whatever we had written the night before. I started my first novel then, but never did anything with it. I didn’t get serious about writing until halfway through my college career.
9. Do you listen to music while you write?
Yes. I’ll listen to the aforementioned story-specific playlist, as well as a special playlist I call “Mood Music.” It’s mostly comprised of movie soundtracks and other instrumental music—nothing with lyrics. It always puts me in the mood to write.
10. Tell us about your writing process.
Just about everything starts off handwritten in a spiral notebook—or maybe a paper towel if I’m stuck at work. Scenes will generally start off with a few lines of dialogue off of which I build the rest of the scene, going back to layer in everything else. I’m also rather addicted to building storyboards on which I chart where the story’s been and where it’s going. Or might go. The characters very seldom follow my plans, but I’ve learned to go with it.

BIO:
Armed with a deep and lasting love of chocolate, purple pens, and medieval weaponry, M.J. Fifield is nothing if not a uniquely supplied insomniac. When she isn’t writing, she’s on the hunt for oversized baked goods or shiny new daggers. M.J. lives with a variety of furry creatures—mostly pets—in New Hampshire. Effigyis her first novel.
AUTHOR LINKS: Website / Blog

Thank you for entertaining us, M.J.! I enjoyed your interview.
Please leave a comment for M.J.!

Blake's Grilled Cheese Recipe / Very Inspiring Blogger Award

EXCERPT from 30 SECONDS:
“I figured if you wanted to cause me harm, you sure as hell wouldn’t be cooking for me.”

He shrugged as he continued to stir. “I thought you’d be hungry.”
“You thought right. The last time I had something to eat was a bagel at one o’clock this morning.”
“Then you’re starving.”
She chuckled. “I am.”
He motioned for her to sit at the table. “I don’t know what you like, so I made everything I know how to cook.” He set a plate on the green placemat in front of her. She looked at it and grinned. He had made a tomato grilled cheese sandwich, homemade mashed potatoes, and spaghetti.
Blake sat across from her with his own plate and looked at her. “Why are you smiling at the food?”
“No reason,” she insisted. “It’s exactly what I would’ve made.”
“Is that bad?”
She shook her head. “No. It’s good. It looks good.”
With that said, she dug right into her food. The cheese was gooey, the mashed potatoes were excellent, and the spaghetti tasted like it came from an Italian restaurant. And she ate every last bite. “Those mashed potatoes were fabulous,” she claimed.
“My grandmother’s recipe. It was the only thing she was able to teach me how to cook. My sister is the chef in the family. That spaghetti sauce was hers.”
“She makes her own spaghetti sauce?”
“She uses it in her restaurant and sells it to her customers. She gives me a couple of jars every month.”
“Tell your sister she makes the best damn sauce I’ve ever tasted. And that grilled cheese was also the best I ever had. No lie.”
“Well now, I created the grilled cheese on my own.” He picked up the plates and set them in the sink.
“I’m going to go up and take a shower. The door will be unlocked if you need me.”
“Okay.” She didn’t know why the little detail about the door being unlocked while he was wet and naked had her heart racing.
Oh, wait, that’s why!
Amazon US / Amazon UK / NOOK / KOBOGoodreads

***I didn’t describe Blake’s grilled cheese sandwich like in the recipe below, but when I thought more about how Blake would’ve made it, he told me. It’s a bit gourmet than your traditional white sandwich bread and American cheese combo, but it’s delicious!


Blake’s Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Need:Two slices of thickly sliced breadShredded mozzarella cheeseShredded cheddar cheeseTomato, dicedButterGarlic powder
1. Mix a dash of garlic powder into a tablespoon (or so) of butter. Slather the garlic butter onto two slices of thickly sliced bread, such as Italian, French, or Cubano.
2. Heat a skillet, set one slice of bread, buttered side down, onto skillet.
3. Sprinkle a generous amount of shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
4. Add diced tomatoes, top with an equal amount of shredded cheddar cheese and the other slice of bread, buttered side up.
5. Brown each side to a nice golden. Cut in half, let cool, and enjoy!

NOTE: Blake says you can omit the garlic better if you want. But to add flavor, you can smear a little basil pesto on the inside of the bread before adding the shredded mozzarella cheese.

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Very Inspiring Blogger Award

Thank you so much, Sherry Ellis, for nominating me for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award. Getting one of these awards from a fellow blogger always feels like an incredible honor, and it never dulls. Below I am sharing 3 things that have inspired me recently. When I had to nominate bloggers, I had a major brain fart and I wanted to get this up quickly, so I only nominated 6 people. If you’re reading this though, I nominate you too! :)

The Rules:

1.Thank the person who nominated you, and link to their blog.

2.Display the award logo.

3. Nominate 15 other bloggers (more or less) and provide a link where they may be found.

4. Go to their blog, leave a comment to let them know they have been nominated.

5.Mention three things that inspired you the most during the past few weeks.

Three Things that Inspired Me Recently:
1. I have been listening to the song “Chandelier” by Sia on repeat for days. I remember when I first heard it on a trailer for a movie last year and my ears perked up like a dog expecting a treat. I desperately wanted to know who the singer was and what the song title was, but time went by and I still didn’t know. Silly me, I could’ve Googled it or just listened to the newest album for a singer I like. Well, I finally stumbled upon it last week and I’ve been listening to “Chandelier” ever since while writing book 3 in my Disaster Crimes series. The rest of the songs on Sia’s album “1000 Forms of Fear” are also amazing! The video for “Chandelier” is also inspiring.

2. Roland Yeoman recently posted his 8 Simple Rules. While reading each one I was nodding in agreement. His posts are always thoughtful, but this one really inspired me because he shared a story with us that demonstrated how bad life can get, but he followed it with a reminder of how blessed we are.
3. I’ve wanted to go to Ireland for years, and next year I may just get the chance, so I’ve been doing research on Ireland and writing things down in a pretty journal I got for Christmas. Planning a dream vacation that may actually happen feels wonder, and Ireland, a place of mystery and magic, has always inspired me.

Nominations:
Roland Yeomans' posts are creative and thoughtful. Sometimes the ghost of Mark Twain takes over his blog.
Arlee Bird created the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge. How much more inspiring can you get? You can sign up NOW! 
Gina Stoneheart is a dear friend of mine. Her posts are insightful.
Lisa Thomson blogs about marriage and divorce. You don’t need to be going through divorce to appreciate her advice. I often use her tips for relationships with my family and friends.
Stephen Tremp blogs a lot about space, which I love! The stars, moon, and planets have inspired me ever since I was a kid.
Cherdo's posts are funny and sarcastic. They make me smile and a smile is always inspiring.

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QUESTIONS: Do you have a ingredient you use when you make grilled cheese? When was the last time you had a grilled cheese sandwich? I had one for lunch yesterday! :) What has inspired you recently?

SALE! Hurricane Crimes is on sale for 99 cents! Get it here:
Amazon / NOOK / KOBO All Romance eBooks / BookStrand

Writing About: A Snowball Fight

SALE! Hurricane Crimes is on sale for 99 cents! Get it here:
Amazon / NOOK / KOBO All Romance eBooks / BookStrand


In my novella, 30 Seconds, I wrote a fun snowball scene that lets my characters unwind from the scary, intense moments they experienced before then. I wholeheartedly believe in taking a step back from the action to let your readers and characters breathe, and if your story is set in winter, a snowball fight could be just the thing.
Here are 5 things to consider if you ever write a snowball fight:
1.    Opponents
Who is playing in this snowball fight? Are there just two people battling against each other, or is a family divided?
2.    Snow
Describe the ground as your characters run from each other and their boots sink into a foot or so of soft snow. Also describe the making of the snowballs, the freezing of unprotected fingers, and the creation a snowball piles.

3.    Hits and Misses
Let your readers know about all the hits and misses; when your hero/heroine gets smacked in the side of the head, the hard and cold impact, and the explosion of snow. Or he/she can see their snowball hit their opponent and cheer in victory. Also tell your readers about the misses. Your hero/heroine could be throwing snowballs one right after the other but not making any contact.
4.    What else do they do?
A snowball fight isn’t just about throwing balls of snow. Let your readers in on your hero/heroine’s thoughts to share his/her strategy. Does he/she hide behind something? Run? Or make a stand with an armful of snowballs?
5.    Who wins?
How do your characters decide who wins? Does someone forfeit with his/her hands in the air? In 30 Seconds, my character’s snowball fight ends with a kiss, so maybe they are both winners. ;)


QUESTION: Have you ever been in a snowball fight? Tell me about it!

Scene Spotlight for Dearest Darling by Andrea Downing

I have a special treat for all of you...I’m bringing a new feature to Write with Fey for authors to showcase a special scene in their books. Andrea Downing, an author from The Wild Rose Press, is the first to be honored with this feature. She’s sharing a scene from her recent release, Dearest Darling.
Andrea Downing: Let me first say thanks so much, Chrys, for having me here today. This is the first time I’ve done a ‘scene spotlight’ and I really enjoyed it. Title: Dearest DarlingAuthor: Andrea DowningGenre:  Western Historical RomancePage Count: 106Publisher:  The Wild Rose PressRelease Date:  October 8th 2014
BOOK LINKS:Amazon / The Wild Rose Press

SCENE:
Daniel drove back in with the feed sleigh in the late afternoon. The snow had stopped, leaving a silver-white aura over the landscape. The moon fought the sun for this hour, a crescent hanging in the sky like a misplaced toy. There Emily stood, her pelisse bundled tight around her. She leaned on the corral fence, staring out, the mountains standing silently caped in their ermine cloaks, the high prairie encased in its diamond shell, a fading sun scattering jewels onto the landscape. As he reined in, she cast a smile his way, one he could not help but return.
“It’s so beautiful. This landscape. It’s remarkable, quite honestly. It’s as if there’s nothing but space for us for miles and miles and miles. Only the mountains and rivers and the prairie, no one else, just us. Amazing.”
He halted the dray horse, set the brake, and jumped down to stand beside her at the corral, trying to see what she saw, see it through her eyes. He sucked in the fresh air, his hands on the fencing he had built himself. “Like you, I didn’t know what I was coming to. Ten years back. But I had read lots. It was different then, quieter. Even less folks than what there are now. I thought...I thought I’d never seen anything so beautiful. Still don’t.” Although, with her before him, he wondered.
“It’s so different from the city.”
Her voice had a note of quiet peace, like the evening call of birds. That was what her voice was like. A call. To him. Picture by Andrea Downing“Yeah. It sure is.” He patted the waiting horse, puffs of cold breath forming clouds from its nostrils as it snorted out its impatience.
“I’ll put dinner on,” she informed him, and with a last glance at the hills beyond, she headed back into the cabin.
Daniel stood watching her, the reins in his hand, the horse stomping eagerly to be led to warmth, to its feed.
Bet it’ll be good. Bet it’ll be delicious.
And when he made his way back from the barn, the hay sleigh unhitched, the horse curried and fed, he caught sight of her in the lamplight, sitting there with the mending once more, the table set and waiting for him.
He wanted nothing more than this, the firelight casting her shadow against the cabin wall, the golden locks of hair highlighted by the wavering colors of the fire in the grate, the woman at her work, silently waiting for his return. His alone.He removed his hat as he entered and set it on its peg before unfastening his sheepskin coat. He wondered if he smelled, if she was offended by his body odor and his unshaven face and uncut hair, but it was too late to care about such matters. Ethel, still in New York, still breathing the stench of city streets, enclosed streets with no views, still waiting in the wings, haunted him now.
Picture by Andrea Downing

QUESTIONS:
1. Where does this scene take place?
Daniel’s ranch house was inspired by the Cunningham Cabin in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming.  I always envisage Emily coming out of that cabin, and standing by the rail and taking in that breathtaking scenery around her.  I’ve tried to capture what it would be like in these photos but nothing does it justice; you have to go there and experience that sort of beauty, that solitude.
Picture by Andrea Downing
2. If this were a movie, what song would be playing in the background?
I’m a big Country fan so this was a difficult decision, but I think I’ve settled on ‘Never Knew Lonely’ by Vince Gill.
3. Which actors/actresses would play the characters present in this scene?
For Daniel, no one could be better than Chris Hemsworth—I promise you!  Not just because he’s been voted sexiest man of 2014, but he definitely fits how I envisage Daniel.  Maybe I shouldn’t say that because the character is named for my daughter’s boyfriend!  For Emily, I’d settle on Natalie Portman; she has the beauty and the range necessary for this character.
4. What inspired this scene?
As I said above, the ranch was based on this historic site in Grand Teton National Park.  When I was there I knew that the solitude, the way one feels about being so distant from everyone else, had to play a part in the book, especially referencing Daniel’s loneliness and his need for company, for a wife.  Emily’s first bit of dialog captures everything I felt there and the scene evolved from that.
Picture by Andrea Downing
5. What do you love the most about this scene?    
First of all, I’m very proud of my line, “The moon fought the sun for this hour, a crescent hanging in the sky like a misplaced toy.”  It’s one of those lines an author writes and then later wonders where it came from!  Did I write that?!  But the other thing I love about this scene is the vision of Daniel peeking in his window and seeing Emily in the lamplight.  How many of us do that, either walking along a street or driving by houses; we peep into windows and feel the warmth of the home there, the love of a family.  And that’s exactly what Daniel is longing for, only at this point in the story he believes Emily is the wrong woman for him.

BLURB:
Daniel Saunders has carved out a life for himself in Wyoming—a life missing one thing: a wife. Having scrimped and saved to bring his mail-order bride from New York, he is outraged to find in her stead a runaway fraud. Even worse, the impostor is the sister of his old enemy.But people are not always as they seem, and sometimes the heart knows more than the head.

BIO:  Andrea Downing likes to say that when she decided to do a Masters Degree, she made the mistake of turning left out of New York, where she was born,  instead of right to the west, and ended up in the UK. She eventually married there, raising a beautiful daughter and staying for longer than she cares to admit.Teaching, editing a poetry magazine, writing travel articles, and a short stint in Nigeria filled those years until in 2008 she returned to NYC. She now divides her time between the city and the shore, and often trades the canyons of New York for the wide open spaces of Wyoming.Family vacations are often out west and, to date, she and her daughter have been to some 20 ranches throughout the west.  Loveland , her first book, was a finalist for Best American Historical at the 2013 RONE Awards.  Lawless Love , a short story, part of The Wild Rose Press ‘Lawmen and Outlaws’ series, was a finalist for Best Historical Novella at the RONE Awards and placed in the 2014 International Digital Awards Historical Short contest.  Dearest Darling , a novella, is part of The Wild Rose Press Love Letters series, and came out Oct. 8th, 2014, and Dances of the Heart , another full length novel, comes out in February, 2015.AUTHOR LINKS:Website and Blog / Facebook / TwitterGoodreads / Linkedin / Amazon Page
Thanks again for having me, Chrys!  Loved doing this.

You’re very welcome, Andrea. I’m super glad you had fun with it. I’ll welcome you back for another Scene Spotlight in the future. :)
QUESTION: How did you like Andrea’s scene for my first Scene Spotlight?