Interview and Excerpt: The Cowboy Singer by Paula Tiberius
Thank you to Paula Tiberius for stopping by with an interview and excerpt from The Cowboy Singer. Please visit her tour page on CLP Blog Tours for more details!
**Interview**
When did you know writing was for you?
I realized I wanted to write after I directed my first short film "Oxanna" in 1994. My mom wrote a short story that I adapted for its screenplay, and after that I realized - hey, I can do this too. Why don't I try? So I started writing with partners at first for my next two shorts, then my feature film Goldirocks just poured out straight from my heart, solo style.
How would you describe your books?
Well I only have one book so far! But I would describe The Cowboy Singer as adorable, fun and easy to read. I have many more screenplays than books - those run the gamut from easy-breezy romantic comedies to serious family drama to historical political drama. My next book is a romance about a rich girl who falls for a guy on the other side of the tracks. It's set in Los Angeles which really works because the disparity of incomes here is astounding. The leading man also has a bit of a hang-up with destroying other people's relationships, so the heroine has some interesting challenges.
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
Finding time to write! Sometimes I'm amazed at how much I took for granted all that endless glorious free time before I had my daughter. Now I truly have to work at scheduling the hours to work on my projects. The good news is that this hurdle has given me a remarkable ability to plough straight through writer's block, indecision, or any other maladies that used to trip me up when I was sans child. Now it's more like 'you have an hour - write!' - then I just work like crazy until I'm forced back into something far higher on the priority list, such as finding a juice box, or gluing eyes back onto a teddy bear.
When it comes to the nitty gritty of the work though, I guess the most difficult part for me is getting to the end of the outline - I always want to stop halfway and just get to the writing already, which I've proven many times is a big mistake.
What are your favorite genres to read?
I'm very eclectic in my tastes, but overall I tend to stay in the contemporary time period. I love British chick lit because that special brand of self-deprecating humor just cracks me up, but i've also read tons of American romances, lots of literary fiction, biographies. I absolutely couldn't put down The Glass Castle a few years ago and have given it to countless friends. I trust the New York Times Book Review for the most part, and referrals from friends. That keeps me bouncing from genre to genre pretty steadily. And now that I'm discovering the indie book scene on Twitter, there are always great deals and free books everywhere you look which is hard to resist!
What do you want readers to take away from your story?
Two things: You can always start over and reinvent yourself successfully no matter what situation you're in, and that kindness and musical ability are an incredibly sexy combination in a man!
How important do you think social media is for authors these days?
Incredibly important. Social media has revolutionized indie publishing. I've met so many authors on Twitter alone that I connect with on a daily basis. It's literally a community at your fingertips. You can get great advice (I'm all about @livewritethrive right now), read reviews, discover forums - and just generally feel like you know what's happening in the indie book world within minutes. Plus you're reaching people directly that might be interested in your work. For me, it's about finding that woman in North Dakota who really wants to read a romantic story set in Texas - she finds my book on Facebook or Twitter, loads it on to her kindle and enjoys a great read. How else can this be accomplished but through social media? Okay, a huge marketing campaign executed by a large publishing house sounds good too. But in the meantime, I'm still able to bring people joy one at a time.
What would be your advice to aspiring writers?
Sit in your chair and write. If that sounds too simple, give it a try - it works! Also, write an outline. Even if it's just on a cocktail napkin. It's your lifeline while you're navigating the deep waters of individual scenes. If something's giving you trouble, you can move on and you won't get lost because you have a map.
Also, start a blog. It doesn't matter if it's just your bio and contact information for now, but put something up there because people want to know who you are when they read your work. Also, it's a great place to do creative writing without the pressure of having to say anything particularly important. You can hone your chops while entertaining your mom and friends, and if you start to get a real following, then you've suddenly got a built-in audience for your book.
**Excerpt**
If the outside of the building looked like a saloon, the similarities ended there. Inside, the large one-story space was converted into a state-of-the-art recording studio.“Wow, you’d never know all this was behind those walls.” She glanced at the endless control board, and the soundproof glass window that looked out onto the performance area. “Glenn, this is April. She’s going to sit in for a few takes.”Glenn was the recording engineer sitting in an ergonomic chair behind the control board. His fingers left their post at the endless array of buttons to reach out and shake her hand. Glenn had a firm handshake and a friendly face. April liked him immediately, especially when he offered her some iced tea and showed her the most comfortable chair to sit in. James was clearly in work mode, listening to something on headphones. April felt like she was intruding somehow, on his private world. A wave of insecurity washed over her. Where was this lack of confidence coming from? She’d just railroaded her way into immediate employment next door, for Heaven’s sake. And suddenly she was reduced to that timid schoolgirl again? Ridiculous. He invited her, after all. She really needed to work on her self-esteem. “Let’s take it from the top, Glenn?” “Sure, Boss.” Glenn’s fingers returned to their stations. “For the millionth time, please don’t call me Boss.” James made a face at Glenn, then turned his attention to April and flashed a big smile. It was as if a lightning bolt hit the top of her head, a warm feeling radiating down through her body. “Are you good?”“I’m good, Boss.” Her joke elicited another face from James and a chuckle from Glenn.“Don’t make me regret inviting you here,” James teased as he disappeared into the performance room. April wheeled her padded chair closer to Glenn to watch the action, careful not to get in the way. That’s when she saw her. A gorgeous, tall, blonde singer standing at a microphone in one of the isolation booths. April hadn’t noticed her before and now there she was in all her alluring glory. In fact, she looked familiar. “Who’s that?” April asked Glenn casually. “You don’t recognize her? It’s Nadine Woods.” April felt a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. Of course James probably had dozens of beautiful, famous friends and colleagues. Why was she surprised? And more importantly, why did she care? It’s not like he was going to be her boyfriend! April laughed quietly to herself, realizing how **Everyone who leaves a comment on Paula's tour page will be entered to win a $10 Amazon gift card! Anyone who purchases their copy of The Cowboy Singer before July 23 and sends their receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com, will get five bonus entries.**
**Interview**
When did you know writing was for you?
I realized I wanted to write after I directed my first short film "Oxanna" in 1994. My mom wrote a short story that I adapted for its screenplay, and after that I realized - hey, I can do this too. Why don't I try? So I started writing with partners at first for my next two shorts, then my feature film Goldirocks just poured out straight from my heart, solo style.
How would you describe your books?
Well I only have one book so far! But I would describe The Cowboy Singer as adorable, fun and easy to read. I have many more screenplays than books - those run the gamut from easy-breezy romantic comedies to serious family drama to historical political drama. My next book is a romance about a rich girl who falls for a guy on the other side of the tracks. It's set in Los Angeles which really works because the disparity of incomes here is astounding. The leading man also has a bit of a hang-up with destroying other people's relationships, so the heroine has some interesting challenges.
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
Finding time to write! Sometimes I'm amazed at how much I took for granted all that endless glorious free time before I had my daughter. Now I truly have to work at scheduling the hours to work on my projects. The good news is that this hurdle has given me a remarkable ability to plough straight through writer's block, indecision, or any other maladies that used to trip me up when I was sans child. Now it's more like 'you have an hour - write!' - then I just work like crazy until I'm forced back into something far higher on the priority list, such as finding a juice box, or gluing eyes back onto a teddy bear.
When it comes to the nitty gritty of the work though, I guess the most difficult part for me is getting to the end of the outline - I always want to stop halfway and just get to the writing already, which I've proven many times is a big mistake.
What are your favorite genres to read?
I'm very eclectic in my tastes, but overall I tend to stay in the contemporary time period. I love British chick lit because that special brand of self-deprecating humor just cracks me up, but i've also read tons of American romances, lots of literary fiction, biographies. I absolutely couldn't put down The Glass Castle a few years ago and have given it to countless friends. I trust the New York Times Book Review for the most part, and referrals from friends. That keeps me bouncing from genre to genre pretty steadily. And now that I'm discovering the indie book scene on Twitter, there are always great deals and free books everywhere you look which is hard to resist!
What do you want readers to take away from your story?
Two things: You can always start over and reinvent yourself successfully no matter what situation you're in, and that kindness and musical ability are an incredibly sexy combination in a man!
How important do you think social media is for authors these days?
Incredibly important. Social media has revolutionized indie publishing. I've met so many authors on Twitter alone that I connect with on a daily basis. It's literally a community at your fingertips. You can get great advice (I'm all about @livewritethrive right now), read reviews, discover forums - and just generally feel like you know what's happening in the indie book world within minutes. Plus you're reaching people directly that might be interested in your work. For me, it's about finding that woman in North Dakota who really wants to read a romantic story set in Texas - she finds my book on Facebook or Twitter, loads it on to her kindle and enjoys a great read. How else can this be accomplished but through social media? Okay, a huge marketing campaign executed by a large publishing house sounds good too. But in the meantime, I'm still able to bring people joy one at a time.
What would be your advice to aspiring writers?
Sit in your chair and write. If that sounds too simple, give it a try - it works! Also, write an outline. Even if it's just on a cocktail napkin. It's your lifeline while you're navigating the deep waters of individual scenes. If something's giving you trouble, you can move on and you won't get lost because you have a map.
Also, start a blog. It doesn't matter if it's just your bio and contact information for now, but put something up there because people want to know who you are when they read your work. Also, it's a great place to do creative writing without the pressure of having to say anything particularly important. You can hone your chops while entertaining your mom and friends, and if you start to get a real following, then you've suddenly got a built-in audience for your book.
**Excerpt**
If the outside of the building looked like a saloon, the similarities ended there. Inside, the large one-story space was converted into a state-of-the-art recording studio.“Wow, you’d never know all this was behind those walls.” She glanced at the endless control board, and the soundproof glass window that looked out onto the performance area. “Glenn, this is April. She’s going to sit in for a few takes.”Glenn was the recording engineer sitting in an ergonomic chair behind the control board. His fingers left their post at the endless array of buttons to reach out and shake her hand. Glenn had a firm handshake and a friendly face. April liked him immediately, especially when he offered her some iced tea and showed her the most comfortable chair to sit in. James was clearly in work mode, listening to something on headphones. April felt like she was intruding somehow, on his private world. A wave of insecurity washed over her. Where was this lack of confidence coming from? She’d just railroaded her way into immediate employment next door, for Heaven’s sake. And suddenly she was reduced to that timid schoolgirl again? Ridiculous. He invited her, after all. She really needed to work on her self-esteem. “Let’s take it from the top, Glenn?” “Sure, Boss.” Glenn’s fingers returned to their stations. “For the millionth time, please don’t call me Boss.” James made a face at Glenn, then turned his attention to April and flashed a big smile. It was as if a lightning bolt hit the top of her head, a warm feeling radiating down through her body. “Are you good?”“I’m good, Boss.” Her joke elicited another face from James and a chuckle from Glenn.“Don’t make me regret inviting you here,” James teased as he disappeared into the performance room. April wheeled her padded chair closer to Glenn to watch the action, careful not to get in the way. That’s when she saw her. A gorgeous, tall, blonde singer standing at a microphone in one of the isolation booths. April hadn’t noticed her before and now there she was in all her alluring glory. In fact, she looked familiar. “Who’s that?” April asked Glenn casually. “You don’t recognize her? It’s Nadine Woods.” April felt a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. Of course James probably had dozens of beautiful, famous friends and colleagues. Why was she surprised? And more importantly, why did she care? It’s not like he was going to be her boyfriend! April laughed quietly to herself, realizing how **Everyone who leaves a comment on Paula's tour page will be entered to win a $10 Amazon gift card! Anyone who purchases their copy of The Cowboy Singer before July 23 and sends their receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com, will get five bonus entries.**
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