Interview and Excerpt: Pickin' Tomatoes by JW Bull
Thanks to JW Bull for stopping by with a Q&A and excerpt from Pickin' Tomatoes. Please visit her tour page at CLP Blog Tours for more information!
**Interview**
When did you know writing was for you?
Recently, my mom showed me a story I wrote when I was in second grade. It was about a cat named Geritolwho lived forever. It made me laugh – I guess even back then I had an affinity for writing comedy (or maybe I just watched too much TV. Who writes a story about a cat named after a vitamin?) It wasn’t until years later, 2002 to be precise, that I decided to give writing a serious try. I wrote and illustrated a children’s picture book called Bubby’s Grand Adventure and I was hooked. Writing wasn’t hard, anyone could do it. I gobbled up how to books. I bounded to writing workshops. I proudly mailed query letters. I was like an overeager puppy. It was only a matter of time before I tripped over my oversized ego. I had no idea what I was doing. Years, books, and a multitude of rejection letters later (try saying that five times fast), I wrote Pickin’ Tomatoes.So when did I figure out writing was for me? This year. It took me that long to find my voice in my stories and hone my writing skills. It took me that long to realize what writing means to me. It’s all about the journey.
How would you describe your books?
Wacky with moments of wisdom.
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you? Organization – outlines, especially. When I’m in the zone, I just write and it flows. I never know what’s going to happen before I write it. But I’m working on a mystery right now, Musical Chairs, and you’ve got to be organized writing mysteries. Let’s just say, Yellow Post-it sticky notes are quickly becoming my best friend…
What are your favorite genres to read? I love fantasy. I’m a huge Lord of The Rings fan. I read the whole series every year. In fact, one of my main characters in Musical Chairs is nicknamed after Strider in The Lord of the Rings.
What do you want readers to take away from your story? Entertainment. If I can make a reader laugh and escape reality for just one moment, I will have done my job.
How important do you think social media is for authors these days? It can be really important or detrimental to your career. Social media is instantaneous. Once it’s out there, it’s out there.
What would be your advice to aspiring writers? Find your voice in your story. Figure out what writing means to you. And most of all, don’t settle for rejection. No doesn’t always have to mean no. Sometimes with writing, no can lead to not yet. And, with a little work and persistence, not yet can lead to success.
**Excerpt*
*
I gaze at my second simmering chicken, trying to ignore the stinging pain on my face. Let me tell you, it was a fierce battle. I ran into some problems with the cognac. Julia said to pour in a quarter cup cognac and, averting your face, ignite the liquid. Well, my match blew out because I had the ceiling fan on to get rid of some of the garlic smell in the house. So I turned off the fan, lit another match, and forgot to avert my face. The alcohol ignited with a whoosh! Before I knew what had happened, my eyebrows and eyelashes were singed, my face blackened. The protective eye gear would have been quite handy at this point, but I had taken the goggles off to reapply my makeup. I mean, who wants to cook with a greasy complexion and no lipstick? Well, minor mishaps. That’s why Neosporin and Band-Aids were invented, for times just like these. An hour later, my coq au vin is done. I jab my fork into the blackened chicken—maybe watching TV while cooking isn’t a good idea—and raise it to my mouth. It should be better this time. No soap, just water, and limited amount of garlic. Julia called for two mashed cloves of garlic but I thought that a bit much. That was forty-some sections of garlicAs I plunge the bite of chicken into my mouth, a horrible taste accosts me. Like bitter licorice with tinges of garlic. Darting to the sink, I spit it out, rinsing my mouth over and over with the sink sprayer. Has The Chef of Hearts been defeated by birds and booze? Is this as good as it gets? I don’t know and don’t care. There are far more pressing matters at hand. Drying my mouth off with my shirt, I reach for the phone and dial. “Yes, I’d like to order a large pepperoni pizza, please.” Cooking works up an appetite.
*Note to myself: Always wear safety gear. Watch amount of garlic! Never use Jagermeister as a substitute for wine.***************************************************************************** **Everyone who leaves a comment on JW's tour page will be entered to win a $10 Amazon gift card! Anyone who purchases their copy of Pickin' Tomatoes before July 30 and sends their receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com, will get five bonus entries.** Author Bio:
J. W. Bull lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband and two sons. Although she has worked as a sous chef for Lavande Restaurant, she currently is a private violin teacher and a member of The Georgia Symphony. She is also finishing another novel, Musical Chairs, a mystery involving Maggie’s cousin—Molly Malone, plucky part-time symphony player and fulltime Irish fiddler. It’s a hilarious spoof on symphonies, Irish fiddling, and mysteries that continues the Malone saga. Connect with J.W.! GoodReadsFacebookTwitter
Buy the Book!
Barnes & Noble
Smashwords
**Interview**
When did you know writing was for you?
Recently, my mom showed me a story I wrote when I was in second grade. It was about a cat named Geritolwho lived forever. It made me laugh – I guess even back then I had an affinity for writing comedy (or maybe I just watched too much TV. Who writes a story about a cat named after a vitamin?) It wasn’t until years later, 2002 to be precise, that I decided to give writing a serious try. I wrote and illustrated a children’s picture book called Bubby’s Grand Adventure and I was hooked. Writing wasn’t hard, anyone could do it. I gobbled up how to books. I bounded to writing workshops. I proudly mailed query letters. I was like an overeager puppy. It was only a matter of time before I tripped over my oversized ego. I had no idea what I was doing. Years, books, and a multitude of rejection letters later (try saying that five times fast), I wrote Pickin’ Tomatoes.So when did I figure out writing was for me? This year. It took me that long to find my voice in my stories and hone my writing skills. It took me that long to realize what writing means to me. It’s all about the journey.
How would you describe your books?
Wacky with moments of wisdom. What is the hardest part of the writing process for you? Organization – outlines, especially. When I’m in the zone, I just write and it flows. I never know what’s going to happen before I write it. But I’m working on a mystery right now, Musical Chairs, and you’ve got to be organized writing mysteries. Let’s just say, Yellow Post-it sticky notes are quickly becoming my best friend…
What are your favorite genres to read? I love fantasy. I’m a huge Lord of The Rings fan. I read the whole series every year. In fact, one of my main characters in Musical Chairs is nicknamed after Strider in The Lord of the Rings.
What do you want readers to take away from your story? Entertainment. If I can make a reader laugh and escape reality for just one moment, I will have done my job.
How important do you think social media is for authors these days? It can be really important or detrimental to your career. Social media is instantaneous. Once it’s out there, it’s out there.
What would be your advice to aspiring writers? Find your voice in your story. Figure out what writing means to you. And most of all, don’t settle for rejection. No doesn’t always have to mean no. Sometimes with writing, no can lead to not yet. And, with a little work and persistence, not yet can lead to success.
**Excerpt*
*
I gaze at my second simmering chicken, trying to ignore the stinging pain on my face. Let me tell you, it was a fierce battle. I ran into some problems with the cognac. Julia said to pour in a quarter cup cognac and, averting your face, ignite the liquid. Well, my match blew out because I had the ceiling fan on to get rid of some of the garlic smell in the house. So I turned off the fan, lit another match, and forgot to avert my face. The alcohol ignited with a whoosh! Before I knew what had happened, my eyebrows and eyelashes were singed, my face blackened. The protective eye gear would have been quite handy at this point, but I had taken the goggles off to reapply my makeup. I mean, who wants to cook with a greasy complexion and no lipstick? Well, minor mishaps. That’s why Neosporin and Band-Aids were invented, for times just like these. An hour later, my coq au vin is done. I jab my fork into the blackened chicken—maybe watching TV while cooking isn’t a good idea—and raise it to my mouth. It should be better this time. No soap, just water, and limited amount of garlic. Julia called for two mashed cloves of garlic but I thought that a bit much. That was forty-some sections of garlicAs I plunge the bite of chicken into my mouth, a horrible taste accosts me. Like bitter licorice with tinges of garlic. Darting to the sink, I spit it out, rinsing my mouth over and over with the sink sprayer. Has The Chef of Hearts been defeated by birds and booze? Is this as good as it gets? I don’t know and don’t care. There are far more pressing matters at hand. Drying my mouth off with my shirt, I reach for the phone and dial. “Yes, I’d like to order a large pepperoni pizza, please.” Cooking works up an appetite.
*Note to myself: Always wear safety gear. Watch amount of garlic! Never use Jagermeister as a substitute for wine.***************************************************************************** **Everyone who leaves a comment on JW's tour page will be entered to win a $10 Amazon gift card! Anyone who purchases their copy of Pickin' Tomatoes before July 30 and sends their receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com, will get five bonus entries.** Author Bio:
J. W. Bull lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband and two sons. Although she has worked as a sous chef for Lavande Restaurant, she currently is a private violin teacher and a member of The Georgia Symphony. She is also finishing another novel, Musical Chairs, a mystery involving Maggie’s cousin—Molly Malone, plucky part-time symphony player and fulltime Irish fiddler. It’s a hilarious spoof on symphonies, Irish fiddling, and mysteries that continues the Malone saga. Connect with J.W.! GoodReadsFacebookTwitter
Buy the Book!
Barnes & Noble
Smashwords
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