Interview and Excerpt: Viewer Discretion Advised by Cindy Roesel
Thank you to Cindy Roesel for stopping by with a Q&A and excerpt from Viewer Discretion Advised. Please visit her page on CLP Blog Tours for more information!
**Interview**
First of all, I have to thank you MISS SAMANTHA MARCH and CHICK LIT PLUS for hosting me and VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED! I am so happy to be part of this whole BLOG TOUR thing! IT IS SO INCREDIBLY COOL! IT IS SO NOW! It is what is happening! REALLY! When I wrote my book, even before, I couldn’t wait to finish so I could do this super new blog tour thing! Thank you for letting me be a part! You are such an innovator! I hope you’re going to let me do another one! Anyway….. And you are SOOOOOOOOOOOOO pretty, too! And you’ve written your own novel! DAMN, GIRL!
When did you know writing was for you?
I’ve been a storyteller all my life and becoming a writer was a natural transition. I studied communications in college and was fortunate to secure an internship at CNN in NYC where I got my first taste of broadcast journalism. From there I was hooked. A lot of people go into television because they want to be on television. Being recognized ended up being the thing that always freaked me out. I loved the whole process of creating and writing a live show and working on the edge. I also enjoyed writing long-form specials. I won my Emmy for an hour long special I wrote and produced on the candidates running for Governor in Connecticut. Writing VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED was the natural transition after TV news.
How would you describe your book?
My novel, VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED is a modern twist on “Sex and the City” meets “Broadcast News.” It’s a fun mocha light frappachino. I have great characters, fun plots, lots of action all set in sizzling Miami! It’s all about mind candy, a day at the beach, a few hours on the plane to distract you while you travel.
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
The hardest part of writing for me is sitting in the chair and writing. Once I’m in the chair, you can’t get me out. I come from news and I’ve been known to be there for a very long time! You probably won’t believe me, so I won’t even go there. But I write for a long time and then I crash. It’s not the healthiest and I don’t recommend it, but it’s what I do. I’d love to do the 9-1 or 3-8 thing but I don’t get that at all.
What are your favorite genres to read?
I read everything and I mean everything! I’d have to say my greatest influences are Charles Dickens and Mario Puzo, so that gives you an idea! I review for Chick Lit Central, and I read everyone you host, so that tells your readers something! I am never without a book. In Miami, we have one of the best independent bookstores in the country and we get fabulous authors everyday and I go to all the readings, so I’m all about books 24/7/365-366-leap year!
What do you want readers to take away from your story?
What I’d like readers to take away from VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED is that if you work very hard, despite having the odds against you, including the economy being in the dumps you can do well. I was the first one in my family to graduate from college when doom and gloom was knocking on the front door. In VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED, Charley gets knocked on her ass and fired, but she has friends and she remembers contacts she’s made in the past. Work hard and be smart!
How important do you think social media is for authors these days?
EXTREMELY! As I said at the beginning of this interview, women like you, Samantha March and Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours are on the cutting edge of what’s happening in promoting authors and books. Publishers used to send authors out all the time, but that’s not happening now. Social media is what it’s all about. Even the so-called big authors don’t get a budget to tour anymore. They do blog tours, facebook and twitter. Forget about travelling. I did something really neat last month. I was invited to a bookstore at Miami International Airport to promote VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED. It was great. I met people from all over the country. The cool thing is the people I met talked about it on my website.
What would be your advice to aspiring writers?
Go for it! If you want to write, then write! Know that writing it writing. There is no magic to getting the words down on the paper except a lot of hard work. But it’s the most fulfilling experience in the whole world when you see something that you’ve worked on finally published. I can’t even begin to describe the feeling of holding VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED in my hands. Maybe Samantha, you can help me out. It is so incredible humbling. I worked and doubted myself and didn’t think I could do it and often felt like a failure and somehow it all came together. There were other people who believed in me and I’m grateful for their love and friendship.
Would be writers need to find a group of other would-be writers in their community, at a local community college, center or on-line. Writers are really good at supporting one another and that’s what you need. But the most important thing you need to do is to write. Feel free to contact me at my website cindyroesel.com if you have any questions.
Once again, thank you so much Samantha March and Chick Lit Plus for hosting me and VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED. We are so lucky to be on tour with you! This is going to be a blast!
Remember if anyone has any questions, please just contact me and I will get back to you ASAP!Happy summer!
**Excerpt**
PROLOGUE TODAY…MIAMI
“What the hell is going on?” Charley yelled as she walked into the newsroom. A crowd of people gathered around her main anchor. Lady Gaga singing. Is that a CD, or is the Fame Monster a guest on tonight’sshow? A guest I didn’t approve. But OMG, how on earth did we possibly book her? Seventeen minutes and twelve seconds until the next newscast. Why aren’t scripts being ripped? Why aren’t editors editing video? Why are those phones ringing off the hooks? She pushed through the crowd. Once spotted most of the staff walked away from whatever had captured their attention. And then Charley saw him – the poker face poser giving his all - hoping to make everyone just dance. “What the…” Charley barely caught her jaw. Some guy peeling off his pants in front of her main anchor, and revealing a very revealing g-string. “Please leave,” Nancy whimpered, trying to cover her face, but the stripper kept pulling her hands away. “You know you want it, News lady,” he growled. The banana boat in his sequin-covered g-string made it obvious he was excited to be performing.Nancy was on the verge of crying. The last thing Charley needed from her anchor that was only minutes away from going on live television. “Whoever you are, you need to leave,” Charley demanded getting an eyeful of ass. She saw his shirt lying next to the boom box and picked it up. “Now,” she threw the shirt at him. “Who the hell are you?” crossing his arms and tapping his feet. He wasn’t used to having his performance cut short. Charley stopped herself from grabbing the little shit by the neck and instead counted, “One, two, three...” She looked around the newsroom, and announced, “Anybody involved in the next newscast, which is less than ten minutes away, get to work.” Charley stared into the stripper’s face. He looked uncomfortable. “I’m the boss, that’s who. And forget the paparazzi, you fame-monger-wanna-be, we’re calling the police and they’re going to put your little g-stringed ass in jail.” The stripper located his pants and stepped into them. Then he picked up the boom box. “Her husband hired me for her birthday. Your loss, sweetheart,” he stared coldly at Nancy. “I’m out of here,” the stripper looked Charley up and down. “Here’s my card, Boss Lady,” he winked. “I’ll give you a good deal.” “Make sure he leaves,” Charley told Carlos, one of her editors who was a former University of Miami Hurricanes linebacker. It was no secret Carlos enjoyed making believe he was Mike Tyson before Tyson had a meltdown and started eating people’s ears. Charley tossed the stripper’s card in the trashcan and walked over to Nancy. Tears were streaking her make-up. “Nancy, follow me.” This is just great. Charley grabbed Nancy’s hand and led her down the hall and into her office. She shut the door and drew the shades. “Would you like a soda? Chocolate?” Charley reached for her purse, and pulled out several vials. “Valium? Xanax? Anything?” Nancy started to hyperventilate. “My hus, husb, husband… It’s my bir, birth, birthday…” “Nancy, just sit there. Breathe, breathe… Look at me,” Charley gently rubbed Nancy’s hands. “Nancy, we have less than six minutes until the show. You have no co-anchor tonight. It’s just you. You need to focus on being the professional you are. Forget your husband. Breathe,” Charley paused to make sure Nancy was listening. Her eyes were closed, and Charley could tell Nancy was hanging on her every word. “Nancy, YOU are a star. We NEED you. South Florida NEEDS you.” Charley looked at her watch. “We NEED you, you, Nancy!” Nancy drew in a breath, tightened her hands into a fist before releasing them and reopening her eyes. She stared off at some distant place for inspiration. “Yes,” Nancy said. “They need me. I can do it.” “You, Nancy, we need you. Can YOU do it, you?” Charley watched Nancy take a deep breath and calm down. “Yes, yes, I can,” Nancy smoothed her skirt and jacket. Charley looked at her watch. Just enough time to get on the air. “Go to the set. Touch up your eyes and blush. I’ll have water brought out to the set.” Nancy, stood up, grabbed Charley and hugged her. “Thank you, Charley.” Charley stepped back and pointed towards the door. “You’re a star. Go Nancy, now.” Nancy turned and walked out of Charley’s office before breaking into a sprint. “Send water out to Nancy,” she said into her speakerphone. “On the way,” someone answered. Charley sat down in front of six television monitors - four local English speaking and two Spanish language stations. Charley would usually split her attention between all six monitors, but tonight, her full attention was on WCAR. She quickly said a prayer Nancy would be able to keep it together for the next thirty minutes. After that, Nancy can do whatever she wants to whomever she wants. What kind of husband sends his wife a stripper for her birthday? To her work place? The bastard compromised my newscast. He deserves to be castrated. The opening started. Please God, I’ll go to church this week, I promise. “Good evening. I’m Nancy Dennison. Topping tonight’s news, more traffic nightmares for South Floridians…” Damn, she’s good. Nancy’s eyes had an extra sparkle. Her makeup was flawless. Forget
news. I’m a babysitter. No, make that a shrink. ********************************************************************************** **Everyone who leaves a comment on Cindy's tour page will be entered to win a $10 Amazon gift card! Anyone who purchases their copy of Viewer Discretion Advised before August 20 and sends their receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com, will get five bonus entries.** Author Bio:
CINDY ROESEL is an Emmy Award winning television broadcast journalist. After working for twenty years in newsrooms filled with ambitious backbiting adrenalin junkies, she's turning her experiences into novels. Cindy lives in Miami with her shih tzu, Sassy.
Connect with Cindy!
www.cindyroesel.comcindyroesel.blogspot.comwriteoncindy@yahoo.comcindyroesel.facebookcindyroesel.twittercindyroesel.LinkedIn Buy the Book! AMAZON.COM www.amazon.com/dp/09851281000 B&N.com www.barnesandnoble.com/w/viewer-discretion-advised-cindy-roesel/1109713715?ean=9780985128104
**Interview**
First of all, I have to thank you MISS SAMANTHA MARCH and CHICK LIT PLUS for hosting me and VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED! I am so happy to be part of this whole BLOG TOUR thing! IT IS SO INCREDIBLY COOL! IT IS SO NOW! It is what is happening! REALLY! When I wrote my book, even before, I couldn’t wait to finish so I could do this super new blog tour thing! Thank you for letting me be a part! You are such an innovator! I hope you’re going to let me do another one! Anyway….. And you are SOOOOOOOOOOOOO pretty, too! And you’ve written your own novel! DAMN, GIRL!
When did you know writing was for you?
I’ve been a storyteller all my life and becoming a writer was a natural transition. I studied communications in college and was fortunate to secure an internship at CNN in NYC where I got my first taste of broadcast journalism. From there I was hooked. A lot of people go into television because they want to be on television. Being recognized ended up being the thing that always freaked me out. I loved the whole process of creating and writing a live show and working on the edge. I also enjoyed writing long-form specials. I won my Emmy for an hour long special I wrote and produced on the candidates running for Governor in Connecticut. Writing VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED was the natural transition after TV news.
How would you describe your book?
My novel, VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED is a modern twist on “Sex and the City” meets “Broadcast News.” It’s a fun mocha light frappachino. I have great characters, fun plots, lots of action all set in sizzling Miami! It’s all about mind candy, a day at the beach, a few hours on the plane to distract you while you travel.
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
The hardest part of writing for me is sitting in the chair and writing. Once I’m in the chair, you can’t get me out. I come from news and I’ve been known to be there for a very long time! You probably won’t believe me, so I won’t even go there. But I write for a long time and then I crash. It’s not the healthiest and I don’t recommend it, but it’s what I do. I’d love to do the 9-1 or 3-8 thing but I don’t get that at all.
What are your favorite genres to read?
I read everything and I mean everything! I’d have to say my greatest influences are Charles Dickens and Mario Puzo, so that gives you an idea! I review for Chick Lit Central, and I read everyone you host, so that tells your readers something! I am never without a book. In Miami, we have one of the best independent bookstores in the country and we get fabulous authors everyday and I go to all the readings, so I’m all about books 24/7/365-366-leap year!
What do you want readers to take away from your story?
What I’d like readers to take away from VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED is that if you work very hard, despite having the odds against you, including the economy being in the dumps you can do well. I was the first one in my family to graduate from college when doom and gloom was knocking on the front door. In VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED, Charley gets knocked on her ass and fired, but she has friends and she remembers contacts she’s made in the past. Work hard and be smart!
How important do you think social media is for authors these days?
EXTREMELY! As I said at the beginning of this interview, women like you, Samantha March and Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours are on the cutting edge of what’s happening in promoting authors and books. Publishers used to send authors out all the time, but that’s not happening now. Social media is what it’s all about. Even the so-called big authors don’t get a budget to tour anymore. They do blog tours, facebook and twitter. Forget about travelling. I did something really neat last month. I was invited to a bookstore at Miami International Airport to promote VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED. It was great. I met people from all over the country. The cool thing is the people I met talked about it on my website.
What would be your advice to aspiring writers?
Go for it! If you want to write, then write! Know that writing it writing. There is no magic to getting the words down on the paper except a lot of hard work. But it’s the most fulfilling experience in the whole world when you see something that you’ve worked on finally published. I can’t even begin to describe the feeling of holding VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED in my hands. Maybe Samantha, you can help me out. It is so incredible humbling. I worked and doubted myself and didn’t think I could do it and often felt like a failure and somehow it all came together. There were other people who believed in me and I’m grateful for their love and friendship.
Would be writers need to find a group of other would-be writers in their community, at a local community college, center or on-line. Writers are really good at supporting one another and that’s what you need. But the most important thing you need to do is to write. Feel free to contact me at my website cindyroesel.com if you have any questions.
Once again, thank you so much Samantha March and Chick Lit Plus for hosting me and VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED. We are so lucky to be on tour with you! This is going to be a blast!
Remember if anyone has any questions, please just contact me and I will get back to you ASAP!Happy summer!
**Excerpt**
PROLOGUE TODAY…MIAMI
“What the hell is going on?” Charley yelled as she walked into the newsroom. A crowd of people gathered around her main anchor. Lady Gaga singing. Is that a CD, or is the Fame Monster a guest on tonight’sshow? A guest I didn’t approve. But OMG, how on earth did we possibly book her? Seventeen minutes and twelve seconds until the next newscast. Why aren’t scripts being ripped? Why aren’t editors editing video? Why are those phones ringing off the hooks? She pushed through the crowd. Once spotted most of the staff walked away from whatever had captured their attention. And then Charley saw him – the poker face poser giving his all - hoping to make everyone just dance. “What the…” Charley barely caught her jaw. Some guy peeling off his pants in front of her main anchor, and revealing a very revealing g-string. “Please leave,” Nancy whimpered, trying to cover her face, but the stripper kept pulling her hands away. “You know you want it, News lady,” he growled. The banana boat in his sequin-covered g-string made it obvious he was excited to be performing.Nancy was on the verge of crying. The last thing Charley needed from her anchor that was only minutes away from going on live television. “Whoever you are, you need to leave,” Charley demanded getting an eyeful of ass. She saw his shirt lying next to the boom box and picked it up. “Now,” she threw the shirt at him. “Who the hell are you?” crossing his arms and tapping his feet. He wasn’t used to having his performance cut short. Charley stopped herself from grabbing the little shit by the neck and instead counted, “One, two, three...” She looked around the newsroom, and announced, “Anybody involved in the next newscast, which is less than ten minutes away, get to work.” Charley stared into the stripper’s face. He looked uncomfortable. “I’m the boss, that’s who. And forget the paparazzi, you fame-monger-wanna-be, we’re calling the police and they’re going to put your little g-stringed ass in jail.” The stripper located his pants and stepped into them. Then he picked up the boom box. “Her husband hired me for her birthday. Your loss, sweetheart,” he stared coldly at Nancy. “I’m out of here,” the stripper looked Charley up and down. “Here’s my card, Boss Lady,” he winked. “I’ll give you a good deal.” “Make sure he leaves,” Charley told Carlos, one of her editors who was a former University of Miami Hurricanes linebacker. It was no secret Carlos enjoyed making believe he was Mike Tyson before Tyson had a meltdown and started eating people’s ears. Charley tossed the stripper’s card in the trashcan and walked over to Nancy. Tears were streaking her make-up. “Nancy, follow me.” This is just great. Charley grabbed Nancy’s hand and led her down the hall and into her office. She shut the door and drew the shades. “Would you like a soda? Chocolate?” Charley reached for her purse, and pulled out several vials. “Valium? Xanax? Anything?” Nancy started to hyperventilate. “My hus, husb, husband… It’s my bir, birth, birthday…” “Nancy, just sit there. Breathe, breathe… Look at me,” Charley gently rubbed Nancy’s hands. “Nancy, we have less than six minutes until the show. You have no co-anchor tonight. It’s just you. You need to focus on being the professional you are. Forget your husband. Breathe,” Charley paused to make sure Nancy was listening. Her eyes were closed, and Charley could tell Nancy was hanging on her every word. “Nancy, YOU are a star. We NEED you. South Florida NEEDS you.” Charley looked at her watch. “We NEED you, you, Nancy!” Nancy drew in a breath, tightened her hands into a fist before releasing them and reopening her eyes. She stared off at some distant place for inspiration. “Yes,” Nancy said. “They need me. I can do it.” “You, Nancy, we need you. Can YOU do it, you?” Charley watched Nancy take a deep breath and calm down. “Yes, yes, I can,” Nancy smoothed her skirt and jacket. Charley looked at her watch. Just enough time to get on the air. “Go to the set. Touch up your eyes and blush. I’ll have water brought out to the set.” Nancy, stood up, grabbed Charley and hugged her. “Thank you, Charley.” Charley stepped back and pointed towards the door. “You’re a star. Go Nancy, now.” Nancy turned and walked out of Charley’s office before breaking into a sprint. “Send water out to Nancy,” she said into her speakerphone. “On the way,” someone answered. Charley sat down in front of six television monitors - four local English speaking and two Spanish language stations. Charley would usually split her attention between all six monitors, but tonight, her full attention was on WCAR. She quickly said a prayer Nancy would be able to keep it together for the next thirty minutes. After that, Nancy can do whatever she wants to whomever she wants. What kind of husband sends his wife a stripper for her birthday? To her work place? The bastard compromised my newscast. He deserves to be castrated. The opening started. Please God, I’ll go to church this week, I promise. “Good evening. I’m Nancy Dennison. Topping tonight’s news, more traffic nightmares for South Floridians…” Damn, she’s good. Nancy’s eyes had an extra sparkle. Her makeup was flawless. Forget
news. I’m a babysitter. No, make that a shrink. ********************************************************************************** **Everyone who leaves a comment on Cindy's tour page will be entered to win a $10 Amazon gift card! Anyone who purchases their copy of Viewer Discretion Advised before August 20 and sends their receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com, will get five bonus entries.** Author Bio:
CINDY ROESEL is an Emmy Award winning television broadcast journalist. After working for twenty years in newsrooms filled with ambitious backbiting adrenalin junkies, she's turning her experiences into novels. Cindy lives in Miami with her shih tzu, Sassy.
Connect with Cindy!
www.cindyroesel.comcindyroesel.blogspot.comwriteoncindy@yahoo.comcindyroesel.facebookcindyroesel.twittercindyroesel.LinkedIn Buy the Book! AMAZON.COM www.amazon.com/dp/09851281000 B&N.com www.barnesandnoble.com/w/viewer-discretion-advised-cindy-roesel/1109713715?ean=9780985128104
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